www.CAMpLejeUnegLobe.CoM
VoluMe 76, edition 13
Gl be The
SeRving CAMp LejeUne And SURRoUnding AReAS SinCe 1944
US, Spanish Marines train together in Sierra del Retin | 6A
Calm in the chaos
Marine responds to NY gas leak explosion | 4A ThursdaY, ApRiL 3, 2014
www.LejeUne.MARineS.MiL
MCieASt bids farewell to Hoopii, welcomes berry CpL. jACkeLine M. peRez RiveRA Marine Corps Base Camp lejeune
photo by Lance Cpl. Sullivan Laramie
A Swedish soldier waits for his Combat Vehicle 90 infantry fighting vehicle to be fueled by the Host nation Support battalion during Cold Response 2014 at Setermoen, norway, recently. Cold Response 14 is a norwegian-led multinational exercise above the Arctic Circle designed prepare for high-intensity cold-weather operations with nearly 16,000 troops from 16 different countries.
vAeRneS gARRiSon, noRwAy
Cold Response 2014 strengthens bonds between multinational forces LAnCe CpL. SULLivAn LARAMie
u.s. Marine Corps Forces europe and africa
R
ain turned to snow as temperatures dropped below freezing and service members from different nations came together to train for arctic operations during Cold Response 2014. The Norwegian-led exercise prepared more than 15,000 troops from 16 countries for support and combat operations in harsh conditions while working together to create stronger bonds between the allied forces. “This is a historic deployment that we have been a part of,” said Lt. Col. Jesse A. Kemp, the commanding officer of 2nd Supply Bn. “Everybody in 2nd Supply Battalion. should be proud of what they’ve done. Our Marines and sailors were stretched from the Arctic Circle all the way to Vaernes and occupied seven separate locations simultaneously. That speaks volumes about the small-unit leadership and mission orientation each and every one of the service members had.” The battalion provided logistical support for 2nd Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division and partner nations in the 2,600square mile training area with the help of a logistics combat element, integrated with Norwegian soldiers from the Host Nation Support Battalion during the exercise. The LCE gave Marines, sailors and soldiers from a multitude of nations access to food, supplies and maintenance support. “We would not have been so successful had it not been for our Norwegian counterparts and the support they gave us,” said Kemp. “Everyone needs to realize we were practicing the reinforcement of Norway mission. This is a team effort; this is not about the United States Marine Corps, it’s about partner nations in a strategic partnership that is unlike any other in the Marine Corps.” Some of the service members from 2nd Supply Bn. and HNSB commenced joint training before Cold Response 14 began, used that experience and improved camaraderie during the exercise. “We all took something valuable
While one Marine said goodbye to active duty service, another started a new chapter of his military career in a relief and appointment ceremony at the Goettge Memorial Field House aboard Camp Lejeune, March 28. Sgt. Major Ernest K. Hoopii relinquished command as sergeant major of Marine Corps Installations East – Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune to Sgt. Maj. Paul A. Berry after 30 years of active duty service. “We celebrated the end of a career and a new start for a good friend of mine,” said Hoopii. It was an exciting moment for Berry, who comes to MCIEAST after a year in Afghanistan supporting Operation Enduring Freedom as the sergeant major of II Marine Expeditionary Force (Forward). “I would have never thought I would end up in this position,” said Berry. It was a surprise when the commandant of the Marine Corps, Gen. James F. Amos, announced he had been selected as the senior enlisted Marine of MCIEAST installations. “It’s very humbling,” Berry said. “It’s a great honor; I’m excited.” Berry recalled spending lunch breaks as a lance corporal playing basketball at the field house, the same place where Hoopii passed him the noncommissioned officer’s sword, and with it the title of sergeant major of MCIEAST. Berry looks forward to continuing Hoopii’s legacy and meeting any challenges that come his way. “I have been welcomed with open arms,” said Berry. “I’m very impressed (with MCIEAST Camp Lejeune personnel). There is a strong sense of family and team effort. Those intangible traits are key to any organization or command.” Berry looks forward to supporting the Marines in their day-to-day mission throughout the installations. “Every Marine, sailor and civilian employee contributes daily to the success of Marine Corps Installations East – MCB Camp Lejeune,” said Berry. “I want to make sure we understand and appreciate their unit’s contributions, this unit’s mission.” Hoopii plans to spend some time decompressing at home, taking care of repairs throughout his house and starting a garden before rejoining the workforce. He plans to find work supporting Marines. “I love it here,” said Hoopii. “I’ve come to love North Carolina. I love the people here. We’re going to make this place our home.”
Courtesy photo
Food service specialists with 2nd Supply battalion, Combat Logistics Regiment 25, 2nd Marine Logistics group and soldiers with Host nation Support battalion unload food for a battalion of british Royal Marines during Cold Response 2014 at Maalselv, norway, recently. out of it,” said Sgt. James J. Cassidy, a military policeman with 2nd Supply Bn., CLR-25, 2nd MLG. “It made us able to accept change. The military is a tight brotherhood and … when you get a group of MPs, no matter what nation they’re from, we have a certain bond because we understand (each other).” MPs with 2nd Supply Bn. were attached to the Multinational Military Police Battalion, which formed from service members from nine nations to conduct law enforcement operations during Cold Response 14 and ensure the safety of military personnel and civilians in and around the training areas. Medical personnel from 2nd Supply Bn. and HNSB stayed with international forces to keep everyone safe and provide routine and emergency services before, during and after Cold Response 14. “It’s been great working with the Americans,” said Kristine Halvorsen, an ambulance squad leader with Bandvagn Company, HNSB.
“There are some differences in how we work, so it’s been interesting to exchange experiences. We’ve done this before, but for a lot of us it was a long time ago. This was a review, and it refreshed a lot that we haven’t used in a while.” Other missions completed by 2nd Supply Bn. included a food-supply convoy for British Royal Marines, pickup services for broken down vehicles and integration with BV Co. to provide transportation for 2nd Battalion, 2nd Marines. “It has not been since 1999 that 2nd MLG has completed the reception, staging, onward-movement and integration mission in addition to the exercise up north,” said Kemp. “The fact that we have put this much effort into it is historic. Every one of the Marines and sailors who participated in (Cold Response 14) came away better trained in arctic training and a better understanding of our Norwegian brothers and sisters, with whom we would fight beside.”
photo by Lance Cpl. jackeline M. perez Rivera
Sgt. Maj. ernest k. Hoopii, the outgoing sergeant major of Marine Corps installations east - Marine Corps base Camp Lejeune, stands at attention at a relief and appointment ceremony at the goettge Memorial Field House aboard Marine Corps base Camp Lejeune, March 28. Hoopii retired after 30 years of active duty service and relinquished all duties to Sgt. Maj. paul A. berry during the ceremony.