HELMAND PROVINCE, Afghanistan --
Marines and sailors from Motor Transport Company B (Reinforced), Combat Logistics Battalion 3, provided tactical logistics support to the Marines of 1st Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion, 1st Marine Division (Forward), I Marine Expeditionary Force, during Operation Steel Dawn II Oct. 26 - Nov. 1.
The battalion, part of Combat Logistics Regiment 3, 3rd Marine Logistics Group, III MEF, is currently assigned to 1st MLG (Fwd), I MEF.
During the combat operation, Afghan and coalition forces cleared the southern Helmand province town of Bahram Chah, a Taliban command and control area that consists of narcotics trafficking, weapons and ammunition storage, improvised explosive device factories and foreign fighter training areas.
While 1st LAR Marines were engaged with the enemy, logistics Marines and sailors supplied them with food, water, fuel, ammunition and other supplies via combat logistics patrols and helicopter support teams. The CLB-3 Marines also provided security for coalition forces during the operation.
"For most of the Marines, it was the first time they have witnessed the amount of combat power a Marine Air Ground Task Force can produce," said Capt. Matthew J. Neely, Motor Transport Company B commander. "It was a prime example of what the Marine Corps is all about; the air combat element, logistics combat element, ground combat element and command element all coming together and moving to an austere location to take the fight to the enemy."
Logistics Marines distributed several pallets of food and water and about 15,000 gallons of fuel. A CLB-3 wrecking crew also recovered 53 vehicles during the operation.
"I think (the Marines) did an outstanding job of moving the logistics supplies to and from the (landing support area)," said 1st Sgt. Manuel Palos, Motor Transport Co. B first sergeant. "We played an important part in the coordination, transportation and security for most of the (Marine Air Ground Task Force), and I credit the success to the performance of my Marines."
After completion of Operation Steel Dawn II, Motor Transport Co. B Marines and sailors of CLB-3 returned to Forward Operating Base Dwyer where they will continue to provide combat logistics support to coalition forces throughout Helmand province.