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VOLUME 75, EDITION 36
The
GL BE SERVING CAMP LEJEUNE AND SURROUNDING AREAS SINCE 1944
Physical training
Amphibious Am A mphibious Assault Vehicle Platoon Marines conclude their sustainment Ma M training | 6A
THURSDAY AUGUST 29, 2013
WWW.LEJEUNE.MARINES.MIL
Camp Johnson, Lejeune recognize Montford Point Marines LANCE CPL. JUSTIN A. RODRIGUEZ
Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune
The end of discrimination in the armed forces June 25, 1942 by President Franklin D. Roosevelt triggered a pivotal change in the Marine Corps. Approximately 20,000 African-American Marines received basic training at Montford Point in North Carolina between 1942 and 1949, and Camp Johnson celebrated those who gave blood, sweat and tears to become United States Marines, Aug. 26. During a time of racism and segregation, African-Americans used willpower and heart to overcome hardships and become United States Marines. These attributes were pervasive among America’s first African-American Marines. Montford Point was renamed Camp Johnson in April 1974, in honor of Sgt. Maj. Gilbert ‘Hashmark’ Johnson, one of the first of three black men who trained at Montford Point. He was also the first black sergeant major. Montford Point Marines Day occurred this past weekend and marked an occasion for Marines of all ages to gather and remember the hardships segregation caused in that time period. “It’s important to know your history,” said Sgt. Maj. Rodney Robinson, Marine Corps Combat Service Support School sergeant major. “It’s part of our heritage. Everyone should know what these men have gone through.” Montford Point Marines and family members were awarded Congressional Gold Medals, the highest civilian honor awarded by the president for their outstanding service in the Marine Corps. Col. Paul F. Bertholf, the comanding officer of Marine Corps Combat Service Support Schools, and Robinson presented the awards. “It felt good,” said Robinson. “It felt like I had the chance to personally thank the Montford Point Marines and their families for what they’ve done.” Guests were also invited to a book signing aboard Camp Johnson and a charity motorcycle ride over the weekend. “Our military is all about discipline,” said Robinson. “An SEE MONTFORD 7A
on the beach | 3A
PRINCIPE TRAINING CAMP, SPAIN
Bilateral live-fire training
Photo by Cpl. Michael Petersheim
A Marine with Special Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force Crisis Response fires an M-107 Barrett sniper rifle during advance marksmanship training recently, as part of bilateral training with the Spanish army at the Principe Training Camp in Spain. The bilateral event served to sustain marksmanship proficiency and build enduring relationships between each military.
Newest Marine unit trains with Spanish soldiers 1ST LT. JOSHUA LARSON Special-Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force Crisis Response
Marines and sailors with the Marine Corps’ newest unit, Special Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force Crisis Response, joined forces with the Spanish army for bilateral live-fire training at the Principe Training Camp in Spain, recently. The purpose of the training was two-fold – to sustain live-fire proficiency with sniper rifles and machine guns while also building positive, enduring relationships between each nation’s military. It was a shared experience that, at the onset, focused on weapon’s tactics, but there was also a healthy dose of cultural sharing between the forces. In fact, a bilateral soccer game developed the first evening, even before the next morning’s first rounds went down range. On the first day of training, Spanish snipers from one of Spain’s long-range reconnaissance companies joined snipers from SP-MAGTF Crisis Response, practicing methods
of employing their rifles and discussing each other’s weapon systems throughout the day and nighttime event. “The Spanish soldiers were some of the most proficient snipers the Marines have ever worked with, I was extremely impressed with them,” said 1st Lt. Trevor Dunlap, officer in charge of the crisis response Marines involved in the training. After the next day’s machine gun live-fire event, the Marines joined forces with the Spanish again, this time for a feast of paella, one of Spain’s most identifiable cultural dishes. Altogether, the four-day, infantry-based training event centered on the ground combat element of SP-MAGTF Crisis Response, but the unit’s aviation combat element played a role also, showcasing the unit’s aerial assault capabilities by flying the Marines into and out of the training ranges via the unit’s organic MV-22 Ospreys. “This was a fantastic opportunity for these Marines. Training as an air-ground team is what we do, it’s in our DNA. But to do it alongside our Spanish hosts
Photo by Cpl. Michael Petersheim
Marines with Special Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force Crisis Response are dropped off by an MV-22B Osprey recently, before a bilateral live-fire training event with the Spanish army at the Principe Training Camp in Spain. and share experiences makes it that much more beneficial and memorable for all involved,” said Col. Scott F. Benedict, commanding officer, SP-MAGTF Crisis Response. SP-MAGTF Crisis Response is temporarily postured in Southwest Europe. The unit is able to respond across a full
Base CG holds first town hall meeting LANCE CPL. JOSHUA W. GRANT Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune
Dozens of spouses and residents attended Brig. Gen. Robert Castellvi’s first town hall meeting at the Russell Marine and Family Service Center aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, Aug. 22 to get answers and express concerns to leaders of the base. “It’s a chance for me as a base commander and Marine Corps Installations East commander, along with my staff, to really communicate directly with the Marines and families of the base and give them a snapshot of what this installation does,” said Castellvi. Topics covered at the town hall meeting ranged from ongoing construction, road work, fitness center construction and renovations, pathway closures, family housing and barracks renovations. Castellvi and his staff briefed the audience on scheduled completion dates for many projects across the base including the roadway connecting Holcomb Boulevard to Lejeune Boulevard
Photo by Lance Cpl. Joshua W. Grant
Brig. Gen. Robert Castellvi speaks to attendees during his first town hall meeting at the Russell Marine and Family Services center aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, Aug. 22. and the final finishes on the Wallace Creek Fitness Center set to open in October. Dr. Alridge Boone, superintendent of Camp Lejeune and Marine Corps Air Station New River schools, spoke about furlough effects on schools, construction and the upcoming school year. Navy Capt. David Lane, commanding officer of Naval Hospital Camp Lejeune, spoke about renovations at the hospital. Lane added the hospital will be accepting 9,000 new primary care patients
to allow families easier access to medical facilities. “I think one of the major concerns voiced was, are we as an installation and a Corps going to be able to keep faith in providing for our Marines and families during a fiscal cliff and sequestration,” said Castellvi. “I think everyone came out of here with an understanding and appreciation of the sincere commitment we have on this base for taking care of people.” Due to vast construction across the base, families were
concerned about the closures of many running and bike paths across the base. Mary English, a military spouse, voiced her concerns over pathway closures. She said she uses the pathways at least five or six times a week taking her children to and from school, but due to the closures she hasn’t been able to. “I want to be able to ride my bike,” said English. “I didn’t think I was going to be able to until next year, but the Wallace Creek Multipurpose Trail is actually slated to open in September.” English added coming to the town hall meeting she wasn’t expecting things to change, but after hearing the briefs and expressing her concerns, she found the answers she was looking for. “These events are great for the community because you can actually come and voice your opinions and get an answer,” said English. Castellvi said he was pleased with how the town hall meeting went and he would like to make the event quarterly. The full video of the meeting is viewable on our website, Facebook and Google+ pages.
range of military operations to protect U.S. and partnernation security interests in the region. They plan to conduct further bilateral training with regional militaries to strengthen partnerships throughout the U.S. European Command and U.S. Africa Command area of responsibility.
Inside
Volleyball season in progress 1B
Family fun day token of appreciation 1C