AL QAIM, Iraq (May 9, 2005)- Regimental Combat Team 2 recieved heavy fire from the city of Ubaydi during Operation Matador. They had air support during this fight and the entire opertaion. During this fire fight about 60 insurgents were killed by U.S. Forces. Official U.S. Marine Corps Photo by Lance Cpl. Lucian A. FrielAL UBAYDI, Iraq- (May 11, 2005) Marines provide security in the urban area of Al Ubaydi. Marines from 3/2 secure Al Ubaydi during operation Matador. Marines from 3rd Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment conducting Security and Stabilization Operations (SASO) in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom III (OIF III).Jeff LamsonSam McAmisJeff ManiscalcoRussian-designed DShK 12.7mm heavy MG, known as a “Dishka”. One of the heaviest armaments in insurgent inventories. (Wikipedia photo) The Javelin launch system, guidance pack and missileThe moment of Jeff Lamson’s Javelin launch against the gas station. The camera is looking due east. The hill in the background is where multiple insurgents fired from. (Andy Vera video) SSgt Kendall Ivy, another NCO from the Regimental staff, replaced SSgt Anthony Goodwin who was killed in New Ubaydi. The burned-out hulk of the AAV sits where it was struck by the IED on May 11th. (Jason Teed photo) MSgt Caroccia’s M1 tank, “Stink Fist”, on the south bank of the Euphrates during Operation Matador. (Jonathan Maines photo) Frank FillerEdwin “Andy” VeraKilo Marines and 4CEB combat engineers after Operation Matador: (l-r standing) LCpl Caleb Davidson, LCpl Matt Gundlach, LCpl Eric Rainey, Cpl John Baldwin, Cpl Kris Borch, Cpl Cory Whitaker. (l-r kneeling) LCpl Brandon Gayle, LCpl Chris Haynes (John Baldwin photo)
Maps: (click to enlarge)
Day 2 of Matador. Advance of the main force across the Euphrates and into Ramana. Positions of WarPig 1 and 2, and the point of origin of Jeff Lamson’s long-range Javelin shot against the insurgent-held gas station in Karabilah on May 11th. Figure 17-1. Deadly IED strike against AAV in Albu Hardan, 11 May 2005 Aerial reconnaissance photo, showing a different perspective. Location of the AAV strike is at lower right. (Chris Ieva photo)
Footnotes:
1. John Day, interview with author 2. Nate Smith combat journal, shared with author 3. Stephen Davis, interview with author 4. Nate Smith combat journal, shared with author 5. John Day, interview with author 6. Jeff Lamson, interview with author 7. Bryan Leahy, interview with author 8. Nate Smith combat log, shared with author 9. Andrew Taylor, combat journal shared with author 10. “Gunmen kidnap governor of Anbar province”, Seattle Times, 10may05 11. Chris Ieva, interview with author 12. Brian Stann, in Heart for the Fight 13. The FGM-148 Javelin is a shoulder-fired, precision-guided missile system for use against armored vehicles, fortifications and other hardened targets. It can be used in the direct-fire mode or the top-attack mode, shooting up to around 500ft, then plunging down on the target from above. 14. Jeff Lamson, interview with author 15. Unit activity logs, shared with author 16. Andrew Taylor, combat journal shared with author 17. Paul Croom, “Wages of War”, San Diego Chronicle. 18. Jeff Maniscalco, interview with author 19. Tim Mundy, interview with author 20. Sam McAmis, interview with author 21. Sean Gregory and Chris Ieva, interviews with author 22. Chris Ieva, interview with author 23. Sam McAmis, interview with author 24. Brian Stann, in Heart for the Fight, p15 25. Tim Mundy, email to author 26. “First the Insurgents, then Marines”, LA Times, 14may05 27. Bryan Leahy, interview with author 28. Nate Smith, combat journal shared with author 29. Ryan Masterson, interview with author 30. Jon Maines, interview with author 31. Ryan Masterson, interview with author 32. Andy Vera, interview with author 33. U.S. Marines In Iraq, 2004-2005: Into the Fray, p99 34. Ibid. 35. John Day, interview with author 36. “Unraveling the Saga of Zarqawi’s Injury”, Jamestown.org, 13jun05 37. Brian Stann, Heart for the Fight, p175
Bastards & Brothers 