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VOLUME 75, EDITION 8
The
GL BE SERVING CAMP LEJEUNE AND SURROUNDING AREAS SINCE 1944
Instructor
IED D training proves more than meets eye | 4A
Dedication to future enlisted leaders | 3A THURSDAY FEBRUARY 21, 2013
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Photo by Lance Cpl. Joseph Scanlan
Multiple batteries from 5th Battalion, 11th Marine Regiment fired a combined 400 High Mobility Rocket Artillery System rounds in Helmand province in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. “It’s very significant the Battery I command hit this milestone, killed the enemy, and was able to save Marines’ lives,” said Capt. Jason Reukema, commanding officer of Battery S, 5th Bn., 11th Marines.
CAMP LEATHERNECK, AFGHANISTAN SGT. NED JOHNSON
Regimental Combat Team 7
During previous years, Marine artillery was an important part of supporting Marines on the battlefield. During 2012, rocket artillery fired a record number of rounds in support of those Marines. The High Mobility Rocket Artillery System batteries of 5th Battalion, 11th Marine Regiment, fired approximately 400 rockets in Helmand province during 2012, said 1st Lt. Robert Bohn, the operations officer with Battery S, 5th Bn., 11th Marines. Battery R fired six early during 2012, Battery T fired 187 up to June, and Battery S fired 207 to bring the total to 400, said Bohn.
“The number is equal to or even more than the total fired in the last four years combined,” said Capt. Jason Reukema, commanding officer of Battery S. While the increase is in sheer numbers, it’s also about the capabilities of both the rocket artillery round and the batteries. “We are a persistent 24-hour fire support that is precision effective,” said Reukema. “We told them whatever they needed to hit, we can hit it and we can hit it fast. We cut the time down to three to five minutes to fire a rocket. I can’t tell you exactly how fast we can do it, but it’s faster than the enemy can get away and often times faster than they can even get an attack set up.” Other factors came into play with the increase in HIMARS
rounds. As the U.S. military draws down forces, the smaller number of ground forces need accurate and timely fire support, Reukema said. HIMARS Marines also began firing in support of Special Operations Forces. The HIMARS are an effective weapon for the SOF teams who often travel with less support than traditional infantry units and in smaller numbers, said Bohn. Four-hundred rockets fired equates to more than just enemies killed, it also enhances the mission for the Marines. “It caused us to be more aggressive, and we had to raise our readiness state,” Reukema said. “The maintenance is a challenge for us.” Reukema is proud to be a part of this monumental year for
USS KEARSARGE, AT SEA
rocket artillery. “When we hit 400 between us and Battery T, we were like, ‘Holy smokes,’” Reukema said. “This is a game changer for counterinsurgency. It’s very significant the Battery I command hit this milestone, killed the enemy, and able to save Marines’ lives.” The Marines of Battery S are also proud to be a part of HIMARS. “It’s good to know if we fire a rocket, it’s saving a Marine’s life or helping someone,” said Cpl. Davis Frye, a HIMARS chief. As Battery S prepares to turn over with Battery R, the Marines believe they made a significant impact. “I think we cemented Marine artillery. It is going to be here for awhile,” Reukema said.
USS KEARSARGE, AT SEA
Corpsmen get advanced Contractors help refresher course ensure smooth sailing CPL. KYLE N. RUNNELS
26th Marine Expeditionary Unit
The practice of medicine is just that, practice. Staying proficient in the skills to save lives is an absolute necessity while on the battlefield. Corpsmen assigned to the component units of the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit conducted a practical application exercise in tactical combat casualty care aboard USS Kearsarge while at sea Feb. 8. At the start of the TCCC simulation, seven casualties were laid out on stretchers with different forms of trauma, unbeknownst to the corpsmen being tested. When the training started, they had to assess and treat the notional injuries, which were annotated by writing on tape placed on the site of the injury while simultaneously calming the simulated distress displayed by the casualties. “TCCC teaches corpsmen and Marines how to properly take care of injuries in the field if they become injured or wounded,” said Petty Officer
1st Class Roger Barnett, a Battalion Landing Team 3rd Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment leading corpsman. TCCC, often referred to as ‘T triple C,’ is a more advanced class following their initial schooling. “Even though they already went through corpsman training, anybody can slip up and become complacent, forgeting to practice their common skills,” said Petty Officer 3rd Class Gabriel Carranza, BLT 3rd Bn., 2nd Marines corpsman and TCCC instructor. “Because of this, every other six months we administer a test to see where they are with their skills. After, we debrief them on their strong points and have them work on their weak points.” The knowledge corpsmen possess ranges from testing water supplies for purity to treating a bullet wound. This course focuses on the treatment of injuries that can occur during a combat scenario. “This course is about tactical field care,” said Carranza, before adding it SEE CORPSMEN 7A
Photo by Cpl. Daniel Blatter
Multiple batteries from 5th Battalion, 11th Marine Regiment fired a combined 400 High Mobility Rocket Artillery System rounds in Helmand province in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.
News Briefs
CPL. KYLE N. RUNNELS
26th Marine Expeditionary Unit
In preparation for its upcoming deployment, the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit and Kearsarge Amphibious Ready Group are receiving assistance in readying themselves from the Deploying Group Systems Integration Testing team, while underway aboard the USS Kearsarge between January and February 2013. “DGSIT is composed of contractors who come out and help us make sure all of our systems are working properly,” said Capt. Jared D. Blake, the 26th MEU’s assistant communication officer. “They come out with pretty much every MEU and help ensure all the systems are up to code. Anything on the ship – blue side or green side – they come out and fix it.” The contractors specialize in five main areas: intelligence, operations, logistics, air and communications. Each area is composed of smaller entities. They tend to possess prior military experience, giving insight and ample firsthand knowledge on the systems employed on ship, as well as the circumstances Marines are employed in. “Most of these guys are retired master gunnery sergeants in their respective fields. They can each bring more than 25 years of experience, where, for most of the Marines working on the systems, this could be their SEE CONTRACTORS 5A
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