WWW.CAMPLEJEUNEGLOBE.COM
VOLUME 75, EDITION 10
The
GL BE SERVING CAMP LEJEUNE AND SURROUNDING AREAS SINCE 1944
DAYLIGHT SAVINGS TIME STARTS SUNDAY
Fallen comrades
Belleau Wood Regiment welcomes new commander | 3A
Marines pay tribute to brothersin-arms | 5A THURSDAY MARCH 7, 2013
WWW.LEJEUNE.MARINES.MIL WWW LEJEUNE MARINES MIL CAMP LEATHERNECK, AFGHANISTAN
LOGISTICS 1ST LT. NICOLE YUHAS Regional Command Southwest
Combat Logistics Regiment 2 proved its capabilities vital to the success of retrograde operations, providing tactical logistics support to Regimental Combat Team 7 during Operation Dynamic Partner in Helmand province, Afghanistan, Feb. 9. The overall intent of the operation was to safely extract all equipment and troops located aboard Village Stability Platform Shurakay prior to demilitarizing the site in the Upper Gereshk Valley. According to Capt. Brian McCarthy, the CLR-2 transportation operations officer, the regiment was the only unit able to support the operation’s robust logistical requirements. “Aside from the catchall generic (tactical logistics support), they needed medium and heavy-lift capabilities from the (logistics combat element),” explained
USS KEARSARGE, AT SEA
proves vital to Operation Dynamic Partner
McCarthy. “Additionally, they needed mobile refueling capability, and they also looked to us to provide landing support Marines to run the flow of the (Rearm, Refuel, and Resupply Point). “The big problem set for Shurakay was picking up the 20-foot containers from the VSP and some other breakable items for retrograde,” said McCarthy. VSP Shurakay was comparatively smaller
than other similar sites, and the routes to and from were difficult within which to maneuver. Consequently, the only type of vehicle that could be used to load and backhaul the equipment was the Logistics Vehicle System Replacement MKR-18 cargo vehicle. CLR-2 is the only unit here able to support this vehicle requirement. More commonly referred to as self-loaders,
Supporting Arms Coordination Exercise furthers MEU’s readiness training CPL. MICHAEL LOCKETT
26th Marine Expeditionary Unit Photo by Sgt. Anthony L. Ortiz
Marines with Combat Logistics Regiment 2 take part in Operation Dynamic Partner in Helmand province, Afghanistan, Feb. 11.
these cargo trucks are equipped with a Load Handling System capable of loading and offloading containers. CLR-2 provided two convoy logistics patrols, with 16 LVSR trucks embedded in each. These two convoys provided the heavy-lift capability necessary to retrograde all mission essential equipment and operational gear from VSP Shurakay back to Camp Leatherneck.
According to the convoy commanders, the majority of the loads were standard, primarily utilizing the LVSR vehicle system to load 28 20-foot containers. However, there were some additional irregular loads, equipment they normally do not move, for which there was no standard procedure for strapping them down. SEE LOGISTICS 7A
Photo by Sgt. Anthony L. Ortiz
Marines with Combat Logistics Regiment 2 resupply themselves with meals ready to eat during Operation Dynamic Partner in Helmand province, Afghanistan, Feb. 12.
The Supporting Arms Coordination Exercise was the culminating event of the Composite Training Unit Exercise, marking the end of the pre-deployment training program for the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit. The exercise provided supporting fire for a simulated amphibious assault on a target aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, N.C., Feb. 16. “It’s designed to evaluate Amphibious Squadron 4 and the 26th MEU fire support section, and the ability to integrate fire support for an amphibious landing,” said Capt. Albert Silva, 26th MEU targeting information officer. Battalion Landing Team 3rd Battalion, 2nd Marines, the ground combat element of the 26th MEU, conducted beach landings with amphibious assault vehicles and deployed from landing craft, air cushions assigned to PHIBRON 4. “It’s practicing command and control from the sea to support the landing forces as they get ashore,” said Silva. Assets at the MEU’s disposal for this operation included air assets from the MEU’s aviation combat element, Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron VMM-266 (Reinforced). These air assets include AV8B Harrier attack aircraft, and UH-1N Huey and AH1W Cobra attack helicopters. Ground and sea assets included 81mm and 120mm mortars from BLT 3rd Battalion, 2nd Marines, and the missiles and guns of USS Anzio. “SACEX gave us the opportunity to integrate MEU and PHIBRON planning in order to coordinate naval surface fire support with the USS Anzio, ensuring accurate placement SEE READINESS 7A
CAMP LEATHERNECK, AFGHANISTAN
II MEF assumes responsibility
News Briefs
Gurganus relinquishes RCSW command SGT. BRYAN PETERSON
Regional Command Southwest
M
ajor Gen. W. Lee Miller, II Marine Expeditionary Force (Forward) commanding general, took command of Regional Command Southwest during a transfer of authority ceremony, Feb. 28. Major Gen. Miller assumed responsibility from Maj. Gen. Charles M. Gurganus, I MEF (Fwd.) commanding general, of coalition forces serving throughout Helmand and Nimroz provinces. “There is no light between (Maj.) Gen. Gurganus and I,” said Maj. Gen. Miller, addressing Afghan military and government officials in the audience. “We were tracking each other for nine months, now. I know what’s been going on (here). “I know where you’re headed, and I know how good you are. We will continue to press,” he added.
Photo by Bill Putnam
Major Gen. Charles M. Gurganus, I Marine Expeditionary Force (Forward) commanding general, gives a speech during the Regional Command (Southwest) Transfer of Authority ceremony aboard Camp Leatherneck, Afghanistan, Feb. 28. “I appreciate the opportunity to take command of RC (SW).” Miller referred to his continued communication with Gurganus during I MEF (Fwd.)’s yearlong deployment. He said he will continue building on NATO’s “guide, advise and assist” strategy as Afghan
National Security Forces continue taking the lead in securing Afghanistan. Gurganus is credited with taking what was considered a counterinsurgency campaign in the region to a security force assistance mode of operations while overseeing the drawdown of
more than 10,000 Marines and other coalition troops. The SFA mission is executed by small Security Force Assistance Advisory Teams by providing guidance and advice to ANSF units as they conduct security operations. The teams facilitate the transition of security from coalition forces to ANSF. Last year, the Afghan 215th Corps stood up a new 4th Brigade, further increasing its capabilities. This enabled 3rd Brigade to secure access to the provincial capital and 2nd Brigade to maintain pressure in the northern region of Helmand province in areas such as Kajaki and Sangin. “Today, Afghans lead 80 percent of combat missions,” said Army Lieutenant Gen. James T. Terry, the International Security Assistance Force Joint Command commander, during the ceremony. “This shows what a coalition can get done. The idea of ANSF leading missions was SEE MEF 7A
Students take to court 1B
Student parade marches on 1C