Haditha Marines Provide Pivotal Logistics at Outpost

The Haditha Dam is a pivotal part of Iraq's infrastructure and its security is as important a factor today as it was during the outset of Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2003.

A battalion of infantry Marines from Regimental Combat Team 2 protects the dam and outlying area supported by a small detachment of Marines from Combat Logistics Battalion 4, 2nd Marine Logistics Group (Forward).

The detachment provides the Marines who operate in the region with what they need to function daily through sections that handle postal, exchange, disbursing, bulk fuel, mechanical, heavy equipment, water purification, and food services.

These sections, led by noncommissioned officers, provide around-the-clock service to Marines in a demanding area of operations. Put simply, without the detachment the dam would have no power, no fuel, no mail, no food and no clean drinking water.

Cpl. Matthew J. Dodson is one of two Marine disbursers in the detachment who provides the dam with another necessity: money.

All the Marines at Haditha Dam can use cash from an exchange maintained by the CLB-4 detachment. Dodson explained he is happy to add his small element to the logistical team on the dam.

"I actually reenlisted to come out here," the Birmingham, Ala., native said. "I wanted to get out of the Marine Corps and say I actually did something with my time."

Lance Cpl. Robert G. Johnson, a Marine who works with the Haditha Dam exchange believes he helps personnel at the dam by boosting morale.

He sells countless numbers of ‘smokes', candy bars and other items. Marines who visit Johnson's store need to climb up more than thirty flights of stairs, but the trip is worthwhile.

"Our store improves life for these Marines at the dam here, which is awesome," Johnson said.