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HQ Element TF Bravo Operation Rising Cadence 02-17 Be gentle its my 1st video

Capt D. A. Thomas Headquarters, 15th MEU(SOC) FPO San Diego, CA 92102 Patti- It has begun. Marines have landed on foreign soil and I was there at the beginning. Colonel Penny will be pissed when he sees I was in the first bird but I had to see with my own eyes the situation on the ground. I had to see how the enemy would react to fire, how they maneuvered and how well their command and control structure coordinates in the face of multiple threats coming at them at the same time. I was at a spot I felt crucial to the operation, right at the point of friction where RUC forces were retreating and NRC forces were gaining ground by the minute. We stopped them cold. I was surprised at the relative caution of the NRC commander in tasking his forces as we faced more of a probing attack than a determined one. I know they were not expecting such a strong blocking force but it looked like we got hit by a skirmish line rather that a balled fist looking to smash the final resistance of the RUC forces on the island. That is not to say we didn't have casualties. SgtMaj Masters was hit in an artillery barrage and knocked unconscious for a bit. I was moving through an area looking for him and almost stepped on him before I realized it was him and he was hurt. He was checked out by a corpsman and he is good to go. We sent forces to take an island to our north and blew up a bridge in the south to confuse the hell out of the enemy commander and we have a few more surprises planned. My main focus is keeping the momentum in our favor and keeping the enemy commander guessing. W are being relieved by Kilo Company and all of India will be moving back to Airfield Corium very soon so they can be further tasked elsewhere. I keep thinking of a quote I heard about the invasion of Granada - "We have two companies of Marines running all over the island, and thousands of Army troops are doing nothing. What the hell is going on?", this is what I picture when someone looks back on this operation. Our Marine all over the islands, popping up in unexpected places causing chaos in the enemy formations and plans. We will need to stay vigilant and watch for the enemy commander to do the same as he is confused now but will not stay that way long unless we continue to throw him off his game. I know you won't get this some time yet but I feel it is important for me to put this to paper. If for nothing other than to make sure I never forget it. I am fine and haven't even fired my weapon yet. Tell the kids I miss them and I will call as soon as I get satellite time. I will be writing my parents soon, let them know I am thinking of them. Dave