The Jet Stream March 25, 2016 by The Jet Stream

Jet Stream The

Friday, March 25, 2016 Vol. 51, No. 12 Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort, S.C.

“The noise you hear is the sound of freedom.” U.S., Senegal Continue Fight Against Illicit Trafficking In West African Nation

U.S., Morocco improve demining capability, work on center of excellence

Take Aim: 2ND LAR conducts gunnery training

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Catching the Wire

MCAS Beaufort puts M31 Marine Corps expeditionary arresting gear system to test

See Pg. 9

Photo by Lance Cpl. Jimmy Vertus

n F/A-18C Hornet makes an arrested landing aboard Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort March 18. Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 251, with assistance from MCAS Beaufort Marines, executed arrested landings using the M31 Marine Corps expeditionary arresting gear system. The system is composed of cables and shock absorbers, which can be set up on a runway to help aircraft safely stop in case of an emergency or if the runway is too short for a traditional landing. The Hornet is with VMFA-251, Marine Aircraft Group 31. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Jimmy Vertus)

Marine receives award for safety excellence Story and photos by: Cpl. Jonah Lovy Staff Writer

Gunnery Sgt. Kwan Cochrane has been selected to receive the Geico Military Service Award. The award spotlights the valuable and lasting contributions enlisted members of the Armed Forces make. Cochrane has been selected because of his innovative ground safety program. Kwan is the maintenance admin chief with Marine Fighter Attack Training Squadron 501.

A service member from Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort has been selected to receive the Geico Military Service Award. Gunnery Sgt. Kwan Cochrane, the maintenance admin chief with Marine Fighter Attack Training Squadron 501, has been selected due to his innovative safety program. According to the Geico Military Service Awards Program website, the intent is to spotlight the valuable and lasting contributions enlisted members of the Armed Forces make in three specific areas of endeavor. An enlisted member may receive an award for achievements or contributions in the areas of drug and alcohol abuse prevention, fire safety and fire prevention, or traffic safety and accident prevention.

The awards honor one enlisted member from each military service branch. These individuals are recognized for their special achievements and contributions to the public good of the civilian and/or military community. Each recipient receives a $2,500 cash honorarium. “Being nominated for this award was a humbling experience,” said Cochrane. “We all enlist to serve and make a difference so it is an honor to know that I have.” Cochrane was recommended for this award because of the advances he made in the ground safety program at VMFAT-501. His contributions helped the Marines avoid hazards while maintaining the F-35B Lighting II. “I took over the ground safety at VMFAT-501,” said Cochrane. “Before that we did not have specific protocols due to the see

SAFETY, page 9

Competitors go the distance during Parris Island Triathlon see

TRIATHLON, page 4

Photo by Cpl. Jonah Lovy

A competitor receives an award during the Parris Island Triathlon aboard Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island March 19. Awards were given for competitors in different categories based on their completion time. The event consisted of a 500 meter pool swim, a 10 mile bike ride, and finished with the run. Service members and civilians from the Tri-command were invited to participate in the annual triathlon.

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Games and Entertainment

Friday, March 25, 2016

MCAS Beaufort Movie Schedule

Thursday 7:00 p.m. PG-13 (2:14)

Mess Hall Menu

Saturday 2:00 p.m. PG (2:00)

Saturday 4:30 p.m. PG-13 (1:47)

Saturday 7:00 p.m. R (1:33)

MCRD Parris Island Movie Schedule

Monday - Friday Saturday, Sunday Breakfast: 6 - 7:30 a.m. and holidays Lunch: 11 a.m. - 12:45 p.m. Brunch: 8:30 - 11 a.m. Dinner: 4 - 6 p.m. Dinner: 4 - 6 p.m. Midrats Sunday - Thursday 11:30 p.m. - 1 a.m. Takeout window hours Breakfast - Mon. - Fri. 7:30 a.m. - 11 a.m. Lunch - Mon. - Fri. 12:45 p.m. - 4 p.m. Dinner - Mon. - Fri. 6 p.m. - 8 p.m.

Saturday Lunch Dinner Shrimp cocktail, fried Bayou jerk pork loin chicken, steak and rice Lunch Salmon with cucumber relish

Sunday

Dinner Baked ziti with italian sausage

Friday 7:00 p.m. PG-13 (2:07)

Sunday 7:20 p.m. PG-13 (1:45)

Sunday 2:00 p.m. PG (1:53)

Sunday 4:30 p.m. PG-13 (1:47)

Voluntary Education Word Search

Monday - Friday Breakfast Hot farina, hot hominy grits and oven-fried bacon Monday Dinner Lunch Spicy shrimp with Baked smoked ham cheesy grits and sweet potatoes Tuesday Dinner Lunch Herbed roast pork Chicken and dumploin with pan gravy lings and rice Wednesday Dinner Lunch Manhattan clam Roast turkey and chowder green beans Thursday Dinner Lunch Apple glazed corn Arroz con pollo and beef and squash garlic bread Friday Dinner Lunch Chili macaroni and Herbed baked green beans chicken and carrots

Chapel Services Roman Catholic • 9:30 a.m. - Sunday Mass • Confession takes place before Mass • Confession Monday - Thursday at noon Protestant • 9:45 a.m. - Protestant Church School (Sunday School) • 11 a.m. - Protestant Sunday Worship Service (Children’s church is also available at this time) • 5 p.m. - Wednesday Protestant Bible Study • 5 p.m. - Saturday Worship Service at Laurel Bay Youth Center Buddhist • 11 a.m. - Saturday Worship Service in the Chapel Fellowship Hall Labyrinth Walk • 8 a.m - 4 p.m. - Monday in the Chapel Fellowship Hall Other Faith Groups • For Jewish, Mormon and Islamic support, contact the Chaplain’s Office at 228-7775

Word Bank

ADVANCEMENT ARTS CREDITS DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS SCHOOL ADVISEMENTS ASSISTANCE (TA) DEDICATION EDUCATION PROGRESS SCIENCE APPRENTICESHIPS BASIC DEGREE GRADUATION PROMOTION SERVICE (JST)

Sudoku

BOOKS JOINT (JST) SKILLS CEREMONY LIBERAL SPECIALIST CLASSROOM ONLINE TRANSCRIPTS (JST)

COLLEGE PENCILS TUITION (TA) CONGRATULATIONS PENS UNIVERSITY COURSES POINTS VOLUNTARY

March 18th solution

Hotlines

MCAS Beaufort Station Inspector Sexual Assault Response Coordinator Force Protection information and concerns PMO Dispatch Severe Weather and Force Protection

228-7789 228-6904

March 18th solution

228-6924 228-6710 1-800-343-0639

Sexual Assault The contact number for a Uniformed Victim Advocate is 592-0646. This number can get you in contact with a UVA 24 hours a day.

Fraud, Waste and Abuse

If you know of or suspect any fraud, waste or abuse aboard MCAS Beaufort, call 228-7777. If you know of or suspect any fraud, waste or abuse within MAG-31, call (252) 466-5038. The automated answering service on these lines is available 24 hours a day.

Answer to this week’s puzzles will be available in next week’s edition of The Jet Stream.

Command Information

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HAPPENINGS n As part of regularly scheduled, routine maintenance, runway 05-23 is closed until mid-summer. Runways undergo wear and tear when aircraft take off and land. This is similar to the wear and tear placed on roads due to traffic volume. Conducting routine maintenance on our runways maintains the integrity of the surface and ensures our pilots are operating on the most structurally sound runway possible. n The Laurel Bay Marine Mart (7-Day Store) will be closed from Jan. 21 until the fall of this year for a renovation. Improvements will include a new floor layout and new interior. n The Tax Center is scheduled to open Jan. 19,

2016 and close on April 18, 2016. Hours of operation Monday-Friday 09:00 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Location 172 Santo Domingo St. Parris Island, SC 29905 The Tax Center will be setting up appointments via phone and will accept walk-ins schedule permitting. For any questions as to the services the center will be providing, and to schedule an appointment, please contact any of the following numbers. (843)228-1121 Sgt Alexander (843)228-1125 Sgt Cieply (843)228-1113 Sgt Mattear (843)228-1119 Cpl Dalton (843)228-1126 Cpl Dona-

hee (843)228-1118 Cpl Owen (843)228-1112 LCpl Austin For any questions prior to Jan. 19th call between 9:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m Thursdays and Fridays. The Marines listed above can be contacted via email for questions as well. Tax Center Fax Machine (843) 228-1114. n Prepare your resumes and transcripts! A Career & Education Fair for the military community will be held from 1100-1400, March 24th, at the All Weather Training Facility on Blvd de France (adjacent the Main Parade Deck) on Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island. There will be Federal, State and local employers, and various universities and colleg-

es for you to talk to, decide on a college plan or career goal, or get a job. For more information or career assistance, call 228-2761, and for education advisements, call 228-2152. n Alcoholics Anonymous meetings are held at the Station Chapel aboard MCAS Beaufort every Monday at 6 p.m. and Thursday at 10 a.m. Meetings are open to all service members, veterans, and civilians within the TriCommand. n The photocopying of U.S. Government identification cards is a violation of Title 18, U.S. Code Part 1, Chapter 33, Section 701 and punishable by fine and imprisonment.

Chaplain’s Corner

Easter, Death and Resurrection

By Chaplain Bill Holiman CDR, CHC, USN Command Chaplain, MCAS Beaufort

We have gone to the summer uniform, we have gotten through what passes for winter here in the Low Country and that brings us to the time of year that Christians all over the world observe as the Death and Burial of Jesus, and then his Resurrection. Nearly 2,000 years ago in the spring of the year, Jesus entered Jerusalem on what we know as Palm Sunday. In those days Sunday was not a religious holiday. Jesus and all of his disciples were Jewish and they would have observed the Jewish Sabbath which was sundown on Friday night to sundown on Saturday night. In the spring each year observant Jews celebrate the Passover, celebrating God’s deliverance of the people from slavery in Egypt. Jesus and his disciples came to Jerusalem to celebrate that holiday. The Jewish calendar is different from the calendar that we use today so Passover moves on our calendar. Spoiler alert, that is also why Easter Sunday moves around as well. It can be from late-March to mid-April. The New Testament gospels, Matthew, Mark, Luke and John, spend a very large proportion of their entire contents on what happened over the next few days. As much fun as Christmas is, it would not be a day we celebrate without all the events of the week after Palm Sunday. On Palm Sunday the crowd of Jews cut down branches and put them in the road, they waved palm branches, sang Psalms and Jesus rode into town on a donkey. From the gospels it is clear that there was a division of the people. Some thought Jesus was the long awaited Messiah who would

cast out the hated Romans and restore the kingdom to Israel. The NT tells us that Jesus’ disciples had something like this in mind. Some thought he would cause the destruction of the city and the temple because he would start a rebellion that the Romans would put down with their customary savagery. This was what the temple authorities believed. Some, very few, thought that both of these groups were wrong and that Jesus would do something different. Over the course of the week after Palm Sunday Jesus preached daily in the temple to the crowds of people who came to worship there. Judas, one of Jesus disciples, agreed to betray him to the Jewish officials, and the tension in the air was huge. This was nothing unusual. All sources make clear that there were many people who were involved in anti-Roman plots and there was a general sense of expectation that something had to change. Most of these plots came to nothing except to get a lot of people killed. But the Jesus moment was different. On Thursday, what we often call Maundy Thursday from the Latin for Mandate, or Commandment, Jesus gave what we call the New Commandment, that we should love one another. He also took the elements of the Passover meal and changed them into what we know today as Communion, or the Last Supper, or the Lord’s Supper, or Eucharist. All of those names talk about the same thing. Then he went out to the Garden of Gethsemane. The Latter Day Saints make much of the events in the Garden. There he was arrested, and after a series of quick trials he was crucified on Good Friday. We often have services on Good Friday at the hour when various events occurred. By sundown on Friday he was in the tomb.

What happens next is the key to the whole story. On Saturday, the Jewish Sabbath, everyone rested. But remember that the Sabbath ends at sundown and a new day begins. To this day Roman Catholics and Greek Orthodox, plus some others, have services that night. Then on Sunday morning, very early, a group of women disciples of Jesus went to the tomb and found it empty. That is why many Protestants have an early Sunday morning service on Easter. By the way that Jewish people counted Sunday was day three. Friday, Saturday and Sunday make three days. Americans might not count it that way, but they did. Everyone has an opinion on what happened. Christians believe that Jesus was raised from the dead, that he revealed himself to his disciples and that after 40 days he ascended back to heaven. Muslims generally argue that Jesus did ascend into heaven and will come back someday, but they generally argue that he did not die on the cross. There is some disagreement in Islam as to who did die on the cross, or whether anyone actually died. Jews generally think that Jesus did die but that he was not raised from the dead. As you can imagine if people cannot agree on what the facts are, then they cannot agree on what they mean. Christians generally believe that the Resurrection proves Jesus is the Son of God, that he paid the penalty for our sins by dying on the cross and that his self-sacrifice was acceptable to God. Furthermore, the Resurrection means that someday all of us will be raised from the dead as well. The NT expounds these ideas at length. No matter what anyone believes happened, these events are something so pivotal that everyone must wrestle with them and come to a conclusion. They cannot be ignored.

Fightertown deployed: MALS-31 Stingers have detachments currently deployed to the Western Pacific supporting VMFA-122.

Friday, March 25, 2016

Did you know... March 17, 1967: The first female Marine to report to Vietnam for duty, Master Sergeant Barbara J. Dulinsky, began her 18-hour flight to Bien Hoa, 30 miles north of Saigon. MSgt Dulinsky and the other officer and enlisted Women Marines that followed were assigned to the Military Assistance Command, Vietnam (MACV) based in Saigon. Most worked with the Marine Corps Personnel Section providing administrative support to Marines assigned as far north as the DMZ, but two Lieutenant Colonels, Ruth Reinholz and Ruth O’Holleran, served as historians with the Military History Branch, Secretary Joint Staff, MACV.

Persistent El Nino conditions will provide a winter similar to last year for the United States. Beaufort County will be wetter and cooler than normal. Additionally, there will be a higher risk for severe weather, including tornadoes and possible floods. Be prepared for drastic changes in temperatures and precipitation. Monitor the latest forecasts and briefings from the National Weather Service in order to prepare your home and family for any extreme weather. Ensure you take extra precautions when travelling.

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Community Relations/Staff Writers Cpl. Samantha K. Foster Cpl. Jonah Lovy

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More of the Story

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Competitors go the distance during Parris Island Triathlon

Photo by Cpl. Jonah Lovy

A competitor bikes during the Parris Island Triathlon aboard Marine Corps Recruit Depot Photo by Cpl. Jonah Lovy Parris Island March 19. The event consisted A competitor receives an award during the Parris Island Triathlon aboard Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island March 19. Awards were of a 500 meter pool swim, a 10 mile bike ride, given for competitors in different categories based on their completion time. The event consisted of a 500 meter pool swim, a 10 mile bike and finished with a 5 km. Service members and civilians from the Tri-command were ride, and finished with the run. Service members and civilians from the Tri-command were invited to participate in the annual exercise. invited to participate in the annual exercise.

Photo by Cpl. Jonah Lovy

A runner completes a 5 km. run during the Parris Island Triathlon aboard Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island March 19. The event consisted of a 500 meter pool swim, a 10 mile bike ride, and finished with the run. Service members and civilians from the Tricommand were invited to participate in the annual exercise.

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Classifieds

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Friday, March 25, 2016

M31 continued from page 1

Photo by Lance Cpl. Jimmy Vertus

An F/A-18C Hornet approaches to make an arrested landing aboard Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort March 18. Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 251 executed arrested landings using the M31 Marine Corps expeditionary arresting gear system. The system is composed of cables and shock absorbers, which can be set up on a runway to help aircraft safely stop in case of an emergency or if the runway is too short for a traditional landing. The Hornet is with VMFA-251, Marine Aircraft Group 31. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Jimmy Vertus)

Photo by Lance Cpl. Jimmy Vertus

An F/A-18C Hornet makes an arrested landing aboard Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort March 18. Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 251 executed arrested landings using the M31 Marine Corps expeditionary arresting gear system. The system is composed of cables and shock absorbers, which can be set up on a runway to help aircraft safely stop in case of an emergency or if the runway is too short for a traditional landing. The Hornet is with VMFA-251, Marine Aircraft Group 31.

Photo by Lance Cpl. Jimmy Vertus

Photo by Cpl. Sylvia Godinez

Safety continued from page 1

Courtesy Photo

nature of our work. Marines always have safety in place but it was not an official program. I built the program up from scratch and it became necessary for us to have a fall protection system here for working on the jets.” A system utilizing harnesses and pulleys was already installed but needed an updated design to accommodate the new features of the F-35. “Due to the importance of the F-35 program I had to come up with something that would keep the Marines safe and maintain the readiness of the aircraft,” said Cochrane. “I went out and got the harnesses developed and took the metal out of the design.” Removing the metal from the harness allows the jet’s stealth technology to operate without interference. With the new system Marines can work on the F-35 from all angles without the danger of

falling. “My chain of command was impressed with the work I accomplished and brought in higher level personnel to review the system,” said Cochrane. “The design is now slated to be implemented in F-35 hangars all over the Marine Corps.” Cochrane’s chain of command initially nominated him for the award. According to Gieco, each unit, base, post, or activity nominates enlisted members it considers worthy, in compliance to the established procedures of its particular service. Nominees are judged on their contributions in career or non-career related activities and the extent these activities serve to inspire other military or civilian personnel. “I am deeply honored that my leadership recommended me for this award,” said Cochrane. “I hope that I can keep marching forward in my career and continue making a difference for my Marines.”

Photo by Cpl. Jonah Lovy

An F-35B Lightning II prepares to take-off aboard Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort March 8. The take-off was performed as part of training operations conducted to further enhance the pilot’s capabilities. The F-35B is the short take-off and vertical landing variant of the jet which uses a jet propulsion system to execute the landing. The aircraft is with Marine Fighter Attack Training Squadron 501.

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Around the Corps

Friday, March 25, 2016

U.S., Senegal continue fight against illicit trafficking in West African Nation

Senegalese soldiers completed a month-long training exercise with U.S. Marines, March 18, at a military training facility in Thies, Senegal. U.S. Marines with Special-Purpose Marine AirGround Task Force Crisis Response-Africa, trained their counterparts with Senegal’s Compagnie Fusilier de Marin Commando, or COFUMACO, in infantry tactics, making this the 10th training engagement the forces. In an effort to combat illicit trafficking in the region, the Marines were in Senegal at the request of the host nation government in coordination with the U.S. Embassy in Dakar. The Marines trained with the COFUMACO in Toubacouta in the southern part of the country for two weeks before moving up to Thies. Story and photos by: Staff Sgt. Bryan Peterson Marine Corps Forces Africa

THIES, Senegal -- Senegalese soldiers completed a month-long training exercise with U.S. Marines, March 18, at a military training facility in Thies, Senegal. U.S. Marines with Special-Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force Crisis Response-Africa, trained their counterparts with Senegal’s Compagnie Fusilier de Marin Commando, or COFUMACO, in infantry tactics, making this the 10th training between the two forces. In an effort to combat illicit trafficking in the region, the Marines were in Senegal at the request of the host nation government in coordination with the U.S. Embassy in Dakar. The Marines trained with the COFUMACO in Toubacouta in the southern part of the country for two weeks before moving up to Thies. Thanks to previous training missions focusing on smallboat operations, where the Senegalese commandos and Marines worked together on beach raids, the Marines were able to focus more on land-based infantry skills. The month-long training was tailored to patrolling, reconnaissance, raids, combat marksmanship and scouting. “Previous teams of Marines and Coastguardsmen trained the COFUMACO in small-boats which allowed them to become proficient in making beach entries,” said 1st Lt. Justin Klein, the SPMAGTF-CR-AF team leader in Senegal. “During an exercise in Toubacouta, the commandos were able to make their own beach landing and raid on a suspected enemy compound. Once they landed, that’s when we were able to concentrate more on advanced infantry tactics.” The continued military partnership between the U.S. Marines and the COFUMACO aims to improve life in Senegal by increasing the country’s economy while defeating the illicit financial means funding terrorist groups in West Africa, including countries in the Gulf of Guinea. Forms of illicit trafficking include cocaine, heroin, counterfeit medicine, people, small arms, diamonds, ivory and cigarettes, among others. According to a United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, or UNODC, 2009 report, cocaine from South America, destined for Europe, enters Senegal from neighboring countries, due to increased drug interdictions in North America and an increase use in Europe.

Senegalese soldiers completed a month-long training exercise with U.S. Marines, March 18, at a military training facility in Thies, Senegal. U.S. Marines with Special-Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force Crisis Response-Africa, trained their counterparts with Senegal’s Compagnie Fusilier de Marin Commando, or COFUMACO, in infantry tactics, making this the 10th training engagement the forces. In an effort to combat illicit trafficking in the region, the Marines were in Senegal at the request of the host nation government in coordination with the U.S. Embassy in Dakar. The Marines trained with the COFUMACO in Toubacouta in the southern part of the country for two weeks before moving up to Thies.

In a 2013, “Eight Steps To Counter Drug Trade In West Africa” report by the U.S. Senate Caucus on International Narcotics Control, thousands of U.S. troops are in the continent training and advising police and militaries to increase operational capabilities in partner nations to counter illicit trafficking, which “provides financing to dangerous terrorist organizations that pose a threat to the United States and its allies.” Senegalese Cpl. Oba Thierno, a commando with COFUMACO, knows the Marines well, as he has participated in all

Senegalese soldiers completed a month-long training exercise with U.S. Marines, March 18, at a military training facility in Thies, Senegal. U.S. Marines with Special-Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force Crisis Response-Africa, trained their counterparts with Senegal’s Compagnie Fusilier de Marin Commando, or COFUMACO, in infantry tactics, making this the 10th training engagement the forces. In an effort to combat illicit trafficking in the region, the Marines were in Senegal at the request of the host nation government in coordination with the U.S. Embassy in Dakar. The Marines trained with the COFUMACO in Toubacouta in the southern part of the country for two weeks before moving up to Thies.

but three of the partner-nation training engagements. His level of proficiency has elevated his position in the COFUMACO, where he can now move into a teaching role, gaining confidence among his subordinates. “I have worked with the Marines since 2013 and the training they provide is very beneficial to our unit,” said Thierno. “From the start, it was tough. We weren’t use to their tactics. As times went on, we picked up on the training and started to put it to use in real life. “When we were involved in an operation last year, my unit was ambushed and pinned down,” Thierno continued. “But, because of the training we received from the Marines, we were able to fight our way out of it with sustaining very minimal casualties.” During COFUMACO’s final exercise March 18-19 in Thies’ dry, arid landscape, the unit set out on a patrol to locate fictitious enemy forces known to be operating in the area, who were Marines acting as the enemy. The patrol began in the early afternoon and lasted until the next morning. At times, the commandos suspected an enemy presence and conducted reconnaissance. Ultimately, the COFUMACO found the enemy position, formulated an attack plan and neutralized the threat. Various Marines from the team followed their counterparts only as advisors, throughout the mission. Klein said, based off of previous missions’ after action reports, the Marines were able to train on more advanced infantry tactics due to their knowledge level and tactical proficiency. “Much like the Marine Corps, the COFUMACO does not receive as much funding and equipment as the Senegalese Army, but still performs well,” said Klein. “When we came down here, we wanted to see where they were at and they did well. From there on out, we got more in depth and they were very tuned in to what we had to offer. They wanted to get as much training as they could. “I believe the positive impact we can have on them is knowing they will be better prepared to fight illicit trafficking,” Klein went on to say, “or any other threat they may face. Some of these guys also have combat experience and that helps tailor their questions to what they have faced in the past. This is a great partnership because of the relationship we have with them and the pride they have in defending their country.”

Around the Corps

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Friday, March 25, 2016

U.S., Morocco improve demining capability, work on center of excellence

U.S. Marine Staff Sgt. Phil Mayer, an explosive ordnance disposal technician with Special-Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force Crisis Response-Africa, explains how to safely create electric firing circuits for demolition during a training exercise in Kenitra, Morocco, March 15, 2016. Students from across the Moroccan military branches are working together with U.S. Marine and Utah Air National Guard explosive ordnance disposal technicians and Utah National Guard engineers to build up Morocco’s demining capabilities. The training is part of the U.S. Humanitarian Mine Action Program which has been assisting partner nations in developing their mine action capacity since 1988. Story and photos by: Cpl. Olivia McDonald, Marine Corps Forces Africa

KENITRA, Kingdom of Morocco -- Students from across the Moroccan military branches are working together with U.S. Marines from Special-Purpose Marine AirGround Task Force Crisis Response-Africa to build up Morocco’s demining capabilities. The training is part of the U.S. Humanitarian Mine Action Program, formerly called U.S. Humanitarian Demining Program, which has been assisting partner nations in developing their mine action capacity since 1988. The program aims to educate and train the host nation on removing explosive remnants of war, or ERW, in postconflict areas, while relieving human suffering. The Marines, based out of Naval Air Station Sigonella, Italy, began training the Moroccans, Feb. 22, at the host nation’s request and in coordination with the U.S. Embassy in Rabat. The Marines also worked alongside Utah Air National Guard and National Guard EOD technicians and engineers, respectively. “In July 2008, Morocco reported that a total of 2,187 casualties (544 killed and 1,643 injured) had been recorded since 1975,” according to the Landmine and Cluster Munition Monitor which monitors progress in eliminating landmines, cluster munitions and other ERW around the world. While Morocco, a major non-NATO ally, has not joined the 1997 Mine Ban Treaty, it has been an active observer at an annual Meeting of States Parties and Standing Committee meetings and submitted three volunteer Article 7 reports since 2006 regarding treaty implementation activities. In November of 2009, Morocco reported it had “cleared 561km2 of area, destroying in the process 482 mines, 2,628 ERW, and 22,105 pieces of small arms ammunition.” Beginning in early 2007, Morocco has been engaged

in major demining operations including areas outside their borders. As they make these steps toward eliminating these destructive materials, a need arises for Morocco to have their own self-sufficient trainers and formal EOD capabilities. The five-week program is the first phase in which the U.S. military members are testing the Moroccans’ basic EOD level one capabilities and covering effective communication and instructing methods. These soon-to-be instructors will validate their abilities in the follow-on train-the-trainer iterations as Morocco aims to establish their own demining center of excellence and EOD school within their military. “Moroccans don’t actually have a formal EOD program, so they are utilizing other countries to get their training,” said Staff Sgt. Phil Mayer, an EOD technician with SPMAGTF-CR-AF. “They have requested assistance from us to help create a program so they can eventually create their own EOD technicians and have a formal school for their military.” Developing safe and effective technicians is not an easy task. U.S. military members seeking to be EOD technicians must complete a total of nine rigorous months of training before they are able to claim that title. In order to build up the Moroccan program properly, the training conducted focused on basic EOD knowledge and skills. The purpose of this iteration is to perfect these capabilities and develop knowledgeable instructors before advancing the training. “Our intent with this training is to assist in the creating of EOD level one instructors,” Mayer said. “Hopefully in the future we can help them develop a formal EOD school and the Moroccans can have their own EOD technicians.” The U.S. instructors covered ordnance identification, safeties, basic demolition and basic combat casualty care. Live explosives were not used during the training,

but the students now know how to positively identify ordnance and safely destroy it. Mayer said he is impressed by the hard work and progress made during the training. “Their performance during this training revolution has been outstanding. The students are very receptive and motivated,” Mayer said. “They have a lot of drive and initiative to learn all the material we’ve been giving them and they are retaining all the information. This is by far the best experience I’ve ever had training with a foreign military.”

U.S. Marine Staff Sgt. Phil Mayer, an explosive ordnance disposal technician with Special-Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force Crisis Response-Africa, debriefs a group of future instructors during an ordnance reconnaissance training exercise in Kenitra, Morocco, March 16, 2016. Students from across the Moroccan military branches are working together with U.S. Marine and Utah Air National Guard explosive ordnance disposal technicians and Utah National Guard engineers to build up Morocco’s demining capabilities. The training is part of the U.S. Humanitarian Mine Action Program which has been assisting partner nations in developing their mine action capacity since 1988.

Take Aim: 2ND LAR conducts gunnery training Story and photos by: Cpl. Shannon Kroening II Marine Expeditionary Force

MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP LEJEUNE, North Carolina -Marines with 2nd Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion conducted annual gunnery qualification training at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, March 18-22, 2016. The Marines of 2nd LAR conduct their qualifications with the M242 Bushmaster 25 mm chain-driven autocannon and the M240B 7.62 mm machine gun to maintain their proficiency and confidence employing the weapons systems. “The reason that we do these qualifications is to ensure that the Marines are ready for whatever the commander may ask of us,” said Sgt. Christopher Huey, a recent graduate of the Master Gunner course and one of the Master Gunners supervising the course. “We need to make sure that no matter if it is a deployment or an exercise, that we here at 2nd LAR perform at our best.” During the live fire, crews are expected to engage various targets ranging as far as 1,600 meters to include vehicle targets, moving targets and troop targets. Each crew of Marines is graded on maneuvers and accuracy. The unit is preparing for their upcoming integrated training exercise in 29 Palms in May; they are busy training to the full extent and have hopes to complete the ITX on a successful note. “I tell my Marines to stay motivated because this is our Marines operating a Light Armored Vehicle with 2nd Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion fire a M242 Bushmaster 25 way of life,” said Master Sgt. Kevin “Lock Shields” Dumais, mm chain-driven auto-cannon during the unit’s annual gunnery qualification at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, North the company operations chief for Bravo Company. “We Carolina, March 18, 2016. The purpose of the training was to increase readiness and ensure that the Marines maintain their train like we fight, and at the end of the day we will be better for it.” proficiency employing the weapons.

The Jet Stream

Friday, March 25, 2016