NAWA, Afghanistan — Taliban militants were nowhere in sight as columns of U.S. Marines walked a third straight day across southern Afghanistan. But the desert heat proved an enemy in its own right, with several Marines falling victim Saturday to temperatures topping 100 degrees Fahrenheit.
The Marines carry 50 to 100 pounds on their backs. But because they are marching through farmland on foot, they can’t carry as much water as their thirst demands.
Few even realized the date was July 4, but once word of the holiday spread through the company, several said they knew relatives would be holding lakeside celebrations — a world away from the strenuous task Bravo Company of the 1st Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment was taking on.
“Happy 4th of July, dawg. Happy America,” said Lance Corp. Vince Morales, 21, of Baytown, Texas, to one of his Marine buddies while resting under a tree during a break.
Some Marines ate watermelon from a farmer’s field as the evening sun set, but there were few other signs of a holiday celebration.
About 4,000 Marines are moving through southern Helmand to take back Taliban-held territory and pinch the insurgents’ supply lines.
Bravo Company has seen a lot of walking but up to now little fighting. So far, the worst danger facing Bravo is the heat. Medics treated several heat casualties Saturday.
“When (body) temperature goes up past 104, your brain starts cooking, and that’s what we’re trying to prevent,” said Simon Trujillo, an HM3 Navy medic from Dallas.
Several Marines threw up or were dry-heaving Saturday. Three passed out, and other Marines rushed to share the weight and pour water on overheated bodies.
One cruel irony: A helicopter dropped off a load of water to the Marines early Saturday, but because they hadn’t yet reached their final destination, they took only what they could carry and left hundreds of bottles behind for Afghan villagers to drink.
