DSU-3 aka Bravo 4th LAR- Showing the Ropes to RIVRON 1 Back in the Day

: 03.15.2007Riverine Squadron 1 (RIVRON-1), Detachment 3, 1st Brigade, 3rd Infantry Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force, and Dam Security Unit 3 (DSU-3), 1st Brigade, 3rd Infantry Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force arrive at the riverine launch site at Al Taqaddum on their Small Unit Riverine Crafts during Operation Gibraltar. The operation consisted of inserting at Riverine Launch Site 4 in Ar Ramadi and extracting at the Al Taqaddum Riverine Launch Site. The operation is to familiarize the arriving RIVRON-1 with the area that DSU-3 has been covering for the past six months.photo by Sgt. Michael Kropiewnicki)

DAM SUPPORT UNIT 2nd and 3RD PLTs, B CO, 4TH LAR BN APPROVED NAVY UNIT COMMENDATION (NUC)

Concrackerwackerpackers to DSU Dam Security Unit AKA Bravo Co 4th Light Armored Reconnaissance LAR. Job well done.
Date Signed: 5/20/2009
MARADMIN Number: 0320/09
UNCLASSIFIED//
MARADMIN 0320/09
MSGID/GENADMIN/CMC WASHINGTON DC MRA MM//
SUBJ/ANNOUNCEMENT OF APPROVED NAVY UNIT COMMENDATION (NUC)//
REF/A/MSGID:DOC/SECNAV /22AUG2006//
REF/B/MSGID:DOC/CMC MMMA/13APR2009//
NARR/REF A IS SECNAVINST 1650.H, NAVY AND MARINE CORPS AWARDS MANUAL. REF B IS NAVMC 2922, MARINE CORPS UNIT AWARDS MANUAL.//
POC/J. A. WHITEN/SSGT/UNIT:HQMC MMMA/-/TEL:703-784-9206 /TEL:DSN 278-9206/EMAIL:JOVAN.WHITEN@USMC.MIL//

GENTEXT/REMARKS/1. THE PURPOSE OF THIS MARADMIN IS TO PUBLISH THE LISTING OF UNITS AND PERSONNEL ELIGIBLE TO PARTICIPATE IN THE NUC. THE SECRETARY OF THE NAVY APPROVED THE NUC IAW REF A TO RECOGNIZE I MARINE EXPEDITIONARY FORCE (FORWARD) FOR ACTIONS IN OIF FROM 28 FEB 06 TO 09 FEB 2007.

2. AS OUTLINED IN REF A, PERSONNEL PERMANENTLY ASSIGNED OR ATTACHED TO I MEF (FWD) WHO WERE ACTUALLY PRESENT IN IRAQ AND PARTICIPATED IN THE ACTIONS FOR WHICH THE UNIT WAS CITED ARE AUTHORIZED TO WEAR THE AWARD. ELIGIBILITY IS DETERMINED BY EVIDENCE IN SERVICE RECORDS OR OTHER OFFICIAL RECORDS THAT SUPPORT THE SERVICE MEMBER'S ASSIGNMENT TO A PARTICIPATING UNIT CITED IN PARA 7 BELOW AND DIRECT PARTICIPATION IN THE ACTIONS CITED. UPON DETERMINATION OF SERVICE MEMBER'S ELIGIBILITY, COMMANDERS ARE AUTHORIZED TO MAKE THE APPROPRIATE UNIT DIARY ENTRIES.

3. MEMBERS OF THE FORWARD PARTIES WHO DID NOT DEPLOY ARE SPECIFICALLY EXCLUDED FROM PARTICIPATION IN THIS AWARD.
4. THE NUC INCLUDES NUMEROUS U.S. ARMY COMMANDS. TO DATE, THE MARINE CORPS HAS NOT RECEIVED U.S. ARMY CONCURRENCE TO ALLOW THESE UNITS TO ACCEPT THE NUC. CONTINGENT UPON CONCURRENCE, THE MARINE CORPS WILL PUBLISH A SEPARATE MESSAGE WITH A LIST OF U.S. ARMY UNITS ELIGIBLE TO PARTICIPATE.
5. THE NUC ALSO INCLUDES DESIGNATED UNITS OF THE BRITISH MILITARY. THE ACCEPTANCE, RETENTION AND DISPLAY OF THIS AWARD ARE FUNCTIONS OF BRITISH LAW AND REGULATION.
6. UNITS THAT ARE NOT LISTED THAT BELIEVE THEY ARE ELIGIBLE FOR PARTICIPATION IN THIS NUC MAY SUBMIT A LETTER VIA THE CHAIN OF COMMAND UNDER WHICH THEY OPERATED DURING THE PERIOD CITED IN THIS AWARD. UPON RECEIPT OF A FULLY ENDORSED CHAIN OF COMMAND RECOMMENDATION TO ADD ANY ADDITIONAL UNIT(S), THE RECOMMENDATION WILL BE REFERRED TO THE CMC FOR ENDORSEMENT. IF APPROPRIATE, THE PACKAGE WILL BE FORWARDED TO THE SECNAV FOR DECISION. ANY ADDITIONAL UNITS AUTHORIZED TO PARTICIPATE IN THIS AWARD WILL BE PUBLISHED IN FUTURE AWARDS UPDATE MESSAGES.
7. ADDITIONAL PARTICIPATING UNITS:
COMMAND ELEMENT, I MEF (FORWARD)
I MHG (-)(REIN), I MEF
1ST INTEL BN(-)(REIN)
2ND INTEL BN(-)(REIN), II MHG
1ST RADIO BN(-)(REIN)
2ND RADIO BN(-)(REIN), II MHG
9TH COMM BN(-)(REIN)
1ST ANGLICO(-)(REIN)
2ND ANGLICO(-)(REIN), II MHG
TRUCK CO(-)(REIN), HQBN, 1ST MARDIV
1ST FORCE RECON CO(-) (REIN)
DET, HQ BTRY, 10TH MAR, 2ND MARDIV
DET, HQ BTRY, 11TH MAR, 1ST MARDIV
DET, HQ BTRY, 12TH MAR, 3D MARDIV
DET, HQ BTRY, 14TH MAR, 4TH MARDIV
6TH CIVIL AFFAIRS GROUP (6TH CAG)
3D CIVIL AFFAIRS GROUP (3D CAG)
4TH CIVIL AFFAIRS GROUP (4TH CAG)
BTRY E, 2ND BN, 11TH MAR (PROV MP)
5TH BN, 14TH MAR (-)(REIN), 4TH MARDIV
HQ BTRY, 5TH BN, 14TH MAR
N BTRY (REIN)
O BTRY (REIN)
C BTRY, 1ST BN, 14TH MAR
TOW PLT, 3RD BN, 15TH MAR
MP CO (REIN), 1ST MARDIV
MP CO, 4TH MARDIV
DET, 4TH FORCE RECONNAISSANCE
1ST BN, 14TH MAR (-)(REIN), 4TH MARDIV
HQ BTRY
DET MILITARY WORKING DOGS (SPECIAL SEARCH DOGS & EOD DETECTION DOGS)
DET, CUSTOMS
DET, CID
A BTRY, 1ST BN, 14TH MAR
B BTRY, 1ST BN
H BTRY, 3RD BN
T BTRY, 5TH BN, 11TH MAR, 1ST MARDIV
C MP CO, 2ND MP BN, 2ND MLG
DET, CORRECTIONS CO, MCB CAMLEJ
DET, CORRECTIONS CO, MB CAMPEN
3RD BN, 14TH MAR (-)(REIN), 4TH MARDIV
HQ BTRY
G BTRY
I BTRY
F BTRY, 2ND BN, 11TH MAR, 1ST MARDIV
E BTRY, 2D BN, 10TH MAR, 2ND MARDIV
MP CO, HQ BN, 1ST MARDIV
5TH MARINE REGIMENT (-) (REIN), 1ST MARDIV
HQ CO (REIN)
BTRY B, 1ST BN, 11TH MAR
BTRY G, 2ND BN, 11TH MAR
BTRY I, 3D BN, 12TH MAR, 2ND MARDIV
CO A, 2ND TANK BN, 2ND MARDIV
CO C, 2ND TANK BN, 2ND MARDIV
CO D, 2ND TANK BN, 2ND MARDIV
CO A, 2ND AAV BN, 2ND MARDIV
CO B, 2ND AAV BN, 2ND MARDIV
CO D, 2ND AAV BN, 2ND MARDIV
CO C, 2ND CEB, 2ND MARDIV
CO B, 1ST CEB
CO C, 1ST CEB
3D BN, 5TH MAR
1ST BN, 1ST MAR
3D BN, 2ND MAR, 2ND MARDIV
2ND BN, 8TH MAR, 2ND MARDIV
2ND BN, 6TH MAR, 2ND MARDIV
1ST BN, 24TH MAR, 4TH MARDIV
1ST BN, 25TH MAR, 4TH MARDIV
1ST RECON BN(-), 1ST MARDIV
2ND RECON BN, 2ND MARDIV
3D RECON BN, 3D MARDIV
7TH MARINE REGIMENT (-)(REIN) 1ST MARDIV
HQ CO (REIN)
BTRY A, 1ST BN, 11TH MAR
BTRY C, 1ST BN, 10TH MAR, 3RD MARDIV
BTRY L, 3RD BN, 12TH MAR, 2ND MARDIV
CO E, 2ND BN, 8TH MAR
CO A (REIN), 1ST TANK BN
CO B (REIN), 1ST TANK BN
CO C (REIN), 1ST TANK BN
CO B, 3RD AAV BN
CO C, 3RD AAV BN
CO D, 3RD AAV BN
CO A, 2ND CEB
CO C, 1ST CEB
CO C, 4TH CEB
1ST FORCE RECON CO (-) (REIN), (2 X PLT)
4TH FORCE RECON CO (-) (REIN), (2 X PLT)
1 X INF CO AZERBAIJAN
DAM SECURITY UNIT (DET, 4TH AAV BN, 4TH MARDIV)
1ST LAR BN (-)(2 X CO)
2ND LAR BN (-), 2ND MARDIV (2 X CO)
3D LAR BN (-), 3RD MARDIV (2 X CO)
2ND BN, 3D MAR, 3D MARDIV
2ND BN, 4TH MAR
1ST BN, 7TH MAR
3RD BN, 1ST MAR
3RD BN, 3RD MAR, 3RD MARDIV
3RD BN, 6TH MAR, 2ND MARDIV
3RD BN, 4TH MAR
3RD BN, 7TH MAR
C CO, 2ND CEB, 2ND MARDIV
TRUCK PLT, HQBN, 2ND MARDIV
E CO, 2ND BN, 4TH MAR
F CO, 2ND BN, 4TH MAR
DAM SUPPORT UNIT 2ND PLT, B CO, 4TH AA BN
DAM SUPPORT UNIT 3RD PLT, B CO, 4TH LAR BN

NUC Reccommended for I MEF--Bravo 4thLAR Cited for DSU Mission

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.

DSU 3 On Patrol on the Al Wzar River

Our DSU-3, Dam Security Unit 3 aka Bravo 4th LAR on a recon patrol along the Al Wzar River around Ramadi, Iraq, Oct. 21, 2006.


U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Jason Shanty


photos by Sgt. Edward Reagan(hat tip Kris)