AL ASAD, Iraq -- In a small ceremony held outside the Base Defense Operations Center here April 12, Capt. Scott E. Cobb relinquished command of Alpha Company, Provisional Security Battalion, to Capt. William J. Markham.
Cobb, from Cross Lanes, W.V., assumed command of the company in June 2003. “They’re motivated and dedicated and they’re a fine bunch of men to lead,” he said. “It was an honor to lead them.”
Markham, from Concord, N.C., joins the company from Marine Air Control Group 28. “I’ve been waiting on this opportunity since I entered the Marine Corps and I’m extremely grateful,” he said. “I will give it everything I have to make sure these Marines are ready to fight.”
The Provisional Security Battalion is comprised of Marines from 2nd Low Altitude Air Defense Battalion whose traditional mission is to protect service members on the ground from aerial attacks. However, these air defense Marines have traded their Stinger missiles for rifles to provide interior security to this former Iraqi air base and conduct convoy security missions.
The Marines of Alpha Company are in charge of the base’s interior security and will soon begin conducting convoy security missions when they turn over responsibilities with their Bravo Company counterparts.
Prior to this deployment they trained for almost 12 months on how to conduct security and stability operations.
“They’re doing a new mission and they’ve performed outstanding,” said Cobb. “The security posture of Al Asad has increased due to their presence.”
- For more information about the Marines reported on in this story, please contact Sgt. Juan Vara by e-mail at varaj@acemnf-wiraq.usmc.mil -