MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. -- It was all smiles, hugs, and tears of joy as a company of Marines and Sailors with 1st Marine Special Operations Battalion, U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Special Operations Command returned to the open arms of family and friends as they concluded an historic combat tour.
During 1st MSOB’s first ever deployment, MARSOC’s silent warriors conducted special operations in the Philippines and Afghanistan with great success.
“What these Marines did was absolutely amazing,” said Sgt. Maj. Barry Morgan, 1st MSOB Sergeant Major. “With MARSOC being so young, it was really important for these Marines to do well, and they did great things over there.”
After leaving in late September, 2007, Marines went to the Philippines where they spent more than a month conducting special operations in support of Joint Special Operations Task Force –Philippines, but the majority of the company’s deployment was spent in Afghanistan’s Helmund province.
According to Master Sgt. Sidney J. Voss, staff noncommissioned officer in charge and operations chief for the newly returned company, the Helmund province is a haven for the Taliban insurgency.
“The Helmund province is where insurgents have all their poppy fields and they are in and out of that area all the time,” said Voss. “Our Marines went out every day knowing they were going to get in a fire-fight and that is no exaggeration.”
While conducting combat operations in Afghanistan, the company worked with indigenous forces and other special operations teams to quell the insurgency.
Voss said he couldn’t be happier with how his Marines performed.
“It was an honor to work with such professionals,” said Voss. “The other special forces have been fighting at such a high level for so long and it was great to witness it.”
Eighteen purple hearts were awarded out of a company of approximately 120 Marines upon returning home. One Marine was killed-in-action.
Now that the company is home, the Marines and Sailors will get right back to work reviewing lessons learned and further improving their skills. With the first deployment of a company of Marines from 1st MSOB in the books, some MARSOC warriors will take the combat experience to other companies within the battalion.
“Now every company that goes on after us will be better because of the great things we accomplished out there,” said Voss.
Active duty Marines and Sailors interested in joining MARSOC can contact the Marine Special Operations School at (910) 450-3349/3123 (DSN 750-3349/3123) or visit us online atwww.marsoc.usmc.mil/recruiting.