For exceptional meritorious service during assigned missions from 28 February 2006 to 9 February 2007. The personnel of I MARINE EXPEDITIONARY FORCE (FWD) transformed the future of the Anbar Province of Iraq while combating a brutally persistent insurgent threat across a battle space spanning more than 50,000 square miles. This multi-national force of more than 33,000 men and women redefined the concept of valor to meet the unique demands of counterinsurgency operations; combining selfless courage in the face of a lethal enemy with unprecedented restraint and military effectiveness. Displaying unparalleled tenacity, Marines, sailors, and soldiers confronted insurgents daily, killing more than 2000 and capturing/detaining at least 6600 while sustaining 308 friendly killed-in-action and 3134 wounded. Boldly moving to deny insurgent footholds, I MEF FWD systematically established combat outposts in the most dangerous sections of nine critical cities, and then used physical barriers and biometric technology to maintain control of the population and deny insurgents freedom of movement. I MEF FWD developed innovative aviation techniques to put the enemy on the defensive, harnessed technology to save lives, achieved a 76% casualty return to duty rate through superior medical services and leveraged all manpower assets for success. I MEF FWD enhanced stability, rapidly expanded the size and effectiveness of the Iraqi Security Forces and set the conditions for improved Iraqi self-governance and economic growth. By their outstanding courage, aggressive fighting spirit and untiring devotion to duty, the men and women of I MARINE EXPEDITIONARY FORCE (FWD) reflected great credit upon themselves and upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the United States Naval Service.
EXCERPT:
In yet another display of innovative thinking that contributed to success along the Euphrates River, the Dam Security Unit, manned primarily by Marines from Company B, 4th Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion was given an additional tasking. In addition to their original mission of protecting the strategically vital dam at Haditha, they were tasked to become a broader resource as an interdiction force patrolling the Euphrates. This new tactic quickly paid dividends as the
Dam Support Unit Marines uncovered over 60 weapons caches on islands and riverbanks, performed Visit, Board, Search, and Seizure operations on more than 700 Iraqi boats, interdicted Anti-Iraqi Forces' movement on the river, and generally denied the insurgents another area where they had once maneuvered freely.
An added benefit of this new Dam Support Unit capability was providing commanders with an additional option for movement of forces around the hazardous operating area, to include covert insertion of forces. DSU-3 conducted operations over more than 430 kilometers of the Euphrates River from its bases at Haditha and Ramadi, supporting battalions throughout I MEF FWD with craft and organic ground combat element.
