65th year, No. 1
Serving the NATO, Naples and Gaeta Military Community in Italy Russell Egnor Navy Media Awards – 2016 Best Newspaper in the Navy
Friday, January 10, 2020
Bataan Amphibious Ready Group and Embarked 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit Operate In U.S. Sixth Fleet By U.S. 6th Fleet Public Affairs
Roughly 400 Naval Support Activity (NSA) Naples community members gathered on top of the base’s east parking garage at Capodichino to ring in the new year and observe the unique 360-degree panoramic view of fireworks lighting up the sky Dec. 31, 2019 – Jan. 1, 2020. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Donavan K. Patubo
Esper: U.S. Continues to Deploy, Reposition Troops in Middle East By Terri Moon Cronk
The United States continues to deploy and reposition troops throughout the region of Iraq and Iran to bolster U.S. security and force protection and to be prepared for any contingency, Defense Secretary Dr. Mark T. Esper said. "Over the last several days, I've had many conversations with our partners and allies about the situation in Iraq and the region," the secretary told reporters at an im-
promptu Pentagon news conference today. "It's been uniform support for our position and our actions, and I continue to convey to them the importance we continue to place on the defeat-ISIS position," Esper said of the U.S. drone attack that killed Gen. Qassem Soleimani, the head of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps' elite Quds Force, one of the most powerful figures in the region. ESPER
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A Marine stands watch during the security reinforcement of the U.S. Embassy compound in Baghdad, Jan. 4, 2020. SEE MORE ON PAGE 11. Photo by Marine Corps Sgt. Kyle Talbot
CAPTAIN’S CORNER. . . . . . . . . 2 BASE NOTES. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 HISTORY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 FFSC CALENDAR . . . . . . . . . . . 5 SOUND OFF . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 MOVIES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 JOBS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 USO TOURS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 odd Jobs of World War ii . . . . . . . . . . . page 4
Military Pay raise for 2020 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . page 6
WORD SEARCH / COLOR ME 14
The Bataan Amphibious Ready Group (ARG) and embarked 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) are conducting operations in 6th Fleet to support maritime security operations in international waters, alongside our allies and partners. The distinct capability of amphibious forces provides the geographic combatant commander the ability to gain access to critical areas anywhere in the world with ground, air and logistics forces. The Bataan ARG embarks the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit and includes the amphibious assault ship USS Bataan (LHD 5), the amphibious transport dock ship USS New York (LPD 21), the dock landing ship USS Oak Hill (LSD 51), Fleet Surgical Team 4, Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron 28, Tactical Air Control Squadron 22, components of Naval Beach Group 2 and the embarked staff of Amphibious Squadron 8. The 26th MEU is comprised of three major subordinate elements and a command element. The MEU’s major subordinate elements are Battalion Landing Team 2nd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment (BLT 2/8), Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM) 365 (Reinforced) and Combat Logistics Battalion (CLB) 26. BATAAN AMPHIBIOUS READY GROUP
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