FORWARD OPERATING BASE EDINBURGH, Afghanistsan -- The average American might not consider toothpaste a luxury, but some Marines in Afghanistan do.
Forward Operating Base Edinburgh, Afghanistan, is an example of Marines accomplishing more with less. On a recent site visit, a pair of Camp Leatherneck Marines observed their Edinburgh-based counterparts fulfilling their mission in a much more austere environment.
That’s why Sgt. Christopher L. Preston and Cpl. George N. English, who both provide security for the 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing (Forward) command group, traveled from Camp Leatherneck, Afghanistan, to FOB Edinburgh to deliver additional supplies to fellow Marines, April 7.
“We took them a lot of the basic necessities,” said Preston. “It was exciting to see their faces when they were digging through the supplies and divvying them up.”
Preston, a native of New Castle, Ky., and English, a native of Brockton, Mass., gathered the supplies from care packages sent to the 2nd MAW (Fwd.) Marines.
“It was rewarding for me to help fellow Marines,” said English. “We had the ability to share the supplies that we had with them.”
The Edinburgh-based Marines said they felt the additional supplies were not only for them, but could benefit other troops at Edinburgh, especially ground forces who travel through the base.
“This means so much, not only to our Marines but others that come through the base,” said Staff Sgt. Travis J. Treloar, a water purification specialist with Marine Wing Support Squadron 272. “It’s a boost of morale for us all.”
Preston and English delivered more than 500 pounds of items including sunscreen, wet wipes, socks, candy, board games and, of course, toothpaste.
“It’s exciting,” said Cpl. David B. Gurney, an aircraft rescue firefighter with MWSS-272. “We all love getting stuff that we don’t usually have out here.”
“We took care of the Marines and they took care of others with the supplies we gave them,” said Preston. “Marines take care of other Marines.”