9/2/2010 By Lance Cpl. Jennifer Pirante , Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni
ROYAL AUSTRALIAN AIR FORCE BASE TINDAL, Australia — More than 300 Marines migrated toward the outback for exercise Southern Frontier at Royal Australian Air Force Base Tindal, Australia, last week.
Continue reading " Marines land in land down under, kick off" »
1st Marine Division
Story by Lance Cpl. John McCall
Date09.01.2010
MARINE CORPS AIR GROUND COMBAT CENTER TWENTYNINE PALMS, Calif. – Marines with Headquarters and Service Company, 1st Combat Engineer Battalion learned how to operate the M2 .50 caliber machinegun during crew served weapons training, Aug. 20.
Continue reading "H&S Marines train with crew served weapon" »
By Gidget Fuentes - Staff writer
Posted : Tuesday Aug 31, 2010 9:24:33 EDT
CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. — As part of continued efforts to enhance the Corps’ ship-boarding capabilities, force reconnaissance Marines are set to deploy next year as part of the 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit.
The Associated Press
Posted: 08/30/2010 06:07:11 PM PDT
PINE CITY, Minn.—A highly decorated Marine bomb disposal technician from Pine City in central Minnesota was killed by a roadside bomb in Helmand province of Afghanistan, the Pentagon said Monday.
Continue reading "Marine from central Minn. killed in Afghanistan" »
Jim Peppard August 30, 2010
Washington, D.C. -- A Marine from Florida was killed in Afghanistan Sunday, the U.S. Defense Department said today.
15th Marine Expeditionary Unit Public Affairs
Story by Capt. Paul Duncan
Date08.29.2010
GHAZI, Pakistan – The sailors and Marines of HMM-165 reinforced (Reinforced), 15th MEU, and HM-15 Detachment 2, Helicopter Mine Countermeasures Squadron 15 press on as they acknowledge a major achievement during humanitarian relief efforts in the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa province, Pakistan.
By Matt Arado | Daily Herald StaffContact writer
Published: 8/29/2010
Stephen Oratowski said his son Kevin went by many nicknames during his life, including a few that "I probably shouldn't repeat inside church."
Continue reading "Loved ones salute fallen Wheaton soldier" »
By Gretel C. Kovach, UNION-TRIBUNE
Saturday, August 28, 2010 at 4:21 p.m.
SAFAR, Afghanistan — Between blasts from the occasional bomb buried in the sandy lanes or the puttering of motorcycles, quiet once reigned during hot summer days in the desert flatlands of southern Afghanistan. But a strange sound has begun to reverberate through the mud-walled stalls of this market crossroads.
Continue reading "Marines expand their influence in southern Afghanistan" »
1st Marine Division
Story by Cpl. Daniel Blatter
Date08.28.2010
CAMP LEATHERNECK, Afghanistan – The 1st Marine Division Band is known for performing hundreds of ceremonies each year. In 2007, they were awarded the "Col. George S. Howard Citation of Musical Excellence for Military Concert Bands,” however, here in Afghanistan, many of them can be found providing security for the thousands of service members and contractors deployed to Helmand province’s Camp Leatherneck in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.
8/28/2010
By Cpl. Ned Johnson, Regimental Combat Team 2
SANGIN, Afghanistan
After serving in the Marine Corps Security Forces, one infantryman came to the line companies with something to teach the young Marines of Company K, 3rd Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, and their reception of his unique training methods are evident.
Continue reading "Marine follows heritage, strives for best" »
Wheaton 23-year-old called 'courageous,' 'determined,' 'shy'
August 28, 2010|By Jack McCarthy, Special to the Tribune
Before he was killed last week in Afghanistan, Kevin Oratowski was a shy, sometimes stubborn kid who ultimately found pride and purpose in the Marine Corps, his family and friends said Saturday.
Continue reading "Family, friends mourn Marine killed in Afghanistan" »
Wheaton 23-year-old called 'courageous,' 'determined,' 'shy'
By Jack McCarthy, Special to the Tribune
7:27 p.m. CDT, August 28, 2010
Before he was killed last week in Afghanistan, Kevin Oratowski was a shy, sometimes stubborn kid who ultimately found pride and purpose in the Marine Corps, his family and friends said Saturday.
Continue reading "Family, friends mourn Marine killed in Afghanistan" »
By FRED SWEGLES
THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
Published: Aug. 27, 2010
Updated: 9:37 a.m.
A Marine lance corporal from San Clemente who was killed in action in Afghanistan a year ago will be remembered with a scholarship.
Continue reading "Scholarship to honor fallen O.C. Marine" »
POSTED: 5:42 pm PDT August 27, 2010
SAN DIEGO -- A group of Camp Pendleton Marines are going through specialized training to counter the threat of improvised explosive devices -- IEDs -- found on the battlefields of Afghanistan.
By Martin Weil
Washington Post Staff Writer
Wednesday, August 25, 2010
Marine Corps Sgt. Ronald A. Rodriguez, 26, who grew up in Northern Virginia, was overseas for the third time when he was killed Monday in Afghanistan.
Continue reading "Marine from Falls Church killed by bomb in Afghanistan" »
By JUDI BOWERS
Reporter
Published: Wednesday, August 25, 2010 7:10 AM PDT
Cynthia Douglass-Moreno couldn’t stop the tears. She tried to talk around them, but they kept flowing. She’s a proud mother.
Continue reading "Big Bear Valley Marine awarded Purple Heart" »
8/25/2010 By Cpl. Ned Johnson , Regimental Combat Team 2
SANGIN, Afghanistan —
In Afghanistan, the most common threat to Coalition forces is not an insurgent wielding a weapon, but a pressure-plate explosive buried just below the surface of a road, waiting on a passing military patrol to fulfill its purpose; kill as many as possible.
Continue reading " Squad leaders conquer IED threat on Route Conan" »
By LESLIE WILLIAMS (lwilliams@pjstar.com)
Journal Star
Posted Aug 24, 2010 @ 06:51 PM
CREVE COEUR — The Department of Defense announced today the death of a Marine who was supporting Operation Enduring Freedom.
Continue reading "Creve Coeur Marine died Monday in Afghanistan" »
WTKR-TV3
6:09 PM EDT, August 24, 2010
A Virginia Marine has been killed in Afghanistan.
8/23/2010
By Lance Cpl. Michelle S. Mattei,
Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton
MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. —
Four Marines were added to the Purple Heart’s list of heroes injured during battles in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Continue reading "Four Marines awarded Purple Heart for their sacrifice" »
1st Marine Division
Story by Cpl. Daniel Blatter
Date08.21.2010
CAMP LEATHERNECK, Afghanistan – More than a dozen naval officers currently deployed with I Marine Expedition Force (Forward) to Camp Leatherneck, have spent the past few months honing their Marine Corps knowledge and skills as they attempt to earn the Fleet Marine Force Qualified Officer Pin.
Continue reading "Navy Officers in Afghanistan strive to get Fleet Marine Force qualified" »
Marines offer Afghans what the Taliban cannot, but security is top priority
By Gretel C. Kovach, UNION-TRIBUNE
Originally published August 21, 2010 at 6:23 p.m
CAMP LEATHERNECK, Afghanistan — Dust billows from the roads of this military base at all hours, during sun-baked desert days and hot windy nights.
Continue reading " Remote camp is Marines' key toehold in Afghanistan" »
By Ashok Selvam and Eric Peterson | Daily Herald Staff
Published: 8/20/2010
A kind, considerate and hardworking Marine from Palatine who dreamed of a career in the military has been killed in action in Afghanistan.
Continue reading "Marine from Palatine killed in Afghanistan" »
Story by Lance Cpl. John McCall
Date08.20.2010
MARINE CORPS AIR GROUND COMBAT CENTER TWENTYNINE PALMS, Calif. – Dog handlers with 1st Combat Engineer Battalion put their improvised explosive device detection dogs to work Aug. 13, during the final day of a three-day training exercise.
Eric Horng
August 20, 2010 (WLS)The war in Afghanistan has claimed the lives of two Marines from the Chicago area.
Continue reading "2 Chicago-area Marines killed in Afghanistan" »
By Robert Sanchez | Daily Herald Staff
Published: 8/20/2010
Lance Cpl. Kevin E. Oratowski's ties to Glenbard South High School remained strong in the five years since he graduated.
Continue reading "Marine killed in Afghanistan had strong ties to Glenbard South" »
By Bob Susnjara
Daily Herald Staff Contact writer
Published: 8/19/2010 10:18 PM
A Marine from Wheaton was killed by a roadside bomb Wednesday while in combat in Afghanistan.
Continue reading "Marine from Wheaton dies in Afghanistan" »
8/19/2010 By Sgt. James M. Mercure , Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton
MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. — For 12 amateur cooks vying to be the first American Master Chef, the only thing more intimidating than Chef Gordon Ramsay breathing down their necks while they prepared a meal was staring at 400 hungry Marines and their families.
Continue reading " “Master Chef” visits base, feeds hungry Marines" »
Courtesy Story
15th Marine Expeditionary Unit Public Affairs
Date: 08.19.2010
GHAZI, Pakistan – Marines pilots of HMM-165 (REIN), 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit evacuate Pakistani flood victims during humanitarian relief efforts in the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa province, Pakistan.
Continue reading "Marine Pilots of the 15th MEU evacuate Pakistani flood victims" »
By MICHAEL M. PHILLIPS
AUGUST 19, 2010
SANGIN, Afghanistan—Somewhere in this dusty town, concealed among the cornfields, irrigation canals and mud-walled compounds, is a man the Marines particularly want to kill.
Continue reading "Sniper in Afghan Town Puts Marines on Edge" »
August 19, 2010
--William Lee
A Marine from Wheaton who was serving in his first combat deployment was killed by a blast in southwest Afghanistan, military officials said today.
Continue reading "'A great guy' from Wheaton killed in Afghanistan" »
August 19, 2010 11:48 AM
Posted by Terry McCarthy
As part of our continuing coverage of "Afghanistan: the Road Ahead," - CBS News correspondent Terry McCarthy follows the Third Battalion, First Marines at home, and abroad in Afghanistan.
It is the most dangerous job in Afghanistan - clearing improvised explosive devices, or IED's, to make roads, paths and buildings safe for Afghans and for the U.S. military.
Continue reading "The Most Dangerous Job in Afghanistan - Clearing IED's" »
8/18/2010 By Lance Cpl. Khoa Pelczar , 1st Marine Logistics Group (FWD)
FORWARD OPERATING BASE DWYER, Afghanistan — A Marine reservist who worked as a car dealership mechanic before deploying to Afghanistan has come up with an innovative way to repair the engine of a Medium Tactical Vehicle Replacement – getting the trucks back on the road in half the time.
JOCELYN GECKER, Associated Press Writer
Published: 09:16 a.m., Monday, August 16, 2010
BANGKOK (AP) — A manhunt was underway Monday in Thailand for a British kickboxer police say is believed to have killed a former U.S. Marine after provoking a barroom brawl on a tropical island.
Continue reading "British kickboxer sought in slaying of US tourist" »
Regimental Combat Team-7, 1st Marine Division Public Affairs
Story by Cpl. Skyler Tooker
Date08.16.2010
GARMSIR DISTRICT, Afghanistan— The Marines of 3rd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment are making the Safaar area of Garmsir District a safer place for Afghans.
Continue reading "Marines develop relationships with Afghans following Safaar clearing" »
1st Marine Division
Story by Cpl. Eugenio Montanez
08.14.2010
DURZAY, Afghanistan – In an area riddled with improvised explosive devices, engineers took the lead during patrols to ensure the safety of the riflemen behind them and local Afghans nearby over a 10-day operation here.
Continue reading "Engineers seek out IEDs for locals’ safety" »
1st Marine Division
Story by Cpl. Eugenio Montanez
08.14.2010
COMBAT OUTPOST PAYNE, Afghanistan – The long-reaching arm of light armored reconnaissance has choked off the supply of drugs and weapons for Taliban fighters, and Marines here said it won’t be letting up anytime soon.
Continue reading "Marines hunt smugglers in southern Afghanistan" »
Regimental Combat Team-2, 1st Marine Division Public Affairs
Date08.13.2010
Story by Cpl. Ned Johnson
SANGIN, Afghanistan – The morning started with a huge explosion as a platoon crossed a creek into unexplored territory.
Continue reading "Afghan soldiers, Company K Marines patrol through Sangin" »
By Navy Lt. j.g. Beth Gauck
Amphibious Squadron 3
INDIAN OCEAN, Aug. 12, 2010 – Two Marine Corps CH-53E Super Stallion helicopters of the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit launched from the flight deck of the Navy amphibious assault ship USS Peleliu today as part of the continued U.S. humanitarian assistance to Pakistan in support of flood relief from a recent monsoon.
Continue reading "Peleliu Helicopters Launch for Pakistan Relief" »
© 2010 The Associated Press
Aug. 12, 2010, 8:58AM
WASHINGTON — The Defense Department says two more Texans in the military have died in Afghanistan.
Continue reading "2 Texans in military killed in Afghanistan" »
By Jim Garamone
American Forces Press Service
TAMPA, Fla., Aug. 11, 2010 – The USS Peleliu will provide helicopter capabilities to aid Pakistan as the government there works to combat floods that are affecting 14 million people.
Continue reading "USS Peleliu to Provide Helos for Pakistan Relief" »
SAFAAR, Afghanistan— Lima Company, 3rd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, began clearing operations in Safaar, Afghanistan, Aug. 5, to rid the area of improvised explosive devices and Taliban presence.
Continue reading "Marines, Afghan Army begin clearing IEDs and insurgents from Safaar" »
The 129 Marines and sailors who returned to Camp Pendleton on Tuesday will get a one-month leave, and some much-needed family time, before they begin training for another deployment.
Reporting from Camp Pendleton —
For a brief moment Tuesday afternoon, the cheering of family members of Marines returning from Afghanistan drowned out the echoing sound of artillery blasts from the training exercises of other troops preparing to deploy soon.
Continue reading "For Marine battery, a happy return and a brief respite" »
ISLAMABAD, PAKISTAN -- Hundreds of thousands of people fled an ever-expanding flood zone Tuesday as Pakistan's leaders called for a greater international response to what they say is the worst natural disaster in the country's history.
Continue reading "As Pakistanis flee flood zone, officials decry shortage of international aid" »
USS Peleliu to Provide Helos for Pakistan Relief
By Jim Garamone
American Forces Press Service
TAMPA, Fla., Aug. 11, 2010 – The USS Peleliu will provide helicopter capabilities to aid Pakistan as the government there works to combat floods that are affecting 14 million people.
Continue reading "USS Peleliu to Provide Helos for Pakistan Relief" »
HELMAND PROVINCE, Afghanistan – Marine Corps Community Services specialists with Headquarters and Service Company, 1st Marine Logistics Group (Forward), surpassed the record for sales during a Warrior Express Services Team mission in northern Helmand province, Afghanistan, July 16-30.
Continue reading "MCCS Marines shatter sales record in Afghanistan" »
Wife eulogizes Spring resident who was killed in Afghanistan
By LINDSAY WISE HOUSTON CHRONICLE
Aug. 10, 2010
Lauren Martin had promised herself two things growing up: No. 1, never work in a restaurant, and No. 2, never marry a man in the military.
As part of our continuing coverage of "Afghanistan: the Road Ahead," CBS News correspondent Terry McCarthy follows the Third Battalion, First Marines at home, and abroad in Afghanistan.
One recent evening we were sitting around the 3/1 battalion commander's armored truck when Sergeant Major Scott Samuels, (left) the top enlisted man in the battalion, dropped a gem.
SANGIN, Afghanistan – When the Marines of Company K, 3rd Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, Regimental Combat Team 2, set out on patrol, Aug. 3, a simple civil affairs mission turned into an on-going firefight.
SANGIN, Afghanistan – As Marines with Company K continue to stabilize Sangin through regular patrols and frequent interaction with the public, a few Marines and Afghan soldiers lent a hand to help local villagers repair a few canals, July 30.
Continue reading "Afghan soldiers, Marines repair canals in Sangin" »
Cpl. Max W. Donahue Killed In Combat Last Week
SAN DIEGO -- The Pentagon released the name Monday of a 23-year-old Camp Pendleton-based Marine killed in combat last week in Afghanistan.
Continue reading "Camp Pendleton Marine Killed In Afghanistan ID'd" »
MARINE CORPS AIR GROUND COMBAT CENTER TWENTYNINE PALMS, Calif. — Marines from the 3rd Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion had some overdue fun during a Barracks Bash thrown by the Single Marine Program July 29.
MARINE CORPS AIR GROUND COMBAT CENTER TWENTYNINE PALMS, Calif. — Whether a strained joint or muscle during physical training, or a bullet or shrapnel wound on the battlefield, injuries take time to heal. This is where the Physical Therapy Department at the Robert E. Bush Naval Hospital comes to the rescue.
Continue reading "Physical therapy provides road to recovery" »
Some of Cpl. John Peck's best friends are people he has never met.
Continue reading "Antioch event raises funds for badly wounded Marine" »
CASPER — At 5:30 a.m. on July 1, Lance Cpl. Jake Henry and roughly 17 other Marines left for a normal patrol in southern Afghanistan. They crossed over a canal and into an old poppy field, died out from the season before.
FORWARD OPERATING BASE DWYER, Afghanistan – Marines with Platoon A, Embedded Partnering Team, Combat Logistics Battalion 5, 1st Marine Logistics Group (Forward) trained and mentored Afghan soldiers with the 5th Kandak, 1st Brigade, 215th Corps, Afghan National Army to provide logistics capabilities in support of International Security Assistance Forces, July 26-30.
Continue reading "Logistics Marines Train Afghan Soldiers" »
SANGIN, Afghanistan – Many military strategists have said the Northern Green Zone in Sangin could not be penetrated, but time and again, Marines have proven their worth and accomplished the impossible.
CAMP DELARAM II, Afghanistan – After the initial call reported one man with lacerations to his leg, a laceration turned out to be an amputation and one patient grew to nine.
Continue reading "Team Effort Saves Lives of Local Afghans After IED Blast" »
CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. • The reading of Sophocles' classic drama "Ajax" was polished and powerful.
Continue reading "'Ajax' strikes chord with Marine veterans" »
CAMP LEATHERNECK, Afghanistan — Lance Cpl. Frank Martin had only been in Afghanistan a few days when a 60-pound improvised explosive device detonated while he and his squad were on their first foot patrol in northern Marjah, hurling him into the air.
Continue reading "'Wounded Warrior’ Facility Helps Injured Marines Get Back to the Fight" »
CBS News' Terry McCarthy on How Military Wives Cope With the Fear of Bad News
(CBS) As part of our continuing coverage of "Afghanistan: the Road Ahead," CBS News correspondent Terry McCarthy follows the Third Battalion, First Marines at home, and abroad in Afghanistan.
SAN CLEMENTE, Calif
In war, there are two fronts - one where troops face the enemy in battle. And one where their loved ones wait, and worry that they'll receive the worst kind of news.
Staff report
Posted : Friday Jul 30, 2010 18:47:47 EDT
OCEANSIDE, Calif. – Lance Cpl. Shane R. Martin was killed during combat operations Thursday in southern Afghanistan, military officials said Friday.
MOUNT PLEASANT, TX (KLTV) - Marine Lance Corporal Dustin Dryden, 21, of Mount Pleasant was on his second tour in Afghanistan when he was wounded by an IED late Tuesday.
Continue reading "East Texas Marine wounded by IED, family shares story" »
As part of our continuing coverage of "Afghanistan: the Road Ahead," CBS News correspondent Terry McCarthy follows the Third Battalion, First Marines at home, and abroad in Afghanistan.
Wardak outpost is a small camp for a dozen Marines from Kilo company's 1st Platoon, 3rd Squad. It is built in the corner of a field with an irrigation ditch running along one side, and trees that provide welcome shade in the summer heat.
By William H. McMichael - Staff writer
Posted : Wednesday Jul 28, 2010 17:18:55 EDT
Time is running out for current and former troops involuntarily held on active duty beyond their service commitments to apply for retroactive $500 monthly payments.
Continue reading "Oct. 21 is deadline to apply for stop-loss pay" »
MARINE CORPS AIR GROUND COMBAT CENTER TWENTYNINE PALMS, Calif. — In the chaos and danger of battle, Marines are trained to look out for each other, take control and bring chaos to their enemy.
Blackanthem Military News
COMBAT OUTPOST CASTLE, Afghanistan - In a small village in southern Afghanistan, locals are trying to find a better way of life. With help from Marines of 1st Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion, Afghans are improving their area.
Continue reading "Marines Help Afghan Locals Build Better Life" »
As part of our continuing coverage of "Afghanistan: the Road Ahead," - CBS News correspondent Terry McCarthy follows the Third Battalion, First Marines at home, and abroad in Afghanistan.
HELMAND, AFGHANISTAN
"I used to regard kids as pests, when we were in Iraq," says Corporal Andrew Egan of the 3rd Battalion 1st Marines.
Continue reading "Education Makes a Comeback in Helmand Province" »
In late April the family readiness officer, Tina Morgan, began calling and e-mailing each of 48 anxious First Anglico families with news about the company’s return to Camp Pendleton. (Anglico units — the name stands for Air Naval Gunfire Liaison Company — are part of the Marine Corps.) And even though a lot of private, superstitious things had been put off by many who were waiting for the good news, I elected to wait a little longer, until I was sure my Marine had both feet on friendly soil. I’d seen enough just-about-to-retire cop movies to know that having the end in sight slows the clock and multiplies the already too plentiful ways that things can go wrong before the actual, final, blessed end of the deployment.
A Twentynine Palms Marine has died while in the line of combat in Afghanistan, it was announced Wednesday.
Continue reading "Twentynine Palms Marine Dies in Afghanistan" »
Traverse City — A Benzie County Marine died in Afghanistan.
TRINCOMALEE, Sri Lanka – The sun beamed down on the Marines as they stood in full riot gear, facing sailors from the Sri Lankan navy Special Boat Squadron.
Local effort started to help family
Lance Cpl. Jake Henry received a Purple Heart July 15 at the National Naval Medical Center in Bethesda, Md. The 21-year-old Casper Marine is recovering from injuries received in Taliban stronghold Helmand province, Afghanistan, July 1.
The body of an Alaska Marine killed in Afghanistan was returned to Dover Air Force Base in Delaware this morning.
Continue reading "Bomb kills Alaska Marine in Afghanistan" »
CRYSTAL LAKE – John Antonik said his son was supposed to come home next month.
MARINE CORPS AIR GROUND COMBAT CENTER TWENTYNINE PALMS, Calif. — There was joy etched on the faces of wives, children and family members of 2nd Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, as the busses pulled up carrying men returning from the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit.
COMBAT OUTPOST CASTLE, Afghanistan – In late afternoon July 9, the sun setting when alarming news reached the corpsman at the 1st Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion’s Basic Aid Station.
Continue reading "1st LAR Bn Corpsmen Treat Afghan Children" »
By Gidget Fuentes - gfuentes@militarytimes.com
Posted : Friday Jul 16, 2010 17:25:17 EDT
A platoon sergeant and a squad leader at Camp Pendleton, Calif., are each receiving the Bronze Star with “V” device for decisive actions while under fire in Afghanistan last year.
Part 2 in a three part series on Musa Qala. For Part 1, see The checkered history of Musa Qala.
ISAF transferred official responsibility for Musa Qala from British forces to the 1st Battalion of the 2nd Marine Regiment in March 2010. The British had relatively stabilized the district center (DC) by the time the Marines arrived, though occasional small arms and bomb attacks persisted. The Taliban continued infiltrating back into significant areas surrounding the DC, intimidating civilians suspected of working with the government, and they outright held villages and compounds at or near the northern and southern edges of the district.
Continue reading "US Marines battle the Taliban for control of Musa Qala" »
Silver Star and two Bronze Star awards go to Camp Pendleton troops
Three Camp Pendleton Marines have been awarded medals for heroic actions in Afghanistan, service officials announced Thursday.
Ritter Orders Flags Lowered To Half-Staff Wednesday
DENVER -- Colorado state flags will be at half-staff Wednesday as the state honors a Marine from Boulder killed in Aghanistan.
Continue reading "Fallen Colorado Marine From Boulder Remembered" »
A 29-year-old decorated Marine from Crystal Lake was killed Sunday while supporting combat operations in Helmand Province, Afghanistan, according to a release from the Department of Defense.
Continue reading "Crystal Lake Marine dies in Afghanistan" »
USS PELELIU, At Sea (NNS) -- Amphibious assault ship USS Peleliu (LHA 5), the command ship of the Peleliu Amphibious Ready Group (ARG), and embarked Marines from the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) arrived in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility (AOR) July 14.
Continue reading " USS Peleliu Begins 5th Fleet Deployment " »
Staff report
Posted : Tuesday Jul 13, 2010 18:42:51 EDT
Three Marines have died while supporting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan, the Defense Department announced Tuesday.
FORWARD OPERATING BASE NOLAY, Afghanistan — The Marines of the 3rd Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, welcomed a resupply element from Alpha Company, Combat Logistics Battalion 6, 1st Marine Logistics Group (Forward) to their hilltop compound here July 13.
Continue reading "Logistics element enables American forces to establish combat operations center" »
LOS ANGELES — A tough-talking, muscular Los Angeles police sergeant steadily rattled off tips to a young Marine riding shotgun as they raced in a patrol car to a drug bust: Be aware of your surroundings. Watch people's body language. Build rapport.
Continue reading "LA police teach Marines how to train Afghan police" »
KADENA AIR BASE, OKINAWA, Japan (July 12, 2010) - — Marines assigned to 1st Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, based out of Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Twenty-nine Palms, Calif., arrived in Okinawa July 11 to be deployed with the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit.
Continue reading "1/7 arrives in Okinawa to join 31st MEU" »
CAMP LEATHERNECK, Afghanistan – Marines and sailors of 1st Marine Logis¬tics Group (Forward) celebrated the 63rd Anniversary of 1st MLG in a ceremony at Camp Leatherneck, Afghanistan, July 1.
Continue reading "1st MLG Marines, Sailors Celebrate 63rd Anniversary" »
KABUL, Afghanistan - ISAF forces concluded a small-scale, rapid-response aerial delivery test last week, validating a new way to get mission-critical supplies to Afghan and ISAF forces on the ground.
Continue reading "Marines Proud of Dropping Critical Supplies" »
FOB DELARAM I, Afghanistan —
Men and women of America have been honoring those who die on her battlefield since Arlington National Cemetery was built after the Civil War, but few understand that honor better than the Marines.
Continue reading "Honoring the fallen, remembering their sacrifice" »
GARMSIR DISTRICT, Afghanistan – Marines and sailors from the police mentor team, 3rd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, convoyed to each Afghan National Police checkpoint surrounding Hazer Joft, July 5, to provide the police with tourniquets, bandages and the combat lifesaving skills.
Continue reading "Marines Provide Afghan Police With Lifesaving Techniques" »
Thornton Marine Remembered By Family, Friends
THORNTON, Colo. -- The parents of a Thornton Marine killed in combat said he died while saving another Marine's life.
Continue reading "Marine's Parents: 'He Died Saving A Life'" »
GARMSIR DISTRICT, HELMAND PROVINCE, Islamic Republic of Afghanistan — Maneuvering through the bazaar crowd during the week’s busiest day, Marines from Headquarters and Service Company, 3rd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, patrolled the Hazer Joft bazaar in Garmsir, Afghanistan, June 2, to provide security and interact with bazaar patrons.
Continue reading "Marines keep Garmsir bazaar safe on busiest day of the week" »
A 24-year-old Marine from Thornton was killed by a roadside bomb Thursday while on a combat foot patrol in Helmand Province, Afghanistan, the U.S. Marines Corps said today.
By Dan Lamothe - Staff writer
Posted : Thursday Jul 1, 2010 12:37:31 EDT
Reconnaissance Marines in Afghanistan have launched a new operation near the former Taliban stronghold of Marjah aimed at pushing insurgents out of nearby areas they have used to launch repeated attacks on Marine patrols.
Continue reading "1st Recon launches new operation near Marjah" »
LANSING — Michigan Gov. Jennifer Granholm has ordered U.S. flags statewide lowered Friday in honor of Marine Cpl. Daane A. DeBoer, who was killed in Afghanistan.
Continue reading "Funeral Friday for Marine killed in Afghanistan" »
The local village elders and the Afghan National Army met with the Marines of Lima Company, 3rd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, held a shura recently to discuss future civil affairs projects. GARMSIR DISTRICT, Afghanistan — The projects discussed included bridge reconstruction, canal flood gates, swing sets for children and other reconstruction/development projects throughout Garmsir.
Joe Caskey followed his grandfather, father, mother and two older brothers into the military after graduating from North Hills High School in 2004.
PLACENTIA – In a bright gym plastered with yellow championship banners commemorating student achievement, a somber crowd of 500 gathered Monday night to remember a different kind of El Dorado High School champion: a local Marine who gave his life in battle.
Continue reading "Marine remembered as 'modern day Spartan'" »
DETROIT (AP) — A Marine whose experience hiking the 2,175-mile Appalachian Trail while raising money for a charity helped lead him to enlist in the military has died while fighting in Afghanistan, his father said Monday.
Continue reading "Marine with Ludington ties killed in Afghanistan" »
Staff report
Posted : Monday Jun 28, 2010 20:22:07 EDT
OCEANSIDE, Calif. - Two Camp Pendleton-based Marines and a Marine from Camp Lejeune, N.C., were killed during combat operations in separate incidents in Afghanistan’s Helmand province, Defense Department officials announced Monday.
CAMP LEATHERNECK, Afghanistan – Waiting outside a conference room in the Regional Command Southwest headquarters building, Cpl. Paul A. Spies passes the time by glancing at the wall adorned with wood-framed pictures of fallen brethren, many of whom were killed by improvised explosive device blasts. A few moments later, Maj. Gen. Richard Mills, commander of RC (SW), walks into the conference room already full of unit commanders. Spies waits patiently for his name to be called.
Continue reading "Reserve Engineer Hopes to ‘Spark Some Innovation’ Against IED Threat" »
SAN JOSE, Calif. — SAN JOSE, Calif. (AP) - The aunt of a 23-year-old Marine corporal from San Jose who was killed in Afghanistan says the family worried about him and told him about the dangers of military service.
Continue reading "Marine corporal from San Jose dies in Afghanistan" »
YORBA LINDA – Flags will fly at half-staff in Yorba Linda through next week in honor of Marine Cpl. Claudio Patiño IV, who was killed in action Tuesday in Afghanistan.
Continue reading "Flags at half-staff for Yorba Linda Marine" »
Men died in separate incidents during June
Military officials Thursday announced the deaths of four Marines based at the Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center in Twentynine Palms who were killed this month while serving in Helmand Province, Afghanistan.
Continue reading "Four Twentynine Palms Marines killed this month in Afghanistan" »
YORBA LINDA – Marine Cpl. Claudio Patiño IV had been home from Afghanistan for only few weeks when he started talking about going back.
Continue reading "Fallen Yorba Linda Marine wanted to return to war" »
When his U.S. Marines unit participated in an operation to take back the Afghanistan town of Marjah earlier this year from the Taliban, Sutter native Wesley Slattery thought it was the hairiest operation he'd encounter during his deployment.
Continue reading "Marine from Sutter a hero in Afghan war" »
FORWARD OPERATING BASE MUSA QAL’EH, Afghanistan – Afghanistan’s improved security was earned by the men and women who put their lives on the line daily, but Afghans and Marines know that education is the key to Afghanistan’s future success.
CAMP LEATHERNECK, Afghanistan – After days in the field and dwindling supplies, Lima Company, 3rd Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, welcomed the rumbling of more than a dozen gear and food laden tactical vehicles from CLB-6 headed toward their hilltop security position, May 22.
Continue reading "3/7 Welcomes Alpha Company Resupply, Recovery to Hilltop Security Position" »
DILI, Timor Leste (NNS) -- Sailors and Marines from the Peleliu Amphibious Ready Group (PEL ARG) participated in a community service project at the Santa Bakhita Orphanage outside Dili June 21.
Continue reading "Peleliu ARG, 15th MEU Visit Orphanage in Timor-Leste" »
Letters, phone calls and internet only tell so much of the story for many of the Marines living in the harsh desert conditions in Afghanistan. Being able to send a video home to their children and other loved ones using the United Through Reading program allows the Marines to put their families at rest about the dangerous situations they may be encountering.
Continue reading "Afghanistan-deployed Marines record messages, book readings from for families" »
GARMSIR DISTRICT, Afghanistan— Marines from Lima Company, 3rd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, inserted along the unchartered western portion of the Helmand River Valley to conduct patrols and key leader engagements as part of Operation Ozark Mountain, June 14.
Continue reading "Marines Establish New Contacts in Unchartered Territory West of Helmand River" »
CBS News Exclusive: Marine Battalion Tasked with Defusing Explosives Provides Inside Look at Afghanistan's Hidden Danger
(CBS) For nearly a decade, Americans have been fighting - and dying - in Afghanistan. Just on Friday, three service members were killed in combat in the south.
Continue reading ""Thundering Third" Hunts Taliban's Bombs" »
GARMSIR DISTRICT, Helmand Province, Islamic Republic of Afghanistan — Marines with Lima Company, 3rd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, enhanced their marksmanship techniques at Patrol Base Koshtay, Helmand province, Afghanistan, June 16, to help keep the Marines vigilant throughout their seven-month deployment.
Continue reading "3/1 Marines enhance marksmanship skills at makeshift range in Garmsir" »
Taliban Retaliates With Assassinations and Threats
With Washington on the hunt for signs of progress here officials might look to Garmsir where improvements are easily measured, but still tempered by an adaptable Taliban insurgency.
Continue reading "Marines Make Progress in One Afghan Valley" »
BABADAG TRAINING AREA, Romania — Marines and Sailors with scout platoon, Headquarters and Service Company, 1st Tank Battalion, are currently partnered alongside Romanian and Ukrainian soldiers at Babadag Training Area, Romania, to conduct the third peacekeeping operation training evolution during the Black Sea Rotational Force 2010 deployment.
Continue reading "Romanian, Ukrainian Soldiers Join US Marines for Peacekeeping Training" »
The Vietnamese say that every bullet that kills a soldier first passes through his mother's heart.
Continue reading "Family Members of "Thundering Third" Show Courage, Grace" »
Speedway native enjoyed stories about heroes, friends say
Even in high school, Johnny Rankel already showed signs of taking life seriously.
Continue reading "Fallen Marine called 'an exceptional person'" »
ST. LOUIS COUNTY — A Marine who died in an accident in Afghanistan over the weekend had requested assignment there and had just arrived in the country in April, his grandmother says.
Continue reading "Grandmother says Marine killed in Afghanistan had wanted to go" »
Three Camp Pendleton based Marines died Sunday when their armored vehicle flipped over and landed in a canal in the Helmand province.
CBS News' Terry McCarthy Reports on Marines' Battle With Taliban
(CBS) June is off to a deadly start in Afghanistan. 15 Americans died in the first eight days, including two killed today by a roadside bomb in the south. CBS News correspondent Terry McCarthy was embedded with the Third Battalion, First Marines and followed them into battle.
EDINBURG - The mother of a Marine who died in Afghanistan spoke out for the first time publicly. Lance Corporal Derek Hernandez died over the weekend.
Continue reading "Mother of Marine Killed in Afghanistan Speaks Out Publicly" »
BAGRAM AIR FIELD, Afghanistan – With just a few dollars in his pocket, a Kosovo native came to the United States to chase his dream of providing his family with a better life.
Continue reading "Kosovo-born Marine Becomes US Citizen in Afghanistan" »
CAMP LEATHERNECK, Afghanistan – In the blazing Afghanistan heat, Marine mechanics can be found turning wrenches, fixing the vehicles that help keep Marines alive.
Continue reading "Marine Mechanics Repair Life-saving Vehicles in Afghanistan" »
Helmand Province, Afghanistan (NNS) -- Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus spent a day touring forward operating bases (FOBs) in Helmand Province, Afghanistan, June 3.
Continue reading "SECNAV Visits Forward Operating Bases in Afghanistan " »
All too many of us, in the busyness of life, forget that we have people from our community fighting on two war fronts: Iraq and Afghanistan.
Marines hold massive beach assault even as defense secretary questions need for amphibious capability
They were sent to storm the beaches of Camp Pendleton from amphibious assault ships floating offshore in the morning fog. But most of the Marines who hustled into position early Friday inside the hull of the Bonhomme Richard had never been to sea.
CAMP BASTION, Afghanistan – Once patients are medically evacuated from a forward operating base to receive more treatment on their injuries, they are brought to a facility like the United Kingdom Bastion Hospital, one of the largest medical facilities in Afghanistan.
Continue reading "1st MLG Corpsmen Team Up to Save Lives at British Hospital in Afghanistan" »
HELMAND PROVINCE, Afghanistan – It was a bit of a bumpy ride for Cpl. Thomas Hornor when he sat atop the turret of his Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected vehicle during a nearly eight-hour combat logistics patrol across the unpredictable terrain of the scorching Afghanistan desert.
Continue reading "'You Can't Beat the View:' Reserve Gunner Helps Resupply Forward Troops" »
PARGHEE BAGAT, Afghanistan -- As the patrol trudged through waist-deep water, Cpl. Matt Davis called over to his point man.
Continue reading "Charlie Company Marines Travel Far and Wide to Reach Afghan Locals" »
A Battalion Commander is responsible for more than 800 Marines. He plans missions, joins his troops on patrol, counsels them, disciplines them and promotes them. He also has to do paperwork.
HELMAND PROVINCE, Islamic Republic of Afghanistan – Lance Cpl. Benjamin E. Palmer deployed with Regimental Combat Team 7 to Camp Dwyer, Helmand province, Afghanistan in October 2009, as part of the first full-sized RCT to stand up in Afghanistan.
By Dan Lamothe - Staff writer
Posted : Wednesday Jun 2, 2010 7:51:19 EDT
CAMP LEATHERNECK, Afghanistan — The Marine Corps will send elite reconnaissance Marines to the former Taliban stronghold of Marjah to buttress combat operations already underway by two conventional infantry battalions there, a top officer here said.
Continue reading "One-star: 1st Recon to aid in Marjah fight" »
Summer is fighting season in southern Afghanistan and the heat is rising for Camp Pendleton Marines who took command this spring in Helmand province. The red desert flanking the river valley has begun to bake at 110 degrees, the poppy harvest is over and Taliban militants have returned to their guns and bombs.
Continue reading "No longer training for war, but living it" »
By Paul J. Weber - The Associated Press
Posted : Sunday May 30, 2010 9:57:20 EDT
KERRVILLE, Texas — The 1,000th American service member killed in Afghanistan was born on the Fourth of July. He died several days before Americans honor fallen troops on Memorial Day.
BABADAG TRAINING AREA, Romania — Romanian Marines and soldiers topped off two weeks of peacekeeping operations training with U.S. Marines and Sailors at Romania’s Babadag Training Area with a final exercise, May 27, and a ceremony marking their accomplishment, May 28.
Continue reading " Marines, Romanian forces wrap up initial phase of training" »
WASHIR, Afghanistan – Clearing out compounds and winning the trust and confidence of the local population, Lima Company, 3rd Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, Regimental Combat Team 2 conducted a 14-day operation in Washir, to rid the area of insurgent presence.
GARMSIR DISTRICT, Afghanistan – Civil-military operations officers from the I Marine Expeditionary Force (FWD) and 1st Marine Division (FWD) staff visited the Garmsir District Center, May 25, to survey a possible site for the construction of an agricultural vocational school in support of the ongoing effort to educate the local populace.
Continue reading "Marines Survey Garmsir for New Vocational School" »
Captain Jason Ford is on his fourth tour of duty with the U.S. Marines, his first in Afghanistan. I met him in 2003 during the buildup to the invasion of Iraq and again on the march towards Baghdad while he was serving with the 3rd Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion, the same unit I embedded with.
Even the toughest military vehicles break down in the harsh conditions of Southern Afghanistan.
“Walk in the tracks,” 1st Sgt Stephen Cummings told me as we walked toward the Helmand River. I was shooting some video, and veered off a little. Then, not looking where I was going, I veered off again.
NAVAL BASE SAN DIEGO, Calif. — Marines and sailors gathered with their families on the piers here Wednesday to bid farewell to Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 165 (Reinforced), as they set sail on a Western Pacific tour with the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable).
Continue reading "'White Knights prepare for Western Pacific deployment" »
As part of our continuing coverage of "Afghanistan: the Road Ahead," - CBS News correspondent Terry McCarthy follows the Third Battalion, First Marines at home, and abroad in Afghanistan.
PATROL BASE KARMA, AFGHANISTAN
Sergeant Jim Morse of 3/1's Weapons Company is a big bear of a man. He is from Austin, TX, likes country music, and manages to keep a good sense of humor - even when tension was high in his company as they took some significant contact around their patrol base from the Taliban in the past two weeks.
Sharon Ferguson of Spring brought a pair of weathered combat boots to Rosehill United Methodist Church in Tomball on Thursday and asked the reverend to place them next to the flag-draped casket of 21-year-old Marine Cpl. Jeffrey Johnson.
A 27-year-old Marine from the Antelope area who died Monday in Afghanistan was remembered at his high school as a fun-loving, responsible person who will be missed.
Continue reading "Antelope-area Marine mourned at high school" »
We arrived in Kabul at 7am this morning. We went straight to our bureau, which is part of a house in a compound shared by other news agencies. There, correspondent Conor Powell briefed us and offered to show us around town a bit. We agreed, but then all three of us promptly fell asleep. I crashed on the floor on a mat covered in dirt from one of Conor's previous military embeds. I was woken up every so often by a man outside the window yelling "load!" and "unload!". He was running drills with a private security team. But I still slept hard. We didn't make it out of the Fox house until it was time to go to the military side of the airport to catch our first flight south.
The dock landing ship USS Pearl Harbor is scheduled to leave San Diego Thursday on a regularly scheduled deployment of the USS Peleliu Amphibious Ready Group to the Western Pacific.
BABADAG TRAINING AREA, Romania —
Marines and Sailors with scout platoon, Headquarters and Service Company, 1st Tank Battalion, left their home away from home at Romania’s Mihail Kogalniceanu Airfield, May 17, to begin peacekeeping operations training with Romanian forces at nearby Babadag Training Area.
Continue reading "Scout Platoon heads to Babadag to train with Romanian soldiers, Marines" »
MARINE CORPS AIR GROUND COMBAT CENTER TWENTYNINE PALMS, Calif. —
For most of the Marines with Battery L, 3rd Battalion, 11th Marine Regiment, the place they were headed only existed in the news and rumor mill.
Continue reading " Marines deploy effective artillery to Afghanistan" »
Before he deployed to Afghanistan last month, Zarian Wood visited his father and brother for a week at their home in south Houston. The three men played video games, dined on steak and shrimp and lounged on camping chairs in the driveway.
Continue reading "Sailor served as ‘Doc,' volunteered for combat" »
MIHAIL KOGALNICEANU AIRFIELD, Romania — The Marines and Sailors of Black Sea Rotational Force 2010 officially kicked off their three-month engagement in the Black Sea region in a ceremony at Romania’s Mihail Kogalniceanu Airfield, May 17.
Continue reading "Black Sea Rotational Force officially kicks off" »
As part of our continuing coverage of "Afghanistan: the Road Ahead," - CBS News correspondent Terry McCarthy follows the Third Battalion, First Marines at home, and abroad in Afghanistan.
AMIR AGHA, AFGHANISTAN — Staff Sergeant Adam Smith is in charge of a small outpost built under casuarinas trees in Amir Agha, which is about a mile's walk through wheat fields from the main operating base of Kilo Company in Hasanabad. He has been a Marine for 10 years, was in the invasion force of Iraq in 2003, and this is his fourth deployment.
Continue reading "Before Nation-Building Comes School-Building" »
As part of our continuing coverage of "Afghanistan: the Road Ahead," - CBS News correspondent Terry McCarthy follows the Third Battalion, First Marines at home, and abroad in Afghanistan.
BARCHA FORT, AFGHANISTAN--
It rises up above the Helmand River plains like some fantastic Salvador Dali creation - the mud fort of Barcha, or Castle Gray Skull as the Marines have renamed it. It looks like an enormous hazelnut ice cream cake that has half melted into grotesque curves and overhangs, and then been flash frozen again.
Continue reading "In Mud Fort, Marines Handle "Dust Up" with Afghan Locals" »
HELMAND PROVINCE, Afghanistan — Key leaders representing coalition forces, the Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan and the Afghan people participated in the first regional security shura throughout Helmand province, Afghanistan, May 12-13.
Continue reading "Helmand leaders strengthen bond through Regional Security Shura" »
As part of our continuing coverage of "Afghanistan: the Road Ahead," - CBS News correspondent Terry McCarthy follows the Third Battalion, First Marines at home, and abroad in Afghanistan.
KOSHTAY, AFGHANISTAN--
Lance Corporal Jordan Ridder never owned a dog when he was a boy. But he always liked dogs, and there were plenty around the neighborhood.
Continue reading "Specially-Trained Dogs Help Marines Sniff Out IED's" »
CAMP DELARAM II, Helmand province, Afghanistan - In an ever-changing combat environment, doctors and corpsman are charged with saving lives.
TWENTYNINE PALMS AIRPORT, Calif. — Sand blew lightly across a quiet Twentynine Palms’ Airport runway, as the chopping sounds of flying metal beasts echoed throughout the Morongo Basin May 10.
Continue reading "'First Team' Marines seize day, airfield" »
Tomball has lost yet another of its young men to the War on Terror.
Continue reading " Another Tomball Marine killed in the Middle East" »
As part of our continuing coverage of "Afghanistan: the Road Ahead," - CBS News correspondent Terry McCarthy follows the Third Battalion, First Marines at home, and abroad in Afghanistan.
Corporal Dan Rhodes (left) was sitting on the roof of the patrol base, looking out at a treeline from where the patrol base for Weapons Company had taken fire yesterday.
Continue reading "From Protecting Obama, to Protecting Fellow Marines" »
MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. — They covered 24 miles of hiking and swimming, while their rest periods consisted of conquering obstacles and shooting weapons.
Continue reading "Recon Warriors reveal their endurance during annual challenge" »
MIHAIL KOGALNICEANU AIRFIELD, Romania — The Marines and Sailors of 1st Tank Battalion travelled more than 6,000 miles to reach Romania’s Mihail Kogalniceanu Airfield, but the tactical vehicles they will use while serving as a Security Cooperation Marine Air-Ground Task Force arrived by much shorter and unique means.
Continue reading "Motor T Marines prep for Black Sea Rotational Force 2010" »
KILGORE, TX (KLTV) - It was a sobering day on an East Texas campus and for the city of Kilgore, as a hometown Marine falls in the line of duty in Afghanistan. The Marine was killed only a day after celebrating his second wedding anniversary.
Continue reading "East Texas Marine dies day after wedding anniversary" »
Black Sea Rotational Force marks first of its kind deployment in region
Continue reading "U.S. Marines, Sailors arrive in Romania" »
“Everyone knows our motto, ‘No better friend, no worst enemy,’” said Cpl. Tim Miller, an administrative assistant with Headquarters and Service Company, 1st Tank Battalion. “But Marines aren’t just on the front lines in Afghanistan; we’re all over the world, strengthening partnerships with the nations that support us there.”
Continue reading " 1st Tank Bn. deploys to Black Sea region" »
As part of our continuing coverage of "Afghanistan: the Road Ahead," - CBS News correspondent Terry McCarthy follows the Third Battalion, First Marines at home, and abroad in Afghanistan.
Staff Sergeant Paul Worley is a tall, deep-voiced Marine from tobacco-farming country in North Carolina.
Continue reading "Marines Navigate Poppy Fields and the People in Afghanistan" »
Wacie Laabs’ tattoos — a U.S. Marine Corps emblem, a Celtic cross, the word “Honor” inked in old English — can almost be viewed as his road map to war.
As part of our continuing coverage of "Afghanistan: the Road Ahead," - CBS News correspondent Terry McCarthy follows the Third Battalion, First Marines at home, and abroad in Afghanistan.
The Marine CH 53 helicopter came in from the desert and landed in the middle of an opium poppy field, which was literally adjacent to the Marine base. The poppy harvest is just over, and the poppies we crunched through on our way into the base were brown and brittle - their pods scored with diagonal slashes from the farmers who passed through last week, collecting the resin.
LOWER SALFORD — Greg Meinhardt has been changed by the war in Afghanistan, but you wouldn't be able to tell by the Marine's sense of humor.
The last of the more than 500 members of San Juan Capistrano's adopted 1st Battalion, 11th Marines depart for Afghanistan for seven-month tours on Friday, according to a city news release.
Continue reading "Marines leaving for Afghanistan on Friday" »
HELMAND PROVINCE, Afghanistan – Marine leaders from 2nd Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, and 3rd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, sat down to dine with Mir Hamza, the Garmsir Distirict National Directorate of Security chief, May 1 to celebrate the transition from 2/2 to 3/1.
Continue reading "Marines, Afghans Build Bonds Over Food, Music" »
CAMP DWYER, Afghanistan – Marines are fond of saying, “Welcome to the suck.” I’m beginning to understand why.
Continue reading "‘Sandblasted’: Afghan storm takes Marine helicopter crew by surprise" »
As part of our continuing coverage of "Afghanistan: the Road Ahead," - CBS News correspondent Terry McCarthy follows the Third Battalion, First Marines at home, and abroad in Afghanistan.
We were sitting in the shade of some mulberry trees on the edge of Koshtay village when I met a man who had never made a telephone call in his life, and didn't know how to use a telephone.
Continue reading ""Thundering Third" Meet with Local Afghan Leaders" »
MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. – The Food Service Specialist of the Year competition gauges the best of all the Food Service Specialists in the Marine Corps on their overall performance of duties. Out of the thousands of Marines in the military occupational specialty, it is a great honor to even be considered for the award. To make it to the final cut of the competition means the Marine has to be great at preparing dishes and satisfying Marine's hunger.
Continue reading "Food Service Specialist Cooks His Way to the Top" »
As part of our continuing coverage of "Afghanistan: the Road Ahead," - CBS News correspondent Terry McCarthy follows the Third Battalion, First Marines at home, and abroad in Afghanistan.
We drove south today from the main 3/1 base to Koshtay where Lima company is based.
Continue reading ""Thundering Third" Adapts to IED Threat" »
As part of our continuing coverage of "Afghanistan: the Road Ahead," - CBS News correspondent Terry McCarthy follows the Third Battalion, First Marines at home, and abroad in Afghanistan.
CAMP DWYER, Afghanistan – A group of medical professionals can treat wounded troops on the battlefield even faster than before.
Continue reading "Mobile Trauma Bay Brings Medical Care Closer to Battlefield" »
As part of our continuing coverage of "Afghanistan: the Road Ahead," - CBS News correspondent Terry McCarthy follows the Third Battalion, First Marines at home, and abroad in Afghanistan.
Staff Sergeant Nathaniel Dreyer (left) has been to war before.
During their culminating training event, Marines and Sailors from the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit conducted their final Humanitarian Assistance Operation exercise during the MEU's Certification Exercise, the last week.
Continue reading "Combat Logistics Battalion 15 Improves on Past Success in CERTEX HAO" »
A group of Marines and sailors based in Twentynine Palms are scheduled to return from Afghanistan this week, military officials say
Continue reading "Marines, sailors return to Twentynine Palms from Afghanistan" »
CAMP DWYER, Afghanistan – Marines and sailors of 3rd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment hit the ground running with Reception, Staging, Onward movement and Integration training here, April 24-25.
Continue reading "Thundering Third Arrives, Trains to Take Over Operations in Afghanistan" »
MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP PENDELTON, Calif. - The rocket-propelled grenade that exploded over his head served as an effective attention-getting device during Deputy Defense Secretary William J. Lynn III's visit to the 1st Marine Expeditionary Force's battle simulation center here yesterday.
Continue reading "Lynn Visits Simulation Center, Marines at Pendleton" »
At Lake Mission Viejo, grateful civilians who've 'adopted' a Camp Pendleton battalion give the Marines a day of fun to remember before they deploy.
When she deploys to the violence of Afghanistan, Marine Lance Cpl. Sarah Hogg, 20, of Fort Worth, Texas, will remember a sunny day of food and friendship on the shore of Lake Mission Viejo.
All was quiet on the shores of San Onofre, Calif., the night of April 14, except for the sound of waves crashing on the shore as the tide rolled in and out.
Continue reading "1/7 Marines storm beach during raid training" »
COMBAT OUTPOST NOWZAD, Helmand province, Islamic Republic of Afghanistan – The Marines of 3rd Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment are going home after seven months of training and operating alongside Afghan national security force.
CAMP BASTION, Afghanistan – Service members who make the ultimate sacrifice while serving in a combat zone are known as Angels. Those troops who lose their lives on the battlefield are brought home so they may be honored and laid to rest.
Continue reading "No Marine Left Behind: Mortuary Affairs Specialists Bring Angels Home" »
Marines and Sailors with Combat Logistics Battalion 13 have a chance to sharpen and advance their skills as they prepare to deploy with the 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit.
Continue reading "Combat Logistics Battalion 13 Toughens Up for Deployment" »
CAMP BASTION, Afghanistan, April 20, 2010 – An Afghan National Army Air Corps C-27A Spartan cargo aircraft took off from Kabul International Airport to conduct an International Security Assistance Force mission transporting weapons and cargo for Afghan National Police.
Continue reading "Face of Defense: Father, Son Serve in Afghanistan" »
CAMP LEATHERNECK, Aghanistan -- The Marines at the postal warehouse persevere through extreme heat and vicious sand storms to ensure they complete their mission of delivering mail to the Marines and sailors of Regional Command South.
CAMP DWYER, Afghanistan – Combat Logistics Battalion 1, 1st Marine Logistics Group (Forward), transferred authority to Combat Logistics Battalion 5 in a ceremony here April 16.
CAMP LEATHERNECK, Afghanistan -- In a small town in Wisconsin called Menomonee Falls, a kid named Michael J. Weiland grew up dreaming to become a police officer.
Continue reading "Marine Joins the Fight Doing What He Loves" »
CAMP LEATHERNECK, Afghanistan. – Many have heard the phrase "every Marine is a rifleman," but, how would that long-standing creed hold up without armorers?
Marines with Company F, 2nd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment participated in a week-long Military Operations in Urban Terrain (MOUT) training exercise at the Kilo 2 MOUT training facility here Apr. 4 - 11.
Continue reading "2/1 Marines take new approach to military operations in urban terrain" »
U.S. Marines from the 1st Battalion, 11th Marines (1/11) at Camp Pendleton will be deployed to Afghanistan at the beginning of May, and the city of San Juan Capistrano is sending them off in style with a barbecue for its adopted Marines.
Continue reading "Marines to be honored with BBQ in San Juan Capistrano" »
Marines go back to basics with amphibious deployment
Pilots and their crews undergo rigorous training to prepare themselves in the event of a crash in a combat zone, but they are not the only personnel who train to be ready. Marines and sailors on the ground and at sea also train to answer the call.
Continue reading "'First Team' Marines continue training for MEU mission" »
HELMAND PROVINCE, Afghanistan – I Marine Expeditionary Force (FWD) assumed command of all Marine operations throughout southern Afghanistan during a transfer of authority ceremony here, April 12, making it the largest Marine command in Afghanistan since the war began nearly a decade ago.
Continue reading "2nd MEB Transfers Authority of Southern Afghanistan to I MEF (FWD)" »
CAMP DWYER, Afghanistan – When service members are injured in a combat zone, a group of medical professionals work tirelessly to keep them alive.
Continue reading "Combat Docs: 'We Fix Them Up and Get Them Back to Duty'" »
CAMP LEATHERNECK, Helmand province, Islamic Republic of Afghanistan – Ten Afghan national soldiers, armed with M-16's, lie in the prone position shooting downrange while their company commander barked orders for muzzle awareness.
Continue reading "Augments Depart Iraq Early to Mentor Afghan Army" »
CAMP LEATHERNECK, Helmand province, Islamic Republic of Afghanistan –
The 1st Marine Division (Forward) recently arrived in southern Afghanistan and wasted no time gaining ground in operations here.
Continue reading "Blue Diamond Marines Partner With Security Forces for Afghanistan's Future" »
Deploying Camp Pendleton Marines spend day studying dynamics of world conflicts
Five dozen troops from Camp Pendleton's 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit put down their weapons one day last week and picked up pens instead for a crash course in geopolitics.
Continue reading "Troops exchange weapons for pens for lesson in geopolitics" »
WOLF PACK: Hemet’s adopted battalion going to Middle East for sixth time, accepts key to city.
It was a sunny, pleasant day when the battalion commander and sergeant major of the Wolf Pack, the Marine Corps unit adopted by Hemet, came to town to accept the key to the city and present Mayor Eric McBride and City Manager Brian Nakamura with the unit’s challenge coin.
Teams of female Marines are stepping off their bases in Afghanistan and entering villages to build relationships with an often overlooked sector of the Afghan population: women.
Continue reading "Female troops take on new role in Afghanistan" »
COOS BAY, Ore. -Three months ago, a local Marine, 1st Lt. Richard Rush was fighting a war in Afghanistan when he and seven others were hit by a roadside bomb.
Continue reading "Injured Marine continues recovery in Coos Bay" »
Deep in the sands of Afghanistan, a Marine reservist who is also a volunteer firefighter carries out the missions placed upon him.
He's a Marine reservist by day, a crime fighter by night, and he does everything he can to protect the people of New York City. And now he's doing the same in Afghanistan.
COMBAT OUTPOST CASTLE, Helmand province, Islamic Republic of Afghanistan -When used, military working dogs and their trainers are an immense asset to troops on the ground.
Continue reading "Military Working Dogs Aid Marines, Find Explosives" »
Husbands' repeated deployments mean years of worry, plus the stress of handling everything at home on their own. Then there's how to handle their changed spouses when they come home.
Continue reading "Mideast wars' unsung heroes: the wives left behind" »
MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. - Marines with Explosive Ordnance Disposal show the ropes to the highest Marine Corps ranking officer, Gen. James T. Conway, here at the Deluz Combat Town, March 31.
CAMP LEATHERNECK, Afghanistan - While laying down a hail of gunfire, 3rd Low Altitude Air Defense Battalion trained a new batch of Marines from various units April 2 to assist in maintaining the first line of defense for Camp Leatherneck.
Continue reading "Marines Train to Be First Line of Defense for Camp Leatherneck" »
CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. — A new $13 million training range opened here March 25 that will give Marines much-needed experience in countering improvised explosive devices, which remain the most significant threat to troops in the war zones.
Continue reading "Range offers training in combating IED threat" »
Men and women, combat veterans and untested officers, logistics specialists and senior sergeants. Each Marine among the surge of more than 11,000 from Camp Pendleton and supporting bases heading to southern Afghanistan this spring is vital. Their roles differ, but the mission unites them as the 1st Marine Expeditionary Force assumes command of ground-combat operations in a Taliban stronghold.
The San Diego Union-Tribune will profile three of those Marines during their deployments.
THE FATHER FIGURE: 'You get attached to these young Marines.'
It hasn’t always been easy for Sgt. Maj. Neil O’Connell to balance the needs of his family at home and his family of Marines. But after more than three decades in the Corps, he has had a lot of practice.
SAN CLEMENTE, Calif. - Roadside bombs are reported to be the deadliest threat to the American military in the war effort in Afghanistan, but a Scotts Valley Marine led the way towards eliminating the threat with the help of a four-legged warrior.
Continue reading "Scotts Valley Native Part of Marine IED Search Team" »
CAMP LEATHERNECK, Afghanistan– The Afghan national army's 215th Maiwand Corps was activated during an inauguration ceremony aboard Camp Shorabak here, April 1.
Continue reading "1st Marine Division Forward, Afghan Army Unite" »