Two LAR Wrap Up Helmand Ops

Alpha Company, 2nd Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion wrapped up five months of security operations in Helmand province, turning their area of operations over to the Marines of 1st Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion. LCpl. B. Crilly/story-photos DVIDS

The company was in the far western deserts of Helmand province, maintaining a screen line and pushing across the deserts. They pushed through the deserts, conducting interdictions and cutting off drug lines. This allowed them to prevent drug smuggling and weapons trafficking to and from Marjah. They were able to prevent Taliban fighters from fleeing to the desert from Sistani.

"Everyone that was coming out of Marjah knew that the tanks and LAVs were out here," said Capt. Jared A. Laurin, the commanding officer for Alpha Company from Xenia, Ohio. "Nobody was able to out run us. We owned the desert with those vehicles."

During Operation Moshtarak, 2nd LAR took a new position, providing security in the Sistani Gap as well as the western and southern fronts. This enabled the company to provide a security presence in the gap that was unique, since their vehicles are so mobile.

The company formed a screen line in the desert, south of Marjah along Route Red, for the later portion of their deployment. Moving their presence to the region and running vehicle checkpoints improved the security of the region, and also afforded Marines the opportunity to establish a connection with the local nationals.