The Jet Stream May. 6, 2016

Jet Stream The

Friday, May 06, 2016 Vol. 51, No. 18 Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort, S.C.

“The noise you hear is the sound of freedom.”

Crisis response Marines, Army execute joint capabilities

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Marine Corps Warfighting Lab tests autonomous reconnaissance

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Marine Osprey flies in to fuel up F-35B

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beaufort.marines.mil | facebook.com/MCASBeaufort | youtube.com/MCASBeaufort | mcasbetwitter.com/MCASBeaufortSC

Thunderbolts storm Tyndall AFB

Story and photos by: Cpl. Jonah Lovy Staff Writer

Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 251 is participating in the Weapons Systems Evaluation Program at Tyndall Air Force Base, Fla., May 6-20. 14 pi-

lots from VMFA-251 stationed aboard Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort travelled to Tyndall to sharpen their skills.

“The pilots will start out with basic fighter maneuvers, which are one on one engagements between our air-

Marines to face panel as new NCO promotion criteria Story and photos by: Sgt. Dengrier M. Baez Public Affairs Chief

Marines in the junior ranks who are eligible for promotion to corporal or sergeant will face a panel starting in October. The Marine Corps announced the new requirement in Marine administrative message 200/16.

The new noncommissioned officer promotion panels were ordered by Gen. Robert Neller, commandant of the Marine Corps, to ensure only Marines who are fully prepared and qualified are promoted.

In order to compete for promotion, lance corporals and corporals will need an endorsement from the promotion panel and their commanding officer. A fail-

PANEL, page 8

see

VMFA-251, page 8

n

Photo Caption: A Marine performs a pre-flight inspection on an F/A-18C Hornet aboard Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort May 3. Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 251 will be participating in a weapons systems Evaluation Program at Tyndall Air Force Base, Fla. May 6-20. The Marine is with VMFA-251. (Photo by Cpl. Jonah Lovy)

Photo Highlight

ure to be recommended by the panel will mean a Page 11 entry, so Marines must ensure they are properly prepared and vetted in the process.

Early preparation is essential since the boards are set to officially start in October of this year, giving Marines plenty of time to prepare.

The promotion panels, comprised of officers and staff NCOs, will serve to assess the professional knowledge and qualification of each Marine. The members of the board will be leaders from within the Marine’s unit at a battalion or squadron level or subordinate command. see

craft and Air Force F-16s and F-22s,” said Capt. Kyle Wilson, the ground safety officer for VMFA-251. “After everyone gets acclimated to the area they begin the missile shoots.”

Photo by Master Sgt. Markus Lill

The Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort flight line lights up during a storm late Tuesday evening that raged across Beaufort S.C. May 2. Master Sgt. Markus Lill, VMFA-251 maintenance control chief, captured this lightning strike from the squadron’s hangar.

Fightertown observes Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month

T

his May, Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month is observed on Marine Corps Air Station Beau-

fort. The month is a celebration of the achievements reached by Asian Americans and everything they have given this country.

Courtesy photo

see

HERITAGE, page 7

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The Jet Stream

Games and Entertainment

Friday, May 06, 2016

MCAS Beaufort Movie Schedule

Saturday 2:00 p.m.

PG (1:49)

Mess Hall Menu

Saturday 4:30 p.m.

PG-13 (2:01)

Saturday 7:00 p.m.

R (1:39)

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

Sunday 2:00 p.m.

PG (1:49)

Sunday 4:30 p.m.

PG-13 (2:31)

Sunday 7:00 p.m.

PG-13 (1:47)

Communication 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 Danger

Word Bank

ACTIVE ADVERTISEMENT AGENDA AUDIENCE AWARE BENCHMARK BRAINSTORM CALL TO ACTION CAMPAIGN

CHARISMA COLLABORATIVE COMMITMENT COMMUNICATION CORPORATE CULTURE GATEKEEPER GROUP IMAGE

Sudoku

INFORMAL INTERACTION LEADERSHIP LISTENING MARKETING MESSAGE METAPHOR NOISE OPINION

PATTERNS PERSONALITY PERSUASION POSITIONING PUBLIC SPAMMING STORIES TARGET TRENDS

April 29th 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

April 29th 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

The Jet Stream

HAPPENINGS n There are only a few weeks remaining to get signed up for the 2016 Graduation Ceremony at the Parris Island Lyceum June 3. (On-base Park and Embry-Riddle students go through their on-base university office.) Regardless of their school* or type of degree*, if they have any affiliation with our military community, they can be recognized (“walk”) at the graduation event.

To sign up, please call (843) 228-2152MCAS Beaufort 228-3889. 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 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 Tri-Command. 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

Thoughts on Thinking

By Chaplain Chad Haan, MAG-31

Last week while driving home from work I found myself thinking about a call that I had just made.

Why I did I make that call to that particular person at that particular time? Upon reflection, I realized the primary reason I made that call was because I had seen a pickup truck with concrete tools on it for flat work, and the friend who I called does flat work. However, this only raised other questions. Why did I notice that particular truck among the hundreds of vehicles I passed? How many stop lights did we both have to hit just right for the driver of that truck to pass me on that small stretch of road? Why did I think to call that particular friend when I have four other friends who also do the same kind of work? When I called my friend, I understood why - he said that he had just been thinking about calling me to tell me about a health concern with his son.

The fact that these events occurred is significant. Yet what is of greater significance are the thoughts I had while reflecting on these events. While many of us have

likely had similar experiences, how often do we stop to think about what these experiences reveal regarding what we believe about God, or how we understand God? Why don’t we see God’s hand at work more often in our lives? And, what would the payoff be if we did see God at work more often in our lives? Philippians 2:13 says, “for it is God who works in you both to will and to act in order to fulfill His good purpose.”

Reflecting on this verse in relation to this experience, I would say that God caused me to notice that particular truck and to think of that particular friend, and while not acting for me, He also gave me the impetus to take the action of making the call. If God cares enough to number all the hairs on our heads it certainly is not a stretch to think that He cares about, and is in control of, everything in our lives - even down to the smallest details.

Unfortunately, the biggest reason that we don’t see God’s hand at work more often in our lives is that we don’t ask for it in prayer. We don’t ask God to open our eyes or to help us see things through His eyes, or more importantly - to think with His purposes in mind. We need to ask

ourselves the question: What purpose might God have with this particular idea or thought, or in this particular situation in my life?

The payoff for seeing God at work more often in our lives is that we will be even more encouraged to see, and to diligently seek what God is going to do in our lives next, and be a part of it. We will know with certainty that it is God who is actively directing our lives – even our thoughts. Second, because of our increased awareness of what God is doing we will be an even greater blessing in the lives of those around us, blessing and encouraging our neighbors and friends. Third, as we read our scriptures and ask God to reveal His purposes in our lives we will know Him more fully, and in doing so, we will glorify God and therefore fulfill the “good purpose” of God for humanity.

Finally, the answer to the first question of the Westminster Catechism states that the chief end of humanity is to glorify God and enjoy Him forever. By being more aware of, and celebrating God’s orchestration of the moments in our days, we are able to truly glorify God and enjoy Him now, and forever.

Friday, May 06, 2016

Did you know...

May 8, 1995: In the wake of

the most devastating storm to hit the New Orleans area in more than 200 years, a group of Marines and sailors from Marine Forces Reserve demonstrated the quick response synonymous with the Navy/Marine Corps team. Within 24 hours of being called, Marines assisted in the evacuation of 2,500 civilians, and Navy corpsmen treated scores of flood victims.

The beauty of spring also brings unpredictable weather such as: Tornadoes, lightning, floods, rip currents and early season heat. Spring is a season of changing weather that can endanger the unprepared!

Be prepared for dramatic changes in the weather each week both locally and nationwide. Monitor the latest local forecast from National Weather Service for your area and along your route if you travel for vacation.

Jet Stream The

Contact us: 228-7225 mcasbeaufort@gmail.com BFRT_JPAO@usmc.mil Commanding Officer MCAS Beaufort Col. Peter D. Buck

Public Affairs Officer Capt. Clayton Groover

Public Affairs Chief Sgt. Dengrier M. Baez

Fightertown deployed:

Press Chief

Sgt. Dengrier M. Baez

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

Beaufort.Marines.mil

MALS-31 Stingers have detachments currently deployed to the Western Pacific supporting VMFA122.

Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 122 is currently deployed to the Western Pacific as part of the Unit Deployment Program.

Marine All-Weather Fighter Attack Squadron 533 is currently deployed to support operations overseas.

facebook.com/MCASBeaufort

twitter.com/MCASBeaufortSC

youtube.com/MCASBeaufortsc1

Tri-Command Weather 7 Day Forecast

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Editor’s note: We at The Jet Stream care about our reader’s opinion. In reaching our goal to put out the best possible product, we understand the importance of your feedback. Please add a comment to the “How can we improve The Jet Stream?” topic on our www. facebook.com/MCASBeaufort discussion board on how we can better your base newspaper.

Published by the Savannah Morning News, a private firm in no way connected with the Department of Defense, the United States Marine Corps, the United States Navy, or Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort, S.C., under exclusive written contract with the United States Marine Corps.

This commercial-enterprise newspaper is an authorized publication for members of the military services. Its contents do not necessarily reflect the official views of the U.S. government, the Department of Defense, the U.S. Marine Corps or the U.S. Navy and do not imply endorsement thereof. The appearance of advertising in this publication, including inserts and supplements, does not constitute endorsement by the DoD, the Marine Corps, the Navy, Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort, S.C., or the Savannah Morning News of the products or services advertised.

Everything in this newspaper shall be made available for purchase, use, or patronage without regard to race, color, religion, gender, national origin, age, marital status, physical handicap, political affiliation or any other nonmerit factor of the purchaser, user or patron. If a violation of this equal opportunity policy by an advertiser is confirmed, the contractor shall refuse to print advertising from that source until the violation is corrected. Editorial content (i.e., all content other than paid advertisements) is edited, prepared and provided by the public affairs office of the installation. All queries concerning news and editorial content should be directed to: Jet Stream, Marine Corps Public Affairs Office, P.O. Box 55001, MCAS Beaufort, S.C., 29904 or (843) 228-7225. All queries concerning business matters or display ads should be directed to the Savannah Morning News at (843) 815-0800.

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The Jet Stream

In Other News

Friday, Friday, May 06, 2016

MCCS hosts the Summer Semper Fit Challenge Story and by: Sgt. Dengrier M. Baez Public Affairs Chief

The summer is here and Marine Corps Community Services South Carolina is hosting the Semper Fit Summer Challenge starting May 4 until the end of August for Marines and sailors aboard Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort and Marine Corps Recruit Depot, Parris Island.

The purpose of the challenge is to give personnel opportunities to promote healthy lifestyle choices and promote teamwork and camaraderie.

“It is our hope that you will consider this program as a resource to assist Marines and sailors in making lifestyle decisions that will enable them to be both mentally and physically prepared,” said Paul Smith, the Semper Fit director with MCCS. Each unit can gain points by the Single Marine Program participants signing in to participate in all the SMP events. Every service member attending the challenge will be awarded five points. Also participating units will receive points based on

unit participation on specific one-time events, for example if a Marine signs up for a one-time event the unit is awarded 75 points.

According the MCCS, there will be a first and second place winner from each base.

The two units with the most points accumulated will receive a transfer to their unit or birthday ball funds. The first place winner will receive 1,000 dollars and the second will receive 500 dollars. A 1-25 percent of total unit participation will be awarded 75 points, 26-75 percent will received 150 points and 76 or higher will gain the maximum of 250 points.

Sign-in rosters will be maintained at each event and weekly scores and updates will be provided to participating units, according to MCCS. All the challenge’s events are open to everyone, regardless if they have registered or not.

For more information please contact the unit’s SMP representative or visit www.mccs-sc.com. (Flyers courtesy of MCCS.)

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4 MAY 0700 MCRD FITNESS CENTER NATIONAL STAR WARS DAY RACE

MAY THE FOURTH BE WITH YOU 5K

SMP CAR show 27 August 1300-1800 Check-In/Park Cars 1200

SUB RUN

Open to all eligible patrons.

Please Register By 1 August.

To register, or for more information contact Alexa DeFeo at alexa.r.defeo@usmc-mccs.org, Benjie Pangelinan at pangelinanbm@usmc-mccs.org or call 843-228-7405.

Awards for: Best in Show Best Classic Best 4X4 Best Custom Ride Best Muscle Car people’s choice

10 JUNE 1130 MCRD OLYMPIC POOL 2 MILE RUN + 250 SWIM RACE (lunch provided)

SMP EVENTS DATE 04 May 18 May 25 May 15 June 25 June 09 July 20 July 22 July 10 August 17 August 27 August

EVENT National Star Wars Day Troop Appreciation National Hamburger Day Troop Appreciation/Summer Spectacular Glow Pool Tournament UFC® 200 Troop Appreciation Independence Party National Hot Dog Day National S’Mores Day Troop Appreciation Show Off Your Ride: SMP Car Meet

LOCATION Afterburners Afterburners/Brig & Brew Afterburners/Brig & Brew Afterburners/Brig & Brew Afterburners Afterburners/Brig & Brew Afterburners/Brig & Brew Afterburners Afterburners/Brig & Brew Afterburners/Brig & Brew Afterburners Parking Lot

6 JULY 0700 MCAS FITNESS CENTER SUPER HERO THEME RACE

TIME 1100 1500 1700 1500 1600 2200 1500 1100 1700 1500 1300

5K 5 AUGUST 0700 MCAS AFTERBURNERS COLLEGE MASCOT THEME RACE

5K

For more information contact Alexa DeFeo at alexa.r.defeo@usmc-mccs.org, Benjie Panglinan at pangelinanbm@usmc-mccs.org or call 843-228-7405.

Thank you to our event sponsors:

Disclaimer: No Federal or DoD endorsement implied

Thanks to our sponsors.

No DoD endorsement implied.

Call Kathy at 843-228-7616 for assistance or more info. Patrons of all ability levels are welcome and encouraged to attend all events.

Classifieds

The Jet Stream

Friday, May 06, 2016

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The Jet Stream

Friday, May 06, 2016

Classifieds

More of the Story

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Friday, May 06, 2016

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Courtesy photo

This May, Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month is observed on Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort. The month is a celebration of the achievements reached by Asian Americans and everything they have given this country.

HERITAGE continued from page 1

May was officially designated as AAPI heritage month in 1992 when it was signed into law. The month of May was chosen to commemorate the immigration of the first Japanse to the United States on May 7, 1843, and to mark the anniversary of the completion of the transcontinental railroad on May 10, 1869.

Each year, a theme is selected to uni-

fy the celebration and rememberance around the country. The theme for this year’s AAPI Heritage Month is ‘Walk Together, Embrace Differences, Build Legacies.’

“This theme emphasizes the diversity of the AAPI members who come from over 30 ethnically distinct groups originating from the Asian and Pacific regions,” said Gunnery Sgt. Michele Tapia, the equal opportunity representative aboard MCAS Beaufort.

The Tri-Command Diversity Committee has planned events to commemo-

rate the month within the community.

There is an AAPI Month dinner and show scheduled for May 20 at the Lyceum aboard Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island.

The AAPI Heritage Month is observed throughout the month of May and will be culminated with a celebration near the end of the month President Jimmy Carter was the first president to designate an annual celebration of Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Week, in October 1978.

Twelve years later, President George H.

W. Bush signed an extension making May 1990 the first AAPI Heritage Month, changing the observance from a week to a month.

“Together, let us recommit to embracing the diversity that enriches our nation and to ensuring all our people have an equal chance to succeed in the country we love,” said President Barack Obama in a statement about AAPI Month 2016.

The AAPI Heritage Month is observed throughout the month of May and will be culminated with a celebration.

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The Jet Stream

More of the Story

Friday, May 06, 2016

Photo by Cpl. Jonah Lovy

A pilot prepares to take off from the flightline aboard Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort May 4. Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 251 is participating in a Weapons Systems Evaluation Program at Tyndall Air Force Base, Fla., May 6-20. The program gives pilots experience with flying against real aircraft outside a simulation. The real world training helps Marines be tactically proficient and prepared to deploy. The pilot is with VMFA-251.

Photo by Cpl. Jonah Lovy

A pilot prepares an F/A-18C Hornet to take off from the flightline aboard Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort May 4. Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 251 is participating in a Weapons Systems Evaluation Program at Tyndall Air Force Base, Fla., May 6-20. The program gives pilots experience with flying against real aircraft outside a simulation. The real world training helps Marines be tactically proficient and prepared to deploy. The pilot is with VMFA251.

VMFA-251 continued from page 1

The program gives pilots experience with flying against real aircraft outside a simulation. The real world training helps Marines be tactically proficient and prepared to deploy.

“When we are out there training and launching missiles the Air Force is going to observe how we perform,” said Capt.

Jonathan Gilson, a pilot with VMFA-251.

“It is a good experience for all the pilots to actually employ their training and to improve their proficiency. It is good for a pilot to actually have the experience of having something come off the aircraft.”

The program will also help test the weapons systems of the F/A-18Cs that the squadron uses. Ordnance used during the training includes air-to-air, air-toground and radar guided missiles.

“Pilots will shoot many different kinds of ordnance,” said Wilson. “We have a number of AIM-7s, AIM 120s and AIM-9s which are different variants of missiles.

AIM-7s and AIM-120s are radar guided

missiles and AIM-9s are heat-seeking missiles which we use generally within visual range.”

The AIM-7 is a medium range semiactive radar homing air-to-air missile introduced in the late 1950s. The AIM-9 is a short-range, air-to-air missile, and was the world’s first combat successful airto-air guided missile introduced in the late 1950s. The AIM-120 is an advanced medium-range air-to-air missile with active guidance, and was introduced in Iraq in the 1990s.

“This helps the mission by allowing us to test our weapons systems and collaborate with other branches to ensure our mission readiness,” said Wilson.

The Marines are not the only branch to participate in WSEP. The Air Force is hosting multiple squadrons in this particular program and trains regularly with other branches.

“This is not a training event that we always attend,” said Wilson. “Other Marine squadrons as well as visiting Navy and Air Force squadrons participate in this joint training exercise.”

PANEL continued from page 1

For those Marines who have never stood in front of a meritorious promotion board or Marine/NCO of the quarter board it is recommended seeking advice from Marines who have endured one successfully.

Preparation is essential but checking your records is equally important. Lance corporals and corporals must have 12 months of time-in-grade before being considered for promotion. That’s a change from prior requirements where lance corporals were eligible in eight months and corporals 12 months, both at any point within the quarter.

Marksmanship, fitness test scores, work performance and professional military education must be up-to-date in order for the promotion panel to sign off— similar to the process for sergeants when considered for promotion.

Being a strong candidate on paper is not enough.

The lack of leadership and character qualities expected from an NCO or Staff NCO can hinder a Marine to be recommended. According to the MARADMIN, Panel members are to identify Marines that “demonstrated an enduring commitment to Corps values, an everincreasing degree of maturity, leadership and professionalism expected of our NCOs.” “No Marine will be promoted to corporal or sergeant who has not positively demonstrated the potential, motivation, and maturity to satisfactorily discharge

Photo by Cpl. Jonah Lovy

A maintaner stands in front of an F/A-18C Hornet on the flightline aboard Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort May 4. Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 251 is participating in a Weapons Systems Evaluation Program at Tyndall Air Force Base, Fla., May 6-20. The program gives pilots experience with flying against real aircraft outside a simulation. The real world training helps Marines be tactically proficient and prepared to deploy. The pilot is with VMFA251.

the duties of a small unit leader,” according to the MARADMIN. Marines must be prepared to discuss and demonstrate such qualities as they are not always reflected on paper.

With plenty of time to prepare, Marines who show up to the panel with excuses can be proven unworthy of promotion resulting in a Page 11 entry on their service record If your promotion eligibility runs January through March of 2017, your board will be held no later than Nov. 15. Those eligible April-June 2017 will have boards by Feb. 15 of that year.

Boards will conclude by May 15, 2017, for those with eligibility between July and September, and on Aug. 15, 2017, for those with eligibility between October and December.

Panels can reconvene monthly to reconsider Marines previously not recommended – the commanding officer can pull the “not recommended” entry at any time during the quarter – as well as eligible Marines who reported to the unit after the quarterly panel wrapped up.

Any discrepancies or errors found in a Marine’s record must be addressed early and refer to a career counselor or first sergeant/squadron gunnery sergeant.

For more information, Marines can also visit the promotion branch website. Marines also can email questions to enlistedpromotions@usmc.mil, or call (703) 784-9717 or DSN 278-9717.

Photo by Sgt. Dengrier M. Baez

Marines in the junior ranks who are eligible for promotion to corporal or sergeant will face a panel starting October. The Marine Corps announced the new requirement in Marine administrative message 200/16. The new noncommissioned officer promotion panels were ordered by Gen. Robert Neller, commandant of the Marine Corps, to ensure only Marines who are fully prepared and qualified are promoted.

Around the Corps

The Jet Stream

Friday, May 06, 2016

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Crisis response Marines, Army execute joint capabilities

U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Matthew Pfaff, a team leader with Special Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force-Crisis Response-Africa, carries a log with his squad across steep terrain for the final exercise of a stress event held by U.S. Army Special Forces in Germany, Apr. 12, 2016. The stress event consisted of a timed firing course, an urban agility course and a squad log run to test the Marines’ speed and endurance under stressful conditions.

Story and photos by: Sgt. Tia Nagle Marine Corps Forces Africa

U.S. Marines and soldiers met during a training exercise in Germany to defeat enemy combatants fighting from inside city buildings and houses, April 7-13, 2016.

This joint training exercise gave the Marines an opportunity to pick up and hone

essential training techniques with the Army unit composed primarily of Special Forces soldiers. Aspects of urban warfare such as shooting around barriers and firing on the move were focused on by the crisis response forces.

“I think it was good [training] especially the barriers and weak side shooting because if we were actually going to combat, that’s something that there’s a high

U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Craig Finnerty, a mortarman with Special Purpose Marine AirGround Task Force-Crisis Response-Africa, maintains a low profile as he maneuvers over a wall during a stress event held by U.S. Army Special Forces in Germany, Apr. 12, 2016. The stress event consisted of a timed firing course, an urban agility course and a squad log run to test the Marines’ speed and endurance under stressful conditions.

possibility of us doing,” said Sgt. Ryan Cyrus, first squad leader with Bravo Company, 1st Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment.

As a culminating event, the Marines worked side by side with the CRF soldiers to clear out an abandoned housing area and seize an enemy target. The training helped build proficiency and capability among participants in executing their crisis response mission sets.

“It was good hands on experience getting to throw flash bangs and actually use [simunition] rounds which was definitely the type of training the Marine Corps loves getting involved in,” said Lance Cpl. Michael Battaglia, a team leader with Bravo Company, 1st Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment.

U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. John Brancifort, a rifleman with Special Purpose Marine AirGround Task Force-Crisis Response-Africa, fires an M4 carbine in the lateral movement portion of a stress shooting exercise held by U.S. Army Special Forces in Germany, Apr. 12, 2016.

The Marines ran through a timed firing course filled with flash-bang grenades and challenging shooting positions to put their marksmanship skills to the test in a stressful environment.

After the course of fire, the squads ran as a team to the Military Operations on Urban Terrain town to complete a speed and agility course.

Marine Corps Warfighting Lab tests autonomous reconnaissance Story and photos by: Sgt.Terry Brady Defense Media Activity

The Unmanned Tactical Autonomous Control and Collaboration patrols a simulated town indoors in Ellis Hall at Marine Corps Base Quantico, April 19, 2016. The UTACC is a team of aerial and ground robots using the Distributed Realtime Autonomously Guided Operations Engine to provide multi-dimensional intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance to the squad-level units. Though the tests are conceptual, the UTACC represents potential capabilities for robotics integrated into squad-level units

The Marine Corps Warfighting Laboratory showcased and tested the capabilities of the Unmanned Tactical Autonomous Control and Collaboration, April 18–21, 2016, at Marine Corps Base Quantico.

The UTACC is a team of aerial and ground robots using the Distributed Real-time Autonomously Guided Operations Engine (DRAGON) to provide multi-dimensional intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance to squadlevel units.

“Imagine a squad formation where you’re walking in a column or a wedge with robots to the front, overhead and flanks,” said Capt. James Pineiro, the head of MCWL Ground Combat Element Branch. “What they’re providing you is advanced warning of threats, locating enemies and targeting enemies.”

The robots are prototype models to test the capabilities of the DRAGON software in a practical situation. The software enables advanced data sharing and data-to-decision services employing Artificial Intelligence. With DRAGON’s advanced capabilities, operators communicate to autonomous

systems with tasks to perform and not how to perform them.

“We are testing the software and the concept,” said Pineiro. “We’re finding out that the path planning and the mission planning is going great.” During the demonstration, the robots surveyed a simulated town for insurgents by roving with the ground robot and hovering over obstacles with the aerial robot.

Upon retrieving efficient information on targets spotted, the operator of the robots relay the information to an M80 Stiletto, a Naval vessel used to operate and test technologies in a maritime environment to accelerate the delivery of capabilities into warfighters’ hands, according to Lt. Col. Andrew R. Winthrop, the Deputy Director of the Rapid Reaction Technology Office and the project manager of the UTACC. “The Stiletto was one component of the larger UTACC demonstration,” said Winthrop. “Based upon capabilities resident in its Integrated Bridge System (IBS), Stiletto was the ideal platform to demonstrate Kongsburg Defense System’s Sea Command Prototype IBS. “The UTACC demonstration closely aligns with Stiletto’s focus on developing and demonstrating autonomous systems. Additionally, the Sea Com-

mand System was already installed onboard Stiletto and was quickly adapted for the UTACC demonstration.”

The Stiletto would then launch simulated missiles onto the designated targets, demonstrating that a single operator could rapidly engage targets ashore using autonomous systems, according to Winthrop.

“This was a successful demonstration,” said Winthrop. “The Stiletto was able to seamlessly integrate with a ground controller operating the DRAGON system. The ground operator took remote control of the Sea Command system and was able to launch a simulated missile at a target detected and classified by autonomous systems.”

The Chief of Naval Operation’s Rapid Innovation Cell and Marine Corps Warfighting Lab have expressed interest in follow-on demonstrations with Stiletto as UTACC progresses, according to Winthrop.

“Our future plans are to take this scenario in an outdoor environment with Marines for operational experimentation,” said Pineiro. “The intent is to have every robot operating in the battlespace to be a sensor, shooter and sharer. We intend to go bigger.”

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Around the Corps

Friday, May 06, 2016

Four Semper Fidelis All-Americal alumni selected in first round of 2016 NFL draft Story by: Sgt Jacky Fang Marine Corps Recruiting Command

Four Semper Fidelis All-American Alumni were drafted in the first round of the 2016 National Football League Draft on April 28, 2016. First round draftees include number one draft pick Jared Goff, Ronnie Stanley, DeForest Buckner, and Will Fuller.

The Semper Fidelis All-American Bowl, a high school all-star game sponsored by the Marine Corps, partnered Marines with high achieving student athletes to share leadership lessons and positively impact their future success.

Goff, who played quarterback at the University of California, was selected by the Los Angeles Rams and played in the 2013 SFAAB. Stanley, an offensive tackle from the University of Notre Dame, was taken sixth overall by the Baltimore Ravens and played in the 2012 SFAAB. The seventh draft pick, Buckner, a defensive end from the University of Oregon, was chosen by the San Francisco 49ers and played in the 2012 SFAAB. Fuller, who played wide receiver at the University of Notre Dame, was taken as the number 21 pick by the Houston Texans and played in the 2013 SFAAB. Since the program’s inception in 2012, more than 450 high school student athletes became Semper Fidelis All-Americans. For more information or imagery of previous SFAAB, please visit semperfidelisfootball.com.

Photo by Sgt. Scott Schmidt

William Fuller, a wide receiver with the east coast team for the Semper Fidelis All-American Bowl , pivots to catch a pass during practice drills Jan. 2, 2013. Fuller is from Roman Catholic High School in Philadelphia, Penn. The Semper Fi Bowl will be nationally televised live on the NFL Network from The Home Depot Center in Carson, Calif., at 6 p.m. (PST) on Jan. 4, 2013.The Houston Texans drafted Fuller with the 21st pick in the first round in the 2016 NFL draft, April 28, 2016.

Photo by Cpl. Erin Tansey

Photo by Staff Sgt. Clinton Firstbrook

Ronnie Stanley, Las Vegas native and offensive tackle for West Coast, holds off the defensive line during the Semper Fidelis All American Bowl, Jan. 3, 2012 at Chase Field in Phoenix. The Baltimore Ravens drafted Stanley with the sixth pick in the first round in the 2016 NFL draft, April 28, 2016.

Drill instructor Sgt. Matthew Lee presents Jared Goff with his Semper Fidelis All-American Bowl jersey at a banquet Jan. 3, 2013. More than 100 athletes were selected to participate in the event. The Los Angeles Rams drafted Goff with the number one pick in the 2016 NFL draft, April 28, 2016.

Around the Corps

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Friday, May 06, 2016

11

Marine Osprey flies in to fuel up F-35B

Photo by Christian Turner/USAF

An MV-22B Osprey (left) descended on Edwards to link up with a Marine F-35B Joint Strike Fighter April 28. Both aircraft are assigned to Marine Operational Test & Evaluation Squadron 22 (VMX-22) out of Marine Corps Air Station Yuma in Arizona. The Osprey dropped by for a test to validate ground refueling from an MV-22 to an F-35B

by Kenji Thuloweit 412th Test Wing Public Affairs

A U.S. Marine Corps MV-22B Osprey descended on Edwards to link up with a Marine F-35B Joint Strike Fighter April 28.

Both aircraft are assigned to Marine Operational Test & Evaluation Squadron 22 (VMX-22) out of Marine Corps Air Station Yuma in Arizona.

VMX-22 has a detachment here where Marines are testing and evaluating their version of the JSF, which is the short take-off and vertical landing variant.

The Osprey dropped by for a quick but important test.

“The test was to validate ground refueling from an MV-22 to an F-35B, which is integral to the construct of the Marine Air Ground Task Force,” said USMC Maj. Adam Geitner, pilot and VMX-22 F-35 Detachment Aircraft Maintenance officer.

The Marine Air-Ground Task Force is

the organizational foundation for all missions across the range of USMC military operations. MAGTFs are a balanced air-ground, combined arms task organization of Marine Corps forces under a single commander that is structured to accomplish a specific mission.

“This was the first time an MV-22 has refueled an F-35. Both ground refueling and air-to-air refueling are important pieces to the Marine Corps’ MAGTF operational construct. From a tactical point of view, the MV-22 to F-35 ground refueling allows the Marine Corps to employ assets in austere environments on a short notice without having to rely on long-term planning and fixed facilities,” Geitner said.

The one-hour test consisted of hooking up fuel transfer lines between the two aircraft with the MV-22 fueling up the F-35B. The test validated the equipment and procedures on both the F-35B and MV-22.

Geitner said the MV-22 Osprey has the ability to carry approximately 10,000 lbs. of fuel in its fuel containers loaded in the back of the aircraft. This is coupled with approximately 12,000 lbs. carried internally, which can either provide fuel to its own aircraft or to external aircraft in airto-air refueling operations.

Fuel was successfully transferred to the F-35, which taxied off back to the Joint Operation Test Team area.

“The next step will be air-to-air refueling from an MV-22. This is even more significant for the MAGTF when operating F-35s from [amphibious assault ships] because it provides organic air-to-air refueling capability that vastly extends the range of the aircraft and also provides operational flexibility,” said Geitner.

Previously, Marine AV-8B Harrier aircraft would require USMC KC-130s to provide air-to-air refueling capabilities.

However, they are limited to land and when the amphibious assault ships are

operating in either blue water operations, or in regions that deny them access to land-based air facilities, as it limits air-to-air refueling capabilities, Geitner added.

“With the MV-22 being on the ship, colocated with the F-35, all of those constraints with the KC-130 no longer apply.”

The MV-22B Osprey is a tiltrotor vertical and/or short take-off and landing aircraft that serves as the medium-lift assault support aircraft for the Marines.

The Osprey can operate as a helicopter or a turboprop aircraft. It can transport troops, equipment and supplies from ships and land bases for combat assault and support.

Edwards AFB hasn’t seen an Osprey in the skies regularly since 2007. That’s the year the 418th Flight Test Squadron said goodbye to the CV-22 Integrated Test Team after completing developmental test of the aircraft.

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Friday, May 06, 2016

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