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VOLUME 75, EDITION 22
The
GL BE SERVING CAMP LEJEUNE AND SURROUNDING AREAS SINCE 1944
Family Members
M Marines patrol the streets of M.O.U.T TTown during training exercise | 4A
say goodbye to deploying loved ones | 5A THURSDAY MAY 30, 2013
WWW.LEJEUNE.MARINES.MIL WWW LEJEUNE MARINE NES S MIL
‘Follow Me’ Division conducts ship to shore exercise
Securing LZs is our bread and butter, so we had no problem combining the two into a successful operation. 2nd Lt. Matthew Gaitan
CPL. ED GALO
2nd Marine Division
With the war in Afghanistan drawing down, the Marine Corps has shifted its focus on getting back to its amphibious roots. The service members of 2nd Marine Division, conducted one of the largest amphibious training exercise since the war in Afghanistan aboard Camp Lejeune, May 2426. Elements from seven different battalions participated in the event. The Marines have been training in a wide variety of amphibious operations with the help of the USS Bataan, a Navy ship from Naval Station Norfolk, Va. “Basically, we’re upping the ante; not a full scale operation, but getting the moving parts started and working the coordination piece inside the division,” said Capt. Brian Wilson, operations officer, 1st Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment. “The elements involved are from 1/8; the battalion staff, the combat operations center, a platoon-reinforced from Company A,” continued Wilson. “You also have two platoons from (Assault Amphibian) Battalion, a platoon from Combat Engineer Battalion, a Battery from 10th Marines, a Truck Platoon SEE SHORE 5A
Photo by Lance Cpl. Scott Whiting
Pfc. Jeffrey Murch, an infantryman with Company A, 1st Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, provides security for a landing zone aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, May 18. The Marines executed a ship-to-shore operation from the USS Bataan to the LZ using Amphibious Assault Vehicles to travel on the water.
1/8 gets back to amphibious roots LANCE CPL. SCOTT WHITING 2nd Marine Division
T
hree amphibious assault vehicles splash across the water. Their mission: to secure a landing zone and provide security. The AAVs open, and the Marines charge out squad leaders shouting orders to establish a 360 degree perimeter.
After 24 hours of preparation, elements of Company A, 1st Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, successfully executed the high paced exercise off Onslow Beach, May 18. Late afternoon the day before, the Marines traveled by AAVs from Onslow Beach to the USS Bataan, which was afloat a few miles out in the ocean. They stayed aboard the ship overnight, which was a new experience for most of the Marines.
“(The Marines) loved being aboard the ship,” said 2nd Lt. Matthew Gaitan, the second platoon commander for Company A. “They haven’t been on a ship before. Everyone got lost and it was a good time. We enjoyed the new experience and made the most of it.” After arriving on the ship, the Marines put away their gear in their designated berthing areas and ate dinner in the ship’s mess hall. The hot food, salad bar and choice of beverage
were celebrated alternatives to the Meals, Ready to Eat from earlier. They went to work after their meal, executing walkthroughs for the next day’s big mission. “The objective was to execute a ship-to-shore attack to secure the LZ,” said Gaitan. “Once we took the LZ, we were to wait for follow-on operations.” The Marines were successful, but to do so, they had to overcome a slew of unforeseen issues during the training. The rough
Memorial Day 21-gun salute
ocean waves almost prevented the AAVs from going ship to shore, and one of the AAVs even had a small fire during the movement. The Marines overcame these problems and still arrived at the LZ. “We did really well for our first time,” said Gaitan. “We had an opportunity to train with AAVs before, and securing LZs is our bread and butter, so we had no problem combining the two into a successful operation.”
Inside
Stand up paddle board series kicks off 1B
Photo by Cpl. Charlie Clark
Company G 2nd Battalion, 10th Marines Regiment, 2nd Marine Division cannoneer Marines fire blank rounds from 155 mm Howitzers used during a Memorial Day 21-gun salute at W.P.T. Hill Field aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune May 27. More than two dozen residents and veterans attended the ceremony. Teams of three cannoneer Marines fired blank rounds from four Howitzers every minute for 20 minutes. Blank rounds are used during ceremonies for their visual effect and for safety. The garrison flag flew at half mast during the ceremony.
Service members honored, remembered 1C