Jet Stream The
Friday, August 26, 2016 Vol. 51, No. 34 Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort, S.C.
“The noise you hear is the sound of freedom.” Hunting season opens aboard MCAS Beaufort
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VMFA-122 completes Pitch Black qualified, ready
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Marines demonstrate capabilities to the International Committee of the Red Cross
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Story by: Lance Cpl. Ashley Phillips Staff Writer
Mission Complete: Arrowhead Thunder 2016 concludes
Units of 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing and 1st Battalion, 10th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, both with II Marine Expeditionary Force, concluded the 10day combined arms exercise Arrowhead Thunder 2016 at Fort Stewart, Ga. Aug. 19. Squadrons from Marine Corps Air Station New River, N.C. and F/A-18C Hornets from Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort provided close air support and airborne forward air control while the CH-53E Super Stallions supported the M77 Howitzer with lift assistance. “Arrowhead Thunder was an exercise primarily for 1/10 Marines, which
is an artillery battalion, to exercise all their skills and to integrate exterior elements, creating a better simulation of what the battlefield looks like when they are deployed,” said Capt. Trevor W. Sewell, a CH-53E Super Stallion pilot with Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 464, Marine Aircraft Group 29. For the entire exercise to come together and run smoothly it took the cooperation of multiple units aboard Fightertown. Station fuels and Marine Wing Support Detachment 31 provided a lot of the ground work to make sure the aircraft were fueled to fly. “Without the Marines from Station Fuels and MWSD-31 fuels, exercises like this wouldn’t be
Photo by Lance Cpl. Jimmy Vertus
A CH-53E Super Stallion lands aboard Fort Stewart, Ga. during Arrowhead Thunder 2016 Aug. During the combined arms exercise, squadrons from Marine Corps Air Station New River, N.C. and F/A-18C Hornets from Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort provided close air support and airborne forward air control while the Super Stallions supported the M777 Howitzer with lift assistance. The aircraft is with Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 464, Marine Aircraft Group 29.
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Intelligence Marines recruit aboard MCAS Beaufort Story by: Lance Cpl. Ashley Phillips Staff Writer A team of Counter Intelligence and Human Intelligence recruiters visited Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort Aug. 24. The 0211 recruiters were from Camp Lejeune, N.C. “Counter intelligence is protecting against terrorism, espionage, and sabotage,” said one of the recruiters. “Human intelligence is the collection of intelligence from a human being. Other services generally separate the
two, but with the Marine Corps, you are specialized in both.” According to the recruiters, CI/ HUMINT Marines can do multiple jobs depending on their billets. They could deploy ahead of Marine Expeditionary Units to gather intelligence. They could be on recruiting duties. They could conduct interrogations. One of the requirements for applicants is willingness to deploy often. “Our one goal we have in mind is to protect other Marines,” said the resee
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Photo by Cpl. Jonah Lovy
Marines raise their hands during a question-answer session of a presentation by Intelligence Marine recruiters at the Lasseter Theater Aug. 24. During the brief, the recruiters outlined the requirements and the day-to-day overall operations of the job of an intelligence Marine. They also answered questions for the potential applicants regarding training, deployments and civilian job opportunities. The Marines are with Marine Corp Air Station Beaufort.
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CMC arrives in Fightertown, visits MCRD Parris Island
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en. Robert Neller, commandant of the Marine Corps, exits an aircraft aboard Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort Aug. 22. Neller, accompanied by other Marine Corps officials, arrived at Fightertown and visited the facilities at Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island as part of his installations tour. see
Photo by Lance Cpl. Kayla L. Douglass
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Friday, August 26, 2016
Games and Entertainment
MCAS Beaufort Movie Schedule
Saturday 2:00 p.m. PG (1:21)
Mess Hall Menu
Saturday 4:30 p.m. PG-13 (1:48)
Saturday 7:00 p.m. PG-13 (1:50)
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
Sunday 2:00 p.m. PG (1:21)
Sunday 4:30 p.m. PG-13 (2:00)
SUDOKU
Dinner Baked ziti with italian sausage
Monday - Friday Breakfast Hot farina, hot hominy grits and oven-fried bacon
Sunday 7:00 p.m. PG-13 (1:48)
WORD SCRAMBLE Rearrange the letters to discover something pertaining to safety.
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
GUESS WHO? I am an actress born in Hawaii on June 20, 1967, but most people think of me as a native Australian. My breakthrough role came in a 1989 psychological thriller opposite Sam Neill
Friday Dinner Lunch Chili macaroni and Herbed baked green beans chicken and carrots
PET OWNERSHIP WORD SEARCH
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
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 228-6924 228-6710
Word Bank
ADOPTION BREED CANINE COMPANION CRATE DYSPLASIA EXERCISE
FELINE FUR GENETICS KINDNESS LICENSE LITTER MANGE
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.
AUGUST 12 SOLUTIONS Word Scramble: NOTEBOOK Guess Who?: 50 CENT Answer to this week’s puzzles will be available in next week’s edition of The Jet Stream.
MITES NAILS NEUTER NUTRITION PAPERS PARASITE PEDIGREE
PET PUREBRED QUICK REGISTERED REINFORCEMENT SHELTER
SIRE SOIL SUPPLIES TRAINING VACCINATION WASTE WHISKERS
Command Information
The Jet Stream
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. Improve-
ments 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.
Friday, August 26, 2016
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Did you know... August 24, 1814:
Captain Samuel miller’s 100-man detachment from Marine Barracks, Washington, fought in the battle of Bladensburg for the defense of the national capital. After helping to fight back three British charges, Captain Miller was wounded and the enemy began to work around both flanks of the American force. Almost encircled, the force of sailors and Marines was forced to retire to avoid capture. The Marines lost 8 killed and 14 wounded.
Chaplain’s Corner
Who wants to Volunteer?
volunteers are required to make it run. Second Helpings gets food from thirty different donor agencies, use six trucks and 450 volunteers, who gave 30,000 volunteer We all know that Navy stands for hours last year, to give food to 60 area “Never Again Volunteer Yourself.” Yes, agencies who then distributed that food to Army stands for “Ain’t Ready to be a Marine Yet,” but we only want to talk about 22,000 people in need right here in our area. That information knocked my socks off! volunteering today. We also know that Then she told us that most of the fewer and fewer people participate in groups volunteers are retired people. That was in our society these days. A few years ago news! But it should not have been too a book came out called “Bowling Alone.” surprising. After all, if fewer young people The whole idea was that people are less are volunteering, that leaves the 70 year olds likely today to join anything, church, the Masons, bowling leagues, the Y, and on and to pick up the food and deliver it. The week before, we met with the great on. The military is well aware that fewer people at Hope Haven. Hope Haven works people your age want to join up for the service, as well. So good on you for signing with those who have been sexually abused. Because of the very specialized nature of up to serve your country! what they do they have a lot of professionals What happens when fewer and fewer on staff. But they depend on volunteers people join things? Well, many local who do a huge amount of work for them. organizations have to shut down, and we Again this experience was overwhelming. have seen a lot of that lately. It also means You all know that I invite you to give that many organizations have to pay people blood six times a year. That is an important to do things that used to happen for free. form of volunteering. Even I can do that. That makes a lot of things more expensive. In a few weeks we will sit down with It also means that many organizations have to “do more with less.” We know about that the Good Neighbor Free Medical clinic, which helps out those who have no health in the Marine Corps, don’t we! insurance. The list of organizations that This summer the Chapel staff, Family need volunteers could go on to include all Team Building staff and the Family Readiness Officers have been meeting with kinds of fun youth organizations, schools, some of the local organizations that depend the Navy and Marine Corps Relief Society, churches, the base chapel, even the base absolutely on volunteers. For example the bowling league needs some folks to sign other day we met with Maureen Korzik, the Executive Director of Second Helpings. up, but you get the idea. There are a lot of organizations out there that need you and Now, I knew a little bit about Second me to volunteer, or even just participate. Helpings, they gather up food that is not needed and take it to groups who can give it I happen to sing with a local community to those who need it. But I had no idea how choir. We not only do concerts but we also sing for senior citizens, community big a project this really is, and how many By William Holiman Command Chaplain, MCAS Beaufort
functions and we even wander the streets of downtown Beaufort on Monday nights in good weather just making this a better place to live by singing for the folks eating dinner. So why don’t people participate much anymore? Maybe we are all locked in our barracks rooms playing video games. Maybe we are genuinely tired from work, and heaven knows you do work hard. Maybe we don’t see the needs around us. Maybe we would like to volunteer but we just don’t know who to contact or what the opportunities are. For some of us the religious part of volunteering is important. We read the words of Jesus who says that what we do for the least we do for him. That is exciting! But I have to admit that some religious folks do not volunteer for anything. They hope that someone else does the volunteering, even at church. For some of us the religious aspect is not right up at the front. After all, not everyone is religious. But we can still volunteer and do great things just because it really is fun to get together with a group of friends and do some good stuff. Some of us we got burned out on volunteering in high school. My kids had to have so many volunteer hours to graduate. The school was trying to encourage volunteerism, but sometimes required things make us loose interest. Whatever your interest there is something that you can do, especially those of you who complain that there is nothing to do in Beaufort. So why not take a little time and find a place that needs you to volunteer? You will be glad you did.
Effective June 1, MCAS Beaufort will be in Tropical Cyclone Condition V for 2016 Atlantic Hurricane season until November 30. This year is predicted to be a normal season. NOAA is predicting 1016 named storms, which includes Alex. 4-8 will become Hurricanes. 1-4 will become major Hurricanes. Be Prepared!
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
Fightertown deployed:
Staff Sgt. Dengrier M. Baez
Press Chief
Cpl. Jonah Lovy
Community Relations/Staff Writer Cpl. Samantha K. Foster Lance Cpl. Ashley Phillips
Beaufort.Marines.mil
MALS-31 Stingers have detachments currently deployed to the Western Pacific supporting VMFA-122.
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.
Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 115 is currently deployed to the Western Pacific as part of the Unit Deployment Program.
Tri-Command Weather 7 Day Forecast
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twitter.com/MCASBeaufortSC
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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) 2287225. 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, August 26, 2016
Hunting season opens aboard MCAS Beaufort
Photo Courtesy
Story by: Cpl. Jonah Lovy Press Chief
Hunting season officially opens aboard Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort Sept. 15 and Marines are ready to get back out into the field. However, anyone interested in participating must comply with the air stations rules and regulations to ensure everyone has a safe experience. All Department of Defense personnel and their dependents who wish to hunt aboard MCAS Beaufort must attend one of the mandatory hunter safety briefings held aboard the air station, said Matt Martin, the game warden with the Natural Resources Department aboard MCAS Beaufort. The classes are held every Wednesday in the classroom in building 1036. The class covers safety procedures that all hunters should know as well as the
unique circumstances presented by hunting on the air station. The last class is scheduled for Sep 30. “All hunters must fill out an application form prior to attending the class,” said Martin. “If you have already hunted in previous years and we have your forms on file, then there is no need to fill them out again.” The application process and the class are requirements on base and Marines must ensure they have the proper permissions from the state before saddling up for a hunt. “Hunters must also have a valid South Carolina hunting license which includes a big game endorsement,” said Martin. Not all weapons are permitted aboard the air station. The only approved weapons are shotguns and bows. Rifles, black powder guns, crossbows, nets, snares, or bait poisons are prohibited. “I can understand why the command would want to keep some weapons off the base,” said Jantz. “It would
be bad if everyone was running around with high powered rifles near the facilities we have here.” The restrictions allow the Natural Resources Department to monitor all the gunfire on base and keep Marines and facilities safe. “Hunters wishing to receive a permit must present proof of registration for their hunting weapons from the Provost Marshall Office and Pass and ID,” said Martin. Approved game to hunt includes deer, squirrel, rabbits and raccoons. Hunters are not permitted to hunt game birds such as turkeys, doves or ducks. “I’m excited to look into the hunting options they have on base,” said Sgt. Dalton Jantz, an air traffic controller aboard MCAS Beaufort. “I’ve never hunted on a military installation before.” For additional information about the 2015 hunting season aboard MCAS Beaufort, please contact Matt Martin, the game warden at 843-228-7017.
More of the Story
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Friday, August 26, 2016
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CMC continued from page 1
Photo by Lance Cpl. Kayla L. Douglass
Photo by Lance Cpl. Kayla L. Douglass
Gen. Robert B. Neller lands aboard Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort Aug. 22 to visit Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island to observe training. Neller is greeted by Sgt. Maj. KeCia Jordan, Col. Peter D. Buck, Sgt. Maj. Angela M. Maness, and Brig. Gen. Austin E. Renforth. Neller is the commandant of the Marine Corps, Jordan is the sergeant major of MCAS Beaufort, Buck is the commanding officer of MCAS Beaufort, Maness is the sergeant major of MCRD Parris Island and the Eastern Recruiting Region, and Renforth is the commanding general of MCRD Parris Island and the Eastern Recruiting Region.
Gen. Robert Neller, commandant of the Marine Corps, arrives aboard Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort Aug. 22. Neller, accompanied by other Marine Corps officials, arrived at Fightertown and visited the facilities at Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island as part of his installations tour.
Photo by Lance Cpl. Kayla L. Douglass
Photo by Lance Cpl. Kayla L. Douglass
Gen. Robert B. Neller lands aboard Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort Aug. 22 to visit Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island to observe training. Neller is greeted by Col. Peter D. Buck, and Brig. Gen. Austin E. Renforth. Neller is the commandant of the Marine Corps, Buck is the commanding officer of MCAS Beaufort and Renforth is the commanding general of MCRD Parris Island and the Eastern Recruiting Region.
Gen. Robert Neller, commandant of the Marine Corps, arrives aboard Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort Aug. 22. Neller, accompanied by other Marine Corps officials, arrived at Fightertown and visited the facilities at Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island as part of his installations tour.
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More of the Story
Friday, August 26, 2016
INTEL continued from page 1
cruiter. “That’s what we want to do; save lives and protect Marines.” Many Marines join CI/ HUMINT to both extend their horizons and to contribute in a more direct way to the mission of the Marine Corps. “Most Marines who join feel like they are not providing that direct support to the mission,” said another recruiter. “They aren’t getting the satisfaction of what they really joined to do, to benefit the whole Marine Corps. By collecting information to protect Marines around you, getting to see your information that you collected used and influencing a community, that’s where you get the satisfaction.” “Intelligence drives ops,” said the recruiter. “An infantry commander is not going to send his Marines into a warzone without knowing the risks. An F-18 pilot is
not going to fly without knowing if there is surface to air missiles. An osprey is not going to land without knowing what the landing zone looks like. We are the people on the ground, physically looking at these areas before another Marine goes in. We are on the front line, ahead of time, prepping the battle field.” Any Marine who meets the following criteria can join: •GT score of 110 or higher •Male or Female Cpl. to Sgt. •21 years of age •U.S. citizenship •Eligible for Top Secret Clearance •Willing to deploy often •60 month reenlistment •Minimal derogatory history
“You go to the Marine Air Ground Task Force Counter Intelligence/Human Intelligence course. From there you learn how to be a counter intelligence agent and conduct
counter intelligence activities and human intelligence activities. You also learn surveillance, counter surveillance, interrogations, debriefing , reporting and general military intelligence training.” This schooling gives you national accreditation at the advanced level. The training takes approximately five months. Beyond military service there are many opportunities to put these skills to use. There is always a need to assess vulnerabilities and risks to any company or operation. “Anyone can apply, the easiest way is to talk to their career planner. Also they can go to our website at 2dintelcirecruiting@ usmc.mil to get started with the application.” The 0211 CI/HUMINT military occupational specialty is a lateral movement only.
Photo by Cpl. Jonah Lovy
Marines raise their hands during a question-answer session of a presentation by Intelligence Marines recruiters at the Lasseter Theater Aug. 24. During the brief, the recruiters outlined the requirements and the day-to-day overall operations of the job of an intelligence Marine. They also answer questions for the potential applicants regarding training, deployments and civilian job opportunities. The Marines are with Marine Corp Air Station Beaufort.
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Friday, August 26, 2016
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possible,” said Gunnery Sgt. Lyle McIntyre, the staff non-commissioned officer in charge of station fuels with Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron. “Leadership plans out the exercises and it’s the Marines who pull it off.” Station fuels and MWSD-31 used MK970s to fuel the aircraft on the flight line. Last week while the exercise was in progress more than 309,000 gallons of fuel were used. An MK9-70 is a tactical, low profile semi-trailer used for fueling and defueling aircraft. It can hold 5,000 gallons of fuel and is the primary fueling vehicle used aboard MCAS Beaufort. “There are two types of
fueling,” said McIntyre. “Hot fuel, fueling when the aircraft’s engine is running and cold fuel, when the engine is off. In total last week there were 65,000 gallons in hot fuel and 244,000 in cold fuel.” During the exercise, flying squadrons from MCAS New River used facilities aboard MCAS Beaufort for a staging area. Two AH-1W Super Cobras, two UH-1Y Venoms from MCAS New River and F-18 Hornets from MCAS Beaufort supported the exercise. “Primarily we provided the fixed wing close airborne support,” said Maj. Craig McDermott, assistant operations officer with Marine Aircraft Group 31. “We don’t get to train with ground units
very often. This scale of exercise was the next step up from our usual training exercises.” Marines in the air and ground came together to create a large scale combat situation. The Marine Corps’ ability to work as an air and ground task force is a powerful asset and part of what makes it unique, explained Sewell. This exercise allowed for Marines to do exactly that, train as a MAGTF. “Exercises that implement ground and air components foster teamwork and cohesiveness,” said McDermott. “Any chance we got to work with our ground brethren is great. It reminds us of our true purpose, to support those ground components.”
Photo by Lance Cpl. Jimmy Vertus
A Marine refuels a CH-53E Super Stallion during exercise Arrowhead Thunder 2016 aboard Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort, Aug. 18. Arrowhead Thunder was a 10-day combined arms exercise that ended Aug. 19. The Marine is with Marine Wing Support Detachment 31. The Super Stallion is with Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 464, Marine Aircraft Group 29. Photo by Lance Cpl. Jimmy Vertus
Two CH-53E Super Stallions refuel during exercise Arrowhead Thunder 2016 aboard Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort, Aug. 18. Two MK970 refueling vehicles from Marine Wing Support Detachment 31 stood on standby on the flight line to provide support for the duration of the exercise. The Super Stallions are with Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 464, Marine Aircraft Group 29.
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The Jet Stream
Around the Corps
Friday, August 26, 2016
VMFA-122 completes Pitch Black qualified, ready Story by: Cpl. Nicole Zurbrugg 10th Marine Regiment
RAAF TINDAL, Australia —Trained, qualified and ready, Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 122 wrapped up their last flights of Exercise Pitch Black 2016 at Royal Australian Air Force Base Tindal, Australia, Aug. 18, 2016. The F/A -18C Hornet squadron conducted large force close air support, air interdiction, armed reconnaissance, and strike coordination and reconnaissance missions during Pitch Black. “We were also able to perform offensive and defensive counter air, strike and direct targeting missions in both day and night, high intensity scenarios during Pitch Black,” said Lt. Col. Derek M. Brannon, commanding officer of VMFA-122. “From the planning evolutions to actual execution, the squadron benefited from the professional and well executed RAAF exercise.” Throughout the exercise, the participating squadrons took turns providing both “red air” and “blue air” roles. Red air role players, or the threat aircraft, act as training aids to assist blue air, or allies, in overcoming the threat. While this exploited each nation’s strengths and weaknesses, the main goal was to provide practice and experience for each pilot. Brannon said the exercise allowed Marine Aircraft Group 12 and VMFA-122
to gain a high level training readiness by taking advantage of the integrated large force events. “I view this as the culminating training exercise combining all we have accomplished both in Iwakuni, Korea and Okinawa,” said Maj. Matthew Halbert, operations officer for VMFA-122. “Pitch Black gave our junior and senior pilots the opportunity to rehash all the training goals and requirements in airto-air and air-to-ground techniques in a different environment with multiple countries. We also took advantage of the opportunity to gain vital qualifications.” During this exercise, VMFA-122 requested two fighter attack instructor certifications. Pilots earned these accreditations by delivering mission briefing labs, talking the instructor through everything they know about tactics and maneuvers, and then executing the operations during Pitch Black missions. Maj. Anthony Koehl, F/A-18 instructor pilot at Marine Aviation and Weapons Tactics Squadron One, joined VMFA-122 during Pitch Black for fleet support and certification qualifications. “Upon certification, that pilot is an instructor in close air support, armed reconnaissance, airborne interdiction, basic fighter maneuvers and section engaged maneuvering,” said Koehl. “BFM is one versus one fighting and section engaged maneuvering is two versus two. After receiving the FAI certification,
An F/A-18C Hornet assigned to Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 122 taxis to the runway for a night flight during Exercise Pitch Black 2016 at Royal Australian Air Force Base Tindal, Australia, Aug. 17, 2016. The flying squadron executed large force close air support, air interdiction, armed reconnaissance, and strike coordination and reconnaissance missions over the three week training evolution. The biennial, multinational exercise involves approximately 10 allied nations and prepares these forces for possible real-world scenarios. The bilateral effort amongst Exercise Pitch Black 2016 furthermore showcases the strength amongst various militaries and solidifies the relationship across the Pacific region.
the pilots can now instruct and train new pilots on basic maneuvers and tactics, allowing the squadron to maintain a readiness level needed to support the Pacific region and future operations.” Pitch Black provided the squadron an opportunity to develop and validate operational concepts for conducting sustained contingency and combat operations around the world.
“We normally get to fly large force exercises in the U.S. and although there is training value to that, the little things that language barriers and aircraft differences bring out become very important and open the eyes of my pilots,” said Brannon. “It makes you go back to the basics of simple deconfliction and flight administration procedures, while gaining an immense amount of experience.”
Reserve Marines demonstrate an exceptional performance at Northern Strike 16 Story by: Staff Sgt. Bobby Curtis I Marine Expeditionary Force
Reserve Marines from across the United States participated in exercise Northern Strike 16, Aug. 6-20, 2016 at the Camp Grayling Joint Maneuver Training Center and the Alpena Combat Readiness Training Center, Michigan. Northern Strike 16 is a National Guard Bureau-sponsored multinational, multilateral combined arms, live-fire exercise with members from 20 states and three coalition countries. The exercise brings together over 5,000 service members and strives to provide accessible, readiness-building opportunities for military units from all service branches. The focus of the exercise is to achieve and sustain proficiency in conducting mission command, air, sea, and ground maneuver integration, and the synchronization of fires in a decisive action environment. “Learning from our sister ser-
vices and our partner nations are so very important,” said Col. Michael Samarov, commanding officer of 25th Marine Regiment. “We pride ourselves on our combat capabilities; we are the finest fighting force in the world. When we do go to combat, we are not going to fight by ourselves. Learning how to fight with others, learning from them, and teaching them how we work is very important.” Every country and unit brought their own unique experiences and knowledge to the exercise. The Marines brought several different Reserve units in support of efforts on the ground, in the sky and in the water. “The Marines involved from Marine Forces Reserve are from 2nd and 3rd Battalion of 25th Marine Regiment, 4th Assault Amphibian Battalion, 4th Reconnaissance Battalion, 4th Combat Engineer Battalion, Air Naval Gunfire Liaison Company from Force Head-
quarters Group and the Marine Air Support Squadron 6 from the Direct Air Support Center,” Samarov said. The Marines worked with the Army and Air National Guard from all over the United States. Large scale exercises aboard Camp Grayling allowed multiple units to work together and perform their annual trainings in a decisive-action environment. “Camp Grayling is a wonderful training venue,” Samarov said. “It provides us an opportunity to conduct amphibious assaults and also has numerous live fire ranges to include air and artillery ranges for livefire. Grayling includes Military Operations in Urban Terrain facilities, live-fire shooting houses, as well as, static firing ranges. And then over the top of this training area is a very large airspace through which military aircraft can train. Outside of places like Camp Pendleton, Camp Lejeune, and Twentynine Palms, I can’t think of another
venue that has all of these capabilities all in one place.” With the limited amount of training centers that allow combined arm exercises on a large scale, the Marines know the importance of taking advantage of Camp Grayling. “This training is important because we have been at war for 15 years and are continuing to send units overseas,” said Staff. Sgt. Anthony Owens, platoon sergeant with 2nd platoon, Company E, 2nd Bn., 25th Marine Reg. “My goal is to make sure my platoon and my company is ready to be combat ready and combat effective. As a platoon we need to be able to maneuver and assault on the enemy at any time while using direct and indirect fires. These ranges will allow me to assess the Marines and to see where they are and know what I need to work on to make sure they can be combat effective.” The training ensures the Marines have all of the tools and skill sets, and learning opportunities to support their active components. “The Reserve Marines have always done so much to augment the active duty side,” Samarov said. “Reserve Marines from this regiment have deployed to combat in Iraq and Afghanistan, activated to join training teams in countries all over the world; they have come on active duty to support exercises, as well as participated in training and education across all of our specialties. There is nothing Reserve Marines can’t or won’t do when the active component calls.” With recent reductions on reserve deployments, Reserve Marines are focused on training. According to Paul Kane, former research fellow of the international security program for Harvard University, at the height of the war the Marine Forces Reserve deployed more than any other U.S. military service with 63% of their total forces. Today MFR deploys less than 15% of the current Reserve Force. Irrespective of deployment the Corps’ Reserve
percentages, they have two main missions as a Force. “Reserve Marines have two roles in augmenting the active duty side,” Samarov said. “The first one is an operational reserve. For the missions that exist today, the active component requires additional capacity. We can activate Reserve Marines very quickly, and send them to the fight. Once they get to the fight their other role is being a strategic reserve, in case we need to build a lot of combat power capacity. At that point, the Reserve has a lot of combat power that can be very rapidly brought up to join the active component to fight our nation’s battles.” The Reserve Marines know their roles and have their sea bag packed, ready to answer America’s call. “The Reserve Marines are ready to support the active duty component at any given time. Exercises like this help in making that happen,” Samarov said. “The troops have grown over the last two weeks, both at the individual level and at the collective level. I really feel like exercises like this afford us the opportunity that additional proficiency that the active component is looking for, very quickly into the fight.” Northern Strike 16 is the most recent effort in demonstrating that the Marine Forces Reserve is ready to augment, reinforce and support America and the interests of the American people. Using this realistic scenario the Marines learn the importance and significance of training how you will perform in a real life scenario and ensuring partnerships are built across America. “It shows our Marines the strength of friendship and partnership across the world of other countries that stands for the same thing America does: freedom, liberty, and equality,” Samarov said. “The other value is the ability to exchange and learn about other cultures. I think it doesn’t just make us better Marines, it makes us better people.”
Around the Corps
The Jet Stream
Friday, August 26, 2016
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Marines demonstrate capabilities to the International Committee of the Red Cross
U.S. Marine Cpl. Victoria Demoss, Company A, Law Enforcement Battalion, I Marine Expeditionary Force Headquarters Group, stands in front of a Humvee as she waits to conduct training during I MEF Large Scale Exercise 2016 at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, Calif., Aug. 17, 2016. LSE-16 is designed to enhance the command and control and interoperability between I MEF Command Element staff and its higher, adjacent and subordinate command headquarters. The exercise includes cyber and electronic warfare, information support operations, and simulated and live-fire events.
Story by: Staff Sgt. Bobby Curtis I Marine Expeditionary Force
Senior armed forces delegate from the International Committee of the Red Cross visited the Marines and sailors of I Marine Expeditionary Force, Aug. 16, as they conducted I MEF Large Scale Exercise 2016, at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, California. Martin Lacourt, from the Regional Delegation for the United States and Canada in Washington, D.C, discussed interagency coordination with senior members of the I MEF staff. The force conducted a massive, simulated, and live-action exercise involving more than 50, 000 military members at multiple Marine Corps installations throughout Southern California. The exercise was designed to enhance command and control and interoperability between I MEF command element staff and its higher, adjacent and subordinate command headquarters. According to the ICRC’s mission statement the non-governmental organization was established in 1863. It is headquartered in Geneva and operates as an impartial, neutral and independent
organization whose exclusively humanitarian mission is to protect the lives and dignity of victims of armed conflict and other situations of violence and to provide them with assistance. “They reached out to us and wanted to participate in our exercise to deepen the relationship between the ICRC and high-levels of U.S. military commands and to educate the military staff on the roles of the ICRC in armed conflicts,” said Col. Amber Lehning, who oversees civil-military operations for I MEF. Lacourt said the purpose of his visit was twofold: “With the U.S. military, we have two main topics of discussion. The easiest one is the topic of coordination … to tell you where we work (and) to avoid any situation where we are in the middle of the battle that you are planning.” He added that when the organization is in a combat zone where the U.S. military is operating, they coordinate all land, air and sea movements to not be in the wrong place at the wrong time. “The other topic of discussion is detention and conduct of facilities,” he continued. “So we are also there to remind the U.S. military of their ob-
Origins of the Internationak Committee of the Red Cross
U.S. Marines prepare for a mission during I Marine Expeditionary Force Large Scale Exercise 2016 at Marine Corps Air Station, Miramar, Calif., Aug. 17, 2016. LSE-16 simulates the planning, deployment and combat operations of a MEF-level force of more than 50,000 military members within a partner country while operating alongside coalition forces. The exercise includes cyber and electronic warfare, information support operations, and simulated and live-fire events.
ligation. If you go back to why I’m here today, it’s in fact to inject on the exercise those discussions we have in real life, just to prepare a good relationship.” Lehning said the discussions were “fruitful and beneficial to both parties,” referring to ICRC and I MEF Civil Affairs Detachment, which acts as a liaison between military and civilian authorities and international organizations like the ICRC. “It’s always good for the staff outside (civil-mili-
tary operations) to interact with real-world members of the international community,” she said. The scenario that LSE16 simulates is the planning, deployment and combat operations of a MEF-level force within a partner country while operating alongside coalition forces. The ICRC would be heavily involved with relief efforts during such combat operations. According to Lacourt, the organization has a long history of lending a helping hand to military
casualties and other victims of armed conflict, and can trace its creation back to a Swiss businessman who was strongly impacted by the Franco-Austrian War. “So that also explains why the ICRC has in its DNA this will to outreach to combatants, to soldiers, to military … but also the non-state actors that exist now today on the battlefield,” Lacourt said.
U.S. Marines with Company A, Law Enforcement Battalion, I Marine Expeditionary Force Headquarters Group, practice weapons tactics training during I Marine Expeditionary Force Large Scale Exercise 2016 at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, Calif., Aug. 17, 2016. LSE-16 is designed to enhance the command and control and interoperability between I MEF command element staff and its higher, adjacent and subordinate command headquarters. The exercise includes cyber and electronic warfare, information support operations, and simulated and live-fire events.
On June 24, 1859, Henry Dunant arrived in the French town of Soferino on his way to meet with Emperor Napoleon III about business in the French Colony of Algeria. His goals for the trip were dramatically altered when he bared witness to a massive battle in the town between the French and Austrian militaries. At the end of the engagement, thousands of soldiers were left dead and wounded on the bloody field of battle. He was appalled by the carnage caused by the lack of proper medical care for the wounded and fallen soldiers. “So this battle, the battle of Soferino … the result was 40,000 killed in action or wounded in action. Most of those wounded action would not be taken care of,” Lacourt explained. “So he said after this battle … as civilized countries we should organize ... a corps of volunteers that is trained in peace time to support our military in war time.” After devoting the remainder of his trip to organizing a relief effort, he went on to later publish a book called a “Memory of Soferino,” which highlighted his experiences and was instrumental in the formation of the Geneva Conventions and the International Committee of the Red Cross. The ICRC is one of many different, legally separated organizations that have the same objectives of providing aid to civilians in dire need. The ICRC is the original organization that operates with authority granted by international law. The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies coordinate activities between the National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, of which there are currently 189.
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The Jet Stream
Friday, August 26, 2016