WHERE THE ACTION IS

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Whether Marines are patrolling, providing security, or delivering supplies, communication is key to the success of their missions across southern Helmand.

The mobile modular command and control vehicle, or M2C2, provides this communication capability for Col. Roger Turner, commanding officer of Regimental Combat Team 5, and his staff, during battlefield tours and mobile missions, and to subordinate battalions operating in the RCT-5 battlespace.

The M2C2 is a modified mine resistant ambush protected vehicle, equipped with computers and telecommunications equipment to provide wireless communications options for a commander’s vehicle with anyone from anywhere on the battlefield.

“The M2C2 is a command operations center on the move,” said Cpl. Ivan D. Garciamunoz, a radio operator with the RCT-5 communications platoon and 21-year-old native of Riverside, Calif. “All the capabilities you have in a COC (combat operations center), you have it in this vehicle.”

The vehicle is operated by a three-man team from the RCT-5 communications platoon. Their primary mission is to monitor and keep open lines of communication in the M2C2 while the commander’s convoy is on the move.

“My job involves establishing and maintaining radio communications,” said Garciamunoz. “When entering a battalion’s area of operation, I call in to inform them of our presence in their battlespace.”

Garciamunoz maintains constant communication with a battlespace owner once his convoy has crossed into that unit’s area of operations. This assists the unit in accounting for friendly personnel within its lines, and, perhaps more importantly, makes them aware of the presence of the RCT-5 commander.

While traveling from one Marine position to the next, the M2C2 also provides long-range communication capabilities for its occupants.

Lance Cpl. James Turner III, an RCT-5 M2C2 operator, monitors various means of communications carried by the vehicle.

“Whenever we go out on a mission, my job is to keep all services up so that the commanding officer can communicate through e-mail, chat, radio or phone,” said Turner, a 20-year-old native of Butler, Penn.

Sergeant Luis Alfonso Leon, an M2C2 team leader and driver, ensures the operational readiness of the vehicle and his team. Before, during and after any mission, Alfonso ensures that all data and radio services are up and running.

“Providing wireless [communication] allows the commanding and operations officer to stay updated with actions occurring in each battalion’s areas of operations,” said Leon, a 24-year-old native of Tucson.

“I enjoy driving through the bazaars,” added Leon. “I get to visit so many different patrol bases and combat outposts throughout our area of operations.”

Leon’s observation reflects the unique experience enjoyed by the M2C2 team. While keeping the lines of communications open for the business, they get to see a side of southern Helmand and its people that most Marines do not.

“One of my most memorable events while being on the M2C2 was while at COP Jaker,” recalls Garciamunoz. “We heard of kids that would wear Marine’s chevrons.”

“Myself and sergeant Leon went to the gate to see them,” said Garciamunoz. “When we approached the kids, they said, ‘what’s up sergeant? What’s going on corporal?’”

“It surprised me how much English they spoke, but even more, the fact that they knew my rank,” Garciamunoz added. “That’s one of the experiences I’ll remember from my deployment.”

As Garciamunoz, Leon and Turner continue to keep the lines of communication open across the battlefield, they hope to gather a few more unique experiences from their time in southern Helmand.

“The best part of my job is knowing that I keep up the communications with our team so we can complete the mission to the best of our ability,” said Turner.

Article by Cpl. Alfred V. Lopez, Regimental Combat Team 5, 1st Marine Division