Leatherneck Magazine

SGT NATHANIEL C. LEBLANC

Sheik Mi’shan cut the ceremonial ribbon, opening the Karma City courthouse Feb. 7. Leathernecks of 3/3, RCT- 1 were on hand for the occasion, which opens the door for a newly installed judicial system.

viding offensive air support, utility support, armed escorts and airborne-supporting arms coordination.

“We have shifts ready to fulfill any support request 24 hours a day,” said Major James Judkins, an HMLA-773 pilot.

The Red Dogs’ mission also includes assault support, convoy and medical evacuation escorts for the U.S. Army’s UH- 60 Blackhawk and providing visual reconnaissance across Al Anbar province.

In less than six months in-country, the squadron has logged more than 3,000 combat flight hours and responded to approximately 85 medical evacuations and 90 joint tactical air strike requests in support of infantry units.

LCpl Jessica N. Aranda Combat Correspondent, 3d MAW

■ Karma

... And Justice for All

Court is in session. City officials and Marines forward deployed from Hawaii in 3d Battalion, Third Marine Regiment, Regimental Combat Team 1 were present for the ribbon-cutting ceremony and grand opening of the Karma City (Iraq) Courthouse Feb. 7.

The courthouse brings the city another step closer to stability by providing justice for its citizens.

“It’s a major accomplishment,” said Captain Quintin Jones, Commanding Officer, Company L, 3/3. “We see the completion of a triad … government, law and now the judicial system. Today, Karma is able to work at 100 percent and not have to send its cases to Fallujah anymore.”

The original courthouse was significantly damaged during the war and was moved to a local library. With the support

of RCT- 6 and RCT- 1, the Marines helped with the rehabilitation process and getting the judicial system back on its feet. Local contractors were hired for the job, taking only two months to complete the building at a cost of $83,000.

“It’s well beyond any expectations I had for Iraq,” Jones said. “It’s my third deployment here, and being able to see the speed of the progress is unbelievable. Going from a dysfunctional city to a fully functional city overnight is impressive.”

With the addition of the newly rebuilt courthouse, the city also received a new prosecutor judge who was present for the occasion.

Judge Walid Hassan, a recent graduate from the Law Institute in Baghdad, said he is looking forward to working for Karma and its citizens and has high hopes for the following years to come.

“The courts in Iraq have a bright future under the new directions of the central government, which supports the judicial system, and specifically in the region of Karma,” Judge Walid said. “Now the court can play a larger role in the life of its citizens. Before, people used the old style of resolving cases and lawsuits between them by going to the sheiks of the tribes who would then play the role of judge.”

The ceremony was a momentous event and a sign of the times, where city leaders and officials came together to show unity and the support they have for the newly installed judicial system.