SEOUL — About 2,000 U.S. Marines based in Okinawa and mainland Japan stormed a South Korean beach on Thursday during an annual landing exercise with their South Korean counterparts.
Continue reading "U.S. Marines hone landing skills with S. Koreans during exercise" »
SEOUL — About 2,000 U.S. Marines based in Okinawa and mainland Japan stormed a South Korean beach on Thursday during an annual landing exercise with their South Korean counterparts.
Continue reading "U.S. Marines hone landing skills with S. Koreans during exercise" »
SEOUL — About 2,000 U.S. Marines based in Okinawa and mainland Japan stormed a South Korean beach on Thursday during an annual landing exercise with their South Korean counterparts.
Continue reading "U.S. Marines hone landing skills with S. Koreans during exercise" »
SEOUL — About 2,000 U.S. Marines based in Okinawa and mainland Japan stormed a South Korean beach on Thursday during an annual landing exercise with their South Korean counterparts.
Continue reading "U.S. Marines hone landing skills with S. Koreans during exercise" »
Marines and sailors are headed to Anbar province, but first, the pain of leaving family -- again.
Reporting from Camp Pendleton -- The drill was new to some of the families attached to Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 369. But it was a familiar and heartbreaking scene Sunday for most, who said goodbye yet again to hundreds of Marines deploying to Iraq for repeat tours.
Continue reading "Another tour in Iraq, another tearful goodbye for Marines" »
BAGONG BARRIO, GUIMBA, Republic of the Philippines — The clouds opened up letting the sun shine down on the quiet village of Bagong Barrio, a farming community where an overcrowded school is getting a much needed classroom and a face lift as part of Amphibious Landing Exercise 2009.
FALLUJAH, Iraq – Most Marines agree taking care of the man on your left and right is the number one concern in combat.
Hawai'i's congressional delegation has added its voices to those seeking a presidential review of the Pentagon's decision to award the late Marine Sgt. Rafael Peralta — whose body shielded others from a grenade blast — a Navy Cross instead of the Medal of Honor.
Continue reading "Hawaii delegation joins move to review slain Marine's award" »
Sergeant covered a grenade with his body to save comrades in Iraq
SAN DIEGO - A California congressional delegation asked President Bush on Friday to posthumously award the Medal of Honor to a Marine who was chosen to receive only the second-highest medal the Navy can bestow for valor.
Continue reading "Bush urged to review denied Medal of Honor" »
SAN DIEGO - A Marine sergeant singled out by President Bush for throwing his body on a grenade to save his comrades in Iraq will receive the prestigious Navy Cross rather than the nation's highest military award, military officials said.
Continue reading "Marine praised by Bush won't get Medal of Honor" »
OKINAWA, Japan — As the Marine Corps’ only forward deployed Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), the Marines and sailors of the 31st MEU concluded MEU Exercise (MEUEX) 08-2 with plenty of success and lessons learned, Sept. 11.
Continue reading "31st MEU molds unit cohesion during island-wide exercise" »
KARMAH, Iraq – In an act of defiance toward al-Qaida in Iraq, Karmah sheikhs and Marines with Task Force 1st Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, Regimental Combat Team 1, recently held their first meeting since a suicide vest attack killed 20 local leaders and key tribal figures and three Marines, June 26, 2008.
SUBYHAT, Iraq – Marines and Sailors with Task Force 2nd Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, Regimental Combat Team 1, conducted a cooperative medical engagement in the Karma and Subyhat areas to assist the local population in receiving medical care August 11th and 12th.
LAHIB, Iraq – The desert environment can be harsh on crops and livestock without the steady flow of fresh water, and in a place like Iraq, a fresh flow of water is hard to come by.
BAGHDAD — Iraqi troops have captured two suspected insurgents linked to a suicide bombing that killed at least 20 Iraqis and three U.S. Marines, including the battalion commander of 2nd Battalion, 3rd Marines.
Continue reading "Suspects in bombing that killed 2/3 CO nabbed" »
KARMA, Iraq – A large percentage of new businesses in the U.S. fail within the first year.Starting a business in Iraq is no different, if not harder, but with the help of Marines with Company F, 2nd Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, Regimental Combat Team 1, four Iraqi businessmen have hopes of beating the odds.
SITCHER, Iraq (July 24, 2008) – Marines and Iraqi tribal and security officials gathered near the Sitcher Iraqi Police Station to celebrate the inauguration of a new local sheik July 24.
AL JABER AIR BASE, Kuwait — The AV-8B Harrier detachment for Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 165 (Reinforced), 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit, is currently conducting a series of bilateral training exercises with their Kuwaiti counterparts as part of exercise Eager Mace 2008.
Continue reading "White Knights spread good will through bilateral training" »
Battalion commander among suicide bomber's victims
The commanding officer of a Hawai'i-based battalion of more than 1,000 Marines and sailors died Thursday in Iraq in an attack that also killed two other Kane'ohe Marines, the military said yesterday.
Victims of attack targeting anti-al-Qaida tribal sheiks included 3 Marines
BAGHDAD - A member of an extremist cell believed to be behind a suicide attack that killed more than 20 people including three U.S. Marines has been arrested, the U.S. military said Friday.
CAMP HANSEN, Okinawa — The 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit was activated March 1, 1967, as Special Landing Force Alpha, for operations in Vietnam. It made the first of many amphibious deployments from Okinawa to the coast of Vietnam April 10, 1967. Ten days later, it was committed to Operation Beaver Cafe/Union #1. From May to September, Special Landing Force Alpha was entrusted to ground operations 22 days out of each month. It was during this period of intense combat that Special Landing Force Alpha earned the Presidential Unit Citation. The unit participated in supporting operations ashore during the following three years, returning to Okinawa periodically for re-outfitting and the rotation of forces.
Continue reading "31st Marine Expeditionary Unit's History" »
CAMP HANSEN, Okinawa — The 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit was activated March 1, 1967, as Special Landing Force Alpha, for operations in Vietnam. It made the first of many amphibious deployments from Okinawa to the coast of Vietnam April 10, 1967. Ten days later, it was committed to Operation Beaver Cafe/Union #1. From May to September, Special Landing Force Alpha was entrusted to ground operations 22 days out of each month. It was during this period of intense combat that Special Landing Force Alpha earned the Presidential Unit Citation. The unit participated in supporting operations ashore during the following three years, returning to Okinawa periodically for re-outfitting and the rotation of forces.
Continue reading "31st Marine Expeditionary Unit's History" »
CAMP HANSEN, Okinawa — The 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit was activated March 1, 1967, as Special Landing Force Alpha, for operations in Vietnam. It made the first of many amphibious deployments from Okinawa to the coast of Vietnam April 10, 1967. Ten days later, it was committed to Operation Beaver Cafe/Union #1. From May to September, Special Landing Force Alpha was entrusted to ground operations 22 days out of each month. It was during this period of intense combat that Special Landing Force Alpha earned the Presidential Unit Citation. The unit participated in supporting operations ashore during the following three years, returning to Okinawa periodically for re-outfitting and the rotation of forces.
Continue reading "31st Marine Expeditionary Unit's History" »
CAMP H.M. SMITH, Hawaii (NNS) -- The USS Essex group has been positioned off the coast
of Burma since May 13, ready and able to deliver urgently needed humanitarian assistance to the victims of Cyclone Nargis, but Burma's ruling military junta has repeatedly rebuffed our offers to help.
Continue reading "USS Essex Group/ 31st MEU Returning to Previously Scheduled Operations" »
HONOLULU — The top U.S. military commander in the Pacific said Tuesday that Navy ships off cyclone-stricken Myanmar will soon leave the area.
Continue reading "Admiral: U.S. ships off cyclone-stricken Myanmar will leave the area" »
SINGAPORE Defense Secretary Robert Gates says he'll decide within "a matter of days" to withdraw U.S. Navy ships from the coast of Myanmar, because "it's becoming pretty clear the regime is not going to let us help."
Continue reading "US aid ships could soon leave Myanmar coast" »
KARMA, Iraq (May 29, 2008) – Along the road nicknamed Chicago, vehicles lined up for miles, each vehicle getting ready to be searched. But they are not going to be searched by Marines, but by local Iraqi Security Forces.
Continue reading "2nd Bn., 3rd Marines participate in Operation Gravel Dump" »
WASHINGTON (AP) — The senior commander of U.S. forces in the Pacific says the Navy probably will withdraw a group of naval vessels from waters off the coast of Myanmar within days unless the government allows the ships to offload their relief supplies for cyclone victims.
Continue reading "US commander: Navy ships likely to leave Myanmar soon" »
SITCHER, Iraq — Children shudder at the thought when that time to see the doctor comes around. But children in the Anbar province area received something special to help them cope with their visit to the doctor.
Continue reading "Oahu children, Hawaii Marines deliver teddy bears to Iraqi kids" »
NAYPYIDAW, Myanmar (Reuters) - Myanmar's junta agreed on Friday to admit foreign aid workers of all nationalities to the delta area worst hit by Cyclone Nargis, in what the U.N. called a breakthrough for aiding survivors.
Continue reading "Junta agreement opens door to more Myanmar aid" »
While the USS Essex Amphibious Readiness Group awaits an OK from the Myanmar government to deliver aid to Cyclone Nargis victims, Marines and sailors with the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit hit the ropes Sunday aboard the ship in international waters off the coast.
Continue reading "Marines learn the ropes waiting for OK to aid Myanmar" »
BANGKOK (AFP) — US Navy ships loaded with aid will remain off the coast of cyclone-hit Myanmar, US officials said Thursday, despite a rebuke from the ruling generals who refused any help with "strings attached."
Continue reading "US ships idle at sea as Myanmar rebukes aid" »
BANGKOK, Thailand - U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon heads to Myanmar on Thursday for the diplomatic challenge of a lifetime — persuading the ruling generals to let in a torrent of foreign assistance for cyclone victims.
Continue reading "UN chief goes to Myanmar to cajole junta over aid" »
BANGKOK, Thailand: Almost within sight range of Myanmar's cyclone-devastated shore are the USS Essex, USS Juneau, USS Harpers Ferry and USS Mustin. They hold 14 helicopters, two landing craft vessels, two high-tech amphibious hovercraft and about 1,000 U.S. Marines.
Continue reading "International sea convoy awaits mediation by Asian bloc to deliver Myanmar aid" »
CAMP FIREBIRD, Iraq — Marine Wing Support Squadron 172, currently assigned to 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing (Forward), is the first III Marine Expeditionary Force wing support squadron to deploy in support of the Long War.
Continue reading "Okinawa squadron puts boots on deck for first time" »
AL-ASAD, Iraq — Communication and data exchange are vital tools in the war on terrorism.
The US amphibious assault ship, USS Essex, is moored off the coast of Burma, prohibited by the military government from swinging into action to help cyclone victims. The BBC's Nick Bryant reports from aboard the ship.
JAKARTA, Indonesia - Three U.S. Navy ships are sailing toward Myanmar, ready to deliver aid to cyclone victims if the country's military rulers allow it, a top American commander said Monday.
Continue reading "US Navy ships move closer to Myanmar, ready to help if asked: commander" »
Marines and sailors with the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit arrived off the coast of southern Thailand on Thursday to participate in Cobra Gold 2008, a multinational exercise focusing on regional cooperation and humanitarian assistance projects.
Continue reading "31st MEU arrives in Thailand for Cobra Gold" »
CAMP FALLUJAH, Iraq (May 9, 2008) – “You have been rocking the street of Zaidon, right? You have been rocking the streets of Shohabi, right? You have been rocking the streets of Karma, right? Now it’s time to rock Camp Fallujah, so get up out of your seats and have a good time,” said 1st Sgt. Brian Fogarty, First Sergeant, Company E, 2nd Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, Regimental Combat Team 1, while introducing the Southern California band, The Saloonatics, on stage for a concert aboard Camp Fallujah.
WASHINGTON - The governing military junta in Myanmar has agreed to allow a single U.S. cargo aircraft to bring in relief supplies for victims of a devastating cyclone, the Bush administration said Friday.
Continue reading "US official: 1 shipment to be allowed to Myanmar" »
Military regime allows in supplies, but visas stalled for relief workers
YANGON, Myanmar - After snubbing a U.S. aid offer, Myanmar indicated Friday that it wants foreign relief to help recover from a devastating cyclone but not foreign workers.
Continue reading "Myanmar junta accept aid, not aid workers" »
WASHINGTON (Map, News) - Defense Secretary Robert Gates said Thursday the U.S. military was stepping up preparations for a relief mission in Myanmar, but he said he couldn't imagine air dropping aid without permission from the closed regime.
Continue reading "Pentagon proceeding cautiously on potential aid drop" »
President Bush on Tuesday urged the military junta leaders in Myanmar to accept assistance from U.S. Navy ships and Marine forces in the region poised to help the nation recover from a devastating cyclone.
Troops repair vacant public housing units in effort 'to give back'
Some 90 Marines took a break from weapons and combat training yesterday to pick up mops, paintbrushes, sponges and Spackle as they refurbished 30 vacant public housing units.
WASHINGTON, May 6 (Xinhua) -- U.S. Navy ships are standing by off Thailand awaiting permission to join relief efforts in cyclone-hit Myanmar, the Pentagon said Tuesday.
Continue reading "U.S. navy ready to help cyclone-ravaged Myanmar" »
WASHINGTON (AFP) — US Navy ships, including an amphibious assault ship with helicopters and US marines, are standing by off Thailand awaiting permission to join relief efforts in cyclone-hit Myanmar, the Pentagon said Tuesday.
Continue reading "US ships standing by for Myanmar relief: Pentagon" »
WASHINGTON (AFP) - The US and Australia led international calls Tuesday for the military junta in Myanmar to ease entry restrictions to allow disaster relief to reach the cyclone-hit country.
Continue reading "US leads pressure on Myanmar to allow in disaster relief" »
ZAIDON, Iraq – Marines with Weapons Company, 2nd Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, Regimental Combat Team 1, demilitarized a patrol base in the Ziadon area, May 1.
Continue reading "Hawaii-based Marines demilitarize patrol base" »
KARMA, Iraq —
KARMA, Iraq — A convoy of humvees, 7-ton trucks, and mine-resistant ambush-protected vehicles pull up to a sheik’s home. As they arrive, local citizens, already lined up, wait outside the gate to receive aid through the teamwork of the local government, Iraqi Security Forces and Coalition forces.
Continue reading "Hawaii-based Marines help provide medical care to Iraqis" »
KANEOHE BAY, Hawaii — When they land in Iraq later this summer, some 200 members of an infantry battalion here will step out better trained and immersed in the Arabic language and culture than ever before.
Continue reading "Arabic made focus for Iraq-bound battalion" »
CENTRAL TRAINING AREA, OKINAWA, Japan — Combat veterans with Battalion Landing Team 2nd Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment, con