www.camplejeuneglobe.com
Volume 75, Edition 1
Gl be The
Serving Camp Lejeune and surrounding areas since 1944
Acupuncture
Navy doctor branches out with deployment medicine | 3A
Service members condition for winter training | 5A
Thursday, January 9, 2014
www.lejeune.marines.mil
Photo by Staff Sgt. Robert L. Fisher III
Marines and sailors with Special-Purpose Marine AirGround Task Force Crisis Response help U.S. citizens into a Marine Corps KC-130J Hercules airplane in Juba, South Sudan, during an evacuation of personnel from the U.S. Embassy, Friday.
WASHINGTON
Marines evacuate more US Embassy personnel from South Sudan Cheryl Pellerin
American Forces Press Service
M
arines evacuated about 20 U.S. Embassy staff members from the deteriorating security situation in Juba, South Sudan, on the same day the State Department announced it will add $49.8 million to humanitarian assistance the U.S. has provided to help victims of the conflict there. The new aid brings to $300 million the assistance the U.S. has provided in fiscal years 2013 and 2014 to help South Sudanese victims of conflict and refugees seeking asylum in South Sudan, according to a media note released today by the State Department. At the Pentagon, spokesman Army Col. Steven Warren briefed the press about the evacuation from Juba requested by the State Department. “Early this morning,” he said,
“the Department of Defense sent two KC-130 aircraft (pre-positioned in Entebbe, Uganda, and) assigned to the Special-Purpose Marine Air Ground Task Force-Crisis Response, also called the SPMAGTFCR, … to Juba to evacuate approximately 20 personnel.” Soldiers from the East Africa Response Force, assigned to U.S. Africa Command and under the command and control of Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa, will continue to provide security reinforcement to the U.S. Embassy in Juba, according to an Africom statement issued Friday. Warren said only one plane landed in Juba and that the second C-130 followed along as a backup in case more room was needed for evacuees. A squad-sized element of Marines from the crisis response force went along to provide security on the ground, he said, adding that the aircraft are now back in Entebbe. Marines from SPMAGTFCR are trained to provide sup-
Domestic Violence Helpline has a new number
Cpl. Joshua W. Grant
Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune
Domestic violence is an issue that can happen at any time, but with the new Domestic Violence Helpline aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, victims of domestic violence can receive help and support calling 376-5675. Available to active-duty Marines, sailors, their spouses or family members, the helpline offers assistance and advice through trained victims’ advocates said Janice Kight, Family Advocacy Program branch manager. Anyone can call the helpline anonymously for questions and assistance regarding domestic violence without opening a case. “We’ve had a large amount of growth in our program and needed to expand,” said Kight. “We separated from the Sexual Assault Prevention and Response hotline to better help domestic violence victims.” Kight added, most people who call the helpline often feel unsafe or threatened and just want answers. The victims’ advocates can answer any question a caller has regarding domestic violence. A goal of the Family Advocacy Program is to prevent domestic violence including safety plans, shelter or protective orders. “We try to empower the person to get help or prevent the domestic violence,” said Kight. “Some victims are hesitant and unsure of the unknown.” Alicia Lucky, domestic violence victims’ advocacy specialist with Family Advocacy Program, said she strives to help the victims as much as possible in her work, whether it’s through ensuring their safety, see Helpline 7A
port to U.S. embassies in the form of fixed-site security, embassy reinforcement, support to noncombatant evacuation and related missions. “We are standing by and prepared to respond to any requests from the State Department to evacuate the few remaining personnel that are in Juba,” Warren said. “We have contingency plans in place,” he added, “and we believe that we’re well postured in the region to provide any type of support that is requested.” The military presence in Juba totals roughly 45 members of the East Africa Response Force, Warren said. “They were positioned in Juba several weeks ago and they remain there,” he added. At the State Department today, deputy spokesperson Marie Harf said the U.S. is further drawing down staffing at the embassy in Juba “out of an abundance of caution to ensure the safety and security of our diplomatic personnel.”
As a result of the drawdown, she said, the U.S. Embassy in Nairobi, Kenya, will provide consular services for U.S. citizens in South Sudan until further notice. “We continue to strongly recommend that U.S. citizens in South Sudan depart immediately,” she added. The State Department’s new $49.8 million in humanitarian aid includes $24.8 million for the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees and $7.5 million for the International Committee of the Red Cross from the State Department’s Bureau for Population, Refugees and Migration, for their 2014 programs in South Sudan, State Department officials said. The U.S. Agency for International Development’s Office of U.S. Foreign Disaster Assistance is providing $17.5 million to U.N. agencies, including UNICEF, the World Health Organization, the Food and Agriculture Organization, the World Food
Program and the U.N. Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs. The funds will allow the U.N. agencies to provide life-saving assistance to those affected by the violence, including emergency health care services, shelter, and access to clean drinking water and hygiene and sanitation facilities. The funds also will support reunification of families separated by the fighting, the officials said. “The United States strongly supports the efforts of the U.N., the (International Committee of the Red Cross) and other humanitarian organizations to meet humanitarian needs in South Sudan,” the State Department officials wrote in today’s announcement of new humanitarian funding. “We call on all parties to the current conflict to cease hostilities, take measures to protect civilians and allow humanitarian organizations to reach those in need,” they added.
Lake Placid native receives Bronze Star Cpl. Mel Johnson 2nd Marine Division
Cpl. Joshua M. McKee, a rifleman with India Company, 3rd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, received the Bronze Star medal with combat distinguishing device during an award ceremony aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, recently. “Receiving the Bronze Star is more than an honor, but when it’s all said and done, I was just doing my job,” said McKee. The bronze star medal is an individual military award of the U.S armed forces. It is awarded for acts of heroism, merit or meritorious service in a combat zone. When awarded for acts of heroism, the medal is awarded with a combat distinguishing device. The Bronze Star is the fourth highest combat decoration and the 10th highest U.S. military award. McKee received the award for his efforts during an insurgent attack while standing guard at forward operating base Hansen, during 3rd Battalion, 8th Marines’ previous deployment to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom from May 2012 to Nov. 2012. While taking heavy fire, McKee took cover and was able to call for help. “The day I was injured, I was on post at the entry-control point as sergeant of the guard,” explained McKee. “A man dressed as an Afghan
Photo by Cpl. Mel Johnson
Cpl. Joshua McKee, a Marine with Wounded Warrior Battalion, Wounded Warrior Regiment, and native of Lake Placid, Fla., received the Bronze Star Medal with combat distinguishing device during his award ceremony aboard Camp Lejeune, recently. police rode up on a motorcycle, and when we started to walk toward him, he just started shooting at us.” “We interacted with the local police all the time, but when rounds started to fly by me, that’s when I noticed the Afghans had circled around us,” said McKee. “Even though I was shot in my upper thigh, I managed to call for help and we took them down.” Among those present to congratulate McKee on his bravery, heroism and courage was 1st Lt. Jonathon
Harris, whom also pinned the medal on McKee. During the deployment, Harris served as McKee’s platoon commander and was present at the base during the time of the attack, and holds McKee in the highest regards. “The fact that McKee was bleeding everywhere, but remained vigilant the entire time ensuring that no other threats existed, was an act of a true see Bronze 7A