WWW.CAMPLEJEUNEGLOBE.COM
VOLUME 75, EDITION 20
The
GL BE SERVING CAMP LEJEUNE AND SURROUNDING AREAS SINCE 1944
CLB-6 Marines
Engage digital computergenerated opponents | 4A
‘Seven ‘S S for One’ deactivation ceremony | 5A
THURSDAY MAY 16, 2013
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26th MEU returns to USS Carter Hall
Photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Chelsea Mandello
Marines from the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit disembark a landing craft utility and enter the well deck of the amphibious dock landing ship USS Carter Hall (LSD 50). Carter Hall is a part of the Kearsarge Amphibious Ready Group and, with the embarked 26th MEU, is deployed supporting maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the U.S. 5th Fleet Area of Responsibility. PETTY OFFICER 3RD CLASS CHELSEA MANDELLO Amphibious Squadron Four
M
ore than 200 Marines from the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit completed joint exercise Sea Soldier in Oman and returned to amphibious dock landing ship
USS Carter Hall, May 4. Sea Soldier is a two-week bilateral joint training in which the MEU and Royal Omani Army work together during different operational exercises. “This was a good opportunity to work with another country,” said Capt. Raymond Kastor, company commander from the 26th MEU. “The Marines and the troops worked very professionally together day and
night performing long tasks and combined exercises.” The MEU demonstrated tactical maneuvering, weapons handling, urban combat training, night operations and combined arms demonstrations. “We did a lot of bilateral training, clearing out buildings with the Omani Army, training exercises and night raids,” said Lance Cpl. Joshua Rios. “It was a long two weeks of intense,
non-stop training, but we had a lot of fun and learned a lot about what we are capable of.” Many of the Marines came back to the ship sun-burned and exhausted, but they were happy to be back aboard. “I love having my Marines back,” said Gunnery Sgt. Christopher Pilats, communications chief for the 26th MEU. “After two weeks, it was a great training opportunity for everyone
2nd Marine Regiment exceeds expectations in first CPX
CPL. AUSTIN LONG
2nd Marine Regiment
Marines with 2nd Marine Regiment’s Headquarters Company conducted their first Command Post Exercise in the field, aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, for five days of training on scenarios they will be facing while deployed to Afghanistan. Beginning the first day, and continuing throughout the week, Marines exceeded expectations by approaching each task given them with high morale, teamwork, efficiency and speed despite rainy weather and movements from one area to another. “The training is going to harden and prepare them for situations they will be facing overseas,” said Sgt. Maj. Paul Archie, the regimental sergeant major from Dallas. “I’m impressed so far, but we still have a long way to go. It’s dangerous now even if the enemy isn’t here. I’m excited by what I see already but we still need to train and prepare. If each Marine will do his
Photo by Cpl. Austin Long
Petty Officer Second Class Michael Marshall, 2nd Regimental Aid Station training officer and corpsman, watches and gives advice to Marines while they get hands-on training with a practice dummy during the Combat Lifesaver course, April 29, during the Regimental Command Post Exercise. individual job, it will help the team complete their overall goal.” Focus during the CPX was on building teamwork, communication and job efficiency. The Regiment approached these goals by bringing Marines to the
field where they could have access to resources 24 hours a day for scenario based training in the Command Operations Center. Scenarios were given to Marines working in the COC by MAGTF Integrated Systems Training Center (s).
The scenarios force Marines to better apply leadership for situations they could face when deployed to Afghanistan and build on goals that will aid in mission accomplishment. “The COC is the brains of Headquarters Company.
and a chance to find out what the Marines are capable of and what we need to work on.” Carter Hall is part of the Kearsarge Amphibious Ready Group and with the embarked Marines from the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit, is deployed in support of maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the U.S. 5th Fleet Area of Responsibility.
That is where incoming information is received and processed through multiple systems linked to multiple units outside of the COC,” said Maj. Daniel Zappa, 2nd Marine Regiment’s operations officer. The COC is given a fictional scenario covering different events coming in from different units to add stress on the Marines. The units have to decide what information is vital to operations and what order it gets pushed to the Regimental Commander for a reaction. In this COC we have Marines from Division and MEF (Marine Expeditionary Force) training for the deployment, and so we have them training in the field so they can operate 24 hours a day or long hours into the night. The field gives a camaraderie effect that you can’t get in the office simply working from nine to five. The Marines did well despite weather conditions, working long hours in the night, and working on the weekend by maintaining a SEE CPX 7A
Inside
Back in the ring for National Golden Gloves 1B
Mother’s Day tea brings families together 1C