Camp Lejeune Misfits grapple their way to AllMarine Team Page 1B
THE
USO serves Thanksgiving meal to Marines Page 1D
Fortunate Sons complete 1,000 mile hike across N.C. Page 1C
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VOLUME 73 EDITION 48
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THURSDAY DECEMBER 1, 20 2011
NAWA DISTRICT, AFGHANISTAN
Photo by Cpl. Jeff Drew
Afghan National Army soldiers with 1st Kandak, 1st Brigade, 215th Corps, pose alongside Marines with 1st Battalion, 9th Marine Regiment. The two units participated in the Nawa Victory Walk, a four-day, 30-mile patrol across the district to promote confidence in Afghan security forces and engage local residents. morning off and rode in the Afghan National CPL. JEFF DREW a vehicle at Noel’s recom- Army soldiers and Ma2nd Marine Division mendation. In the past rines would cover. They (Forward) three days, Ringo had passed cornfields and Sailors and Marines helped lead the patrol, canals, meeting with lowith 1st Battalion, 9th searching for improvised cal Afghan residents and Marine Regiment, 2nd explosive devices for more taking time to hear their Marine Division (For- than 25 miles. concerns along the way. ward) slipped from the “He needed a little bit The men made one stop relative warmth of their more time to cool down,” at Patrol Base Kochnay sleeping bags, braving the said Noel. “I don’t think Prong, where key leaders morning chill, and began any dog has gone this far joined Afghan security to prepare for the day. in this short of a time span. forces to enjoy tea. Rested The final day of the Nawa It’s a lot for a dog. The av- and relaxed, the Marines Victory Walk was upon erage IED dog can work and Afghan soldiers made them, and the Marines for (a time determined by) their final movement to were excited to finish the how hot it is and if there is Patrol Base Norzai, where four-day, 30-mile patrol. water in the canals where the Nawa Victory walk The trek brought together the dog can cool off. If drew to a close. Lt. Col. Tyler Zagurski, there’s water, he can go all “The walk was a sucthe battalion commander, day. A lot of that has to do cess. I think we saw a lot and Afghan Lt. Col. Gul with the conditioning of of people and they saw us, Ahmad, the commander the animal and how well and the fact that we were Photo by Cpl. Jeff Drew of 1st Kandak, 1st Bri- you take care of him. I had able to walk the distance of Afghan Lt. Col. Gul Ahmad (second from right), commanding officer of gade, 215th Corps, in a time to build his stamina a very long district in rela- 1st Kandak, 1st Brigade, 215th Corps, speaks with an Afghan local police patrol across the district to and his endurance, which tive security and visit with patrolman during the Nawa Victory Walk, a four-day, 30-mile patrol across promote confidence in Af- has helped out a lot.” other security positions – it the district. The walk provided Afghan security forces a chance to meet ghan security forces and Noel said patrolling highlighted the level of co- with local residents. talk to residents. without Ringo was differ- operation we see in Nawa Cpl. Matthew Noel ent and uncomfortable. between the (Afghan) realized what they had iting other ANSF posts,” engagement with elders, rose from the ground and “It feels like you’re walk- army and the police,” said accomplished. Over the said Zagurski. “I took a or discussion in the margave his bomb-sniffing ing around and you don’t Zagurski. “We were greet- course of four days, the Af- backseat to nearly every ket, our ANSF partnerdog, Sgt. Ringo, a pat on have your weapon,” he ed and welcomed at every ghan soldiers and Marines engagement we made – I ship stepped right up to the head. Ringo had slept explained. Noel also men- position, even impromptu met with residents in the wasn’t the highlight of the role of lead responsicomfortably on the cot tioned the benefits of a stops led to offers of lunch. district, heard their con- the patrol. It was ANSF- bility and the people are while his owner chose the well-rested animal. We stopped and had food cerns and demonstrated the led, and the people rec- accepting that.” cold ground, a testament “If the dog gets winded, several times with impor- discipline and motivation ognized that. There is a sense of satisfaction as we Editor’s note: This is to the dedication Noel has anything he passes he may tant elders and other mem- of Afghan security forces. “It was a sense of sat- step back one level and we the final installment in a for his dog’s health and not check, and you’re re- bers of the community performance. Noel dressed ally putting yourself and who welcomed security isfaction to see a mostly allow our ANSF partners four-part series chroniquickly, shook the cold everybody else that’s be- forces with open arms into Afghan National Secu- to take the lead respon- cling a trek across Nawa from his bones, joined the hind you, in danger,” said their homes, offering re- rity Forces patrol walk- sibility. I saw them take district called the Nawa other Marines, and stepped Noel. “I don’t want to be spite, rest, chai and good ing with relative secu- that step – they weren’t Victory Walk, a fourrity through the streets hesitant at all to take the day, 30-mile patrol by out the front gate of Patrol responsible for that.” conversation.” Base Kharaman. The final day marked When the security forces of Nawa, enjoying the lead. Whether it was the Marines and Afghan NaRingo was taking the the shortest distance arrived at PB Norzai, they people and enjoying vis- clinic ground breaking, tional Army soldiers.
Raids go from Commandant of the Marine ship to shore Corps visits frontline troops FORWARD OPERATING BASE DELARAM II, AFGHANISTAN
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1ST LT. TIMOTHY IRISH
Regimental Combat Team 8
OPERATION NORTH POLE RAMPS UP FOR HOLIDAY MAIL RUSH PAGE 5A LEJEUNE SPORTS 1B INSIDE LEJEUNE 1C CLASSIFIEDS 4C CAROLINA LIVING 1D
The commandant and sergeant major of the Marine Corps visited nine forward operating bases and combat outposts spread across all of Helmand province, Afghanistan, in one day, Nov. 24. Gen. James Amos and Sgt. Maj. Micheal Barrett took time to address the Marines for Thanksgiving and to talk about the missions accomplished since their last visits in September. “You’re making a difference,” said Amos, addressing the Marines at COP Alcatraz in Northern Helmand province. “We are going to walk out of here under a victory flag because of the progress you are making. The focus of the world has been on this area for so long and we are starting to see the progress we had hoped for when we began our mission in these areas.” Throughout the visit, they answered
questions from Marines about the future of the Corps. Topics ranged from budget cuts, the Corps’ potential drawdown, uniform policy and the recent news of Marines serving overseas in Australia. “It seems like the command is concerned and cared enough to come down to talk to us,” said Lance Cpl. David Filho, with 1st Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment at COP Alcatraz. “They get a chance to see how we operate and it shows that we are not forgotten.” Gen. John Allen, commanding general of International Security Assistance ForceAfghanistan, met up with the commandant on Patrol Base Alcatraz early in the day. Allen is the top Marine officer in Afghanistan and the highest level commander in the country. The units the commandant and sergeant major of the Marine Corps visit consisted SEE FRONTLINE 6A
SGT. RICHARD BLUMENSTEIN 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit
The mission is received: terrorist forces and a large amount of weapons have been identified in a town neighboring a previous objective. Six hours later, the Marines are ready. Their gear has been checked and rechecked. All personnel for the mission have been identified and accounted for. Their roles, responsibilities and the scheme of maneuver have been briefed twice-over. Assault amphibious vehicles carry the Marines through the water to land, before finally arriving at the town. Security sets in — nothing comes in or out of the town, except the Marines. The Marines assault and organized chaos ensues. The Marines stalk building to building, room to room, leaving their enemy combatants in a state of disarray as they mow them down with the sound of gunfire. Less than an hour later, the Marines regroup, get in their AAVs and egress from the town. None of this is real. The bad guys: role players. The bullets: blanks. The mission: a training exercise put together SEE RAIDS 6A