DoD LIVE

CAMP BARBER, Afghanistan – Commandant of the Marine Corps Gen. James T. Conway visited with Marines and other service members here assigned to Task Force 2d Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, Combined Joint Task Force Phoenix, Aug. 14.

Commandant of the Marine Corps Gen. James T. Conway and Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps Carlton W. Kent, respond to questions from Marines and sailors assigned to Company G, Task Force 2d Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division,
Combined Joint Task Force Phoenix, while visiting Forward Operating Base Golestan,
Aug. 14. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Steve Cushman)

Gen. Conway discussed the task force’s extension in country and the possibility of being replaced by another Marine unit. “I probably could have told you that when you came here, you would probably get extended,” Gen. Conway said. “It didn’t come as a surprise at all. We told the Secretary of Defense, ‘we understand what the risk is, and we understand the need for the Marines there.’”

Consistent with comments he’s made in the press, Gen. Conway said that in order to deploy more Marines to Afghanistan in significant numbers, there must be a reduction in the number of Marines in Iraq.

“We’re not big enough to do both Iraq and Afghanistan,” he said.

After meeting the company and platoon commanders, the commandant and sergeant major then met with junior Marines who conduct daily combat patrols in the face of significant enemy threat.

“You’ve shown what Marines can do,” Gen. Conway said. “When we were getting ready to deploy you, I predicted that ‘commanders are going to fall in love with us. We’re going to do a hell of a job, and we’re going to be asked to extend and asked to replace you with more Marines.’ I predicted that.”

(Article and photos by Cpl. Steve Cushman,Task Force 2d Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division)