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Friday, April 25, 2014 Vol. 49, No. 16 Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort, S.C.
Lima and Papa Company Graduates
See Page 15
“The noise you hear is the sound of freedom.”
n Entertainment n News Briefs n Weather n In The Community n Around The Corps
2 3 3 4 10
Maryland JROTC visits Fightertown Page 4
Easter Eggstravanganza celebration Page 8
Military to police officer program Page 14
Checkerboards receive Robert M. Hanson award Cpl. Sarah Cherry Staff Writer
Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 312 won the Robert M. Hanson award for 2013 according to Marine Administrative Message 197/14, April 14. The Marine Corps Aviation Association presents the Robert M. Hanson award to recognize superior performance of a Marine Fighter Attack Squadron in comparison to other VMFAs across the Marine Corps. “I couldn’t be any more proud of these Marines and sailors,” said commanding officer Lt. Col. Nathan M. Miller. “Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 312 did absolutely outstanding.” VMFA-312 Checkerboards received the award five times previously in 1993, 1994, 1997, 1999 and 2004. “I’ve never been part of a squadron that’s won that before,” said assistant operations officer Maj. Chip Koskiniemi. “It’s a pretty good shot of morale for everybody.” The award is named in honor of 1st Lt. Robert Murray Hanson a World War II Corsair pilot. Hanson shot down 25 enemy aircraft before he was killed, earning see
312, page 13
DoD revamps SAPR training Lance Cpl. Brendan Roethel Staff Writer
Department of Defense officials announced improvements to Sexual Assault Prevention and Response training in an effort to eliminate the crime of sexual assault in the military, Apr. 14. The training improvements consist of a coordinated effort designed to ensure that everyone in the military community has consistent training standards and effective tools to prevent and respond to sexual assault. This includes SAPR training for first responders, commanders, new service members, and those deployed around the world. The services and the National Guard Bureau developed the core competencies and learning objectives jointly to incorporate the best practices and input from sexual assault survivors. “The DoD is committed to eliminating sexual assault and ensuring an environment that provides dignity and respect for all members of the military community,” said Army Col. Litonya Wilson, deputy director of prevention and victim assistance in the DoD SAPR Office during a press release. “We took steps to improve the quality see
sapr, page 13
Laurel Bay students compete in Earth Day contest Cpl. Sarah Cherry Staff Writer
Laurel Bay schools celebrated earth day by holding a poster contest and announced the winners on April 24. Earth Day is held each year on April 22 to promote environmental responsibility. The schools aboard Laurel Bay have held the poster contest since the first Earth Day in 1970. Earth Day began to spread awareness about the environment and promote active solutions for a variety of planetary concerns. These concerns range from chemicals and toxins to air cleanliness and water conservation. The poster contest helps students learn more about protecting the earth with conservation through reducing, reusing and recycling. “It makes them think a little more about the environment,” said E. J. Wenrick, the recycle manager for Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort. “It’s getting more and more important for kids to conserve and recycle be-
cause resources are decreasing. It’s already a bad enough problem.” This year’s theme for the poster contest was “Green is Global”. “Basically what the theme is saying is that throughout the world, people need to be more conscious of how we use our natural resources,” said Nina Martinez-Bennett, third grade teacher and Earth Day coordinator for Bolden Elementary and Middle School. Each grade level at each school aboard Laurel Bay had a first, second and third place winner. The students all crafted their original art work based on the theme and ‘green’ motifs. “Everybody needs to start ‘going green’ – reduce, reuse, recycle,” said Wenrick. To actively improve your environment, the Environmental Protection Agency suggests picking five actions you can stick with, like lowering your pollution, conserving water or recycling. Find more environmentally friendly tips at http://www.epa. gov/