Page 115 - 100 Hours to Destiny

Silver Two of the TOWs reported, “Delta 6, we got ‘em all. There are
fresh casualties out there, yet lots of survivors on the run.”
“Roger that, let ‘em run. Keep a close eye Delta as we move through
this fresh incident, but nobody shoots a ground troop unless he’s shooting at
you. I repeat, let the survivors run. Move out Delta, let’s move through it.
Good shooting Delta Two.”
The radios again lit with words from fellow Marines, “Oorah, Get
some. Semper Fi. Mess with the best, die like the rest.”
And Delta rolled through the carnage of this just momentary old
engagement. Delta 7, my vehicle, just so happenchance was in a perfect
position to roll right between two of the tanks, now enduring the death
throes of secondary explosions. Debris and KIA enemy troops were strewn all
about, some severely wounded were moving… but we were not stopping.
Rock had told us under no circumstances were we to stop for any reason,
except a firefight. So onward past the POWs and injured we rolled. I thought
about those enemy combatants that were there injured and hoped that once
Delta had passed some of their fellow soldiers would return to render aid.
But we were on a blitz and to stop again could create a dangerous place for
Delta. Capt Pollard’s command was designed to protect Marines’ lives…and it
was working.
Three more clicks had passed. Delta 5 came over the net, “Delta 6,
Battalion wants us to halt. Delta, fan out for a fuel, ammo and resupply point
before the final push. We’re in a good spot right here to bring the Company
to a stop and configure for our FARP as directed by Battalion.”
The FARP was necessary. Delta’s fuel tanks were running low and
reserve fuel cans, for the most part, had already been placed into the LAVs
during pit stops. LAVs are equipped with “run-flat” tires, and many of the
tires had wicked puncture wounds from combat debris. Marines were
making hasty tire repairs with onboard repair kits. It was time to check
planetaries/axle oil, open engine compartments and check for leaks – the
possibility of leaks in engine compartments was a constant and perpetual
maintenance issue. Every LAV crewman trained at San Onofre, CA knew his
job inside and out…gunners and vehicle Commanders hastily took advantage
of this hazardous downtime to review weapons status, turret function, check
ammo cans and basically an endless amount of preparatory actions….
because now it was all on the line; the chips were down. To be lackadaisical
was out of the picture. Success relied entirely on a properly functioning
vehicle. Scouts were to be going over their weapons…talking battle strategy
in the case of contact with enemy forces. This FARP was different than any
other. We were in enemy territory. This was not a stand down. This was
Marines conducting resupply with fangs bared and claws out. A 50% watch