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VOLUME 75, EDITION 2
The
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Logistics
CLR-27 R 27 7 welcomes new commanding officer | 5A
Outpost Helmand’s hub | 4A THURDSDAY JANUARY 10, 2012
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Photo by Cpl. Kyle N. Runnels
Marines and sailors assigned to 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit’s maritime raid force land aboard USS San Antonio while conducting maritime interdiction operations during the MEU’s group sail exercise recently. The exercise was part of the 26th MEU’s third major training evolution of their pre-deployment training program.
USS SAN ANTONIO
CPL. KYLE N. RUNNELS
26th Marine Expeditionary Unit
Marines and sailors with the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit's maritime raid force conducted a maritime interdiction operation training exercise at sea aboard USS San Antonio recently. "This training was teaching anti-piracy techniques," said Staff Sgt. Joseph Bagorskas, lead MIO instructor with the Special Operations Training Group. "This training gives them another tool the Marines can use to accomplish their mission. Instead of just being land or air based, this helps take us back to our roots of the continental days when Marines would fight pirates on ships." "It also gives the MEU the ability to interdict suspected pirate vessels and gives them the ability to board vessels, whether they are large or small, in order to figure out what is going on and secure the ship," said Staff Sgt. Ryan J. Kuperus, lead tactics instructor with SOTG. Bagorskas brought up a more recent MIO the 15th MEU conducted dubbed Magellan Star. During
the mission, the Marines and sailors helped secure a pirate-seized German cargo ship off the coast of Yemen in 2010, safely rescuing all the hostages, and capturing and prosecuting the pirates without having to fire a single shot. This training exercise simulated the San Antonio being a non-compliant ship boarded by Marines and sailors who inserted from a CH-53E Super Stallion and two MH-60S Seahawks. Bagorskas said once the Marines boarded, they pushed through the ship and secured their main points of interest. During the mission they prosecuted a threat in the well deck, established and maintained communications, and evacuated two crew members who sustained injuries and a casualty they took while operating. Once the ship was cleared and deemed safe, they handed the ship over to the Navy ship control team. Perfecting this training gives the 26th MEU the capability to more safely and proficiently perform this operation while on its deployment if necessary. To provide guidance on how to improve, Marines and sailors from SOTG
graded the boarding and clearing of the ship. "It is important to train on exercises like this and improve their skill set because part of the MEU's area of operations is the Gulf of Aden," said Kuperus. "The area was a real hot spot of pirate activities in the last couple years." As the first major training operation these Marines and sailors conducted since completing the course for visit, board, search and seizure, Kuperus said they performed well. He said as long as they maintain brilliance in the basics and don't try anything fancy, they will continue to be successful. This exercise was part of the 26th MEU's third major training evolution of their pre-deployment training program. The 26th MEU operates continuously across the globe, providing the president and unified combatant commanders with a forward-deployed, seabased quick reaction force. The MEU is a Marine Air-Ground Task Force capable of conducting amphibious operations, crisis response and limited contingency operations. The 26th MEU is slated to deploy in 2013.
HELMAND PROVINCE, AFGHANISTAN
Photo by Cpl. Kyle N. Runnels
A Marine assigned to 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit’s maritime raid force provides security on the flight deck of USS San Antonio while conducting maritime interdiction operations during the MEU’s group sail exercise recently.
CAMP LEATHERNECK, AFGHANISTAN
CMC, SMMC spend Christmas with Service members observe service members in Afghanistan candlelight vigil for Sandy MASTER SGT. BRENDA VARNADORE Regional Command Southwest
Commandant of the Marine Corps Gen. James F. Amos, Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps Micheal P. Barrett and the First Lady of the Marine Corps Bonnie Amos spent four days during Christmas visiting service members throughout Helmand province, Afghanistan, Dec. 23 through 26. Also on the trip was Lt. Gen. Richard Tryon, deputy commandant for Plans, Policies and Operations, and Lt. Gen. William Faulkner, deputy commandant for Installations and Logistics. The official party visited service members deployed to forward operating bases and combat outposts throughout Regional Command Southwest’s area of operations to include Leatherneck, Payne, Geronimo, Hanson, Sabit Qadam, Kajaki and Musa Qal’ah just to wish them a Merry Christmas. “Gen. George Washington chose to cross the Delaware River Dec. 25, 1776,” said Barrett. “Here we are 276 years later on Christmas still at it. I am humbled to be standing here with you.
There is nothing more honorable or noble than to serve your nation.” Mrs. Amos told the servicemembers how she was asking her husband to let her come for the last four years and her “nag campaign” finally payed off. “My Christmas dream came true,” said Mrs. Amos. “The lens I am looking through is vast. I am looking through it for each one of your loved ones back home. They would love to be able to see what I am seeing now. I wanted to tell each and every one of you Merry Christmas on behalf of your families back home. Christmas is about family, and you are all my family.” The commandant also told the service members how proud he was of the progress made in Helmand province. “I was in and out of here for four years,” said Amos to Marines outside Marjah. “(Third Battalion, 9th Marine Regiment) was in and out of here for quite some time, and it’s changing for the better. This battalion spent a lot of blood in the Marjah area. This has been your neighborhood. You can see the improvements this place SEE CHRISTMAS 4A
News Briefs
Hook victims, families CPL. TIMOTHY LENZO
Regional Command Southwest
Despite being focused on the realities of war, approximately 100 service members and civilians gathered aboard Camp Leatherneck, Afghanistan, Dec. 21 to remember the victims and families affected by the Newtown, Conn., tragedy. Deployed service members heard news of the horrific event that happened a week prior and wanted to show their support. The Sandy Hook Vigil five-kilometer walk, named after the elementary school where 20 children and six adults were killed, brought the deployed service members and civilians together. Candles were passed out and lit in remembrance of the lives lost before a moment of silence. “I thought of my younger brothers, my younger sister and cousins,” said Lance Cpl. Ravoughn Henry, supply administration clerk, Marine Wing Headquarters Squadron 3, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing (Forward). “I don’t know how I would feel if I came home and something like this had happened to them.” Henry is the second oldest of five children, and he was saddened by the news of the young victims. “I’m the big brother,” said Henry. “All I SEE SANDY HOOK 4A
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