Camp Lejeune, New River welcomes Kazakhstani military officials Page 1C
Youth softball tournament crowns champion Page 1B
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North Carolina Symphony orchestra visits Jacksonville
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GLOBE Serving Camp Lejeune and surrounding areas since 1944
2011 THURSDAY JUNE 9, 20
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VOLUME 73 EDITION 23 USS BATAAN, AT SEA
USS BATAAN – In an advanced training exercise in the Mediterranean Sea, May 10, Marines and sailors with the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit simulated pursuing and raiding a suspected vessel attempting to illegally smuggle weapons and illicit
The mission conducted was a vessel board, search and seizure mission on the suspected ship in order to protect the people of Libya and eliminate any threat to U.S. interests, assets and personnel. “VBSS is a critical mission set for the USS Bataan Amphibi-
ous Ready Group because, if tasked, we must counter piracy and, or, the smuggling of weapons, explosives or any other illegal items at sea,” said Capt. Scott A. Cuomo, the operations officer for Battalion Landing Team, 2nd Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, 22nd MEU.
During the latetraining scenario, USNS Robert E. Peary, a Navy logistics ship, simulated the hostile vessel attempting to supply proregime Libyan forces with arms. Marines and sailors with Weapons Company, BLT 2nd Bn. 2nd Marines, served as the raid force and security element
tasked with overpowering the suspected ship and crew. “The May 10 VBSS mission provided the opportunity for our VBSS force to demonstrate its capabilities to seize a vessel that attempts to oppose the (Navy and Marine Corps) team from boarding,” Cuomo
SGT. JOSHUA COX 22nd Marine Expeditionary Force
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Photo by Sgt. Joshua Cox
A Marine with Weapons Company, Battalion Landing Team, 2nd Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit, provides security on the bridge of USNS Robert E. Peary during a vessel board, search and seizure training exercise, May 10. In the training exercise, Marines and sailors with the 22nd MEU pursued and raided a hostile vessel suspected of illegally smuggling weapons and illicit material in the Mediterranean Sea.
uring an advanced training exercise in the Mediterranean Sea, May 10, Marines and sailors with the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit simulated pursuing and raiding a suspected vessel attempting to illegally smuggle weapons and illicit material. The mission conducted was a vessel board, search and seizure mission on the suspected ship in order to protect the people of Libya and eliminate any threat to U.S. interests, assets and personnel. “VBSS is a critical mission set for the USS Bataan Amphibious Ready Group because, if tasked, we must counter piracy and, or, the smuggling of weapons, explosives or any other illegal items at sea,” said Capt. Scott A. Cuomo, the operations officer for Battalion Landing Team 2nd Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, 22nd MEU. During the late-training scenario,
Robert E. P Peary, a N Navy llogisUSNS R b t E i tics ship, simulated the hostile vessel attempting to supply pro-regime Libyan forces with arms. Marines and sailors with Weapons Company, BLT, 2nd Bn. 2nd Marines, served as the raid force and security element tasked with overpowering the suspected ship and crew. “The May 10 VBSS mission provided the opportunity for our VBSS force to demonstrate its capabilities to seize a vessel that attempts to oppose the (Navy and Marine Corps) team from boarding,” Cuomo explained. “The training scenario was built around a vessel that was attempting to smuggle illegal weapons and ammunition to pro-regime elements in Libya.” Before the mission began, the Marines analyzed intelligence, conducted detailed briefs and coordinated all assets involved in the operation. “When the ship was asked to comply with a request to board, the ship refused,” Cuomo said. Following the final planning and SEE MEU 7A
ZARANJ, AFGHANISTAN
Regional Command Southwest Commanding General visits Zaranj LANCE CPL. BRIAN NYGAARD II MEF (Forward)
Maj. Gen. John A. Toolan, commanding general of Regional Command Southwest, visited the city of Zaranj to participate in the ribbon cutting at the opening ceremony of Zaranj’s new hospital emergency room, June 4.
INSIDE THE GLOBE
Before the ceremony, a shura was held at the provincial governor’s office. Many government officials were in attendance, including members of the Nimroz Department of Security and senior officials from Nimroz security forces. Toolan was accompanied by U.K. Col. Andrew C. McCord, deputy of Afghan National Security Forc-
es Development for RC(SW), and Col. Michael A. Lawrence, the Nimroz provincial coordinator, to help promote relations between the provincial and national government. Toolan felt it was good to Photo by Lance Cpl. Brian Nygaard meet with the Nimroz provincial governor, Abdul Karim Maj. Gen. John A. Toolan (center), commanding general of Regional Command Southwest, tours the city of Zaranj with the Nimroz provincial SEE ZARANJ 6A governor, Abdul Karim Brahawi, June 4.
BELLEAU, FRANCE
Memorial Day ceremony honors Belleau Wood fallen MASTER SGT. GRADY T. FONTANA Marine Forces Europe
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More than 300 Marines and sailors from commands throughout Europe and the United States, along with about 2,000 French locals, gathered at the AisneMarne American Cemetery for a Memorial Day ceremony to honor the dead and missing of the World War I battle of Belleau Wood. The 35th Commandant of the Marine Corps, Gen. James F. Amos, backed by Marines from Marine Corps Forces Europe, members of 5th and 6th Marine Regiments and Fleet Anti-terrorism Security Team Company Europe gathered to remember and honor the 2,289 war-dead who are buried at the 42.5-acre cemetery. “Just behind me, and over this hill on June the 6th, 1918, the Marine Corps sustained more casualties than it had in its previous 143 years of existence,” said Amos in a speech in front of dignitaries and French locals. “On that day, the Marine Corps transformed from simple naval infantry to one of the most feared and revered fighting forces the world has ever known.” The ceremony featured remarks by Monique Benier, the mayor of Belleau, along with memorial addresses from both Amos and French Commander of Land Forces Lt. Gen. Herve Charpentier. The laying of wreathes, poetry readings and performances by the French Army Band, the 'Commandant's Own' Drum and Bugle Corps and the U.S. Marine Corps Silent Drill Platoon were also featured. “Belleau Wood is one of those touchstone battles for the Marine Corps,” said Lt. Gen. John M. Paxton Jr., commanding general, II Marine Expeditionary Force and commander, Marine Corps Forces Africa. “Ever since 1918, SEE BELLEAU 6A
Photo by Master Sgt. Grady T. Fontana
The 35th Commandant of the Marine Corps, Gen. James F. Amos, lays a wreath in front of the Iron Mike monument atop a hill in the heart of the Belleau Wood forest during a private Memorial Day ceremony in front of a formation of Marines and French soldiers.