The Jet Stream - Feb. 6, 2015 by The Jet Stream

Jet Stream The

Friday, February 6, 2015 Vol. 50, No. 5 Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort, S.C.

“The noise you hear is the sound of freedom.” 2 3 facebook.com/MCASBeaufort 3 Beaufort.Marines.mil

twitter.com/MCASBeaufortSC

15th MEU Marines enhance squad tactics Page 8

Fightertown leadership speaks to Sun City Page 11

MSG: are you qualified? Page 11

Building international

relationships

Photo by Pfc. Kayla Douglass

Marine Fighter Attack Training Squadron 501 welcomes the first United Kingdom F-35B Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter aboard Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort, Feb. 3. The jet was flown by U.K. Royal Air Force pilot Hugh Nichols, the UK senior national representative from Eglin Air Force Base, Fla.

First international F-35B arrives aboard Fightertown Pfc. Samantha Torres Staff Writer

Marine Fighter Attack Training Squadron 501 welcomed the first United Kingdom F-35B Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter aboard Marine Corps Air Station

Beaufort, Feb. 3. The jet was flown by U.K. Royal Air Force pilot Hugh Nichols, the U.K. senior national representative from Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. “It’s big for the Air Station, the town, and the pilot training cen-

ter,” said Lt. Col. Joseph T. Bachmann, the commanding officer of VMFAT-501. The jet is one of only three British F-35B aircraft and is assigned to VMFAT-501. The international cooperation between VMFAT-501 and the

RAF has a huge impact on the Air Station and the Marine Corps as a whole. “This is another example of the Marine Corps and the U.K. working hand in hand to achieve great things with the F-35,” said Bachmann.

The F-35B will replace the Marine Corps’ aging legacy tactical fleet. In addition to replacing the F/A-18A-D Hornet, the F-35B will replace the AV-8B Harrier and see international, page

Elliott Elementary students spend day with Warlords Pfc. Jonah V. Lovy Staff Writer

Education is critical to developing intelligent, informed members of society. Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort contributes to education by reaching out to the local community and schools through career days, school visits and tours. Air Station Marines provide interactive examples of their work, which usually falls into science, technology, engineer-

ing and mathematics. Children from Elliott Elementary School, located in Laurel Bay, visited Marine Fighter Attack Training Squadron 501 aboard MCAS Beaufort, Jan. 29, to strengthen their understanding of practical use of the knowledge they are learning. VMFAT-501 conducts training and operations on the F-35B Lightning II aboard see

elliott, page 5

Unit Energy Program coming to Fightertown Pfc. Jonah V. Lovy Staff Writer

Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort is gearing up for new energy saving policies in 2015. The new Unit Energy Program will assign a Unit Energy Manager to each unit on base starting this June. UEMs will be assigned a number of buildings to inspect on a regular basis, said Neil Tisdale, utilities director and energies manager for Public Works aboard Fightertown. “They will conduct walk-throughs of their building to see if there are any improvements that can be made in regards to energy,” said Tisdale. “[Serving as a UEM] would be a collateral duty and there will be training required.” Energy conservation and energy management are issues of extreme imporsee

energy, page 7

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Games and Entertainment

Friday, February 6, 2015

MCAS Beaufort Movie Schedule

Saturday 2 p.m. PG (2:04)

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, Sunday and holidays Brunch: 8:30 - 11 a.m. Dinner: 4 - 6 p.m.

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

Saturday 7 p.m. PG-13 (1:38)

MCRD Parris Island Movie Schedule

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 Beef short ribs and Bayou jerk pork loin roasted zucchini and rice 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 (1:37)

Sunday 4:30 p.m. PG-13 (1:46)

Sports Word Search Word Bank

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

Baseball Basketball Football Golf Hockey Running Soccer Swimming Tennis Volleyball Exercise Rugby Wrestling Hydrate Fuel Sweat Aerobic Team

Friday Dinner Lunch Chili macaroni and Herbed baked green beans chicken and carrots

Chapel serviCes Roman Catholic • 9:30 a.m. - Sunday Mass • Confession by appointment only 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

Sunday 7 p.m. PG-13 (1:54)

Sudoku

Other Faith Groups • For Jewish, Mormon and Islamic support, contact the Chaplain’s Office at 228-7775

See something suspicious Say something.

Call (843) 228-6710 / 911 - IMMEDIATELY

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 Feb. 11.

Command Information

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Tri-Command Weather 7 Day Forecast

Friday, February 6, 2015

Did you know... Feb. 6, 1968, two reduced Marine battalions, the 1st Battalion, 1st Marines with two companies, and 2d Battalion, 5th Marines with three, recaptured Hue’s hospital, jail, and provincial headquarters. It would take three more weeks of intense house to house fighting, and nearly a thousand Marines killed and wounded, before the imperial city was secured.

Happenings The Provost Marshal’s Office plans to test the mass notification system on the first Wednesday of every month at 1 p.m. aboard MCAS Beaufort and Laurel Bay. It will announce the following twice; “This is a test of the Marine Corps mass notification system. This is only a test. Test 5 4 3 2 1. Test out.” These tests are standard drills, and do not require any response. For further information, please contact the physical security section at 228-6335.

Forecast according to accuweather.com

A Valentine’s Kids Day at the Movies is slated to take place Feb. 14, from 5:30 - 9 p.m. at the MCRD Parris Island theater. The cost is 8 dollars per child. For more information call 2281526.

Marine Corps Community Services plans to host a Culinary Throwdown on Feb. 20 at 6 p.m. at Traditions aboard MCRD Parris Island. The cost is 60 dollars per couple or 35 dollars per person. For more information call 228-1566.

A Valentines Dinner featuring American Idol Candice Glover is scheduled to take place Feb. 14 at 6 p.m. at the Officers’ Club aboard MCAS Beaufort. For more information call 228-1526.

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.

An extremely frigid winter is predicted this year. An El Nino-type winter will bring a low chance for extreme cold to our area and a slightly higher chance for above average precipitation. Be prepared for drastic changes in temperatures and precipitation. Monitor the latest forecasts and briefings from the National Weather Service in order to prepare your home and family for any extreme weather. Ensure you take extra precautions when travelling.

Jet Stream The

Brain Teaser

Col. Peter D. Buck

Public Affairs Officer

A farmer in California owns a beautiful pear tree. He supplies fruit to a nearby grocery store. The store owner has called the farmer to see how much fruit is available for him to purchase. The farmer know that the main trunk has 24 branches. Each branch has 12 boughs and each bough has 6 twigs. Since each twig bears one piece of fruit, how many plums will the farmer be able to sell?

Capt. Jordan Cochran

Public Affairs Chief Sgt. Marcy Sanchez

Press Chief

Sgt. John Wilkes

Editor

Cpl. Brendan Roethel

Answer for this week’s brain teaser will be available on facebook.com/MCASBeaufort on Feb. 11.

Are you a flapper or an eagle Lt. Brett Cartwright

U.S. Navy Chaplain Corps

Are you a “Flapper” or an “Eagle?” The personal discipline of delayed self-gratification has been proven to be a major factor in successful people. For those of us in the military, our core values demand that we live by this self-discipline. Any of you who have been deployed away from family and friends know this very well. On the more practical and yet humorous side, “Hurry up and Wait,” is practically a mantra we all begrudgingly know by heart. Those of us (I am sure most) who have any struggle with waiting fall into the category of “Flappers.” I “flap” a little more when I have to wait in line at lunch or when someone on the road is doing 40 mph in a 55 mph zone. To be a “Flapper” all the time may lead you to resemble a chicken in more ways than you want. What I wish to encourage is the movement we all need to become more like Eagles. Eagles, in contrast, the majestic bird king of nature, know how to wait and use the wind to soar to the heights of heaven or to skim the tops of a crystal blue mountain lake. Human beings who may be categorized as Eagles are those who have learned through wisdom, which is knowledge gained through time and experience, to patiently wait on “all things to work together for good.” (Rom 8:23) Stanford University psychology researcher Michael Mischel demonstrated how important self-discipline (the ability to delay immediate gratification in exchange for long term

goal achievement) is to lifelong success? In a longitudinal study which began in the 1960s, he offered hungry 4-year-olds a marshmallow, but told them that if they could wait for the experimenter to return after running an errand, they could have two marshmallows. Those who could wait were found to be successful/ happy later in life. The resisters were more positive, self-motivating, persistent in the face of difficulties, and able to

own bootstraps but more often than not what you come up with are broken bootstraps. In fact that is what the Bible talks about. We will always end up with broken bootstraps if we attempt to do anything without or beyond God’s help or will. The Bible has many passages that deal with the virtue of patience and even how God’ wishes to give us patience as a fruit of His Spirit. The prophet Isaiah writes that “those who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength, they shall mount up with wings like eagles…” (Isaiah 40:31). Perhaps the verse that most comes to mind when confronted with situations that require me to wait, hope, or trust in God is Proverbs 3:5-6 “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.” Eagles, while they may learn to wait for the right conditions to soar, did not create the wind or the wings upon which to learn to soar. Who gave them the instinct or the wings to soar? Without God these things would be impossible. God may not always answer our concerns immediately. Sometimes we need to learn from the delays, silence, and obstacles that God may design or allow to occur. These are often the tools God uses to teach us to trust Him. If you know this God of love the way Jesus Christ has revealed then you have no reason to doubt that even in our darkest moments God is still alive and working for our good. So choose this day to turn your “flapper” tendencies over to a faithful and loving heavenly Father and fly with the eagles!

“Eagles, while they may learn to wait for the right conditions to soar, did not create the wind or the wings upon which to learn to soar..” - Lt. Brett Cartwright

delay gratification in pursuit of their goals. They had the habits of successful people which resulted in more successful marriages, higher incomes, greater career satisfaction, better health, and more fulfilling lives than most of the population. Those who did not, those having grabbed the marshmallow were more troubled, stubborn and indecisive, mistrustful, less self-confident, and still could not put off gratification. This story classically illustrates the conventional wisdom that most of us including this preacher can get caught up in. In other words, “you got to pull yourself up by your own bootstraps!” However, in my experience, you may try to pull yourself up by your

Staff Writers

Cpl. Sarah Cherry Pfc. Samantha Torres Pfc. Jonah Lovy

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Editor’s note: We at The Jet Stream care about our reader’s opinion. In reaching our goal to put out the best possible product, we understand the importance of your feedback. Please add a comment to the “How can we improve The Jet Stream?” topic on our www. facebook.com/MCASBeaufort discussion board on how we can better your base newspaper. Published by the Savannah Morning News, a private firm in no way connected with the Department of Defense, the United States Marine Corps, the United States Navy, or Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort, S.C., under exclusive written contract with the United States Marine Corps. This commercial-enterprise newspaper is an authorized publication for members of the military services. Its contents do not necessarily reflect the official views of the U.S. government, the Department of Defense, the U.S. Marine Corps or the U.S. Navy and do not imply endorsement thereof. The appearance of advertising in this publication, including inserts and supplements, does not constitute endorsement by the DoD, the Marine Corps, the Navy, Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort, S.C., or the Savannah Morning News of the products or services advertised. Everything in this newspaper shall be made available for purchase, use, or patronage without regard to race, color, religion, gender, national origin, age, marital status, physical handicap, political affiliation or any other nonmerit factor of the purchaser, user or patron. If a violation of this equal opportunity policy by an advertiser is confirmed, the contractor shall refuse to print advertising from that source until the violation is corrected. Editorial content (i.e., all content other than paid advertisements) is edited, prepared and provided by the public affairs office of the installation. All queries concerning news and editorial content should be directed to: Jet Stream, Marine Corps Public Affairs Office, P.O. Box 55001, MCAS Beaufort, S.C., 29904 or (843) 228-7225. All queries concerning business matters or display ads should be directed to the Savannah Morning News at (843) 815-0800.

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More of The Story

Friday, February 6, 2015

INTERNATIONAL continued from page 1

EA-6B Prowler, essentially necking down to one common tactical fixed-wing aircraft and providing the dominant, multi-role, fifth-generation capabilities needed across the full spectrum of combat operations to deter potential adversaries and enable future naval aviation power projection. According to Lockheed Martin, the Lightning II will also be the backbone of the U.K.’s future carrier operations. This is the last F-35B delivered from Eglin AFB, turning a page in the next chapter for the program.

“The international cooperation is going to be huge for the next few years,” said Nichols. “The fact that we are working with VMFAT-501 is already a big deal and we are setting the scene for the next few years.” Lt. Cmdr. Beth Kitchen, the U.K. senior engineering officer at VMFAT-501, ensures that the aircraft is maintained and the U.K. is able to develop its own engineering maintenance and air competency to independently operate the aircraft. The F-35 is the future of maritime strike ground attack fighter aircraft in the U.K. “The fact that we can operate from VMFAT-501 for the next couple years means we will be ahead of the game when it comes to developing our own capabilities back on U.K. soil come 2018,” said Kitchen.

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More of The Story ELLIOTT continued from page 1

MCAS Beaufort. The students were escorted through various shops in the squadron and given presentations at each stop by knowledgeable Marines, who work in ordnance, maintenance control, avionics and power lines. “They can walk around the shops and we can give them a break down of what each one does,” said Cpl. Julian Morales, an operations Marine with VMFAT-501. The students also tried on gear worn by pilots and Marines on the flight crew, while Marines explained how and why each piece

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of gear protects Marines and helps them perform their job. “This is awesome!” said one student as he put on a pilots flight helmet. The 2nd graders learned about elements that surround flying and maintaining the F-35B. They enjoyed their hands-on time with flight equipment in the ordnance department, said Susan Burgess, a 2nd grade teacher at Elliott Elementary School. “The focus of the presentations was to give the kids a better understanding and comprehension of how our shops tie into STEM,” said Morales. Fightertown will continue to be an active participant in the education of students in the local community.

Friday, February 6, 2015

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In Other News

Friday, February 6, 2015

AtHoC software: life saving app Pfc. Samantha Torres Staff writer

The after-action report on the 2009 Fort Hood shooting specifically cited the need to exploit social networks for reaching all personnel, including family members and dependents, during an emergency. The presidential report on the response to pandemics also noted the importance of being able to exploit social networks as a communications channel when the timely dissemination of information is required. AtHoc Inc., a network-centric interactive crisis communications system, announced the latest renewal of the United States Marine Corps

Enterprise Mass Notification Systems, Jan. 23. The system leverages the Marine Corps’ exisisting IP network to unify all communications to quickly reach personnel through networked desktop alerts, mobile phones, landlines, public announcement systems, social networks, and the AtHoc Mobile Notifier app. “Since it was established, and reached intial operating capability back in 2011, we have been working here at Headquarters to formulate a plan to improve managment of our protection programs and capabilities in support of the operating forces,” said Robert Ijames, the Installation Emergency Manager.

Capabilities of the software include phone messages to military telephone, cell phones, and an app. The system saved lives in 2013 at the Navy yard shooting and in 2009 at Fort Hood, by notifying personnel of the crisis as it was happening. Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort has used it for notifying personnel aboard the Air Station, Laurel Bay housing and schools, of any pending or actual hazards or threats. “Providing effective installation protection is essential to maintaining the mission capability, operational readiness, and quality of life of Marine Corps Organizations, personnel, and family,” said Ijames.

If a military member wants their family member to get the notification they can add their email or phone number in the secondary slot. “In 2012, the Marine Corps joined the vast majority of defense, Homeland Security, and other federal government agencies in protecting their personnel with AtHoc as the system of choice for their enterprise-wide emergency communication and mass notification requirements,” said Dave Brown, AtHocs Vice president of Defense and Intelligence Group. MCAS Beaufort will continue to use AtHoc for exercises, real world notifications of threats or evacuation return information.

More of The Story ENERGY continued from page 1

tance to the Marine Corps. Wasting energy resources like electricity, fuel and water can affect mission readiness. “[The UEMs] need to have their eyes out all through the base for anything that would affect the building envelope adversely with respect to energy usage, in order to make people aware in the building and to increase awareness so we can reduce our energy consumption,” Tisdale said. However, the UEMs are not the only ones responsible for saving energy. Every Marine, sailor and civilian aboard Fightertown needs to be aware of the energy being used at their work station or living space.

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Energy conservation can be as simple as switching off lights when you leave a room. If a larger problem exists, a work order needs to be turned into Public Works to be handled properly. “If you see something that’s not quite right, like a dripping sink or a water leak, you should know that you have to report it because it’s using energy,” said Tisdale. The Unit Energy Program is slated to become mandatory aboard all USMC installations in the future and it is scheduled to take effect aboard MCAS Beaufort this June. “It’s about establishing an energy conservation mindset or an energy conservation ethos, where everybody is concerned about conserving energy and it just becomes a way of life,” said Tisdale. For more information about the Unit Energy Program, call Neil Tisdale at 228-6317.

Friday, February 6, 2015

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Around The Corps

Friday, February 6, 2015

Corps Bits

VMA-223 naval aviators hone landing skills aboard USS Kearsarge MARINE CORPS AIR STATION CHERRY POINT, N.C. - Pilots with Marine Attack Squadron 223 continued integration training with the crew of the USS Kearsarge Jan. 20, building the squadron’s proficiency for operations at sea. The squadron, which is scheduled for deployment as part of the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit later this year, coordinated with the Kearsarge to complete the initial qualifications for flight operations underway, giving the squadron’s naval aviators hands-on experience to sharpen their vital skills. “Our mission during the training was to give the ship personnel their initial qualifications with the AV-8B Harrier,” said Capt. Will Mahoney, a naval aviator with VMA-223. According to Mahoney, each pilot slated to deploy with the 26th MEU took part in the training. Each aircraft completed multiple day and night landings on the Kearsarge during the qualifications. Harriers provide combatant commanders with close air support, air-to-air combat and sea-based force projection capabilities, said Mahoney. The ground work for future operations as part of the Aviation Combat Element with the 26th MEU begins during initial qualifications, he said. According to Capt. James Pollard, a naval aviator with the squadron, landing a Harrier on a moving amphibious assault ship from the rear is one of the most important skills pilots must master. According to Pollard, training aboard an assault landing ship is critical for the squadron as it continues to prepare for future operations and deployments.

Combat ready: Marines with Lima Co. conduct patrol base exercise CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. - The Marine Corps may change, but the mission of the Marine Corps infantryman remains the same. In conflict, they close width and destroy the enemy by fire and maneuvering. While at home, they are constantly training for their next enemy encounter. Marines with Lima Company, 3rd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment conducted a patrol base exercise aboard Camp Lejeune, N.C., Jan. 22. The training presented basic challenges and scenarios typical of infantry missions. The Marines were tested on patrol and security operations, reconnaissance, and command and control of troops. During the exercise, Lima Company established a centralized base and conducted reconnaissance and combat patrols, utilizing blank ammunition for simulated offensive and defensive maneuvers when encountered by an enemy force. Platoons from other patrol bases represented friendly or enemy forces, so mock engagements were possible during the patrols. Marines were encouraged to maintain discipline and minimize brush destruction to better remain undetected from the other patrols. “The training helps build discipline,” said Sgt. Timothy J. Padgett, a squad leader with the unit. “It makes them accountable for what they’re doing as Marines. This type of training allows us as leaders to evaluate the Marines to ensure they engage targets the correct way and monitor how they maneuver through the brush.” Discipline was stressed throughout the exercise as the Marines utilized hand signals, posted security and moved around the terrain. According to Padgett, the training allowed noncommissioned officers to observe the junior Marines and discuss what they noticed. Padgett said the exercise was a perfect opportunity for teaching infantry tactics because many of the Marines have developed habits, both good and bad. Padgett said correcting bad habits such as unnecessary movements and failure to maintain noise discipline is important because these types of practices could potentially impact the unit success. “This type of training makes Marines more technically and tactically proficient,” said Padgett. For Lance Cpl. Bryan E. Morgan, a rifleman with the Company, the training was vital to establishing teamwork within the platoon. “We’re a new platoon, this is our first operation together,” said Morgan. “We have a lot of guys who’ve only been in a few months, and this is the first training they’ve done with us. This exercise increased their experience, and was more informative than what we could get in a classroom or on paper.”

U.S. Marine Lance Cpl. Brandon Swindell provides security during squad tactics and maneuver training aboard Camp Pendleton, Calif., Jan. 28. Swindell is an automatic rifleman with Kilo Company, Battalion Landing Team 3rd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit.

15th MEU Marines enhance squad tactics Sgt. Emmanuel Ramos 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit

CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. – Marines with Kilo Company, Battalion Landing Team 3rd Battalion, 1st Marines, 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit began squad tactics and maneuver training aboard Camp Pendleton, Calif., Jan. 25. Kilo Co.’s two-week-long training focused on enhancing their combat skills and learning to work as a cohesive unit in preparation for their upcoming deployment as part of the ground combat element for the 15th MEU. “A lot of this is breaking down what we did last month in [Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms] and applying it to the squad level,” said Sgt. Juan Zamora, a squad leader with Kilo Co. “We’re putting a lot of emphasis on individual actions and team leaders taking charge of their Marines.” The training began with securing an objective using machine gun and mortar fire as supporting elements. “Once we were given our tasks, I met with my team leaders and gave them their orders,” said Zamora, 31, from McAllen, Texas. “From there it’s up to

them how they prep their teams.” All fire-team leaders take their tasks seriously. They know the success of the mission is dependent on each Marine doing his part. “You hear it said a thousand times throughout your training ‘brilliance in the basics’,” said Lance Cpl. Alexander Dalziel, a fire team leader with Kilo Co. “It’s been drilled into me and I drill it into my Marines, because when [things get rough] I don’t ever want my Marines to rise up to the occasion; I want them to revert back to the basics.” The Marines spent several hours rehearsing movements, immediate action and battle drills. These drills focus on a squad’s ability to respond to enemy contact and employ specific weapons, such as the M67 fragmentation grenade and the M136 AT4 rocket launcher. After those hours of rehearsals and drills, the Marines geared up, loaded their weapons, and moved out to test their scheme of maneuvers. “It’s always a little nerve-wracking before you step off,” said Dalziel, 21, from Germantown, Wisc. “I get the same feeling I used to get before a big game, but once you step off your training just takes over and you go to work.”

As Zamora’s squad made their way to their objective, safety officers painted scenarios for Zamora and his team leaders to battle through, such as enemy bunker positions, direction and rates of the simulated opposition’s fire. “It makes it challenging, because it’s so loud and there is so much going on. You have to stay cool, work through the problem and direct your squad,” Zamora said. Making the training as realistic as possible, Marines conducted the exercise using live rounds. Fire team leaders must ensure their team’s direction of fire is on point. “It definitely adds to the stress, but we train how we fight,” Dalziel said. Once the training was complete, platoon commanders debriefed their squads on the training, highlighting what they did well and how to improve on the next run. “For the most part we did really well,” Zamora said. “We had really good communication, and our fire-team rushes looked great. You can tell the rehearsals paid off. There are always things we can improve on, but for the most part I feel confident my Marines can carry out anything we’re asked to do.”

Corps Shot Lance Cpl. Aaron Peterson

MARINE CORPS BASE HAWAII - U.S. Marines with Alpha Battery, 1st Battalion, 12th Marines (1/12), currently assigned to 3/12, reload the M777A2 Howitzer during Integrated Training Exercise (ITX) 2-15 at Blacktop Training Area aboard Camp Wilson, Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms, Calif., Jan. 31.

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Around The Corps

Fightertown deployed: MALS-31 Stingers

VMFA(AW)-533 Hawks

a detachment is currently deployed to the Western Pacific supporting VMFA(AW)-533.

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

Friday, February 6, 2015

Corps Bits Crisis Response Marines complete readiness rehearsal

Cleaning up: Marines and Sailors beautify Catania Lance Cpl. Lucas Hopkins II Marine Expeditionary Force

CATANIA, Italy - More than 50 Marines and Sailors from Special-Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force Crisis-Response, Detachment A, and Sailors assigned to Naval Air Station Sigonella, helped beautify the Church of San Nicolo in the Piazza Dante in Catania, Italy, Jan. 31. In an attempt to further solidify the relationship between NAS Sigonella service members and the Sicilian community, the Marines and Sailors travelled to the nearly 1,000-yearold church, where they helped move more than 100 cases of relics, dusted the chorus area, and carried slabs of marble and granite. The cleanup was in

preparation for the Festival of Sant’Agata, which is scheduled for Feb. 3rd through the 5th. “It was an important moment to become a part of the cultural fabric of the city that’s hosting us,” said Dana M. Rains, a management analyst at Naval Supply Systems Command, who helped coordinate the cleanup and translated for the participants. The community of Catania was the benefactor of the service member’s efforts, which previous Special-Purpose MAGTF’s have accomplished in other areas as well. For the Marines and Sailors, it was an opportunity to give back and see a new part of the world. “[Our work] creates a stronger relationship between the two different communities, not

only between [NAS Sigonella] and Sicily, but the United States and Italy in general,” said Lance Cpl. Louis J. Bardel, a mortarman with SPMAGTF-CR-AF. “Even though it’s a small effort, I think it sets the tone for us being here.” While the service members were sprucing up the church, they were paid a visit by Archbishop of Catania Salvatore Gristina. The Marines and Sailors took a break from cleaning, as Gristina spoke, posed for pictures, and blessed the service members. I admire the generosity of these young service members, who are already committed to very difficult work,” said Gristina. “Coming here and helping out, it’s important to appreciate their work. We can see the

results of their great volunteer effort.” The Marines and Sailors of SPMAGTF-CR-AF arrived in Italy earlier in the week. With six months left in the rotational cycle, Rains is looking forward to working with this group again. “I think we all worked well together, and I think we were highly successful. Once again we sealed our bond of friendship with the community, which is what we always set out to do,” said Rains. The Marines and Sailors of SPMAGTF-CR-AF strive to be good shepherds in their local communities, all while conducting theater security cooperation and military-to-military engagements with partner nations in Africa.

MWSS-274 engineers battle weather, elements to prepare future training facility Cpl. Jorden Wells II Marine Expeditionary Force

CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. - Marines with Engineer Company, Marine Wing Support Squadron 274, transform an undeveloped piece of land aboard Marine Corps Air Station New River into a forward arming and refueling point Jan. 28. Once completed, the FARP will have three separate landing areas for rotary aircraft and be utilized as a training facility. The new area will give the air station units a new training tool to increase the overall readiness, which will aid in future deployment training and work-ups. “One of the major obstacles we are having to contend with out here is the abundance of stagnant water on the landing pad sites,” said Master Sgt. Richard Thomas, the company’s operations chief. “We have to drain a lot of those areas of that water so we can come in and do some light earth work.” Another of the major obstacles the engineers faced while preparing the training area was the removal of many of the surrounding trees. They utilized many different tools for removal, including chainsaws and heavy equipment. “We have to clear a lot of the trees from several different future roadways,” Thomas said. “We are also working on the land quality to improve its California Bearing Ratio, the measurement used to determine the density and stability of the soil, which will allow the

fuel trucks and other heavy equipment access to the training area.” The Marines began their task of preparing the land in mid-January and have a completion date set for Feb. 9. “All of the Marines that have been a part of this project have been doing an outstanding job,” said 1st Lt. Brad-

ley Kuczynski, the company’s heavy equipment platoon commander. “This land had produced many obstacles for the Marines to overcome, and it is just great to see such a high level of work ethic and skill application on this operation.”

Master Sgt. Richard Thomas, operations chief with Engineer Company, Marine Wing Support Squadron 274, instructs one of his Marines on the proper procedures for felling a tree with a chainsaw, Jan. 28. The MWSS-274 engineers were clearing and preparing an undeveloped piece of land aboard Marine Corps Air Station New River for a forward arming and refueling point to be utilized as a future training area.

MORON AIR BASE, Spain - A platoon of Marines with Special-Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force Crisis Response – Africa completed an unscripted alert drill to test the unit’s ability to rapidly respond to regional crises, Jan. 29. “At any given time we have an alert force ready to [respond] to crises in Africa,” said Capt. Daniel Lakhani, the platoon’s company commander. “Rehearsals keep the Marines focused on the mission at hand. They’re professional. They’re resilient. They’re mature, and they’re able to focus their attention on each specific mission with the different profiles they require, from embassy reinforcement to tactical recovery of aircraft and personnel to [quick reaction] missions.” SPMAGTF-CR-AF received an alert for a simulated medical evacuation mission at nearby Rota Air Base, Spain, early in the afternoon and gathered its on-call alert force to respond. The Marines assembled at a prearranged staging area, completed planning for their mission, and boarded two MV-22Ospreys on Morón Air Base. The total time for conducting the rehearsal had to meet the requirement for the Marines to depart Spain within six hours of the order to begin their mission. The platoon had no foreknowledge of the specific mission they would carry out. Every minute is methodically used to assemble their gear, arrange transportation, and run through the mission requirements passed on by the unit’s command. The two Ospreys, laden with Marines, departed the air field less than four hours after receiving the initial warning. Less than 30 minutes after landing at Rota Air Base, the Marines had successfully secured the area, pushed several hundred yards to their objective, and extracted the simulated casualty. The process was designed to test the command and alert force’s ability to come together, adapt, and react to the wide range of missions SPMAGTFCR-AF was created to handle. On any given day, the unit could participate in multinational training operations, respond to natural disasters, provide humanitarian aid, or evacuate an embassy by direction of U.S. Africa Command. “This mission is different from other missions or deployments the Marines have been on, whether it’s Iraq or Afghanistan, where they were conducting combat operations for a sustained period of time,” noted Lakhani. “We’re being welcomed by the Spanish. We’re interacting with them and other host nations within Europe and Africa, conducting partner training as well as [remaining ready] to respond to multiple contingencies within Africa.”

Integrated Task Force LAV Platoon lights up targets JACKSONVILLE, N.C. - Marines with Light Armored Vehicle Platoon, Company B, Ground Combat Element Integrated Task Force, sent rounds downrange during a live-fire exercise at Range SR-10 aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, Jan. 26. Marines worked in crews of three, utilizing their M242 Bushmaster 25mm chain guns, and M240B machine guns, one mounted co-axially and one pintle-mounted, to conduct the offensive and defensive engagements of table four of the LAV-25 gunnery manual. “We are downrange engaging different targets,” said Lance Cpl. Paula A. Valerio, LAV crewman, LAV Plt., Co. B, GCEITF. “All (the) while better learning how to drive, how to shoot and how to communicate.” LAV crews rolled up to different berms on the range and fired armor-piercing discarding sabot rounds and high-explosive incendiary rounds on their targets. As LAVs maneuvered back down the path they came, Marines continued their course of fire, simulating a retrograde. “This is some of the best training I have ever had,” said Cpl. Thomas E. Debatt, vehicle commander, LAV Plt., Co. B, GCEITF. “Everyone was on target, getting their drills down and moving fast.” Crew members have been rapidly changing roles to get experience in each of the realms of responsibility, to include gunner and driver. The platoon will be evaluated on their capabilities as an integrated LAV crew next month at Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms, Calif. “We have been preparing for our West Coast evaluation,” Debatt said. “I think it is going to go well and everyone here is going to be outstanding. I volunteered because it is going to be the next big thing in the Marine Corps. I want to be a part of history, and this right here is history.” From October 2014 to July 2015, the GCEITF will conduct individual and collective level skills training in designated ground combat arms occupational specialties in order to facilitate the standards based assessment of the physical performance of Marines in a simulated operating environment performing specific ground combat arms tasks.

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Friday, February 6, 2015

Fightertown leadership speaks to Sun City retirement community

Photos by Pfc. Jonah V. Lovy

Marines from the Tri-Command spoke to residents of the Sun City Adult Community in Hilton Head, S.C., about the F-35 and its capabilities that contribute to air superiority in a complex global security climate, Jan. 30.

MSG recruiting team visits Fightertown Pfc. Jonah V. Lovy Staff Writer

The Marine Security Guard recruiting, advertising and screening team paid a visit to Marines aboard Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort, Feb. 3. The team enlightened Marines about the requirements and benefits of the MSG program. Marine Security Guards stand guard at U.S. embassies all over the world. It is a vital function of the Marine Corps, and screeners

are searching for qualified Marines to accept the responsibility. “You are the face of the Marine Corps in 144 countries,” said Staff Sgt. Candido Deleon, with the recruiting advertising and screening team and prior MSG detachment commander. Marines ranked Lance Cpl. to Sgt. are eligible for MSG duty. Staff noncommissioned officers are eligible for detachment commander duty. One on one screenings with Marines committed to the program were also held.

“We like to get everyone in the theatre no matter the rank, just to get the information out, said Candido. “We’d like to dispel any disparities about the program and what Marines can bring to it.” According to MARADMIN 010/14, Marines are eligible for MSG if they are a U.S. citizen, no NJPs in the last 12 months, corporals and below must have proficiency and conduct marks of 4.2/4.2 average in service. Sergeants and below must not be married or have sole custody

of their dependents and have a minimum GT score of 90. Other prerequisites can be found in the MARADMIN or unit career planers. “They’re trying to find the highly qualified Marines and get them out to the embassies,” said Gunnery Sgt. Eric Sweezor, the career planner for Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron aboard MCAS Beaufort. “They’re always looking for young eager Marines to get out there.” Over the course of the three

year program, Marines are be stationed at three U.S. embassies around the world. Marines who join the MSG program are afforded the opportunity for travel and adventure while providing personal and professional development, said Sweezor. The team has toured Marine installations on the east coast and will head to the west coast next. For more information about the MSG program see your career planner.

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Friday, February 6, 2015

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