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MARINES IN AFGHANISTAN FACE SCORCHING TEMPS
"THE HEAT, IT KILLS" SAYS ONE MARINE

A recent article published by Cpl. Tommy Bellegarde of the 2nd Marine Division, talks about the extreme temperatures that our troops deal with in Afghanistan. Cpl. Bellegarde's article reminds us the very real dangers posed by the oppressive heat.

NAWA DISTRICT, Helmand province, Afghanistan – Marines patrol in full gear – a combat load of ammunition, flak jackets, helmets, rifles – and many must add communications radios, extra rounds or squad automatic weapons to their loads. These items get very heavy over the course of a three- or four-hour security patrol.  Add uneven terrain, countless irrigation canals, hills, dust, fatigue and rapidly-depleting water sources and circumstances become more severe. Temperatures of well over 100 degrees Fahrenheit... “The heat, it kills,” said Lake Elsinore, Calif., native, Lance Cpl. Andrew Dalton, a fireteam leader with the battery. “When we first got here, just walking up the steps to get on post, you’d be winded. It’s the heat and the air – everything is just completely different (in Afghanistan).”  “I try to drink as much water as I can, about a bottle an hour,” said Jacksonville, Fla., native Matthew Yackee, a fireteam leader with Headquarters Battery. “You (also) have to keep an eye on the guy in front of you and behind you (on patrol).” “The heat today was pretty bad, most of us came back with our cammies soaked (with sweat),” said Yackee...

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