Riverine squadron prepares for new duty in Iraq

VIRGINIA BEACH

The sailors in Riverine Squadron 1 are ready veterans - nine in 10 deployed with the unit to Iraq less than two years ago.

But their return to Anbar province and patrolling the Euphrates River in a few weeks may bring less combat.

"Our role has changed," said Cmdr. Gary Leigh, commanding officer of the squadron. One of its chief missions will be to prepare Iraqis to take over security for inland waterways, Leigh said.

The squadron, with about 130 sailors, will be making the riverine group's fourth deployment since the service resurrected it 2-1/2 years ago. Two units are based at Little Creek Naval Amphibious Base and one at Yorktown Naval Weapons Station.

Security has improved in Anbar, where tribal leaders have formed alliances to drive out foreign insurgents. In an interview with The Associated Press last week, Marine Maj. Gen. John Kelly said U.S. forces in Anbar are focused mainly on training Iraqi police, border patrol and army. Combat is less frequent, he said.

Kelly said he is "very optimistic" that the United States could start to reduce the 25,000 troops in the province.

Capt. Anthony Krueger, commodore of the Riverine Group, declined to speculate where future deployments could take the small-boat force. The squadrons can deploy around the world, but are focused on the Iraq mission, he said.

Krueger said steady deployments and training have helped hone the force.

The squadrons have received a new command boat and mine-resistant vehicles for ground operations. The units initially trained under the Marines, but the Navy has assumed responsibility for most of the squadrons' stateside training.

Retention rates are higher than the Navy average, Krueger said. Plenty of sailors are looking to join the ranks of the expeditionary riverines. "It's an exciting mission," he said. "It's an opportunity to make a difference."

Petty Officer 1st Class Philip Marshall, 25, initially preferred ship life to expeditionary combat. But an open position in the first squadron and some persuasive words from his career adviser sent him to the riverines.

Marshall, like many sailors in the squadron, has a three-year commitment to the unit. He will be making his second deployment to Iraq. He said security improved noticeably during the first deployment.

Leigh said taking sailors from the fleet to small boats requires more training in weapons, tactics and physical conditioning not frequently used on ships. It's also a different mentality, he said.

"It's a funny thing to watch," Leigh said. "The realization - they're in a little bit different world now. It's a small, close-knit unit here. You have to rely on your buddies now."

Louis Hansen, (757) 446-2322, louis.hansen@pilotonline.com