Globe, June 21, 2012

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WWW.CAMPLEJEUNEGLOBE.COM

VOLUME 74, EDITION 25

The

GL BE

SERVING SERVIN NG CA CAMP AMP LEJ LEJEUNE EUNE AND SURROUNDING AREAS SINCE 1944

Breaking the retirement stereotype | 5A

Marine Week Cleveland demonstration wows crowd d t ti d | 6A 2nd AA Bn medical personnel arrange blood drive, help military community | 3A Cleveland residents get look at C Marine Corps equipment, gear | 7A M

Special-Purpose Marine AirGround Task Force 12.2

Marines participate in crisis response training| 5A THURSDAY JUNE 21, 2012

WWW.LEJEUNE.MARINES.MIL

News Briefs

Lejeune starts programs for surfers 1B

Photo by Pfc. Phillip Clark

Cpl. Nicholas Meekins (left), a squad leader and positional safety officer with 2nd Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, instructs Lance Cpl. Robert Davis, a machine gunner, where he needs to change his course of fire to hit his next target. The Marines from Company G practiced offensive and defensive infantry techniques aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune June 5 through 12 during the exercise to maintain combat readiness. PFC. PHILLIP CLARK 2nd Marine Division

M

arines from 2nd Battalion, 2nd M a r i n e Re g i m e n t , practiced offensive and defensive infantry techniques during a training exercise aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune June 5 through 12. The battalion recently detached from the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit after serving

as its ground combat element on the MEU’s most recent deployment, and the training exercise gave the Marines a valuable opportunity to refresh their basic infantry skills now that 2nd Bn., 2nd Marines is back at MCB Camp Lejeune. “The training is very progressive so far,” said Capt. Nicholas Vogel, the company commanding officer. “We came out here for small unit training and leadership, and everything worked out according to plan.” The training proved to be a

great opportunity for Marines new to the battalion to train for new positions as some of the company’s more senior smallunit leaders leave 2nd Bn., 2nd Marines. “This training is going to train the junior Marines for the squad leader and fire-team leader positions,” Vogel, said. “Then when the squad evaluation comes in August the senior Marines are refreshed and the new Marines are prepared.” The week-long training consisted of patrolling, day and

night live fires, and defensive and offensive fundamentals to simulate real-life situations encountered in combat. “There is nothing better than going to the field for training and putting rounds down range,” said Lance Cpl. Charles Holloway, infantrymen with 2nd Bn., 2nd Marines. “Since we just got back from the MEU we have to get all the rust knocked off the Marines and make sure we’re combat ready.” The company’s leadership felt SEE EXERCISE 7A

Troops with TBI, PTSD have more help on the way 1C

73 Lejeune High School seniors graduate, become alumni 1D Award-winning author visits with children at MCX 3D Marine selected to compete in Armed Forces Triathlon 4B Photo by Cpl. Katherine M. Solano

Tactical vehicles belonging to 2nd Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division are offloaded following a mobility operation aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune June 8.

Bridge Company supports infantry, saves Marine Corps money CPL. KATHERINE M. SOLANO 2nd Marine Logistics Group

Bridge Company, 8th Engineer Support Battalion, 2nd Marine Logistics Group has the ability to save units money and valuable time during any training operation taking place across the New River. Infantrymen assigned to 2nd Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment conducting live-fire training were able to experience the unique capabilities of Bridge Company first hand June 8. “Today we crossed approximately 15 vehicles for 2nd Bn., 2nd Marines, along with about 50 personnel … so they can do some training over the weekend,” said Staff Sgt. Philip Thornton, the maintenance chief for Bridge Company. He noted the use of rafts – comprised of ribbon bridge components and MK III bridge erection boats – allows them to take more personnel while using fewer transport

vehicles. Overall movement to and from the training grounds and fuel consumption is also significantly less. Over the course of 2nd Bn., 2nd Marine’s training evolution, 8th ESB transported more than 500 Marines and nearly 60 vehicles were ferried back and forth across an approximate 2.4-mile expanse from Engineer Point to Rhodes Point – an auxiliary training ground adjacent to Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune. By ground convoy, the same training area lays 35-miles south of Mainside Camp Lejeune and may take multiple hours to reach and thousands of dollars of fuel and contracting vehicles. It takes less than an hour to travel the two miles by water when 15 to 25 engineers come together to transport the personnel, supplies and vehicles, and is essentially free for the unit. “Any unit that wants to save time, fuel and personnel should contact us,” said Thornton.

The maneuver operations are also important to the engineers themselves. While the bulk of 8th ESB is currently deployed to Afghanistan in support of International Security Assistance Force operations, the exercise provided remain behind assets with valuable training of their own. “Having the knowledge of what the raft is going to do, how to turn it and how currents will affect it can only be gained by actually conducting the maneuvers,” explained Lance Cpl. Erikon Rosamond, the raft commander for the recent operation. Rosamond pointed out the obvious benefits of such a partnership: the infantrymen get to their training faster, cheaper and easier, while the engineers get to practice their trade. “You always need transportation no matter where you are,” Rosamond continued. “It is important to have the maneuverability. “We just go out there and get it done,” he concluded.

SAFETY STATISTICS Traffic violations aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune

Source: Command Inspector General’s Office for Marine Installations East - Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune This graph represents traffic violations and driving while intoxicated / driving under the influence refusals for Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune June 11 through 15. Traffic violations are defined as: driving while license revoked; speeding in excess of 15 mph or more; traffic crashes; seatbelt, cellular telephone and motorcycle personal protective equipment violations.


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