PUBLIC AFFAIRS26th Marine Expeditionary Unit

Marines from the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit rescued a U.S.

Air Force pilot downed in Libya March 22.

The Air Force F-15E Strike Eagle crashed in northeast Libya March 21 while flying in support of Operation

Odyssey Dawn, the joint coalition en-forcing U.N. Security Council Resolu-tion 1973 to protect the Libyan people

GLOBE WWW.CAMPLEJEUNEGLOBE.COM THURSDAY DECEMBER 22, 2011

Inside Lejeune year in review

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VOLUME 73 EDITION 51

Lejeune Sports year in review

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Serving Camp Lejeune and surrounding areas since 1944

THETHE

THURSDAY DECEMBER 22, 20

Carolina Living year in review

Page 1D

Photo by Pfc. Jackeline Perez Rivera Marines with 8th Engineer Support Battalion, 2nd Marine Logistics Group, assist with cleanup at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune on Aug. 28 after Hurricane Irene.

Photo by Cpl. Jonathan G. WrightPhoto by Cpl. Jonathan G. WrightPetty Offi cer 2nd Class Fredrick Lacy, head operations petty offi cer for 2nd Dental Battalion, 2nd Petty Offi cer 2nd Class Fredrick Lacy, head operations petty offi cer for 2nd Dental Battalion, 2nd Marine Logistics Group, embraces his wife after surveying the remains of their house aboard the Marine Logistics Group, embraces his wife after surveying the remains of their house aboard the Tarawa Terrace housing community, Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, April 15. The Lacys house Tarawa Terrace housing community, Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, April 15. The Lacys house was one of the hardest hit residences from the tornado that ripped through the TT area shortly after was one of the hardest hit residences from the tornado that ripped through the TT area shortly after 8 p.m. Saturday night, one of approximately 12 that were completely demolished.8 p.m. Saturday night, one of approximately 12 that were completely demolished.

Photo by Pvt. Victor Barrera Col. Daniel Lecce, commanding offi cer for Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, talks to the press during the Greater Sandy Run wildfi re aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, March 25.

LANCE CPL. LIA ADKINSMarine Corps Base Camp Lejeune

Even the best meteorol-ogists could not have pre-dicted what Mother Nature had in store for the Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune in 2011. MCB Camp Leje-une was hit with a record amount of snow, two fires, a tornado and a hurricane, all occurring only months apart. However, the trials the disasters brought with them only helped the base emerge stronger and more united.

People who have worked here for more than 30 years have never seen (a year) like this, said Col. Lecce, MCB Camp Lejeune commanding officer. We maintain a certain level of preparedness at all times,

but in many ways, we were reactive to the larger disas-ters. The initial one was the flood, where we received about 29 inches of rainfall over three and a half days, which was just unprec-edented. Then although, it wasnt a disaster, we did have record snowfall.

In mid-January, snow fell in Onslow county and surrounding areas, causing flight and base delays, and closures in parks and mu-seums. A dangerous mix of snow, ice and sleet was expected, so MCB Camp Lejeune prepared for the worse by opening four hours later than usual on Jan. 11. What was expect-ed to be a dangerous time turned out to be a quite warm, precipitation-free morning, but the evidence of the bases preparations were evident with caution

signs and cones.Then in February, the

base closed again to all non-essential personnel, due to snowy weather conditions. Shortly afterward, a fire broke out in the Greater Sandy Run area.

The fire (burned) more than 10,000 acres and even jumped over (Highway 17), said Lecce. During a press conference March 19, Lecce commented as Ma-rines, we are good in com-bat, but not so good with fires of this magnitude, as the North Carolina Forest-ry Service took command of the fire.

While the blaze origi-nated March 18, it took more than two weeks of fire fighting and favorable weather conditions to be completely contained. It was the efforts of more than 75 North Carolina

Forest Service firefighter and fire managers, 20 MCB Camp Lejeune fire and emergency personnel and the Onslow County Emer-gency Operations Center, the wildfire was largely contained. Their hard work finally paid off when it was determined that there was no private property or resi-dential damage as a result of the fire.

Then we had the tor-nado, said Lecce.

For some, the mere men-tion of last springs tornado still has a chilling effect.

Meteorologists predict-ed thunderstorms just days before April 16, but no one expected a tornado to hit so close to home when it touched down in Terrace, one of MCB Camp Leje-unes base housing areas. It

Marines rescue downed pilot after fi ghter jet crashes in Libya

SEE LIBYA 10A

Photo by Lance Cpl. Michael LockettCH-53E Super Stallions loaded with quick reaction force Marines with Company B, 1st Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit, serve as another MEU capability able to respond to a variety of missions, March 22.

MARCH 31

MAJ. BRADLEY GORDON2nd Marine Division (Forward)

Coalition forces with Task Force Leatherneck located in Helmand province have kicked off Operation Eastern Storm, a major offensive operation to root out the Tali-ban-led insurgency in the Upper Sangin Valley region of Kajaki.

After five days of pushing north from Sangin along Route 611, Coalition and Afghan National Security Forces have pushed the insurgency out of Kajaki and secured the road leading to the once-terrorized village.

We are assisting the Afghan National Armys 215th Corps to secure the main road between Sangin and Ka-jaki, stated Brig. Gen. Lewis Craparotta, commanding general, Task Force Leatherneck. Senior Taliban com-manders have been killed or forced into the northern portion of Helmand. The conditions are being set to encourage families to move back to Kajaki, into their

SEE LEATHERNECK 10A

SEE DISASTERS 11A

Task Force Leatherneck forces Taliban out of Upper Sangin Valley

OCT. 21 | HELMAND PROVINCE, AFGHANISTAN

THE GLOBE, CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. 2A DECEMBER 22, 2011

This Department of Defense newspaper is an authorized publication of the DOD. Contents of The Globe are not necessarily the offi cial views of, or endorsed by, the U.S. government, the DOD, or the Public Affairs Offi ce, Camp Lejeune, N.C. The Globe is published by Land-mark Military Newspapers of N.C., a private enterprise not connected with the DOD or the U.S. Marine Corps, under exclusive written con-tract with Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, N.C. The appearance of advertising in this publication, including inserts or supplements, does not constitute endorsement of these products or services by the DOD, the U.S. Marine Corps, or Landmark Military Newspapers of N.C.Everything advertised in this publication shall be made available for purchase, use or patronage without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, physical handicap, political affi lia-tion, or any other nonmerit factor of the purchaser, user, or patron. If a violation or rejection of this equal opportunity policy by an advertiser is confi rmed, the publisher shall refuse to print advertising from that source until the violation is corrected. The editorial content of this pub-lication is the responsibility of the Public Affairs Offi ce, Camp Lejeune, N.C. Any questions may be directed to: Commanding General, (Attn: Public Affairs Offi ce), Marine Corps Base, PSC Box 20004, Camp Leje-une, N.C. 28542-0004. For distribution and advertising inquiries, call 347-9624. Mail subscribers: Any notices to report a change of address need to be sent to: Landmark Military Newspapers - NC, 1122 Henderson Dr., Jacksonville, N.C. 28540. For advertising questions or to submit free trader ads, call 347-9624, ext. 101.

Commanding Offi cer, Marine Corps Base, Camp Lejeune

Col. Daniel J. Lecce

Marine Corps Installations East Public Affairs Offi cerNat Fahy

MCB Camp Lejeune Public Affairs Offi cer1st Lt. Nicole Fiedler

nicole.fi edler@usmc.mil

MCB Camp Lejeune Public Affairs Chief Staff Sgt. Kristin S. Bagleykristin.bagley@usmc.mil

PublisherJames M. Connors

jim.connors@pilotonline.com

Managing EditorEna Sellers

ena.sellers@pilotonline.com

Assistant Managing EditorAmy Binkley

amy.binkley@pilotonline.com

Layout EditorSarah Anderson

sarah.anderson@militarynews.com

Sports EditorJessie Heath

jheath@pilotonline.com

MAN ON THE STREET

What is your New Years resolution?

Lolieta Horne Military spouseManila, Philippines

I want to change my attitude. I want to

be more patient and understanding.

Pvt. Brian Fink 3rd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine DivisionNorth Royalton, Ohio

I want to eat healthier. I eat way too much junk food and it will also help save me

some money.

Marilou Reed Marine Corps Community Services employeeIbajay, Philippines

I want to stay in shape. I like where Im at now and I want to continue to be active and healthy

throughout the new year.

Pfc. Zachary Devitt 3rd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine DivisionLouiseville, Ohio

I want to be better as a Marine and I want to get bigger from working out.

Cpl. Brandon Swillinger Company A, Headquarters and Support Battalion, Marine Corps Base Camp LejeuneLyndhurst, N.J.

I just got out (Monday) and I plan to go back home and start the next chapter

in my life.

Cash rewards up to $2,500 Caller never reveals his/her identity Information must lead to arrest or apprehension Reward is collected through code system

24 HOUR HOTLINE 938-3273Help keep Marine Corp bases and all Onslow County

a safe place to live and prosper!

Report crime anywhere in your community

BaseLegal

In accordance with Marine Corps Order 10110.14M and authorization from the base commander, dependents of Marines, military retirees and guests of Marines and sailors are authorized to partake in the Christmas Day meal on Dec. 25, in all mess halls on Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune. The meal hours for din-ner brunch on these days are:

French Creek 4 to 6 p.m. - building 420.Camp Johnson 4 to 5:30 p.m. - building M455.Main side 3 to 5 p.m. - building 521.Courthouse Bay 3:30 to 5 p.m. - building BB125.Marine Corps Air Station New River 3:30 to 5 p.m. - building AS4013.Camp Geiger 4 to 5:30 p.m. - building G640.Stone Bay Rifl e Range 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. - building RR135.Wallace Creek 4 to 5:30 p.m. - building WC-100.Mainside 4 to 7 p.m. - building 227.

The Meal price is $7 for all personnel, with the dependents of E-4 and below authorized to pay the discount rate of $5.95.

Christmas Day meal

Lolieta Horne Military spouseManila, Philippines

IMabigg

SemperSemperSafeSafeBy the Base Safety Offi ce

The onset of this holiday season will see a welcome shift in focus to family and friends.

While we rightfully enjoy the giving and sharing associated with this time of year, let us always remember that we are professional warriors 24 hours a day, seven days a week, accountable for our Marines, and responsible for our own actions. While off duty, it is imperative for all Marines to em-brace the Marine Corps highest stan-dards. Exercise your responsibility to take care of your fellow Marines. Be prepared to intervene when you see

something bad about to happen. I see a disturbing trend of increased alcohol use. Irresponsible drinking reduces inhibitions, negatively affects sound judgment and increases the potential for a combination of risks that lead to tragic endings. Alcohol consumption and driving are a deadly combination. In fact, most traffic accidents involve the use of alcohol, and many of those result in fatalities. Have the courage to take away a Marines keys when he or she has had too much drink. Have the courage to tell a Marine to buckle up and slow down when he or she is

driving too fast.Plan your trips and include time

to return on time safely. Whether you are traveling or staying local, a brief lapse in planning or judgment can make the difference that will destroy a career, a life or the lives of oth-ers. As your installation command-er, I ask every one of you to travel safely, act responsibly and be your brothers keeper throughout this sea-son. Please enjoy your time off and return rested and be ready for the challenges of 2012. Semper fidelis, Col. Lecce sends.

A holiday safety message from the base commanding offi cer

KAREN PARRISHAmerican Forces Press Service

President Barack Obama draped the pale blue ribbon suspending the Medal of Hon-or around the neck of Marine Corps Sgt. Dakota L. Meyer, the first living Marine to re-ceive the award for actions in Iraq or Afghanistan.

Its been said that where there FA1126461 is a brave man, in the thickest of the fight, there is the post of hon-or, the commander in chief said. Today we pay tribute to an American who placed him-self in the thick of the fight again, and again, and again.

Obama said Meyer, who is now 23 and was just 21 that day in Afghanistan, is one of the most down-to-earth guys you will ever meet.

When the presidents staff called the young Marine so the commander in chief could offi-cially notify him of the medal, Obama said, Meyer was at work at his new civilian job at a construction site.

"He felt he couldn't take the call right then because, he said, If I don't work, I don't get paid,'" Obama said.

"So we arranged to make sure he got the call during his lunch break," the president added.

Obama then turned to the events of Sept. 8, 2009, the day Meyer earned the medal as a corporal serv-ing with Marine Embed-ded Training Team 2-8, Regional Corps Advisory Command 3-7, in Kunar province, Afghanistan.

Just before dawn, a patrol of Afghan forces and their American trainers, on foot and making their way through a narrow valley, was planning to meet with a group of village elders, the president said.

About a mile away, Meyer and Staff Sgt. Juan Rodri-guez-Chavez could hear the ambush over the radio.

Gunfire poured from hous-es, the hillsides, and even the local school, Obama said.

Soon, the patrol was pinned down, taking fero-cious fire from three sides. "Men were being wounded and killed, and four Ameri-cans - Dakotas friends - were surrounded," he said.

After asking four times to go closer to the fight and help, and hearing each time that it was too dangerous, the two Marines got inside a nearby Humvee and headed into the fight, Rodriguez-Chavez at the wheel and Meyer man-ning the gun turret.

They were defying orders, but they were doing what they thought was right, the presi-dent said.

On two solo trips into the ambush area, Meyer repeat-edly got out of the Humvee to help Afghan troops, many wounded, inside the vehicle and back to safety.

A third time they went back, insurgents running right up to the front of the Hum-vee, Dakota fighting them off, Obama said.

This time, the men drove right up to the line of fire, and

helped a group of wounded Americans battle their way to safety.

They then headed back on the fourth trip with Meyer wounded in the arm and the vehicle riddled with bullets and shrapnel, the president said.

Dakota later confessed, I didn't think I was going to die, I knew I was. But still, they pushed on, finding the wound-ed (and) delivering them to safety, Obama said.

On the fifth trip, the two Marines drove through fire that seemed to come from every window, every doorway, every alley, he said.

Finally, the two reached the four Americans who had been surrounded.

"Dakota jumped out and he ran toward them, drawing all those enemy guns toward himself; bullets kicking up the dirt all around him," Obama said.

Meyer and others who had joined him picked up the fallen Marines and, "through all those bullets, all the smoke, all the chaos, carried them out one by one - because as Da-kota says, that's what you do for a brother," the commander in chief said.

"Dakota says he'll accept this medal in their name," the president said. "So today, we remember the husband who loved the outdoors, Lt. Mi-chael Johnson; the husband and father they called Gunny J,' Gunnery Sgt. Edwin John-son; the determined Marine who fought to get on that team, Staff Sgt. Aaron Kenefick; the medic who gave his life tending to his teammates, Hospitalman 3rd Class James Layton; and a soldier wounded in that battle who was never recovered: Sgt. 1st Class Kenneth Westbrook."

Obama said while he knows Meyer has thought of himself as a failure because some of his teammates didn't come home, "as your commander in chief, and on behalf of every-one here today and all Ameri-cans, I want you to know it's quite the opposite."

Because of your honor, 36 men are alive today, the president said. "Because of your courage, four fallen American heroes came home, and in the words of James

Laytons mom, (their fami-lies) could lay their sons to rest with dignity.

Meyer's father, Mike, grand-parents, and more than a hun-dred friends and family mem-bers attended the ceremony.

Because of Meyers humble example, children all across America will know that "no matter who you are or where you come from, you can do great things as a citizen and a member of the American fam-ily, the president said.

The commander in chief then asked Rodriguez-Chavez, now a gunnery sergeant, and all those present at the ceremo-ny who served with Meyer, to stand and accept the thanks of a grateful nation.

Meyer joined in the ap-plause.

Just before the citation read-ing and medal presentation, Obama said, Every member of our team is as important as the other - thats a lesson that we all have to remember, as citizens and as a nation, as we meet the tests of our time here at home and around the world. To our Marines, to all our men and women in uniform, to our fellow Americans, let us always be faithful.

Meyer, who has left the ac-tive Marine Corps, and is a ser-geant in the Inactive Reserve, is the 298th Marine ever to have received the medal, created during the Civil War. The na-tions highest military honor, the Medal of Honor is award-ed for risk of life in combat be-yond the call of duty.

Meyer is the third living service member to receive the Medal of Honor for actions during the Iraq and Afghani-stan wars, following Army Staff Sgt. Salvatore A. Giunta, who received the medal Nov. 16, 2010, and Army Sgt. 1st Class Leroy Petry, who accept-ed the award July 12.

Of 10 Medal of Honor re-cipients for actions during the Iraq or Afghanistan wars, the only other Marine is Cpl. Jason E. Dunham, who died April 22, 2004, of wounds received when he covered a live grenade with his own body to save the lives of fellow Marines in Iraq. Dunham's parents accepted his posthumous Medal of Honor Jan. 11, 2007.

THE GLOBE, CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. DECEMBER 22, 2011 3A

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CPL. JONATHAN G. WRIGHTMarine Corps Base Camp Lejeune

Under a bright yet over-cast Carolina sky, ceremo-nial platoons representing Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, Marine Corps Air Station New River and other factions under the Marine Corps Installa-tions East banner gathered for a change of command ceremony which trans-ferred leadership over East Coast Marine bases and stations.

Maj. Gen. Carl B. Jensen, commanding general of MCIEAST, re-linquished his position to Col. Thomas A. Gorry, brigadier general select, in front of family, friends and fellow Marines at the 2nd Marine Logistics Group Amphitheater aboard MCB Camp Lejeune, July 22.

(Gorry)s reputation is superb and he will take good care of the bases and Marines now under his charge, said Gen. James F. Amos, commandant of the Marine Corps, who at-tended the ceremony. As for (Jensen), he has done what we all tell young Ma-rine officers to do. Here, you have put your finger-prints on all of the projects that have made (these in-stallations) change for the better, but for everything you have done throughout your career, we thank you for being faithful right to the very end.

Jensen, who has been the CG for MCIEAST since July 30, 2008, came into his position after serv-ing as deputy commander and chief of staff for U.S. Marine Forces Com-mand in Norfolk, Va. Af-ter graduating The Basic School, Jensen entered flight training to become a naval aviator in 1977, and for the past 36 years faith-fully served his country and Marine Corps around the world with multiple deployments in support of Operations Desert Shield and Storm, Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom.

It has been my singu-

lar pleasure and pride to be a U.S. Marine, and hav-ing retired after overseeing MCIEAST, said Jensen, holding back a few tears. I am not all that excited to be leaving, but its time for me to turn this over. There is one thing I would like to say on the way out the door, and that is I have been, am now and forever shall be a U.S. Marine. Semper Fidelis.

Under Jensens com-mand, MCIEAST has undergone various radi-cal changes, both aboard MCB Camp Lejeune and the other installations from Marine Corps Air Facility Quantico, Va., down to Marine Corps Support Facility Blount Island in Jacksonville, Fla. He has overseen more than 135 military con-struction projects valued at more than $3 billion, as well as a $300 million regional energy plan that featured the landfill-gas-to-energy project aboard Marine Corps Logistics Base Albany, Ga., and the installation of solar and thermal panels on housing units aboard MCB Camp Lejeune.

During the retirement portion of the ceremony, Jensen was awarded a Dis-tinguished Service Medal, certificates of appreciation from President Barack Obama and Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus, and the Order of the Longleaf Pine from Bev Perdue, governor of North Caro-lina, making Jensen an ambassador extraordi-nary of North Carolina.

We served together for two of the three years I was here, and I couldnt have asked for a better neigh-bor, said Lt. Gen. Den-nis J. Hejlik, commanding general of Fleet Marine Forces Atlantic, Marine Corps Bases Atlantic and United States Marine Corps Forces Command, of Jensen when he served as CG of II Marine Expe-ditionary Force. He has compassion and a sincere appreciation for all the Marines under his com-mand, and since his first assignment as a ground

safety officer (with Marine Light Helicopter Squad-ron 167, Marine Aircraft Group 29, 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing), he has continuously stood out among his peers.

Gorry, who comes into the position as commander of MCIEAST, holds four college degrees with a dis-tinguished Marine Corps career that began in 1986 as a ground supply officer with Brigade Service Sup-port Group 1, 1st Marine Expeditionary Brigade. Gorry comes to MCB Camp Lejeune following his previous assignment as the director of the Com-mand and Staff College, Marine Corps University.

I am honored to take command of such a pres-tigious position following Maj. Gen. Jensen, said Gorry. I am excited to lead you all and will en-sure the highest levels of support are given to the various tenant commands aboard the base.

Following the speeches, the past and current com-manders of MCIEAST were invited to stand next to Gorry for a pass and re-view of the troops. Jensen and Gorry were joined by retired Maj. Gen. Robert C. Dickerson, first CG of MCIEAST from 2005 through 2008. Col. Dan-iel J. Lecce, commanding officer of MCB Camp Lejeune, led his troops representing MCB Camp Lejeune past the three with Col. Jeffrey M. Hewl-ett, commanding officer of MCAS New River, fol-lowing with Marines from the air station.

With the evenings cer-emony concluded, Jensen readies himself to return to the private sector in Alex-andria, Va., as Gorry steps up to take custody of in-stallation support for more than 232,000 military, fed-eral employees and family members along the East Coast. Though Jensen is leaving the main gate of MCB Camp Lejeune for the last time as an active-duty Marine, he plans to retire in the spirit of his service as MCIEAST con-tinues with a new leader.

Photo by Cpl. Jonathan G. Wright(From left to right) Col. Thomas A. Gorry, brigadier general select, incoming commander of Marine Corps Installations East; Maj. Gen. Carl B. Jensen, outgoing commanding general of MCIEAST and retired Maj. Gen. Robert C. Dickerson, fi rst CG of MCIEAST, stand during a pass and review of troops following the MCIEAST change of command ceremony and Jensens retirement at the 2nd Marine Logistics Group Amphitheater, July 22.

MCIEAST Commanding General relinquishes command, retires

JULY 22 SEPT. 15

Photo by Lance Cpl. Daniel A. WetzelPresident Barack Obama awards Sgt. Dakota Meyer the Medal of Honor, Sept. 15. Meyer is the fi rst living Marine recipient of the Medal of Honor for actions in Iraq or Afghanistan.

President presents Medal of Honor to Marine

THE GLOBE, CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. 4A DECEMBER 22, 2011

CPL. DAMANY S. COLEMANMarine Corps Base Camp Lejeune

The first lady of the Unit-ed States, Michelle Obama, and Dr. Jill Biden, wife of Vice President Joe Biden, visited service members and their families aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, to kick-off their Joining Forces campaign, at the Goettge Memorial Field House, April 13.

The Joining Forces cam-paign is a national initiative that gets all sectors of soci-ety involved in providing service members and their families the opportunities they deserve.

According to the cam-paigns website, Obama and Bidens drive comes from the simple fact that service members represent only one percent of the nations population. However, ser-vice members take on the responsibility to protect and serve the entire nation under any circumstances, often missing birthdays, an-niversaries, graduations and so many of the daily mo-ments they enjoy with their loved ones.

You go about your business every day, lifting up your communities, vol-unteering at your schools, lending a hand to your neighbors, said Biden. You do it all while carrying

a heavier burden than most folks can imagine. You are truly remarkable.

Biden, whose son is a soldier in the Delaware Na-tional Guard, added that she and the first lady were impressed at the cohesion between the base and the community, which is one of the reasons why MCB Camp Lejeune was their first stop on the Joining Forces campaign.

The people in the sur-rounding MCB Camp Leje-une community who are supporting our troops and their families are showing all Americans there are count-less ways to help, some large and many small, but all are important, said Biden. I can tell you, from personal experience, they all appre-ciate it. Thats why the first lady and I are here today, because we need all Ameri-cans to support our military families the way you do it here.

Obama opened her speech by highlighting some of the sacrifices that mili-tary families go through. All the while, these families keep an unbroken level of support and love for their troops.

While all of this is enough to fill any familys plate, yours is also full of so much more, said Obama. It includes everything that comes with having a family member in the military and

America needs to know.Obama added that most

Americans are unaware that with each move to a new base or station, it means yet another school for the mili-tary familys kids and a new job for the spouse.

With each deployment, you run your household by yourself and you watch as your kids grow up just a little bit faster because mom or dad is away, said Obama. And night after night, you pray that the next newscast or the next knock on the door will bring only good news. You do it all with such dignity, with such grace, that most Americans dont even realize what youre going through.

Obama said that military families are so good at func-tioning under these unique circumstances that its al-most like theyre wearing camouflage, even though they arent the ones on the battlefield.

People cant always see your special brand of service because you dont wear it on your sleeve, said Obama.

U.S. Senator Kay Hagan, D - N.C., and also the Armed Service Subcommit-tee on Emerging Threats and Capabilities chairwom-an, said that she, like Biden and Obama, honor the sac-rifices that these military men and women do every day. One of the reasons the

troops are able to sacrifice so readily is because of their families enduring support.

Behind each and every (service member) is a fam-ily, said Hagan. Whether its a husband or wife, son or daughter, those are the ones that make it easy for these service members to do their jobs in our mili-tary. I think being here in North Carolina, where we are such a military friendly state, we need to have the rest of the nation look at us for the good job were doing for our troops and increase it even more.

The senator added that her plan of action to aid in the campaign is to cre-ate a bill called the Hire a Hero Act, which provides more job opportunities for spouses and service mem-bers transitioning out of the military.

We need to do anything that we can do to encour-age business, said Hagan. Thats why Im working on the bill, which will give small businesses up to a $4,000 in credit if they hire a veteran, (member of the) National Guard or a reserv-ist. The other big factor is the education benefit. The spouses are very apprecia-tive of that and using it to further their educations.

Capt. James Smolucha, Company H executive of-ficer with the School of Infantry - East, said he had

high hopes for Hagans Hir-ing for Heroes program.

I think its going to be a great program, said Smolu-cha. It gives (service mem-bers who get out) something to start with. When they do get out, theyre going to need to continue to support their family, especially in to-days economy.

Smolucha added that he was privileged that the first lady, Biden and Sena-tor Hagan took the time to come out and speak to MCB Camp Lejeunes ser-vice members.

I know they have a very busy schedule, so I think it shows a big commitment on their part to come down and actually talk to us, said

Smolucha. This is a very tight community, between the civilians and the military personnel. Its always great to hear praises, but for us, were just doing our jobs.

Col. Grover Lewis, MCB Camp Lejeune director of public safety, enjoyed the visit as well and believes the Joining Forces campaign will provide a much brighter future for the areas military community.

The visit was great, said Lewis. It was a good experience for the Marines, sailors and their families. The initiatives that Mrs. Obama, Senator Hagan and Dr. Biden brought out will do volumes for this military community of ours.

Joining Forces campaign makes fi rst stop at Camp Lejeune

CPL. JONATHAN G. WRIGHTMarine Corps Base Camp Lejeune

Before stepping down from his position as the United States secretary of defense this June, Robert Gates spoke to Marines and sailors of the II Ma-rine Expeditionary Force about the future of the Marine Corps in America and in overseas operations at the Base Theater aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, May 12.

After having served as the secretary of defense for the past four and a half years, Gates is slated to re-tire and relinquish his posi-tion to current CIA director, Leon Panetta. Gates visited MCB Camp Lejeune for the last time to personally speak with the nations tip of the spear, while also conducting a closed-door meeting with troops from 2nd Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Di-vision, who just recently re-turned from deployment to Marjah, Afghanistan. His visit to MCB Camp Leje-une is one in a string of military installations Gates is to visit within the month before retirement.

America has leaned heavily on the Marine Corps for the past decade and shall continue to do so in the future, said Gates.

Its because the Marines are always ready, and for all your victories from An-bar to Helmand (provinces) and the sacrifices you and your families make daily, I thank you.

Before arriving on main-side to address the troops, Gates toured the Tarawa Terrace housing communi-ty aboard the base to survey the recent tornado damage that ravaged the area on the night of April 16. Col. Daniel Lecce, command-ing officer of MCB Camp Lejeune, briefed Gates on the devastated areas as well as what has been done to aid those residents affected by the storm.

Lecce, Gates and Lt. Gen. John Paxton, com-manding general of II MEF, then visited the TTI Primary School, which has since been closed due to damages incurred by the storm. Although a man who oversees the defense of the country on a daily basis, Gates looked at the storm-swept hallways and rooms of the school with awe and pity.

(Gates) head and heart have always been with the Marines and their families for the past five years, said Paxton.

After departing Tarawa Terrace, Gates continued his base tour at the Base Theater where the Marines and sailors eagerly awaited

his address.You are the best the na-

tion has to offer, said Gates. As former Commandant of the Marine Corps (Gen.) Carl Mundy once said, Ex-peditionary is not a mission - Its a mindset, and the things you do reminds me every moment of every day what you accomplish.

Gates then took ques-tions from the audience, answering queries and con-cerns from topics ranging from the downsizing of troops in Afghanistan to the upcoming budget cuts to current operations in Libya and Americas relationship to the warring rebels.

It is very evident that the world is an unstable place and we cannot predict where we will be deploying to next, said Gates in re-sponse to a question geared toward the Corps future after withdrawal from Af-ghanistan. However, we will always need our mili-tary security, and as we face the current budget pressure, our military capabilities will not weaken.

Although Gates spent an hour at the theater speak-ing to the various elements of II MEF, those in atten-dance were able to make their concerns about the Corps known and were as-sured that no matter what is to come in the future, there will always be a need for the Marine Corps.

Photo by Cpl. Jonathan G. WrightSecretary of Defense Robert Gates (left) speaks with Col. Daniel Lecce, commanding offi cer of Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, after touring the damaged Tarawa Terrace Elementary School aboard the housing community before a visit to the base, May 12.

Secretary Gates speaks to Marines, sailors during visit to Camp Lejeune

LANCE CPL. VICTOR BARRERAMarine Corps Base Camp Lejeune

Amid a standing ova-tion, Sgt. Maj. Carlton Kent, the 16th sergeant major of the Marine Corps, stepped into the Goettge Memorial Field House to talk to the Ma-rine Corps Base Camp Lejeune Marines he rep-resents and speaks for April 20.

The visit was part of his farewell tour as he prepares to hand over the reins as sergeant major of the Marine Corps to Sgt. Maj. Micheal Bar-rett, who is currently the sergeant major for 1st Marine Division, MCB Camp Pendleton, Calif.

During his meeting with the Marines, Kent took time to thank the Marines for their service and announced that he will retire June 9. He also spoke about what is go-ing on in the Corps and what the future may hold for Marines.

He also pumped up the Marines spirits when he told them about his travels overseas.

You are truly living up to the war-fighting legacy of our Corps today and we are still making Marines like we did when I first stepped onto those yellow footprints in (Ma-rine Corps Recruit De-pot) Parris Island, (S.C.) in 1975, said Kent. We are a war fighting orga-nization and thats what separates us from every other service in the world. Were the finest and most feared in the world all because of Marines and sailors like you that make it that way.

Kent also added that he and the commandant are often told by other nations militaries that the Marine Corps is the finest and professional military theyve ever en-countered.

Another topic that many Marines talk about is the downsizing in the Marine Corps. Kent as-sured the Marines attend-ing that the commandant will not reduce numbers until the Marine Corps is out of combat operations. However, to put an end to the rumor mill, the cut

will not be from 202,000 to 147,000, instead the cut is expected to be about 186,800 Marines.

Throughout the speech, Kent repeatedly spoke of the many great things that the Marines were doing throughout the world, be it guarding embassies, training for-eign militaries or fighting the war in Afghanistan.

Marines are doing things that no other ser-vice can do in Afghani-stan. They are building the confidence in the Arab people, they have the en-emy on the run. They dont want to engage Ma-rines because they know we run to the sound of guns, said Kent. Its because of that, that the southern part of Afghani-stan is building up, posi-tive things are happening there that werent hap-pening prior to having Marines there.

Another topic that is constantly being talked about was also addressed suicide. Kent said even though it is statistically a good year, it could be better. The Marine Corps has had 17 less suicides, but there were around 30 suicides last year. Kent asked the Marines to keep doing what they were doing and that the leadership needed to en-sure that they would keep taking care of Marines.

Hold those forma-tions every day so you can keep on looking your Marines eye-to-eye, go to the (Bachelor Enlisted Quarters) to include the weekends, said Kent. I can remember coming up as a young Marine when we lived in squad bays and we were very close. You smelled your buddys toes, you tell him to clean them, and you guys were buddies for life as long as he kept his toes clean. The leader-ship used to come to the squad bays, take us out to the beer garden and we would barbeque with the staff noncommissioned officers and NCOs that didnt live in the barracks and they got to know us on a personal level.

After the sergeant ma-jor of the Marine Corps was done with his speech, he opened the floor up to any Marines that wanted

to ask him questions, be it personal or a topic that would affect all Marines.

One of the questions that was asked regarded a recent article in the Ma-rine Corps Times about females in the infantry. After a resounding com-motion, Kent gave the Marine the answer.

It wont happen in the Marine Corps, said Kent. I just spoke at a first sergeants course in Quantico, (Va.) where they had great female first sergeants in the course where one asked that same question. I asked them what they thought. Everyone ex-cept one said no. They all gave me reasons why. Hy-giene, we have Marines right now who havent taken showers in two and a half months. Second thing, the body structure is different. Yes we have female Marines, I know one who can do 40 dead-hang pull-ups, but if you look at the gear the in-fantry units carry, that is heavy.

Culture also plays an important role in the fe-males in the infantry de-bate. When women are in danger, mans instinct is to protect them which can cause Marines to lose focus in the squad.

A question rose from a Marine in the crowd about any new or upcom-ing professional military education. Kent stated that more PMEs are com-ing as well as changes and that the commandant is also pushing for it. For staff NCOs, there are also more upcoming courses, some of which involve college. A number of first sergeants and master ser-geants are also being sent to the Armys Sergeant Major Academy. Kent also added that in the fu-ture, the Marine Corps will also have a mixed-martial arts program.

One Marine in the crowd asked if rumors were true that the Marine Corps recruit training was getting easier and if drill instructors were not allowed to yell or knife hand anymore.

The commandant and I just visited (Marine Corps Recruit Depot) San

Sgt. Maj. Kent bids farewell

SEE FAREWELL 11A

Photo by Cpl. Damany S. ColemanMichelle Obama, fi rst lady of the United States of America, speaks to service members and members of the community during the Joining Forces campaign kick-off at the Goettge Memorial Field House aboard the base, April 13.

APRIL 13

MAY 12

APRIL 20

The Globe, Camp lejeune, n.C.

DeCember 22, 2011 5A

I enlisted in the United States Navy when I was 19 years old. Six years of

serving my country around the world taught me dedication, integrity and

honesty. After leaving the military, those skills helped me graduate with

honors in Biochemistry and Biology. Those values were what I looked for

in an employer. I found them at Walgreens.

As a Walgreens pharmacist, I work to establish a trusting relationship

with all of my customers and I try to go above and beyond when

serving military families. I understand the sacrifices they have to make,

and I want them to know they are appreciated.

One sacrifice our military families should not have to make is losing the

long-standing relationships many of them have with their Walgreens

pharmacist. But after 100 years, Walgreens bond with the military is

being threatened by a pharmacy benefit manager named Express Scripts.

Thats why more than 250,000 Americans have signed a petition to keep

Walgreens in the Department of Defenses TRICARE network.

Because of our dedication to serving those who have defended us,

Walgreens has made an ironclad guarantee to Express Scripts that our prices

would match or beat the average costs of all other retail pharmacies on a

comparable basis. Unfortunately, Express Scripts is unwilling to accept

Walgreens offer, and as a result Americas active and retiredmilitary

personnel and their families will be denied access toWalgreens pharmacies.

Express Scripts decision will cost our customers time, money and their

trusted family pharmacist. It will cost me my ability to continue serving

those who serve our country. It is my hope that Express Scripts changes

course, remembers who we should be dedicated to, and listens to the over

250,000 military men and women, and their families and supporters, who

deserve to have the choice of Walgreens.

Sincerely,

Ray Hernandez

Walgreens Pharmacist

An open letter to

America

s leaders

and veterans

Go to www.ichoosewalgreens.com, sign the petition

and join more than 250,000 Americans who have

made their voices heard.

t

THE GLOBE, CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. 6A DECEMBER 22, 2011

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GUNNERY SGT. BRYCE PIPER26th Marine Expeditionary Unit

Marines fired the first rounds using the Expedition-ary Fire Support System dur-ing combat operations, Jan. 29. In support of the Inter-national Security Assistance Force, Marines with Battery F, Battalion Landing Team 3rd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, 26th Marine Ex-peditionary Unit, Regimen-tal Combat Team 2, fired the new 120mm mortar system from Combat Outpost Ouel-lette, Helmand province, Af-ghanistan.

Ive got a good group of guys, said Sgt. Jason McIl-wain, section chief with Battery F who was part of the team that fired the first round. The four-man team also included Cpl. Donald Schaeffer, recorder with gun 2, Cpl. Kent Smith, gunner with gun 2, and Lance Cpl. Gavin King.

The first rounds fired from EFSS in support of combat operations was a M1105 illumination pro-jectile, used to light an area occupied by snipers at-tached to Company I, BLT 3rd Battalion, 8th Marines. Illumination denies any enemy concealment in darkness and deters night-time emplacement of im-provised explosive devices.

We stood this battery up in March of 2009, said Gunnery Sgt. Jeremey Black, battery gunnery sergeant. Black explained that his Ma-rines have refined their skills in the time since. Once they get the mission on the gun-line, they can fire six rounds a minute - one about every 10 or 15 seconds.

Expeditionary Fire Sup-port System is the third leg in a triad of land-based fire support for expeditionary operations that also includes the lightweight 155mm Howitzer and high mobility artillery rocket system. The

highly-mobile EFSS can be towed by ground vehicles or transported by MV-22 Osprey tiltrotor aircraft and CH-53E Super Stallion helicopters, allowing expe-ditionary Marines with a Marine Air-Ground Task Force to quickly establish supporting fires in a variety of situations.

Battalion Landing Team 3rd Battalion, 8th Marines deployed to Helmand prov-ince to establish and main-tain security in support of the International Security Assistance Force. The se-curity the Marines provide will neutralize insurgent net-works and support develop-ment projects, allowing the Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan to foster socio-economic de-velopment in the area.

It felt good, said McIlwain. Im excited to be part of history. Being the first to shoot the EFSS system in combat is a good feeling.

Photo by Gunnery Sgt. Bryce PiperAn Expeditionary Fire Support System belonging to Battery F, Battalion Landing Team 3rd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit, Regimental Combat Team 2, is towed by a mine-resistant, armor-protected vehicle aboard Combat Outpost Ouellette, Helmand province, Afghanistan, Jan. 29.

Mortar system goes to war, fi res fi rst combat rounds JAN. 29 | HELMAND PROVINCE, AFGHANISTAN

Photo by Gunnery Sgt. Bryce Piper

Marines with Battery F, Company I, Battalion Landing Team 3rd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit, Regimental Combat Team 2, fi re the Expeditionary Fire Support System 120mm Mortar at Combat Outpost Ouellette, Helmand province, Afghanistan, Jan. 29.

THE GLOBE, CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. DECEMBER 22, 2011 7A

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It all happened so fast. As the point man rounded the corner, an improvised explosive device detonated right in front of him. With-in seconds, he was hit in the thigh from enemy fire coming from a building nearby, and a villager close by had both his legs blown off. Now came the mo-ment of truth. The squad leader from 3rd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, had to make a decision and fast. Would he go in and rescue the wounded civil-ian, return fire, assault the building or retreat to a safer location?

Such was the scenario a squad of Marines from 3rd Bn., 8th Marines en-countered when they went through the new Infantry Immersion Trainer, aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, Oct. 20.

The personnel in charge of the Infantry Immersion Trainer wanted to show commanders, many of who were in charge of infantry units, what the IIT was ca-pable of and the benefits it had for squad leaders.

Company commanders

go through a lot of training and instruction prior to being in charge of a com-pany, said Vince Soto, site lead of IIT. Now fast-for-ward to (Operation Endur-ing Freedom) and what we have is a squad leader do-ing the same functions that that company commander did with a fraction of the training. Now you have a squad leader out there mak-ing decisions at a tactical level that could have impli-cations on a strategic and operational level, without the education and training that weve provided for our captains.

What the IIT is de-

signed to do is allow that squad leader to take ev-erything he has at his dis-posal, put it into training and conduct offensive and defensive operations in a counter insurgency envi-ronment before he goes to Mojave Viper at Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms, Calif., and then into a de-ployed environment.

The focus of Mojave Viper training is at the bat-talion and regimental lev-el, said Soto. So the focus of the squad leader is kind of (missing). This is the last place he will get to solely focus on the squad leader

to do his job with all his en-ablers and it will be part of their pre-deployment train-ing in the late Block Two early Block Three area.

The IIT contains both simulators and live Af-ghan role-players, who are brought in from Califor-nia to act out villager and insurgent roles. It is an ac-tive village, complete with smells of spices, meat and dust.

While the IIT is new to MCB Camp Lejeune, it is not new to the Marine Corps. Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton was the first base to have an IIT where squad leaders could

hone their skills. Marine Corps Base Camp Leje-une took the best of MCB Camp Pendletons indoor and outdoor trainers and combined it into one state-of-the-art facility.

This training is vital to the tactical success of a squad in combat whether theyre in a conventional or counter insurgency en-vironment, said Soto. These Marines can and do have an influence and their decisions that can im-pact war.

Scenarios for the IIT are limitless. Although some scenarios can be similar, it is the decisions that the squad

leaders make that turn each training event into its own unique scenario. After a run-through, the Marines can get instantaneous feed-back from the enemy and friendly perspective, as well as anything Sotos men see the Marines can improve on.

This is very, very close to a deployed environment minus the actual rounds flying, said Soto. Here, we can replicate sounds, smell, sight and culture. If I want, I can make an-IED area smell like freshly turned dirt. Its the best training available for any squad leader.

Camp Lejeune opens fi rst East Coast Infantry Immersion Trainer

OCT. 20

Photo by Pvt. Victor A. BarreraA Marine sets up security as a squad leader (back right) interacts with village elders, during 3rd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Divisions training evolution at the Infantry Immersion Trainer, aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune.

CPL. JONATHAN G. WRIGHTMarine Corps Base Camp Lejeune

On June 22, 1944, in the wake of World War II, then-President Franklin Roosevelt signed into law the Service-mens Readjustment Act, more commonly known as the G.I. Bill. This allowed WWII veterans the opportunity to attend college for free, as well as granted them one year of unemployment compensation.

After the war, they went to college, received an education and went on to run this country, said Maj. Gen. Carl Jensen, commanding general for Marine Corps Installations East.

Jensen said this to Charles Steger, president of the Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University in Blacksburg, Va., during a visit there in support of the Leadership Scholar Pro-gram, an initiative designed to help veteran Marines and sail-ors gain easier access into college, May 2.

Jensen and David Schock, regional school liaison with MCIEAST, visited three Virginia colleges during Jensens signing of memorandums of understanding with each of the colleges principals, those of Longwood University in Farmville, James Madison University in

Harrisonburg and Virginia Tech.We would love to get more Marine veterans here, said

Patrick Finnegan, president of Longwood University. We stress leadership on our campus, and were sure that the Marines will step up after the influence their service had on them.

Since its beginning last October for MCIEAST, the LSP

has allowed applicants an ease of access into multiple North and South Carolina colleges, now reaching out to other states institutions.

It gives the Marine applicants an accelerated means of being accepted into their schools, said Schock. They wont have to worry about competing with other students to be ac-cepted or not.

Active-duty Marines and sailors interested in utilizing the LSP need to provide an application package to the Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune Life Long Learning Education Center with certified copies of their SMART transcripts, pag-es 3, 11 and 12 of their service record book, ROS, BIR, BTR, Awards Page, and Education Record, letters of recommenda-tion, SAT/ACT scores and transcripts and a 250-word essay outlining the reason for their admittance to college and their educational goals.

Those interested in the program but already in possession of a bachelors degree or pursuing a graduate degree are not able to enroll. Each college dictates the number of applicants allowed to enroll, so service members are encouraged to check on the prospective colleges website for the limit.

The Marine Corps prides itself on taking young men and women and making them better people overall, said Jensen. And for their service to our country, what better opportunity to provide them with than to give them back to the public sec-tor with a good education.

When paid for by the Montgomery G.I. bill or the Post/911 G.I. bill, those interested in participating in the LSP are en-couraged to try. While each college has their enrollee limit, a possibly free college education made easier by the program should appeal to the service member in search of a college education.

While this program started for North Carolina colleges, we obviously have a lot of Marines and sailors come from outside the state who want to enroll in their own college, said Jensen. Thats why we are branching out to other states colleges, and hopefully get this going all over the nation.

For more information about enrolling with the LSP, contact the Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune Life Long Learning Education Center at 449-9748, or visit the pro-gram website at leadershipscholarprogram.com.

THE GLOBE, CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. 8A DECEMBER 22, 2011

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Photo by Cpl. Jonathan G. WrightMaj. Gen. Carl Jensen (right), commanding general of Marine Corps Installations East, signs a memorandum of understanding with Charles Steger, president of the Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University in Blacksburg, Va., during a visit there in support of the Leadership Scholar Program, an initiative designed in helping veteran Marines and sailors gain easier access into college, May 2.

Jensen travels to Jensen travels to Virginia for Leadership Virginia for Leadership Scholar Program Scholar Program

MAY 5

The Globe, Camp lejeune, n.C.

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THE GLOBE, CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. 10A DECEMBER 22, 2011

from the countrys ruler. Using two AV/8B Harriers, two MV-22 Ospreys

and two CH-53E Super Stallion helicopters carrying a quick reaction force, the MCB Camp Lejeune-based Marines conducted a Tactical Recovery of Aircraft and Personnel mission to recover the pilot.

The Marine aircraft began launching off the USS Kearsarge, which was roughly 130 nautical miles from the pilot - within 30 minutes of the crash - according to a senior Marine officer in the Pentagon.

Marine officials attributed the quick reaction time to the versatility of the Osprey. "Total time from launch to return - 90 minutes roundtrip. That's what an Osprey gets you, that speed," the official said.

According to official reports, the Harriers close-air support element dropped two laser-guided 500-pound bombs in the area in support of the downed pilot. One Osprey landed and extracted the pilot.

Once extracted, the aircraft returned to the USS Kearsarge with the pilot. Navy Lt. Lauren A. Weber, a doctor with the 26th MEU, said the pilot returned in good condition.

The cause of the crash is still under investigation and the names of the pilots will be released pending next-of-kin notification.

The recovery force remains on standby while avia-tion assets are conducting operations in any environ-ment. All seven Marine expeditionary units are trained, equipped and ready to conduct similar missions when called upon.

homes in order to allow life to get back to nor-mal. We are giving the people an opportunity to live in peace, something they have not had in years.

The Taliban was well-anchored in the area surrounding the dam, creating a significant security threat for any con-tractors willing to work in the area and local residents.

Recent opposition by local tribal leaders had devel-oped toward insurgent activities in the area. This dis-sension is believed to be from the heavy taxation the Taliban had imposed on local Afghans who used the resources provided by the dam.

The Kajaki Dam is the main power source for Sangin and most of the Upper Sangin Valley. Originally con-structed in 1953 as a result of an irrigation project by the United States Agency for International Development, re-cent reconstruction efforts have been slow and difficult. Security will enable repairs to existing power grids as well as improvements to the irrigation system.

We have an opportunity to improve the irrigation sys-tem for the farmers with limited investment, said Crapa-rotta. Security and overall quality of life will change in

the coming months.Task Force Leatherneck made many efforts to warn area

insurgents through leaflet drops and radio messaging. These communication methods were used to give insurgents a chance to reintegrate with the Government of Afghanistan.

The insurgents knew we were coming but they didnt know when or how, said Craparotta. The Marines in the field, fighting side-by-side with our Afghan partners overwhelmed the enemy. What is left of the insurgent force has probably withdrawn to the north.

Editors Note: 2nd Marine Division (Forward) heads Task Force Leatherneck, which serves as the ground combat element of Regional Command (Southwest) and works in partnership with the Afghan National Security Forces and the Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan to conduct counterinsurgency operations. The unit is dedicated to securing the Afghan people, de-feating insurgent forces, and enabling ANSF assumption of security responsibilities within its area of operations in order to support the expansion of stability, develop-ment and legitimate governance.

LEATHERNECK FROM 1A LIBYA FROM 1A

Photo by Lance Cpl. Michael S. LockettQuick Reaction Force Marines with Company B, Battalion Landing Team, 1st Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit, line the walls of the ramp to the fl ight deck and serve as another MEU capability able to respond to a variety of missions, March 22.

NOV. 23 | HELMAND PROVINCE, AFGHANISTAN

CPL. JEFF DREW2nd Marine Division (Forward)

Sailors and Marines with 1st Battalion, 9th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division (For-ward) slipped from the

relative warmth of their sleeping bags, braving the morning chill, and began to prepare for the day. The fi-nal day of the Nawa Victory Walk was upon them, and the Marines were excited to finish the four-day, 30-mile patrol. The trek brought to-gether Lt. Col. Tyler Zagurski, the battalion commander, and Afghan Lt. Col. Gul Ahmad, the kandak commander of 1st Kandak, 1st Bri-gade, 215th Corps, in a patrol across the district to promote confidence in Afghan security forces and talk to residents.

Cpl. Matthew Noel rose from the ground and gave his bomb-sniffing dog, Sgt. Ringo, a pat on the head. Ringo had slept comfort-ably on the cot while his owner chose the cold ground, a testament

to the dedication Noel has for his dogs health and performance. Noel dressed quickly, shook the cold from his bones, joined the other Marines, and stepped out the front gate of Patrol Base Khara-man.

Ringo was taking the morning off and rode in a vehicle at Noels recommendation. In the past three days, Ringo had helped lead the patrol, searching for improvised explosive devices for more than 25 miles.

He needed a little bit more time to cool down, said Noel. I dont think any dog has gone this far in this short of a time span. Its a lot for a dog. The average IED dog can work for (a time determined by) how hot it is and if there is wa-ter in the canals where the dog can cool off. If theres water, he can go all day. A lot of that has to do with the conditioning of the animal and how well you take care of him. I had time to build his stamina and his endurance, which has helped out a lot.

Noel said patrolling without Ringo was different and uncom-fortable. It feels like youre walk-ing around and you dont have your weapon, he explained. Noel also mentioned the benefits of a well-rested animal.

If the dog gets winded, any-thing he passes he may not check, and youre really putting yourself and everybody else thats behind you in danger, said Noel. I dont want to be responsible for that.

The final day marked the short-est distance the Afghan National Army soldiers and Marines would cover. They passed cornfields and canals, meeting with local Afghan residents and taking time to hear their concerns along the way. The men made one stop at Patrol Base Kochnay Prong, where key lead-ers joined Afghan security forces to enjoy tea. Rested and relaxed, the Marines and Afghan soldiers made their final movement to Pa-trol Base Norzai, where the Nawa Victory walk drew to a close.

The walk was a success. I think

we saw a lot of people and they saw us, and the fact that we were able to walk the distance of a very long district in relative security and visit with other security positions it highlighted the level of coop-eration we see in Nawa between the (Afghan) army and the police, said Zagurski. We were greeted and welcomed at every position, even impromptu stops led to of-fers of lunch. We stopped and had food several times with important elders and other members of the community who welcomed securi-ty forces with open arms into their homes, offering respite, rest, chai, and good conversation.

When the security forces ar-rived at Norzai, they realized what they had accomplished. Over the course of four days, the Afghan soldiers and Marines met with residents in the district, heard their concerns, and demonstrated the discipline and motivation of Afghan security forces.

It was a sense of satisfaction to see a mostly Afghan National Se-

curity Forces patrol walking with relative security through the streets of Nawa, enjoying the people and enjoying visiting other ANSF posts, said Zagurski. I took a backseat to nearly every engage-ment we made I wasnt the high-light of the patrol. It was ANSF-led, and the people recognized that. There is a sense of satisfaction as we step back one level and we al-low our ANSF partners to take the lead responsibility. I saw them take that step they werent hesitant at all to take the lead. Whether it was the clinic ground-breaking, engage-ment with elders or discussion in the market, our ANSF partnership stepped right up to the role of lead responsibility and the people are accepting that.

Editors note: This is the final installment in a four-part series chronicling a trek across Nawa district called the Nawa Victory Walk, a four-day, 30-mile patrol by Marines and Afghan National Army soldiers.

Photo by Cpl. Jeff Drew

Afghan National Army soldiers with 1st Kandak, 1st Brigade, 215th Corps, pose alongside Marines with 1st Battalion, 9th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division (Forward). The two units participated in the Nawa Victory Walk, a four-day, 30-mile patrol across the district to promote confi dence in Afghan security forces and engage local residents.

Victory in Nawa: Final chapterVictory in Nawa: Final chapter

Sgt. Maj. Barrett pays Camp Lejeune a visit JUNE 24

PVT. VICTOR BARRERAMarine Corps Base Camp Lejeune

Sgt. Maj. Micheal P. Barrett, the 17th sergeant major of the Marine Corps, paid his first visit to the service members of Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune during a tour throughout the Marine Corps East Coast installations, June 24.

Barretts first stop on MCB Camp Leje-une was the Wounded Warrior Battalion-East headquarters, where he met with wounded Marines and saw their day-to-day life.

During his visit, Barrett spoke to the Marines like a friend who has not seen the other in years. He asked them about their families, plans after the military, what col-leges they wanted to attend and whatever else was on their mind.

We talked about the benefits exer-cise has on the minds and how it reduces symptoms of Traumatic Brain Injury and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, said Chris Clark, a certified athletic trainer with the Warrior Athletic Reconditioning program of WWBn - East. Studies have shown that it changes the brain chemistry by decreas-ing anxiety, depression and night terrors, so we showed him how we encourage the wounded warriors to exercise at least three times a week for an hour each time.

Following his tour of the barracks, Barrett saw the new transition facility currently under construction near Naval Hospital Camp Lejeune. He then joined the wounded Marines for a lunch at the naval hospital.

Barretts final destination aboard MCB Camp Lejeune before attending the Ad-

vanced Infantry Training Battalions Change of Command ceremony aboard Camp Geiger was the Base Theater where he spoke to more than 200 Marines.

Ive already been asked countless times what I was inheriting by becoming the new sergeant major of the Marine Corps, said Barrett. I would tell them about Capt. Ademola Fabayo and Staff Sgt. Juan Ro-driguez-Chavez, two Marines who were recently awarded the Navy Cross at the Museum of the Marine Corps. Marine trainers and Afghan forces in the Kunar province, Afghanistan, were ambushed by 50 insurgents on three sides. Everyone went down, and multiple times these two Marines went in to help relieve pressure and each time grabbed a comrade-in-arms and took them out of there. So when Im asked what Im inheriting, I tell them ab-

solutely fearless Marines.After a brief speech about how proud

Barrett was of the Marines he represents, he took time to answer some questions from the crowd. One question that arose was regarding the new physical fitness test for women in the Marine Corps.

In an e-mail circulating in the Marine Corps, it specified that women would be required to do a 70-second flexed arm hang followed by six pull-ups to receive 100 points for that portion of the PFT.

Barrett assured the Marines that the e-mail was not the final draft of the new PFT, but that it is never too early to start prepar-ing for whatever the new standards will be.

Another topic that arose regarding fe-males was the concept of placing them in

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PUBLIC AFFAIRS OFFICE24th Marine Expeditionary Unit

In September 2010, Marines from the 15th Marine Expe-ditionary Unit boarded the cargo vessel Magellan Star to reclaim it from pirates in the Gulf of Aden the mission was a success.

In order to handle similar threats, Marines with the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit spent Dec. 4 through 7 training to capture vessels from enemy forces during three simulated Expanded Visit, Board, Search and Seizure, missions on the USNS Arctic.

Called VBSS for short, the mission is focused on gaining control of vessels while under-way at sea that may be under control of pirates or suspected of smuggling weapons. The ex-panded version of VBSS com-bines the ability to board a vessel simultaneously by using helicop-ter and boat.

Marines and sailors of the 24th MEUs Force Reconnais-sance platoon and security ele-ment, Headquarters and Service Company, Battalion Landing Team 1st Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, have been taking part in an extensive training pack-age to prepare and certify them to conduct VBSS missions. This exercise was the first chance the Marines were able to execute a full-scale mission onto another vessel while at sea.

The unique ability added by fast roping basically sliding down a rope from a hovering helicopter onto the ships deck gives the Marines flexibil-ity and confuses the uncoop-erative personnel on the target vessel.

Expanded VBSS masses forces and creates a dilemma to the person on board thats trying to defend against us, said Capt. Patrick Madden, the Force Reconnaissance platoon commander. We come aboard, maintain an initial foothold on the vessel, seize the bridge, seize the engine room at the end of the day our goal is to board the noncompliant vessel and make it compliant.

In each EVBSS mission, Ma-rines traveled from the USS Iwo Jima via helicopter and USS New York using Rigid-Hulled Inflatable Boats to board the USNS Arctic, which was labeled as a weapons smuggling ship for an insurgent faction in a fic-tional country. Once aboard, the Marines stalked room to room with those from the helicopter clearing top to bottom, while those boarding via boats cleared bottom to top, all while under the evaluation of instructors, ac-cording to Madden.

During the missions, Marines faced a variety of scenarios in-cluding finding suspected weap-ons caches and hostile pirates. Role players also acted as friend-ly civilian crew and hostile ene-

my forces, the latter often hiding in the ships dark crevices.

The intent for using role players is to provide an extra training aid. They provide the Marines the human aspect of the training. Some of the guys will have guns, some of the guys will be hostile, some of the guys will be clean, they dont know, said Sgt. Christopher Whited, a VBSS instructor with II Marine Expeditionary Force Headquar-ters Group Special Operations Training Group, the Marine Corps training cadre responsible for preparing a MEU for specific missions like VBSS before they deploy.

Some of the hostile role play-ers had something extra in store for the Marines as they boarded live paintball rounds that sting on impact and burst showing that a Marine has been shot. Such close quarters tactics were perfected prior to embarking on ship.

They did a five week shoot-ing package that taught them to become super proficient with their weapons, Carpenter said. When youre on ship, all these lines and all these gas hoses mean something. So when you shoot, you want to hit the target.

The VBSS force was also test-ed in its abilities to care for, and evacuate, casualties that were as-sessed in the lower decks of the ship, properly handle detainees and effectively search the ship for evidence.

As the 24th MEU prepares for

its deployment next year, they are taking to heart the lessons learned from the 15th MEU and from their extensive training be-cause the piracy threat continues throughout regions of the world they will deploy to.

Piracy is a real-world threat, said Capt. Robert Carpenter, the senior instructor for VBSS with the SOTG, II MEF. Piracy is happening more than the aver-age American knows about.

The VBSS training is a smaller

part of Composite Training Unit Exercise, that took place Nov. 28 to Dec. 21. COMPTUEX is meant to test the 24th MEU and Amphibious Squadron 8 in con-ducting various missions they could face while deployed. The exercise is focused on building cohesion between the 24th MEU and PHIBRON 8 in conducting amphibious operations, crisis re-sponse, and limited contingency operations while operating from the sea.

took many residents by surprise as it cut diag-onally across the housing area, demolishing everything in its path.

The tornado came down, hopped ran-domly across to other houses before jumping the gate and terrorizing Jacksonville residents. There was heavy damage and many injuries reported for the area, to include a 23 month-old toddler in base housing who was medi-cally evacuated to Pitt County Memorial Hospital in Greenville, N.C., and people from the community stepped up to the plate.

Its like the Marine ethos, whatever it is, its this courage that makes them go in with-out really thinking about it, said Lecce, re-ferring to the story of two service members who helped save the life of the toddler who was ripped from his mothers arms during the tornado. The roof of the house was sev-ered off and the child was underneath (it). Those men lifted the roof up and pulled that child out. They saved that childs life without question.

More than 10 Tarawa Terrace homes were completely destroyed and nearly 60 houses sustained significant structural damage. With-in a day, emergency teams had cleared roads of downed power lines, and Marine working parties worked side by side with civilian vol-unteers to help pick up rubble and debris that littered the area.

We went out to the Piney Green Emer-gency Operation Center, and there were hun-dreds of Marines helping in that community, also, said Lecce.

Atlantic Marine Corps Community staff were available in the Tarawa Terrace area to help process claims and offer any support needed. Base officials used social media web-

sites to help get the word out about what resi-dents needed to do to process claims, where they could find claims counseling, financial assistance and general legal assistance.

On June 19, another small wildfire de-veloped into one of the largest fires North Carolina would face in 2011. The fire, which officials determined had been started by a lightning strike, grew from a small blaze to burning more than 4,800 acres in a matter of days.

Within a week, the fire consumed more than 31,000 acres, and the residual smoke prompted health concerns. The base and sur-rounding areas were in low-quality air condi-tions for weeks afterward and visibility was reduced for motorists.

The fire was tremendously dangerous, be-cause it was so big, so intense and moving so quickly, said Lecce. Our wild land firefight-ers were literally right in the middle of that fire and I think they did a tremendous job.

By Aug. 1, the fire was still smoldering and 92 percent contained.

As the month progressed, base person-nel braced themselves for another round of Mother Natures wrath Hurricane Irene. In the weeks before it hit, base officials met to dis-cuss shelters, evacuation plans and resources. Marines who live in bachelor enlisted quarters filled sand bags for days and laid them out in front of the first floor doors in order to prevent water damage.

Theres not much to do once its here, but before, thats where you make your money, and I think we really did that, said Lecce. We took some hits, but no injuries and no deaths, so I think we fared very well.

Many areas lost power, and structural sid-ing, while loose garbage cans and debris cre-ated dangerous road conditions, but the Jack-

sonville community emergency services were out most of the following morning clearing the areas, and base emergency services close-ly monitored the roads aboard MCB Camp Lejeune to prevent any dangerous incidents.

The best you can do is exercise it, but we went beyond that because weve actually ap-plied it in real-world situations, said Lecce, referring to disaster preparation. We have a very robust relationship with Onslow County and the city of Jacksonville and their emer-gency responders. We enjoy their support in every aspect. We have this reciprocal help agreement that allows us to exchange both equipment and personnel, but the first re-sponders in the field through all of these (di-sasters) did a remarkable job. They went in to harms way and they risked their lives doing very dangerous things.

Lecce added that the most challenging in-cident of 2011 was dealing with the tornado because it created havoc in the housing area.

Many of the families had someone de-ployed. They were all young families, and now their homes were completely destroyed, so they needed a lot of help, said Lecce. But the community really pulled together, and the USO (of North Carolina-Jacksonville), the Navy Marine Corps Relief Society, the Offi-cers Wives Club and the Staff Noncommis-sioned Officers Wives Club were all integral to that. In two weeks, we were almost com-pletely back to normal.

Despite the numerous weather anomalies that impacted MCB Camp Lejeune, Col. Lecce doesnt feel 2011 will be remembered for them, exclusively.

I think what people will remember is how we as a community both Marine, civilian, on base and off base, rose to the occasion in each one of those came back stronger and

better. Its really great to see. Its our persever-ance through such difficult times.

One of the topics Lecce is most proud of is the way the community has come togeth-er, not only through the disasters, but also through this austere fiscal time including the civilian hiring freeze.

Most civilian employees will do more than one because they have to cover down for a position that has been left vacant. If you were to come on base, there would be no real discernible difference, said Lecce. I think (it) is a huge tribute to this base and (its) em-ployees. They do tremendous work and that is what I am most proud of.

Looking ahead to 2012, Lecce has high hopes for the completion of many construc-tion projects aboard the base and despite the changes that will come with the cutbacks, he has no doubt that the base will continue to accomplish the mission and support the warfighter.

Since its inception, theres never been construction of this magnitude on base, but weve been able to manage that, said Lecce. Yes, theres inconvenience, but weve been able to manage a lot of construction really well. Now we have new (child development centers) and a lot of new ranges online. The base is really coming up, and I think once we get that new gate and new entry road, a lot of the traffic we experience now at the main gate will be alleviated.

For now though, Lecce looks forward to a quiet holiday season.

Im going to try and get through the new year without any disasters, said Lecce. I think the higher being gives you what you can handle, and clearly, he felt that I could handle multiple natural or man-made disasters, and he picked the right guy.

THE GLOBE, CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. DECEMBER 22, 2011 11A

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