Story and Photos by:Lance Cpl. Samantha TorresStaff writer

In honor of making Marines for the past century, Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island held a 100 kilometer relay race, May 16.

The runners began the race under the “We make Marines” sign, and continued the relay race for a total of 62 miles.

“It celebrates 100 years of Par-ris Island,” said Chuck Culpepper, the athletic director of Marine Corps Community Services. “We want to thank the town of Port Royal for going above and be-

233

w Stream

TheJet Friday, May 22, 2015

Vol. 50, No. 20Marine Corps Air Station

Beaufort, S.C.

“The noise you hear is the sound of freedom.”

Reconnaissance Marines compete for fallen brothers – Page 9

facebook.com/MCASBeaufort

twitter.com/MCASBeaufortSC

Beaufort.Marines.mil

U.S. Marine Corps begins F-35B operational training – Page 8

2nd EOD gets hand-on training with robot, X-ray assisted IED disposal – Page 9

Get involved, know your MarinesDepartment of DefensePress Release

Suicides contribute to more deaths than combat related deaths, and occur more often during the summer months, according to the Department of Veter-ans Affairs.

A 10-year, seasonal analysis of Marine Corps suicide data revealed a higher rate of suicide in the summer compared to other seasons.

According to the Department of De-fense, the increase is usually associated with increased transition and reduced unit cohesion. Periods of transition and relocation may also cause or worsen stressors for Marines and family mem-bers. Those stressors include travel, fi-nancial strain, relationship problems, and separation from support systems and resources.

To mitigate the impact of these stress-ors, leaders can follow up consistently with transitioning Marines and offer support as Marines move from one unit to another or prepare to leave active duty. Even brief, periodic contact can reduce suicide risk. This is especially im-portant when a transition is unwanted or disciplinary in nature, because the Marine’s sense of belonging is already threatened.

Leaders can also connect transition-ing Marines with resources that offer assistance such as Marine for Life, in-Transition Mental Health Coaching and Support Program, Military Family Life Consultants, and the DSTRESS Line. They can also provide information on counseling resources for family, finan-cial, behavioral or other concerns, par-ticularly in cases where it is known the Marine is dealing with these stressors.

see 100 years, page 4

The first production F-35A rolled off the assembly line in Fort Worth, Texas, in February of 2006. Later that year, the stealthy F-35 Joint Strike Fighter, in development by the United States and eight other countries, was named the “Lightning II,” paying homage to two earlier fighters. In December 2006, the F-35 completed it’s first flight. Over the next few years, flight and ground test articles of all three variants rolled off the produc-tion line and began collecting test points. The program reached several milestones in weapons separation testing, angle of attack testing, aerial refueling training, and sur-passed more than 5,000 flight hours with more than 2,100 recorded flights that year. The F-35 Joint Strike Fighter arrived to Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort in June 2014.

2nd Lt. Ralph Talbot was the first Marine Corps aviator to receive the Medal of Honor. Talbot received the award posthumously in 1918, for exceptionally meritorious service and extraordinary heroism while attached to Squadron C, 1st Marine Aviation Force, in France.

Additional photos can be seen on

page 11

The first Marine Corps aviator was Lt. Col. Alfred A. Cunningham. Cunningham reported for aviation duty May 22, 1912, which is now recog-nized as the birthday of Marine Corps aviation. Cunningham was involved in every aspect of Marine aviation. He flew, tested, and experi-mented with new aircraft, selected sites for air stations, organized and planned Marine air squadrons, served on the board that organized the Naval aeronautical service, created Naval Air Station Pensacola, Fla. and commanded the 1st Marine Aviation Force.

100 years of blood, sweat and tears

Corps celebrates 103 years of Marine aviation

Courtesy Photos

Photo by Lance Cpl. Samantha K. Torres

The Jet Stream Friday, May 22, 2015 Games and Entertainment2

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

Protestant • 9:45 a.m. - Protestant Church School (Sun-day 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 Fel-lowship Hall

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

Chapel serviCes

Fraud, Waste and AbuseIf 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.

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.

Hotlines

See something suspiciousSay something.

Call (843) 228-6710 / 911 - IMMEDIATELY

Sexual Assault

MCAS Beaufort Station InspectorSexual Assault Response CoordinatorForce Protection infor-mation and concernsPMO DispatchSevere Weather and Force Protection

228-7789

228-6904

228-6924

228-6710

1-800-343-0639

Mess hall MenuSaturday, Sunday and holidaysBrunch: 8:30 - 11 a.m. Dinner: 4 - 6 p.m.

Midrats

Sunday - Thursday11:30 p.m. - 1 a.m.

Monday - FridayBreakfast: 6 - 7:30 a.m.Lunch: 11 a.m. - 12:45 p.m. Dinner: 4 - 6 p.m.

Takeout Window Hours:

Lunch - Mon. - Fri. 12:45 p.m. - 4 p.m.Dinner - Mon. - Fri. 6 p.m. - 8 p.m.

Breakfast - Mon. - Fri. 7:30 a.m. - 11 a.m.

MCAS Beaufort Movie Schedule

Sunday 2 p.m.PG (1:39)

Sunday 4:30 p.m.PG13 (1:50)

MCRD Parris Island Movie Schedule

Memorial Day Word Search

Sudoku

Answer key will be available on facebook.com/MCASBeaufort on May 27.

Word BankAmerica

CelebrateCookoutPicnic

ServiceRespect

DutyFlag

HonorLives

MembersMemoryMilitary

RememberSalute

SaturdayLunch

Smoked ham and cabbage soup

Dinner Apple glazed corned

beef and riceSunday

LunchBaked fish with butter

crumb topping

DinnerPork chops with

smothered onions

Monday - Friday Breakfast

LunchPepper steak and

rosemary potatoes

DinnerSpanish chorizo and

potato soupTuesday

LunchBeef with vegetables

and barley soup

DinnerBean with bacon

soup and peasWednesday

LunchChipotle roasted sweet potatoes

DinnerCreole shrimp and

cornThursday

LunchChicken with rice

soup and breadsticks

DinnerSalisbury steak and

southern style greens

MondayHot farina, hot hominy grits and oven-fried bacon

FridayLunch

Chicken and cheese enchiladas

DinnerLouisiana seafood gumbo and rice

Saturday 2 p.m.PG13 (2:19)

Saturday 4:30 p.m.PG13 (2:17)

The Jet Stream Friday, May 22, 2015Command Information 3

Tri-Command Weather

Happenings

7 Day Forecast

Forecast according to accuweather.com

Brain Teaser

Answer for this week’s brain teaser will be avail-

able on facebook.com/MCASBeaufort on May 27.

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 con-tents 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, physi-cal 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.

Commanding Officer MCAS BeaufortCol. Peter D. Buck

Public Affairs Officer1st Lt. Clayton Groover

Public Affairs ChiefSgt. John Wilkes

Press Chief/EditorCpl. Brendan Roethel

Community RelationsCpl. Sarah Cherry

Staff WritersLance Cpl. Samantha K. TorresLance Cpl. Jonah V. Lovy

StreamTheJet

Contact us:228-7225

mcasbeaufort@gmail.comBFRT_JPAO@usmc.mil

Spring tempratures bring destructive weather.

Monitor local news and if you encounter flooded roads, “turn around, don’t drown”. More people die annually from floods than any other weather event.

facebook.com/MCASBeaufort

twitter.com/MCASBeaufortSC

Beaufort.Marines.mil

youtube.com/MCASBeaufortsc1

Each day a lady gets the lift from the 12th floor to the ground level so she can go to work. When she comes home however she only goes up the lift to level 8. Why is this?Hint: It’s not to keep fit?

A Lifelong Learning Graduation & Recognition Ceremony is slated to take place at The Lyceum aboard MCRD Parris Island at 2:30 p.m., May 26. For more information or to register call 228-2152.

Marine Corps Community Services is slated to host the 4th “For The Leathernecks Music and Comedy Show” at the Lasseter Theatre aboard MCAS Beaufort at 1 p.m., May 21.

Alcoholics Anonymous meetings are held at the Station Chapel aboard MCAS Beaufort every Thursday at 10 a.m. Meetings are open to all service members, veterans, and civilians within the Tri-Command.

The detention ponds located in the Freedom Sound neighborhood of Laurel Bay housing are off limits to all person-nel. ‘No Fishing Allowed’ and ‘Keep Out’ signs have been posted on the fences encircling both ponds.

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.

The Provost Marshal’s Office plans to test the mass notification system on the first Wednesday of every month at 1 p.m. The test will take place aboard MCAS Beaufort and Laurel Bay. It will announce the following 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, contact the physical security section at 228-6335.

May 26, 1969: Operation Pipestone Canyon began

when the 1st Battalion, 26th Marines and 3d Battalion,

5th Marines began sweeps in the Dodge City/Go Noi areas

southwest of Da Nang. It terminated at the end of June with 610 enemy killed in ac-tion at a cost of 34 Marines

killed.

Did you know...

Memorial Day gives us an opportunity to honor the men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice for the principles of liberty and democracy. As this day of remem-brance approaches, I encourage Marines and sailors to pause and reflect on those individuals from all services who gave their lives in defense of our nation.

As the nation’s force in readiness, the Marine Corps has an enduring responsibility to respond to the unexpected, and each of you are essential to that obligation. This Memorial Day weekend and throughout the summer I ask that you employ sound judgment in all of your activities. Take the time to enjoy some well earned rest and relaxation, but never forget your duty to always be ready when your nation calls on our Corps.

To those Marines and sailors who are forward deployed, know that you are in our thoughts and prayers. We look forward to your safe return. Take care of yourselves and each other. Semper fidelis.

Memorial Day Message

Commandant of the Marine Corps

The Jet Stream Friday, May 22, 20154 More of the Story

yond with their support.” Since 1915, drill instructors

have been creating disci-plined warriors.

Over a million men and women have trained at the depot, and have served all over the globe.

Parris Island trains approxi-mately 18,000 recruits a year, and is the longest continu-ally operating recruit training base in the Marine Corps.

100 yearscontinued from page 1

The Jet Stream Friday, May 22, 2015 5Cartoon

Drawn by Emilio L. Baez-Rivera, a foreign language teacher at Laurel Bay's Elliott and Galer Elementary Schools

The Department of Defense recently made language learning software previously used only by specialists available to all government and military personnel for free. The course work is available at library’s throughout the Tri-Command as well as a mobile app called Joint Language University CL-150.

The Jet Stream Friday, May 22, 20156 In Other News

Lance Cpl. Jonah LovyStaff Writer

New Department of Defense programs and policies to help prevent sexual assault are on their way after extensive inter-nal research into the issue.

Unprecedented attention that leadership has focused on the crime has trends going in the right direction, said Army Maj. Gen. Jeffrey J. Snow, direc-tor of the DoD Sexual Assault Prevention and Response of-fice.

The secretary of defense, Ash-ton Carter, has launched more than 50 initiatives to fight sexu-al assault in the military’s ranks and provide support to victims, according to Snow.

“It really shows we are a learning organization,” Snow said during a press conference. “When we identify a problem, we take steps to address it. We’ll continue to do that until we’ve eliminated sexual assault.”

Service members made aware of sexual assault should act and not look away, Snow said. Feed-back shows 90 percent indicat-ed that if they saw something, they intervened, he added.

Snow hopes that dramatic improvements are coming to the number of crimes prevent-ed and the number of victims helped.

Courtesy Photos

DoD cracks down on sexual assault

The Jet Stream Friday, May 22, 2015 7Jetstream Flyer

The Jet Stream Friday, May 22, 20158 Around The Corps

Corps Bits

WASHINGTON – For the first time in two years, the Headquarters Marine Corps Of-fice of Legislative Affairs hosted Marine Day at Marine Corps Base Quantico, Va., May 15.

For nearly two decades, OLA has held their annual Marine Day in order to inform congressional personal and professional staff members about the Marine Corp’s history, ethos, and current and future warf-ighting capabilities.

“The Marine Corps has a close link with Congress,” said John J. Daly, the legislative liaison of OLA. “There have been periods in history where its existence has been chal-lenged, and it’s always been Congress that has stepped in. The Continental Congress created the Marine Corps, the 82nd Con-gress saved the Marine Corps after World War II, and it continues to play a key role in seeing that the Marine Corps is fully fund-ed.”

Congressional staff members were flown out to Quantico’s Range-15 on an MV-22B Osprey or CH-53E Super Stallion, where they spent the first half of the day.

They were given the opportunity to shoot live rounds with individual and crew-served weapons and operate non-lethal weapons that Marines use today.

“We’re really focusing on the individual Marine and what they bring to the fight,” said Maj. Brian A. Shottenkirk, the liaison officer of OLA.

Marines at the range also demonstrated techniques from the Marine Corps Martial Arts Program, canine handling, unmanned aerial surveillance, and prepared a static display of all elements of the Marine Air-Ground Task Force for the congressional staff members.

This year, OLA added a visit to the Na-tional Museum of the Marine Corps, where members learned about the Corps’ history during the second half of the day.

“This hasn’t been part of Marine Day be-fore,” said Shottenkirk. “It’s a great tool for us to use to teach these people about the Marine Corps’ 200-year rich history, our ethos, and our traditions.”

In addition to educating the congressio-nal staff members, Marine Day is used as a premier way to show Congress where their investments are going and to confirm and build confidence in their relationship with the Marine Corps.

MARINE CORPS AIR STATION CHERRY POINT, N.C. – Combining communica-tions and combat skills, the Marines of Marine Wing Communications Squadron 28 conducted a squadron sized field exer-cise at Camp Lejeune, May 13.

During the field exercise, the Marines were exposed to several different scenar-ios that tested not only their communica-tions knowledge, but also pushed them to their physical limits.

“The Marines practiced marksmanship, endurance training, and conducted basic combat skills as a team throughout the course of the field exercise,” said Capt. Ron Creech, the alpha company commander with MWCS-28. “The training improved the Marines’ basic skills and brought them together as a squadron.”

The mission of MWCS-28 is to provide expeditionary communications for units within the 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing and all of its assets. The training is designed to increase the Marines’ understanding of the squadron’s mission to both 2nd MAW and the Marine Air-Ground Task Force, es-pecially during high tempo operations.

“These exercises allow us to examine the squadron and all of its operational capabilities.” said Creed. “Ensuring the readiness of our Marines and evaluating the improvements they make throughout training guarantees we are providing the best communication assets we can offer to the air element and the Marine Air-Ground-Task Force.”

During the training, the Marines cross-trained with different sections in the squadron allowing them to learn the basic functions of equipment they do not regu-larly work with – ultimately building their technical and tactical knowledge across the squadron.

Marines sharpen combat readiness for Marine Air Ground Task Force

Congressional staff members attend annual Marine Day

U.S. Marine Corps begins F-35B operational trials

Story and Photos by:Maj. Paul GreenbergHeadquarters Marine Corps

ARLINGTON, Virginia – Six U.S. Marine Corps F-35B Lightning II jet aircraft arrived Monday evening aboard the USS WASP off the coast of the United States’ Eastern Sea-board to mark the beginning of the first shipboard phase of the F-35B Operational Test (OT-1).

The at-sea period will continue aboard USS WASP for the next two weeks, with fleet representative aircraft and maintenance personnel from Marine Operational Test and Evaluation Squadron 22, Marine Fight-er Attack Squadron 121, Marine Fighter Attack Training Squadron 501, and Marine Aviation Logistics Squadrons 13 and 31.

OT-1 will assess the integration of the F-35B while operating across a wide array of flight and deck operations. Specific OT-1 objectives include demonstrating and as-sessing day and night flight operations in varying aircraft configurations; digital in-teroperability of aircraft and ship systems; F-35B landing signal officer’s launch and recovery software; day and night weapons loading; and all aspects of maintenance, logistics, and sustainment support of the F-35B while deployed at sea. Additionally, the U.S. Navy-Marine Corps team is working

closely with Naval Sea Systems Command to assess specific modifications made to USS WASP to support future deployments.

“The F-35 Lightning II is the most versatile, agile and technologically-advanced aircraft in the skies today, enabling our Corps to be the nation’s force in readiness, regardless of the threat, and regardless of the location of the battle,” said Lt. Gen. Jon Davis, the Depu-ty Commandant for Marine Corps Aviation. “As we modernize our fixed-wing aviation assets for the future, the continued devel-

opment and fielding of the short take-off and vertical landing, the F-35B remains the centerpiece of this effort.”

Data collected and lessons learned dur-ing OT-1 will lay the groundwork for F-35B deployments aboard U.S. Navy amphibi-ous carriers following the Marine Corps’ F-35B initial operating capability declaration planned for this coming July.

For more information about OT-1 and oth-er Marine Corps operations, visit our web-site at www.marines.mil.

Story and Photos by:Capt. Brian Block15th Marine Expeditionary Unit

USS ESSEX, at sea – Lance Cpl. Joshua E. Barron, 24, of Spokane, Wash. died Sunday of injuries sustained when the MV-22B Osprey he was aboard crashed while conducting training at Marine Corps Train-ing Area - Bellows.

Barron was a tiltrotor crew chief assigned to Marine Me-dium Tiltrotor Squadron 161 (Rein.), 15th MEU. He was

stationed at Marine Corps Air Station

Miramar prior to deploying with the MEU.

“Words cannot express our sorrow at the tragic loss of this

fine young man. He is the best our nation has to offer,” said Col Vance L. Cryer, command-ing officer, 15th MEU. “Our heartfelt condolences go out to his family and the families of all the Marines involved in Sunday’s crash. If there is any-thing positive to relay in this situation it is that the heroic, selfless actions of the Marines aboard the aircraft along with the quick life saving actions of the civilian and military first responders.”

“We appreciate the

thoughts, prayers, and sup-port we have received as we continue to care for the in-jured and mourn our fallen Marine. We will continue our training, and we remain fo-cused on ensuring that the MEU is fully prepared and pos-tured as our nation’s Global Response Force.”

I Marine Expeditionary Force is coordinating the investiga-tion into the circumstances surrounding the crash. Media can contact I MEF Public Af-fairs for further information.

Marine identified in MV-22 training mishap

Photo by Cpl. Matthew Bragg

Corps Shot

Lance Cpl. Joshua E. Barron Died May 17 of injuries sus-tained during an MV-22B Osprey training exercise.

MARINE CORPS TRAINING AREA BELLO, Hawaii - A Marine assigned to 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit drives an amphibious assault vehicle along the beach during the MARFORPAC-hosted U.S. Pacific Command Amphibious Leaders Symposium at Marine Corps Training Area Bellows, Hawaii, May 19. PALS is designed to bring together senior leaders of allied and partner Marine Corps, naval infantries, and militaries spanning the Indo-Asia-Pacific region with interest in military amphibious capability development.

Marines and sailors aboard the USS Wasp (LHD-1) secure and refuel an F-35B Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter after its arrival for the first session of operational testing, May 18, 2015. Data and information gathered will lay the groundwork for F-35B deployments aboard Navy amphibious ships and the announcement of the Marine Corps’ initial operating capacity of the F-35B in July.

Fightertown deployed:MALS-31 Stingers

a detachment is currently deployed to the Western Pacific supporting

VMFA-251.

VMFA-251 Thunderboltsare currently deployed aboard

the USS Roosevelt as part of the U.S. Third Fleet.

The Jet Stream Friday, May 22, 2015 9Around The Corps

Corps Bits

MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. -- Approximately 40 artillerymen from Bravo and Charlie Batteries, 1st Battalion, 10th Marine Regiment were assigned to the newly formed Com-bined Arms Company Artillery Platoon attached to 3rd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment in preparation for an upcom-ing deployment in support of the Black Sea Rotational Force based in Romania.

One week after their assignment to CAC Platoon, the artillerymen par-ticipated in a weeklong field exercise aboard Camp Lejeune, N.C., May 11-15. The objective of the exercise was to test the Marines’ ability to come together as a unit.

Hollis said it is important for Marines to recognize the importance of building relationships with one another. During the exercise, Marines will be evaluated on how well they come together and perform as one unit.

Travieso said if one person doesn’t per-form well, it could alter the outcome of the mission, which is why it’s crucial that the men learn how each member of the team operates.

Taylor said his favorite part of the ex-ercise was getting to know Marines from the other battery and seeing his new section come together in the short time they’ve been in this unit.

“We’re a family, and the brotherhood bonds we form within this community often times last longer than the time we serve in the Marine Corps,” Travieso said. “We all speak the same language, so to say. We may come from different units, but they are all artillery units. That mutual un-derstanding, more than anything, is why we are so successful on the battlefield.”

Artillerymen prepare for deployment, build unity

MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. -- Marines with 2nd Ground Sen-sor Platoon, 2nd Intelligence Battalion conducted a live-fire range aboard Ma-rine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, N.C., May 13. The Marines executed fire-team and squad sized rushes while engaging en-emy targets.

During their time with GSP, the Marines are responsible for emplacing sensors in the ground that detect any movement and alerts them of nearby enemies. The most common sensor that the Marines emplace are encoder transmitter units, which can be programmed to detect vi-brations in the ground, acoustic levels and changes in temperature.

Sgt. Tanner Richie, a ground sensor op-erator with GSP, said that the sensors are programmed based on what sort of ter-rain the Marines are dealing with.

The Marines started the day with a fire-team competition, where they were required to drop as many targets as pos-sible with the allotted rounds. They then advanced to fire team rushes and ulti-mately to a squad sized assault.

“Shoot, move, communicate,” said Sgt. Kory Diley, a squad leader with the pla-toon. “That’s what today was about.”

While conducting the rushes, they were tested in their ability to move as a team and communicate with each other to successfully eliminate the enemy and advance as a whole.

The platoon is a small unit mostly com-piled of Marines that have the military occupational specialty 0311 riflemen who receive the secondary 8621 surveil-lance sensor operator title.

“We’re 03’s first and foremost,” said Cpl. Brett Smith, a team leader with GSP. “Because we’re grunts with a secondary MOS, we have to stay up on our training as an infantryman.”

Once the Marines are done at GSP, they will return to a regular infantry unit, where they assume their primary MOS. The Marines must stay proficient in in-fantry tactics while with GSP.

While deployed, GSP Marines are inte-grated into the units and are organic to the platoon. The training helps to ensure the readiness and relevance for 2nd Intel Bn. to be employed in support of com-batant command requirements.

Shoot, move, communicate: 2nd Intel conducts live-fire range

Reconnaissance Marines compete for fallen brothers

Story and Photos by:Cpl. Eric KeenanDefense Media Activity

MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. – Waves from an eight-foot swell slam the strip of rocks lining the beach. The darkness of the early morning Pacific Ocean is abruptly broken by the glim-mer of scattered green glow sticks as reconnaissance Ma-rines equipped with rifles, 45-pound packs and wet-suits begin to vigorously fight the surf as they make their way ashore on San Onofre Beach, Calif.

Without hesitation, the Ma-rines hit the beach, find their teammate and start running in two-man teams to their next objective.

Recon Marines from across the Marine Corps competed in the seventh annual Recon Challenge on Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif., May 15.

The Recon Challenge is an annual competition hosted by the Reconnaissance Training Company, Advanced Infantry Training Battalion, School of In-fantry West. The grueling tests are conducted by volunteers from the recon community in honor of reconnaissance Ma-rines and sailors killed in ac-tion.

The competitors began with an early morning 1000-meter swim with fins in the Pacific Ocean, followed by an observa-tion and memorization game, a navigation and map work test, radio and communication test, obstacle course event, weapon assembly and disassembly test,

two pool challenges, fireman’s carry event, live-fire range, and a knot-tying test scattered along the route to the finish line.

“It comes down to knowing your strengths and weakness-es, knowing how to exploit them when you need to and just keep pushing forward,” said Master Gunnery Sgt. Chris-topher May, a reconnaissance Marine with Plans, Policies and Operations, Headquarters Ma-rine Corps, and competitor in the challenge.

The teams ran to each obsta-cle carrying a 45-pound pack and a rifle for a total of 25.9 miles. Each team dedicated their run in honor of a Marine or sailor killed in action with the name of the service mem-ber written on a safety vest wrapped around their packs.

“These guys are such a close-knit community; they’re a brotherhood unlike I’ve ever seen in my life.,” said Diane

Homm, a Gold Star Mother [BT1] attending the event for her son who passed away dur-ing a parachuting accident. “They really have each other’s back, and they would give their lives for each other. So if one (member) of their community is taken from this life, they’re never going to forget them.”

May has been running for Homm’s son, Staff Sgt. Caleb Medley, since he passed away in 2013.

“It brought me closer to his family, so I’ll run for him until I retire,” said May.

The first place team of the Recon Challenge was Master Sgt. David Jarvis and Capt. Patrick Zuber, from 1st Recon-naissance Battalion, with a final time of eight hours and 35 min-utes.

Master Sgt. Cory Paskvan and Staff Sgt. Nicholas Barcelona, from 2nd Reconnaissance Bat-talion, took second place with a final time of nine hours and

24 minutes.The third place team was

Capt. William Wellborn and Sgt. James Coe, from 2nd Re-connaissance Battalion, with a final time of nine hours and 54 minutes.

By completing the grueling challenge, the participants honored their fallen brothers through courageous acts and overcoming taxing feats and displayed their commitment to their community and the Ma-rine Corps.

The Recon Challenge is about keeping the brotherhood of the recon Marines alive, ac-cording to May. The Marines ensure the names of their fallen comrades will never be forgotten by carrying them on their backs as they compete.

“That means the world to me, because you don’t want anyone to forget your child, because you’re certainly not ever going to forget him,” said Homm.

Story and Photos by:Lance Cpl. Fatmeh SaadDefense Media Activity

MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. – Marines with 2nd Explosive Ordnance Dis-posal Company, 8th Engineer Support Bat-talion participated in a live-fire demolition exercise aboard Camp Lejeune, N.C., May 14.

The unit conducted the range as part of their preparation for an upcoming deploy-ment with Special Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force Crisis Response-Africa in July.

“This exercise gives our Marines a realistic idea of what to expect and how to anticipate and attack problems that we may encoun-ter,” said Master Sgt. Hugh A. McClenney, a platoon sergeant with the unit.

McClenney said the exercise is geared to-ward the less experienced Marines in the unit and provides them with hands-on ex-perience using different tools and explosive charges that help them stabilize hazards from a safe distance. Based on the existing global military threats, McClenney said this training prepares them for situations where EOD operations are necessary.

“What we bring to the table is the ability to neutralize nuclear, biological, chemical and explosive hazards that would hamper,

slow down or stop missions our forces are engaged in,” McClenney said.

The first team of EOD technicians prac-ticed surveying the area and detonating explosives using a remote-controlled robot. Then they patrolled with compact metal detectors, a tool capable of detecting metal and carbon rods.

The second team trained in capturing X-ray imagery of suspicious packages and applying the information it provided to a

Percussion Actuated Neutralizer, an EOD disruptive tool, to stabilize potential hazards using non-explosive rounds.

“Our goal is for our Marines to under-stand and feel comfortable with the tools at their disposal, especially since a lot of the hazards we encounter are in urban settings,” McClenney said. “We want to re-duce collateral damage when possible in these settings and that’s when this train-ing comes into play.”

2nd EOD gets hands-on training with robot, X-ray assisted IED disposal

The Jet Stream Friday, May 22, 201510 Classifieds

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Lt. Col. Sarah Deal Burrow was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the Marine Corps in 1991, and was the first female Marine to attend flight school in Pensacola, Fla. She re-ceived her wings in April 1995, and became the first female pilot in Marine Corps history. Burrow now flies the military’s largest helicopter, the CH-53E Super Stallion.

Gen. Roy S. “Jiggs” Geiger was a pioneer Ma-rine Aviator. He commanded a squadron of the First Marine Aviation Force in World War I and was a Squadron Commander with the Marine Aviation Force in Haiti. During World War II, he distinguished himself first as the commander of the 1st Marine Aircraft Wing in defense of Guadalcanal, and for extraordinary heroism in this capacity, as well as com-mander of all aircraft, he was awarded a Gold Star in lieu of a second Navy Cross. Called to Headquarters Marine Corps to become the Director of Aviation in May 1943, he was eventually recalled to the field in November 1943 to command ground troops with the 1st Amphibious Corps (later renamed 3d Amphibious Corps). Upon the death of the Commanding General of the Tenth Army, Geiger assumed command and became the first Marine to lead an Army, which he led to the successful conclusion of the war’s last campaign, the capture of Okinawa.

F/A-18 Hornets entered active duty in January 1983. In 1986, Hornets on the USS Coral Sea flew their first combat missions. During the 1991 Persian Gulf War, while perform-ing an air-to-ground mission, Hornets switched to fighter mode and destroyed two Iraqi fighter jets in air-to-air combat, then switched back to attack mode and success-fully completed their air-to-ground mission. During 2001, Hornets provided around-the-clock battlefield coverage in the Afghanistan Theater of operations.

HMR-161’s Operation Summit, September 1950, was the first helicopter lift of Marines in combat.

The First Marine Aviation Force was the first Marine aviation unit to see combat. Serving in northern France and Belgium, Aug. 9 - Nov. 11, 1918, FMAF pilots flew 43 missions with British counterparts and 14 independent raids, dropping a total of 33,932 pounds of bombs, downing four enemy aircraft with claims on eight more.

Lt. Gen. Frank E. Petersen was the first African-American aviator. He was also the first African-American squadron leader, wing commander, and general officer. He served two combat tours in Korea and Vietnam and won numer-ous decorations, including the Distinguished Flying Cross and Purple Heart.

1st Lt. Ford O. Rogers and 1st Sgt. Benjamin Belcher embarked on a near-record round trip flight from Port au Prince, Haiti to San Francisco, Calif. via Washington, D.C. At the time, the flight was the second longest without mechanical mishap in aviation history, and helped demonstrate the capabilities of Marine Aviation in the interwar period.

Milestones from 103 years ofMarine Corps Aviation

Courtesy Photos

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