Salem-News.com Marines articles

Marine Security Mission in the Anbar Province (VIDEO)

Day and night, US Marines from the Al Asad Air Station check those who enter and leave the base. It may not be their "regular job" in the Corps, but then there is no single role for Marines.

(AL ANBAR PROVINCE, Iraq) - For Marines at the Al Asad Air Station in Iraq, running base security is a never ending mission. Calling it serious would be a grave understatement, and anyone who attempts to cross these warriors treads on dangerous ground.

It's a job normally performed by military police, but today the roles are filled mostly by Marines with other military occupational specialties, or MOS's, primarily related to aviation.

Sgt. Michael Delrosario is one of the Marines charged with security at this important military installation.

Rat Patrol in Iraq: Air Wing Marines Fill Infantry Role (VIDEO)

Salem-News.com's Tim King rejoins his former Marine Corps aviation group to see Marines in Iraq performing a role normally filled by infantry units.

(Al Asad, IRAQ) - Marines at Al Asad Air Base in Iraq are on a constant vigil, with combat patrols in their area of operation going around the clock.

The unique part is that most of these Marines- doing the work of infantry platoons, have actually been pulled from other jobs in the Marine Air Wing that are related to aircraft and air support.

The thing that separates Marines from the other military services is that even those with highly technical training and qualifications, are always able to take the Corps' most basic and often most important role, that of the infantryman, or 'grunt'.

List of Americans Killed in Afghanistan Passes 500

Casualties may have dropped in Iraq, but in Afghanistan the numbers in recent days have jumped significantly.

(SALEM, Ore.) - Fifteen Americans have died fighting in Afghanistan in the last two weeks. The number of Marines and Navy Corpsman killed in combat is extremely high. The most recent deaths involve one U.S. soldier who died in Khogyani, Afghanistan, and four who were killed in Kandahar City. Their names were released Tuesday.

The numbers of casualties in Iraq almost always exceeds the numbers out of Afghanistan, but that seems to be turning around as the summer kicks into high gear. Many military fighters native to the region remain less active during the winter, and are often known for launching an increasing number of attacks in May and June.