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VOLUME 75, EDITION 49
The
GL BE SERVING CAMP LEJEUNE AND SURROUNDING AREAS SINCE 1944
Demolitions
Marines nab bomb-making material, suspected insurgent | 6A
Marines conduct explosives exercise | 4A THURSDAY, DECEMBER 5, 2013
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Photo by AJ Rasure
The Snare Line from the East Coast Marine Corps Combined Band participated in the Macy’s Thanksgiving day Parade on Nov. 28. The Parade started beside Central Park in New York and made its way down to Macy’s, where the band performed on live television.
Division Marines perform in Thanksgiving Day Parade LANCE CPL. DALTON A. PRECHT 2nd Marine Division
Five Marines with the 2nd Marine Division Band marched in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade along with Marines from the Marine Corps Base Quantico Band and 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing Band from Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, N.C. This is a rare opportunity for Marines, as this is only the second time Marines have marched in the Thanksgiving Day Parade. “Marching in the parade was a once in a lifetime opportunity for my-
self and the other band members,” said Staff Sgt. Christopher M. Dwyer, the enlisted conductor for the 2nd Marine Division Band. Dwyer, who played the French horn during the parade, said that he felt privileged for the opportunity to represent not only the band but the entire Marine Corps. “Millions of people got to see us do what we do best as band members,” Dwyer said. The 2nd Marine Division Band is accustomed to performing in front of crowds, with the band conducting more than 300 performances a year. Dwyer said the prepara-
tion began just three days before the parade, when all the band members joined together for practice. “We practice every chance we get, and the only thing that changed for the parade was the music,” said Dwyer. The Marines from the 2nd Marine Division Band participated in many of the parade’s festivities along with the other band Marines. “Being at the parade and in the atmosphere was a great experience,” said Photo by AJ Rasure Dwyer. “The Marines in the band had a great expe- The East Coast Marine Corps Combined Band participated in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade on Nov. 28. The Parade started beside Central rience all around. Park in New York and made its way down to Macy’s where the band performed on live television.
3rd Battalion, 8th Marines conducts battalion field exercise SGT. ED GALO
2nd Marine Division
Photo by Sgt. Ed Galo
A Marine with India Company, 3rd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, fires a Shoulder Launched Multipurpose Assault Weapon at a target on a range aboard Fort Pickett, Va., recently. The range was part of a training exercise 3rd Bn., 8th Marines conducted in preparation for an upcoming deployment to parts of Europe and Africa.
In preparation for an upcoming deployment to locations throughout Europe and Africa, Marines and sailors with 3rd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, conducted a week long field training exercise aboard Fort Pickett, Va., from Nov. 12-17. This training was the unit’s second battalion-wide training event in preparation for the deployment and consisted of company live-fire supported attacks, fire support training and command post exercises. It preceded a subsequent regimental level rehearsal exercise with 8th Marine Regiment, which took place at several military installations throughout Virginia and North Carolina. Throughout this week, the battalion focused on core mission essential tasks such as offensive operations, defensive operations and conducting stability operations. “The purpose of the training was to confirm the ability of India Company, 3/8, to do a combined arms, with attachment, attack,” said Capt. Jim Oliveto, company commander for India Company, referring to his company’s turn with the Infantry Platoon Battle Course aboard Fort Pickett. The range is normally used for platoon sized events, but the Marines of 3rd Bat-
talion, 8th Marines used it as a companylevel course. “(The hardest part,) first, was the weather,” he said. “We started the day off at 19 degrees. That was a challenge. It’s by no means a short range. It’s designed for vehicles, so that was a little bit challenging.” Although chances are that the Marines of India Company will not be conducting an assault using mortars, rockets and machine guns while deployed, Oliveto explained the importance of conducting ranges and courses such as the IPBC. “I think it’s vital for any infantry company to do that attack,” said Oliveto. “That’s kind of a pinnacle of what a line company should be able to do.” During another part of the training, a different group within the battalion received a set of classes and conducted a practical application exercise preparing them for a different type of deployment. In January 2014, elements of 3rd Battalion, 8th Marines will deploy under the banner of Special Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force Africa. Those Marines and sailors will conduct theater security cooperation missions throughout Africa. The classes focused on the culture of SEE FIELD EXERCISE 7A
Inside
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Flotilla lights up Swansboro waters 1C