The Jet Stream, Aug. 15, 2014 by The Jet Stream

Jet Stream The

Friday, August 15, 2014 Vol. 49, No. 32 Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort, S.C.

New School Year Information

See Page 15

“The noise you hear is the sound of freedom.” 2 n Entertainment 3 n News Briefs 3 n Weather 8 n Around the Corps n 2014-15 School Year 15

CAP gets inside look at military aviation Page 4

Working out: the road to success Page 5

Unlocking warrior athletes with HITT lockers Page 6

Laurel Bay goes back to school Cpl. Sarah Cherry

gust 11, and school began August 14 for kindergarten through eighth grade. At the opening ceremony, Col. Peter Laurel Bay Schools held an opening cer- D. Buck, commanding officer of Marine emony for the 2014-2015 school year, Au- Corps Air Station Beaufort, spoke to

Staff Writer

teachers about the impact of their work. economy, third world consumerism, and Buck stated facts and concerns of living concerns over global terrorism. in the 21st century, and asked that teachers live their lives as role models to the see schooL, pAge 12 students. He spoke of increasing global

MALS-31 supports Exercise Carolina Dragon Lance Cpl. Grace L. Waladkewics II Marine Expeditionary Force

MOREHEAD, N.C. - Marines with Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 31 joined several other commands as well as Sailors, civilians and a Merchant Marine crew aboard the SS Wright (T-AVB 3) in the Port of Morehead City, North Carolina, July 30, as the crew of 234 prepared to set sail for Exercise Carolina Dragon 14. Marines with Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 312 load an AIM 9M heat seaking missile on an F/A-18 Hornet, July 23. The exercise gave the Marines a rare opportunity to test their combat proficiency with live missiles.

312/533 Missile Exercise Cpl. Sarah Cherry Staff Writer

Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 312 and Marine All-Weather Fighter Attack Squadron 533 conducted a live missile shoot for training, July 21 through 25. Ordnance used during the training includes the AIM-9 Sidewinder, AIM120, LUU-2 flare, and AGM88. The Sidewinder is a short-range, air-to-air mis-

sile with a kill radius of 30 feet, and was the world’s first combat successful airto-air guided missile in the late 1950s. The AIM-120 is an advanced mediumrange air-to-air missile with active guidance, and was introduced in Iraq in the 1990s. LUU-2 flares are not missiles and are intended to illuminate targets. They eject from a pod and deploy a parachute, and will burn approximately five

minutes. “It was an extremely successful missile shoot,” said Maj. Charles Jindrich, executive officer of VMFA-312. “Any chance you have to shoot ordnance, you have to take it.” This exercise gave Marines a rare opportunity to test their combat proficiency with live missiles. Firing live missiles is exsee

MIssILe, pAge 13

The purpose of the exercise is to deploy a floating Aviation Intermediate Maintenance Department to act as an augment to an air combat element in order to provide a platform to repair critical aircraft parts, said Col. Chuck Dunne, assistant chief of staff for the 2nd MAW Aviation Logistics Department. see

MALs-31, pAge 8

Checkerboards assist first east coast Harrier AIM120 shoot Cpl. Sarah Cherry Staff Writer

Pilots with Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 312 Checkerboards from Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort took to the skies in support of Marine Attack Squadron 223, August 7. VMA-223 conducted the first AIM-120 missile exercise for the Harrier platform across the east coast. Checkerboard pilots assisted by dropping ADM-141 tactical air-launched decoys for the Harriers to target. “It gives us a chance to cross train with our brothers-in-arms on the Harrier side of the house,” said Cpl. Kevin “Bigcat” Gibson, an aircraft ordnance technician for VMFA-312 from the Bronx in New York City. An F-18 is capable of carrying up to six TALDs during one flight. In combat, see

VMFA-312, pAge 9

The Jet Stream

Games and Entertainment

Friday, August 15, 2014

MCAS Beaufort Movie Schedule

Saturday 2 p.m. PG (1:43)

Mess hALL Menu Monday - Friday Breakfast: 6 - 7:30 a.m. Lunch: 11 a.m. - 12:45 p.m. Dinner: 4 - 6 p.m.

Saturday 4:30 p.m. PG-13 (1:24)

Saturday 7 p.m. R (1:37)

MCRD Parris Island Movie Schedule

Saturday, Sunday and holidays Brunch: 8:30 - 11 a.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 Dinner Lunch Bayou jerk pork loin Beef short ribs and and rice roasted zucchini Lunch Salmon with cucumber relish

Sunday

Dinner Baked ziti with italian sausage

Monday - Friday Breakfast Hot farina, hot hominy grits and oven-fried bacon

Sunday 2 p.m. PG (1:29)

Sunday 4:30 p.m. PG-13 (2:37)

Aviation Word Search

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

Word Bank Air Aviation Fly Lightning II Plane Air Force Engine Hornet Marine Corps Squadron Army Fighter Jet Navy Wing

Friday Lunch Herbed baked chicken and carrots

Dinner Chili macaroni and green beans

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

Friday 7 p.m. PG-13 (2:10)

Sudoku

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

Mission Assurance

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 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 key will be available on facebook.com/MCASBeaufort on August 20.

Command Information

The Jet Stream

Tri-Command Weather 7 Day Forecast

Friday, August 15, 2014

Did you know... Aug. 17, 1942, just prior to dawn, the 2nd Marine Raider Battalion under Lt. Col. Evans F. Carlson landed on Makin Island from the submarines NAUTILUS and ARGONAUT. The next day the Marines left the island after destroying a seaplane base, two radio stations, a supply warehouse, and killing about 100 Japanese soldiers.

Happenings The Provost Marshal’s Office will be testing the mass notification system, on the first Wednesday of every month at 1 p.m. The test will take place aboard MCAS Beaufort and Laurel Bay. It will announce the following; “This is a test of the Marine Corps mass notification system. This is only a test. Test 5 4 3 2 1. Test out”. It will play twice. These tests are standard drills, and do not require any response. For further information, please contact the physical security section at 2286335.

Forecast according to weather.com

Marine Corps Community Services will be hosting a Back to School Glow Bowl Bash at the Bowling Center aboard MCAS Beaufort, Aug. 16. Admission is $10.00 per child and includes bowling, shoes, snacks, crafts and games.

Marine Corps Community Services is holding a back to school kids haircut special, Aug. 17. Free school supplies will be given out with purchase of a kids haircut. For more information call 228-6130.

The MCAS Beaufort Pistol Range has cancelled Recreational Fire until further notice due to range maintenance. For more information call Station Training at 228-6642.

The photocopying of U.S. Government identification cards is a violation of Title 18, U.S. Code Part I, Chapter 33, Section 701 and punishable by fine and imprisonment.

Effective June 1, MCAS Beaufort will be in Tropical Cyclone Condition V for Hurricane season until Nov. 30. There are currently no threats. This year will be an extremely active season. NOAA is predicting 8-13 named storms, 3-6 hurricanes and 1-2 major hurricanes.

Jet Stream The

Brain Teaser

A man has to get a fox, a chicken, and a sack of corn across a river. He has a rowboat, and it can only carry him and one other thing. If the fox and the chicken are left together, the fox will eat the chicken. If the chicken and the corn are left together, the chicken will eat the corn. How does the man do it?

Col. Peter D. Buck

Public Affairs Officer Capt. Jordan Cochran

Public Affairs Chief Sgt. Marcy Sanchez

Press Chief

Cpl. John Wilkes

Editor

Answer for this week’s brain teaser will be available on facebook.com/MCASBeaufort on August 20.

Pheasant radar

Lt. Brett Cartwright

U.S. Navy Chaplain Corps

During World War I, several varieties of birds, such as the homing pigeon, were enlisted in the war effort. Not as well known—but equally as useful— were the pheasant and the parrot. The alertness of these birds equipped them for service as a form of radar. The French kept parrots in the Eiffel tower as an early warning system. These feathered sentries could hear enemy aircraft and raise the alarm long before they arrived. The pheasant was especially valuable for early warning. Not only were pheasant alert with their sharp ears, but a pheasant could detect the slightest vibrations in the earth from the footfall of distant armies or the pounding of far-off artillery. One example of this took place on January 24, 1915. A flock of alert pheasants reportedly “shrieked themselves hoarse,” raising alarm over the naval battle of Dogger Bank, 216 miles away. Alertness is like peripheral vision. It serves to keep you aware of your surroundings and avoid possible danger. Alertness is the state of being watchful and prompt to meet danger or emer-

gency or in other words being in a state of constant readiness. Under the growing responsibilities of work, family, and personal goals alertness to our physical, mental, and spiritual health will keep us from making serious errors in judgment. We all are aware of what happens if we are not alert to the dangers of physical and mental neglect. People who practice regular routines of physical and vocational training, proper nutri-

The one who is not finds “death.” For scripture life in the Spirit requires first a right relationship with God. The Scriptures are fairly clear on how one can go about doing this. The Gospel of John chapter three comes to mind as a good place to start. Second, one needs to nurture that relationship by incorporating healthy practices in your daily life. Aristotle once taught that in order for us to develop any particular virtue or character trait in our life we needed simply to spend time practicing it. For example, we develop the core value of honor by doing things right because it is the right thing (or honorable) thing to do. The Apostle Paul says that “if we live by the Spirit, let us also be guided by the Spirit” Galatians 5:25. Spiritual Alertness occurs as we allow the Holy Spirit to guide us through our reading and meditating on scripture, in being committed to set times of private and public prayer, and in the gathering together with the church in its life of worship and practice of charity. One who lives by the Spirit and is alert to His direction will find their lives producing the fruits of “love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-discipline.” Galatians 5:22.

“One who lives by the Spirit and is alert to His direction will find their lives producing the fruits of ‘love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-discipline.’” Lt. Brett Cartwright tion both physically and intellectually, and adequate rest are more mentally alert and able to respond to any physical demand. Most people though tend to neglect the need for Spiritual alertness Prophets of all ages have called us to be spiritually alert to our surroundings. Romans 8:6 defines one who is alert to the Spirit of God finds “life and peace.”

Cpl. Brendan Roethel

Staff Writer

Cpl. Sarah Cherry

Beaufort.Marines.mil

facebook.com/MCASBeaufort

twitter.com/MCASBeaufortSC

youtube.com/MCASBeaufortsc1

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.

The Jet Stream

Friday, August 15, 2014

Civil Air Patrol visits Fightertown The Lowcountry Composite Civil Air Patrol Squadron, based in Hilton Head, visited Marine All Weather Fighter Attack Squadron 533 Friday, Aug. 8, for a chance to get up close and personal with military avionics. CAP is a volunteer, non-profit organization that also serves as the civilian auxiliary to the U.S. Air Force. The program serves to develop youth through a cadet program, educate Americans on the importance of aviation and space, and perform life-saving humanitarian missions. For more photos, visit facebook.com/MCASBeaufort.

In Other News

The Jet Stream

Friday, August 15, 2014

Motivated Crew: s 15 minutes to success

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Cpl. Sarah Cherry Staff Writer

The Motivated Crew, a primarily civilian group aboard Naval Hospital Beaufort, has been making huge changes in their own lives and challenging others to do so as well. “We started January 7th, and we had about a dozen,” said Rose Thatcher, security specialist aboard Naval Hospital Beaufort who spearheaded the group. “In the first month, we collectively lost 35.3 pounds.” The group exercises during their two 15 minute breaks each day and focuses on a healthier lifestyle through food choices and exercise. “A few of us were not happy with ourselves, with how we looked or our health condition,” said Thatcher. “Now, we feel more energetic, happier and less stressed. We’ve built a rapport with each other.” The group uses challenges and programs to stay motivated. Some challenges are made by the group, such as increasing water intake or eating more fruits and vegetables. Others are through the health promotion department of the Naval Hospital, such as Cruise into Shape and the Flights to Fitness Stair Challenge. Each quarter, the group members weigh in and take measurements. Since January, they have collectively lost more than 100 pounds. “This has been a great lifestyle change,” said Rhonda Timmons, an administrative assistant aboard the Naval Hospital and member of the Motivated Crew. Timmons struggles with diabetes, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol. Since joining the group, she says her blood sugar, blood pressure and cholesterol levels have all dropped. “I’m definitely happier with myself and hold my head up a little bit higher,” she said. “Sometimes when it’s just yourself it’s hard. I love my group, I really do.” Timmons credits Thatcher with motivating the group to success. “Rose is our mainstay. Her desire to get the group going really got me motivated,” she said.

The Jet Stream

Friday, August 15, 2014

The Jet Stream

In Other News

Friday, August 15, 2014

HITT lockers: unlock your potential Cpl. Sarah Cherry Staff Writer

Light begins to break across the horizon as heavy ropes slap into the dewy grass. A timer beeps, and the ropes are quickly abandoned for weighted squats. The High Intensity Tactical Training program provides an alternative source of strength and conditioning training for combat readiness. Two HITT lockers aboard Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort allow for easy access to equipment outside of the gym. “HITT gives Marines an alternate approach to functional fitness which employs injury

prevention,” said Jonathan Hutchison, the Tri-command HITT coordinator. “The HITT lockers are readily available for Marines to use.” The HITT lockers are checked out on a first come, first serve basis. The locker at the gym can be checked out at the front desk of the gym. The locker located in front of Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 31 and behind the Provost Marshall’s Office can be checked out through MALS-31 S-3. “HITT offers a legitimate strength and conditioning program where traditional strength and conditioning has failed,” said Sgt. Adam Rennie, a HITT instructor sta-

tioned aboard Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort. “The concepts behind HITT produce tactical athletes who are actually ready for the physical demands they will, in fact, encounter in a battlefield environment.” Equipment in the lockers includes bumper plates, kettlebells, battle ropes, and more. The outside of each locker has pull up bars and is equipped for TRX. TRX is a suspension training bodyweight exercise program. “The HITT lockers themselves contain training tools, weights and apparatus that help mimic what a Marine would functionally need to be prepared for in any given and unplanned situation,” said Rennie.

Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island also has two HITT lockers, located at the gym and Weapons and Field Training Battalion. The HITT program includes researchbased curriculum coupled with practical application to develop warrior athletes, and follows national standards set by the National Strength and Conditioning Agency. In addition to the checkout option, HITT lockers are used for HITT classes, HITT instructor trainer classes, and unit physical training in addition. For more information on the HITT program or HITT lockers, contact Jonathan Hutchison at 228-7170.

Classifieds

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Friday, August 15, 2014

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In of Other More The News Story

Friday, August 15, 2014

MALS-31 continued from page 1

The biennial exercise is held aboard a 602-foot-long former Merchant Marine vessel, an aviation logistics ship, which traveled from its assignment at the Maritime Administration, Baltimore, Maryland, to Morehead City to join the Military Sealift Command. 2nd MAW joined Marines from several aviation logistics squadrons, wing support squadrons, and wing communications squadrons to form the detachment of personnel who will operate the ship for its two-week voyage off the Carolina coast. During the exercise, Marines operated booms and loaded and configured a total of 121 mobile maintenance facilities aboard the ship. The mobile facilities are fully powered by the ship and organized to create an operational maintenance facility at sea. The containers hold aircraft spare parts, repair shop equipment and testing facilities to augment 2nd MAW during

real-world operations, said Dunne. The SS Wright serves as a continuous, steady power source, used when shorebased maintenance departments are not feasible, and is equipped with “clean power,” according to Dunne. Remaining operational without a generator in expeditionary environments is essential when repairing aircraft parts and maintaining flight operations. The ship, with all its capabilities, can sustain air operations for up to six-months. The SS Wright is outfitted with a large helicopter landing pad and flight deck that allows Marine Corps CH-53E Super Stallions and Navy UH-1Y Venoms to land and deliver equipment needed to test and repair parts, and aid pick up of items that have been repaired by mechanics aboard the ship. “One time per day the pilots land on the flight deck to practice their deck qualifications and practice dropping off components for repair,” said Dunne. “That time also helps the personnel on board to remain proficient in the core competency of using the ships equipment.” The exercise is an opportunity for the

squadrons to simulate their role in a notional crisis, according to Sgt. Justin Barnes. “Coming to the exercise with a specific skill-set and working together with Marines and Sailors from several different locations across the country and from Japan who we have never worked with before is teaching us to better communicate and work together as a team,” said Barnes, a consolidated automatic support system technician with Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 26. The exercise helps the service members to polish their skills and prepare to serve aboard an AIMB, according to Barnes. It is a way for them to put into practice their communications skills and sustainability capabilities. “Some of us came to this exercise with expertise and we are trying to train the newer Marines to get them comfortable working with the equipment and giving them the knowledge they need to succeed,” said Barnes. “It is perfect. The exercise gets us in the habit and gets us trained so that when we do have to deploy, we’re ready.”

Marines watch from the flight deck as a boom lifts a mobile maintenance facility aboard the SS Wright (T-AVB 3) in Morehead City, N.C., July 30, in preparation for Exercise Carolina Dragon 14. During the exercise, the Marines trained in proper loading procedures and exercised their expeditionary deployment capabilities.

In Other News More of The Story

The Jet Stream

VMFA-312 continued from page 1

An AIM-120A advanced medium-range air-to-air missile is secured aboard an AV-8B Harrier with Marine Attack Squadron 223 at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, N.C., Aug. 7, 2014. VMA-223 conducted the first East Coast Harrier squadron AMRAAM firing exercise off the coast of Oceana, Va., to help the squadron enhance its mission readiness.

the missile-like characteristics of a TALD help overwhelm and confuse enemy defenses. “Attack pilots frequently train to and will always remain proficient in air-to-ground combat,” said Capt. Matthew C. Forman, a Harrier pilot and a current operations officer with VMA-223. “By working air-to-air flights into our training plans, we increase our confidence in the jet, enhance our ability to make quick decisions and increase our overall capability as an attack squadron.” TALDs were effectively used during Operation Desert Storm to force Iraqis to reveal their location through radar. In training, the TALDs mimic an aircraft like the F-18 on radar, presenting as a target. “Training events like this one are important to improve multi-plat-

Friday, August 15, 2014

form capabilities,” said Chief Warrant Officer 2 Dan Collinson, aviation ordnance officer for VMFA-312 and native of Miami and Toledo, Ohio. “We are able to assist other squadrons in successfully completing training they would be incapable of without our platform capabilities.” The essential aviation support provided by Marine Corps pilots would not be possible without extensive training and cooperation between squadrons and services. “The ability for the Marine Corps to self-escort assault aircraft into hostile territories to support missions like non-combatant evacuation operations or embassy reinforcement from expeditionary vessels strengthens the [Marine Ground Task Force’s] overall capabilities,” said Lt. Col. Roger T. McDuffie, the squadron’s commanding officer. “Live-fire training better simulates a combat environment and enables us to better train like we will fight.”

The Jet Stream

Around The Corps

Friday, August 15, 2014

corps BIts

VMR-1 hones skills over water CHERRY POINT, N.C. - Marines with Marine Transport Squadron 1 supported a casualty evacuation drill outside of Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, N.C. in conjunction with Coast Guard central security forces July 30. VMR-1 assisted Coast Guard Station Hobucken, N.C., to simulate recovering an individual from the water. VMR-1 provided an HH-46E Sea Knight helicopter and a rescue swimmer, allowing both the squadron and the Coast Guard an opportunity to hone their search and rescue skills, said Capt. Hung Nguyen, a search and rescue pilot with VMR-1. “It’s good exposure for the VMR-1 Marines because typically they don’t see the operating forces and what they do because we strictly conduct search and rescue operations,” said Nguyen. VMR-1’s primary mission is to provide search and rescue support to Cherry Point based aircraft. However, the squadron also provides support to organizations outside of the air station, including the Coast Guard, according to Nguyen. “It’s better to get this training now with people we’ve never worked with before because it takes a lot of coordination to get this type of thing done,” said Nguyen. “That way we can work out the kinks now, build a rapport and make sure we are ready to go when an actual operation comes around.” The training is necessary in order to ensure that the Marines of VMR-1 are ready to respond to a rescue at a moment’s notice, according to Sgt. Zachary Wood, a rescue swimmer with VMR-1. “We conduct rescues all the time and we never know when or where we are going to do them,” said Wood. “This type of training directly applies to us because if it’s over a river, in a forest or on land, we’ll be there.” During search and rescue operations, it is imperative that every Marine is on the same page and provides input on the situation, said Wood. “We brief everything we know to each other because communication is key,” said Wood. “Everyone knows everyone’s job and mission during these exercises. If something happens, we are all ready to react.”

SOTG: Training for success CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. - Marines with Special Operations Training Group, I Marine Expeditionary Force, organized a tactical combat raid with Marines from 1st Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif., August 5. SOTG organizes raids and training events for Marine units on a regular basis to prepare Marines and other services for deployments. Master Sgt. Ryan Nuvill, SOTG operations chief, designed the training to perfect how units conduct raids and call for support-byfire. “This is some of the most important training that we can give to a unit before they deploy,” said Nuvill. “The ability to successfully search for and eliminate enemy combatants during a raid, while sustaining minimal casualties, is the essence of what we do.” Marines from 3rd Assault Amphibian Battalion, 1st Mar. Div., supported the exercise by transporting troops to and from their primary positions in amphibious assault vehicles. The raid allowed the Marines utilized squad tactics to assault an enemy hideout while receiving covering fire from Marines with automatic weapons from a ridge overlooking the area. Cpl. Daniel Kitchens, a rifleman with 1st Battalion, 4th Marines, said the training ensured the battalion is the best fighting force it can be. “Working with SOTG to conduct this raid has been a great opportunity for us,” said Kitchens. “These guys are real veterans of the field and really have helped us with understanding the different raid methods and seeing how a raid is organized.” The exercise incorporated field-medical care by designating Marines to act as casualties, making it necessary for their comrades to notionally provide care and call in for evacuations. While it’s SOTG that organizes the raid training, the Marines going through the exercise determine its success. “The Marines out here who lay down suppressing fire, run to the objective and complete the mission without any hesitation are the reason we are so successful on the battlefield,” said Nuvill. “These Marines know their job very well and I couldn’t be happier with how quickly and effectively they responded during the training.”

Marines and Sailors with Company C, 1st Reconnaissance Battalion, guide themselves toward their target landing zone during a static line jump from a CH-43E helicopter aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif. The company practiced both freefall and static line jumps from a CH-43 helicopter to better prepare for potential combat operations anywhere they are needed worldwide.

1st Recon let’s gravity do the work Lance Cpl. Seth Starr I Marine Expeditionary Force

CAMP PENDELTON, Calif. - Marines with Company B, 1st Reconnaissance Battalion, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force recently conducted proficiency jump training aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif., Aug. 6, in preparation for deployment with the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit. The Marines that participated in training took part in both free fall and static line parachute jumps after receiving classroom instruction on safety procedures. Corporal Evan Hardwick a parachute rigger with the battalion said that conducting training operations that include free fall parachutes can sometimes be a risky business for the Marines jumping. “With all the combat gear on, it can

be hard to find the knobs to pull that deploy the main parachute.” said Hardwick, “These guys are very professional and it’s something they’ve done many times in training so they’re all very familiar with it.” Training consisted of day and nighttime jumps. The Marines loaded into a MV-22 Osprey and rode to a towering 10,000 feet before exiting the aircraft over the drop zone. Sergeant Jeffrey Marstaeller, a reconnaissance man with Company B, said that the ability to drop out of aircraft at high altitudes is just another tool in his tool kit. “It’s not as intimidating as you’d think. Taking a step out the door like that is really just a part of what we all do at this point,” said Marstaeller. “It takes focus not just on what I have to do in the moment but also on the man that jumps before me.” On the decent, the Marines took ac-

count of one another and followed the first man while watching for hand and arm signals for the right moment to deploy their chutes. Hardwick said that stability on the fall while conducting free fall jumps is always his biggest challenge. “Each guy has difficulties with their own jump,” Hardwick explained. “For me, staying stable while reaching for my release on the chute is tough. With more training like this I’ll be able to better my skill set when it comes to free fall and self-set drogue jumps.” When the two, six-man teams each glided to a halt on the drop zone, landing no more than 40-meters from each other, they quickly secured their canopies and geared up with another parachute waiting to be flown up again. “The continuous training doesn’t just get me comfortable with a jump,” said Marstaellar. “It makes me better as a recon Marine.”

Corps Shot Lance Cpl. Laura Raga

An MH-60S Knighthawk with Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron 23 (HSC-23) drops off cargo on the flight deck of the USS Makin Island as part of an underway resupply during the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit’s WESTPAC 14-2 deployment, Aug. 4, 2014.

The Jet Stream

Around The Corps

Fightertown deployed: VMFA-122 Werewolves are currently deployed to the Western Pacific as part of the Unit Deployment Program.

Sailors with the Amphibious Construction Battalion Two begin to lower the ramp from the lighterage craft on the St. Johns River to Marine Corps Support Facility Blount Island, Jacksonville, Fla., Aug. 7. The off-loading of equipment from the U.S. Navy Ship Seay is part of a month long Maritime Prepositioning Force Exercise where Marines with Combat Logistics Regiment 25 and sailors are working together to re-familiarize themselves with maritime operations and help maintain their abilities for crisis response missions.

Emergency Resupply 911: Marines and sailors conduct maritime exercise JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - Now that war is winding down in Afghanistan, the U.S. Department of the Navy is refocusing on its role in defending our nation’s freedom. As part of the refocus on the naval mission, sailors and Marines now spend more time planning and conducting amphibious operations in an effort to maintain force readiness. In the area of the St Johns River, Marines with Combat Logistics Regiment 25 under the 2nd Marine Expeditionary Brigade are working with the Navy’s Naval Beach Group Two under Expeditionary Strike Group Two during a Maritime Prepositioning Force Exercise around the St. Johns River during the month of August. The exercise is one part of the year’s largest amphibious exercise on the East Coast named as Bold Alligator 2014. MPFEX brought Marines and sailors together to train in order to be prepared to support the National Military Strategy. In order to meet the demands of this strategy, the Marine Corps is currently planning and implementing Expeditionary Force 21. The concept calls for the Marines to have standing command elements known as Marine Expeditionary Brigades on the East and West Coast and one in the Asian-Pacific region. MEBs must be capable of providing a scalable forward presence capable of command within 96 hours and be prepared to handle varying crisis and contingencies, which may arise – the MPF supports both of these requirements. This year’s MPFEX is the first time in 12 years that the Navy has conducted a train-

ing exercise with the current number of units supporting on the East Coast, which is three; and 15 years for the Marines. Sailors and Marines are off-loading equipment for the exercise from the U.S. Navy Ship Seay, located off the mouth of the St. Johns River and transporting the vehicles and equipment with lighterage craft, by sailors with Amphibious Construction Battalion Two, to the beach on MCSF Blount Island, where Marines with CLR-25 pull the gear off the craft and stage it ashore. “We’re trying to get as much gear off the ship and onto the beach as possible,” said Capt. Glenn Shea, the off-load liaison officer for the Marines. Shea said the in-stream method is a very beneficial and flexible method of operating. In a humanitarian aid mission, if a country’s port is destroyed, this method allows units to provide aid by using the lighterage craft. Additionally, changes to the original plan can be implemented easily, without causing too much of a hindrance to the mission. The flexibility of in-streaming helps with overcoming obstacles. One of the main obstacles seen during the exercise is the constant change in weather. “The biggest obstacle to overcome is just working around the weather,” said Senior Chief Petty Officer James Miller, the ship supervisor with Navy Cargo Handling Battalion One, Navy Expeditionary Logistics Support Command. “Already two days this week we haven’t been able to lift anything because the weather was so bad the ship was rocking back and forth and so the crane was rocking back and forth, and we couldn’t lift anything.”

On the good days, many of the Marines and sailors were able to have their first opportunity at this type of training. With forces re-focusing on maritime operations for the first time in a decade, this type of gear resupply has been a first for many of the service members. “It’s basically a normal training evolution for us,” said Lance Cpl. Sarah Brown, a heavy equipment operator with CLR-25. “The only difference now is that we’re doing it on a moving ship. Most of us have not off-loaded a ship, so we have to really watch how it’s done. I was nervous at first because I’ve never off-loaded a ship, and it is heavy equipment on a moving ship. But, after you just watch how it’s done and have trust in the ground guides, it’s just like any other training. Any type of change from our everyday training back in the rear is a good feeling and an awesome experience.” At the end of the exercise, the USNS Seay will be offloaded onto the shore at MCSF Blount Island, which includes vehicles and containers used to transport equipment. The Marines will also conduct a “splash” operation, which is driving amphibious assault vehicles to shore off of MPF ship. “This level of exercise is the first of its kind in years,” said Cmdr. Michael O’Driscoll, the off-load control officer with Assault Craft Unit Two, Naval Beach Group Two. “Because we don’t get to do this type of training that often, we brought additional personnel out here so they could gain the experience and get hands on training under these circumstances. I think it’s working very well and better than what we expected.”

2nd AAB trains with USS Kearsarge to refresh amphibious capabilities Lance Cpl. Sullivan Laramie II Marine Expeditionary Force

MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. - The cold waters of the Atlantic Ocean washed over the aluminum hulls of Amphibious Assault Vehicles as they crashed through rolling waves on a course to rendezvous with the USS Kearsarge. More than 50,000 pounds of metal, cruising at speeds up to ten knots, prepared to enter the belly of the ship. Marines with 2nd Assault Amphibian Battalion, 2nd Marine Division, conducted well-deck qualification training with the Kearsarge in the waters off the coast of Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, July 31. The exercise qualified the battalion to conduct boarding and deploying operations from a Wasp-class amphibious assault ship, and assisted the crew of the Kearsarge in completing their Advanced Naval Warfare training at the same time. More than a dozen AAVs were embarked at sea and then re-deployed from the ship’s well-deck, pro-

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are currently deployed to the Western Pacific as part of the Unit Deployment Program.

a detachment is currently deployed to the Western Pacific supporting VMFA(AW)-224.

II Marine Expeditionary Force

VMFA-115 Silver Eagles

MALS-31 Stingers

Cpl. Austin Long

Friday, August 15, 2014

viding valuable experience in inter-service cooperation. “It’s really important for us as an amphibious unit to work well with the Navy,” said Staff Sgt. Jesse Ullman, section leader with 2nd AA Bn, and a native of Dallas, Texas. “Amphibious operations were less of a focus due to the type of war we’ve been fighting (in Iraq and Afghanistan). Today is about getting Marines back to the basics, back to our roots.” As the U.S. military draws down its forces in the Middle East, the Marine Corps is refocusing on the Pacific and returning to its amphibious origins. Training events like this are not common, making the experience invaluable to the Marines. “We don’t get do to the ship operations as a training exercise often,” said Lance Cpl. Robert Lancaster, an assault amphibious vehicle crewman and native of Kokomo, Indiana. “We need this training to qualify for amphibious warfare, and to get us ready for the Unit Deployment Program.” The crew of the Kearsarge also used Land-

ing Craft Air Cushioned vessels, or LCACs, to embark M1A1 Abrams Tanks from 2nd Tank Battalion, 2nd Marine Division, as they continued training operations along the coast with other Marine units for several days before returning to its homeport of Norfolk, Virginia. “It was a good training experience,” said Ullman. “Overall, it’s about helping the younger Marines and sailors get the experience they need to do their jobs, and the relationship we build now helps pay dividends later for future exercises.”

Logistic Marines re-familiarize themselves with convoys TWENTYNINE PALMS, Calif. - Combat Logistics Battalion 5, Combat Logistic Regiment 1, 1st Marine Logistics group, I Marine Expeditionary Force, revisited the fundamentals of convoys, while learning that there is more to combat than just fighting during exercise Backlog aboard Marine Air Ground Combat Center, Twentynine Palms, Calif., August 7. This exercise was the culminating event of a 30-day integrated training exercise in which Marines were instructed in multiple types of convoys and standard operating procedures for unfamiliar scenarios. “This training really helped the Marines embrace the procedures and understand what to really expect in certain scenarios,” said Cpl. Garrett Kastl, the security element leader with CLB-5. During the training, the Marines interacted with role-players and faced a scenario where they needed to remove, replenish and return the village’s water tank without making it seem like they were only removing it. The role-players simulated possible complications the Marines may see while supplying an actual civilian populace. Along with conducting combat operations, Marines also provide humanitarian assistance during natural disasters and when countries are in need. Marines are often sent to stand security, and provide medical aid, food and water, and other relief efforts. “This training is important for the Marines to understand because this can be a real world situation,” said 1st Lt. Asia Pastor, the assistant operation officer with CLB-5. “Marines are trained to always be prepared and maintain an aggressive stance for deterrence purposes and for fighting enemy combatants.” Pastor went on to explain that CLB-5 often supports other units during exercises, which makes it difficult for the Marines to maintain their training. The ITX and the Backlog allows the Marines of the battalion to train and be evaluated on their performance as a unit. This tells the unit where they are the strongest and what needs more work. “We use a building block form of teaching,” said Pastor. “From the beginning, we established our team leaders and gunners, then as we progress and add different scenarios the teams have been able to learn from each other and their capabilities. The Backlog is just a culminating scenario of everything they have learned in the past 30 days.” Kastl went on to explain how he enjoyed seeing the improvement in the Marines. “We started out kind of rough,” said Kastl. “But that’s what it’s all about – smoothing out all those rough edges. My favorite thing is watching these Marines get better at what they are doing.”

Wing engineers hone breaching skills CHERRY POINT, N.C. - Marine engineers with Marine Wing Support Squadron 271 conducted breach application training at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point’s demolition range, July 31. Marines honed their skills and gained valuable training experience in order to be ready to apply breaching techniques in a combat environment, said 1st Lt. Sam Houghtling, the combat engineer platoon commander with MWSS-271. “Urban breaching allows the commander to gain instantaneous access into a fortified position,” said Houghtling. “Let’s say we take a squad and encounter an obstacle. We see what we can do using demolition and mechanical breaching tools, such as hammers, to overcome the obstacle. It’s a great way to employ quick and speedy violence of action.” The Marines breached doors using various explosives such as oval charges and donut charges. Oval charges create a hole while donut charges blow off doorknobs. The Marines prepared their charges using everyday objects such as tape and cardboard during the training. The Marines then used the field expedient charges to breach doors to simulate combat-like scenarios. “I was both a breacher and a mechanical breacher,” said Lance Cpl. Daniel Pereira, an engineer assistant with MWSS-271. “I was able to place the charges and breach the door because you have to make sure you get through that door no matter what.” After emplacing the charges on the door, the Marines stacked behind a ballistic blanket to protect themselves from the blast, said Pereira. “When you pull the pin, hear the blast and feel the blast pressure, it’s a crazy feeling,” said Pereira. “It’s just great to be able to work with these kinds of things.”

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“Our children need a solid academic base to be successful,” said Buck. “The greatest lesson our young people need is an example to follow.” Teachers and students alike can be the example that military children need through academic encouragement and teamwork, as the Laurel Bay schools proved in test scores during the 2013-2014 school year. Bolden Elementary and Middle School received full accreditation and had more than 65 percent of students score in the top two quarters of the TerraNova Language Subtest. Elliott Elementary School had more than

75% of students score in the top two performance levels of the schools’ local writing assessment. Galer Elementary School saw a 20 percent increase in math skills with more than 80 percent of students scoring in the top two performance levels on the local math problem solving assessment. These accomplishments tell me that we can achieve when we work as a team,” said Dr. Samantha J. Ingram, superintendent for the Laurel Bay Schools. “Our students deserve the best, and we are prepared to give them the best. The focus must stay on our military children, because they are why we’re here today. “It’s a new opportunity, a new beginning each year. We’re navigating success in the 21st century and beyond,” said Ingram.

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pensive, making it a rare and valued opportunity for the F-18 squadrons aboard the Air Station. The AGM-88 high-speed anti-radiation missile in particular is typically fired in a deployed environment, and five pilots and ordnance loading crews were able to train with this specific missile. “That’s the first time high-speed anit-radiation missiles have been shot out of Beaufort in the 23 years that I’ve been here,” said Master Gunnery Sgt. Steve Parry, an aviation ordnance chief with Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 31 from Lexington, S.C. “It’s a unique training experience for aviators and ordnance personnel to load and fire live HARMs out of Beaufort.” This exercise tested equipment, tested Marines, and reaffirmed the squadron’s ability to fire missiles accurately.

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