Marine Corps News Room

MARINE CORPS MOUNTAIN WARFARE TRAINING CENTER, BRIDGEPORT, Calif. (Sept. 30, 2005) -- Collectively, there are thousands of years of active duty experience among the 900-plus Marines from 1st Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, assigned to Marine Corps Base Hawaii, Kaneohe Bay, who are currently conducting training exercises at the Marine Corps Mountain Warfare Training Center in Bridgeport, Calif., in preparation for their upcoming deployment to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.

http://www.usmc.mil/marinelink/mcn2000.nsf/main5/EDBDF193CF3FC2B38525708D00048DD9?opendocument

Submitted by: MCB Hawaii
Story Identification #: 2005930204944
Story by Sgt. Joe Lindsay

MARINE CORPS MOUNTAIN WARFARE TRAINING CENTER, BRIDGEPORT, Calif. (Sept. 30, 2005) -- Collectively, there are thousands of years of active duty experience among the 900-plus Marines from 1st Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, assigned to Marine Corps Base Hawaii, Kaneohe Bay, who are currently conducting training exercises at the Marine Corps Mountain Warfare Training Center in Bridgeport, Calif., in preparation for their upcoming deployment to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.

But perhaps no Marine here, with the exception of instructors or former instructors, has seen more of Bridgeport’s rugged training landscape than Sgt. Jason Butler, 1/3 assistant operations chief and a native of Salt Lake City, Utah, who is making his fifth appearance at MCMWTC. This training site is considered by many to be the toughest proving ground outside of actual combat in the Marine Corps.

“I first came out here from Camp Pendleton in ‘97 with 1st Battalion, 1st Marines, as a young pfc,” said Butler. “It turned my world upside down that first time. I had no impact, no idea. Now I’m considered an old vet at Bridgeport. I know these mountains. Not enough to conquer them, no man can do that, but enough to survive them and to help others survive them.”

This pre-deployment exercise marks the third time Butler has trained in Bridgeport with a battalion. He also attended the Mountain Leaders Course and the infamous Survival Evasion Resistance and Escape Course here as well.

“Having a seasoned Marine in Bridgeport with experience in the mountains like Sergeant Butler gives us insight into what works and doesn’t work out here,” said Capt. Jer Garcia, 1/3 assistant operations officer and a native of Honolulu. “In fact, he is considered so valuable by the command that we’ve got him in the Command Operating Center filling the COP (command operational picture) billet. What that means, basically, is that Sergeant Butler knows what’s going on with all facets of this training, from tracking where the troop movements are taking place to what and how many supplies they need to accomplish the training mission. We needed someone who understands the big picture out here, and he fits that bill perfectly.”

If Butler understands the “big picture,” then it might be safe to say his wife, Melody, understands the “big screen.”
“My wife appeared in two episodes of “Lost” last season,” said Butler. “She’s trying to break into acting and has also been in several commercials. I’m so proud of her because she does it all while raising our two daughters, Madison, who is nine years old, and Macy, who is seven years old, while at the same time running her own business.”

It seems like Madison may take after her mother, while, according to Butler, Macy appears to be more a “chip off the old block.”

“Madison recently appeared in a television commercial that aired locally in Hawaii,” he said. “But Macy says she wants to join the Marines when she’s older.

“We’ll see.”

For Butler, the most difficult aspect of being a Marine is not the rigors of an arduous training regime, but rather, the long periods of separation from his family.

“The deployments are getting better now, since my girls are old enough to understand why Daddy has to go — but it’s still hard. What makes it all worth it is knowing that I’m doing my part to ensure that my children are able to grow up in a country that is free, where they can be anything they want to be,” said Butler. “When I was a little kid, I didn’t want to be an astronaut, fireman, policeman or pro football player like all my friends. I wanted to be a doctor. That hasn’t happened yet, but I haven’t given up on that dream. I feel like I’ve learned so much about first aid and treating and evacuating injured Marines here that I could kind of qualify as a ‘Mountain Medicine Man.’ I just want my daughters to be able to have their dreams come true.”

Part of Butler’s motivation in joining the Marine Corps instead of going straight to college and medical school was the deep sense of responsibility he felt in carrying on his family’s legacy of serving the Corps.

“My great-grandfather was a Marine and served in China during the Boxer Rebellion and in World War I. My grandfather was in the Corps in the Pacific during World War II, and my father did three tours in Vietnam as a Marine,” said Butler, now himself a fourth-generation Marine. “I never felt like it made me better than anyone else. I mean, a Marine is a Marine, but I’d be lying if I said it didn’t give me a sense of pride.”

That sense of pride carried by Butler, whether accomplishing a task his superiors place in front of him, or helping a younger Marine become a better Marine, is something that doesn’t go unnoticed by those who serve with him, or by the promotion board for that matter. Butler was selected to pick up staff sergeant on Sept. 21, and will most likely pin on his new rank either Saturday, or when 1/3 returns to Kaneohe Bay.

“Having any Marine, no matter what their rank, like Sergeant Butler, is a great asset. But the fact that he is an NCO, and soon to be Staff NCO, helps me out dramatically here, because he’s endured the conditions in Bridgeport, and he knows how important small-unit leadership is in a mountain environment,” said Gunnery Sgt. Steven Brunner, company gunnery sergeant for 1/3’s Headquarters & Service Company and native of St. Petersburg, Fla. “His experience in this environment provides us with a source of knowledge for all Marines here, from officer to Staff NCO to junior Marines.”

If anyone should know how vital it is to have a Marine like Butler with experience in the harsh environment that is Bridgeport, it is Brunner. As a sergeant, he served here as a sergeant instructor, teaching mountain operations at MLC from 1992 to 1997, and then as a staff sergeant and gunnery sergeant. He did another tour here from 2001 to 2004, finally departing as the chief instructor for the entire training facility before making a permanent change of station move to Hawaii and 1/3.

But even those who are deployed to Bridgeport for the first time have gained from Butler’s tutelage.

“Myself and the majority of the Marines, especially the lance corporals and below, have never been here before,” said Lance Cpl. Ivan Barnes, a 1/3 machine gunner from Altus, Okla. “It’s all new to us, and there is so much to learn. It helps having someone like Sergeant Butler around to show us the ropes.”

There is another reason Barnes is glad to be serving with Butler.

“Sergeant Butler is a big, strong guy, and you know when he is telling you something that he means business,” said Barnes. “But every now and then, when he is correcting us or guiding us, he’ll crack a smile and ease the tension. The Marines under him really appreciate his approach. He gives us respect, and we respect him even more for it. I hope I can be that kind of sergeant someday.”

Posted by CB for MarineParents.com at 10:28 PM | Permalink

JALABAD, Afghanistan (Sept. 30, 2005) -- Marines and Sailors from 2nd Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, Marine Corps Base Hawaii, Kaneohe Bay, use the Marine Corps Dragon Eye, the smallest functioning unmanned aerial vehicle, in an effort to minimize friendly casualties and maximize surveillance during missions in support of Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan.

http://www.usmc.mil/marinelink/mcn2000.nsf/main5/B61B1B03D657E3DA8525708D0007F6C9?opendocument

Submitted by: MCB Hawaii
Story Identification #: 2005930212659
Story by Sgt. Robert M. Storm

JALABAD, Afghanistan (Sept. 30, 2005) -- Marines and Sailors from 2nd Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, Marine Corps Base Hawaii, Kaneohe Bay, use the Marine Corps Dragon Eye, the smallest functioning unmanned aerial vehicle, in an effort to minimize friendly casualties and maximize surveillance during missions in support of Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan.

“The Dragon Eye is a good tool, if used properly. It’s excellent for short-range recon and can easily be taken on a patrol to further increase a squads abilities,” explained Sgt. Henry M. White Jr., infantryman, from Grady, Ark. “It’s great for taking pictures of supposed improvised explosive devices found on roads.”

The Dragon Eye, basically, is a small remote-controlled airplane that carries two real-time video cameras. With the Dragon Eye, Marines and Sailors have a tool that allows them to see farther over rough terrain, fits in a backpack, and can be taken with them and used anywhere. Marines and Sailors in enemy territory may face danger approaching from unexpected directions. With the Dragon Eye, they can easily launch a system that will give them up-to-date reconnaissance that encompasses a vast area, giving them a distinct advantage.

“I can get more intelligence in five minutes than a squad of Marines can get in two hours,” said Cpl. Joshua L. Britner, mortarman, about the Dragon Eye. “It’s also a lot safer than sending a squad.

“During testing of the Dragon Eye, they had an entire company shoot at it in flight for two days,” said the Freemont, Ohio native. It only took four hits, but was never shot down.”

The Dragon Eye is designed to be disassembled into five separate pieces and be hand carried. The fiberglass and Kevlar constructed craft is capable of independent flight.

When disassembled to its five components: fuselage, tail, nose and two wings, it is easily transportable. Its two forward and side angle cameras can take video in black and white, color, and infrared for nighttime operations. The battery provides up to 60 minutes of flight time at 35 mph, and the aircraft has a flight weight of roughly 5 pounds. The Dragon Eye is made primarily with commercial, off-the-shelf materials, so even if destroyed by enemy fire it is easily replaceable.
The Dragon Eye’s size and ease of use allow for greater diversity when planning missions.

“We can launch it into the air with a bungee cord in under 10 minutes,” said Britner.

“The Dragon Eye can be used for other types of missions besides recon, since the eye can give precise coordinates, you can call for indirect mortar or artillery fire on a location.”

Posted by CB for MarineParents.com at 10:22 PM | Permalink

AL ASAD, Iraq (Sept. 30, 2005) -- The Marine Tactical Electronic Warfare Squadron 1 Banshees, based at Al Asad, Iraq, are playing host to two Navy squadrons supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom from late September to early October.

http://www.usmc.mil/marinelink/mcn2000.nsf/main5/A1D982CB5B77BFAA8525708C003B18C0?opendocument

Submitted by: 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing
Story Identification #: 200593064529
Story by Cpl. James D. Hamel

AL ASAD, Iraq (Sept. 30, 2005) -- The Marine Tactical Electronic Warfare Squadron 1 Banshees, based at Al Asad, Iraq, are playing host to two Navy squadrons supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom from late September to early October.

As Navy Tactical Electronic Warfare Squadron 135 transferred operations to VAQ-141, the two squadrons needed a land base because of a carrier gap, a situation caused by aircraft carriers rotating in and out of the area of responsibility.

When the USS Chester W. Nimitz, the home of VAQ-135, left the Persian Gulf, the squadron left behind two jets to help VMAQ-1 successfully execute the electronic warfare mission. The USS Theodore Roosevelt, the home of VAQ-141, is on its way to the Persian Gulf, but won’t arrive until next month. The Shadowhawks of VAQ-141 came to Al Asad to relieve their Navy counterparts and allow them to return to their ship.

The rotation allowed operations to continue without forcing any squadron or service member to stay in country longer than necessary. The Shadowhawks hit the ground running, beginning combat missions the day after their arrival. Such quick assumption of missions was no doubt aided by having two squadrons aiding their transition.

“Having VAQ-135 here when we arrived to get a face-to-face turnover was excellent,” said Navy Lt. Bryan Gunkel, a pilot with VAQ-141. “Between them and VMAQ-1, the transition will appear seamless to the troops on the ground, who we’re supporting.”

But while it may seem seamless to the troops on the ground, preparing a Prowler for combat missions in Iraq is anything but easy. To accomplish the distinct mission Operation Iraqi Freedom requires, Prowlers are outfitted with a new tactical jamming pod, the weapon in their electronic countermeasure arsenal.

Marines from VMAQ-1 have been teaching those from VAQ-141 how to operate and maintain the pods. Colonel Mark E. Wakeman, commanding officer of VMAQ-1, said one of the requirements to operate the newly outfitted Prowlers is for an aircrew that has spent time in Iraq to teach a new aircrew that hasn’t. His Marines have been filling that double role to VAQ-141.

“They’re catching on pretty quickly,” said Cpl. Jaa E. Tucker, an electronic countermeasures technician from VMAQ-1. Besides his daily task of keeping the Prowlers flying, he’s been passing his knowledge to his Navy counterparts. “We show them how to service the pod and troubleshooting steps.”

And while Tucker and his fellow Marines have taught the Sailors their jobs, others within the squadron have dealt with the logistics of adding seventy people, albeit temporarily, to their squadron.

“We’ve had to establish billeting, vehicles and working spaces, so there’s a lot of prior coordination so they can get in here and start operating from the start,” said 1st Lt. Mike Monette, an administration officer and electronic countermeasures officer with VMAQ-1.

Yet, the Marines of VMAQ-1 can rest easy knowing their extra work has aided the mission and ensured a more efficient transition for their fellow Prowler squadron.

“The Marines of VMAQ-1 have made our transition from the Theodore Roosevelt to Al Asad easy,” said Navy Lt. Warren Van Allen, an electronic countermeasures officer with VAQ-141. “Not only have they taken us under their wing, they’ve shared everything from working spaces, to critical mission data, to treats from supporters back home. I can’t say enough about them.”

Posted by CB for MarineParents.com at 10:17 PM | Permalink

MARINE CORPS BASE HAWAII, KANEOHE BAY, Hawaii (Sept. 30, 2005) -- It begins with a phone call informing the unit commander of their impending visit. Once they get there, it’ll take them only a few days to inspect every function of a unit.

http://www.marines.mil/marinelink/mcn2000.nsf/0/E804FA6B6D12E8AA8525708D000677C6?opendocument

Submitted by:
MCB Hawaii
Story by:
Computed Name: Gunnery Sgt. Claudia M. LaMantia
Story Identification #:
2005930211038

MARINE CORPS BASE HAWAII, KANEOHE BAY, Hawaii (Sept. 30, 2005) -- It begins with a phone call informing the unit commander of their impending visit. Once they get there, it’ll take them only a few days to inspect every function of a unit.

“Basically, we are the eyes and ears for the commanding general,” said Lt. Col. Loren D. Barney, base inspector. Alongside his deputy, Master Sgt. Sheldon A. Comer, he serves as the custodian of the Inspector General’s Office, Marine Corps Base Hawaii, Kaneohe Bay.

To assist with, and establish the unit’s level of readiness, they conduct informal staff assist visits on a recurring basis and the formal Commanding General’s Inspection biennially. The duo leads a group of about 25 Marines — each an expert in his or her field — armed with checklists from Headquarters Marine Corps as they tour all sections.

“The inspections and investigating any fraud, waste or abuse, are our main focus of effort,” said Comer, a Detroit native.
But their to-do list is comprised of much more.

The IG office is composed of six Marines: Barney, Comer, Master Sgt. Milton White, Staff Sgts. Petronella Williams, Shama Hernandez and Lance Cpl. Phillip M. Cox. Collectively, their mission is to handle complaints, give permissions and help foster peace and harmony — but that’s only a portion of what they do.

“We often mediate when there’s a contention with customer service, nuisances or the use of inappropriate language,” added Comer.

Permissions are reviewed for those wanting to run a small business from base housing and when someone wants to post signs to announce events like garage sales, birthday parties and homecoming celebrations. In addition, they assist with domestic disturbances, which are treated with confidentiality — unless there’s a criminal act involved. From time to time, they also aid with request masts from Headquarters Battalion and Marine Corps Air Facility to the commanding general.

Base beautification and maintenance of Building 216 are top priority for Hernandez and his temporary group of six to eight working party Marines and Sailors. Of that group, Hernandez is the only permanently assigned member of the IG office. The others are assigned for one-month stints before returning to their sections, and a new group of temporarily assigned Marines replaces them.

“I like to call ourselves; the catch all or on-the-spot fix-it crew,” said Hernandez, a Hereford, Texas native. Removing items that wash up on shore, cleaning up rubbish and downed tree branches from the common roads and parks, handling recyclables, fixing doors, repairing windows, making display cases and doing spot landscaping for the commanding general’s building are some of the things they face everyday.

Even with a plethora of tasks, the members of this shop say they are confident they can take care of just about any situation.

More information about the Base Inspector’s office is available at www.mcbh.usmc.mil/inspector/isdir.htm.

Posted by CB for MarineParents.com at 10:16 PM | Permalink

MARINE CORPS BASE HAWAII, KANEOHE BAY, Hawaii(Sept. 30, 2005) -- Spear fishing, a very popular sport in Hawaii, is growing in popularity among Marines and Sailors aboard Marine Corps Base Hawaii.

http://www.usmc.mil/marinelink/mcn2000.nsf/0/5591927A58C112FE8525708C006E3F55?opendocument

Submitted by:
MCB Hawaii
Story by:
Computed Name: Lance Cpl. Roger L. Nelson
Story Identification #:
200593016411

MARINE CORPS BASE HAWAII, KANEOHE BAY, Hawaii(Sept. 30, 2005) -- Spear fishing, a very popular sport in Hawaii, is growing in popularity among Marines and Sailors aboard Marine Corps Base Hawaii.

“It’s great to do on the weekend and just gets my mind off of the work I have to do all week long,” said Pfc. Timothy J. Regan, traffic management specialist, Traffic Management Office, MCB Hawaii, Kaneohe Bay. “I started off just snorkeling but always saw people in the water with these spears. I wondered how they worked, so I went out and bought one and fell in love with the sport.”

Regan, a Boston, Mass. native, explained the experience was one of the most exciting things he has done in his life.

“There is actually a lot more to the sport than you would think,” said Regan. “You have to learn all the rules and regulations or else you could end up being arrested. Also, you have to know the techniques and different things you need and the fish you can and can’t spear.”

Randy Fallau, marine technician, Aaron’s Dive Shop, said a lot of fish are good to eat but may carry a toxin that will get a person sick if eaten.

“Honestly, one of the best ways to figure out what kind of fish you can eat is to go to a fish market and figure out what they sell,” said Fallau, a Kailua, Hawaii native. “This will give you the best idea of what is okay to eat. Parrotfish are good eating; however, please keep in mind that some fish carry toxins. For example, Papio, a tasty fish, may carry toxins, the bigger they get.”

The rules and regulations for spear fishing range from what kind of fish can and cannot be speared to what kinds of spears and equipment you can use to spear the fish. Also, a “bag” limit is set, which limits how many of a certain kind of fish a person is allowed to take home after one day of spear fishing.

For example, anyone spear fishing can harvest a maximum of 20 Papio and Ulua per person in one day or one trip.

In some areas of the United States, a saltwater fishing license must be obtained before a person can go spear fishing, but in Hawaii, this license is not required.

Regan said the most common tools needed to spear fish are fins, snorkel, mask, and a catch bag.

“That’s the cheap way to go, too,” said Regan. “It can be a pretty expensive sport, if you get into buying scuba-diving gear and a lot of other things that will make your chances of spearing ‘the big one’ higher.”

Regan explained the difference and variety in the types of spears and spear guns that can be purchased for the sport.

“I like to use what’s called a Hawaiian sling spear,” said Regan. “It has a big rubber band on the end of it that you hold in your hand, then you pull back on the spear and let go when you see a fish you want to shoot. There are other types of spears, but this one is easy to use and does the job just fine for what I use it for.”

Other spears that are commonly used are pneumatic spear guns, pole spears and sling spears, all of which can be made out of different materials. Common materials are aluminum, wood and stainless steel.

Hawaii has a diverse population of fish, which makes every place a good spot for the sport, according to Regan. Areas where you will usually find people spear fishing are Shark’s Cove at North Shore and North Beach at Kaneohe Bay.

“I personally like spear fishing at North Beach on base,” said Regan. “It’s a close drive and has some really nice fish. The only bad thing is that if you go out too far, you have to bring a marker for protection — that’s in case a boat drives by. The driver will know that there is a person in the water. Just another safety precaution.”

Fallau explained that a spear fisher and other divers must have dive flags. If the diver is surfacing around the flag, he must not surface more than 50 feet away from the flag or marker. Boats must allow at least 200 feet between the boat and a dive flag.

“Even though there are a lot of rules and things you have to know before going, it’s still fun,” said Regan. “It helps with my tan and gives me something to do.”

Posted by CB for MarineParents.com at 10:13 PM | Permalink

NAVAL AIR STATION NEW ORLEANS, La., Sept. 30, 2005 – A specially tailored Marine task force ordered to the Gulf Coast in the wake of Hurricane Katrina is headed home after wrapping up its work in some of the region's most devastated communities.

http://www.defenselink.mil/news/Sep2005/20050930_2900.html

American Forces Press Service

NAVAL AIR STATION NEW ORLEANS, La., Sept. 30, 2005 – A specially tailored Marine task force ordered to the Gulf Coast in the wake of Hurricane Katrina is headed home after wrapping up its work in some of the region's most devastated communities.

More than 1,200 active-duty Marines will return to their home base at Camp Lejeune, N.C., in the coming week and resume preparations for a scheduled deployment in the spring.

The departing Marines, part of the 2nd Marine Expeditionary Force, were among thousands of troops summoned by the president to bolster relief efforts in the desperate days following Katrina's impact.

"The intent was clear," said Marine Col. John Shook, commander of Special-Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force St. Bernard, named for the Louisiana parish that would become the focus of the Marines' efforts. "Do whatever we could to help save lives and ease the suffering of those who survived. We approached our mission with a sense of purpose and accomplished what we set out to do."

In the first two weeks following the Aug. 29 storm, the Marines searched more than 5,000 homes; rescued 610 stranded residents; transported nearly 1,500 other displaced citizens; delivered two million pounds of supplies; and cleared debris from more than 1,000 homes, schools, and municipal buildings.

Their efforts began just hours after the levees burst, as Marines from the 4th Assault Amphibian Battalion and the Corps' Anti-Terrorism Battalion rushed to the scene from their bases in the stricken area.

On Aug. 30, Marine helicopters and amphibious vehicles began pulling survivors to safety.

Most of those rescues were carried out by the task force's air component, composed of Marines of the Reserve 4th Marine Air Wing and their active-duty counterparts from the 2nd Marine Air Wing, who flew in on Sept. 1 to help.

During three days of nearly continuous daylight sorties, four UH-1N Huey utility helicopters -- working in tandem with a mix of heavy-lift CH-53Es and medium-lift CH-46Es -- plucked 446 people from rooftops, highway overpasses, and other hard-to-reach high ground where residents had taken refuge.

As the helicopters began their three-day run, an advance team from the headquarters element of the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit arrived at the air station here to pave the way for additional forces.

At the same time, nearly 300 Marines from MEU Service Support Group 24 -- constituting the bulk of the task force's logistics component -- were making their way down the Atlantic coast on two naval vessels launched from Norfolk, Va. They brought with them an array of engineering equipment well suited to disaster relief and humanitarian assistance, including forklifts, large trucks, Humvees and water-purification devices.

By the evening of Sept. 4, some 700 Marines from 1st Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, had arrived.

As Marines and sailors continued to pour into the region -- the task force would soon swell to 2,500 -- leadership shifted to Maj. Gen. Douglas O'Dell, commander of the New Orleans-based 4th Marine Division, a reserve unit.

The Marines fanned out to three areas initially: Michoud, just east of New Orleans; Slidell, east of Lake Pontchartrain; and Picayune, just over the state line in Mississippi. They would later move most of the task force to Michoud, keeping the anti-terrorism battalion in Slidell.

Most of the Marines spent the ensuing week wading through St. Bernard Parish, just east of New Orleans, rendered a swamp after water levels in some sections of the parish rose to 15 feet in the storm's wake.

Using amphibious vehicles called "amtracs," members of 1/8 and 4th Assault Amphibian Battalion -- joined by local police and soldiers from the 169th Colorado National Guard --- churned through the fetid, flooded streets in search of survivors.

After multiple sweeps that included a stop at every structure in the parish, the Marines completed their search Sept. 13, having rescued 78 residents.

The mission in St. Bernard Parish was brought to a formal close five days later with a memorial service honoring parish residents who died in the storm and its aftermath.

"We were determined to do as much as we possibly could in the time available to us," Shook said. "We set out to make a difference, to offer a lifeline, to give the local leaders enough time to get their feet under them again."

As they spent what appeared to be their final few days in Louisiana clearing roads, removing debris from homes, schools and key government facilities, and helping leaders in both St. Bernard and St. Tammany parishes prepare for the return of business owners and residents, Hurricane Rita bore down on the Gulf Coast. The Marines repositioned themselves to ensure their own safety and enable a rapid response wherever Rita came ashore.

The morning of Sept. 24 bore witness to the new path of destruction cut by Rita across southwest Louisiana and coastal Texas.

The Marines of the anti-terrorism battalion were directed to Lafayette, La. Driving through the remnants of Rita's foul weather, they arrived within hours of the storm's impact. They synchronized their efforts with soldiers from the Army's 82nd Airborne Division, who had come from New Orleans to help.

By the evening of Sept. 25, the Marines had rescued 26 people in New Iberia, La.

Farther west, Marines from 1/8 moved ashore from the USS Iwo Jima to help the devastated town of Cameron re-establish the parish courthouse as the center of local relief efforts.

Shook said the Marines' response was critical in helping the Gulf Coast recover from what he called "this double-whammy hurricane attack."

"The Marines are tired, but proud of the difference they made," he added.

As the Marines return to North Carolina this week, they will immediately pick up where they left off, readying themselves for an intensive pre-deployment training program due to begin in December.

Most of the Marines, including 1/8 and MSSG-24, are scheduled to deploy with the 24th MEU in the spring.

(From a Special-Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force news release.)

Related Site:
2nd Marine Expeditionary Force

Posted by CB for MarineParents.com at 10:09 PM | Permalink

Near a makeshift memorial for their only dead brethren, the Marine reservists of B Company returned home Thursday to a joyful reunion with their families, including some babies born while their fathers were in Iraq. (4th CEB)

http://www.roanoke.com/news/roanoke/wb/34294

The Roanoke-based unit was activated in January for the first time since the 1991 Persian Gulf War. View photos

By John Cramer
981-3140
The Roanoke Times

Near a makeshift memorial for their only dead brethren, the Marine reservists of B Company returned home Thursday to a joyful reunion with their families, including some babies born while their fathers were in Iraq.

Among them was Cpl. Aaron Forbes, who cuddled his newborn daughter, AnMarie, as his wife, Jennifer, looked on.

"It's a great feeling," said Forbes, whose Roanoke-based B Company, 4th Combat Engineer Battalion, 4th Marine Division, spent the past seven months in Iraq. "I had to wait a long time to hold her."

Nearby was a concrete traffic barrier that had been turned into a hand-painted memorial for Lance Cpl. Jourdan Grez of Harrisonburg, who was killed by a roadside bomb in May.

The painting included Grez's name, a U.S. flag and his helmet, boots, rifle and dog tags.

Maj. John Knapp, B Company's commander, said his unit accomplished all of their missions in Iraq but regretted the death of Grez and the serious wounding of four other Marines.

"This is a great group of Marines," Knapp said. "They did everything that was asked of them."

When the Marines arrived in buses at the Naval and Marine Corps Training Center in Northwest Roanoke, they found hundreds of relatives and friends waiting under sunny skies with flags, balloons and welcome-home signs.

When they got off the buses, they were wrapped in teary embraces.

Lance Cpl. Ronnie Earle, a George Mason University student from Lynchburg, kissed his girlfriend, Lauren Stephens of Charlottesville, and petted her dog, Lexi, a Chihuahua, whom Stephens carried in her purse.

"I can't describe my feelings," Stephens said, crying.

Sgt. Justin Whiting of Roanoke hugged his parents, brother, girlfriend and other relatives.

"It's an amazing feeling, being home," he said.

Forbes, whose civilian job is being a police officer in South Boston, didn't say much as he held his newborn child.

"I just want to hold her," he said.

B Company, which was activated in January for the first time since the 1991 Persian Gulf War, included men from many civilian backgrounds, including college students, engineers, lawmen, businessmen, farmers, carpenters and laborers.

About 60 of the 90 Marines who went to Iraq returned Thursday.

The rest are due to return next week.

In Iraq, their duties included clearing land mines, doing construction and other engineering tasks.

Thousands of Southwest and central Virginians -- active duty, reservists and National Guard troops -- have been deployed since Sept. 11, 2001, including more than 2,000 who have served in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Posted by CB for MarineParents.com at 1:56 PM | Permalink

BAGHDAD -- Iraqi and U.S. forces are preparing to seize five towns along the Euphrates River near the Syrian border that have fallen under the control of terrorists, an Iraqi official said yesterday.

http://washingtontimes.com/world/20050929-114709-8230r.htm

By Paul Martin
THE WASHINGTON TIMES
September 30, 2005

BAGHDAD -- Iraqi and U.S. forces are preparing to seize five towns along the Euphrates River near the Syrian border that have fallen under the control of terrorists, an Iraqi official said yesterday.
"Just as with our Tal Afar operation, D-Day is not announced until well after we go on in -- and you can take it that D-Day has either happened or is about to," the official said on the condition of anonymity.
Tal Afar is a village on the Syrian border that U.S. forces say was effectively rid of "terrorists and foreign fighters" earlier this month in a U.S.-Iraqi offensive. But many of the insurgents escaped.
In the five towns now under insurgent control, a ruthless Taliban-style regime has been imposed, a U.S. Marine commander told an embedded American reporter.
"For the time being, they run these towns," Lt. Col. Julian Alford, commander of the 3rd Battalion, 6th Marines Regiment stationed outside the western Iraqi town of Qaim, told reporter Anna Badkhen of the San Francisco Chronicle.
The U.S. and Iraqi governments have stepped up their criticism of Syria recently because of its failure to curb the movement of foreign militants across the porous 450-mile border.
Iraq's al Qaeda leader Abu Musab Zarqawi has boasted over the Internet that the five towns have become "The Islamic Republic of Qaim."
The towns are Ubaydi, Qaim, Sada, Karabila and Dulaym al-Husayba.
The area comprises desert broken by lush riverside fields. It is populated by about 100,000 Sunni Arabs with a long tradition of cross-border smuggling activities.
Marines just outside Ubaydi told the Chronicle reporter that they come under attack every time they approach it and that U.S. troops do not enter the town, where the insurgents appear to have free rein.
The highway leading into it is marked with anti-American and anti-Iraqi government billboards signed by "al Qaeda organization."
One large metal billboard warns people not to become "spies."
Another billboard says, "Our religion will not be strong without the book and the sword."
By late last night, the U.S.-led coalition had not responded to queries about the five towns.

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Posted by CB for MarineParents.com at 1:53 PM | Permalink

Outside Sada, Iraq -- As the crimson sun rolled behind the Taraq an-Naja Mountains, a group of U.S. Marines scraped their shovels across the infertile, rocky soil of western Iraq, trying to set their mortar launchers deeper into the dust. (3/6 Wpns Co)

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/c/a/2005/09/30/MNGH3F0HJ61.DTL

Anna Badkhen, Chronicle Staff Writer

Friday, September 30, 2005

Outside Sada, Iraq -- As the crimson sun rolled behind the Taraq an-Naja Mountains, a group of U.S. Marines scraped their shovels across the infertile, rocky soil of western Iraq, trying to set their mortar launchers deeper into the dust.

In the Euphrates River valley before them twinkled the white and yellow lights of Sada and Karabila -- key Iraqi towns near the border with Syria controlled by fighters loyal to insurgency leader Abu Musab al-Zarqawi. Marines from the 1st Mobile Assault Platoon, Weapons Company, 3rd Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment camped out Thursday on a moonless night in the desiccated expanse overlooking the towns, setting up mortar firing positions and keeping an eye for any insurgent movement inside the settlements.

As they set up their mortars, the Marines discarded the metal bindings of 81mm ammo cases, leaving the long metal strips on the ground like some strange petrified seaweed mysteriously beached onto the Iraqi desert. On the bottom of a dry riverbed, salt reflected the receding light. A lightning flash, an early sign of fall, lit up the horizon over Sada, and a thunderclap followed.

Then darkness enveloped the encampment, and all became smells and sounds.

A Marine laughed in the distance. Another one, closer, lit a cigarette, which glowed orange in the dark. Dogs barked in Sada, and a donkey screamed. A humvee smelled of diesel fuel. A muezzin started a solemn call for the evening prayer. Somewhere, a car sped down a road. From time to time, helicopters roared overhead. Marines whispered loudly over the racket of rotors.

Cool wind carried noises across the shadowy desert, and Marines listened and sniffed in the darkness.

"Night is different," said Gunnery Sgt. Derrick Link, 32, as he listened to the static on the humvee radio, a lifeline for his platoon to battalion commanders. "You rely on different senses in the night. Your hearing instead of your sight. Everything sounds a lot closer than it is."

Night is also a time to contemplate and reminisce. The Marines talked about home.

Navy medic Michael Larson, 30, talked about 19th century Russian writers ("I love Gogol!") and food.

"I used to make focaccia bread, with olives and Parmesan cheese," he said. "I'd make pasta Alfredo. I love to cook. Make the whole course.

"When I go home, it will be, like, my girlfriend, food and my daughter, these three, nothing else."

Pfc. Dale Fellows, 19, talked about his girlfriend, too. She was a year ahead of him in high school in upstate New York, and now she goes to Northeastern University in Boston. She is an intern at the Boston Globe.

Link talked about his 9-year-old daughter, Samantha, who started cheerleading classes this year.

Stephen Thomson, 30, talked about his dream to go to medical school to become a radiologist.

"They work in teams, and they really know their anatomy, and I'm very interested in anatomy and physiology," he explained.

At 9 p.m., desert wind kicked up dust and carried it across the encampment. The temperature dropped from the daytime's 95 degrees to 62 in a matter of minutes. Marines materialized out of the opaque darkness, stopping by Link's truck to chat, rest and smoke. Some moved on, disappearing in the blowing sand; others stayed to seek the comfort of companionship.

"They rarely attack in the dark," Lance Cpl. Jared Treadway, 22, consoled himself, his shoulder-mounted launcher leaning against Link's humvee.

Link disagreed.

"Last time we stayed overnight, last week, the first night we got hit pretty bad," he said, standing near his humvee, which was parked facing the lights of Sada.

But this time the troops were luckier. An orange trace of a lone mortar round arched out of Sada at about 5:30 a.m., injuring no one.

"Maybe they are just waiting it out; maybe they're feeling there's a big fight coming, they just don't know when," Link said. "That's what I would have done."

At 1 a.m., the Marines start digging foxholes next to their humvees.

Earlier in the evening, when their convoy crept through the desert, the Marines had watched the tracks that crisscrossed the desert: humvee tire tracks; small tracks, from gerbils or mice; and larger ones, from foxes or stray dogs. The ones to watch out for were human tracks -- possible signs that someone had laid a roadside bomb in the fine, ankle-deep dust.

But where they finally made camp, the dirt was packed hard and strewn with small rocks, making the wasteland look like the surface of the moon.

Next to the passenger door of his humvee, Link drew a rectangular shape on the ground with the tip of his shovel, and forcefully stabbed the ground. The shovel went in less than one inch.

"F -- ing not good," he muttered. He took off his Kevlar helmet and his body armor. "This ground is hard as a f -- ing rock. There's no f -- ing way."

But he continued to dig, as did the troops around him. For several minutes, the air filled with the sound of metal scraping against rock.

At one point, Thomson stepped away from the 3-inch-deep hole he had managed to gouge in the ground, contemplating his work.

"It's like digging a grave," he says. "I'll lay in my little grave, I'll put my sleeping bag on top of me, and I'll be warm. I've found out that the deeper you dig, the warmer it gets."

"Last time we were out," he continued, "the first day, I dug like a champion. The second day, I didn't dig deep enough, and I was cold."

He paused, then smiled.

"I talk about digging as though I'd been digging graves all my life," he said, shaking his head.

Soon, everyone except for the Marines pulling guard duty was lying in the foxholes they had managed to dig. It became so quiet that the ticking of Link's wristwatch filled the air.

Then there were steps.

A Marine carrying a backpack walked past Link's humvee, looking lost.

"I'm just freaking -- oh yeah," he said, remembering something, and walked away.

Link stretched out in his foxhole and fell asleep. Two hours later, the muezzin's call for prayer once again filled the dark predawn air.

"Wake up, wake up, prayer is better than sleep," the muezzin called in melodious Arabic.

The Marines' night in the desert was over.

E-mail Anna Badkhen at abadkhen@sfchronicle.com.

Posted by CB for MarineParents.com at 1:48 PM | Permalink

MARINE CORPS AIR STATION BEAUFORT, SC -- Master Sgt. Donald Parrish, the officer-in-charge of explosive ordnance disposal for Marine Wing Support Squadron 273, was awarded the Bronze Star Medal with combat distinguishing device for Valor for his actions in Iraq in a ceremony aboard the Air Station Sept. 14.

http://www.dcmilitary.com/marines/hendersonhall/10_39/national_news/37416-1.html

by Cpl. Anthony Guas
MCAS Beaufort

MARINE CORPS AIR STATION BEAUFORT, SC -- Master Sgt. Donald Parrish, the officer-in-charge of explosive ordnance disposal for Marine Wing Support Squadron 273, was awarded the Bronze Star Medal with combat distinguishing device for Valor for his actions in Iraq in a ceremony aboard the Air Station Sept. 14.

Lieutenant Gen. John F. Sattler, the commanding general of I Marine Expeditionary Force, awarded the medal on behalf of the President to Parrish, recognizing him as "an absolute critical element to the ability of coalition forces to neutralize insurgent activity in the Babil and Al Anbar Provinces of Iraq."

"I feel very humble," Parrish said. "I was just simply there doing my job. It was very demanding and everybody stepped up and did there job out there."

Although the Adrian, Ga., native is happy about receiving the award, he believes his Marines deserved it more.

"I have mixed feelings, because my Marines deserve to be here with me, if not before me," Parrish said.

From Sept. 2004 to March 2005, Parrish served as the Team Leader for the Explosive Ordnance Disposal Platoon for Combat Service Support Battalion 1. He led his Marines in the destruction of 60 weapons caches, the disposal of 25,024 unexploded ordnance items and 226,000 small arms. In addition, he rendered safe 518 Improvised Explosive Devices within a 22-day period, many times under intense enemy fire.

Before joining the Marine Corps, Parrish had a scholarship to the Art Institute of Atlanta, but declined the scholarship and instead opted for life in the Marine Corps.

I tried looking at things realistically and couldn't see myself disciplined enough to go through school," Parrish said. "I joined the Marine Corps because every other service seemed generic. I wanted something different."

The 18-year veteran has served as an EOD technician for 15 years. He joined the Marine Corps in 1987 and was an Anti-Tank Assault man before transferring to EOD.

Parrish saw his first tour of the Lowcountry and his last as a grunt in 1989, when he served as a range coach aboard Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island.

"The only way I saw myself staying in the Marine Corps was by laterally moving to public affairs or EOD," Parrish said. "I liked the idea of dealing with media. While EOD would provide a greater challenge, there are so many aspects. I liked that fact that you could always learn something new."

After completing the screening process in 1990, Parrish began his EOD career. He went to the first phase of EOD School in January 1991 and completed the second phase in August.

Parrish saw his first combat action with the EOD platoon, 8th Engineer Support Battalion, 2nd Force Service Support Group from Marine Corps Base Camp Lejuene, N.C, in support of I Marine Expeditionary Force. He was then sent a second time to serve as a Team Leader for EOD Platoon, Headquarters and Service Company, Combat Service Support Battalion 1, Combat Service Support Group 11, 1st Force Service Support Group, 1 Marine Expeditionary Force, in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom II.

"I took a team of six EOD technicians and a corpsman to Camp Al Asad," Parrish said. "Our primary mission were responses for Al Asad, the city of Hit, Rawa and Haditha. We responded when they found Improvised Explosive Devices, land mines and weapons caches. We also assisted with the destruction (of the devices)."

The mission soon changed for Parrish and his Marines. In October, they started to pull forces for Fallujah, according to Parrish.

"On Oct. 27 we were on a convoy to Fallujah, to start taking operations there," Parrish said. "When we got there everything was hectic. Our mission was to check apartments, which were supposed to be rigged to blow."

Before arriving at the apartments, Parrish and his platoon destroyed multiple IED's planted all around their target's perimeter.

"We cleared at least 6 IED's within a quarter of a mile," Parrish said. "We then cleared the streets and the apartments. The apartments were so close together that we literally could go rooftop to rooftop."

Parrish and his platoon found everything from weapons to clothing. Some of the buildings had remote rockets on the rooftops that were aimed at the street, according to Parrish.

"Imagine every third house being full of something," Parrish said. "We had to get in and blow the buildings up. We couldn't take our time with everything, because we had three or four things being called in."

In addition to keeping an intense pace, Parrish and his platoon had to deal with the firefights going on in the background.

"We could stand on the rooftop and see all the fighting going on," Parrish said. "Sometimes we had to back up pretty far to blow a building and ended up at the edge of the firefight. We had to fight and then return back to our mission."

Although it was a chaotic situation, Parrish credits his Marines' performance.

"I went in very optimistic, although when they briefed me they told me that they expected a 30 percent casualty rate," Parrish said. "We were going into a situation where the insurgents knew we were coming and set up traps for us."

After receiving the Bronze Star, Parrish still feels that his best accomplishment was having his Marines make it back alive.

"We were going into the worst-case scenario and I was just hoping for me and my Marines to get back alive," Parrish said. "I attribute my success to my Marines, they did an outstanding job."

Posted by CB for MarineParents.com at 1:42 PM | Permalink

INDIANAPOLIS, Sept. 30 /U.S. Newswire/ -- In an effort to tell the positive stories of daily accomplishments by our troops in Iraq and Afghanistan directly from the perspective of the American soldier, The American Legion today launched its "Letters to America from the Front" initiative.

http://releases.usnewswire.com/GetRelease.asp?id=54331
9/30/2005 9:18:00 AM

To: National Desk

Contact: Joe March or Wade Habshey, 317-630-1253 or 317-748-1926 (cell), or Ramona Joyce, 202-263-2982 or 202-445-1161 (cell), all of The America Legion

INDIANAPOLIS, Sept. 30 /U.S. Newswire/ -- In an effort to tell the positive stories of daily accomplishments by our troops in Iraq and Afghanistan directly from the perspective of the American soldier, The American Legion today launched its "Letters to America from the Front" initiative.

"America needs to hear the good news first hand from those who are fighting the war in Iraq and Afghanistan," said Bock. "It's about time that the American public hears about the positive things our soldiers, sailors, Marines, airmen and coastguardsmen are doing for our country and for the Afghani and Iraqi people."

In support of the Legion's Resolution 169 (Support for the War on Terrorism), National Commander Tom Bock is inviting all family members, spouses and friends of our soldiers serving in Iraq and Afghanistan to share letters from their loved ones fighting the war on terror

"The focus that we are looking for in these letters is positive energy," said Bock. "We want to share with America their success stories, acts of kindness to the Iraqi and Afghani people (especially children), camaraderie and most important, their love of God and country."

As a new addition to The American Legion Web site, "Letters to America from the Front" submissions from troops will tell of all the good things happening in Iraq and Afghanistan that are not reported in the media.

Letters can be viewed at http://www.legion.org/. Click on "Letters to America from the Front" in the upper right hand corner of the screen. Submit letters for posting to pr@legion.org.

"I urge all Americans to visit the Web site and see for themselves the tremendous accomplishments of our young men and women in uniform," Bock said. "And I ask our fighting forces around the world to take this opportunity to speak directly to America and tell it like it is."

To kick off this new initiative that will reconnect America with brave troops serving our country, Commander Bock has posted a letter from his son, Adam, currently serving in Iraq.

http://www.usnewswire.com/

Posted by CB for MarineParents.com at 1:40 PM | Permalink

FORT MYER, Va. -- Marine Corps Gen. Peter Pace was sworn in Friday as chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, becoming the first Marine to hold the nation's highest military post.

http://www.newsday.com/news/politics/wire/sns-ap-joint-chiefs-chairman,0,7431349.story

By Associated Press

September 30, 2005, 12:34 PM EDT

FORT MYER, Va. -- Marine Corps Gen. Peter Pace was sworn in Friday as chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, becoming the first Marine to hold the nation's highest military post.

Pace succeeded Air Force Gen. Richard B. Myers, who retired after 40 years of military service, including two years as vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs and four years as the chairman.

At a retirement ceremony on this ceremonial post adjacent to Arlington National Cemetery, President Bush and Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld thanked Myers for his service. Bush noted that Myers became chairman just weeks after the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks and oversaw the invasions of Afghanistan and Iraq.

"He helped design a broad and innovative military strategy to win the war on terror," Bush said. "His leadership and flexibility were essential to the liberation of Iraq, and to adapting our tactics to defeat the terrorists and help Iraqis build a peaceful democracy. "

Bush also praised Pace, saying he looked forward working with him. The Joint Chiefs chairman, by law, is the senior military adviser to the president and the secretary of defense. He commands no troops and is not in the formal chain of command, which extends from the president to the defense secretary to combatant commanders.

Pace, who was born in Brooklyn, N.Y., and raised in Teaneck, N.J., had served the past four years as vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs. He was the first Marine to hold that position and also is the first to be chairman.

Posted by CB for MarineParents.com at 1:39 PM | Permalink

MARINE CORPS AIR STATION FUTENMA, OKINAWA, Japan (Sep. 30, 2005) -- More than 40 corpsmen and nurses from units all over Okinawa spent Sept. 26-28 learning about the En Route Care System (ERCS) during the 26-hour Naval En Route Care (NERC) course.

http://www.marines.mil/marinelink/mcn2000.nsf/0/1BA5A7A7AEAC3A538525709000288EB7?opendocument

Submitted by:
MCB Camp Butler
Story by:
Computed Name: Lance Cpl. Erin F. McKnight
Story Identification #:
200510432259

MARINE CORPS AIR STATION FUTENMA, OKINAWA, Japan (Sep. 30, 2005) -- More than 40 corpsmen and nurses from units all over Okinawa spent Sept. 26-28 learning about the En Route Care System (ERCS) during the 26-hour Naval En Route Care (NERC) course.

The course, approved in January by Marine Corps Combat Development Command, teaches methods of caring for critically wounded Marines who need medical attention during transportation from the point of injury to a medical facility, explained Lt. Cmdr. Tony P. Catanese, assistant director of Medical Lessons Learned, Naval Operations Medical Institute (NOMI), Pensacola, Fla.

The NOMI-trained instructors came from various stateside commands and spent more than eight hours teaching students the basics about the ERCS and in-flight patient treatment.

The ERCS is compiled of equipment such as a vital signs monitor and a ventilator that monitors a patient’s vital signs and helps keep them stable throughout the flight. The framework is attached to the casualty’s stretcher and holds the system in place over the patient’s body.

Instructors briefed students on the physiological issues of flight, such as how varying altitudes and helicopter movement patterns can affect a patient. They also covered how to manage critical injuries such as amputations, chest trauma and spinal injuries.

Students also got hands-on experience with the ERCS, and even practiced using stretchers to load dummies and equipment onto CH-46E Sea Knight helicopters. The instructors presented participants with real-world scenarios to help them learn how to react to different situations, explained Catanese.

“The course objectives are to instill critical thinking skills and teach them to use the equipment properly,” Catanese said. “Not every patient is the same. It’s definitely not ‘textbook.’”

The final day of training was the most critical, according to Lt. Scott E. Avery, the training officer for 3rd Medical Battalion.

The corpsmen and nurses boarded one of two Sea Knights manned by Marines with Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 265, Marine Aircraft Group 36, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing. Students used stretchers to load dummies or fellow service members onto the helicopters, secured the stretchers inside the aircraft and took their seats for takeoff. Once the helicopters were airborne, students practiced new techniques using medical knowledge they gained from the class.

“Without that practical application portion, this whole evolution would be useless,” Avery said.

The HMM-265 Marines were glad to help out, according to Maj. Victor Chin, the outbound logistics officer for the unit.

“They needed time in the air, and I know these guys don’t get to fly much, so we were definitely happy to support this,” Chin said. “Plus, it’s better to train when nobody’s shooting at you.”

Petty Officer 3rd Class Paul N. Barnachea, a corpsman with 3rd Med. Bn. was excited about the opportunity to learn about the ERCS, he explained.

“My chief asked me if I wanted to go, and I said ‘Yeah, of course!’” Barnachea said. “I’ve never been around this type of aircraft before, so it’s interesting.”

Teams trained by NOMI have already conducted NERC courses at Camp Lejeune, N.C., and Camp Pendleton, Calif., Catanese added.

“The NERC course gives (corpsmen and nurses) an opportunity to be more familiar with (the ERCS),” Catanese said. “The first time somebody touches the equipment shouldn’t be when they actually have to use it on a casualty.”

Posted by CB for MarineParents.com at 1:20 PM | Permalink

Pentagon has still not acted to pay back parents a year after Congress 'demanded action.'

http://www.csmonitor.com/2005/0930/dailyUpdate.html

By Tom Regan | csmonitor.com
More than a year after the US Congress told the Defense Department to reimburse parents who had bought body armor for their sons or daughters serving in Iraq, the Pentagon "still hasn't figured out a way" to reimburse them. The Associated Press reports that soldiers and their parents are still spending "hundreds, sometimes thousands" of dollars on armor that "the military does not provide."

Senator Chris Dodd (D) of Connecticut said he will "again try to force" the Pentagon to obey the reimbursement bill that it "opposed from the outset and has so far not implemented."

[Dodd], said he will offer amendments to the defense appropriations bill working its way through Congress to take the issue out of the hands of Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld and give control to military unit commanders in the field.

"Mr. Rumsfeld is violating the law," Dodd said. "It's been sitting on the books for over a year. They were opposed to it. It was insulting to them. I'm sorry that's how they felt."

Marine Corp Times reports that under the law passed last October, Congress had until this past Feb. 25 to develop a way to implement the reimbursement plan. The amendment that Dodd had originally added to a military appropriations bills authorized, but did not require, the military to reimburse families up to $1,100 for the purchase of armor and other safety gear "not provided by the military. The Corp Times adds that the Pentagon "never paid a dime," and military officials have said they are still "working on the regulations."

Sen. Dodd has the backing of major military and veteran groups for his plan.

“We share your disappointment that the Defense Department still has not implemented it 11 months after it was enacted,” said retired Vice Adm. Norbert Ryan Jr., president of the Military Officers Association of America.

Retired Army Master Sgt. Michael Cline, executive director of the Enlisted Association of the National Guard of the United States, said the Pentagon’s refusal to pay is hard to understand, given the 91-0 vote by the Senate last year in favor of Dodd’s original proposal ... “How many of those killed [in Iraq and Afghanistan] could have been saved with the proper equipment?” Cline said.

The Associated Press reports that one father, who only wanted to be identified by his first name, Gordon, because he feared "retaliation" against his son who is serving in Fallujah, spent over $1,000 two weeks ago to buy lower body armor.

"I wouldn't have cared if it cost us $10,000 to protect our son, I would do it," said Gordon. "But I think the US has an obligation to make sure they have this equipment and to reimburse for it. I just don't support Donald Rumsfeld's idea of going to war with what you have, not what you want. You go to war prepared, and you don't go to war until you are prepared."

Pentagon spokeswoman Air Force Lt. Col. Ellen Krenke said Thursday the department "is in the final stages of putting a reimbursement program together and it is expected to be operating soon." But defense officials would not discuss the reason for the delay.

In August the Pentagon announced it was replacing body armor for US troops in Iraq and Afghanistan in order to withstand "the strongest of attacks from insurgents." Armor replacement began more than a year ago and will ultimately cost $160 million. The plan would last another year, the Pentagon said at the time, and would "upgrade" the protection used by more than 500,000 soldiers, civilian employees and news media.

USAToday.com reports that the Justice Department has launched a criminal probe into whether Second Chance Body Armor (which the government started working with in 2001) knowingly provided defective bulletproof vest to the military and the White House. The Pentagon had bought some of the vests for "elite troops."

Problems came to light two years ago when the Michigan-based company recalled 130,000 vests because of degradation problems with Zylon, a bullet-resistant fabric used in its vests. The vests were upgraded and returned.

But in June the company issued a bulletin to police departments warning that its vests could fail and result in "serious injury or death." It estimated that about 100,000 of its vests remained in circulation.

The company is cooperating with the investigation.

Finally, Newsday reports that Rumsfeld also found himself in trouble with many police departments across America after he compared the "infiltration of insurgents into Iraqi security forces" with "comparable problems" encountered by US police forces. "It's a problem faced by police forces in every major city in our country, that criminals infiltrate and sign up to join the police force," Rumsfeld testified to the Senate Thursday. But a police spokesman felt differently:

"The secretary's comment was flippant and reflects a fundamental lack of understanding about what American police departments are all about," said Bill Johnson, executive director of the National Association of Police Organizations.

"It's absurd to equate the idea that background checks may occasionally miss a shoplifting charge or somebody who smoked dope as a kid with a person who wires themselves with explosives and blows themselves up in a dining hall," he added.

Posted by CB for MarineParents.com at 1:08 PM | Permalink

MARINE CORPS RECRUIT DEPOT SAN DIEGO, Calif.(Sept. 30, 2005) -- The United States Seagoing Marine Association, in its largest gathering since World War II, attended a morning colors ceremony and Company M's graduation Friday.

http://www.usmc.mil/marinelink/mcn2000.nsf/0/AF769DF712E5DC498525708C005630EB?opendocument

Submitted by:
MCRD San Diego
Story by:
Computed Name: Pvt. Charlie Chavez
Story Identification #:
2005930114126

MARINE CORPS RECRUIT DEPOT SAN DIEGO, Calif.(Sept. 30, 2005) -- The United States Seagoing Marine Association, in its largest gathering since World War II, attended a morning colors ceremony and Company M's graduation Friday.

The 211 Marines and spouses first attended the colors ceremony, then they viewed a graduation ceremony similar to what they marched in years ago. Some Seagoing Marines at the graduation completed boot camp when the M1-Garand Rifle was still in use and fired during the graduations.

"I miss the rifles so much. They made everything so nice," said Seagoing Marine Chuck Kane. "I guess they can't have them for graduation because of security."

The Seagoing Marines share a significant bond with the depot because from the 1930s through the 1980s, Sea School was located where the Coast Guard weather station is now, according to William R. Graham, the association's finance officer.

The school was set in place so that Marines with no knowledge of how to serve on a ship could get proper training and understanding before joining their Navy brethren abroad. Sea School's highlight was when then-President John F. Kennedy conducted a formal inspection on the students in the early 1960s.

"The ceremony and the depot are still as beautiful as when I was here before," said Seagoing Marine Joe F. Cody.

Robert Vanderveen, a Seagoing Marine, said this was probably the last association meeting on the depot becausethe school has not been active in more than 20 years, so no new members join.

Posted by CB for MarineParents.com at 1:07 PM | Permalink

For a few months, some of them were part of Lucky Lima, the nickname given to an Ohio-based Marine unit that had left for Iraq in January and, for a time, had not suffered any casualties or injuries.

http://www.the-dispatch.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20050930/APN/509300550&cachetime=5

By NATALIE GOTT
Associated Press Writer

For a few months, some of them were part of Lucky Lima, the nickname given to an Ohio-based Marine unit that had left for Iraq in January and, for a time, had not suffered any casualties or injuries.

But by the end of their deployment, the 3rd Battalion, 25th Marines had lost 48 servicemen, including nine from the battalion's Lima Company in the deadliest roadside bombing of U.S. troops in Iraq.

The battalion, made up of about 1,000 reservists, is returning to the United States now. A large group of the Marines was set to arrive at Camp Lejeune on Friday. Vice President Dick Cheney plans to join them at the base Monday for a luncheon, the White House announced Friday.

The battalion left for Iraq in January. In March and April, two of the battalion's companies lost three members in as many attacks.

In May, the battalion lost five more reservists in small arms fires and a roadside explosion. Lima Company lost its first Marine, Cpl. Dustin A. Derga, 24, in a May 8 attack.

More losses came throughout June and July, with a deadly roadside bomb that took three reservists June 9, indirect enemy fire that killed two July 10 and grenade fire that killed two on July 28.

August proved to the be the deadliest month for the battalion, particularly the once-lucky Lima Company.

Enemy fire killed five members of the battalion on Aug. 1. Two days later, nine of the Lima reservists were among 14 Marines killed in a roadside bombing.

Overall, 16 Lima Company reservists died in Iraq, and about two dozen were injured, Master Sgt. Stephen Walter said.

Thirteen other permanent members of the battalion were killed. A Navy corpsman and 18 other Marines who were temporarily attached to the group also died.

Of the 48 that were killed, half were from Ohio.

The Marines will spend about five days at Camp Lejeune before they return to their home bases in Ohio, West Virginia and New York for more public festivities. The Marines Corps urged families not to travel to North Carolina because of the debriefing.

Posted by CB for MarineParents.com at 12:53 PM | Permalink

The Marines' V-22 Osprey, the helicopter-airplane hybrid that has survived a rocky two decades of development and controversy, could be carrying Marines on combat missions in Iraq or Afghanistan within two years, military officials said Friday.

http://www.nctimes.com/articles/2005/10/01/news/top_stories/18_26_089_30_05.txt

By: DARRIN MORTENSON - Staff Writer

The Marines' V-22 Osprey, the helicopter-airplane hybrid that has survived a rocky two decades of development and controversy, could be carrying Marines on combat missions in Iraq or Afghanistan within two years, military officials said Friday.

The Pentagon this week gave Boeing Co. and Textron Inc.'s Bell Helicopter division the green light to start building 400 of the $100 million aircraft, 360 of which are slated for Marine units.

Capt. Jerome Bryant, a spokesman for Marine air programs at the Corps' headquarters in Virginia, said Friday that the first squadrons of Ospreys are destined for East Coast-based Marines, who will probably be the first ones to try out the hybrid aircraft in combat.

The Osprey is a tilt-rotor aircraft that takes off and lands vertically like a helicopter and can cruise at the speed and range of an airplane.

Though its development was plagued by problems, including crashes that killed more than 20 Marines, military officials say the Osprey has been redesigned and will be key to its operations.

Units on the West Coast, including Miramar Marine Corps Air Station, Camp Pendleton, Twentynine Palms and Yuma, won't get the new aircraft until fiscal year 2010, Bryant said.

The new Ospreys won't completely replace the existing West Coast fleet of CH-46 helicopters until 2014, he said.

Marines 'jumping' for Osprey

The Osprey can carry up to 24 combat-loaded Marines as far as 500 nautical miles and can be refueled in midair, allowing it to travel to more than 1,000 nautical miles in a single mission.

Marine leaders, desperate for a transport helicopter to replace its existing Vietnam-era fleet, have hailed the hybrid as an aircraft that will revolutionize the way Marines fight wars ---- allowing them to "jump" or "leap" deeper and faster into enemy territory.

Camp Pendleton's highest-ranking general, I Marine Expeditionary Force commander Lt. Gen. John Sattler, has been a strong proponent of raising a fleet of Ospreys for the Marines.

Sattler, who led tens of thousands of local Marines in Iraq last year and will lead more than 10,000 back to Iraq in a few months, said the Osprey would be key to operations in Iraq right now.

"(You) would actually be able to put yourself at the right place at the right time without having substantial forces, forward operating bases, forward arming and refueling points throughout the area by virtue of having the capability that an aircraft like the Osprey gives you," he told a panel of military analysts and Marine officials at the American Enterprise Institute in August.

"I'd love to have it," he said. "I'd like to have it right now."

A bumpy flight to approval

While Marine leaders got the production go-ahead they have wanted, the mass production and deployment of the Osprey is bound to be as controversial as its development.

Critics still call it an expensive death trap for battle-bound Marines.

The V-22 has been hobbled by design problems since the Navy started the research and development in the early 1980s.

The program was temporarily halted by then-Defense Secretary Dick Cheney in 1989, when Cheney and other defense officials said it was too pricey to be practical.

Test flight crashes over the next decade killed several of the most experienced Osprey pilots and crew.

Then, in 2000, two Ospreys crashed in separate incidents, killing 23 Marines and jeopardizing the entire program.

Those accidents were followed by reports that Marine officials had falsified maintenance records and evaluations, and that contractors had certified parts and gear that were substandard. Several Marines were later found guilty of misconduct and the commander of the V-22 test squadron was relieved of command.

Under more intense scrutiny by the military, Congress and the media, the flights resumed even as a design flaw that was a factor in at least one of the earlier crashes was deemed inherent to tilt-wing design.

The problem, often called "vortex ring state," allowed the aircraft to fall into its own rotor turbulence and lose control during fast descents at low air speed ---- a type of maneuver that is key for combat helicopters.

Some still say nay

In final tests this year, military officials said they had tempered the rotor turbulence problem with new computer software that alerts the pilot if he or she is in the dangerous turbulence and then takes over to slow the descent.

A report by the Congressional Research Service published in January acknowledged that many of the touted virtues and values of the Osprey were still being debated.

Eric Miller, a military investigator for the Washington, D.C., watchdog group Project On Government Oversight, says that even after the latest testing and certification, he's among those who are still not convinced.

"It's still a dangerous aircraft," Miller said by phone Thursday.

Miller said he has spoken with pilots, crew members and people who have been involved in the test flights who say the computer solution to the "vortex ring state" problem takes critical control away from the pilot.

He said the computer-dominated aircraft is fast in cruise mode but does not easily make aggressive, evasive maneuvers needed in a combat situation.

The Osprey also has no defensive weapon system, an omission on which military leaders have been reluctant to comment.

Miller said he believes the Marines need a new helicopter so badly that they have been blinded to the Osprey's flaws.

He said the enthusiasm for the technology ---- which may have commercial applications ---- combined with the mounting budgetary investments in its development created a momentum that inevitably ensured the production of an Osprey whether it was combat ready or not.

"Once these programs get going, it's like a snowball going downhill," he said. "It's hard to stop."

Troops asked to have faith

Despite such lingering doubts, military officials have asked Marines to trust in the Osprey.

During the recent final round of operational evaluations, Pendleton's 1st Marine Division commander, Maj. Gen. Richard Natonski, said he felt safe when he flew an Osprey.

"I wanted to come out here to look you in the eyes to tell you that this is a good aircraft," Natonski told a group of Marines in April, according the Marines' news service.

The troops were loading onto one of the aircraft with full battle gear and weapons for an evaluation flight in Twentynine Palms.

Natonski promised them that the design glitches implicated in the pair of crashes in 2000 had been fixed.

"That was a different aircraft," he said, according to the Marine publication. "They've completely redesigned the engine pods. They've put in new computer software, and today the aircraft you're flying on ---- the one I flew on ---- has been completely redesigned."

He let them know how they should feel.

"I'm not afraid to fly in it," he said, "and I know you are not, either."

After a final round of operational evaluations that concluded this summer, including missions launched from ships and from land, the Osprey passed the Defense Acquisition Board's final review, giving the Pentagon the OK to start full production.

Officials said 48 of the new aircraft could be ready each year, replacing the entire fleet of CH-46E helicopters in about 10 years.

Contact staff writer Darrin Mortenson at (760) 740-5442 or dmortenson@nctimes.com.

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Posted by CB for MarineParents.com at 12:14 PM | Permalink

ST. BERNARD PARISH, La. (Sept. 30, 2005) -- On Aug. 29, Hurricane Katrina made landfall and left a path of destruction along the Gulf Coast from the panhandle of Florida to the Mississippi Delta.

http://www.marines.mil/marinelink/mcn2000.nsf/main5/5FE0FF6BA2D0DE438525708C00457665?opendocument

Submitted by: 24th MEU
Story Identification #: 200593083842
Story by Cpl. Rocco DeFilippis

ST. BERNARD PARISH, La. (Sept. 30, 2005) -- On Aug. 29, Hurricane Katrina made landfall and left a path of destruction along the Gulf Coast from the panhandle of Florida to the Mississippi Delta.

As the nation realized the scale of the disaster, the Marines of Special Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force St. Bernard, named for the Louisiana parish that would become the focus of efforts, were preparing to respond.

Aircraft and Marines from Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 461 deployed to Pensacola, Fla., to begin rescue and evacuation missions.

Reserve Marines from Dallas and Fort Worth, Texas; Jackson and Gulfport, Miss.; Bessemer and Huntsville, Ala.; Chattanooga, Tenn., and Jacksonville Fla., began to converge on the Gulf Coast with helicopters, Assault Amphibian Vehicles, 7-Ton Trucks, Humvees, communications gear and hundreds of helping hands.

As the reserve elements landed in the region, the Marines and Sailors of the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit command element, 1st Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, and MEU Service Support Group 24, flew from North Carolina to marry up with their equipment to provide humanitarian assistance and disaster relief.

"As forces arrived from all directions, they worked across Mississippi to focus on St. Bernard Parish," said Col. John E. Shook, SPMAGTF St. Bernard commanding officer. "We observed the devastation by helicopter from the upper Gulf Coast down to the Shell Beach area of St. Bernard Parish. We knew we had an awesome task before us, and a responsibility to act quickly."

The 2,300 Marines and Sailors who made up SPMAGTF St. Bernard worked tirelessly to aid the people of the devastated region. After three weeks, they had all but completed their Katrina-related work when Hurricane Rita struck. Again the Marines would answer the call.

1/8, 4th Tracks search flooded streets, broken communities

About one hour after Katrina's massive eye had passed Gulfport, Miss., two Assault Amphibian Vehicles based there - part of 3rd Platoon, Alpha Company, 4th Assault Amphibian Battalion -- received their first mission.

"The mission required the unit to proceed to a Biloxi police station being utilized as a makeshift command center," said Lt. Col. Kent Ralston, 4th AA Bn. acting commander. "They linked up with their search-and-rescue team and carried them into the Point Cadet area of Biloxi."

The Gulfport AAVs operated for the next six hours, rescuing scores of residents stranded on rooftops. The next day, the AAVs were dispatched to a Navy retirement home to deliver water, set up a retransmission site, and evacuate any wounded retirees. Upon their arrival, the AAVs of 3rd Platoon transported two elderly men to a hospital about 12 miles away after ambulances could not reach the area.

"Both gentlemen were in critical condition because they had fallen down two flights of stairs trying to evacuate," Ralston said. "Once they arrived at the Gulfport Memorial Hospital, they were both stabilized and admitted."

During the first four days in Mississippi, the AAVs of Alpha Co. operated throughout the cities of Biloxi, Gulfport, Diberville, Pass Christian, Long Beach, Henderson Point, Waveland, and Bay St. Louis.

On Sept. 2, Bravo Company, 4th AA Bn. landed at Stennis International Airport in Hancock County, Miss., to conduct search-and-rescue missions.

Due to the high waters and limited access in flooded parts of St. Bernard and Orleans parishes, 4th Tracks moved to the NASA Space Center at Michoud, La., to team up with Bravo Company, 1st Battalion, 8th Marines, on Sept. 4.

Using their amphibious tractors, the Marines of Bravo 1/8 and 4th Tracks began search-and-rescue efforts in areas of the city where the floodwaters reached up to 15 feet.

While 1/8's Bravo Co. was floating down the streets of Orleans and St. Bernard parishes, Alpha and Charlie Company were conducting similar missions in the cities of Picayune, Miss., and Slidell, La.

"We worked for and with the mayor, city officials and emergency responders," said Lt. Col. J. Scott Alley, commanding officer of 1st Battalion, 8th Marines. "We manned relief sites, passed out food and water, cleared municipal buildings, fire departments and police departments, and helped residents clear their yards of debris and fallen trees."

Each day, in addition to their help with clean-up, all the companies of 1/8 were involved in the vital task of finding and rescuing those left in Katrina's wake.

"In the first four days of search-and-rescue operations, we rescued more than 78 people," said Maj. Henry June Jr., inspector instructor for Bravo Co., 4th AA Bn. "It was very difficult for any other wheeled vehicle to get through these communities. We are the only tracked vehicles that can float, so we could maneuver through the water to conduct our searches."

Departing from their base camps in the morning and working all day in the hot, humid temperatures of the Gulf region, the Marines patrolled relentlessly along miles of debris-strewn roads on 7-ton trucks, AAVs and on foot. [e1]

"I kept getting calls over the radio, 'Can we stay longer, can we stay out here,'" Alley said. "They did not want to leave until the job was done. Their enthusiasm and work ethic were very impressive."

'Super G' lends a heavy helping hand

Providing support to both the Marines of SPMAGTF St. Bernard and the residents of New Orleans, the Marines of MEU Service Support Group 24 made two weeks of non-stop aid-and-relief operations possible.

Within two days of receiving the call to support the relief effort, the Marines and heavy equipment of MSSG-24 had embarked on the USS Shreveport and USS Whidbey Island and steamed for the Gulf Coast.

After conducting an amphibious landing in Biloxi, Miss., on Sept. 5, MSSG-24 pushed out to Slidell to support the emergency operations center there.

"(Some) of the Marines and Sailors worked internal logistics, providing support for other Marines operating in that area," said Lt. Col. Joel H. Berry, commanding officer of MSSG-24. "We also task-organized capability sets to go out and address missions within the community."

Marines loaded up on 7-ton trucks and headed out to work with city officials to clear yards and streets. Dump trucks hauled away rubble and fallen trees, bucket trucks helped clear fallen branches from power lines, and wreckers towed away flooded vehicles.

"Most of the work in Slidell was manpower-intensive," Berry said.

On Sept. 10, MSSG-24 moved from their base camp in a furniture warehouse in Slidell to join up with 1/8 at Michoud.

There, the Marines of MSSG-24 provided vital heavy-equipment support to St. Bernard Parish.

"Our Marines and Sailors have provided manual labor to help the residents of these communities," Berry said. "We've helped to clear dozens of square blocks in St. Bernard in order to make access to their homes a bit easier."

They also supplied all the 'life support' and logistics for the camp and operated the landing zone as well.

"We were able to enhance the quality of life at the various camps and locations the Marines have been operating from," Berry said. "We operated a decontamination site for the Marines coming back from missions in town, ran ...water-purification units that provided 25,000 - 30,000 gallons of clean water each day for shower and laundry services, and provided maintenance support for all the vehicles."

Composed of more than 70 different military occupational specialties, Berry said the Marines and Sailors of MSSG-24 came together as a team to support both the Marines and the community.

"Their work ethic and attitude has been awesome since the beginning," Berry said. "I could not be happier with how we came together to accomplish all that we have in the past couple of weeks."

Residents find rescue on the wings of the 'ACE'

On Aug. 30, just hours after broken levees unleashed a torrent of water on the communities of the New Orleans area, Marine helicopters based in the stricken area began pulling survivors to safety.

Coming together as Task Force Aviation, Marine aviation assets from the 4th and 2nd Marine Aircraft wings operated under Marine Aircraft Group 42 to support SPMAGTF St. Bernard.

Logging more than 930 flight hours during 620 sorties, the CH-53E Super Stallion, CH-46E Sea Knight and UH-1N 'Heuy' helicopters of Task Force Aviation played a critical role in not only search-and-rescue efforts but also the logistics of the operation.

"Before we had official orders to come down here, units started flying their helicopters down here to begin search-and-rescue," said Lt. Col. Richard D. Thompson, the task force's acting operations officer. "For the first three to four days, our aircraft would launch up, tell the Coast Guard air command and control their capabilities, (and) the Coast Guard would tell them where they could help."

Task Force Aviation aircraft plucked stranded residents from rooftops, transported patients from New Orleans hospitals to other medical facilities and moved people from collection points and evacuated them from the area.

During those first vital days, the task force rescued more than 440 people and evacuated nearly 1,500 others.

"During the first few days, SAR was the heart of the mission," Thompson said. "As the battalion and other units arrived and the main effort transitioned from SAR to recovery and clean-up, we focused on cargo, equipment and troop movement."

In order to supply and resupply base camps separated by miles of impassable roads, the aircraft of Task Force Aviation moved more than 930,000 pounds of supplies and equipment and more than 4,300 passengers.

The aviation ground support Marines of the task force also played an essential role in the success of the mission.

Marines from Marine Wing Support Group 47 worked from locations at Naval Air Station New Orleans, Michoud, Stennis International Airport and Slidell to refuel aircraft, operate water-purification equipment and showers, and set up and maintain communications.

Although not an organic part of Task Force Aviation, the KC-130 Hercules transport aircraft from Marine Aerial Refuler Transport squadrons 234, 252, 253, and 452 made the entire deployment of forces to the Gulf Coast possible.

"We've had more KC-130 support here than I have ever seen in my Marine Corps career," Thompson said. "They provided all of our mobility to deploy down here, most of our logistical support, and the ability to manage and redeploy our capabilities."

Thompson said the ability to remain flexible and adapt to the fast pace of developing operations is what allowed the task force to accomplish as much as it did.

"That's something Marines have always and will continue to bring to the table," Thompson said. "We are able to work around and through any obstacle to get up and running in order to accomplish any mission."

America's force in readiness

In two weeks, the Marines of SPMAGTF St. Bernard searched more than 5,000 homes, rescued 610 stranded residents, delivered two million pounds of supplies, and cleared debris from more than 1,000 homes, schools and municipal buildings.

"Though we arrived without a formal mission, the intent was pretty clear," Shook said. "Do whatever we could to help save lives and ease the suffering of those who survived. We approached our mission with a profound sense of purpose and accomplished what we set out to do."

As they spent what appeared to be their final few days in Louisiana clearing roads, removing debris from homes, schools and key government facilities, and helping leaders in both St. Bernard and St. Tammany parishes prepare for the return of business owners and residents, Hurricane Rita bore down on the Gulf Coast. The Marines repositioned themselves to ensure their own safety and enable a rapid response wherever Rita came ashore.

The morning of Sept. 24 bore witness to the new path of destruction cut by Rita across southwest Louisiana and coastal Texas.

The Marines of 4th Anti-Terrorism Battalion were directed to Lafayette La. Driving through the remnants of Rita's foul weather, they arrived within hours of the storm's impact. They synchronized their efforts with soldiers from the Army's 82nd Airborne Division, who had come from New Orleans to help.

By Sunday evening, the Marines had rescued 26 people in New Iberia, La.

"We were determined to do as much as we possibly could in the time available to us," Shook said. "We set out to make a difference, to offer a lifeline, to give the local leaders enough time to get their feet under them again."

Posted by CB for MarineParents.com at 12:11 PM | Permalink

MARINE CORPS AIR STATION BEAUFORT, SC (Sept. 30, 2005) -- With the continuing increase in the cost of living today, and the strain placed on natural resources, the Air Station has been doing its part to conserve energy, and was recently awarded for its efforts.

http://www.usmc.mil/marinelink/mcn2000.nsf/main5/8D9D78EE6961B3498525708F0051B3B7?opendocument

Submitted by: MCAS Beaufort
Story Identification #: 2005103105224
Story by Cpl. Anthony Guas

MARINE CORPS AIR STATION BEAUFORT, SC (Sept. 30, 2005) -- With the continuing increase in the cost of living today, and the strain placed on natural resources, the Air Station has been doing its part to conserve energy, and was recently awarded for its efforts.

Fightertown was one of 23 military installations and one of five Marine Corps bases that were awarded a Gold level of achievement by the Secretary of the Navy.

The gold level of achievement indicates that a military installation has a very good-to-outstanding energy management program, has implemented significant energy projects during the reporting year and has demonstrated reductions in MBTUs, (a standard unit of measurement for natural gas and provides a convenient basis for comparing the energy content of various grades of natural gas and other fuels), in recent years.

“We have to submit a report to Headquarters Marine Corps every year on energy usage and projects that we completed,” said Neil Tisdale, the Air Station maintenance utilities director. “They usually go up for recognition. This award basically says that you’re doing a good job with your energy conservation.”

The gold star is one level above the blue star, which indicates that an installation has a well-rounded energy management program, while the platinum level indicates that a military installation has an outstanding energy management program.

Fightertown received this award for putting an Energy Savings Performance Contract in place, according to Tisdale. The Air Station partnered with the Trane Corporation in an $11.1 million ESPC contract to install geothermal technology.

Under the contract, the Air Station installed a micro-turbine co-generation plant that produces 1.5 mega watts of electricity and makes about nine million BTUs per hour of heating water, according to Tisdale.

“This is used to heat the barracks, medical, dental and the mess hall,” Tisdale said. “The contract also allowed us to install a chilled water plant that provides cooling water for air conditioning at the barracks complex and the mess hall.”

The new chilled water plant makes chilled water at a significant lower amount of energy, according to Tisdale. In addition to the new heating and cooling systems, geo-thermal heat pumps were installed in 38 buildings aboard the Air Station.

“These heat pumps are better than conventional air conditioning units because they exchange their energy with the ground-transferring heat to the 65 degree earth is much easier than transferring it to the 95 degree outside air,” Tisdale said. “ We have also replaced the lighting in all the hangars with energy-efficient high intensity fluorescent lighting.”

The ESPC is integrated with the Air Stations Energy Monitoring and Control System, according to Tisdale

“We are able to monitor everything from the energy management system,” Tisdale said. “Like the air conditioning and some lighting to make sure that everything is working properly.”

The system has a load shed scheme that allows it to contact polls to analyze how much energy is being used, according to Bill Rogers, an engineering technician for the Air Station.

“If the energy starts to exceed a certain limit, (the load shed scheme) raises the set point on the thermostat to maintain a constant energy usage during peak periods,” Rogers said. “It also makes maintenance a lot easier.”

Before this system was in place, the Air Station had to maintain people on staff to monitor operations 24 hours a day, seven days a week, according to Rogers.

“This system cut down on that,” Rogers said. “Now it all can be monitored from a computer in the office or at home. Getting the micro-turbine plant also cut six man years of labor.”

The combination of the ESPC and the system is saving the Air Station more than 100,140 MBTUs and $1,170,000 annually, according to Tisdale.

“The Air Station has been reducing its energy usage by 12 percent each year over the last few years,” Tisdale said. “This is a good thing because we are spending less money, while gas and other electrical rates are rising.”

This award is not the first recognition the Air Station has received. The Air Station has been saving energy and receiving awards for the past couple of years, according to Tisdale.

Due to the Air Station’s exceptional energy program, the Fightertown has won three distinct awards: The Secretary of the Navy Energy award, and the Department Of Energy’s Facilities Energy Management Program and Show Case designation awards, according to Tisdale

“When we submitted for the award, most of the energy saving projects were still in construction,” Tisdale said. “If possible we can get the big award next year.”

Tisdale believes that the contract and all the money spent on energy saving efforts are well spent.

“We appreciate any recognition we can get,” Tisdale said. “I feel it makes the Air Station look good. Anytime we can make the Air Station look good that’s great.”

Posted by CB for MarineParents.com at 12:04 PM | Permalink

MARINE CORPS RECRUIT DEPOT SAN DIEGO, Calif. (Sept. 30, 2005) -- Before combat comes combat training. Aboard the depot, drill instructors give recruits a course integrated with the rest of recruit training that teaches recruits about close-hand combat.

http://www.usmc.mil/marinelink/mcn2000.nsf/main5/E2916C7982ABC6DD8525708C00542123?opendocument

Submitted by: MCRD San Diego
Story Identification #: 2005930111855
Story by Lance Cpl. Dorian Gardner

MARINE CORPS RECRUIT DEPOT SAN DIEGO, Calif. (Sept. 30, 2005) -- Before combat comes combat training. Aboard the depot, drill instructors give recruits a course integrated with the rest of recruit training that teaches recruits about close-hand combat.

The Marine Corps Martial Arts Program is exactly that - a program that compiles different techniques with different weapons, including the M-16 A2 service rifle with a bayonet. There is also a weapons of opportunity class.

The program was introduced into the Marine Corps and became a part of recruit training in early 2000. According to Sgt. Sergio Esquivel, Instructional Training Company close combat drill instructor, the program is proficient.

"Because it is basic motor skills, it is something the Marines can remember," said Esquivel. "The program also takes into consideration the gear we will be wearing in combat. Even under the physical and mental stress of combat, Marines can remember the moves."

From the basic warrior stance to the angles of movement to leg sweeps and chokes, safety is always taken into consideration. ITC instructors observe training to make sure recruits execute the moves using the proper techniques and safety precautions.

"Safety always depends on what the event is," said Staff Sgt. John Johnson, ITC drill instructor. "We take into consideration the type of ground if we are doing break-falls, to mouth pieces, helmets and flak vests. There is always a corpsman and a safety vehicle standing by."

In order to receive a tan belt, recruits must meet the minimum requirements of 27.5 hours in MCMAP training. To facilitate the process of obtaining their belts, the hours are augmented into other parts of recruit training.

On the obstacle course, recruits run a number of different low and high obstacles. While waiting to move onto the next obstacle, recruits practice pad drills to help retain moves.

During the third phase of boot camp, recruits are tested on their knowledge of the program. For three hours, a series of recruits will go through different stations to demonstrate the proper techniques. Passing the MCMAP test is a graduation requirement.
"(Its purpose is) to sustain recruit training," according to Esquivel. "MCMAP does not only teach close combat, but develops mental character and physical discipline."

Once recruits graduate with their tan belts, they will be able to train for higher-level belts. The gray belt follows the tan belt, but Marines will not be able to proceed higher than a gray belt until they become noncommissioned officers.

Posted by CB for MarineParents.com at 11:54 AM | Permalink

U.S. MARINE CORPS FORCES PACIFIC, CAMP H. M. SMITH, Hawaii (Sept. 29, 2005) -- Hawaii Lieutenant Governor James R. “Duke” Aiona, Jr. signed a proclamation commemorating Crime Prevention Month October 2005 and McGruff’s 25th Anniversary in Crime Prevention, Sept. 27.

http://www.usmc.mil/marinelink/mcn2000.nsf/main5/E44B37F36B8215678525708C0008E73D?opendocument

Submitted by: Marine Forces Pacific
Story Identification #: 2005929213714
Story by Lance Cpl. R. Drew Hendricks

U.S. MARINE CORPS FORCES PACIFIC, CAMP H. M. SMITH, Hawaii (Sept. 29, 2005) -- Hawaii Lieutenant Governor James R. “Duke” Aiona, Jr. signed a proclamation commemorating Crime Prevention Month October 2005 and McGruff’s 25th Anniversary in Crime Prevention, Sept. 27.

McGruff the Crime Dog, along with programs like Drug Abuse Resistance Education and Drug Education for Youth, have been molding the young minds of America’s youth for many years.

“Programs, like the McGruff Truck, are a great asset to crime prevention,” said Aiona. “I know I’m preaching to the choir, because you are the ones who are working to keep this state safe, and who have dedicated your time and efforts to teaching others how to do their part.”

For Sgt. Nathan J. DeWeerd, who was recognized for his services to the Mcgruff program, the best way to teach people about crime prevention is to get them while they’re young.

DeWeerd, a military policeman at Marine Corps Base Hawaii, does his part by teaching children as a DARE instructor and a DEFY mentor.

“The biggest reason we do the DARE program, and others like it, is to help children make better decisions, not just how to say no to drugs,” said DeWeerd, who teaches DARE to 3rd and 5th grade students.

The curriculums of these programs show children the effects of poor decisions, such as drug and alcohol abuse. This information helps the children make an educated decision. Rather then just telling them what’s right and wrong, it shows them.

“If you just tell the children to say no and they don’t know why, what’s keeping them from eventually just finding out why?” asked DeWeerd.

Aiona and DeWeerd both say that crime prevention is not just for the young. It is imperative that adults learn how to better protect themselves as well.

“It’s the duty of every citizen young and old to do their best to prevent crime,” said Aiona.
For this reason, the MP’s at MCBH offer crime prevention classes and even house walkthroughs for anyone who wants to learn how to better protect themselves, their families and their property.

“If the person wants to better protect their house and everything in it, we will come by and check out the house. We can give them pointers and show them the things they may be doing wrong,” said DeWeerd.

Since October is Crime Prevention Month, the Military Police Department will be focusing on teaching the public about crime prevention. However, they are willing to give crime prevention classes whenever they’re requested. Those that want to take advantage of these services should call 257-8556.

According to Deweerd, all of these things are necessary to reduce crime, but according to him, the focus should be the children.

“If I teach 1,000 children and 999 of them choose a life of crime, but one listened to what I had to say, then it would have been worth it,” said DeWeerd.

Posted by CB for MarineParents.com at 10:57 PM | Permalink

U.S. MARINE CORPS FORCES, PACIFIC, CAMP H. M. SMITH, Hawaii (September 29, 2005) -- It is a week until payday, and Lance Cpl. Joe Schmoe has found himself between a rock and a hard place. He’s spent the last of his money, but hasn’t filled his car up with gas to get back and forth to work.

http://www.usmc.mil/marinelink/mcn2000.nsf/main5/66BAAE149CA126198525708C000B76CE?opendocument

Submitted by: Marine Forces Pacific
Story Identification #: 200592922513
Story by Sgt. Danielle M. Bacon

U.S. MARINE CORPS FORCES, PACIFIC, CAMP H. M. SMITH, Hawaii (September 29, 2005) -- It is a week until payday, and Lance Cpl. Joe Schmoe has found himself between a rock and a hard place. He’s spent the last of his money, but hasn’t filled his car up with gas to get back and forth to work.

No need to fear, on fumes he coasts into the local payday advance lender. What he doesn’t know is the $100 he just borrowed is coming at an extremely high price.

If he borrows $100, pays a $10 fee and pays it back in a day, it comes out to a 3,650 % annual rate, according to the APR schedule. The APR schedule calculates rates based on 365 days, amount advanced and total fees.

Most cash advances take the money out of your account on payday. In this case, that would make the $100 loan have a 521.43 % APR over a seven-day period, according to the APR schedule.

“It is quick, easy money. There is no need for credit, because they have your post-dated check,” said Paul Velanger, director of Navy Marine Corps Relief Society, Pearl Harbor. “They know they will get their money.”

The real problem lies beneath the surface.

“They aren’t addressing the real problem when they use payday advances,” said Ed Josiah, a Personal Financial Management Counselor at Marine Corps Base, Hawaii. “They are addressing the symptom.”

Both Velanger and Josiah agree payday advances become a vicious cycle.

“They get the loan, but don’t address what is causing the problem, and then they have to do it all over again next payday,” said Josiah. “They don’t understand the cost of ownership.

“They may think that they can make a $300 car payment, but they don’t think about the costs of owning that car,” he added. “They don’t account for insurance, gas and registration.”

Josiah goes on to explain that Marines should really take a look at what they are spending their money on. He gave percentages to help Marines take a look at their spending.

“At a minimum, they should put 10 percent into savings. Marines shouldn’t spend more than 70 percent on living expenses,” said Josiah. “Living expenses should include food, shelter, transportation, childcare and utilities.”

He then went on to explain what limits Marines should set for their credit spending.

“They shouldn’t spend more that 20 percent on their credit debt. If they are, they should really take a look at what they have,” said Josiah. “Often, they use the credit card the same as a payday advance. They use it to fill the gap.

“Their credit cards end up being a crutch,” He added. “They should really come by my office or seek financial services.”

Free services are afforded at both NMCRS and the Marine Corps Community Services, Personal Financial Management Program.

“We are not here to tell someone how to live,” said Josiah. “We point out areas of concern. We are here to give them advice and the tools necessary to get out of debt. If they need more extensive help, we can refer them to credible agencies.”

Josiah warns Marines thinking about going online to fix their debt.

“They don’t know who is on the other side of the screen. They prey on those who are desperate,” Josiah said.

Velanger added, “Online lenders are the same ball game as payday advance. They average 300 to 500 percent.”

“Whether Marines are in financial trouble or not we encourage them to set a budget,” said Velanger.

He added, “Not only do we offer counseling for service members in time of need, we do budget counseling and also baby budgeting for expecting parents.”

For more information or to sign up for a class call the Navy Marine Corps Relief Society, Pearl Harbor at 423-1314, MCBH at 254-1327 or Personal Financial Management Program at 257-7783

Posted by CB for MarineParents.com at 10:55 PM | Permalink

PIERRE, S.D. --
The state of South Dakota is paying a veterans bonus of up to $500 to certain military personnel who were legal residents of the state for no less than six months immediately preceding entry into the Armed Forces, who are currently on active duty or were honorably discharged from the Armed Forces, and who served on active duty during one, or both of the following periods.

http://www.usmc.mil/marinelink/mcn2000.nsf/releaseview/A6276D0783945EE28525708B0047D620?opendocument

United States Marine Corps

Press Release
Public Affairs Office
South Dakota Veterans Bonus Program ;
500 E. Capitol
Pierre, SD 57501
john.fette@state.sd.us.
(605) 773-7251
Contact:

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Release # 0929-05-0904
S. Dakota offers bonus to veterans
Sept. 29, 2005

PIERRE, S.D. --
The state of South Dakota is paying a veterans bonus of up to $500 to certain military personnel who were legal residents of the state for no less than six months immediately preceding entry into the Armed Forces, who are currently on active duty or were honorably discharged from the Armed Forces, and who served on active duty during one, or both of the following periods.

For service between the dates of Jan. 1, 1993 through Sept. 10, 2001 payment will be made only to those who served overseas and were awarded the Armed Forces Expeditionary medal, Southwest Asia Service medal, Kosovo campaign medal or any other United States campaign or service medal awarded for participation in combat operations against hostile forces.

All active duty between the dates of Sept. 11, 2001 through a date to be determined, qualifies for a bonus payment.

Application forms may be obtained by writing to: SD Veterans Bonus, 500 E. Capitol, Pierre, SD 57501 or by calling us at (605) 773-7251. If you have E-mail access you can request a form by writing to
john.fette@state.sd.us. Be sure to include your name, street or PO Box number, city, state and zip code .

Posted by CB for MarineParents.com at 10:53 PM | Permalink

Washington, D.C. - "Send in the Marines." For more than two centuries, those words -- or something similar -- have been uttered hundreds of times by our nation's leaders when it became necessary to protect American lives, property, interests and security. But in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, "Send in the Marines," may take on a whole new meaning.

http://www.military.com/opinion/0,15202,77908_1,00.html
September 29, 2005
Washington, D.C. - "Send in the Marines." For more than two centuries, those words -- or something similar -- have been uttered hundreds of times by our nation's leaders when it became necessary to protect American lives, property, interests and security. But in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, "Send in the Marines," may take on a whole new meaning.

This week, while hundreds of square miles of storm-devastated Louisiana and Mississippi are still inhabitable, the House Government Reform Committee began hearings into what went wrong in responding to Katrina. Unfortunately, before we have even determined what went wrong, “official Washington” -- meaning the Bush administration and the Congress -- seems to have already come up with the answer. For future disasters, send in the Marines -- and the Army, Navy and Air Force.

In response to reporters' questions, President Bush said, " I want there to be a robust discussion about the best way for the federal government, in certain extreme circumstances, to be able to rally assets for the good of the people." He went on to ask, "Is there a natural disaster of a certain size that would then enable the Defense Department to become the lead agency in coordinating and leading the response effort?" The Chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, Virginia's “Senior Senator” -- who ought to know better -- has said, “I believe the time has come that we reflect on the Posse Comitatus Act,” in urging that the President and Secretary of Defense be given “correct standby authorities” to manage natural and perhaps man-made disasters.

These are the reactions of national leaders -- and many in the public -- who were misled by the hyperventilated claims of local politicians and authorities that “more than 10,000 are probably dead,” that “rapes and murders” were occurring in the Superdome and that “all law and order have broken down” in New Orleans. We now know that the death toll is a fraction of that forecasted by state and local officials. And while there were well-documented cases of looting, the homicides and rampant sexual assaults that were reported -- but never verified -- by the mainstream media were, for the most part, untrue.

Nonetheless, Washington wants to “fix” the problem. But before we decide that the 10 th Amendment to the Constitution has no meaning whatsoever, and give our already stretched Armed Forces yet another mission, all the helpful politicians on the Potomac need to take a deep breath. The suggestions that the Pentagon become the “lead agency” for disasters undoubtedly sounds good to those who watched live on cable news as the mobilized National Guard, 82nd Airborne, 4th Infantry Division, 8th Marines, USAF transports and half a dozen U.S. Navy ships supplemented the U.S. Coast Guard in the disaster.

The men and women of our Armed Forces were efficient and effective. They did a great job in New Orleans -- as they have done on every operation in which I've been a participant or observer for the last forty years. They did what they were ordered to do and did it well. As one young soldier told me, quoting one of our FOX News slogans -- “This is what we do.”

But is this what we want our military to be doing? Before we decide to rescind the Posse Comitatus Act of 1878, put the Secretary of Defense in charge of disaster relief and give this -- or any other President -- more federal power over our state and local governments, serious questions need to be answered and the facts should be known.

First, neither this President nor any other needs more “legal” or legislated authority to send U.S. troops into the teeth of a disaster. Every President's aides carry PEADs -- Presidential Emergency Action Documents -- draft Executive Orders giving the Chief Executive broad authorities in the midst of a declared national emergency. In May of 1992, President George H. W. Bush issued such an order at the request of California governor during the “Rodney King riots” in Los Angeles. His Executive Order 12804 suspended the proscriptions of Posse Comitatus to allow Army and Marine units to “restore law and order.”

Second, the military is already tasked to provide -- under the provisions of the “Stafford Act” -- significant material support to governors and other jurisdictions which make such requests of the President in the midst of a declared emergency. Understandably, the Commander-in-Chief does not relinquish control over the federal troops being used in such circumstances.

Most importantly, we need to avoid degrading the readiness of our 1.4 million soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines. Today, 395,000 of them are deployed overseas -- 170,000 of them fighting a war in Iraq and Afghanistan. Every time we take a rifleman or a radio from preparation to fight, we place them in future jeopardy. Helicopters, trucks, communications equipment and people all wear out. When and where do we want them trained in domestic law enforcement?

In 1991, at the time of the first Gulf War, the U.S. Army had eighteen active duty divisions. Today, there are only ten. Ronald Reagan's 600-ship Navy has been whittled down to 280 "deployable battle force ships." The Air Force currently fields thirteen active duty fighter wings, half of what is was just fifteen years ago. What is the "extreme...

circumstance" in which they are to be used for domestic disasters instead of preparing to fight?

According to the Federal Emergency Management Agency, a "disaster" is defined as "Hazards that impact on human lives, causing adverse physical, social, economic or even political effects that exceed the ability to rapidly and effectively respond." Do we also want U.S. troops prepared to respond to tornadoes, hurricanes, forest fires, earthquakes, mudslides and, according to one FEMA medical disaster manual, incidents like the Exxon-Valdez oil tanker spill -- defined as a "property only" or "environment only" disaster?

Those who are debating what needs to be done to mitigate the consequences of the next “extreme circumstance” need to answer these questions before the answer becomes: “Send in the Marines.”

Posted by CB for MarineParents.com at 10:46 PM | Permalink

MARINE CORPS AIR STATION YUMA, Ariz. (Sept. 29, 2005) -- A Marine and his wife rescued two Yuma area teenagers from dehydration in the desert behind the foothills Sept. 17.

http://www.usmc.mil/marinelink/mcn2000.nsf/main5/3493F615A94D71468525708C0080BBB9?opendocument

Submitted by: MCAS Yuma
Story Identification #: 200593019266
Story by Lance Cpl. Robert L. Botkin

MARINE CORPS AIR STATION YUMA, Ariz. (Sept. 29, 2005) -- A Marine and his wife rescued two Yuma area teenagers from dehydration in the desert behind the foothills Sept. 17.

Master Sgt. Brian Benbow, Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron operations chief, and wife Maria Benbow, were in the area with a metal detector, a hobby Benbow says they enjoy occasionally, when they saw 15-year-old Kelby Carley halfway up one of the mountains east of the foothills.

“We just take a metal detector out into the washes and creek beds and see what we can find,” said Benbow, a native of Cottonwood, Calif. “We had just started out into the foothills and we saw someone walking up on the side of the mountain.”

Benbow said he and his wife didn’t pay much attention to him until he started waving his shirt like a flag. Benbow and his wife then drove his jeep as far up into the hills as he could to reach Carley, until he was in shouting distance.

“I called across to him and asked him if he needed help,” said Benbow. “He said he was out of water, wasn’t feeling well, was dizzy, lightheaded and had been vomiting. That told me right away he was dehydrated.”

Benbow said he told Carley to sit down and grabbed a bottle of water from his cooler and started climbing across a ravine to reach Carley. Once he reached Carley he had him drink some water and started maneuvering him down the mountain towards his jeep.

“He just stood on the (side of the mountain),” said Benbow. “He was yelling, but I couldn’t hear what he was yelling until I got up there. He was yelling his buddy’s name.”

This is when Benbow learned there was another boy, who chose to remain unidentified for this story, out there with Carley. Benbow then called 911 and gave them specifics on where he was in order to help them find the other boy.

The two had started out at 6 a.m. with a backpack containing water and a cell phone in case of an emergency, said Carley’s mother Brenda.

Carley said he and his friend ended up leaving the backpack somewhere on the side of the mountain in order to cut down on the weight they had to carry up the mountain. Later, when the two had been in the sun for an hour, they looked for the backpack but were unable to find it.

“I started getting dizzy and passing out,” Carley said. “We were out there for six hours, but we were in the sun for only about an hour and a half.”

While Benbow was retrieving Carley, his wife Maria looked for the other boy and found him after about 15 minutes on the other side of the ridge Carley was on, said Benbow. Maria then took more water to the other teenager while Benbow drove the jeep closer to where they were.

“(The other boy) wasn’t as bad as the first one,” said Benbow. “He was a little bit more coherent, but he was still weak and had been throwing up.”

Rural/Metro met Benbow and his wife near the scene at Avenue 15E to receive the boys and ensure they received any medical aid needed.

The boys could have gotten hurt if Benbow and his wife hadn’t been there, he said. Parts of the mountain that they were on were quite steep, and in their weakened condition they could’ve fallen, which would have been a major problem since the area isn’t very well traveled.

“I was so surprised that anyone was out there,” said Carley. “I couldn’t get to him because I was so weak. I guess he’s my childhood hero. If he would not have found us, we probably would have died.”

Posted by CB for MarineParents.com at 10:32 PM | Permalink

WAIKIKI, Hawaii(Sept. 29, 2005) -- As training intensifies, select Camp Pendleton Marines in the Single Marine Program here were afforded the opportunity to take a break from military life and go to Hawaii Aug. 31 - Sept. 8.

http://www.marines.mil/marinelink/mcn2000.nsf/0/2EC751DA37E9A9E58525708A00689F95?opendocument

Submitted by:
MCB Camp Pendleton
Story by:
Computed Name: Lance Cpl. Ray Lewis
Story Identification #:
200592815245

WAIKIKI, Hawaii(Sept. 29, 2005) -- As training intensifies, select Camp Pendleton Marines in the Single Marine Program here were afforded the opportunity to take a break from military life and go to Hawaii Aug. 31 - Sept. 8.

The program not only allowed Marines from Camp Pendleton to get some fun in the sun, but also took Marines from Marine Corps Logistics Base Barstow, Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego, Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms, Calif., Marine Corps Air Stations Miramar and Yuma, Ariz.

The Marines’ only expense was $40 for a luau, but it was a small price for a free stay at the Ohana Waikiki West Hotel, which was close to Waikiki beach.

Although there are rumors that SMP is a strict program, Alex De Los Santos, SMP coordinator says otherwise.

“Most Marines think it’s a structured program, but it’s not so. We take trips (and) outings,” Santos said.
The Marines boarded a KC-130 Hercules military aircraft Aug. 31 at MCAS Miramar and departed for their island destination.

Snacks and drinks helped the Marines smooth out the bumpy eight-hour plane ride.

When they got off the plane, the Marines stretched to the sky as they debarked the aircraft.
Before boarding the bus to the hotel, the Marines were hugged by warm sun, and kissed by affectionate raindrops.

After changing into tank tops and flip-flops, Camp Pendleton Marines headed for Shark’s Cove at North Shore for snorkeling and cliff diving.

The Marines then traveled a short distance to Waimea Valley Audubon Center, there they saw wildlife and splashed under a waterfall.

On the way back the Marines stopped at the Dole Pineapple Plantation for fresh pineapple treats and souvenirs. The visit to Pearl Harbor and the USS Arizona Memorial were the highlights of the trip.
Many Marines were amazed as they toured the memorial that is above the sunken ship that still lies beneath Pearl Harbor.

“Just hearing thousands of people died is one thing but seeing their names in granite is another,” said Cpl. Zachary M. Foster, a bulk fuel specialist with Headquarters and Headquarters and Support MCAS Camp Pendleton, and a member of SMP executive council.

Where most things in Hawaii would be topped off with pineapple, Marines topped off the trip with a luau-a-night of Hawaiian food and entertainment.

“It’s nice to get away from the workday, especially deployments,” said Cpl. Savanah J. Service, a warehouse clerk with Combat Service Support Group 15 and a member of SMP executive council.

When it was time to get back on the KC-130, the Marines took one last look at paradise before they boarded the plane for yet another eight-hour ride to MCAS Miramar.

“It’s good to have a program like this because the trips (give) us (a chance) to see stuff we’d like to see but can’t afford to,” Foster said.

“I would recommend this program to any Marine who wants to save money and have fun,” said Cpl. Daniel K. Roselli, administrative clerk with Headquarters and Headquarters and Support Squadron,
MCAS Camp Pendleton and SMP president for Camp Pendleton.

For more information on how to join the Single Marine Program log on to: http://www.mccscamppendleton.com/recreation/single_marine.html Or contact Alex De Los Santos at (760) 725-6722

Posted by CB for MarineParents.com at 6:54 PM | Permalink

MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP PENDLETON, Calif.(Sept. 29, 2005) -- Ammunition technicians here help make dangerous, expired ammunition safe for Marines preparing for deployment to Iraq. (1st FSSG)

http://www.marines.mil/marinelink/mcn2000.nsf/0/78377D9C17838D6A8525708A006959E6?opendocument

Submitted by:
MCB Camp Pendleton
Story by:
Computed Name: Lance Cpl. Ray Lewis
Story Identification #:
2005928151042

MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP PENDLETON, Calif.(Sept. 29, 2005) -- Ammunition technicians here help make dangerous, expired ammunition safe for Marines preparing for deployment to Iraq.

Thanks to the efforts of Marines from the 1st Force Service Support Group, ammunition can be used without wait.

The Marines detoxified mortar rounds last month using a standard process to renew the explosive ammunition.

In nine days, a 10-man crew of 1st FSSG ammo techs repackaged a total of 1,838 mortar rounds from here and Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms.

Since gas discharges from the shells as Marines detoxify them, they must wear gas masks and suits while working with the $636,000 worth of ammunition, said Chief Warrant Officer William E. Lanham, officer in charge for 1st FSSG’s Ammunition Supply Point.

“We save Marines’ lives,” said Lance Cpl. Leif J. Johnson, an ammunition technician for 1st FSSG’s Ammunition Supply Point.

That’s because Marines could be exposed to the toxic gas while waiting for the ammunition to ventilate, said Johnson.

“Mortar men had to wait for 10 minutes before using the rounds,” said Lanham. “In combat you don’t have time to air out rounds, you have to use them right away.”

Without live, functional mortars, training for mortarmen awaiting deployment could have been compromised, said Cpl. Jared A. Hebert, a mortarman with 3rd Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment, who has deployed twice to Iraq.

“It’s like never firing a rifle and saying, ‘your good’,” said Hebert. “You’re going to need all the practice you can get, because over there (Iraq) it’s the real thing.”

Although the process enhanced combat and training readiness for Marines in Iraq now, it is actually part of a large-scale endeavor by Marine Corps Systems Command to detoxify all contaminated ammo. All bases with contaminated ammunition were ordered to perform the one-time detoxification process, said Lanham.

The process included airing out, scrubbing and repackaging the bowling pin-shaped mortar rounds into metal ammunition cans.

“We also (wrap) the rounds with Gas-Absorbent Modules,” said Sgt. Stacy L. Houser, an ammunition technician section leader with 1st FSSG.

Gas-Absorbent Modules, which are red plastic rings snapped around the neck of the round, top off the process to ensure the ammunition stays non-toxic by absorbing phosphine gas.

After the ammunition cans were sealed, many of the rounds were prepared for shipment to Iraq.

The remaining rounds are in storage until 1st Marine Division requests them for training.

With the detoxification complete, the ammo techs have saved the Marine Corps hundreds of thousands of dollars and raised Camp Pendleton’s readiness to a whole new bar.

Posted by CB for MarineParents.com at 6:49 PM | Permalink

MARINE CORPS AIR STATION IWAKUNI, Japan (9/27/2005) -- The Station Commissary hosted a mouth-shoveling, pizza-throwing and pie-in-face smearing FoodFactor event in recognition of the Single Marine Program's 10th anniversary, Sept. 25.

http://www.usmc.mil/marinelink/mcn2000.nsf/main5/D216EC94CC3C914085257093001B8940?opendocument

Submitted by: MCAS Iwakuni
Story Identification #: 20051071046
Story by Lance Cpl. Cristin K. Bartter

MARINE CORPS AIR STATION IWAKUNI, Japan (9/27/2005) -- The Station Commissary hosted a mouth-shoveling, pizza-throwing and pie-in-face smearing FoodFactor event in recognition of the Single Marine Program's 10th anniversary, Sept. 25.

The event, sponsored by the Defense Commissary Agency, was specifically honed to get single and unaccompanied members into the commissary to better familiarize themselves with the stores benefits and win prizes. This was the commissary's way of encouraging the single and unaccompanied Marines to utilize what it has to offer them.

"Since most of the E-6's and below have a meal card, they really are paying out of their pocket for groceries, so these programs are to help them learn how to get the most out of their shopping dollar," said Tech Sgt. Christopher A. Valgardson, 374th Communications Squadron, Operating Location B, site chief and Portland, Ore., native. "Because they live in the barracks, they really can't take advantage of the savings from the case lot sales or prepare their own food. The vendors look for other ways to encourage commissary use, so they sponsor programs like our FoodFactor event."

The spaghetti covering, egg-splattering event started with four, food-fun outdoor games. The Spill or Spell had contestants empty a cup of pudding into their mouth (without the use of utensils) sprint 20 yards to an opposite table and spit the pudding out to spell the initials S-M-P on a pallet. Each letter required one cup of pudding.

"The hardest part was trying to open the pudding cups really fast before the others came back to the table," said Seaman Elizabeth L. Voegtlin, Navy Mobile Construction Battalion 74 utilities and Biloxi, Miss. native. "I liked the challenge a lot. I was really close to winning, but it took some time to get my last pudding cup open. Oh well, maybe next time."

The Grapefruit Shot Put had contestants gagging, as they had to bite off the skin of a grapefruit then toss it "Olympic shot put" style. The Discus Pizza Toss consisted of contestants tossing a frozen pizza. The catch, both hands and the pizza were covered with spaghetti sauce. The last outdoor event was the Egg Scramble. Teams of two contestants would start out three feet apart and begin tossing an egg. Whoever broke the egg would be disqualified until only one contestant remained.

"The biggest thing is to try to catch it with your fingers and not so much with the palm of your hand," said Chief Petty Officer David Harfmann, NMCB-74, assistant officer in charge and winner of the Egg Scramble. "Your arms should be fading away from the egg as you catch it."

After the last spray of an egg, the contestants headed indoors to continue on the FoodFactor challenges. The indoor events consisted of skill games such as the String Cheese Pull, the Commissary Scrabble and the Scavenger Hunt.

Obviously the most amusing indoor events were the Melon Munch and the Treasure Pie. In the Melon Munch event, four participants were given a small melon. Contestants could only use their teeth to take off the outer layer of the melon. The first to finish eating it wins.

The Treasure Pie event had contestants smashing their face in a whipped cream pie for five "treasures," a lime, prune, radish, onion and hot pepper. The first to get all five treasures and eat them, won.

"The treasure pie event was a 'piece of cake,' or should I say pie?" said Lance Cpl. Jonathan W. Haley, Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron air traffic controller, winner of the Treasure Pie event and Dallas native. "I knew I would win because I love to eat. It's like my favorite thing to do. All I did was bury my face in and sucked as much of the whipped cream as I could, like a vacuum cleaner."

The prizes of the event consisted of two JVC MP3 players, gift certificates, concert tickets, t-shirts and hats.

Overall the event was a hit. Contestants were racing around with shopping carts, smashing their faces in pies, meticulously pulling apart string cheese and laughing the whole time.

"The turn-out far exceeded anyone's expectation, with great support from family members to cheer on the competitors," said Valgardson.

Posted by CB for MarineParents.com at 4:15 PM | Permalink

WASHINGTON, Sept. 29, 2005 – Al Qaeda terrorists hope to drive American influence from the Middle East and install a global Muslim leader in Saudi Arabia, Army Gen. John Abizaid said today.

http://www.defenselink.mil/news/Sep2005/20050929_2887.html

Abizaid Details al Qaeda's Long-Term Goals
By Jim Garamone
American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, Sept. 29, 2005 – Al Qaeda terrorists hope to drive American influence from the Middle East and install a global Muslim leader in Saudi Arabia, Army Gen. John Abizaid said today.

Speaking during Senate testimony, Abizaid, chief of U.S. Central Command, said al Qaeda's objectives are clear. "They believe in a jihad, a jihad to overthrow the legitimate regimes in the region," he said. "In order to do that, they first must drive America from the region."

Al Qaeda believes the most important prize is Saudi Arabia, which is home to the holy shrines in Mecca and Medina. If al Qaeda terrorists manage to take control of Saudi Arabia, they will try to create and expand their influence in the region and establish a caliphate, Abizaid said.

The term harkens back to the immediate successors of Muhammed and means a land led by a supreme secular and religious ruler. Al Qaeda insists that re-establishing a caliphate would mean that one man, as the successor to Muhammad, would possess clear political, military and legal standing as the global Muslim leader.

Abizaid said al Qaeda would then apply a very narrow, strict interpretation of Sharia, Islamic law, not believed in or practiced anywhere else in the world today. Such conquest in the Middle East "would certainly allow al Qaeda and their proxies to control a vast oil wealth that exists in the region," he said. "They intend to destroy Israel in the process, as well."

The next goal would be to expand into non-Arab Islamic countries. This would include the middle of Africa, South Asia and Southeast Asia, the general said. The organization would operate from these areas and also from cyberspace. He said al Qaeda uses to Internet to transmit their hatred. "They aim to take advantage of open societies and will strike at those societies when they are ready at their time and place of choosing," he said.

In an allusion that is probably distasteful to American companies, Abizaid said al Qaeda is not a monolith like IBM. Rather, it is a franchise operation like McDonald's. This makes it very difficult to cut off the head of the organization. The group uses any and all means to further its goals: drugs, smuggling, so-called charitable organizations and others.

To beat al Qaeda and affiliate organizations requires military action but also "all elements of international and national power to put pressure throughout the network over time in order to squeeze the ideology, defeat its sources of strength, and ultimately allow the good people of the region to have the courage and the ability to stand against this type of organization," Abizaid said.

The United States and its coalition allies are doing this, he said. The key to success is helping the people of the region develop the will and capabilities to challenge al Qaeda. The "long war against terror" will be won by "self-reliant partners in the region who are willing to face the enemy within their own countries," he said.

U.S. and coalition forces must remain in the region long enough to "stabilize Afghanistan, stabilize Iraq, continue to deter Syria and Iran, and protect the flow of oil vital to all the peoples of the world and the economies of the region," he said.

The United States must make it clear that America has no territorial designs. "We must make clear that we fight with them out of mutual respect and mutual benefit," Abizaid said.

Posted by CB for MarineParents.com at 3:01 PM | Permalink

HADITHA DAM, Iraq (Sept. 29, 2005) -- The Marines with Company L, 3rd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, conducted a company-sized sweep before dawn on Sept. 25 of areas near their home here.

http://www.usmc.mil/marinelink/mcn2000.nsf/main5/DA7C85A7F6C78C908525709F002A82F3?opendocument

Submitted by: 2nd Marine Division
Story Identification #: 2005101934420
Story by Cpl. Adam C. Schnell

HADITHA DAM, Iraq (Sept. 29, 2005) -- The Marines with Company L, 3rd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, conducted a company-sized sweep before dawn on Sept. 25 of areas near their home here.

With frequent mortar attacks on the dam, the company set out to sweep suspected areas where most of the attacks were coming from. Their mission: locate and kill the enemy and seize any weapons caches.

They encountered enemy contact shortly after the sweep began. The sound of small arms fire and rocket-propelled grenades echoed through the little village.

“We knew when they fired at us, we were going after them,” said Cpl. Brenden M. Wright, a Lansing Mich. native and squad leader for the company.

Wright continued, “It was a wake-up call for some of the Marines. Even with a company-sized element there, [insurgents] still fired at us. They obviously mean business.”

After taking fire from houses inside of the village, the Marines maneuvered so they could eliminate the threat in the area. They searched each target house to find any weapons or people responsible for the attack.

“We detained a few people who we believe were responsible for firing at us,” said the 21 year-old Wright. “We also found excess weapons in a few homes.”

Helping the Marines find weapons caches and explosives was Euro, a military working dog trained to find explosives. Also along for the sweep were combat engineers toting metal detectors to search for weapons underneath the dusty ground.

“Our mission was to sweep the palm groves with Company L where there was weapons found recently,” said Lance Cpl. Brandon M. Mitchell, a New London, Wis. native and combat engineer with the battalion. “Even though we didn’t find much, it was still good to get the new guys out there so they can get the experience in a combat environment.”

“The mission was definitely a success,” commented Wright. “We checked out some areas of interest and all of our guys came back safe.”

The Marines worked from dawn to dusk to make the area surrounding the dam a safer place to live for them and the local villagers. This wasn’t the first long day they encountered so far and it won’t be the last.

“We are going to continue to deter the insurgency in this area and make sure this isn’t a stopping point for terrorists moving through the country,” said Wright.

Posted by CB for MarineParents.com at 1:17 PM | Permalink

MARINE CORPS BASE QUANTICO, Va. (Sept. 29, 2005) -- All Department of Defense contractors working full-time aboard Marine Corps Base Quantico are now authorized to play golf at the Medal of Honor Golf Course.

http://www.usmc.mil/marinelink/mcn2000.nsf/main5/B97AE9E37578AF20852570910066FE12?opendocument

Submitted by: MCB Quantico
Story Identification #: 2005105144457
Story by Cpl. Justin Lago

MARINE CORPS BASE QUANTICO, Va. (Sept. 29, 2005) -- All Department of Defense contractors working full-time aboard Marine Corps Base Quantico are now authorized to play golf at the Medal of Honor Golf Course.

The announcement was made Sept. 15 by the MOH Golf Course committee with the approval of Quantico’s base commander and chairman of the golf course committee, Col. James M. Lowe.

Lowe’s decision was approved in the interest of the committee and for the DoD contractors, according to Marine Corps Community Services head of Recreation Business and Activities, Beth Kranz.

Statistics of the golf course show low numbers of patron players and there were grounds to allow more people to golf. The committee expects plenty of available tee time for all players,” Kranz said.

“The wider variety of people now able to visit the course will widen our business at the pro shops and at the golfer’s restaurant, Mulligan’s, by far,” said Mike Bassette, assistant golf professional at the MOH Golf Course. “I see the decision to allow the DoD contractors to play here as a positive outreach to the workers on base.”

The new policy will allow these contractors to play along-side the current DoD members holding government employment positions on base here. The contractors are required to show DoD identification at the Pro Shop, and will pay the same advertised fee as DoD civilian employees.

“We are trying to get the word out to the public,” said Kranz. “We’ve already had DoD contractors who play on our courses but they also fell into the category of retired Marines. Now, this way, the whole group can enjoy playing. DoD contractors can now plan events for unit functions within their shop for morale or a unit outing.”

Posted by CB for MarineParents.com at 1:00 PM | Permalink

MARINE CORPS BASE QUANTICO, Va. (Sept. 29, 2005) -- “Increase your muscle mass by 30 percent in four weeks.”

http://www.usmc.mil/marinelink/mcn2000.nsf/main5/18C41CFE4C02B1F785257091006748CF?opendocument

Submitted by: MCB Quantico
Story Identification #: 200510514488
Story by Cpl. Sara Carter

MARINE CORPS BASE QUANTICO, Va. (Sept. 29, 2005) -- “Increase your muscle mass by 30 percent in four weeks.”

“Get bigger biceps in two weeks.”

“Lose inches, gain muscle.”

Looking in most muscle magazines, supplement companies promote their product to those who are looking to bulk up quickly. Each company claims they will make people bigger, stronger, and more muscular in a matter of weeks. Some even boast people will see results in days.

Sure, people might gain a couple inches of muscle on their arms and legs in a short amount of time. But are they really taking the time to weigh the advantages and disadvantages of supplement use?

“Contrary to popular belief, there are no benefits to using supplements,” said Jacquelyn Bedwell, Semper Fit registered dietitian. “I am 100 percent against the use of supplements. The only people who should take supplements are people with very serious illnesses.”

According to Bedwell, supplements do not enhance athletic performance. Actually, they are harmful in the long run.

The disadvantages of using supplements:

-- They are not regulated by the Federal Drug Agency; therefore, companies do not have to disclose information on their contents. There could be very harmful substances in the products.

-- They are very costly. It is healthier and safer to get essential nutrients from foods. Also, if people eat a well-rounded diet, including the proper amount of calories from all of the food groups, they provide their bodies with all the nutrients they need. This means most of the supplement will be flushed out of the body through the kidneys. Essentially, it becomes a waste of money.

-- They pose a danger to the user’s health. They can damage the kidneys, possibly permanently. They can also cause an increase in cholesterol and liver enzymes, putting an individual at higher risk of cardiovascular disease and liver damage. Some supplements act as a stimulant, which is dangerous to the heart.

-- They dehydrate the body.

There are many different types of supplements on the market, including protein powders and shakes, weight gainers, and energy drinks.

“If a person is still determined to take supplements after learning the potential side-effects, then they should take supplements for a very, very short time,” said Bedwell. “Preferably, supplements should not be taken at all.”

The main selling point for supplements is usually the protein portion. Because muscle is made of protein, people automatically assume the only way to get bigger muscles is to give the body more protein, when this, in fact, is untrue.

“I do not think supplements work,” said Bedwell. “Our bodies naturally have enough protein to lay down more muscle. We need to just eat enough protein to replenish everyday losses. The average person only needs between 50-90 grams of protein (per day).”

The amount of protein people need is determined primarily by their gender and size, said Bedwell.

The only way to increase muscle mass is to work out, focusing on all the elements of fitness: flexibility, cardio-respiratory endurance, muscle strength, and muscle endurance.
Bedwell believes individuals taking supplements do see results, but they are not from the supplements: they are from working out.

“Body builders go crazy with using supplements and don't know the various risks they are putting their bodies through,” said Bedwell. “They are very strict with their workout schedules and do see results. But they do not know that the results are coming from working out, not from the supplements. Because of this ignorance, they advertise what they think is making them stronger, but have no scientific evidence to back up their statements.”
Because of the potential side-effects, workouts should be done without the use of supplements, Bedwell explained.

“I recommend that Marines do not use supplements at all,” she said.
There are some supplements Marines are not allowed to use, including steroids, ephedra and androsteindione.

“I do think there are a great deal of people using supplements,” said Bedwell. “The reason for this is because there currently are not regulations on who calls themselves a ‘nutritionist,’ meaning if anybody feels they know about nutrition, they can give recommendations and advice. The only qualified person who can give science-based information is a registered dietitian.”

There are many dangers associated with taking supplements, and Bedwell hopes people will research the supplements before taking them.

“I just would like for everyone to learn the true facts about supplements before jumping into taking them,” said Bedwell. “The dangers are very real and very serious. It doesn't necessarily take many, many years for these side-effects to take their toll. It can happen in a short amount of time.”

Posted by CB for MarineParents.com at 12:59 PM | Permalink

MARINE CORPS BASE QUANTICO, Va. (Sept. 29, 2005) -- Being sawed in half is usually the first step toward the scrap yard for an aircraft, but for one Navy helicopter that served Vietnam Marines in a former life, being bisected begins the fulfillment of two very different destinies.

http://www.usmc.mil/marinelink/mcn2000.nsf/main5/9716F47EB5A0D0B38525708F0053839E?opendocument

Submitted by: MCB Quantico
Story Identification #: 2005103111211
Story by Cpl. Jonathan Agg

MARINE CORPS BASE QUANTICO, Va. (Sept. 29, 2005) -- Being sawed in half is usually the first step toward the scrap yard for an aircraft, but for one Navy helicopter that served Vietnam Marines in a former life, being bisected begins the fulfillment of two very different destinies.

The rear half of the CH-46D Sea Knight helicopter will serve at the National Museum of the Marine Corps as an entry way to a realistic Vietnam War exhibit depicting Hill 881 South near Khe Sahn. The front of the helicopter will continue to serve as a training aid for Marine Helicopter Squadron 1 airframe and powerplant mechanics here.

Lin Ezell, director of the National Museum of the Marine Corps and former executive officer of the National Air and Space Museum, said the decision to keep the front half of the helicopter in service was an easy one to make.

“We’re at war and there is an active need for aircraft and powerplant mechanics to train,” said Ezell. “Here, we’ve got a real machine, and it’s real hands-on training.”

While at least one other museum expressed interest in displaying the front of the helicopter, Ezell said it would better serve as a training tool than as an exhibit piece.

Mitch Garringer, the head of restoration for Marine Corps Museums Branch, said the arrangement to transfer the front of the CH-46D to HMX-1 is a product of the longstanding relationship between Museums Branch and the presidential helicopter squadron.

“We’ve been working with HMX-1 for years,” said Garringer. “They have two cranes, and people need to get hours on the cranes. So, to help assist in their training, we’re giving them this front half, the gear box and a rotor head. And they can use it to simulate putting the rotor head on and taking it off before they actually do it on a real aircraft. Instead of turning it over to (Defense Reutilization Marketing Office), someone’s getting use out of it.”

Staff Sgt. Silver Archer, HMX-1 Support Program’s division chief, first proposed the idea of using the CH-46D’s front half for training, and said it will help leathernecks at Marine Corps Air Facility Quantico practice with the Pettibone and Entwistle aircraft maintenance cranes on site.

“It definitely helps us. If they had DRMO’d it, it would have just been a waste,” said Archer. “We had been looking for an alternate means to get these guys certified on the cranes that we use, and this was something I thought we could set up a training course with.”
Ezell said preserving only part of an aircraft is not at all unusual, and in the case of the CH-46D, maintaining the entire aircraft for display in the National Museum of the Marine Corps would not be feasible, nor necessarily appropriate.

“Not every lighthouse, not every leather flight jacket, and not every helicopter can be preserved,” said Ezell. “There aren’t museums enough nor money enough to preserve everything. A museum’s role is to preserve something that represents the period, the events and activities enough to tell the story. And you do so in perpetuity. If you decide the front half of that helicopter is so important that it belongs in the museum, you pledge to take care of it forever.”

Ezell said aircraft associated with missions of historical significance or individual acts of heroism are treated with greater care and restored, if possible. An example of such an aircraft in the museum’s inventory is the UH-1E Huey helicopter flown by Maj. Stephen W. Pless (then captain) near Quang Nai, Republic of Vietnam, on Aug. 19, 1967. After the daring rescue of three Army aircrew members who had been left behind by their pilot and overrun by the enemy, Pless was awarded the Medal of Honor. His copilot, crew chief and gunner each received the Navy Cross for the action. Pless’ Huey is being restored by the museum.

Posted by CB for MarineParents.com at 12:02 PM | Permalink

MARINE CORPS BASE QUANTICO, Va. (Sept. 29, 2005) -- Marines are a proud bunch. A lot have Marine Corps stickers or motivational license plates on their vehicles. But how many Marines have a motorcycle customized or painted entirely with a Marine Corps theme?

http://www.usmc.mil/marinelink/mcn2000.nsf/main5/B62CA77245670C048525708F00572610?opendocument

Submitted by: MCB Quantico
Story Identification #: 2005103115153
Story by Cpl. Sara Carter

MARINE CORPS BASE QUANTICO, Va. (Sept. 29, 2005) -- Marines are a proud bunch. A lot have Marine Corps stickers or motivational license plates on their vehicles. But how many Marines have a motorcycle customized or painted entirely with a Marine Corps theme?

Gunnery Sgt. James Marsh, an instructor at Officer Candidate School, has his Harley Davidson sporting that “moto” look.

“I feel highly motivated and proud that I’ve joined the most elite force in the world,” said Marsh. “When I ride my bike, everyone will know I am a Marine.”

Marsh bought a 1989 Harley Davidson Softail Custom in St. Louis five years ago. It was yellow with black tiger stripes.

“It was an ugly bike,” said Fred Stewart, a former Marine and one of the designers of Marsh’s bike. “It was in pretty bad shape.”

Marsh bought the old bike from a fellow leatherneck who couldn’t care for it anymore and was trying to find a good home and owner.

“I thought that I was the right one for the job,” said Marsh, “so I decided to buy it from him.”

Marsh was linked up with Stewart through another Marine and a bike shop.

Marsh contacted Stewart and Skip Nace, who works side-by-side with Stewart, and they agreed the bike was worth working on.

“I took my bike to have it serviced and had a couple of beers with Fred and Skip,” said Marsh. “I also took them some Marine Corps memorabilia.

“When I went back to pick (up the bike) so I could ride it, Fred came to me and told me he would love to do a Marine Corps theme with my bike,” Marsh explained. “He said him and the fellows would love doing it.”

After two days of persuading his wife Lisa, who was skeptical about letting Stewart and Nace do a Marine Corps-themed bike, she finally gave in.

Marsh and his family moved to Quantico in March and the bike remained in Missouri.

“I was very comfortable leaving my bike in Missouri,” explained Marsh. “But I am a Marine who loves to ride motorcycles and let the fresh air just hit my face. I was kind of down because I wasn’t able to ride.”

It took five hard weeks to get the bike into good shape. But, because Stewart and Nace had to wait for some of the parts and Marine memorabilia to continue with the bike, it took almost five months for the bike to be complete.

The shifter lever is made of brass and says “Marine Corps.” The gas tank is swathed by a painting of a Marine Corps saber, white cover and white gloves draped on the American flag.

Enlisted and officer swords cross on the front of the bike. And “grenades” on the back of the bike are functioning tail lights and turn signals.

“This is a one-of-a-kind bike,” said Stewart. “We won’t build the same bike twice.”

Once the bike was complete, Marsh expected to make the trip back to Missouri to pick it up, but Stewart and Nace had another idea in mind.

Stewart, Nace and their wives packed up the bike and drove it to Quantico to surprise Marsh with it.

When Marsh turned his bike over to the shop he knew the theme for his bike was going to be about the Marine Corps, but he had no idea what the bike actually looked like.

After repeated attempts to get Stewart and Nace to send him a picture or describe what the bike looked like, Marsh knew he would have to be patient and wait until the bike was done.
Once the bike arrived at Quantico, Marsh was in awe and knew that it was well worth the wait.

“It is awesome!” said Marsh with a huge smile.

Because there are so many unique characteristics to his bike, Marsh finds it difficult to pick out one feature as his favorite.

“If I had to choose, I would pick the tank because it is symbolic of the whole Marine Corps,” said Marsh. “It represents both officer and enlisted. That’s the reason there is no rank insignia anywhere on the bike.”

Marsh is grateful Stewart and Nace took so much time and effort to create such an indescribable bike for him.

“I think that these two gentlemen and the rest of their crew are awesome,” said Marsh. “They are former Marines and they love being about the Marines, talking to them about the old and new times. I am glad that I’ve met them and they will be my friends for life and also my brother in arms.”

Now when Marsh straps on his helmet and takes his “moto” bike for a ride, everyone he passes knows he is a proud Marine.

Posted by CB for MarineParents.com at 11:58 AM | Permalink

MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. (Sept. 29, 2005) -- “Once captured, there is no comprehending what goes through your head,” said former Marine and Vietnam prisoner of war, Walter W. Eckes, 59, who spoke at the Camp Pendleton Naval Hospital’s 15th annual Prisoner of War/Missing in Action remembrance ceremony Sept 16.

http://www.usmc.mil/marinelink/mcn2000.nsf/main5/35183A40EC3789818525708A006B2EC4?opendocument
Submitted by: MCB Camp Pendleton
Story Identification #: 2005928153043
Story by Lance Cpl. Antonio Rosas

MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. (Sept. 29, 2005) -- “Once captured, there is no comprehending what goes through your head,” said former Marine and Vietnam prisoner of war, Walter W. Eckes, 59, who spoke at the Camp Pendleton Naval Hospital’s 15th annual Prisoner of War/Missing in Action remembrance ceremony Sept 16.

The first national commemoration for POWs/MIAs was July 18, 1979. Since then, Congress has passed yearly resolutions for the tribute. But in 1996, a presidential proclamation designated the third Friday in September as National POW/MIA Recognition Day.

For the commemoration in 1991, the hospital planted a tree as a living memorial to the 10 Navy corpsmen still missing in action, some since 1963.

“It may only be a statistic for some, but it’s a terrible tragedy to someone who knows that individual (a prisoner of war),” said Navy Capt. James J. Ware, acting commanding officer, Naval Hospital Camp Pendleton.

Today, more than 25 feet tall, the tree serves as a reminder to the families and friends of those still unaccounted for that they are not forgotten. Families, retired servicemembers and current military leaders gathered for the event in order to acknowledge that those still unaccounted for will not be forgotten.

Eckes, one of a few servicemembers to successfully escape from a POW camp during the Vietnam War, described to the crowd of more than 100 teary-eyed people, his experiences at a POW camp.

“Every prisoner was treated differently. Fear is always in your mind. Basically they (the guards) could do anything they wanted to us, and that included torture,” said Eckes.

Although his hair has grown to a considerable length past his shoulders, Eckes continues to maintain the Marine spirit that helped keep him alive as a POW and speaks at colleges across the nation about his experiences.

“If there is something that I took from my experience it is that whatever you take on, don’t quit,” Eckes said.

In 1998, the Defense Auth-orization Act made it a law that the POW/MIA flag be flown on Memorial Day, Armed Forces Day, Flag Day, Veterans Day, Independence Day, and POW and MIA Recognition Day.

Posted by CB for MarineParents.com at 11:25 AM | Permalink

CAMP KINSER, OKINAWA, Japan (Sept. 28, 2005) -- Students from Kinser Elementary School show off some of the money they have collected to support the ongoing relief efforts for Hurricane Katrina, the most destructive tropical storm in recorded U.S. history, in the school’s lunchroom Sept. 28.

http://www.usmc.mil/marinelink/mcn2000.nsf/main5/72634572302A431B8525708B0007774E?opendocument

Submitted by: MCB Camp Butler
Story Identification #: 2005928212132
Story by Pfc. Terence L. Yancey

CAMP KINSER, OKINAWA, Japan (Sept. 28, 2005) -- Students from Kinser Elementary School show off some of the money they have collected to support the ongoing relief efforts for Hurricane Katrina, the most destructive tropical storm in recorded U.S. history, in the school’s lunchroom Sept. 28.

The students have been taking donations during their lunch periods for more than a week and have collected over $1,000. After the hurricane, members of the local community immediately started collecting money in order to help in any way they could.

According to Chuck Miller, assistant station manager for the American Red Cross office on Camp Foster, as of Sept. 28, the Red Cross station here has received approximately $42,000 in donations from local units, organizations, service members and families, including $3,000 from the local Japanese community.

Posted by CB for MarineParents.com at 11:22 AM | Permalink

CAMP HANSEN, OKINAWA, Japan (Sept. 29, 2005) -- More than 130 Japanese officer candidates visited an artillery battery to learn about Marine artillery Sept. 27.

The Marines with L Battery, 3rd Battalion, 12th Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division, hosted cadets with the Japanese Ground Self Defense Force as part of the Japanese Observer Program. The candidates were taught the functional areas of an artillery battery including a M-198 155mm Medium Towed Howitzer demonstration, and Marine Corps crew-served and personal weapons familiarization.

http://www.usmc.mil/marinelink/mcn2000.nsf/main5/9016497317BA1C4C8525708B00198805?opendocument

Submitted by: MCB Camp Butler
Story Identification #: 200592903852
Story by Pfc. C. Warren Peace

CAMP HANSEN, OKINAWA, Japan (Sept. 29, 2005) -- More than 130 Japanese officer candidates visited an artillery battery to learn about Marine artillery Sept. 27.

The Marines with L Battery, 3rd Battalion, 12th Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division, hosted cadets with the Japanese Ground Self Defense Force as part of the Japanese Observer Program. The candidates were taught the functional areas of an artillery battery including a M-198 155mm Medium Towed Howitzer demonstration, and Marine Corps crew-served and personal weapons familiarization.

“Most of these young Japanese (service members) haven’t decided which field they want work in,” said Sgt. Maj. Hideki Akamatsu, the JGSDF III Marine Expeditionary Force liaison. “The school wants them to see as many fields as possible so they can make an educated decision after they graduate from (Officer Candidates School).”

The day began with a briefing from the battery commander, Capt. David L. Padilla. He taught the cadets the history of III MEF and provided them an overview of their current status.
Following the brief, the Marines of L Battery demonstrated how a Marine artillery battery provides support in combat. The battery received a simulated call for support, then targeted and fired on the mock enemy.

“The students learn a lot from the Marines every time we have a joint event with them,” said Lt. Col. Masaoki Kumashira, the assistant chief of education with the JGSDF OCS.

After the demonstration, the Marines taught the cadets howitzer fundamentals, and how to operate a MK-19 40mm machine gun, M-2 .50 caliber machine gun, M-240G medium machine gun, M-249 squad automatic weapon, M-16A4 service rifle and the M-4A1 carbine.

“Events like this give us a chance to forge a relationship with the Okinawans,” said Capt. Padilla. “They need our support and we need theirs. One day we may fight side-by-side.”

Posted by CB for MarineParents.com at 11:16 AM | Permalink

CAMP KINSER, OKINAWA, Japan (Sept. 29, 2005) -- Service members and their families shared a day of sunshine with members of the Urasoe City Chamber of Commerce to experience food, fun and games during the 3rd Kinser Family Friendship Day Sept. 24 at Roberts Field pavilion.

http://www.usmc.mil/marinelink/mcn2000.nsf/main5/4657A2F2F40F1F5E8525708B001C6973?opendocument

Submitted by: MCB Camp Butler
Story Identification #: 200592911020
Story by Cpl. Martin R. Harris

CAMP KINSER, OKINAWA, Japan (Sept. 29, 2005) -- Service members and their families shared a day of sunshine with members of the Urasoe City Chamber of Commerce to experience food, fun and games during the 3rd Kinser Family Friendship Day Sept. 24 at Roberts Field pavilion.

The festivities started with a game of softball between the Japanese and American teams. The Chamber of Commerce team defeated the Camp Kinser team, 7-5.

After the game, Col. Paul Greenwood, Camp Kinser commander, welcomed the guests and expressed his appreciation to the citizens of Urasoe City for their long history of hospitality and friendship. He then asked everyone to enjoy the culturally diverse food.

The Urasoe Chamber of Commerce brought portable grills to cook Okinawan specialties like pan-fried noodles called yakisoba and grilled chicken skewers called yakitori. Another local favorite was sushi, which everyone seemed to enjoy.

According to Katsuya Tomikawa, a Chamber of Commerce member, the exchange of food is very important aspect of friendship that helps bring people closer to one another.

“Food is something everyone can relate to and enjoy,” Tomikawa said. “We want to taste American food, and we also want Americans to enjoy Japanese food. This helps us to understand each other and become closer as a community, regardless of our history.”

The food and drinks were, for the most part, provided by the Chamber of Commerce, but servicemembers and their families brought their favorites for their new Okinawan friends to enjoy.

“The Americans brought out a little bit of everything,” said 1st Lt. Lee Taylor, officer in charge of Camp Kinser camp services. “There was lasagna, chili, chicken wings and baked beans, but the Okinawans really loved the deviled eggs and cakes. The eggs were gone real quick.”
Nearly 130 Okinawan and American attendees participated in a traditional Okinawan dance, led by the Urasoe Chamber of Commerce women’s group.

After the damces, the Okinawans and Americans challenged each others’ strength in arm wrestling matches.

As the sun set, the event moved to Roberts Field for the dizzy izzy competition and three-leg races, where Americans and Okinawans were paired together on a team.

“It was so fun to play with all the Americans,” said 6-year old Youto Mekaru, who got to see the camp for the first time. “I loved doing the dizzy izzy because it was so hard to run straight without falling. I had a great time today.”

The entire event was organized for adults and children with an emphasis on the children and family, explained Manabu Yara, president of the chamber.

“It’s very important for children, Okinawan and American, to develop relationships very early,” Yara said. “These type of events help bring different families together.”Americans, Okinawans come together to enjoy food, family
Submitted by: MCB Camp Butler
Story Identification #: 200592911020
Story by Cpl. Martin R. Harris

CAMP KINSER, OKINAWA, Japan (Sept. 29, 2005) -- Service members and their families shared a day of sunshine with members of the Urasoe City Chamber of Commerce to experience food, fun and games during the 3rd Kinser Family Friendship Day Sept. 24 at Roberts Field pavilion.

The festivities started with a game of softball between the Japanese and American teams. The Chamber of Commerce team defeated the Camp Kinser team, 7-5.

After the game, Col. Paul Greenwood, Camp Kinser commander, welcomed the guests and expressed his appreciation to the citizens of Urasoe City for their long history of hospitality and friendship. He then asked everyone to enjoy the culturally diverse food.

The Urasoe Chamber of Commerce brought portable grills to cook Okinawan specialties like pan-fried noodles called yakisoba and grilled chicken skewers called yakitori. Another local favorite was sushi, which everyone seemed to enjoy.

According to Katsuya Tomikawa, a Chamber of Commerce member, the exchange of food is very important aspect of friendship that helps bring people closer to one another.

“Food is something everyone can relate to and enjoy,” Tomikawa said. “We want to taste American food, and we also want Americans to enjoy Japanese food. This helps us to understand each other and become closer as a community, regardless of our history.”

The food and drinks were, for the most part, provided by the Chamber of Commerce, but servicemembers and their families brought their favorites for their new Okinawan friends to enjoy.

“The Americans brought out a little bit of everything,” said 1st Lt. Lee Taylor, officer in charge of Camp Kinser camp services. “There was lasagna, chili, chicken wings and baked beans, but the Okinawans really loved the deviled eggs and cakes. The eggs were gone real quick.”
Nearly 130 Okinawan and American attendees participated in a traditional Okinawan dance, led by the Urasoe Chamber of Commerce women’s group.

After the damces, the Okinawans and Americans challenged each others’ strength in arm wrestling matches.

As the sun set, the event moved to Roberts Field for the dizzy izzy competition and three-leg races, where Americans and Okinawans were paired together on a team.

“It was so fun to play with all the Americans,” said 6-year old Youto Mekaru, who got to see the camp for the first time. “I loved doing the dizzy izzy because it was so hard to run straight without falling. I had a great time today.”

The entire event was organized for adults and children with an emphasis on the children and family, explained Manabu Yara, president of the chamber.

“It’s very important for children, Okinawan and American, to develop relationships very early,” Yara said. “These type of events help bring different families together.”

Posted by CB for MarineParents.com at 11:14 AM | Permalink

CAMP TAQADDUM, Iraq (Sept. 28, 2005) -- Starting in October, Marines, Sailors, Soldiers and Airmen here will have the option of beginning the anthrax vaccination program.

http://www.usmc.mil/marinelink/mcn2000.nsf/main5/E3293B31ED7383BE8525708B0026DD48?opendocument

Submitted by: 2nd Force Service Support Group
Story Identification #: 20059293430
Story by Lance Cpl. Joel Abshier

CAMP TAQADDUM, Iraq (Sept. 28, 2005) -- Starting in October, Marines, Sailors, Soldiers and Airmen here will have the option of beginning the anthrax vaccination program.

Anthrax, an acute infectious disease caused by the spore-forming, rod-shaped bacterium called bacillus anthracis, is becoming a threat that may be used as a potential weapon against service members while deployed in Iraq and Afghanistan, according to Petty Officer 1st Class Kathryn P. Coleman, an independent duty corpsman at the Battalion Aid Station with Headquarters and Service Battalion, 2nd Force Service Support Group (Forward).

The BAS will hold instructional briefs about the disease itself and the vaccine during weeks to come.

“We are trying to help [service members],” the Marysville, Calif., native said. “You never know when anthrax could be used against us.”

Anthrax cases can occur in three forms, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. The forms are cutaneous infection, which is contact to bare skin; ingestion of undercooked or raw, infected meat; and breathing in airborne spores.

“Anthrax is some real bad stuff,” said Petty Officer 3rd Class David L. Brown, a corpsman at BAS with Headquarters and Service Bn., 2nd FSSG (Fwd). “If you get infected, there is little that can help you.”

Some symptoms of anthrax include, but are not limited to; severe breathing problems and shock, swollen lymph nodes, painless ulcers appearing on the skin with a black center, nausea, loss of appetite, vomiting, fever followed by abdominal pain, severe diarrhea and vomiting blood, according to the FDA.

Everyone has the option of refusing the shot; however, without the vaccination there is a heightened chance that the individual will be more vulnerable to lethal anthrax infection, Brown explained.

“We want everyone to weigh their choices on whether they want to receive the vaccine or not,” the Washington D.C. native said. “It is serious business, so reading up on [Anthrax] will help you decide if you want to get the shot or not.”

Some individuals should not receive the shot if they have a moderate or severe illness, women who are pregnant, people with a possible history of latex sensitivity, people infected with HIV, if the individual has or previously had Guillain-Barre Syndrome (GBS) or people who have recovered from an anthrax infection, according to the FDA.

Members of the Armed Forces are vaccinated for a variety of potential threats and the anthrax vaccination is another tool to assist the military with its mission noted Petty Officer 2nd Class John M. Curry, a corpsman at BAS with Headquarters and Service Bn., 2nd FSSG (Fwd).

“We’re in a business where you never know what your enemies are going to expose you to,” the Havre de Grace, Md., native said. “As medical professionals, we encourage service members to receive the vaccination due to its proven effectiveness.”

The FDA-licensed schedule for anthrax vaccine is six doses given over an 18-month period, according to the anthrax Emergency Use Authorization pamphlet, which is available at the BAS. Six doses are needed for full protection, however, if the patient gets a dose earlier than scheduled, their risk of exposure to anthrax changes and will have to reconsider whether to continue the vaccination process.

For more information concerning the anthrax vaccine, visit http://www.anthrax.mil.

Posted by CB for MarineParents.com at 11:11 AM | Permalink

CAMP FALLUJAH, Iraq (Sept. 29, 2005) -- One team of Marines operating with 2nd Tank Battalion, 2nd Marine Division, bound together after facing the effects of a deadly improvised explosive device here.

http://www.usmc.mil/marinelink/mcn2000.nsf/main5/EBF018154D47E2988525708B002FEB55?opendocument

Submitted by: II Marine Expeditionary Force (FWD)
Story Identification #: 200592944324
Story by Lance Cpl. Josh Cox

CAMP FALLUJAH, Iraq (Sept. 29, 2005) -- One team of Marines operating with 2nd Tank Battalion, 2nd Marine Division, bound together after facing the effects of a deadly improvised explosive device here.

While conducting routine operations with the tanks May 1, the gun truck, known as “Black Three,” was hit by an IED. Marines from Headquarters Platoon, Bravo Company, 2nd Tank Bn., 2nd Marine Division affected by the explosion, Lance Cpls. Jamby Perez and Brandon Wells, and Sgt. Brent Sheets, were riding in the vehicle when the blast occurred.

“It went off right beside our truck,” said Sheets, the truck’s vehicle commander. “We really didn’t have any good way to detect that it was there because the side of the roads were covered in trash.”

Perez, who is a motor transport operator with Bravo Company, said when the IED detonated, the boom was so deafening he temporarily lost his hearing, except for intense ringing in his ears.

“All I heard was sirens,” said Perez, describing his ear’s reaction to the blast. “It was like a police car. I didn’t hear the actual IED go off.”

When Perez realized what was going on, he and others rushed to help fellow Marines who were injured.

“I looked to my right and saw my vehicle commander, Sgt. Sheets,” said Perez, who was piloting the armored humvee at the time of the blast. “Sgt. Sheets was able to get out of the vehicle, but he just collapsed. He was bleeding from his nose and he couldn’t move his knee. I saw my gunner (Wells), and he was dripping blood, but I just didn’t know where it was coming from. He was walking around because he was so hyped up.”

Marines of “Black Two,” another humvee operating with Bravo Company, did what they could to calm and aid their injured teammates until they could be evacuated from the scene.

The “Black Three” driver came out of the explosion unscathed.

“I was the only one who didn’t get hurt,” said Perez. “The biggest two pieces of shrapnel that went through the truck missed me by inches. It would have taken half of my leg off. That’s pretty scary.”

After the attack, Perez was able to return to duty within a week, while the other Marines of “Black Three” recuperated from wounds received in the explosion.

“It took me about two weeks,” said Sheets. “I missed one mission.”

According to Sheets, Wells was back in the turret three weeks later.

“We were able to overcome it through each other, giving each other support,” said Perez. “We were kind of scared of going back out there. Somehow we were just able to overcome it.”

Sheets said the incident made him angry, and he was ready to get back into the fight as soon as he could.

“It makes you push a lot harder when you are out in the field to find the bad guys, because you don’t want that stuff to happen to any other Marine,” he said.

There is something special about the bond the “Black Three” Marines created supporting 2nd Tank Bn., in Iraq, and an IED didn’t stop the team from thriving through the rest of the deployment.

“The bond that we have, I never thought it was possible,” said Perez. “Our crew has never been separated.”

Sheets said the Marines who serve as a quick reaction force for the tanks, dubbed “The Rat Pack,” are a close-knit group in the battalion.

“I think honestly out of everyone in Bravo Company, we have a really good bond because we are always the ones going out with the tanks and clearing these buildings, and we depend on each other a lot more,” said Sheets. “When you go clear buildings and you have that man covering you while you are going in, there is a bond that gets a lot thicker.”

“Black Three” has been very instrumental during operations while attached with 2nd Tank Bn.

“If tanks have a certain mission, we will be the ones to clear houses in that area so the tankers don’t have to dismount,” said Sheets. “We get more involved with the ground than they do. If a tank breaks down, we will go out and set up security for the tanks while they are fixing the problem in the field.”

A deadly IED wasn’t enough to break the bond among the Marines of “Black Three,” or enough to stop the mission of Bravo Company in Operation Iraqi Freedom.

EDITOR’S NOTE
Please feel free to publish this story or any of the accompanying photos. If used, please give proper credit to the writer/photographer, and contact us at: cepaowo@cemnf-wiraq.usmc.mil so we can update our records.

Posted by CB for MarineParents.com at 11:09 AM | Permalink

PYONGTAEK, South Korea(Sept. 29, 2005) -- Leaving Okinawa for a few weeks or months and traveling to another exotic southeast Asian country sounds like a great vacation, but not if you are going on a deployment and sleeping on cots in the jungle.

http://www.usmc.mil/marinelink/mcn2000.nsf/0/819E9CA7C4F6FFF78525708B00196730?opendocument

Submitted by:
MCB Camp Butler
Story by:
Computed Name: Sgt. Nuntavong
Story Identification #:
200592903728

PYONGTAEK, South Korea(Sept. 29, 2005) -- Leaving Okinawa for a few weeks or months and traveling to another exotic southeast Asian country sounds like a great vacation, but not if you are going on a deployment and sleeping on cots in the jungle.

Marine Corps Community Services Deployed Operations helps III Marine Expeditionary Force Marines keep busy during their off time by bringing them a few comforts from home, according to Jokim M. Davis, assistant operations officer.

“We are here to provide (morale, welfare and recreation) services to forward-deployed Marines,” Davis said. “We want you to feel like you’re back in Okinawa as much as possible.”
Some of the “comforts of home” that MCCS brings to a deployment are Internet access, a telephone calling center and gym.

Internet services are contracted by MCCS with a local service provider. They provide Internet access, wireless networking and printing capabilities free to service members 24-hours a day.
“I was surprised to see MCCS out here (in South Korea) with us,” said Lance Cpl. Marcial Q. Gutierrez, an administrative clerk with Headquarters and Service Battalion, 3rd Force Service Support Group. “It’s great to be able to e-mail my family while I’m (on temporary additional duty.)”

The telephone center is a telecommunication service that provides service members with the ability to make local or international phone calls. This service is also locally contracted by MCCS.

If a gym is not located at your TAD location, MCCS will make one for you. The gym may include free weight equipment like dumbbells, barbells and plates; resistance-training machines; and cardiovascular devices like stationary bicycles, treadmills, elliptical trainers and stair climbers.

“Having a gym on deployment helps me keep in shape,” said Gunnery Sgt. Robert D. Chaldekas, a maintenance chief with 7th Communications Battalion.

Encouraging physical fitness, MCCS also conducts a Sports Day, in coordination with unit commanders, sponsoring events like basketball, softball, soccer, football, running events and various competitions. Trophies are awarded to the top performers.

MCCS has provided these services to III MEF Marines for more than six years at exercises such as Cobra Gold in Thailand, Ulchi Focus Lens in South Korea, Crocodile in Australia and Operation Unified Assistance, also in Thailand.

“When there’s little to do outside, this keeps (the service members) busy and gives them a place to spend their off time,” Davis said.

According to Richard E. Poulin Jr., the deployed operations officer, when Marines and Sailors utilize MCCS facilities and services on Okinawa, those profits fund the free services and activities at their deployment site.

To find out if MCCS will be at your next deployment, contact MCCS Deployed Operations at 645-9346.

Posted by CB for MarineParents.com at 11:06 AM | Permalink

Tom Mack, a 25-year-old Marine lance corporal who returned to his home in New Fairfield this week after a seven-month stint in Iraq, knows what that means. The war never goes away.

http://news.newstimeslive.com/story.php?id=74900&category=Local

By Brian Saxton
NEW FAIRFIELD – A woman strapped with explosives and disguised as a man blows herself up outside an Iraqi army recruiting center, killing at least six people and wounding 30.

A U.S. Marine from the 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force dies from a non-hostile gunshot wound near Fallujah.

The news from Iraq never seems to get better. The grim headlines that emerged Wednesday were par for the course.

Tom Mack, a 25-year-old Marine lance corporal who returned to his home in New Fairfield this week after a seven-month stint in Iraq, knows what that means. The war never goes away.

"I still feel involved with it," Mack said. "I'm just sorry I'm not there to do something about it."

Mack, who was based only 15 miles southwest of Fallujah, experienced his own share of danger and emotion on the battlefield.

"We came under fire and there were friends that I lost," he said. "There were even times when I thought I might not make it back myself."

Still, it was an experience Mack says has turned his life around.

"I feel more grateful now for the things that I have and for the country I live in," he said. "I feel I'm a stronger person and more independent in myself."

Born and raised in Bedford, N.Y., Mack originally attended Plymouth State College in New Hampshire to study music.

"I planned on becoming a musician because there was a lot of musical talent in my family, but then I felt the need for a change," Mack said. "I wanted to do something that I would never forget. I wanted to make something of myself and become the sort of person I am today."

With a war raging in Iraq, Mack said he suddenly felt "a strong urge to stand up and serve my country."

Mack, who joined the Marine Corps in 2003, was shipped to Iraq in February and spent most of his tour as a rifleman and diesel engine mechanic with a unit that supported forward base operations.

"I remember feeling a bit nervous but more excited when I first went there," Mack said. "I'd always believed in the war. I still do. We should remember that those who have died served a cause and are greatly missed wherever they are now."

Like most of his comrades, Mack said he was comforted in Iraq by "the great outpouring of support" he received in the form of letters, phone calls, e-mails and care packages

"I received letters from people I didn't even know," he said.

Mack's sister, Samantha, 16, a junior at New Fairfield High School, and brother, Taylor, 14, an eighth-grader at the middle school, were among his regular correspondents.

"Of course we were worried about him because he was in danger, but if a family has faith, it will pull them through," Samantha said.

Samantha said she noticed some of the changes a service career and seven months in Iraq have made in her brother

"I think he really grew up over there," she said. "He seems happier now and very proud. When he walks into a room, a light seems to go on."

Mack's father, Tom, 51, has also seen a difference in his son.

"His life has made a 180-degree turn since he enlisted," Tom Mack Sr. said. "He's matured and he's become more disciplined. I think the Marine Corps has given his life balance and structure. I couldn't be more proud of him."

Sitting on the family porch beneath a cluster of oak trees, the younger Mack said Wednesday he plans on spending the next two weeks of his leave catching up with friends and playing golf with his father.

Family, friends and dozens of other New Fairfield residents turned out in the town shopping center Monday night to give Mack the kind of homecoming they've given to other servicemen returning from Iraq.

"It was one of the most wonderful things that's ever happened to me," he said. "I certainly didn't expect it. It made me feel the job I did had been worth it."

Contact Brian Saxton

at bsaxton@newstimes.com

or at (203) 731-3332.

Posted by CB for MarineParents.com at 11:03 AM | Permalink

Human error caused a helicopter crash in western Iraq in January that killed 26 Hawai'i Marines and a sailor, according to an investigative report released yesterday on the deadliest crash in more than two years of combat in Iraq.

http://www.honoluluadvertiser.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20050929/NEWS01/509290341/1001/NEWS

Advertiser Staff and News Services

Human error caused a helicopter crash in western Iraq in January that killed 26 Hawai'i Marines and a sailor, according to an investigative report released yesterday on the deadliest crash in more than two years of combat in Iraq.

The crew of the California-based CH-53E Super Stallion became disoriented when weather turned bad and visibility was quickly reduced, and flew the helicopter into the ground, the Los Angeles Times reported. The crash killed the Hawai'i Marines, a Navy corpsman and four crew members based out of California.

The Jan. 26 crash occurred at 1:20 a.m. local time in a sandstorm near Rutbah, a corner of Iraq that touches the Syrian and Jordanian borders.

The crew apparently did not realize the helicopter had begun banking to the left rather than flying straight ahead, the newspaper said, citing the report released by the Marine Corps.

The helicopter was taking troops to western Iraq to help protect polling places during the Iraqi election when it crashed. A second helicopter made the trip safely.

The families of two of the Kane'ohe Bay Marines who died in the crash said yesterday they had not received copies of the 400-page report, which was released out of a staff judge advocate's office in California.

"I would like to have known. I would still like to know, and I would have rather had it before the press," said William Etterling, whose son, Lance Cpl. Jonathan Etterling, 22, was one of the Marines on board.

The Ohio man isn't upset, though, and has nothing bad to say about the Corps. The news that human error was the official cause wasn't a surprise.

"I knew that. I talked to the (Marine) sergeant about that when we were standing by the casket," Etterling said.

Manfred Klein of Michigan, whose son, Lance Cpl. Allan Klein, 34, was killed, also had not seen the report, but said he understands there can be delays in the release of information.

For both families, the acute pain of their loss eight months ago has been dulled only slightly.

"It isn't like it was in the beginning," Klein said, "but there's not been a day that goes by, and possibly not an hour, that I don't think about him."

Etterling said it's been "very difficult."

"We're dealing with it, and we get up every day and we do what we're supposed to do," he said, adding that his community has been very supportive.

The Hawai'i Marines were with the 1st Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, which fought house-to-house through Fallujah in November, and lost 46 Marines in total while in Iraq.

Kane'ohe Bay officials yesterday said the regiment had just learned the crash report was out and had not seen it.

The report stated the pilot of the second helicopter, Capt. Norman T. Day, whose responsibility included providing updated weather information for both crews, has been taken off flying status. According to the report, Day did not provide such information to the doomed helicopter crew, the Los Angeles Times said.

In a transcript of an interview with Day, a Marine investigator told him that he might face dereliction of duty charges. But the report as issued does not say whether charges are being brought.

Day told the investigator that the bad weather "definitely snuck up on me."

"I don't think there is anything I could have done differently," Day told the investigator. "Other than turning around at the first sign of a little bit of weather, but I don't think that is an option."

Day said that turning around and returning to base was not possible because both helicopters were low on fuel and were close to the intended destination, Rutbah. To save time, the helicopters had not taken on fuel at a midway stop.

Etterling said he still has questions about the crash that likely won't be answered by the report.

"I was given to understand they had been having problems with sandstorms, and that they were even grounded the first day and didn't leave the base," he said. "The next day, they flew anyway. That's what I was told. Why did they fly if they had already canceled one day?"

Some families wondered if a missile shot down the helicopter. A bright flash was seen by people aboard the accompanying helicopter — which may have been able to fly just outside the sandstorm — when the Super Stallion went down.

Key sections of the 400-page report have been redacted for what authorities say are national security concerns, the Los Angeles Times said. Among the items not publicly disclosed were two recommendations by the investigating officer that were not endorsed by the commanding general of the 3rd Marine Corps Air Wing. It is not clear what those recommendations were.

The flight crew and the helicopter were from Miramar Marine Corps Air Station in San Diego, the headquarters of the air wing. All 31 troops died instantly, according to a medical report.

The crash occurred 2.9 seconds after a warning system alerted the crew that it was on a collision course with the ground. It is not unusual for a crew flying in murky weather over terrain without distinguishing features to not realize that their craft is off course, the report said.

A previous investigation into the April 6 crash of a CH-47 Chinook helicopter in Afghanistan, which killed two Schofield Barracks soldiers and 16 others, said that aircraft ran into a severe dust storm, and the pilots became "spatially disoriented." They over-controlled the craft and it crashed, the report said.

The Iraq crash report also suggests that crew members — while qualified in the use of night-vision goggles — may have been overly confident of their ability to see the ground through their goggles.

"This is similar to driving your car too fast at night and not detecting hazards in the road in time to stop," the report said.

"Whether it was pilot error or whether it was something else, it doesn't change anything," Etterling said.

His son, the Marine he calls "just an all-around good kid," is gone.

"He's not a kid, he's a man," he added, "but he'll always be my kid. Every time I see a little shaved-head kid running around, his ears sticking out, little squeaky voice, I think of Jon."
Advertiser military writer William Cole and The Los Angeles Times contributed to this report. Cole conducted the interviews with the families. Reach Cole at wcole@honoluluadver tiser.com or 525-5459.

Posted by CB for MarineParents.com at 11:02 AM | Permalink

FALLUJAH, Iraq—When the Marines attacked through the city last November, inside 17 houses they found cell blocks, chains screwed into ceilings, blood-splattered walls, the flags and propaganda pamphlets of al-Qaida, and mutilated corpses. There was a torture house somewhere on just about every major street—one torture chamber for every 20,000 residents. The Jolan district in the northeast, where the 2nd Iraqi Battalion was working, had the highest incidence of intimidation and killings. (2/7)

http://slate.msn.com/id/2126905/entry/2127032/

FALLUJAH, Iraq—When the Marines attacked through the city last November, inside 17 houses they found cell blocks, chains screwed into ceilings, blood-splattered walls, the flags and propaganda pamphlets of al-Qaida, and mutilated corpses. There was a torture house somewhere on just about every major street—one torture chamber for every 20,000 residents. The Jolan district in the northeast, where the 2nd Iraqi Battalion was working, had the highest incidence of intimidation and killings.

South of the Jolan, Lt. Col. Joseph L'Etoile and his 2nd Battalion of the 7th Marine Regiment were steadily making inroads against the insurgent infrastructure. Why? Because the leaders of some of the major tribes were turning against the terrorists. While Capt. Juwad of the 2nd Iraqi Battalion was rousting the residents of Jolan Park after an assassination, L'Etoile had agreed to an evening meeting with two prominent sheiks who had a deal to propose.

After dark, L'Etoile drove down the main highway, passing the mural painted a year earlier in memory of Lt. Col. Suleiman. Suleiman had commanded an ill-trained city militia. He had insisted that his soldiers and their families could not survive in the city if they cooperated with the Americans or with the Iraqi officials in Baghdad. Instead, he set out alone to restore order. When the insurgents attacked the Iraqi police station, he fought them off. Then Abu Musad al-Zarqawi moved into town and persuaded the head local insurgent, a radical imam named Janabi, to lure Suleiman to a mosque. Trusting the imam, Suleiman came to the mosque without his soldiers. He was seized, tortured, and killed, and the next day the terrorists passed out videotapes of his agonizing death. When the city was taken in November, the Marines and the Iraqi army painted a mural on a concrete slab on the main highway, saying: "Suleiman—Hero of Iraq."

Any resident cooperating with the government of Iraq or with the Americans was risking death. Yet two prominent sheiks had asked for a private meeting. L'Etoile arrived at their compound. No lights were turned on in the section. Through their night-vision goggles, the Marines saw Iraqis at different posts, tracking their movements.

Once they were inside the compound, a few lights came on. Colorful rugs were spread on a close-cropped lawn between two attractive villas. On the porch of one villa sat a small BMW roadster wrapped in a dust cover. Two sheiks greeted L'Etiole. Both asked that their names not be revealed. One was reed-thin, a constant smoker in his late 60s. The other, with more ample girth, was in his 50s and got right down to business. "One of the Farhan brothers is out of jail," he said. "I saw him in the market last week."

L'Etoile was not happy with the news. It had taken months to arrest several Iraqis implicated in the murder of Col. Suleiman. Now one of them had been released.

"A suicide bomber tried to kill my older brother [a respected tribal elder]," Sheik Ample continued. "They killed my son with a bomb last Tuesday. Do you know why? Because my older brother urged that we vote for the constitution and not be left out of this new government."

"There are two groups of insurgents," the sheik said, "and they are feuding. Omar Hamady of the Albugutna tribe left a bomb on the road near the farm of Khasem Muhna of the Ju Ara tribe. He wanted you Marines to arrest Muhna. Then Hamady would have no rival on this side of the river."

L'Etioile's translator, Darawan Faris, drew a sketch to confirm where the two insurgents lived. Faris, a fan of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, had applied for American citizenship after serving for years with the Marines in Iraq. He knew most of the sheiks and city elders. The names of these insurgents were new to him. They were outsiders, from south of the Euphrates.

"They will try to kill us again," the other sheik said. "A bomber will drive up at night and blow us up here when we are sleeping."

L'Etioile looked around. A car bomb would smash the small compound, which seemed so tranquil and secluded, to bits. "We have patrols," he assured the sheiks.

"No," they said. "You cannot be here all the time. Our sons and nephews live here. We want you to stay away. Give us a piece of paper so we can be armed."

L'Etioile considered the request. Unlike in the rest of Iraq, no one in Fallujah is permitted keep a weapon in his house. L'Etoile asked how many permits were needed. When the sheiks gave a number, he agreed.

The sheik asked for one more thing—a pass for his older brother. It was dangerous to wait in the long lines entering the city.

"He will have a card equivalent to mine," L'Etioile said. "All my Marines will be informed. He will not wait wherever he goes."

The gesture of respect and understanding pleased the two sheiks, and the meeting ended with a meal of chicken and saffron-flavored rice.

Driving without lights back to his base, L'Etioile explained his reasoning.

"The irahibeen [terrorists] killed the sheik's son and tried to kill his brother," he said. "It makes sense to let them protect themselves. They didn't ask for an excessive number of weapon permits. That means the enemy isn't numerous—and the sheiks know who they are."

"That bit about not waiting in line,'" Sgt. Maj. Michael Barrett said, "reminded me of Sonny in The Godfather waiting at the toll booth and getting shot."

Later, Faris, the translator, picked up on the analogy to the Mafia. Like many of the translators with American infantry battalions on the front lines, Faris was wary, if not totally cynical, about grand concepts for dealing with the insurgency.

"Let me tell you something," he said to a journalist. "Here in Fallujah we're up against some hard guys. There's a lot of talk about the vote and that stuff, but those guys aren't going to change. They're feared. They like that power. We could offer them a good job on construction, paying even better money, and they'd never take it. Never. They're killers. They're gunmen. That's what they are, and that's how they see themselves."

******

October marks the 30th month American soldiers have been in Fallujah. Now there is far less violence and open fighting. The three major changes are the aggressive morale of the Iraqi soldiers, the absence of the toughest terrorists who were led by Zarqawi, and the emerging hostility between a major tribe and the local insurgents.

On the other hand, it is the insurgents and not the police who control the market places, and the mostly Shiite soldiers of the Iraqi army don't feel welcome in the city. Intimidation and individual killings persist.

Rebuilding is everywhere. Electric power is fairly steady. There are far fewer improvised explosive devices. Iraqi army soldiers are patrolling, both with the Marines and on their own. A goodly percentage—perhaps 30 percent or more—of the 150,000 voting-age residents are expected to vote in mid-October. Even if most vote against the constitution, it will be a protest by the ballot and not the bullet. On balance, the city is much more secure than in the past.

What the city lacks is a Gary Cooper from High Noon. Col. Suleiman was a genuine hero and nationalist, a former combat leader from the Saddam era who decided that Fallujah would benefit by embracing the new Iraq. He opposed Zarqawi and he intensely disliked the jihadist zealotry of Janabi, the local imam. For that, he was tortured and executed. Now Fallujah is relatively secure, given the high number of American and Iraqi soldiers.

Killers still lurk in town, though. As yet, no Sunni Iraqi of Suleiman's stature and determination has stepped forward to say: This is my city, and I'm going to ensure it does not slip back into the hands of Islamist fundamentalists or foreign terrorists. Fallujah needs a tough, determined local leader.

Posted by CB for MarineParents.com at 10:57 AM | Permalink

Lance Corporal Michael Larin says it's good to be back home. Away from the bullets, bombs and bazooka blasts he's used to waking up to. Today, NewsChannel 3 was at Palm Springs International Airport when Larin saw his family for the first time in months. We have their reunion and some exclusive footage of the action in Iraq.

http://www.kesq.com/Global/story.asp?S=3913215&nav=9qrx

Lance Corporal Michael Larin says it's good to be back home. Away from the bullets, bombs and bazooka blasts he's used to waking up to. Today, NewsChannel 3 was at Palm Springs International Airport when Larin saw his family for the first time in months. We have their reunion and some exclusive footage of the action in Iraq.

Call it a motivational video for Marines in Fallujah a unit on assignment in the Iraqi city captured this footage then spliced it together with music to share with other Marines.

We got to see it, thanks to this man, Lance Corporal Michael Larin on this day, the 20 year old Palm Desert resident came home.

"I'm really excited,” said Lance Cpl. Larin. “I'm really nervous right now."

His mother, Maria says "I'm very happy, happy. It's very emotional to see him to hold him I love him very much."

His brother Jose Chavez says Michael hasn't changed much in six months since being deployed to Iraq.

"He's been gone a long time and to see him after a whole year it's sentimental, you know?" said Larin’s brother Jose Chavez.

The lance corporal says the best part of being abroad is coming back to his family.

"You get homesick, you know, out there, just missing everybody, things you used to do."

But he has grown a bond with fellow Marines. When they're not dodging bullets and firing mortars, a couple of them dabble in making hip hop videos.

Larin will rejoin that team soon enough. He's only here on leave. But in the meantime, he says he wants to spend some quiet time with mom, his brother and friends.

Posted by CB for MarineParents.com at 10:55 AM | Permalink

OXFORD — The 110th Battle for the Bell between Miami University and the University of Cincinnati began with a somber remembrance for one of their fallen brethren.

http://www.journal-news.com/hp/content/news/stories/2005/09/28/HJN0929CIFUENTES.html
By Ken-Yon Hardy

JournalNews

OXFORD — The 110th Battle for the Bell between Miami University and the University of Cincinnati began with a somber remembrance for one of their fallen brethren.

The MU band on Wednesday remembered Lance Cpl. Michael Cifuentes, a former five-year band member who died in August while serving in Iraq.

“Mike was a five-year member of the band and it was something I really wanted to do,” said David Shaffer, MU band director. “Not only for Mike, but for his family because the band was a huge part of Mike’s collegian life.”

For 3 1/2 minutes, the fans at Yager Stadium silently paid respects to the former Oxford resident as a slide show brandishing his image appeared on the stadium’s Jumbotron as the band played “God Bless the USA.”

The 25-year-old has been terribly missed, said his fiance, Tara Reynolds, but she appreciated the kind gesture from the MU family.

“I think it was beautiful. Everybody wants to honor Michael and his family in some sort of way,” she said. “I think it is so nice because it was something that was so meaningful to Mike. They honored him and gave him a nice tribute.”

As the band formed a gigantic USA formation on the field, band alumni circled the current members carrying American flags.

“I’m really glad that Dave (Shaffer) organized this for everybody,” said Andrea Smiley, who played in the band with Cifuentes. “It’s not exactly a closure, but it’s was a very fitting tribute for Mike.”

Christa Hobe of West Chester Township said she was glad the university took time to have the tribute for Cifuentes.

“I think that it was awesome that band was able to take time and the athletic department allowed them to have time to do this for Mike,” said Hobe, another bandmate of Cifuentes.

Cifuentes, who earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology in 2002, worked as a substitute teacher at Talawanda Middle School and was enrolled in graduate school at Miami studying math education before his January departure to Iraq.

The 1998 graduate of St. Xavier High School in Cincinnati was killed Aug. 3 near Haditha, 140 miles northwest of Baghdad. The 25-year-old was one of 14 from the Ohio-based 3rd Battalion, 25th Marines killed in the attack.

Of those who died, nine were from Cifuentes’ Columbus-based Lima Company. Five of the men were natives of Southwest Ohio.

“It’s the least we can do for Mike,” said Shaffer. “He’s a Miami grad. He’s an Oxford resident. (We wanted to) give him a few minutes for something that he spent five years of his life being involved in.”

Contact Ken-Yon Hardy at (513) 820-2190, or e-mail him at khardy@coxohio.com.

Posted by CB for MarineParents.com at 10:54 AM | Permalink

Before his death, Marc Cowe spent most of his time in the Weston home he shared with his wife and their five young sons.
Sometimes he'd take the boys to Walden Pond. Sometimes he'd leave his house and return to Vietnam.
"As things went along, he'd go out on night missions," said Meg Cowe. "He'd come home with black stuff on his face. He wouldn't tell me where he'd been. (Story of Army Vietnam Vet.. good information on PTSD)

http://www2.townonline.com/weston/localRegional/view.bg?articleid=334715&format=&page=4

By Julia Spitz/ Staff Writer
Thursday, September 29, 2005

Before his death, Marc Cowe spent most of his time in the Weston home he shared with his wife and their five young sons.
Sometimes he'd take the boys to Walden Pond. Sometimes he'd leave his house and return to Vietnam.
"As things went along, he'd go out on night missions," said Meg Cowe. "He'd come home with black stuff on his face. He wouldn't tell me where he'd been.
"He started drinking more. I had concerns. I just went from day to day and hoped things would be OK," said Cowe. "There were a lot of times it wasn't OK."
Her husband killed himself with a single shot in April 1997.
"Post-traumatic stress syndrome has been around as long as there has been war," said Lyndon Jones, a social worker and team leader at the Worcester Vet Center. "PTSD is what we call it."
There were 217,893 veterans nationwide being compensated for PTSD in September 2004, according to the Department of Veterans Affairs. The bulk are Vietnam veterans, 161,028, followed by World War II, 25,061, and the Gulf War, 13,524. Figures for Iraq and Afghanistan are not yet included.
"PTSD is every war's problem," said Bruce Linnell, executive director of the MetroWest Veterans Outreach Center in Marlborough.
"It is not an illness. It is an injury. It is something you incur because of combat," said Jones. "These are hidden wounds."
A highly decorated Marine from Lawrence was sent to Bridgewater State Hospital last month to determine if those wounds made him fire a shotgun at a crowd of nightclub-goers last weekend.
Sgt. Daniel Cotnoir, 33, who was named "Marine of the Year" for his service in Iraq, pleaded innocent to attempted murder.
"This incident in Lawrence is immensely tragic," said Marlborough Veterans Agent Gary Brown. "Hopefully the government, in this case the state of Massachusetts, will help him. I hated to see him go to Bridgewater."
But the Veterans Administration hospitals aren't locked facilities, he said.
"I wish someone would go in and find the fingerprints on the glass that was thrown through his window that set him off."

Witnesses said someone threw a bottle through Cotnoir's apartment window, the kind of incident that could trigger PTSD.
For Marc Cowe, the triggers were "thunder, loud noises, certain times of year," said Meg Cowe. "His best friend was killed on his birthday. For years we weren't allowed to celebrate his birthday.
"When his VA review was coming up, he got stressed out. He was afraid they'd take away his benefits. Sitting in front of a board trying to determine how disabled he was was humiliating for him. He had a lot of shame about his post-traumatic stress."

Marc Cowe joined the Army in 1965. He earned three Purple Hearts, a Bronze Star, a Silver Star and other medals during his time as a sergeant in charge of a combat photo unit.
"In his first week (in Vietnam), all of his men were killed," his widow said last week.
During an attack on his base, he shot and killed two men he thought were Vietcong.
The Army exonerated him. He wasn't able to exonerate himself.
During a flashback, "he didn't usually know who I was," said Meg Cowe. "He was feeling and thinking and hearing things that didn't involve me. He was feeling cornered and scared. He was in attack mode. He seemed hyper alert. I'm guessing he was looking for the enemy.
"One time I took him to the emergency room. The emergency room physician was Asian. Marc was quite frightened and wouldn't let (the doctor) near him."
"There are many ways" PTSD shows itself, said Jones, the Worcester social worker. "They are very angry, they feel helpless, they don't trust others, except maybe another soldier. There are issues of communication. They also don't like crowds. They avoid crowds. They don't like to feel they can't get out. There's depression. There's anxiety.
"Everyone may be affected differently," he said.
"One vet might be more hyper-vigilant than another, always checking his perimeter, another might have more trouble with nightmares," said Linnell, director of the Marlborough center, but there are certain symptoms common enough to define the disorder.

They include nightmares and flashbacks, difficulty sleeping, feelings of detachment or estrangement, according to the Veterans Affairs Web site, and frequently occur with disorders such as depression, substance abuse, memory and cognitive problems.
Getting help
"What we are seeing here (at the Worcester center) is a flood of Vietnam veterans who never before sought treatment," said Jones. "We are also seeing veterans of World War II and Korea. This war has re-traumatized veterans from other wars who never sought treatment.

"I don't think the general public is aware of what these veterans are experiencing. They really don't know what the effect is on that person, their family, their friends."
There's a lot of people who don't know about PTSD, said Linnell.
"We work with the entire family, the veteran, the veteran's spouse, the veteran's children, parents of deceased veterans," said Jones. "We have an open door policy. It's a safe place to come to. They don't have to pay for it. They've already paid for it with their (service). They don't have to feel shame about coming for help.
"We will do whatever we can do to help them. They are the ones that are keeping our country together."
"The biggest problem with PTSD is stigma," said Matt Vogel, aide to U.S. Rep. Martin Meehan, D-5th.
The Pentagon has endorsed a media campaign proposal that would include senior officers talking about their experiences with stress. That's one of the keys to reducing the stigma and helping soldiers and veterans, Meehan said.
"I really believe the mental health of our servicemen and women in Iraq and Afghanistan will be the most important issue in the coming years," said Meehan, who has filed legislation that would mandate PTSD screening for returning soldiers and increase funding for veteran services.
"Marc spent two years inpatient in Bedford VA's behavioral unit," said Meg Cowe. "They didn't understand his symptom-ology and he didn't either. Everything he'd spent two years learning in the military they tried to have him unlearn it."

Linnell agrees, saying it's a mistake "for the general public to assume the VA is doing everything they can for these guys, because they're not ... They don't have the funding. If people want to do something they should call their congressman" and push for more money for veterans' care.
"Through the VA we spend $3 billion a year on mental health," said Meehan. "We might have to double that to do it correctly, but we owe it" to our servicemen and women.
Julia Spitz can be reached at 508-626-3968 or jspitz@cnc.com<

Posted by CB for MarineParents.com at 10:45 AM | Permalink

MARINE CORPS AIR STATION FUTENMA, OKINAWA, Japan(Sept. 28, 2005) -- Firefighters have a common enemy, regardless of the color of their uniform. Marines recently assisted airmen in order to maximize training against this dangerous foe.

http://www.marines.mil/marinelink/mcn2000.nsf/0/202545B63AA7E1568525708B0004DE20?opendocument

Submitted by:
MCB Camp Butler
Story by:
Computed Name: Pfc. Terence L. Yancey
Story Identification #:
2005928205310

MARINE CORPS AIR STATION FUTENMA, OKINAWA, Japan(Sept. 28, 2005) -- Firefighters have a common enemy, regardless of the color of their uniform. Marines recently assisted airmen in order to maximize training against this dangerous foe.

Aircraft Rescue Firefighting Marines with Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron, Marine Corps Air Station Futenma, recently coordinated with Kadena Fire Emergency service airmen in order to conduct simulated aircraft fire training at the Marines’ burn site Sept. 23.

Kadena’s training facilities are undergoing repairs, so the Marine Corps’ aircraft rescue firefighters opened up their training facility to the airmen.

The airmen, who are part of the 18th Civil Engineer Squadron, are tasked with the responsibility of responding to aircraft crashes and flight line fire emergencies like their Marine counterparts.

According to Tech. Sgt. Alton Robinson, a firefighter with Kadena Fire Emergency Services, the unit was able to coordinate with the Marine Corps’ Aircraft Rescue Firefighting team in order to get this essential training done.

The ARFF Marines provided fire trucks and supervised the Airmen’s’ training. In the past, the ARFF team has also opened their fire pit to other services and agencies.

“Anytime another service or organization needs to use the pit we try to accommodate them,” said Chief Warrant Officer-2 Danny Rominger, emergency services officer with Aircraft Rescue Firefighting branch, Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron, MCAS Futenma. “We’ve opened up training to Marine Wing Support Squadron 172, 9th Engineer Support Battalion and the Army. We’ve also done cross training with Marine Corps Bases Japan’s fire department.”

According to Rominger, MCAS Futenma is one of the last Jet Propellant 5 fuel pits still in operation. Most other firefighting units switched to pits fueled with propane, which can be extinguished much easier. The benefit of using JP5 is that the fire is more realistic and takes longer to put out.

“In a real emergency we’d use foam, which would put the fire out in seconds,” Rominger said. “In training we actually work harder than we’d have to in an actual situation, to make sure we’re prepared.”

Military aircraft rescue firefighters are required to do aircraft burn training twice a month.
“It was great getting to interact with the Air Force and see how they operate,” said Lance Cpl. Chad E. Glaser, an aircraft rescue firefighter with H&HS, MCAS Futenma.

Marines and Airmen in the firefighting field attend the same formal occupational school at Goodfellow Air Force Base, Texas. The school teaches the basics of fighting aircraft and structural fires and first aid.

According to Robinson, however, the training never ends, as service members are constantly training and improving their skills.

Posted by CB for MarineParents.com at 10:37 AM | Permalink

MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP PENDLETON, Calif.(Sept. 29, 2005) -- Camp Pendleton-based Marines preparing to replace II Marine Expeditionary Force units in Iraq now have a more high-speed option to complete their military education.

http://www.marines.mil/marinelink/mcn2000.nsf/0/75789117499EBCE08525708A006ABA4F?opendocument

Submitted by:
MCB Camp Pendleton
Story by:
Computed Name: Sgt. Enrique S. Diaz
Story Identification #:
2005928152545

MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP PENDLETON, Calif.(Sept. 29, 2005) -- Camp Pendleton-based Marines preparing to replace II Marine Expeditionary Force units in Iraq now have a more high-speed option to complete their military education.

The Marine Corps Institute now offers Marines the opportunity to complete their correspondence courses by testing online, sending a scanned answer sheet by e-mail, or faxing a copy of the answer sheet.

Previously, Marines in Iraq could only send the completed tests by mail.

That process would take three to five weeks, with the packages occasionally getting lost during delivery, said Cpl. Dale R. Vogel, a professional military education assistant at the Marine Corps Institute in Washington, D.C.

According to the MCI website, tests submitted by mail are graded within 24 hours of receipt and the scores entered in the system within 48 hours.

Now a training noncommissioned officer can administer tests to Marines anywhere and anytime, so long as he has the exam, a computer with Internet access and command unit verification report (UVR) access.

As soon as the Marine finishes the test online, it is immediately graded and the score is entered within 24 hours, said Vogel.

Training NCOs who want access to the command UVR must have their senior leadership, O-3 and above or E-8 and above, request the password for the program, said Vogel.

Complimenting the grading improvements, most courses can now be downloaded from the MCI website, making it easier for Marines to take their study material with them anywhere they go.

Future plans by the Marine Corps Institute include adding the exams to the electronic test process. This would virtually eliminate the need for a Marine to need any paper-based media, said Vogel.

Camp Pendleton Marines interested in learning more about the command UVR will have an opportunity to speak directly with representatives from MCI early next year as they are tentatively scheduled to visit the base during March.

In the meantime, Marines can go to www.mci.usmc.mil or call 800-MCI-USMC for more information.

Posted by CB for MarineParents.com at 6:56 PM | Permalink

Think female Marines are any safer than their male counterparts in Iraq?

Tell that to Sgt. Alisha J. Harding.

http://www.marines.mil/marinelink/mcn2000.nsf/0/73eb34dd23c1b84d8525708a00690aad?OpenDocument

Submitted by:
MCB Camp Pendleton
Story by:
Computed Name: Lance Cpl. Ray Lewis
Story Identification #:
200592815720

MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP PENDLETON, Calif.(Sept. 29, 2005) -- Think female Marines are any safer than their male counterparts in Iraq?

Tell that to Sgt. Alisha J. Harding.

“It just wasn’t our day,” said Sgt. Alisha J. Harding, reflecting on the fateful day when she and 12 other servicemembers be-came the target of a car bomb in Fallujah, Iraq, June 23.
Harding, along with 11 Marines and one sailor, were traveling to Camp Fallujah in a 7-ton truck when the
vehicle was hit.

“We were on the way back … from working entry control points searching Iraqi women,” said Harding, a multi-channel radio operator with Headquarters Battery, 11th Marine Regiment.

In Iraq, many female Marines are tasked with searching Iraqi women as a show of respect for the local culture and customs.

As Harding and the others approached the first entrance coming into Fallujah, an unknown vehicle containing three people advanced toward Harding’s 7-ton truck. After initially halting at the request of the Marines, the vehicle turned out and left the area.

Suddenly, the vehicle containing a man, a woman and a child and two propane tanks sped for Harding and the other servicemembers, striking the side of their truck.

“I remember distinctly hearing the explosion – a hiss, then the bomb – a big explosion,” said Harding.
Harding said she then saw a ‘big ball of fire’ coming toward the truck with ‘tons of black smoke.’

“I wasn’t scared or nothing but adrenaline was definitely pumping,” she said.

“My main concern was getting the (hurt) females out of the area,” she added.

Five Marines and one sailor were killed in this incident.

With a contused knee, second- and third-degree burns, Harding rolled out of her truck, grabbed other wounded female Marines and took them to safety behind the truck.

“Then I grabbed more (females) and led them to the other 7-ton in front of us,” Harding said.

Harding said her injuries didn’t stop her from moving forward even after the incident.

“I just put my pack back on and kept going,” she said.

“I’m ready to go back out (to Iraq). It’s my job – it’s what being a Marine is all about,” she said.

Harding encourages other other Marines to stay resilient during deployments.

“Stay strong and keep your mind in the game because you’ll never know what duty you’ll get,” she said.

Posted by CB for MarineParents.com at 6:43 PM | Permalink

CAMP BAHARIA, Iraq (Sept. 7, 2005) -- On the verge of coming home, they still remember their first impressions of Fallujah in early March. It was desolate, ruined, and filthy. The staccato sound of gunshots and tank cannons still seemed to echo through the abandoned city streets and crumbled buildings months after major conflict had ended.

http://www.usmc.mil/marinelink/mcn2000.nsf/main5/E961AED9438A9BDC8525708B0000F0AF?opendocument

Submitted by: 2nd Marine Division
Story Identification #: 2005928201016
Story by Cpl. Mike Escobar

CAMP BAHARIA, Iraq (Sept. 7, 2005) -- On the verge of coming home, they still remember their first impressions of Fallujah in early March. It was desolate, ruined, and filthy. The staccato sound of gunshots and tank cannons still seemed to echo through the abandoned city streets and crumbled buildings months after major conflict had ended.

"It looked like something out of post-World War II Germany," stated Sgt. Matthew Dreher, a 25-year-old reservist from Arlington, Va. "Everything was destroyed and there was really nobody walking about the city streets."

It was this portrait of misery that Dreher's six-man civil affairs unit, Team 3, Detachment 2, 5th Civil Affairs Group, set out to repaint immediately after their arrival here.

The provisional reserve unit, created in January, came armed only with their rifles and a rudimentary knowledge of how to accomplish the massive task before them; helping rebuild a city in shambles and restoring the area's broken infrastructure.

Dreher said Team 3 members had received hasty pre-deployment classes while in the states on Iraqi culture and how to conduct Civil Military Operations (CMO). But much of their knowledge of performing humanitarian missions was drawn from their civilian occupations. Policemen, firefighters, engineers and civil workers all came together as Team 3 to embark on their humanitarian mission.

Seven months after first arriving here, the Marines reflected on the progress and community growth they helped bring about, a success not created by the team's efforts alone.

"Every project we did in these areas, we accomplished with the help of the Iraqi government and local contractors," explained Maj. Chris E. Phelps, Team 3's leader. "We merely worked as project managers and facilitators behind the scenes, sort of like the wizard behind the curtain in 'The Wizard of Oz.' Our goal was never to come here to do things for the people, but to help set up their government and infrastructure enough so they could do it themselves. Ultimately, we worked to 'fire' ourselves and make ourselves obsolete."

Altogether, Phelps' team spent $4.85 million dollars on 38 completed, ongoing or projects pending approval by the local government. These community projects affected the Northern Fallujah area and nearby Saqlawiyah, a rural township miles outside the city.

In Fallujah alone, Team 3 coordinated with local officials and contractors to remove 200 tons of rubble from the city streets.

This beautified the area and made the flow of foot and vehicle traffic more efficient, while also eliminating places for terrorists to stash improvised explosive devices.

Additionally, Team 3 helped contract a local mine-clearing company to de-mine the fields surrounding Fallujah's train station. Insurgents previously occupying the city placed these explosives here in hopes of deterring the Coalition Forces' advance, Phelps said.

He added that Iraq's Ministry of Transportation wanted to improve roads near the previously mined field, but needed it cleared before labor commenced.

Notable also is the progress and democratic social reform Team 3 Marines helped bring about in Saqlawiyah. This farming community had remained nearly untouched by the military's helping hand until April, when Coalition and Iraqi forces began operating in the area.

"When we first got to Saqlawiyah, the people didn't know the fighting in Fallujah was over," said Staff Sgt. Darian Patterson, Team 3's staff noncommissioned officer-in-charge. "You had (displaced) people living inside schools, because they had nowhere else to go."

Many of these citizens' temporary residences were in disrepair, Patterson continued. In Saqlawiyah's al-Dahr school's restroom, there was one working toilet and no sinks for their 160 students.

"In the U.S., we never see raw sewage, especially not at places with kids, such as schools," Patterson stated. "My wife is a social worker, and all I could think about was how she would go ballistic in a place like this."

Working alongside Saqlawiyah's city council, the team began addressing the school’s sanitation and structural flaws. Thirty-three schools in the community received first aid kits, and local contractors refurbished the al-Dahr facilities. Now, the school has running water, four new toilets and two new sinks.

The Saqlawiyah medical clinic was another site Team 3 helped improve. The Marines and stateside nongovernmental organizations would routinely donate and distribute thousands of dollars worth of medical supplies there, including syringes, laboratory gloves and sanitizer solution.

In May, the team facilitated the clean-up of a biohazard material dump site behind the clinic, along with bringing biohazard waste incinerators to prevent future buildup.

Navy Seabees working with Team 3 had also erected an information read board outside the clinic, where the two- to- three hundred residents who visit the clinic daily can read about upcoming community events.

"We always appreciate the help we receive from the CAG and our good cooperation with the Marines here," stated Dr. Ayad al-Hadithy, one staff member at the clinic. "They have helped us restore many vital services to this clinic and its patients."

Approximately $1.5 million dollars will also be invested to renovate the local water plant and the piping that transports it to the surrounding areas, a system Phelps said has seen no maintenance in more than 30 years and has been sickening some of the populace with cholera.

Nearly one million dollars was also spent on revamping the city's power system by installing new power lines and transformers to ensure that as many residents as possible have electricity in their homes. This system had been untouched in 25 years, and the restoration will affect tens of thousands of residents here, said Majeed Na'amah Khalifa, a member of the Saqlawiyah city council.

It is Khalifa's own body of legislation that is to thank for many of these projects coming to fruition, Phelps said. Since late April, when Marine and Iraqi military leaders first met with the council, Phelps said he has noticed vast improvements in the local officials' relationships with their community.

"The CAG had started to back off from our more active role in city affairs lately, because the Saqlawiyah city council is speaking to the council in Ramadi and making a case for their people's needs," he continued, explaining how Saqlawiyah's representatives bring up community projects their people would like to see accomplished to the governing body in the provincial capital city. "Council members would tell me that local people now stop them on the streets to thank them and say, 'Hey, you're really representing me.'"

Working in conjunction with the local government and Team 3 were the Marines of Company A, 1st Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment and Iraqi Security Forces. Together, they provided a secure environment for police forces to reenter Saqlawiyah. Since 2004, the community had been lacking civil law enforcement personnel. Currently, approximately 70 policemen patrol the streets while operating out of a headquarters safeguarded from insurgents by Company A Marines and ISF personnel.

"I feel that everything came together in Saqlawiyah in the end," Phelps stated. "All the good things that happened in that area were a direct result of what the Marines on this team did with the community. Saqlawiyah was our little slice of the war."

After months of tirelessly conducting civil military operations, Patterson said Team 3 will leave Iraq richer for the experience of having aided an emerging democratic nation. Almost as valuable as the infrastructure they started helping restore is the personal growth each Marine underwent here.

"I know I came here with a closed mindset, not wanting to care about the people and only wanting to do my job to get home," he continued. "Meeting people like Dr. Ayad and our 'terps' (interpreters) changed all that. This job made us all remember that we're warriors as well as human beings. I'm excited about getting home to my wife and son, but I know we'll be leaving some great friends behind."

"We came here thinking we would help hundreds, but we ended up helping thousands," Dreher added. "We put our hearts and souls into this job for the past seven months. Now we see people walking down the streets and markets open for business. I feel like I'll leave a big piece of my life back here."

The team will depart Iraq in late September upon being replaced by members from the 6th CAG, who will continue their legacy. Phelps said his Marines will return to their respective parent reserve commands, and the provisional 5th CAG will be disbanded "to go down in Marine Corps history."

Now, Team 3 leaves Iraq with one of Phelps' favorite quotes in mind, that of 18th century philosopher Edmund Burke stating, "The only thing necessary for evil to exist is for good men to remain silent and do nothing."

These six men took these words to heart during their time in Iraq, and learned that even a small team operating in a country ravaged by war and insurgency can create a ripple of hope for a brighter tomorrow.

Posted by CB for MarineParents.com at 4:36 PM | Permalink

A Marine lieutenant colonel who served as a military adviser in Iraq said more progress is being made in Iraq than news media report.

http://www.reflector.com/local/content/news/stories/2005/09/28/20050928GDRIraq.html
By T. Scott Batchelor, The Daily Reflector

Wednesday, September 28, 2005

A Marine lieutenant colonel who served as a military adviser in Iraq said more progress is being made in Iraq than news media report.

Russell Jamison Jr. used photographs, a video and accounts from his time in Iraq during a presentation to the Conservatives, Arise! Political Action Committee during the nonpartisan group's meeting Tuesday at Ryan's Family Steak House.

The 44-year-old Bronze Star winner, stationed at Camp Lejeune but scheduled to go back to Iraq, said he came back from his tour "very optimistic."

"Now is not the time to be fainthearted," Jamison said.

Action there is part of the war on terrorism, he said. Jamison was overseas from October to May.

He told the nearly 40 people who showed up for the talk that he was in the Pentagon on Sept. 11, 2001, when terrorists flew a plane into the building.

"I'll never forget that day, and I have no question in my mind why I was over in Iraq," he said.

Instead of shaking the foundation of the United States, "the terrorists now find Americans at their best," Jamison said.

The Islamic terrorists who attacked America and who are battling troops in Iraq and Afghanistan believe the United States is Satan, and "nothing we do will persuade them otherwise," he said. They must be "hunted down, rooted out and destroyed: There is no other alternative."

The lieutenant colonel had some close calls while in Iraq, including one incident when a terrorist exploded his car bomb in front of Jamison's Humvee, causing one Marine to lose an eye.

Jamison said there are many positive developments in Iraq, including the training of more than 100,000 troops, which was part of his mission. "These are Iraqi troops, they are led by Iraqis."

The vast majority of terrorists causing problems in the country – Jamison says they are not "insurgents" – are from other countries such as Syria and Jordan, he said.

"The clear majority of the Iraqi people are trying to get their country back together" after the reign of Saddam Hussein, he said.

The major news outlets don't paint an accurate picture of the situation in Iraq, Jamison said.

"Where is the truth teller in Iraq?" he asked. For example, Jamison said the tough battle to roust the enemy out of Fallujah was widely covered by print and broadcast journalists.

"How many of you have seen a report on Fallujah lately?" he asked. Jamison said water service has been restored in the city, electric power is on for 16 hours a day, three hospitals are operating, as well as the police station and schools.

The news media don't report on every airplane that lands safely for good reason, because that's routine, Jamison said. But the progress in Iraq isn't routine and should be reported and placed in context, he said.

He said the media's focus on Cindy Sheehan, the mother who's son was killed in Iraq and who is calling for withdrawal, is another example of a lack of focus.

Though Jamison said he respects her right to voice her opinion, "She is aiding and abetting our enemy."

Committee member Rachel Sturz asked if negative reports about the ongoing war in Iraq cause morale problems for troops.

"In the overall scheme not at all," Jamison said. "Your too busy to worry about what's being said back here," he said.

Greg Dority asked Jamison what he thought about members of Congress calling for a withdrawal time frame.

Americans should trust that "there is a plan," Jamison said, though commanders and officials aren't openly sharing it for security reasons. Key to troop withdrawals is training the Iraqi army, he said.

"That's going to take some time," he said.

There is still "a lot of bad over there," Jamison said. "It's astounding what Saddam did to those people."

T. Scott Batchelor can be contacted at sbatchelor@coxnc.com and 329-9567.

Posted by CB for MarineParents.com at 1:54 PM | Permalink

MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. (Sept. 28, 2005) -- Gunnery Sgt. Jeff Chang was called up to active duty just over a year ago and has been busy ever since.

http://www.usmc.mil/marinelink/mcn2000.nsf/main5/CB057AE7F7AE55188525708A006BD187?opendocument
Submitted by: 2nd Marine Division
Story Identification #: 2005928153739
Story by Cpl. Athanasios L. Genos

MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. (Sept. 28, 2005) -- Gunnery Sgt. Jeff Chang was called up to active duty just over a year ago and has been busy ever since.

Chang, now 38, was called up at the age of 36 to prepare for a deployment to Iraq where he would be working with the Scout Sniper Platoon. He would make it official graduating from the school here Sept. 28 as one of the oldest Marines to ever make it through the course.

“I knew from the get-go I would be at a physical disadvantage,” Chang said. “I knew I would be competing with Marines that were almost half my age.”

The Fort Wayne, Ind., native decided to see a prior service recruiter and re-enlist to follow the path he felt was necessary. Many years ago Chang got out of the Marine Corps in what he called “the pinnacle of his career” after deploying to Operation Desert Storm and wasn’t sure if he was going to come back.

“I was in the perfect retirement situation when I got out,” Chang stated. “It was like a coach who retires after getting three Super Bowl rings.”

His decision join the Corps again led him to Iraq and then here to be certified as an official Marine Corps Scout Sniper.

Chang arrived here knowing all to well that he was going to be looked at in a different light than the normal Marine going through the course. He knew he was going to struggle physically because of the age difference, but with his prior experience as a sniper on the SWAT team of his local police force, he would fill in the gaps.

“At first I struggled to keep up, but I also expected my previous training and experience to pay off,” Chang stated. “I have some training under my belt, have been to Iraq as a sniper, and at times I was the sole sniper with the police force back in Fort Wayne, Ind.”

The scout sniper program is one of the many schools offered at the School of Infantry. Leadership is a main focus for the advanced courses such as the sniper’s course. Chang came into his scenario with more experience than most of his peers. His time as a police officer and deployment to Iraq with a sniper platoon added to his wealth of knowledge he brought to the table.

“I was the scout sniper platoon sergeant in Iraq, and I was placed in that billet based on the training and experience I had in my civilian career as a police officer,” Chang said. “In the last five years I have been to six different civilian law enforcement sniper schools.”

Chang has seven children and a wife at home who have given him their full support in following his goals in life despite a busy schedule over the past year and a half. Chang has maintained his professional career as well as his personal life. He went from being home with his family everyday to being away for a 10-month deployment and a 10-week school.

“There is no doubt that none of this would have been possible without my family, and by that I mean my wife,” Chang said. “On the one hand this is a personal accomplishment, but the bigger picture is that my wife and my children sacrificed 10 times more than what I did.”

Now that Chang has completed a deployment and school, he has planned to return home to Indiana and continue his job with the Fort Wayne Police Department and discuss with his wife the possible options the Marine Corps may have to offer in the near future.

Posted by CB for MarineParents.com at 11:24 AM | Permalink

MARINE CORPS AIR STATION IWAKUNI, Japan (Sept. 28, 2005) -- As you all may already know, the Torii Teller, your devoted, weekly reading material, is bidding its last hand, as this is the final hard-copy issue.

http://www.usmc.mil/marinelink/mcn2000.nsf/main5/B973DAF4B7ADF7B38525708B000F2000?opendocument

Submitted by: MCAS Iwakuni
Story Identification #: 2005928224512
Story by Lance Cpl. Cristin K. Bartter

MARINE CORPS AIR STATION IWAKUNI, Japan (Sept. 28, 2005) -- As you all may already know, the Torii Teller, your devoted, weekly reading material, is bidding its last hand, as this is the final hard-copy issue.

This newspaper will be our way of honoring the Torii Teller's dedication to the community providing information, laughs and smiles over the past 50 years.

No more will you have to deal with crumpled and missing pages, or an old edition. The new, and might we add improved, Torii Teller will be all electronic, updated daily with stories of news, features and sports events. Just by the click of your mouse yourself, family back in the States and friends in different countries can check out what is going on here, in Iwakuni.

Now, let's take a walk through the past and see how the Torii Teller has evolved over time, taking its many steps into the future.

Back in the 1950's, when the Pink Ladies and Thunderbirds were ever so popular, the Torii Teller was a magazine. During this time there were no computers or amazing machines that would copy a paper with the push of a button. There were diligent Japanese employees, who had no comprehension of the English language, picking individual letters from a box and placing them in their proper order to form words.

Once a page was complete, a combat correspondent would go through the galley and proof read it. Each galley would usually have more than 75 errors on it. This was the tedious weekly process that it took to keep the Station residents informed.

Outside of the Torii Teller office at that time, Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni was the Station that harbored United Nations forces at the start of the Korean Conflict. Because of Iwakuni's tactical proximity, it allowed UN pilots the opportunity to fly on a daily basis in support of the leading edge troops in Korea. Iwakuni was deemed the "Gateway to Korea."

April 1, 1952, MCAS Iwakuni was actually U.S. Air Force Base Iwakuni. A few months later the torch was passed on to the U.S. Navy, which cleared the way for the First Marine Aircraft Wing headquarters. In the midst of Iwakuni's transitions, America shifted as well.

In the early 50's, men were the breadwinners and women, who attended "Civics classes" to learn how to be proper, were the housewives. Most agreed right from wrong, there were no shades of gray; everything was black and white. Once the Elvis Presley's rock n' roll era took over in the mid to late 50's, children had voices, the fashion was drastic and the music and hairstyles were all that mattered. Kids would go to drive-in movie dates and play backseat bingo (necking in the back seat of a car), or go to a high school dance to do the mashed potato, twist and the pony.

In 1956 the cost of a coke was 10 cents and a gallon of gas was 23 cents. The average income for a four-person family was $5,319. Ten years later, in 1962, the 1,400-acre Air Station was named MCAS Iwakuni. The Torii Teller, still a magazine, followed up on the Vietnam War making sure to give Station residents up-to-date information. This was also the decade when female Marines first stepped foot on the Station.

As time went on, the Torii Teller remained a magazine until July 7, 2000, when it morphed into a newspaper. For the past five years Station residents have used the weekly newspaper as their way of getting the inside scoop of past, current and future events. It has been our goal, as combat correspondents, to provide you, the readers, important information. With the Torii Teller moving into the future of digital news, we hope the transition will be smooth and easy. Bear with us as we get our Web site updated. We all thank you for all of the support you have provided us throughout the years.

Posted by CB for MarineParents.com at 11:20 AM | Permalink

AL ASAD, IRAQ (Sept. 28, 2005) -- When duty in Iraq called twice in two years, they were ready and continued their steadfast support of the Iraqi people and their desire to live in freedom. (HMM 764/ MAG-26/ 2nd MAW)

http://www.usmc.mil/marinelink/mcn2000.nsf/main5/C5AE280A8631BD8C8525708A002E25A5?opendocument

Submitted by: 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing
Story Identification #: 20059284242
Story by Cpl. Cullen J. Tiernan

AL ASAD, IRAQ (Sept. 28, 2005) -- When duty in Iraq called twice in two years, they were ready and continued their steadfast support of the Iraqi people and their desire to live in freedom.

The Moonlighters of Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 764, Marine Aircraft Group 26, 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing, have recently finished their second deployment in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.

HMM-764 is a reserve CH-46E Sea Knight squadron based out of Edwards Air Force Base, Calif. The Moonlighters will be returning to the United States after flying 3,800 mishap-free combat hours, transporting 14,918 passengers and hauling 26,972 pounds of cargo.

“Our primary mission was assault support,” said Lt. Col. Jacques Naviaux, the commanding officer of HMM-764. “Seven days a week, 24 hours a day, we were ready to move Marines, Soldiers and Iraqis throughout the area of operations.”

In a country where the roads are plagued with improvised explosive devices, the Moonlighters provided a much safer mode of transportation, flying Marines over the IED threat.

“We were able to save lives by being here,” said the San Diego native. “Seventy percent of our missions were flown under the cover of darkness. The Marines of HMM-764 thrived in a combat environment.”

Although Marines can sometimes get complacent at Al Asad, Naviaux said that the enemy threat is very real.

“We had a rocket land on the flightline, damaging three of our aircraft,” said Naviaux. “We were able to repair them over here, but it served as a reminder to all the Marines that we are in a combat zone.”

Marines throughout the squadron will go home with war stories, memories of turning wrenches in 120 degree heat, and many different experiences from two deployments into combat zones.

“I remember one time during (Marine Corps Marital Arts Program) training,” said Cpl. Deborah Myatt, an administrative clerk with HMM-764 from Lancaster, Calif. “It was 10 a.m. and we were finished for the day. We all put our hands in for the motivational cheer and boom, (indirect fire) goes off real loud and real close. I found out later it hit a gunnery sergeant in the face and she was later awarded the Purple Heart.”

While deployed, the Moonlighters didn’t let the high operational tempo stop them from training. They earned 60 different higher belts in the MCMAP, attended college courses, fired and carried the M-1014 Joint Service Combat shotgun, trained new crew chiefs and had eight combat meritorious promotions.

“Their maturity, confidence level and the way the Marines carry themselves has been extremely professional,” said Sgt. Maj. Daniel D. Townsend, the sergeant major of HMM-764. “It was a phenomenal task keeping the aircraft constantly flying and every Marine in the squadron attributed to that effort. We had great support from MAG-26 and Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron-26. The entire 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing welcomed us with open arms. It was a total team effort.”

The Columbus, Ohio, native, said the back-to-back deployments were especially hard on the families of reservists who do not live close to a Marine Corps installation. He said the Moonlighters’ Key Volunteer Network was fabulous and the communication from Al Asad to the United States was consistent.

“It was a good, quick seven-month deployment,” said Myatt, who is the current noncommissioned officer of the quarter for HMM-764, MAG-26 and 2nd MAW. “The time went by fast because we were constantly working, training and learning. We lived in a building with a cement roof, so I felt safer sleeping at night.

“While I’ve been here I’ve matured, and thought more about my life and career goals. If I don’t pick up sergeant and make it to the drill field, I know I want to be in the reserves for at least 20 years.”

Some of the Moonlighters said their second deployment wasn’t as exciting as their first, but they all are ready to get back to their families and loved ones.

“You make do with what you have,” said Cpl. Jarred Bolin, an avionics technician with HMM-764. “We have already been through this, under harder conditions. Now at Al Asad, we have running water. Even if the water isn’t clean enough to drink, it’s a luxury. Getting the birds up to fly missions was a fast-paced mission and we transported a lot of troops.”

According to Townsend, the Marines will leave Iraq with an experience level head and shoulders above what it was, as well as a couple pounds sweated out on the flightline in the desert heat.

“I’m a better Marine and I think a better person,” said Myatt. “One day at the (dinning facility) we met some people who spoke broken and had been tortured under the Saddam’s regime. One didn’t have an ear, and another’s brother had his tongue cut out of his mouth. Talking to them, I realized it’s not about (weapons of mass destruction) or fighting, it’s about people. People shouldn’t have to live in fear.

“These people didn’t have the freedom of speech we take for granted in the United States, like the right to protest. They are fighting to have their own country now. I think the Iraqi police are so brave. They put their lives and their family’s lives on the line every day so they might one day live in freedom.”

Posted by CB for MarineParents.com at 10:54 AM | Permalink

U.S. MARINE CORPS FORCES PACIFIC, CAMP H. M. SMITH, Hawaii(Sept. 28, 2005) -- The U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Pacific, Security Augmentation Force conducted their first quarterly training exercise at the combat pistol course, Puuloa range, Sep. 23.

http://www.marines.mil/marinelink/mcn2000.nsf/0/0a935fdb84e028de8525708b001142b2?OpenDocument
Submitted by:
Marine Forces Pacific
Story by:
Computed Name: Lance Cpl. R. Drew Hendricks

Story Identification #:
200592823831

U.S. MARINE CORPS FORCES PACIFIC, CAMP H. M. SMITH, Hawaii(Sept. 28, 2005) -- The U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Pacific, Security Augmentation Force conducted their first quarterly training exercise at the combat pistol course, Puuloa range, Sep. 23.

The SAF Marines are specially trained to assist security forces already attached to the base in any emergency situation, or if the base goes to a higher threat condition.

“We need the SAF just in case anything threatens the base or if something like 9/11 happens again,” said Sgt. Matthew E. Nale, the noncommissioned officer in charge of training the SAF.

This specific course is meant to go beyond the scope of annual training and re-qualification to give the Marines a more combat-oriented experience.

Training like this is used to help Marines hone their skills to prepare them for activation, according to Nale.

During the course, Marines shot 6,000 9mm rounds from several different positions, distances and courses of fire.

They also had to become especially proficient in failure and exposure drills.

“Failure drills are, simply, where the shooter puts two rounds to the chest and one to the head. It is the most effective way to bring down a target,” said Cpl. Daniel Rosales, a member of the SAF and a supply clerk here.

Exposure drills are used to simulate an assault on a building. The Marine walks the line with his weapon at the alert. The targets, which are lined up along side of the firing line, will randomly turn. The Marine will then face and engage the target with a failure drill.

This drill forces the Marine to keep a level head while at the same time maintaining speed and accuracy.

“The purpose of this is to get the Marines out of the qualifying mindset and allow them to get a glimpse of what it might be like in combat,” said Nale. “In combat, there are no rules and no one is going to be there to tell you how to put rounds on target; it has to be instinct.”

Each course deals with a different aspect of shooting. One requires the Marines to shoot on the move, another at close range, and the most challenging involves the Marines firing from their backs.

“Being on your back in combat is never a situation you want to find yourself in,” said Sgt. Shane D. Oltman, a member of the SAF and a supply clerk here. “Even so, it’s good to train for it so you know what to do if it does happen.”

The MARFORPAC training office wants to do as much combat-oriented training as possible. They’re calling on Marines who are willing to put in a little hard work and have some fun while doing it.

“This was definitely motivating training. We didn’t just step up to the line and shoot, we were able to do some things that actually resembled combat,” said Cpl. Jonathan E. Knight, an administrative clerk and a SAF member here.

According to Nale, this training is focused on preparing the Marines to react quickly and without hesitation when the time arises for them to use their pistols. This requires them to be completely comfortable with their weapon.

“The reason I think this is so important is because I have been in combat with Marines from a variety of non-combat-arms jobs who are put into life or death situations and they have no clue how to react,” said Nale, referring to the many occasions where he provided security for non-infantry Marines.

No matter what the Marine’s job is, he has to be prepared for combat. The SAF can provide quality training to anyone willing to volunteer. Any Marine interested in joining their ranks must first send the request up their chain of command.

“Butcher, baker or candlestick maker, it doesn’t matter who you are, you need training like this,” said Nale. “Iraq is not going anywhere and neither is Afghanistan, you have to be ready and to do that you need to train hard like these Marines did today.”

Posted by CB for MarineParents.com at 10:50 AM | Permalink

AL ASAD, Iraq (Sept. 28, 2005) -- Army soldiers have been getting defensive around Marines in the Al Anbar province of Iraq, but only for a good cause (2nd LAAD Marines)

http://www.usmc.mil/marinelink/mcn2000.nsf/main5/261F2ED5D65CAF378525708A003A2D39?opendocument

Submitted by: 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing
Story Identification #: 200592863526
Story by Cpl. Micah Snead

AL ASAD, Iraq (Sept. 28, 2005) -- Army soldiers have been getting defensive around Marines in the Al Anbar province of Iraq, but only for a good cause.

Soldiers from the 1st Battalion of the 109th Infantry (Mechanized) took over force protection operations in and around Al Asad, Iraq, in August. The Scranton, Pa., Army National Guard unit assumed responsibilities for interior and convoy security from the Provisional Security Battalion Marines of 2nd Low Altitude Air Defense Battalion.

“It has been an interesting deployment so far,” said Army Staff Sgt. Brian Hagy, a squad leader and Lexington, Ky., native. “This is our first time working with Marines so we weren’t sure how it was going to go. But, we worked really hard to prepare and things have been good so far. We’ve always been on the same team, just this time we’re a lot closer than normal.”

The unit was augmented by Soldiers from other states including Kentucky, Tennessee and Maryland. After being activated in January, they spent six months training for their mission at Camp Shelby, Miss., and Fort Irwin, Calif. The training not only prepared them for their mission here, but taught them to rely on each other as well, said Army Cpl. Anthony Brandi, a radio operator and repairman.

“It was tough, but worth it out here,” the Tobyhanna, Pa., native said. “We had a lot of time to get to know each other, work as a team and practice the same things we’re doing now.”

The security detail does not limit the Soldiers to manning guard posts and checking for proper identification. The battalion’s companies rotate responsibilities for interior security and convoy security missions. During convoy missions, Soldiers escort Marines and other personnel out of Al Asad, secure whatever location their mission calls for and escort everyone back into base.

D Company recently escorted engineers and other personnel from Marine Wing Support Squadron 272 and Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 24 to Baghdadi for repairs on Al Asad’s pipelines for water.

“This was the third time my company has done the water pipe repair,” said Army Capt. Jeff Cole, D Co. commander and Berea, Ky., native. “The company we relieved did it several times. We provide clear and secure (support) before the repair team arrives and then provide security while they conduct the repairs.”

The performance of the Soldiers on these missions has been outstanding, said Cole.

“I had high expectations of my Soldiers, and they have exceeded them,” Cole said. “They learn quickly and adapt well to change.”

While the Soldiers have settled into their roles, they are far from becoming complacent and keep a constant thought in mind, said Cole.

“Security, security, security,” Cole said. “I always tell my Soldiers not to become complacent, no matter how many times we do this or any other mission. We cannot take anything for granted out there. Also, I am thinking about my next move and how to remain flexible in case I have to FRAGO (change) the plan.”

Other personnel who fall under the battalion’s blanket of security are the Marines of the 6th Civil Affairs Group. The Marines assess battle damage and arrange reparation payments with Iraqi citizens affected by fighting with insurgents. They also seek out community leaders to assist the locals in any way they can. The protection provided by the Soldiers allows the Marines to operate without threatening the Iraqis they are trying to help.

“Sometimes I’m a pay agent, other times just a representative of Civil Affairs. But, every time we try and introduce ourselves to the elders and see what the children or the community needs,” said Cpl. Jayson Wolcott, civil affairs noncommissioned officer and Greenville, S.C., native. “So far it’s been very enjoyable being able to talk to the troops from various units and listen to their experiences.”

For the Soldiers of 1-109, an average day may mean standing post in an observation tower or kicking in doors to root out insurgents but thoughts of the future are never far from reach.

“Every time we go out, I am focused on completing our mission,” said Hagy. “Because I know every mission completed brings me one step closer to being home with my wife and daughter. That’s all the motivation I need.”

Posted by CB for MarineParents.com at 10:49 AM | Permalink

FALLUJAH, Iraq—When a rocket-propelled grenade was fired near their fortified house in the Jolan district of Fallujah, the Marine advisory team and their Iraqi soldiers went to investigate. Finding that the shooter had fled and that the dust-caked residential area was quiet, Lt. Col. Jim MacVarish, the senior adviser on Mobile Training Team 7, returned to his house to plan the next day's operations. (1/6 Marines)

http://slate.msn.com/id/2126905/entry/2126990/

From: Bing West
Subject: City of Discontent
Wednesday, Sept. 28, 2005, at 3:42 AM PT

FALLUJAH, Iraq—When a rocket-propelled grenade was fired near their fortified house in the Jolan district of Fallujah, the Marine advisory team and their Iraqi soldiers went to investigate. Finding that the shooter had fled and that the dust-caked residential area was quiet, Lt. Col. Jim MacVarish, the senior adviser on Mobile Training Team 7, returned to his house to plan the next day's operations. The advisers live in a fairly defensible compound, with open space to the north and south. To the east, 15 feet away on the other side of the compound wall, was another two-story house occupied by a large Kurdish family. Usually, at twilight children were playing in the driveway. Tonight there were none.

"Where're the kids?" MacVarish asked the sergeant major of the Iraqi battalion he was advising.

"The irahibeen [terrorists] just killed the father at his work downtown,'" the sergeant major said in a measured tone. "The family is packing to leave."

The sergeant major was also a Kurd. The bereaved family had relatives in his village and would depart for there the next morning. The irahibeen had broken the legs of the dead man's brother five days earlier, a warning to leave their home of 30 years and get out of Fallujah. They were Kurds, and they lived next to the Iraqi soldiers and their infidel advisers.

MacVarish, a Marine reservist who taught high-school physics in Massachusetts, was angry and frustrated.

"We don't know who did it," he said. "All we can do is offer the widow a little rent for the house. At least she'll have some money coming in. We'll tell our comptroller we need the house for security. Hell, it's true. We'll occupy it. The last thing we need is terrorists moving in next door. This is a bad neighborhood."

The Jolan district has the worst reputation in a city with a bad reputation. Laid out in a square grid of wide boulevards, Fallujah comprises 2,000 blocks of courtyard walls, tenements, two-story concrete houses, and squalid alleyways. Half-completed houses, garbage heaps, and wrecks of old cars clutter every neighborhood. In March of 2004, four American contractors were murdered and their burnt bodies dragged through the souk and strung up on a green trestle bridge. The Marines were ordered to seize the city. But when the fighting began, U.S. and Iraqi officials lost their nerve as Al Jazeera painted a grim picture of civilian casualties and ferocious fighting. The Marines were ordered to pull back, and the terrorists ruled the town. Last November, the Marines smashed their way back in.

The terrorist headquarters was in the Jolan, the district leading to the green trestle bridge. The Marines fought down the alleys and streets, leaving destruction in their wake. Less than a year later, the Jolan had sprung back to life. The shops near the trestle bridge were overflowing with electrical appliances, satellite dishes, bright pottery, heaps of fruits and vegetables, open-air markets, crowded cafes, and swarms of semi-employed men and youths. Piles of bricks lined the sidewalks as residents repaired their houses.

But an aura of intimidation and hostility hung over the Jolan. When a journalist asked if he could take a few pictures, the Marines and Iraqi soldiers readily complied—by blocking off traffic so the journalist wouldn't be shot.

As the grieving Kurdish family left the city the next morning, MacVarish decided to go into the heart of the Jolan. It was a gesture to show that the murder had not intimidated the Iraqi soldiers. Capt. Khodar Juwad, commanding the 3rd Company in the 2nd Battalion, eagerly agreed. His soldiers would go to the site of the worst torture house in the city, near Jolan Park where the insurgents had their headquarters until they were pushed out of the city last November. Juwad picked out the house using a detailed photomap. Perhaps a terrorist gang in the neighborhood, if surprised by the sudden appearance of soldiers, would shoot instead of hiding among the residents on the streets. While MacVarish called Marine Battalion 1/6 to have a Quick Reaction Force standing by, Juwad chose a route in and out of the park that required no backing up or going down the same street twice.

In four vehicles, the Iraqi platoon raced down a labyrinth of back streets and screeched to a stop in front of a house that had a pronounced cement balustrade. A frightened man quickly opened the iron door in the courtyard wall while passers-by disappeared into their houses. No, the man said, he did not own the house. It was empty, so he had moved in. The Iraqi soldiers walked to the rear, where, they believed, a dank, dirt corridor had once led to cells smeared with blood and feces. Instead of a dirt floor and molding walls, there was clean parquet and white-washed walls. You built over the cells, the soldiers said. No, no, the man exclaimed in delighted relief, you are looking for the torture house. That was next door, not here. Same house as this, but it's gone.

To avoid questions about ownership of the house, he rushed out, banged on the courtyard door of a nearby house, and scooted away. Across the street, workmen were placing scaffolding on a new brick house that would not look out of place in a middle-class neighborhood in Palm Springs. A large man in a white dishdasha opened the door and Cpl. Ahmed Brahin, 20, confronted him.

Brahin, a Shiite, had joined the Iraqi army when he was 13. Somehow, in April of 2003, he had latched onto a Marine battalion on its way to Baghdad. A born linguist, he had remained with Marine units for the next 30 months and spoke the Marine patois with the ease of a grizzled gunnery sergeant. Brahin hit the man in the dishdasha with a barrage of fast questions, shaking his head at each answer.

"He's giving me the usual Fallujah jive," Brahin said. "His mother owns the property across the street. Used to be a good house, until the Marines destroyed it. So, they're rebuilding it from scratch, and the Marines won't give them any dough. Says it's bull that it used to be torture house. This is a fine neighborhood. The Marines are the problem."

Showed a computer picture of the house standing after the battle, the man shrugged. Well, maybe the Marines didn't destroy it entirely. Anyway, it's gone now, and it was never used for torture. The next picture showed a cell inside the house. Yes, the man said, his brother was insane, apt to kill people. So, he locked him up to protect the neighbors. He was shown a picture of a second cell. Yes—he had locked up two homicidally inclined brothers. He himself had fled when the fighting started and left his brothers behind. The Marines came and shot them. Shown a picture of a dead man in the cell, he said yes, that was his brother. But he wasn't shot. His legs were cut off. Who did that? The man shrugged.

"Time to move," Brahin said. "This guy's lied to us long enough. If we question him any longer, the irahibeen will kill him on general principle."

Brahin walked down the street as if looking for another address.

"They're all the same," he said. "They know who controls the Jolan. Besides, they hate the Iraqi soldiers as much the Marines. We're Shiites, outsiders. I feel it every day in their eyes. Anyone tells us anything, he'll die. [The insurgents] can't stand up to us in a fight, though."

As the patrol walked away, three young schoolgirls passed by the site of the torture house. They clung together and looked sideways at the spot.

Posted by CB for MarineParents.com at 10:43 AM | Permalink

CAMP FALLUJAH, Iraq(Sept. 28, 2005) -- Most Marines in Iraq consider themselves lucky when they walk away from one improvised explosive device attack, but two, or even three? (2nd Tanks)

http://www.usmc.mil/marinelink/mcn2000.nsf/0/DF6E77E7496450A58525708A004225EE?opendocument

Submitted by:
II Marine Expeditionary Force (FWD)
Story by:
Computed Name: Sgt. Christi Prickett
Story Identification #:
20059288230

CAMP FALLUJAH, Iraq(Sept. 28, 2005) -- Most Marines in Iraq consider themselves lucky when they walk away from one improvised explosive device attack, but two, or even three?

Sergeant Matthew P. Dalrymple, team leader, 2nd TOW Platoon, 2nd Tank Battalion, 2nd Marine Division, is just like any other Marine in his unit. Except for the slight scarring on his right hand, the large bruises on the underside of his arm or the small, freshly bandaged shrapnel wounds, no one would guess he is recovering from his third IED attack.

It’s business as usual now for the Chillicothe, Ohio native. No big ceremonies were given for the two Purple Hearts he’s received since April.

“I don’t need any ceremonies,” said the 26-year-old. “I just got the certificates in formation, and that was that.”

Nicknamed Dallas in high school because of the hard time people have pronouncing his name, Dalrymple is on his second deployment to Iraq in four years. The first one brought no injuries to him.

“The difference between the first and second deployments are the tactics the enemy is using,” he said. “During the initial push, we were fighting an army. Now we’re fighting terrorists. We didn’t have armored vehicles or anything like that the first time because IEDs weren’t a threat.”

Looking at pictures of the vehicles he was riding in during the blasts, Dalrymple doesn’t seem affected by any of the events. The first IED blast was in April, while the second was in July, and the third in September. He talks about each photograph while recalling what went on minutes after each attack.

“The corpsman bandaged up my hand after the first one,” he said, looking at the small scars he has on his finger now. “The second attack I can hardly remember and the third one could have been a lot worse had the IED gone off even a second earlier.”

Dalrymple received follow-on treatment and physical therapy at Fallujah Surgical to regain full movement with his right middle finger, which was injured in the first blast. He is grateful to the doctors on the outcome of his finger, and remembers what he was thinking as he was getting operated on.

“The normal reaction after you get hit is to get the guys who got you,” he said. “That’s what I was thinking when I had to go in.”

According to his platoon commander, Dalrymple is a vital part of the team.

“If IEDs are out there then you can count on Sgt. “Dallas” to blow them up for us,”
said 1st Lt. Sean D. Gobin. “He has always reacted aggressively against the triggerman, which proved successful during his second IED attack in which his crew destroyed the IED team.”

Aggressiveness is something the Marines in the platoon have been taught since training for this deployment began.

“Being aggressive has been our key to success in hunting down the insurgents,” said Gobin. “The Marines have to be able to think and act faster than the insurgents do.”

Dalrymple feels the Marines are doing good things here.

“I do think we’re changing Iraq,” said Dalrymple, a black belt in tae kwon do. “I think the Iraqi’s want [the insurgents] gone as much as we do. They just don’t have our capabilities. If we deter the insurgency in a certain area, things start to get better there.”

Dalrymple and his fellow Marines covered a large area of Al Anbar province, including Ferristown and Amariyah during 2nd TOW platoons six month deployment here.

“We did dismounted and mounted patrols, cordon and searches, cache sweeps and [main supply route] security,” Dalrymple said. “We’re out all the time, depending on the mission.”

The areas included many insurgent hot spots, which puts the platoon in the heart of what the war on terror is all about. Add to that the threat of another attack, and Dalrymple is a great example of a fearless Marine.

“What gets me out of bed each day is knowing we have a job to do,” said Dalrymple. “I enjoy what I do. I was in the reserves before I came on active duty, so I knew what I was getting into.”

When returning home, Dalrymple has a surprise waiting for him.

“My wife had our first baby in August,” he said with a smile. “I can’t wait to see him.”

EDITOR’S NOTE
Please feel free to publish this story or any of the accompanying photos. If used, please give proper credit to the writer/photographer, and contact us at: cepaowo@cemnf-wiraq.usmc.mil so we can update our records.

Posted by CB for MarineParents.com at 10:39 AM | Permalink

ORLANDO, Fla. - (KRT) - When the two Marines met at Camp Lejeune, N.C., in the spring of 2001, their hair was cropped military-style close.

http://www.fortwayne.com/mld/newssentinel/living/12762056.htm

BY JEAN PATTESON

The Orlando Sentinel

ORLANDO, Fla. - (KRT) - When the two Marines met at Camp Lejeune, N.C., in the spring of 2001, their hair was cropped military-style close.

Today, Jon Proechel and Patrick Reed wear their hair long and shaggy, rock-video style.

Their hairdos aren't the only things that have done an about-face since the ex-Marines settled in Orlando three years ago. They've also swapped guns for scissors, salutes for air kisses, and uniforms for outfits that are head-turning trendy.

These former Marines are now self-taught fashion designers, investing about $10,000 of their savings in the endeavor, and they are launching their first collection of hip, military-inspired, his-and-hers styles under the label Poetic Rage.

They dream of owning a chain of boutiques someday. But for starters, they'll sell their collection of shredded jeans, camo-patched jackets and canvas pistol belts on their Web site, poeticrageclothing.com. It will be open for business by the end of September.

Military-inspired fashion was huge when Iraq was first invaded, says Paige Blackwelder, co-owner of trendy Tuni boutique in Winter Park, Fla.

"It's not as big now, but there's still a definite military theme going on," she says. "I've seen a lot of jackets for fall with metal buttons and epaulettes. Diane von Furstenberg is doing these great tiered skirts in olive with striping that look military-influenced."

A top seller in her store this summer was "a cute camouflage cropped pant," says Blackwelder.

On a recent sweltering afternoon, the Poetic Rage design duo are shooting images for their Web site in downtown Orlando, Fla. Their staging area is Antigua, a club on Church Street. Clothes and combat boots are scattered over the dance floor. A tattooed model sits on a barstool as a makeup artist dabs purple glitter shadow onto his eyelids. A photographer fiddles impatiently with her camera.

"Let's go, let's go," barks Reed, as two female models emerge from a restroom-turned-dressing room wearing tank tops and skirts trimmed with camouflage patches. "Jon, see if they need any more accessories."

One thing Reed hasn't forgotten from his time in the Marines is how to give orders.

"I was in a position where I had to delegate: `Do this, do that,'" he says. "I like it when things are planned, go smoothly."

He's learning, however, that fashion shoots rarely proceed with military precision. After the inevitable problems - one model's shoes are too big, another's jacket is too small - they're ready to start shooting.

Reed, who is not as buff as the two male models, solves the jacket problem by modeling it himself. A swipe of eyeliner, a spritz of hairspray, and he's ready for his close-up.

After their meeting at Camp Lejeune, Reed and Proechel were assigned to the same six-month "float" in the Mediterranean. But they didn't hang out together, and their personal styles couldn't have been more different.

Proechel, 26, blond and laid-back, was into designer fashion. The slender, frenetic Reed, 25, preferred the hip-hop look.

"We weren't even on first-name terms," says Reed.

Proechel, who is from Upstate New York, joined the Marines in 1997. During his four years of active service, he served in 19 countries, came within hearing distance of combat during a brief stay in Kosovo, and was discharged two days before the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001.

He ended up in Orlando because his parents moved here, and he wanted to study acting at the Lisa Maile school. To pay his rent, he took a bartending job on International Drive.

One day he called a buddy who was still in the Marines. The buddy put Reed on the line.

"I talked about bartending, acting classes," says Proechel. "He said he was also interested in acting and wouldn't mind bartending. After that, we talked every few weeks."

Reed, who is from Tennessee, was discharged in the summer of 2002. His four-year stint in the Marines included three weeks at Gitmo, the prison camp at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.

"When I got out, I packed my life in my car and drove straight to Orlando," he says.

The two rented a house near I-Drive and tended bar together. They went to the same concerts, patronized the same hairdresser. And they started modifying their jeans and T-shirts, giving them a distinctive vibe with military-style patches, name tags and hand-stenciled graphics.

"Whenever we'd go out, people would look at us weird," says Reed. "We were different. We had our own style. People often mistook us for a gay couple."

Friends and acquaintances also asked where Reed and Proechel bought their clothes.

"We started doing designs for them, just as a hobby," says Proechel. "Then about a year ago we got serious about Poetic Rage."

No one was more surprised than Proechel's father, Bob Proechel, president of the American Safety Council in Orlando.

The pair are "talented young men who think outside the box," he says. "And the most amazing part: They've never asked me for a penny. They're doing it on their own."

Reed explains the Poetic Rage name:

"We wanted to use our initials, P and R, so we came up with all kinds of combinations, words starting with P and R.

"Poetic Rage is an interesting oxymoron. Everybody has a poetic side and a rage side, a light and dark side. We liked the way it sounded," he says.

The designing Marines have learned by doing. They incorporated their business, took out an occupational license and found suppliers of basic garments_jeans, shirts, track jackets.

Proechel learned to use a sewing machine. Reed experimented with fabric paints. Together they interviewed seamstresses and Web-site designers.

Their home's upstairs became their design studio and office. It's where they sketch, shred, sew and paint, listen to music and swap ideas.

The UPS truck shuttles up and down the drive. It hauls away shirts to be embroidered with slogans such as IT'S OK2B DIFFERENT. It delivers bundles of beanies, bracelets, blue jeans.

To test consumer reaction, Proechel and Reed took a sampling of their designs to the Vans Warped Tour concert in Tampa in early August.

Even though they slashed their prices, charging about $10 for items that eventually will retail for closer to $25, they cleared $600.

"That's a lot of $5 and $10 items," says Reed.

A best seller was their "Gitmo" T-shirt, featuring a giant key on the front, and a bird behind bars on the back.

Annie Gordon, a friend of Reed from Nashville, Tenn., owns a Gitmo shirt.

"It's military- and music-influenced, but it's also art," says Gordon, 25, an administrative assistant. "To me, I'm wearing art."

Chris Meyer, one of the design team's models, was able to keep all the clothes he wore during the photo shoot. His favorite is a black baseball cap with the Poetic Rage logo.

"It's the name people like," he says. "It's very catchy. All the stuff is pretty cool."

There is a military or patriotic twist to most of their designs, Proechel says - stars, stripes, eagles. "But it's not obvious unless we explain it."

The fashions aren't designed to make a statement about war, he says. "They're just reminders of our time in the military, most of it good. We'd never change the experience for the world, and there are times when we miss it - the camaraderie, the organization."

Being in the Marines "helped me mature a lot," says Proechel. "It makes me strive harder, concentrate more on trying to make something successful."

Besides, he says, "If it wasn't for the Marines, we'd never have met. Never had the drive to do something as crazy as Poetic Rage."

Posted by CB for MarineParents.com at 10:38 AM | Permalink

Outside Al-Ubaydi, Iraq -- From a short distance, the town of al-Ubaydi looked peaceful, even serene. Poplar trees and date palms threw shade on cookie-cutter concrete houses nestled in the silt-rich valley of the Euphrates River. The turquoise onion dome of a sandstone mosque presided over the town's southern frontier, just 300 yards north of the dusty hillock where Marine Sgt. James Sawyer's armored humvee stood. (3/6 Marines)

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/c/a/2005/09/28/MNGF8EV3UF1.DTL

Anna Badkhen, Chronicle Staff Writer

Wednesday, September 28, 2005

Outside Al-Ubaydi, Iraq -- From a short distance, the town of al-Ubaydi looked peaceful, even serene. Poplar trees and date palms threw shade on cookie-cutter concrete houses nestled in the silt-rich valley of the Euphrates River. The turquoise onion dome of a sandstone mosque presided over the town's southern frontier, just 300 yards north of the dusty hillock where Marine Sgt. James Sawyer's armored humvee stood.

That was until an 82mm mortar round came screaming through the air, biting into the parched wasteland about 100 yards in front of Sawyer's vehicle. Another round whooshed past, kicking up dust and spewing shrapnel up to 300 yards behind it. A third overshot the humvee by 200 yards. Immediately, Sawyer's position came under automatic weapons fire from behind a gray storage building in front of the mosque. "We saw rifles firing at us from behind the corner of the house, but we didn't see actual people, and we didn't pursue them," said Sawyer. "I'm not going to take my personnel in four vehicles into that town."

The sudden attack came from insurgents loyal to Abu Musab al-Zarqawi and his organization, al Qaeda in Iraq, who have boldly taken over al-Ubaydi and at least four other key western Iraqi towns in this western corner of volatile Anbar province, U.S. Marines and local residents say.

Marines of the 3rd Battalion, 6th Marines Regiment, who are stationed in the area, say they come under attack every time they approach al-Ubaydi, and no U.S. troops enter the town where the insurgents appear to have free reign. The highway outside the town, on the border with Syria, is marked with anti-American and anti-Iraqi government billboards signed by "al Qaeda organization."

One signs reads: "Our religion will not be strong without the book and the sword."

Local residents interviewed at two Marine checkpoints outside al-Ubaydi described what amounted to a reign of terror inside their town.

"I myself buried six men they had executed and left by the side of the road," said Alallah Ahmed Mahmoud, 47, a worker at the local phosphate factory. He said one of the dead had been beheaded, the others shot in the head, execution-style.

"We were told that they had been helping Americans and the Iraqi army," said Mahmoud. He was fleeing al-Ubaydi, taking his wife and three young daughters, because it was unsafe there, he said.

Marines manning a checkpoint on the ancient Silk Road, which runs along the Euphrates River and past al-Ubaydi, said they have heard similar stories from local residents.

"We've heard some reports that they are getting out and executing people, and they are not being particular about whom they execute: women and children as well as adult males," said Gunnery Sgt. Dave Ruble, 36. The accounts could not be independently confirmed.

Ruble said cars laden with family belongings had been passing through the checkpoint for days as residents flee al-Ubaydi and four other towns that Marine officers say insurgents now control: Al-Qaim, Sada, Karabila and Dulaym al -Husayba.

"They feel like there's a fight coming, and they don't want to hang out for a fight," Ruble said.

Some al-Ubaydi residents said insurgents were using the town's mosque as a headquarters where they plot attacks on U.S. troops.

"They use the mosque to make plans, and they don't let us inside," said Abud Mahmoud Abu Mahal, an old man who was fleeing the town with his teenage son.

Mahmoud, the phosphate factory worker, said insurgents had posted signs throughout the town telling local residents about the correct way to pray and ordering them to wear traditional dishdashas, the long traditional robe, instead of Western-style pants and shirts, which the signs describe as haram, or sinful.

On Tuesday, Marines attached blocks of C4 explosives to a blue metal billboard that read, in yellow and white letters: "A spy brings shame on his tribe. Al Qaeda organization."

"This is basically a sign warning people not to collaborate with the Americans, so we're gonna blow it up," said Sgt. Derrick Link, 32, from Michigan.

If the Marines and the fleeing townspeople are to be believed, the insurgents' tactics are having some success. Several residents, who refused to give their names when interviewed at Marine checkpoints, said everything inside al-Ubaydi and other towns in the area was normal. They denied that insurgents had taken control of the area and were enforcing strict Islamic law there or that there was any fighting or executions in the area.

"A lot of them are afraid to talk to us because they're afraid the insurgents will kill them," said Lt. Chuck Hayter, 26, from Montana.

So far, the Marines have done little to challenge the insurgents.

Because they come under fire every time they approach, no U.S. soldier has been inside the town since June, when a group of about 400 Marines "made it about six blocks into Ubaydi, and they didn't have enough firepower" to counter the weapons of the insurgents holed up inside the town, said Lt. Brian Fischer, 23, from Florida.

"They had to retreat," Fischer said.

Lt. Col. Julian Alford, commander of the 3rd Battalion, said the Marines were planning a large joint counterinsurgency operation together with Iraqi troops. But he did not say when the operation would take place. As of Tuesday, there were no signs of Iraqi forces in the area.

For now, Marines maintain a permanent checkpoint about 1.5 miles south of the town and camp out at a desert outpost they call Battle Position Belleau Wood -- a cluster of berms and shipping containers half-dug into ankle-deep fine dust and covered with sandbags and camouflage netting, surrounded by a 7-foot wall of dust and rocks. The outpost, which the Marines set up 12 days ago, is being shelled by mortars almost daily, Fischer said.

"The job here is to just have the presence," he said.

Occasionally, the Marines launch what they call "presence patrols" near the town, to see what kind of firepower their enemy has. On Tuesday, during one such patrol, a platoon led by Sawyer, a 27-year-old from Maine, came under attack just outside al-Ubaydi. None of the 15 Marines on patrol was hit, nor was it known whether their return fire had killed or wounded any of the insurgents.

"Looks like a quiet little neighborhood," Sawyer said in the afternoon, when his platoon revisited the spot where they had come under attack several hours earlier. "Until you start getting shot at," he added, studying the town through the scope of his M-16 rifle.

E-mail Anna Badkhen at abadkhen@sfchronicle.com

Posted by CB for MarineParents.com at 10:31 AM | Permalink

The military does a phenomenal job of providing counseling for soldiers who might be traumatized after wartime deaths of those they serve with, said Dodge County Sheriff Todd Nehls, who recently spent a year in Afghanistan as a colonel in the Wisconsin National Guard.

http://www.wisinfo.com/thereporter/news/archive/local_22781603.shtml

By Patty Brandl
the reporter pbrandl@fdlreporter.com

The military does a phenomenal job of providing counseling for soldiers who might be traumatized after wartime deaths of those they serve with, said Dodge County Sheriff Todd Nehls, who recently spent a year in Afghanistan as a colonel in the Wisconsin National Guard.

Sgt. Andrew Wallace, of Oshkosh, and Spc. Mich-ael Wendling, of Mayville, died Monday when their convoy hit an improvised explosive device (IED) in southern Iraq.

Losing a friend to something like an IED shouldn’t happen, but it does, Nehls said. And despite the tragedy, soldiers must deal with it and move on.

When casualties occur, commanders usually arrange a standard ceremony right away so the soldiers can pay their respects.

“As soon as you go through the ceremony and say goodbye, it’s back to work as usual — because you have to,” he said. “It helps the healing to stay busy.”

Nehls said National Guard units tend to be closer knit than regular Army.

“You have Guard units where soldiers have been together five, 10 or 20 years,” he said. “Two high school classmates riding in the same vehicle — you don’t get that in the Army, and you don’t get that in the Marines. The Guard keeps them all together. That’s the way it should be — you fight together the way you train.”

Nehls said soldiers from the Fond du Lac and Ripon areas made up a large part of the 2nd Battalion, 127th Infantry Regiment.

“It was all local kids in that unit,” he said. “When something happens, it impacts our area in a major way.”

Nehls said there will soon be about 3,000 Wisconsin National Guard troops serving in the Middle East.

“We have two infantry battalions there right now,” he said. “One is getting ready to come home, and another is getting ready to go over there.”

Despite the deaths of their fellow soldiers, Wisconsin Guard members love what they’re doing, Nehls said.

“Even after a tragic event like this, you would be hard pressed to find any that would say, ‘Bring me home,’” he said. “These deaths are a constant reminder that we should not take freedom for granted. The price to remain free and keep our country free at times comes with a price. These soldiers paid that price for all of us. They are heroes. May they never be forgotten.”

Posted by CB for MarineParents.com at 10:29 AM | Permalink

Navy doctor reflects on service in Iraq. (served with 3/8)

http://www.mtexpress.com/index2.php?issue_date=09-28-2005&ID=2005105502

By MATT FURBER
Express Staff Writer

Lt. Ryan Frieder, a Navy doctor serving with the U.S. Marine Corps in Iraq, returned home on leave this month to visit with family, friends and classmates of Wood River High School's Class of 1993.

Frieder, 30, has been serving just east of Fallujah, Iraq. He arrived there in January, following a major offensive in the area that occurred on Nov. 4, 2004.

"Since January 2005, the camps have been fairly safe. Out on the roads it is still pretty dangerous out there," he said in an interview between mountain bike rides with his brother. "We had about 45 of our Navy hospital corpsmen leaving the base on a daily basis to do patrols, re-supply, re-stock, recover vehicles that had broken down—a wide variety (of tasks) in addition to triage and care of Marines and Iraqi civilians."

Frieder, who is serving as a Navy doctor with the 3rd Battalion of the 8th Marine Regiment, said one of the big problems was when insurgents fired at the U.S. military or Iraqi forces, the mortar rounds and other ordnance often would cause civilian casualties. Frieder said soldiers and civilians alike would be brought back to the base where trauma experts could treat them.

"We would go through lulls with only minor shrapnel wounds, ruptured eardrums or broken bones."

Then, he said, there were weeklong periods with numerous fatalities.

"They coincided with us pushing into a community," he said, explaining that although his group was largely responsible for securing Al Karmah, a city about the size of Twin Falls northeast of Fallujah, the military would push forward to establish new bases, which would cause increased pressure on insurgent groups.

"Our policy was anybody we injured we helped," he said, explaining that he is not scheduled to return to Iraq. In fact, following his current leave, he will be preparing for a tour of the Mediterranean Sea and the Persian Gulf as part of a Marine expeditionary unit, which is trained to respond to any type of mission when called.

"I have a little sense of relief," he admitted about not going back to Iraq. "But, I'm not going to pat myself on the back until it's all over."

Before his deployment to Iraq, Frieder served in Haiti, where he carried out missions to give health care to children.

"Our Marines didn't have to worry about security as much down there, so they were more feasible," he wrote in an e-mail last spring in a dispatch that he sent after having a rare opportunity to care for some of the children.

Frieder said much of the success for the Marines has been based on intelligence tips from locals.

"We apprehended about 550 people. For 350 we had sufficient evidence to send them to Abu Ghraib Prison," he said, explaining that sometimes the military would fly Marines to Baghdad to testify.

Frieder said that there were about 700 Iraqi troops assigned to his battalion.

"They were divided amongst our line forces," he said, hopeful that eventually Iraqi troops will be able to maintain security at least in the area around Fallujah. "The Iraqi soldiers did a great job. The Iraqi public is more willing to cooperate with them. They are able to pick up on different dialects, accents. It was very beneficial to have those guys. Marines are pretty close to the Iraqis—a lot of them live on the same bases. They patrolled together for seven months. They made huge steps forward in our area. We've seen they can have a huge impact on the battle space."

Frieder said the Iraqi soldiers carry the same gear as the Marines, but that they typically carry AK 47s confiscated from insurgents rather than the standard M16s used by U.S. troops.

Frieder still has two years of required military service, and the battalion he is serving with next will be trained to mobilize rapidly where needed. In Iraq, his job was to supervise some 60 enlisted Navy corpsmen, who, like Army medics, tend to ailing troops on the front lines.

Sometimes called a "Med float," Frieder considers his next tour considerably lighter duty compared to his Iraq experience. He estimated that 75 percent of his Marine colleagues were involved in some type of roadside action or mortar attack.

"Some of the guys had multiple close calls," he said, adding that he could count at least 100 combat-related injuries to U.S. soldiers. He said about six of the medics working under him received Purple Hearts. "There was one who lost his right leg below the knee and one who suffered severe inhalation injuries."

Frieder estimated that his Marines suffered eight combat fatalities. He remembered also that during his tour of duty a Department of Defense interpreter died from drowning after a Humvee crashed in a canal road.

Frieder said there are a number of soldiers currently being treated at the Bethesda Naval Hospital in Maryland and others in San Antonio, Texas.

"They are definitely in a recovery process," Frieder said, explaining that many of the injured resist being medically separated from service. "Most of these guys want to stay in."

Frieder said he was hopeful that in his area in another year the Iraqi soldiers might be able to maintain stability, but he said in other parts of Iraq the battle is very difficult.

"My personal belief is that without a ruler there, I think it's a power vacuum. Dozens of factions are vying for power. A lot of innocent people are dying when insurgents are trying to attack us."

Frieder said in his opinion the need is to help people get to the negotiation table and substitute violence for political power.

He said the Marines decreased the level of violence 75 percent around Fallujah. Violent incidents dropped from 160 incidents per month to 40 incidents per month by July.

Frieder said that from a professional standpoint his experience in Iraq has been a good lead to anesthesiology training he has planned when he gets out of the military. On a personal level, he said he looks forward to traveling during peacetime, but he has little interest in going back to Iraq unless conditions change. "It would be awesome to visit Baghdad someday. But, conditions now are not amenable to sightseeing."

Frieder said one of the greatest things about his military experience has been the support he has felt.

"People have such a great support for the troops, regardless of their position on the war or the Bush administration," he said. "Most of the troops over there are 19 to 21 years old. It is a hostile environment. It's nice for them to go home and have people support them. They will flat out say this is awesome."

He said the most frustrating part of combat for the Marines was not being able to see the enemy.

"Losing your cool is not going to win this war. Being calm is what is going to do it," he said. "This is an information-driven war. Time will tell whether or not it was the right thing to do."

For now, Frieder is looking forward to his duty at sea and not returning to Iraq.

"There is a slight chance if all hell breaks loose I might have to go back."

Posted by CB for MarineParents.com at 10:25 AM | Permalink

ENCINITAS ---- After two back-to-back combat tours in Iraq, 22-year-old Marine Sgt. Rene Escobar said he is often touched by the simple gestures of civilians who reach out to thank him and his fellow Marines. (3rd AAB)

http://www.nctimes.com/articles/2005/09/28/news/coastal/20_10_559_27_05.txt

By: DARRIN MORTENSON - Staff Writer

ENCINITAS ---- After two back-to-back combat tours in Iraq, 22-year-old Marine Sgt. Rene Escobar said he is often touched by the simple gestures of civilians who reach out to thank him and his fellow Marines.

Escobar was one of about 30 Camp Pendleton Marines and Navy corpsmen who were lavished with lunch, free beer and many warm pats on the back by North County residents Tuesday at Encinitas Elks Lodge 2243.

"This is probably the best way they could say thanks ---- I mean, just inviting us over like this," he said, clutching a drink fresh from the open bar.

"But that's not why we do it," he said. "We don't ask for much."

About 45 members of the lodge and friends from a local American Legion post packed individual "love bags" ---- because they were "made with love," as one woman put it ---- full of homemade cookies, toiletries and other treats for each Marine and sailor.

Almost all of the troops, members of Pendleton's 3rd Assault Amphibian Battalion, have been to Iraq at least twice.

Seeming a little stiff at first ---- the Marines dressed in khaki service uniforms and sailors in their whites ---- as they mingled with the mostly senior members of the lodge, the troops soon warmed up to their hosts, swapping war stories with veterans and indulging others in endless questions about families, hometowns and combat.

"We love it," said Lance Cpl. Donnie Chapman, 21, of Cape Cod, Mass., his cheeks flushed by either his icy drink or the series of hugs and kisses on the cheek given by some motherly Elks.

Ruth Osborn, a former Marine sergeant who organized Tuesday's midday mixer, said the residents of Encinitas and communities to the south don't have the same opportunities to talk to Marines as do residents in the communities that surround Camp Pendleton.

"These people are a little more eager about the Marines," she said of her group's members as she directed her 24-year-old granddaughter in some of the prelunch arrangements Tuesday.

Her Korean War veteran husband, 77-year-old retired Marine Gunnery Sgt. Norman Osborn, said he participated in the lunch because "once a Marine, always a Marine."

He said he and other residents just wanted to show support.

"They feel like they can do their part, which in this war they haven't really been able to yet," he said.

"It just needs getting done," said Marilyn Taranto, after making sure an empty-handed Marine got a drink. "Somebody's got to give these guys the honor and respect they deserve."

After some initial socializing, the lunch bell rang and the troops lined up to load plates with fruit salad and green beans, chicken, rice and ham.

Some drenched their meals with an extra ladle of hot gravy at the behest of 66-year-old Encinitas resident Barbara Dodd. She and her husband, Korea veteran Dave Dodd, prepared the food.

Johnny Johnson, 82, a Marine pilot who said he flew 63 missions in World War II, sat near 20-year-old Navy Corpsman Giancarlo Fenner of Baltimore, and next to Marine Cpl. Mark Galindo, 21, of Bakersfield.

"Were you in the invasion?" Johnson shouted across the table to Fenner, leading the group into a series of war stories they swapped over platefuls of meat and gravy.

Fenner said it was fun talking to old-timers who fought in conflicts that he had only read about and heard retold in Marine and Navy lore.

"It's good to share all this history ---- theirs and ours," he said later.

Johnson marveled that Galindo, only 21, and so many of the other young troops had been to Iraq twice.

"Been there, done that," Galindo said of his most recent tour in the insurgent stronghold of Ramadi. He and Johnson, though separated by more than 60 years, seemed fast friends.

He said the effort by Encinitas residents to thank him and the others was "awesome."

"It's awesome to see the support that just about every community in the country gives us," he said, before turning back to more stories and food.

Before the gifts were handed out and the Marines stood onstage with a microphone to introduce themselves, retired Marine Col. Jack Kelly took a break from the bar to say a few keynote remarks to the troops.

"What you are seeing here today is ordinary Americans, people who want to take time out to say 'thank you,' " he said.

He blasted the media for not reporting more accomplishments in Iraq and said the Marines were defending America against "the devil."

"(Americans) should get down on their knees and thank God that we have men like you defending our country," he said.

Contact staff writer Darrin Mortenson at (760) 740-5442 or dmortenson@nctimes.com

Posted by CB for MarineParents.com at 10:17 AM | Permalink

CHERRY POINT - Marine Corps changes in command structure become effective Saturday and mean one less general for Cherry Point.

http://www.newbernsj.com/SiteProcessor.cfm?Template=/GlobalTemplates/Details.cfm&StoryID=23805&Section=Local

September 28,2005
BY Sue Book View stories by reporter
Sun Journal Staff

CHERRY POINT - Marine Corps changes in command structure become effective Saturday and mean one less general for Cherry Point.

The first such reorganization in more than a decade follows similar moves by all other branches of the service and internal discussion for more than a year.

"The Marine Corps is realigning the command of our bases and stations to improve command and control and provide better support to the operating forces," said Capt. Mike O'Connor, head of the facilities branch at the Navy Annex in Washington.

He said the under secretary of the Navy approved the plan Sept. 6.

Goals include improved readiness, streamlined communications, better joint forces alignment, improved unitization of regional assets and infrastructure, and potential savings through economy of scale.

Headquarters for the eastern segment of the new command will be at Camp Lejeune, "and the base commander at Camp Lejeune elevates to Commanding General of Marine Corps Installations East," O'Connor said.

Gen. Robert C. Dickerson now commands Camp Lejeune and will be the first in that position. His current base command position is filled by a colonial, who reports to MCI-East, as will base command posts at Cherry Point, New River and Beaufort, S.C., as well as Marine Corps Air Facility Quantico, Va., Marine Corps Logistics Base Albany, Ga. and Blount Island Command in Jacksonville, Fla.

The position of commander of the Second Marine Aircraft Wing will still be headed by a general, presently Maj. Gen. Thomas L. Moore, and will still be based at Cherry Point.

The general position assigned to command Cherry Point since that base was commissioned May 20, 1942 as Cunningham Field will now be "used by the Commandant of the Marine Corps for the Global War on Terrorism," O'Connor said.

Brig. Gen. Charles S. "Steve" Patton, the last general to occupy the Cherry Point Commanding General billet, was deployed to Iraq early this year after assuming command in August 2004. The assignment, his fourth at Cherry Point, followed work as deputy director of warfare integration assessment under the chief of Naval Operations at the Pentagon.

Col. David Buland has served as acting commander since that time and is expected to continue in that capacity following deactivation ceremonies Friday at Cherry Point.

Ceremonies for the Camp Lejeune command changes, including commissioning MCI-East, are slated for Tuesday.

The Marine Corps expects the realignment, which was "kept very internal" to avoid any appearance of connection to the 2005 Defense Base Realignment and Closure process, to "have no job losses associated with it and has to be implemented with existing resources."

Sue Book can be reached at 635-5666 or sbook@freedomenc.com.

Posted by CB for MarineParents.com at 10:13 AM | Permalink

Shelters Go To FEMA For Command And Operation Centers

http://www.rockbridgeweekly.com/rw_article.php?ndx=1915

By Patte Wood
Staff Reporter

Base-X Inc has donated nearly $100,000 of Shelters to FEMA to help with Hurricane relief efforts. The donation includes large shelters to provide the infrastructure for two complete command and operations centers. The command centers, located in Louisiana, will be used to facilitate communications and coordinate operations between the federal, state and local governments.

“It was absolutely the right thing to do”, says James Maurer, President of Base-X Inc. located in Fairfield. “We decided immediately to make the donation. Base-X shelter products are designed specifically for use in these types of situations and we felt it was our responsibility to do what we could to provide some assistance.”

In addition to the donation by Base-X, FEMA has taken delivery of an additional 75 large shelters. Base-X was able to deliver them immediately from inventory.

Several military operations are currently on site using Base-X shelters and products including the US Army 82nd Aviation Brigade, US Navy Field Deployable Preventive Medicine Unit, USMC 24th Mobile Expeditionary Unit, and the US Army Corps of Engineers unit, Ft Bragg, NC. The Deployable Joint Command Center (DJC2) has a command post in place near New Orleans. Base-X has personnel in place along side the military units proving support and ensuring operations are running smoothly.

The Base-X lightweight, rapidly deploying tactical shelters are used extensively by every branch of the U.S. Military and utilize patented folding frame technology for superior speed, strength and durability. Base-X offers worldwide distribution of all of its products. The company’s focus remains consistent and singular: adapting its products to the ever-evolving missions of its customers.

Posted by CB for MarineParents.com at 10:01 AM | Permalink

CAMP FOSTER, Okinawa — Headquarters and Service Battalion, Marine Corps Bases Okinawa, will host the 230-mile USMC Birthday Commemorative Run this year to honor the Marine Corps’ birthday.

http://www.estripes.com/article.asp?section=104&article=31859

Stars and Stripes
Pacific edition, Wednesday, September 28, 2005

CAMP FOSTER, Okinawa — Headquarters and Service Battalion, Marine Corps Bases Okinawa, will host the 230-mile USMC Birthday Commemorative Run this year to honor the Marine Corps’ birthday.

The event will be held on Camp Foster and consist of individuals running one-mile increments, culminating in a formation run for the final two miles. Interested runners will be able to sign up for a time slot and will have 10 minutes to run the one-mile segment.

The run begins at 5 p.m. Nov. 8 and continues until 7 a.m. Nov. 10.

This event is open to all Defense Department personnel, civilian employees, family members and local nationals with base access. No base access will be granted to participate in this event.

For more information and details on registering, contact Capt. Butts at DSN 645-5389 or e-mail companyofficeh&sbn@mcbbutler.usmc.mil.

Posted by CB for MarineParents.com at 9:57 AM | Permalink

MEHTAR LAM, Afghanistan — Eleven U.S. Marines who were wounded during mid-August in eastern Afghanistan received Purple Hearts during a ceremony Monday. (2/3)

http://www.estripes.com/article.asp?section=104&article=31866

By Steve Mraz, Stars and Stripes
Mideast edition, Wednesday, September 28, 2005

MEHTAR LAM, Afghanistan — Eleven U.S. Marines who were wounded during mid-August in eastern Afghanistan received Purple Hearts during a ceremony Monday.

U.S. Marine Corps Commandant Gen. Michael W. Hagee and Marine Corps Sgt. Maj. John L. Estrada visited this dusty speck of Afghan soil to bestow the nation’s oldest military medal on the chests of the Marines. The Marines are all members of Company F, 2nd Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division.

Hagee also awarded Joseph P. Thomas with a combat meritorious promotion from lance corporal to corporal.

“First off, how about a round of applause for the Marines we just recognized here,” said Hagee after pinning the medals.

A battle between the Marines and the enemy during Operation Whalers in Kunar province helped eliminate at least 40 suspected rebels.

During the weeklong operation, 10 Marines from Company F shed blood and shared pain on the rocks. Their actions, along with those of another Company F Marine injured in an early August roadside bomb blast, were honored Monday.

During Operation Whalers, Company F Marines were wounded by gunshots and shrapnel. The men range in age from 18 to 31. Two of the Marines were unable to attend Monday’s ceremony because they are recovering in stateside hospitals.

“Fox Company has not had a fatality, and we’re grateful for that,” said Company F 1st Sgt. Craig Cowart. “It’s an honor for us to have the commandant and sergeant major of the Marine Corps present these awards for the Marines’ sacrifice.”

In more than 29 separate engagements, U.S. and Afghan troops killed an estimated 40 suspected rebels during Operation Whalers.

Like most military honors recipients, 2nd Lt. James J. Konstant Jr., Company F’s 3rd Platoon commander, downplayed his medal.

“The individual award for myself is not important,” he said. “The best part for me was the way the platoon responded and what we were able to do to the enemy.”

Posted by CB for MarineParents.com at 9:54 AM | Permalink

The wish expressed on the giant yellow ribbon on top of Brooklyn Bagels has come true.

Marine Lance Cpl. Trent Dyer has returned safely from Iraq.

http://http://www.mlive.com/news/muchronicle/index.ssf?/base/news-7/112783416158590.xml&coll=8&thispage=2

Tuesday, September 27, 2005
By Steve Gunn
CHRONICLE STAFF WRITER

The wish expressed on the giant yellow ribbon on top of Brooklyn Bagels has come true.

Marine Lance Cpl. Trent Dyer has returned safely from Iraq.

Dyer's parents, Denny and Cookie Dyer of North Muskegon, had the ribbon erected on top of their Whitehall Road restaurant last winter, when they learned their son was shipping out to Iraq.

The words on the ribbon were simple but powerful: "Keep my son safe."

Dyer is not only safe, but he's been making the most of his time away from the stressful lifestyle of the war zone.

Almost as soon as he returned on leave, Dyer and his wife, Katie, headed for a 10-day vacation in the Dominican Republic. The two had been married less than a year when Dyer shipped out, so the vacation was extra special.

"I had to tell my family that I needed this time to reunite with my wife," said Dyer, 21, a 2003 graduate of Reeths-Puffer High School. "It's hard, because you become so dependent on each other, then all of a sudden you're gone for seven months.

"We had a great time. It was like a first date again."

But looming on the other end of the homecoming is the inevitable return to Iraq. Dyer is fully aware that he will be going back in February.

"It's hard," said Dyer, who will be-come a full corporal Saturday. "I don't necessarily want to go back. It's like life stops when you're there. But I know I have to go back, so all I can do is make the best of it."

It's not that Dyer doesn't like the military. On the contrary, he said he's found the experience rewarding.

He enlisted in the Marine Corps out of high school, and left for basic training a few months after graduation.

He was stationed in North Carolina, attached to a helicopter division. By February of this year he was in Iraq, stationed at a base in Al Asad, less than an hour's drive from Baghdad.

Dyer has not seen the worst of the violence in Iraq. Most of the time he stays on base, doing maintenance work on helicopters. He's also been training on board helicopters to become an aerial observer.

But there have been moments that severely tested his nerves.

"We don't see a lot of active combat, but we get mortared and rocketed a lot on base," Dyer said. "At times it gets scary. Anything can happen to you. You can be sleeping, and all of the sudden you hear a loud boom."

Dyer recalls taking part in a traveling military convoy that was attacked by insurgents.

"It's just random people, nothing organized, and they just pop out, start shooting, then run away," he said. "When it first happens, you just react. But when it's over with, and there's time to sit down and think about what just happened, it's crazy.

"It gives you some sleepless nights. And it gives you a new perspective on life, all the stuff you take for granted. You realize it all could end at any moment. You realize life is precious."

Dyer said he's strengthened by his faith in the American cause. He believes the U.S. invasion was necessary, and he's proud of the service the military provides the Iraqi people as they struggle to develop a democracy.

"I know a lot of people don't agree with us being there, but when you see what we're doing, and realize that the majority of Iraqis are happy we're there, it gives you a good feeling," Dyer said.

That aside, Dyer admits he had to force himself to stop counting the days until his leave began. When it finally arrived last month, he said it took too long to get back to the United States. There was a holdover in Kuwait, then a stop in Germany. That's too many stops for a homesick soldier, he said.

"They told us we'd be home in about two days, but when you're in the military, you know some things are too good to be true," Dyer said. "We finally got back about a week later. And the travel in between, the days went by so slow."

After several weeks with family and friends in Muskegon, Dyer and his wife returned to North Carolina. Dyer will spend the next four months on base, helping to maintain helicopters. Then in February it's back to Iraq, hopefully for the last time.

"We've heard that it will be going on for years. Then we heard that this might be the last time we go back," he said. "I guess you just don't know until the last minute."

In the meantime, Dyer would like people to remember his wife, both of their families, and all the other military families that wait and worry in obscurity.

"It's just as hard being here alone as it is being there alone," Dyer said. "I think people overlook that. Families should get the recognition they deserve. They go through a lot of mental pain."

Posted by CB for MarineParents.com at 4:14 PM | Permalink

AL ASAD, IRAQ (Sept. 27, 2005) -- The languages of the brain are pictures, sounds, feelings, tastes and smells. Under the stress of living in a combat zone, these languages become razor sharp. Marines in Iraq must be constantly vigilant of their surroundings and the personnel around them.

http://www.usmc.mil/marinelink/mcn2000.nsf/main5/93078E258BA4B411852570890049A70C?opendocument

Submitted by: 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing
Story Identification #: 200592792428
Story by Cpl. Cullen J. Tiernan

AL ASAD, IRAQ (Sept. 27, 2005) -- The languages of the brain are pictures, sounds, feelings, tastes and smells. Under the stress of living in a combat zone, these languages become razor sharp. Marines in Iraq must be constantly vigilant of their surroundings and the personnel around them.

Throughout his deployment in Al Asad, Iraq, Master Gunnery Sgt. William H. Butler, the acting sergeant major of Marine Wing Headquarters Squadron 2, has been teaching Psychology classes to members of the military, giving them a knowledge base to deal with mental issues that may arise in a combat zone.

“We all go through issues out here,” said the Margate, Fla., native. “Understanding psychology gives Marines support dealing with stress, social and work-related issues. Whether the problem is theirs, or the Marines they are in charge of, it gives them a better knowledge of people and their real problems.”

Butler’s interest in psychology coincides with his interest in people and being a leader of Marines. He earned a bachelor’s degree in social psychology in 1997 from Park University and a master’s in counseling psychology from Capella University online in 2002.

“People are the neat part of living,” said Butler. “Nothing is perfect all the time. Leaders need to accept that and get a knowledge base, don’t assume anything. You need to go beyond the basic counseling the Marine Corps gives you, because some of the issues that come up are beyond a basic scope.”

While serving as the avionics chief for Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 14 in 1994, Butler was the senior person for more than 350 Marines. Every morning he would see Marines who were having problems.

“I didn’t know, or understand how to deal with some of the problems I faced,” said Butler. “I wanted to better help the Marines I was working with. I figured if I take some psychology classes I would be able to give a fair, educated opinion.”

According to 1st Lt. Marlisa M. Grogan, Marine Aircraft Group 26’s adjutant and education officer, Butler has put a great deal of effort into getting the word out. He has made the opportunity for everyone to take classes and has been very helpful with the education program on base.

“His classes are both educational and entertaining,” said the Wayne, N. J., native. “He’s a character, someone who certainly has a positive presence here. I know his classes are popular. He has a way of getting his students excited and involved with the subject matter.”

For Marines who desire to take advantage of their educational benefits or want to get their minds off their daily duties and tasks, Butler’s classes offer a world of opportunities.

“It helps keep my mind stable,” said Cpl. Dante P. Freeman, a supply warehouse clerk with MWHS-2. “Preparing for tests and quizzes, studying, it all helps time go by a bit faster. We also get the benefit of learning an interesting subject matter and earning college credit.”

The New Haven, Conn., native, compared the class to small example of the Marine Corps. He stated that the students are from a wide variety of military occupational skills, squadrons and ethnicities, but all share the same desire to improve themselves and work on their education.

“These classes have opened my mind to new ideas,” said Sgt. Carlos Aguilar, supply clerk with Marine Aircraft Group 26, who has taken both Interpersonal Communication and Introduction to Psychology. “I’ve learned new methods, and new ways that help me better understand people and the Marines under my charge. The classes are very upbeat, and Master Guns (Butler) has a unique style of teaching that is very inactive.”

The Buena Park, Calif., native, said the class is a comfortable environment to be in after a long day of work, and after being out of school for six years. He is very glad he took the opportunity when it was there.

Between leading MWHS-2 in a combat zone and teaching his classes, Butler makes time to volunteer and counsel patients at Al Asad’s hospital.

While in a combat zone, Marines must be mentally ready to experience life-threatening or extremely distressing situations. Post Traumatic Stress Disorder can cause them to feel intense fear, horror or a sense of helplessness.

Butler’s knowledge of the different languages of the brain have not only helped the Marines here, but he has installed a knowledge base in all the Marines who have attended his classes. When he leaves Iraq, he will leave behind a legacy of not only counseling and educating Marines, helping them earn college credit, but creating leaders who better understand their troops and their human problems.

Posted by CB for MarineParents.com at 11:41 AM | Permalink

Hunter spent much of their first two years at Ole Miss side-by-side.

The friends lived in the same dorm their freshman and sophomore years and passed the time by attending a lot of backpacking and road trips together with friends from the Ole Miss ROTC.

http://www.thedmonline.com/vnews/display.v/ART/2005/09/27/43395686c13d4

Ray Nothstine

September 27, 2005

Hunter spent much of their first two years at Ole Miss side-by-side.

The friends lived in the same dorm their freshman and sophomore years and passed the time by attending a lot of backpacking and road trips together with friends from the Ole Miss ROTC.

Then Hunter left Ole Miss in his sophomore year in favor of active duty in the Marine Corps.

Nothstine didn’t start his spring semester that year, either.

While Hunter completed two combat tours in Afghanistan as an active duty Marine, Nothstine was deployed to the Al-Anbar province of Iraq in early February 2005.

Nothstine joined the 3rd Battalion, 6th Marines, India Company for his deployment in Iraq. As a crew chief on an amphibious assault vehicle, which is used to carry and support the infantry in combat operations through the cities and towns of Al-Anbar Province, he was part of numerous combat operations.

Hunter deployed to Iraq in late August for his third military deployment but his first venture to Iraq. He, too, was attached to the 3rd Battalion, 6th Marines, India Company as an assault man. Nothstine knew Hunter was part of 3/6 but wasn’t sure if he was with the company that was coming to his camp in Iraq. When Hunter got off the trucks that brought him on the convoy to his new home for six months, he saw a sign that pointed west and said “Oxford: 6,723 miles.”

The old friends saw each other for the first time in three years at that Marine base camp in Al-Anbar Province, and they have been spending time together and encouraging each other through their deployment ever since.

“We are working hard at trying to bring lasting security to Iraq,

Posted by CB for MarineParents.com at 11:31 AM | Permalink

KRTSANISI, Republic of Georgia (Sept. 27, 2005) -- Georgia Sustainment and Stability Operations Program U.S. Task Force logistics Marines have been issuing the Republic of Georgia’s 22nd Light Infantry Battalion 275 types of equipment ranging from weapons, vehicles and uniforms to pencils, folding chairs and mess kits.

http://www.usmc.mil/marinelink/mcn2000.nsf/0/ABF4394177E070C3852570890044CF82?opendocument

Submitted by:
Marine Forces Europe
Story by:
Computed Name: Staff Sgt. Jonathan C. Moor
Story Identification #:
200592783135

KRTSANISI, Republic of Georgia (Sept. 27, 2005) -- Georgia Sustainment and Stability Operations Program U.S. Task Force logistics Marines have been issuing the Republic of Georgia’s 22nd Light Infantry Battalion 275 types of equipment ranging from weapons, vehicles and uniforms to pencils, folding chairs and mess kits.

The ongoing gear issue at the Krtsanisi National Training Area, Republic of Georgia, which began Aug. 17, is almost complete, according to 1st Lt. Marcelino Hsie, the GSSOP logistics officer and native of Tucson, Ariz.

According to Hsie, the gear has been permanently issued as a donation to the 22nd Battalion under parameters the GSSOP mission, which is to assist and enhance Georgia’s military capability to sustain its contribution to the effort in Iraq.

Georgia’s GSSOP trained troops form part of the dedicated force called for in UN Security Council Resolution 1546 to protect UN forces in Iraq.

Georgia needs the assistance, due to the Georgian military’s limited resources.
“These guys came to us with pretty much nothing except a set of cammies and their (weapons),” said Hsie. “We’re just trying to properly equip them.”

The gear issue will cover all aspects of equipment needed to professionalize a battalion. The individual soldiers have already received the majority of their individual issue.

“We gave them the full issue that a military soldier would need just to do his job and do it properly,” said Gunnery Sgt. David Harris, the GSSOP logistics chief and native of Tell City, Ind. “It’s extremely important due to the fact that they will be properly equipped to fight the battle, and it gives them the morale of looking like soldiers and having the equipment to do the job.”

The supplies were donated to Georgia by the United States and several other nations through the Georgia Sustainment and Stability Operations Program. Hungry donated small arms. The Czech Republic and Romania contributed ammunition.

According to Hsie, approximately $4,000 in gear per soldier was given to each of the 558 members of the 22nd Battalion in addition to gear issued to the unit such as trucks, and general-purpose tents.

“We gave them three (Russian) 5-ton Ural 4320 Cargo Trucks, six British Land Rovers, three hard top and three soft top, and one Land Rover ambulance purchased from a vendor in Turkey,” Hsie said, highlighting some of the more costly items.

Other categories of equipment issued to the 22nd Battalion were administrative supplies such as paper, dry-erase boards, markers, and cleaning supplies such as brooms and disinfectant.

“We gave them all their training supplies too, all their targets, ear plugs, pasties and other equipment required to run a range,” Hsie explained.

The battalion was also outfitted with office furniture, and standard of living amenities like kerosene heaters for use in the winter.

One of the challenges that arose during the issue process was with the first-aid kits. When the kits arrived it was determined that they were not adequate for the Iraq mission.

“The first aid kits were really small. Our medical personnel determined that they would be insufficient for their mission, so they’re ordering ones like our IFAKs (Improved First Aid Kits),” Hsie explained. The first aid kits that arrived in the initial order will be issued to non-deploying units.

According to Harris, something that stood out in his mind was the Georgian soldiers’ appreciation for the gear they were given. “The majority of it is just the attitude, saying ‘thank you.’ You can see it in their eyes as their going through the line. They’re happy to be getting the equipment we’re giving them”

“Because they’ve never had anything, everything they get they take great care of,” Harris explained. “They don’t like getting their uniforms dirty or anything like that because they only have two or three sets.”
The Georgian soldiers’ appreciation for the new gear extends beyond their personal equipment to the unit items issued to the 22nd Battalion. While the Land Rovers are currently being used for daily battalion functions, the original shipping plastic can still be seen covering the seats in an effort to preserve the quality of the vehicles as long as possible.

Harris concluded, “They take nothing we give them for granted. They’re very appreciative and they take extremely good care of their things.”

Posted by CB for MarineParents.com at 11:29 AM | Permalink

Kathy Wright can't replace her Marine son who was killed in Iraq, but later this week she will honor his request and adopt the company mascot, a dog named Beans. (enterer's note: 3/25)

http://www.cleveland.com/news/plaindealer/index.ssf?/base/cuyahoga/112782215664580.xml&coll=2&thispage=2

Tuesday, September 27, 2005
Michael Sangiacomo
Plain Dealer Reporter

Kathy Wright can't replace her Marine son who was killed in Iraq, but later this week she will honor his request and adopt the company mascot, a dog named Beans.

Just weeks before Cpl. Jeffrey Allen Boskovitch, 25, was killed by small-arms fire outside Haditha, Iraq on Aug. 1, he emailed his mother about Beans.

The dog got the name because Boskovitch and his fellow Marines bought the mixed-breed pup from Iraqi villagers for a quarter and three jelly beans.

He hoped to bring the dog home with him when his tour of duty was up in August. Boskovitch was killed Aug. 1 along with five other Marine snipers.

Barring complications, his wish will come true when Beans arrives at the 3rd Battalion, 25th Marine Regiment headquarters on Snow Road in Brook Park sometime this week.

Initially, the Marines and the military said it was against regulations to bring Beans to the United States on a military transport.

Wright's efforts to cut through red tape eventually led her to the Pentagon, to the office of the Commandant of the Marine Corps, Gen. Michael W. Hagee.

"Gen. Hagee told the mother he would get it done," said Hagee's spokesman Maj. Jason Johnston. "He put his staff on it and it has been worked out.

The dog will be on her way. If Beans can comfort the mother of a fallen Marine, then it is our pleasure to help."

Maj. Jenny Potter, a spokeswoman for the Brook Park headquarters, said the dog's arrival is due toWright's determination.

"She wanted this to happen, and she worked on it until she pushed it through," Potter said.

Wright said she will bring the dog to her home as soon as it ar rives, but will isolate Beans from her other dogs, Chloe and Daisy.

"We'll keep her separated until I can have some blood tests done to make sure she is not carrying any illnesses from ticks or sand flies," she said. "I know everyone will get along."

She said she still believes Beans is part of her son's unit and that she will share the dog with the local Marines.

"If they want me to bring her to watch them march or train, I'd be glad to," she said. "Beans belonged to the whole company, not just my son."

She said getting Beans will provide a bit of relief.

"It's bittersweet," she said. "Beans is not a replacement for my son, but a welcome addition to my family."

To reach this Plain Dealer reporter:

msangiacomo@plaind.com, 216-999-4890

Posted by CB for MarineParents.com at 11:22 AM | Permalink

DELCAMBRE, La. — There comes a point when the exhilaration of being rescued from your home fades into the reality of an uncertain future. Albert St. Pierre hit that wall on a sunny, wind-whipped Sunday evening the day after Hurricane Rita turned sections of Louisiana's low-lying coastal parishes into flooded ruins...

"If a Marine doesn't have a mission, he'll create one," Cope says...

http://www.fresnobee.com/columnists/mcewen/story/11270398p-12021008c.html
By Bill McEwen / The Fresno Bee

(Updated Monday, September 26, 2005, 5:59 AM)

DELCAMBRE, La. — There comes a point when the exhilaration of being rescued from your home fades into the reality of an uncertain future. Albert St. Pierre hit that wall on a sunny, wind-whipped Sunday evening the day after Hurricane Rita turned sections of Louisiana's low-lying coastal parishes into flooded ruins.

"It ain't looking so good," St. Pierre says. "I fell through the floor of my trailer three times walking through. My trailer is shot."

St. Pierre, who runs a sandblasting crew, says this after using a flatbed truck to ferry himself and neighbors to their still partially submerged homes in tiny Delcambre.

One of the neighbors, Dawn Breaux, cries as she holds her son in her lap. They're sitting on the back of the flatbed. A plastic clothes basket holds what she saved from the trailer: clothes, tennis shoes, a box of cereal.

"It's horrible," says Breaux, a convenience store clerk. "That's all I could get."

Because Hurricane Katrina ruined New Orleans, leveled Biloxi, Miss., killed more than 1,000 people and ignited debates about everything from racism to pork-barrel politics, Rita seems tame in comparison.

But if you live near the sugar-cane fields and canals of New Iberia and Vermilion parishes, Rita was the big one.

"We woke up at 4 o'clock in the morning, there wasn't water at all," Charlene Guidry says. "At 5:30, it was coming in the house."

At 6:30, the Vermilion Parish sheriff showed up in a dump truck. Twelve adults, three children and five dogs jumped aboard.

"I've never been so glad to see a dump truck," Guidry says. "I was proud to ride in that dump truck."

Guidry has lived off and on in Delcambre for 35 years. Standing on the back of St. Pierre's flatbed, she points to the house where she was raised and the homes of longtime friends. She turns and points in the opposite direction at railroad tracks.

"This is the first time we've had water come rushing over the tracks. There wasn't that much water with Lilly."

Brock Rivet stops to ask a unit of Marines on a search-and-rescue mission whether his quad can make it through the water to check on a relative's house. Then he talks about his 160-acre spread.

"I wasn't expecting this," Rivet says. "My house is off the pillars right now, floating against a fence, and my fiancée is losing her mind."

Also lost: half of his 100 cattle.

"No insurance," he says. "I just never got it. We're relying on FEMA."

There also comes a point when the exhilaration of rebuilding cities and towns gives way to exhaustion. A unit of 20 Marines and reserves from Knoxville, Tenn., has been in Louisiana since Sept. 3. Several of them served in Iraq.

"We asked for volunteers," Gunnery Sgt. Jeff Cope says. "Naturally, you're going to get the guys who are just back from Iraq. They'll volunteer for everything."

Their first hurricane mission was clearing debris and fallen trees in Slidell, a city that took the brunt of Katrina's winds and the tidal surge from Lake Pontchartrain. Last week, they left Slidell, where they lived in tents, and were headed home until Rita loomed over the Gulf Coast. They convoyed to Jackson, Miss., and awaited the call.

Sunday, with just two hours' sleep, they showed up in Delcambre, eager to pull stranded people from their homes. But people here are resourceful. Sheriff's deputies, firefighters and local residents in boats left them little to do. The folks on St. Pierre's flatbed did their part by taking two dogs from a tree and moving them to safe ground. Eight people were rescued Sunday, all before the Marines arrived.

"If a Marine doesn't have a mission, he'll create one," Cope says.

Sure enough, several of his men jump off their 7-ton transport truck and free a coralled horse in water reaching his chest. They walk the horse out to the road, where he eagerly munches on grass poking through the water.

But the horse's owner isn't around, and there's no place to take him. Cope orders them to put the horse back in his corral.

The Marines look for gas leaks, which are handled by local firefighters, and other animals to rescue. They do help pull several residents in a swamped boat to higher ground.

Near the end of the assignment, they total their day's work. They had saved a horse, a dog, a cat and two ducks. But the horse, dog and cat were still in the receding waters, awaiting their owners.

"Two ducks, that's it," says a tired Marine in the back of the truck.

After three weeks in Louisiana, they're ready to go home.

So is St. Pierre, who doesn't know where home is.
The columnist can be reached at bmcewen@fresnobee.com or (559) 441-6632.

Posted by CB for MarineParents.com at 11:17 AM | Permalink

Remote-control warfare: How PlayStation 2 saves U.S. lives

http://www.decaturdaily.com/decaturdaily/news/050927/robots.shtml

By Eric Fleischauer
DAILY Staff Writer
eric@decaturdaily.com · 340-2435

Col. Edward M. Ward supervises a military program that spends millions on cutting-edge technology. When he hears that an explosion obliterated one of his technological wonders, he just smiles.

Don't bother asking the Marine for apologies.

"I can get more robots," Ward said at a Decatur Rotary Club meeting Monday. "I'd rather a $120,000 robot get blown up than someone's son or daughter."

As Rotary members used remote control devices to put two such robots through their paces, Ward, based at Redstone Arsenal, explained that the military began taking its robotics programs seriously after it deployed troops in Afghanistan and Iraq.

The impetus, he said, was the improvised explosive devices that claimed the lives of so many U.S. soldiers.

"We needed unmanned vehicles, and we needed them fast," Ward said.

He explained how the devices save American lives.

U.S. soldiers arrive at an apparently vacant house in a war zone. Without a robot, soldiers might draw their guns, break down the door and, covering each other, search the premises.

"But the bad guys are pretty adept at hiding in closets with guns," Ward said.

Maybe the house has no enemies inside, but it does contain an explosive device designed to detonate when the soldiers get close.

The end result of both scenarios was often dead Americans.

Replay the scene, this time with robots developed through a joint Army-Marine program.

Rather than entering the house, a soldier can toss a Throwbot inside.

Ward demonstrated by tossing a one-pound, dumbbell-shaped device, with a flexible antenna, onto the floor of the Holiday Inn. Safely outside and up to 100 feet away, soldiers can control the $2,000 robot's movements, wheeling it through the house while watching the video images from its search on a laptop-size device. An ambush averted.

Same house, but an explosive ordnance disposal team suspects an explosive device is inside. This time they send in a robot with tank-like treads and a claw on a 7-foot extendable arm.

As it enters the house, the $120,000 robot carries C-4 explosives in its claw. Upon locating the bomb, the bomb-disposal team members remotely drop the C-4 next to it. They then try to disarm the bomb, also remotely. If the disarmament is unsuccessful, they detonate the C-4, which explodes the enemy's bomb as well.

Worst case scenario

The worst case scenario is a dead robot. The soldiers, up to 150 yards away, are safe. The devices are so successful that soldiers use them for about 45 missions a day in Baghdad alone.

Ward is the logistics chief of the Robotic Systems Joint Project Office at Redstone Arsenal.

Robotic weapons systems have long been the subject of science fiction, but the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan created an urgent need for the real thing.

The military was not too keen on the contraptions, Ward said, "until they ran out of Afghanis to search the caves."

Now there are 2,400 robots operating in Afghanistan and Iraq. By the end of the year, Ward said, there will be 3,000. The military is using 22 different robotic systems.

Ward thanked the parents in the group for contributing to the education of robot-wielding soldiers.

PlayStation 2

"Those PlayStation 2s really do the trick," he said, in training soldiers to operate the devices. "I bought 200 of them for training in Iraq. I have a feeling I'll be questioned about that one day."

One Rotarian asked whether his grandson, glued to PlayStation-style video games morning to night, was preparing himself for a successful career in the military.

"Only if he can make it through this little thing we call boot camp," replied the skeptical Ward.

Ward said the casualties in Iraq have made believers of military brass. Beginning Oct. 1, Ward and his colleagues will have $62 million at their disposal. "This is the Army's future," Ward said.

Bomb detonations and remote surveillance are not the only functions performed by robots. One called Fido can "smell" the presence of explosives. Another tank-like robot serves an important function in patrolling Iraq's 380 ammunition dumps, reducing the number of soldiers that must remain on guard.

The TALON robot, armed with a weapons platform, allows soldiers to shoot accurately while standing 1,000 yards away. The military, which first used it in Bosnia, has used it in about 20,000 missions in Iraq and Afghanistan, according to its developer, Foster-Williams.

Ward said another robot under development could play an important role in returning injured soldiers to base. If a squad of 13 Marines loses two of its members to injury, Ward explained, four more must return them to base by stretcher. The remaining seven make an ineffective fighting force. Ward anticipates robots that can return the injured to base without jeopardizing the ongoing mission.

Ward, a retired Marine, was called back to duty in Iraq. He returns for a second tour Oct. 25.

"My job," Ward said, "is to put technology in harm's way."

Posted by CB for MarineParents.com at 11:13 AM | Permalink

Ever since he was a little boy, Michael Marzano would practice marching in his father's old uniform.

http://pittsburghlive.com/x/style/family/s_378079.html

TRIBUNE-REVIEW
Tuesday, September 27, 2005

Ever since he was a little boy, Michael Marzano would practice marching in his father's old uniform.

"Because of me, he always wanted to enlist," says his father, Albert Marzano.

While he grew up and attended high school, Michael talked about joining the U.S. Marine Corps. His father had been a Marine from 1968 to 1972, and had served in Vietnam in 1969.

Michael spent four years on active duty and joined a Marine Reserve unit in 2003. And while many people were looking for a way out of military service, Michael couldn't wait to get into action.

In December 2004, he volunteered to help fill a hole in an Ohio reserve unit being deployed to Iraq.

"He felt bad he didn't go to Iraq the first time in," says Marzano, of Greenville, Mercer County.

Out of the millions of children whose parents were veterans, many choose military service of some kind, following a parental lead. With 3 million veterans living in Pennsylvania, the second highest proportion of veterans in the country, there are thousands of local soldiers currently following in a parent's boots. Upon returning from action, experts say, that parental experience can help in making the transition to a stable home environment.

Military service has been seen as a rite of passage for centuries, and there is nothing quite like making a parent proud. Even at a tender young age, the seed of influence can find fertile ground.

"If a child found a uniform in the attic with medals and insignia, it would open the door to the possibility of serving," says military sociologist Dr. Morten Ender, who has been teaching at the United States Military Academy for the last eight years.

"A lot of veterans recall on their service with fondness and memories of camaraderie," Ender says. "They reflect well on the armed forces, and children would pick that up."

Since World War II, Ender says, a person with three years of military service has done better socioeconomically than a counterpart without service.

"Children see their parents doing well and join the armed forces to get experience or go to college," Ender says.

The Pentagon reports that Americans in the armed forces make up 0.4 percent of the population, making the nation's military activity less conspicuous than the times of World War II and the Vietnam era, when up to 6 percent of Americans were in uniform. Although enlistment rates in the U.S. Army dropped off in the first half of 2005, re-enlistment rates are up and are highest among combat units in Iraq.

Breaking the stereotype of soldiers, daughters are putting on uniforms as well. Angela Clay, of Carnegie, served for three years in the armed forces 20 years after her mother did.

"I wanted to thank the people who served for me," Clay says. "I wanted to return the favor to the future, after my family gave a lot."

Clay's mother, Cathy Chesno, was likewise influenced by family members.

"My father was in the Navy in World War II, and my brother was in the Marines," Chesno says. "When we visited him in training, I said 'Oh, no. The hell with this.' "

But despite her initial reaction, Chesno joined up as an Air Force medic in 1970. Her daughter served in the Army from 1993 to 1996. The two are often seen in parades commemorating holidays, and they are the only female veterans at American Legion Post 82.

"I'm so proud of my daughter and her decisions," Chesno says.

With a significant number of veterans' children enlisting and re-enlisting in the military, the face of military psychology has also changed. Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, D.C. is already reporting post-traumatic stress disorder cases among Iraq veterans.

However, experts say this generation of soldiers is bound to fare better than their parents.

"Soldiers going to Iraq are more prepared to cope with combat in part because their fathers fought in Vietnam," says Ron Conley, director of Allegheny County Veterans' Services.

The war in Iraq and on other fronts is similarities to Vietnam insome ways: a mix of urban and rural combat and an enemy that often remains invisible until it is too late.

For all the stability that a parent can pass on, a son or daughter may not escape a parent's pain.

"Children of veterans who have post-traumatic stress disorder are more vulnerable to it themselves," says Col. Stephen Cozza, chief of psychiatry at Walter Reed.

Cozza believes that "it could go either way" when it comes to a veteran parent's influence on a soldier child.

"The parent creates a road map for the child to deal with similar challenges," Cozza says.

"It would be helpful for soldiers to have an interaction when they return to their fathers to talk about the war," Conley says. "Vietnam vets didn't have that opportunity."

Another opportunity for Iraq veterans is a greater social acceptance upon their return than their Vietnam counterparts.

"Vietnam vets got the image of lone, psychotic figures in society," Ender says. "A large number of homeless people are Vietnam vets because they couldn't get the help they needed."

Ender believes that, with the proper federal funding going to supportive communities, returning soldiers will be more able to move on than their Vietnam counterparts.

That will never happen for Sgt. Michael Marzano, who was killed by a suicide bomber in western Iraq on May 7. He was 28. He is buried at St. Michael's Church in Greenville, where his father visits him every day.

"I know I'm the reason he went into the Corps," Marzano says. "I just want him to come back."

Michael Mastroianni can be reached at mmastroianni@tribweb.com.

Posted by CB for MarineParents.com at 11:07 AM | Permalink

MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. (Sept. 27, 2005) -- MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. – The memorial ceremony started with everyone taking their seats as music played and pictures of the fallen Marines were displayed.

http://www.marines.mil/marinelink/mcn2000.nsf/lookupstoryref/20059279122

Submitted by: 2nd Marine Division
Story Identification #: 20059279122
Story by Cpl. Athanasios L. Genos

MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. (Sept. 27, 2005) -- MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. – The memorial ceremony started with everyone taking their seats as music played and pictures of the fallen Marines were displayed.

Family members, fellow Marines and friends all gathered together to honro the heroes from 3rd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division in a ceremony here Sept. 22.

“Not one of these men would have wanted to be called a hero,” explained Lt. Col. Stephen Neary, battalion commander. “Many of them after being injured wanted to continue the mission and ensure the mission was accomplished.”

Eight Marines were honored during the ceremony for the ultimate sacrifice they and their families made for their country. Scriptures were read and friends spoke to the families on behalf of each Marine.

“It takes family, friends, good times and bad times to shape such outstanding men,” stated the battalion chaplain, Navy Lt. Robert E. Bradshaw.

Families of the lost had a chance to hear about their sons, brothers and fathers as Neary, Bradshaw and a few Marines came forward to speak about their brothers-in-arms. Hearing the Marines speak brought tears to many family members and fellow Marines in attendance.

“Few people truly live life,” Bradshaw said. “Our fallen brothers, each of them lived with a purpose and lived for others…they did not simply exist, they lived.”

Each of the Marines who gave his life was more concerned about how his fellow Marines were doing and was very adamant about being back in the fight with them.

“Once they realized they were going to be evacuated, another concern would arrive; they were more concerned about leaving their brothers behind on the battlefield and [that] they couldn’t stay with them,” Neary explained.

Many of the men who died joined after the terrorist attack on Sept. 11, 2001. They were among the men and women who decided to join and do their part for the country.

“They answered the national call by our President when he said ‘Americans do not have the distance of history, our responsibility to history is already clear’ these men understood this calling and sense of responsibility and joined the Marine Corps,” Neary stated. “These Marines will live on as long as there is a 3rd Battalion, 8th Marines.”

The Marines honored in the ceremony were Pfc. Stephen P. Baldwyn, Gunnery Sgt. Terry W. Ball, Lance Cpl. Marcus Mahdee, Lance Cpl. Robert T. Mininger, Cpl. John T. Olson, Lance Cpl. Michael V. Postal, Lance Cpl. Taylor B. Prazynski, and Lance Cpl. John T. Schmidt.

“Some people spend an entire lifetime wondering if they made a difference in the world, but the Marines don’t have that problem,” Ronald Regan, former President of the United States of America.

Posted by CB for MarineParents.com at 11:01 AM | Permalink

MARINE CORPS RECRUITING COMMAND QUANTICO, Va.(Sept. 27, 2005) -- On October 1, the Marine Corps will debut its latest television commercial, “Diamond,” in front of a nationwide television audience. The commercial is set to air on ESPN during the first commercial break after the kickoff of the scheduled NCAA College Football game that starts at 1200 EST.

Submitted by:
Marine Corps Recruiting Command
Story by:
Computed Name: - MCRC Public Affairs

Story Identification #:
2005927114144

Posted by CB for MarineParents.com at 10:41 AM | Permalink

BROOK PARK, Ohio - The mascot of this town's beloved battalion that lost 14 Marines in the Iraq war is on his way to his new home.

http://www.ohio.com/mld/beaconjournal/news/state/12755405.htm

Associated Press

BROOK PARK, Ohio - The mascot of this town's beloved battalion that lost 14 Marines in the Iraq war is on his way to his new home.

Beans, so named because he was bought by members of the 3rd Battalion, 25th Marines from Iraqi villagers for 25 cents and three jelly beans, has been adopted by a mother of one of the fallen.

"It's bittersweet," Kathy Wright said. "Beans is not a replacement for my son, but a welcome addition to my family."

Her son, Cpl. Jeffrey Boskovitch, was killed along with five other Marine snipers from his unit on Aug. 1, just days before his tour of duty was to end. The deaths were among 14 in late July and early August from the battalion based in this Cleveland suburb.

Just weeks before Boskovitch, 25, was killed by small-arms fire outside Haditha, he e-mailed his mother about Beans, saying he hoped to bring the dog home with him when his tour was up.

Barring complications, his wish will come true when Beans arrives at the battalion's headquarters this week.

"She wanted this to happen, and she worked on it until she pushed it through," Maj. Jenny Potter, a spokeswoman for the Brook Park headquarters, said of Wright.

The military at first said it was against regulations to bring Beans to the United States on a military transport. But Wright's efforts led her to the Pentagon and the office of the Commandant of the Marine Corps, Gen. Michael W. Hagee.

"Gen. Hagee told the mother he would get it done," said Hagee's spokesman, Maj. Jason Johnston. "He put his staff on it and it has been worked out. The dog will be on her way. If Beans can comfort the mother of a fallen Marine, then it is our pleasure to help."

Wright said she will bring the dog to her home as soon as she arrives, but will isolate Beans from her other dogs, Chloe and Daisy.

"We'll keep her separated until I can have some blood tests done to make sure she is not carrying any illnesses from ticks or sand flies," she said. "I know everyone will get along."

She said she still believes Beans is part of her son's unit and that she will share the dog with the local Marines.

"If they want me to bring her to watch them march or train, I'd be glad to," she said. "Beans belonged to the whole company, not just my son."

---

Military Mascots: http://www.militarymascots.org/

Posted by CB for MarineParents.com at 10:35 AM | Permalink

(CNN) -- U.S. Marines took down a sign warning Iraqi citizens not to cooperate with the Americans. The blue sign with yellow writing bears the signature of al Qaeda in Iraq, the terrorist group led by Abu Musab al-Zarqawi. It stood along Iraq's desert highway leading into Qaim, near the Syrian border. (RCT-2)

http://www.cnn.com/2005/WORLD/meast/09/27/alqaeda.threats/

Marines report threatening fliers in western Iraq

From Arwa Damon
CNN
Tuesday, September 27, 2005; Posted: 11:08 p.m. EDT (03:08 GMT)

(CNN) -- U.S. Marines took down a sign warning Iraqi citizens not to cooperate with the Americans. The blue sign with yellow writing bears the signature of al Qaeda in Iraq, the terrorist group led by Abu Musab al-Zarqawi. It stood along Iraq's desert highway leading into Qaim, near the Syrian border.

Such signs have been reported in other cities around the region, which includes Husayba, New Ubeydi, Karabila and Sa'dat, Col. Stephen Davis, whose forces operate in the western Al Anbar province, told CNN.

The Marines have also received reports of fliers telling residents of Sa'dat, west of Qaim, to leave the city or die, said Davis, the commander of the Marines Regimental Combat Team 2. And Marines have seen civilians leave, he added.

Some fliers urge citizens to join the holy fight and condemn Iraq's government and the offensive in Falluja last year. They promote the organization's alleged attacks in the region and claim insurgents have killed tens of thousands of U.S. troops.

Zarqawi, who has a $25 million reward on his head, has claimed that al Qaeda in Iraq has taken over the Qaim area, hailing it "The Islamic Republic of Qaim."

Meanwhile, a man believed to be al Qaeda in Iraq's number two operative was killed during a weekend raid in southeastern Baghdad, Iraqi and U.S. officials said Tuesday. (Full story)

Iraq's national security adviser, Mowaffaq al-Rubaie, called the killing the most important "get" since the seizure of Saddam Hussein in December 2003.

Last week, an alleged driver for two al Qaeda in Iraq leaders was captured, the U.S. military said. (Full story)

For months, Davis said, Marine forces have played a game of cat and mouse with the insurgency up and down the Euphrates River valley. Given the size of the region, which is 30,000 square miles, Marine forces have been stretched thin. And cities seized from insurgents by coalition forces are reoccupied by the insurgents, once coalition forces have withdrawn.

The except is the city of Hit, because it has a permanent U.S. and Iraqi presence after coalition forces took control two months ago.

Davis said that numerous airstrikes and intelligence-driven raids have eliminated many insurgent leaders in the area and caused significant damage to their networks and infrastructure. He emphasized that new network leaders are inferior to their predecessors.

A coalition strike against an al Qaeda-linked safe house killed one such leader about three weeks ago, Multi-National Forces said. (Full story)

Op