WWW.CAMPLEJEUNEGLOBE.COM
VOLUME 74, EDITION 49
The
GL BE SERVING CAMP LEJEUNE AND SURROUNDING AREAS SINCE 1944
Battle Training
Tire flipping bonds Marines | 3A
Machine gunners test skills| 4A THURDSDAY DECEMBER 6, 2012
WWW.LEJEUNE.MARINES.MIL FORWARD OPERATING BASE GERONIMO, AFGHANISTAN
Photo by Gunnery Sgt. Chad R. Kiehl
Lance Cpl. Dallin Jaramillo, a rifleman with 3rd Battalion, 9th Marine Regiment, Regimental Combat Team 7, takes a break at an Afghan Local Police station Nov. 27. CPL. TIMOTHY LENZO
Regional Command Southwest
Marines with 3rd Battalion, 9th Marine Regiment, Regimental Combat Team 7, recently returned to southern Afghanistan, two years after their last deployment to the Marjah area. The opportunity to return to the same area allowed some Marines to see firsthand the difference two years of teaching and mentoring with various Marine battalions and training teams make on an area. “We were in the Marjah district on the edge of Trek Nawa from December 2010 to June 2011,” said Lance Cpl. Limuel Richards, a team leader with the battalion.
Richards and his squad leader, Sgt. Ben Edwards, were with the battalion two years ago. Because of their previous deployment, the two Marines have a better perspective of the progress made by Afghan National Security Forces. “I honestly thought when we came back it was going to be like before,” said Edwards. “Everyone told me the war had changed, but I see it now with my own eyes.” Last deployment, the Marines worked relatively independent of their Afghan counterparts. They operated and patrolled through the district, occasionally with Afghan National Army soldiers attached to their squad. This is a stark contrast to how Marines run
missions now. “The biggest difference is the ANA are running their own operations,” said Richards. “They understand tactics and how to patrol a lot better than our last deployment.” Recently, Edwards’ squad patrolled through the surrounding area with an Afghan National Army squad. “I led the patrol down to a local police station,” said Edwards. “We checked on a school that recently opened and had chai tea with an (Afghan Local Police) officer and Afghan squad leader. Afterward, I talked to the ANA squad leader, and he took charge and led the patrol back.” The last time Richards was here, they used simple hand
signals to show the Afghan soldiers how to patrol, where to post security, and other squad and fire team level tactics. The development of the Afghan forces is much farther along then those days. “On today’s patrol, they knew what to do,” said Richards. “I was really impressed with their improvement.” When the squads arrived at the police station, ANA Staff Sgt. Samandar Khan, a squad leader with the 215th Corps, set his soldiers in security positions outside. The command impressed Edwards and showed him how much the ANA have progressed. “While we had the meeting, (Sgt. Khan) mentioned going out and checking on his soldiers,
2nd Assault Amphibious Battalion takes dive
which stood out to me,” said Edwards. “Checking on his men and posting security really showed how he acted like a leader, doing the things leaders should.” SEE MARJAH 5A
News Briefs
Devil Pups poised to win 1B
LANCE CPL. MEL JOHNSON 2nd Marine Division
As the amtrac dunker dropped in the pool, flipped over on its side and began to take on water, all spectators breathlessly waited for the four “trapped” Marines to resurface. With air bubbles disturbing the calm water, everyone in the pool let out a sigh of relief as they watched the four Marines escape the Submerged Vehicle Egress Trainer and float to the surface. “I honestly hope the Marines never have to use any of the training they learned today,” said Glen LaMarque, an underwater egress instructor aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune. The day’s training was to teach basic egress from a submerged vehicle. Though this “amtrac dunker” is not an exact replica of an AAV, it can be flipped on its side or upsidePhoto by Lance Cpl. Melvin Johnson down to simulate what happens when a veMarines with Charlie Company, 2nd Assault Amphibious Battalion test their air tanks hicle loses power and is engulfed by water. before attemting to escape a Submerged Vehicle Egress Trainer Nov. 19 during a “The front half (of the simulator) is the cab of a Humvee, and the back an AAV,” said La- company training exercise aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune. Marque. “The inside isn’t as complicated as ing in the water and practicing, it wasn’t as This survival training proves to be not only an actual AAV, but it still allows the Marines hard as I thought,” said Lance Cpl. Kristo- beneficial for junior Marines but for senior ento receive proper training.” pher Ax a crewman with Company C. listed as well. The Marines completed the training wearThough Ax feels this training is beneficial, “It keeps us on our toes,” said Staff Sgt Peing full water gear, including breathing devic- he said he’s not looking to there being a time ter L. Roger, a section leader with the compaes, life vests and flak jackets. when what he’s learned is needed. ny. “If we don’t know how to keep our senses Before using the SVET simulator the Ma“There’s no doubt that what we are do- and escape a sinking AAV, how can we expect rines were taught in pairs, and practiced prop- ing today is probably some of the most useful it of the younger Marines?” er use of air-tanks and escaping from a mock training we’ll receive,” said Ax. “But if there is Roger said the training was more than just AAV seat. a time when I have to use this (training) it prob- about water survival. “I was a little nervous at first, but after be- ably means things are already going bad.” SEE DIVE 7A
Academy strengthens SNCOs 1C
Christmas tale comes to life at LHS 1D