One thing you do not want to hear first thing in the morning is the sound of mortars landing nearby. However, that is what exactly what happened to these U.S. Marines in Afghanistan.
A surprise ambush by the Taliban took these Marines off guard, but it did not take them long to return fire. Half dressed, these Marines started laying down some heavy rounds on the enemy as they were attacking from caves in the distance.
According to the video:
“U.S. Marines with Weapons Company, 1st Battalion, 6th Marines, taking highly accurate IDF at Patrol Base Georgetown in Kajaki Sofla, Afghanistan on November 22, 2011. The Marines suppress the enemy with squad organic weapons, TOW missiles and .50 caliber machine guns. After 5 hours the Marines take casualties and get the wounded medevac’d.”
Mortars hit near the Marines’ position near the Helmand River and they rush outside to engage the enemy after throwing gear on and getting into position as quickly as possible.
According to one of the Marines, there is a ridge line across the river that the Taliban use to fire on the Marines. In order to get to those ridge lines and have a position to strike U.S. positions, Taliban insurgents make caves.
The Marine adds that they are the most forward unit there to lock down the green zone on their side.
At one point in the video, one of the Marines says to hit the tree as more combatants started coming in.
Marine fires at ridgeline (YouTube)
At one point, their ammunition was running extremely low, especially for the .50 caliber machine gun.
One Marine can be heard yelling the word “sniper” just before IDF 30mm grenades hit inside the compound, nearly causing a casualty, if not multiple casualties.
The Marines draw a plan to make sure one of their fellow Marines that was injured during the firefight can get safely evacuated.
One of the Marines points out that they have to be ready at all times in case of an ambush by the Taliban. Many soldiers, Marines and others just think that today is just like any other day where you go on patrol. However, it doesn’t always happen that way and anything can happen at any time of the day.
Near the end of the video, one Marine can be seen holding a blood-soaked rag, showing the grim reality that some of these service members face on a day to day basis.
Marine holds blood-soaked rag (YouTube)
Check out the intense combat action below:
