Sgt Josh K. Bloomquist, E/2/24, is on a census patrol in Saqlawiyah. The idea is to introduce the Marines to the community and collect a census of those who
live in the city. (Photo by PFC Jerry Murphy)
based in Des Moines, Iowa. “It also helps
us put our face out there so that the
[Iraqis] know who we are and that we
want to help them. It becomes personal,
like we’re their neighbors.”
The Marines went door to door, speaking to the heads of the households. It is a
time-consuming project, but the leathernecks are determined to get to know the
Iraqis.
“This helps us figure out who belongs
here and who doesn’t,” said Bloomquist.
The information gathered on these census patrols is not only designed to help
the Marines, but it will eventually be used
and tracked by the Iraqi government.
“We’re here to help this country get
back on its feet,” said Hospital Corpsman
Second Class Adam F. Kinney. “
Eventually we can turn the paperwork over to the
Iraqis; give everything back to them.”
During the census patrols, an Iraqi interpreter accompanies the Marines to help interview families who do not speak English.
Moe, an interpreter with Echo Co, said,
“[The Iraqis] feel comfortable with us
being there. It helps us get all the information we need.”
The Marines help in other ways. Through
Moe, Sgt Bloomquist asked a man how
the Marines could help his family. The
man mentioned that his brother was very
sick and wanted to know if anything could
be done. Bloomquist radioed the platoon
corpsman, HM2 Kinney.
“There wasn’t a whole lot I could do
right then and there, but we relayed it to
our command and they have already set up
an appointment to help him,” said Kinney,
who is an attorney when not deployed or
drilling with the Reserve battalion. “With
us setting up [the appointment] so fast, it
shows how much we care about the Iraqis
and how much we want to help. That is
why we’re here—to help them, not hurt
them.”
PFC Jerry Murphy
Combat Correspondent, 1stMarDiv
■ Al Asad
There’s No “I” in HMLA-773
Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 773, a Reserve unit headquartered in
Atlanta, deployed to Iraq with a unique
challenge.
The squadron consists of personnel augmented from six locations, including three
different Marine aircraft groups and two
Marine aircraft wings.
“The combined effort of the different
units made it possible for the individual
squadrons to meet mission requirements,”
said Lieutenant Colonel Raymond Me-deros, Commanding Officer, HMLA-773.
The “Red Dogs” of HMLA-773 began
working together as a unit when they arrived in Al Asad and Camp Korean Village
to assume authority from HMLA-167 in
September 2007.
“Given the number of Marines from
different geographic locations, teamwork
surprisingly fell into place,” said LtCol
Thomas Ringo, HMLA-773 operations
officer. “Everyone quickly snapped into
the direction the command was going.”
The squadron, part of the Fourth Marine Aircraft Wing, has been activated
twice in the past five years to relieve active-duty personnel operating in Iraq and
Afghanistan.
The majority of the Marines selected
for this deployment are from Naval Air
Station Atlanta and NAS Joint Reserve
Base New Orleans. More than 300 active-duty and Reserve Marines and sailors are
forward deployed with the unit.
“The Marines from the different units
have really worked together as a team to
accomplish the missions we were assigned,” said Lance Corporal Shamara
Turner, an HMLA-773 aviation operations specialist.
Traditionally, light attack helicopter
squadrons consist of UH-1N Hueys and
AH-1W Super Cobras. The unit supports
the Marine air-ground task force by pro-
