A Special Send Off Marine Special Edition
Photo by Rick Willis
Marines and Navy personnel from Washington, Colorado and California, emerging Friday from a Boeing 737, will be part of a 600-person contingent that will participate in the training at Camp Guernsey, Wyo., where 26 semi-trucks of gear worth $92 million are already waiting in place.
The Marines have landed Troops arrive for training By RICK WILLIS Staff Reporter
About 200 people were on hand to watch the Marines land as they headed to Camp Guernsey for their annual training. A massive Boeing 767 landed shortly after noon at West Nebraska Regional Airport, carrying about 180 military personnel who will be bused to Camp Guernsey for training. Two Boeing 737s brought with another 230 trainees. The Artillery 5/14 5th Battalion, 14th Marines, 4th Marine Division is the reserve division of the Marine Corps. Troops are participating in the training exercise Hoplite Thunder, taking place over the next two weeks. “They will have training in small arms, crew-ser ved weapons, hand grenades and gas chamber,” Commanding Officer Lt. Col. Chuck Ellis, USMCR, said
as he watched his troops unload gear from the tarmac. “We also have three firing batteries and an HQ battery.” Oscar and HQ batteries are from Seal Beach in Calif.; Papa Battery is from Spokane, Wash.; and Quebec Battery is from Aurora, Colo. Twenty-six tractor-trailers of equipment were sent to Camp Guernsey for the exercise. Capt. John Stephens, USMC, is the active duty inspector and instructor in charge of getting the equipment in place for the training exercise. “Twenty-eight days a month we set up the equipment so they can use it,” Stephens said. “I’m originally from Omaha, so it’s good to be back in the state.” Ellis said that the Aurora Battery trains at Camp Guernsey. When the battalion needed a place to train the Corps looked into availability, and Guernsey had room. Ellis was surprised at the number of people who were out at the airport. Several had signs supporting the troops. One mom pointed at a serviceman and looking down at her young son said: “That’s a Marine.” “We didn’t know this was such a Courtesy photo big deal,” Ellis said, looking over at the crowd standing at the ter- Marines carried personal gear with them on the plane. The 26 tractor-trailers of equipment were sent minal. “We saw the people as we to Camp Guernsey ahead of the troops for the exercise. Active-duty Inspector and Instructor Marines provide a turnkey operation so the reservists can focus on the training. landed. That’s great.”
Marines participate in training activity at Camp Guernsey By RICK WILLIS Staff Reporter
CAMP GUERNSEY, Wyo. Whump! The car rocked from the compression waves of the M77A2 Howitzer as it fired its 155mm projectile. Several seconds later, the sharp retort of the projectile hitting its mark resounded in the mountain air. “That is the sound of freedom, gentlemen,” Executive Officer Lt. Col. Dave Brooks said as he put his helmet on and walked toward the action. Earlier, Brooks explained the purpose of the Marine reserves. “The force is ready to back up active duty Marines and has already played a major role in Iraq and Afghanistan,” Brooks said. “With our training, when the reserves are called up to step in, we can be integrated seamlessly.” The Artillery 5/14 5th Bn., 14th Marines, 4th Marine Division is the reserve division of the Marine Corps and is halfway through Hoplite Thunder, the annual two-week training period reservists must attend. Six hundred Marines are participating in the exercise held at
Community plans big thank you for Marines By RICK WILLIS Staff Reporter
Photo by Rick Willis
Quebec Battery Marines worked hard to learn skills. Master Sergeant LaVance Buckles, USMC senior O-11 cannoneer, not pictured, explained that safety in training is the overriding concern during drills.
Camp Guernsey, Wyo., Saturday. The three batteries, Oscar Battery from Seal Beach, Calif.; Papa Battery from Spokane, Wash.; and Quebec Batter y from Aurora, Colo.; worked on indirect and direct fire of howitzers. Capt. Sean Glenn, USMCR,
is the commanding of ficer of the Quebec Batter y. “We use the iron sight in direct fire,” Glenn said. “We can fast cycle four rounds per minute and two rounds sustained.” See FREEDOM, page 2
About eight hours. That’s how long it took Sara Schluter to organize a lunch for 400 Marines. The Marines will fly out of Scottsbluff after returning from training maneuvers in Wyoming over the past two weeks. Schluter took over the West Nebraska Regional Airport restaurant about a week ago. Jim Holland, publisher of the Star Herald, called Schluter and others to organize a thank-you event, including food and beverages, before the Marines ship out Friday. “It was another thing,” Schluter said. “I said OK, why not?”
Schluter’s first call was to John Galindo, territory manager for U.S. Food Service. “Whenever I have something like this come up I call John,” Schluter said. “He has wonderful ideas.” Not only does Galindo have great ideas for the Marines, he’s coming into help cook the meal. “It’s pulled pork, carnitas,” Galindo, said. “It’ll take about two to three hours to cook up.” Galindo, a chef, has lived in Scottsbluff for three years now, and previously owned a catering business in Colorado. “I told Sara that I’m coming out there to have fun,” Galindo said. “I just want to help out.” See COMMUNITY, page 3