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VOLUME 75, EDITION 23
The
GL BE SERVING CAMP LEJEUNE AND SURROUNDING AREAS SINCE 1944
Contact Imminent
CLB-6 conducts Integrated Training Exercise | 5A THURSDAY JUNE 6, 2013
Maintenance Mainten nan Marines test fitness, endurance | 4A WWW.LEJEUNE.MARINES.MIL TWENTYNINE PALMS, CALIF.
USS SAN ANTONIO
Marines project power ashore 1ST LT. GERARD FARAO
26th Marine Expeditionary Unit
Photo by Cpl. Paul Peterson
A team of wrecker operators with Combat Logistics Battalion 6, 2nd Marine Logistics Group, hook a seven-ton truck chassis during vehicle recovery training at Twentynine Palms, Calif., May 25.
CLB-6 Marines prepare for vehicle retrieval CPL. PAUL PETERSON 2nd Marine Logistics Group
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recke r operators with Combat Logistics Battalion 6, 2nd Marine Logistics Group, turned thousands of pounds of twisted vehicle hulks into a unique training opportunity at a ravine at Twentynine Palms, Calif., May 25. For nearly 10 hours, the Marines pushed the remnants of obsolete Humvees, trucks and mine resistant vehicles into the sandy chasm and launched recovery crews to train for scenarios they may encounter in Afghanistan. “We have to adapt, overcome and figure out how to get the vehicles out of the situation,” said Sgt. Zhenya J. Killeen, the assistant recovery chief with Support Company, CLB-6. “I’ve issued out a couple of scenarios. They might try it my way, they might try it their way, but it’s rewarding knowing that I’ve taught them and (it’s) another thing they can put in their box.” Heavy equipment operators used trams to tumble
various vehicles into the ravine while the wreckers devised retrieval methods. If the recovery seemed too “easy,” the Marines stacked the odds by further contorting the position of the vehicles and limiting their retrieval options. “You need to play the scene out in your head,” said Killeen as he advised the Marines. “It could be in a hostile situation where they’re shooting at you.” Under the burning California sun, the servicemembers hooked, flipped and winched the battered equipment up the ravine wall with their specially designed recovery trucks. Metal cables creaked and resonated through boom arms as the wreckers hoisted the broken chassis into the air, connected tow chains, and dragged the shattered frames back to the nearby vehicle boneyard. “There are a million ways to skin a cat,” said Sgt. Daniel W. Furner, a recovery chief with the wrecker section. It comes down to the quickest, most efficient method of reclaiming the downed vehicle and pressing on with the mission, he explained during a pause in the training.
Photo by Cpl. Paul Peterson
Cpl. Dasier Cruz (left) and Sgt. Zhenya J. Killeen who both serve as wrecker operators with Combat Logistics Battalion 6, 2nd Marine Logistics Group, prepare a demolished Humvee for tow during a training exercise at Twentynine Palms, Calif., May 25. “This is literally the with CLB-6’s wider pre- deployments, the training only place in the Marine deployment exercises at also offered an opportuniCorps where you can do Twentynine Palms, where ty to share their previous what we’re doing here as the wreckers routinely knowledge from Afghanifar as rolling these trucks integrate with logistics stan and Iraq. down,” said Furner, who convoys to further expand “The best part of my observed the Marines but their capabilities. job is teaching these junior offered only sparing ad“Being able to do this Marines,” said Killeen. vice over the course of here gives the less senior “I’ve got a lot of experithe training. “Anything wrecker operators, (who) ence doing this. Teachwe may encounter in Af- maybe haven’t done (recov- ing these junior Marines ghanistan, we have the as- ery) in country the ability and then actually seeing sets and ability to do out to do that,” said Furner. it put into action with evhere.” For Killeen and Furner, erything I’ve taught them. The unique training both experienced wrecker It’s rewarding to me that occurred in conjunction operators from previous it’s working.”
Five Camp Lejeune Marines receive highest non-combat award for heroism SGT. MONIQUE WALLACE
24th Marine Expeditionary Unit
Five Marines were awarded the Navy and Marine Corps Medal for their heroism while assigned to the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit during its 2012 deployment at a ceremony aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, June 3. The Marines were awarded for the actions they performed immediately after one of 24th MEU’s aircraft crashed while participating in Exercise African Lion 12, a bilateral training event in Morocco, April 11, 2012. Without regard for their own safety the Marines put their own lives in danger as the first responders to enter the downed aircraft
and administer aid and attempt to rescue the crew. During the mishap, two Marines sustained severe injuries while two others were mortally wounded. The Marines awarded included: - Gunnery Sgt. Joseph A. Alvarez, platoon commander, Bravo Company, Battalion Landing Team 1st Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment. - Sgt. Daniel J. Beers, motor transport noncommissioned officer-in-charge, Combat Logistics Battalion 24. - Sgt. Christopher J. Ewain, assistant assault amphibious section leader, Alpha Co., BLT 1st Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment. - Cpl. Michael Z. Pearson, assistant assault
amphibious section leader, Alpha Co., BLT 1st Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment. - Cpl. Steve T. Hanson, team leader, Bravo Co., BLT 1st Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment. A sixth Marine, Sgt. Merritt C. Huntley, a mortar section leader with Alpha Co., BLT 1st Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, was not present during the ceremony due to training commitments but will be awarded the medal at a later date. The billets listed were the ones held by each Marine during the deployment. “These Marines acted with courage, skill and precision that saved lives,” said Col. Frank Donovan, the former commanding officer of SEE AWARD 2A
U.S. Marines have been at sea since 1775 and the U.S. Navy has been landing Marine forces ashore since the Battle of Nassau when a battalion of Marines led by Capt. Samuel Nicholas landed on the shores of New Providence in the Bahamas, March 3, 1776, during the Revolutionary War. Today, Marines no longer land battalions on foreign shores using wooden row boats from wooden ships but rather, through the use of helicopters and tiltrotor aircraft, Landing Craft Air Cushion and Landing Craft Utility vessels, and Amphibious Assault Vehicles off a variety of amphibious ships. The newest of these ships is the San Antonio Class Amphibious Transport Dock. The first in its class, the USS San Antonio (LPD 17) is home to more than 500 Marines from the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit: Lima Company and Kilo Battery assigned to Battalion Landing Team 3rd Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment; Combat Logistics Battalion 26; and a CH-53E Super Stallion detachment assigned to Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM) 266 Reinforced. “The MEU has a well balanced air-ground-logistics team on the San Antonio that can function independently or as a part of the larger Amphibious Ready Group. It’s a tremendous capability that offers impressive flexibility to the MEU commander,” said Lt. Col. Kevin G. Collins, commanding officer of Combat Logistics Battalion 26, 26th MEU, and Commanding Officer of Troops aboard the USS San Antonio. “From the San Antonio, we have the capability to conduct a wide range of missions; we have the capability to not only conduct combat operations but also to perform tactical recovery of aircraft and personnel, purify water, provide SEE SAN ANTONIO 4A
Inside
Warrior Games
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MIlitary Appreciation Day held for service members 1C