Harpers Ferry (LSD 49) - Naval Cruise Book

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1st Squad Isl Vc.ini S.i» liimncr 1 1 ' .himcs li K.iiiicTi 1st Squad ' s nifht » 77xr Uhii j.1!; i 137

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1ST PLATOON Every unit develops a unique and indelible identity, ours began to be f orged in the California high desert as the cold Janu- ary wind blew across the National Training Center. As our ranks filled, our warrior skills were tested under the hot and in the face of the relentless wind storms of the Mojave desert in Twenty-Nine Palms. A little breather at home and we were off again to sharpen and demonstrate our skills once more during exercise RIM-PAC 96. In late May we found ourselves on the big is- land of Hawaii at the Pohakulua Training area. Patrolling. Live fire squad and platoon to demonstrate its finally honed skills. Finally on 08 October 96 Lima company boarded 2 C-l. ' O aircraft and flew to Hawaii to train in the Kahukus for a week while the ships caught up with us. The Kahukus tested our small unit leaders and provided an opportunity for our youngest Marines to lead patrols in alien terrain through double canopy jungle. We also conducted a MOUT exercise. Urban Patrolling, and wrapped it up with a night of camaraderie and bonding during a warrior ' s night where First platoon led the company with skits. Our deplo ment ended and flowed as we visited Singapore. Malaysia. Oman, and fmally arri ed in Kuwait. Here we achie ed a culmination point when we conducted an unmatched and superbly executed live fire supported night attack. .As our reconnaissance element mfiltratcd and breached the enemy wire, out of the shadows rose the leaders motioning and guid- ing their men to breach while machine guns suppressed the enemy trenches and mortars crashed on top of him. Finally through the wire the assault began with an aggressiveness and fluidity that left hearts racing and adrenaline pumping as safety officers struggled to keep up with the Marines as they charged the trenches. The remainder of our time in Kuwait was spent conducting a force protection mission at The Ali-Al-Salem air base guarding the ACE ' s personnel and equipment. On the 23rd of January, after everyone had departed, we folded the flag and headed for our ship completing another mission. Our return trip was highlighted by port calls in Bahrain and Perth and Brisbane Australia. Now. as we sail the last few miles home I can not help but feel proud of our many accomplishments and saddened by our imminent separation. However, we will always take comfort in being able to reflect back on the brotherhood and camaraderie that we few. we happy few. we band of broth- ers of the First platoon have forged over this last vear. SEMPER FIDELIS LT. FARAJ-30 MARCH 1997 I ' lrCMDR IT HaMh.im 1 .11.11 PLTSCT SSCT DarlvC Hill I ' l I Cil IDl S( 1 1 I ' hillip K li.irkcr 136

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2nd Squad 2nd Squad I cadcr Cpl John M Hoiildin . ■•■■ - ' ' 1 mix. All dressed up w ilh no where to go. 2nd Team Leader 3rd Team Leader Cpl. Robert . Garcia Cpl. Jamie W. Tillman - «Li T, 1st Team Rifleman 2nd Team Saw Gunner Cpl. Raymond L. Cpl. Kenneth G. Brando Galvan 3rd Team Saw Gunner Lcpl. Alexander Zafra The Latin connection. No need for ID here. 1st Team Rifleman - ' Tf T..!} ' ' ' ! ' ' Upi. Paul D. Jenmngs Lcpl ,ll,am P. Vasquez r V 9 2liil .Sqii.iil lo l .i j i i ii.iunu,: 138