Battalion Commander s Comments

Transcription

1 16 Oct 2017 Battalion Commander s Comments Lava Dog Ohana, I d like to start by thanking the spouses, children, siblings, parents and extended family members for their support. We are well past the halfway mark of deployment and look forward to reuniting with our loved ones. The picture to the right represents the Half Way Party on Oahu that was hosted by our Family Readiness Team. You should be proud of the accomplishments that your Marine or Sailor made over the course of the deployment. Company B participated in a physically demanding bilateral exercise, Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) with the Indonesian Marines. The team conducted jungle survival training and had an opportunity to eat a wide range of jungle creatures to include pythons, large reptiles and tropical fruits. The culminating event was a three day final exercise where our Marines patrolled thru an actual coffee plantation/village and captured enemy role players. Company C, Weapons Co and H&S Company participated in the bilateral Korean Marine Exchange Program (KMEP) with a reinforced Korean Marine Corps Battalion in Southern Korea. The highlight of the KMEP was a combined arms live fire exercise (CALFEX) utilizing artillery, heavy mortars, tanks, AAVs, unarmored vehicles, transport helicopters and attack helicopters. The KMEP was featured by international media to include MSNBC, Fox News and CNN. Following the KMEP, Weapons Company with enablers from each company conducted a joint & bilateral CALFEX utilizing 81mm/120mm mortars, apache helicopters, UAVs, fixed wing aircrafts and unarmored vehicles mounted with crew served weapons in the Northern portion of South Korea. During down time, Marines had an opportunity to travel to the Korean Demilitarization Zone (DMZ) and Korean War Memorial for professional military education (PME) opportunities. The PMEs facilitated a better understanding of the Korean War and particularly the Marine Corps contribution to the campaign. A portion of the battalion remained on Okinawa and participated in formal and informal schools, equipment readiness, and military occupational specialty training. Company A took advantage of being the only infantry company on the base and conducted an aggressive live fire training package. The month concluded with the return of our distributed operational battalion to Okinawa. It was nice to finally have the team together again. I enjoyed watching the newest members of the command grow in confidence and proficiency during this period of high operational tempo. Combined Arms Live Fire Exercise in Korea CNN Reporter Paula Hancock Semper Fidelis, Lava 6

2 Important Family Readiness Contact Information for Hawaii Family Readiness Officer: or (808) Military & Family Life Counselor: or (808) d Marines Chaplain: (808) Remain Behind Element Officer in Charge or (808) Want to see your Lava Dog in action? Facebook.com/LavaDogsUSMC For hi-res photo downloads of your Marines, use the link provided below Chaplain Update Konnichiwa Lava Families! September came and went and the battalion surpassed the halfway mark of deployment. We wrapped up operations in South Korea and Indonesia and returned to Okinawa in preparation for a major exercise in October, Exercise Blue Chromite. While in South Korea, we had opportunities to interact with the local community via Community Relation (COMREL) projects. We conducted 10 COMRELs; engaging in weekly English tutoring, a beach clean-up utilizing 72 Lava Dogs and 80 ROK Marines, spanning a 5 km stretch of land and picking up over 5 tons of trash. Additionally, we sent 50 Lava Dogs to cheer for the Pohang Steelers soccer team during a local match. Several Protestant services were conducted as well as opportunities to attend an English Catholic service in town. As we enter the final months leading up to our return, look for information regarding local Return and Reunion briefs. These are great opportunities to get information that will help you and your loved one have a smooth transition from deployment. The briefs posture the command to experience a seamless transition from deployment life to living back home in Oahu. Return and Reunion Briefs will take place in Oahu for family members and in Okinawa for our command. rtfolio/ /aaronpatterson --or-- search your Marine s full unit on the DVIDS main page Company, 1st Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment Mailing Address (Rank, Full Name) 1/3 Unit Boxes FPO AP Your Lava Dogs have accomplished a great deal in a short amount of time, you should be proud of their performance, grit and professionalism. As always we appreciate your thoughts and prayers as we finish the final portion of the deployment. Mahalo! Chaplain Maruszewski

3 Head Hunter (H&S Co) From the Commanding Officer: Headhunter friends and loved ones, we have reached the halfway mark and your Marines and Sailors are ever-busy conducting Theater Security Cooperation exercises in three different countries. You will be happy to know that all the long days and countless hours training back in Hawaii are paying off and ensuring the success and that the Lava Dog heritage continues to thrive in distant lands and tropic seas. The closing ceremonies of one exercise marks the start of another; needless to say we are expeditious and becoming more acquainted with our amphibious roots at the same time. Your love, care and support keep spirits high and are vital to a successful deployment, so keep contributing in your special unique way. As expected on any deployment, communication with your loved one will be limited; however, rest assured we will keep you updated on the latest accomplishments and milestones From the First Sergeant: As we push past the half way mark we look ahead to an ever busy operational schedule. The Marines and Sailors of Head Hunter Nation continue to exceed expectations while remaining ever ready with our allies in the Pacific. We thank you for your continued support and look forward to sharing our experiences over the course of the deployment. Warhammer (Weapons Co) September was an exciting time for the Marines and Sailors of Warhammer Company. The Warhammer Family arrived in South Korea from Fuji via High Speed Vessel (HSV). Within two days after disembarking from the 36 hour HSV ride, CAAT- 1, SST-3, 81mm Mortar Platoon 1st Section, and the Headquarters Platoon began training with the Republic of Korea Marine Corps (ROKMC) from the 33d Infantry Battalion. Partaking in the training exercise called Korean Marine Exchange Program (KMEP), afforded the Marines and Sailors to train alongside one another and teach and learn different military tactics, languages, and cultural experiences. The two week training consisted of non-live fire training, where the Marines of 81mm Mortar Platoon taught their counterparts aspects of the 81mm mortar system, CAAT-1 taught the Mk-19 and.50cal heavy machine guns, and Snipers taught how to develop a final firing position and conduct range estimations. The culminating event for KMEP was a combined arms exercise where all weapon systems were employed during various stages of the attack. It was a great way to end the training and showcase the hard work that the Company and the ROKMC have conducted. During a day off from training, the Company conducted a tour of the Korean War Museum, which afforded the Marines to gain a better understanding of the history of the Korean War. While KMEP was coming to an end, 81mm Mortar Platoon 2nd Section, CAAT-2, SST-1, and Headquarters Platoon boarded buses and headed to the northern part of South Korea to conduct training at Rodriguez Live Fire Training Center. This training incorporated working alongside 25th Army Transportation Unit and learning one another s capabilities. It was the first time that some of the Marines and Sailors had ever worked with an Army unit. The training was exceptional for the Company as they integrated fixed and rotary wing aircraft, 81mm mortars, and heavy machine guns during training. The Marines had the opportunity during an off day to visit the DMZ. It was a great experience and one that the Marines will remember for a lifetime. We would like to congratulate PFC s Armstrong, Baker, Fredericks and Hash on being promoted to Lance Corporal, Lance Corporal s Austin and Cardona on being promoted to Corporal, and Corporal s Alexander and Rollins on being promoted to Sergeant. We are very pleased to see the Marines continue to develop into great leaders.

4 We cannot be more proud of the Marines and Sailors of Warhammer Company. They continue to display the utmost professionalism and strive to achieve the IT factor in everything they do. Thank you for all your continued support. Semper Fi Warhammer 6 Ares (Co A) From the Commanding Officer: Aloha, Ares Families and friends. It is now September and we are preparing for our last exercise of the deployment, Blue Chromite. This exercise is unique in that the company will embark the USS Ashland and conduct a amphibious assault in landing craft; two experiences the vast majority of Marines have not experienced thus far in their careers. In addition, Marines are staying busy conducting training in Okinawa. Over the past month, we have conducted four live fire ranges including Range 10 which Marines of all MOSs of the company honed their craft over a three day period, Range 51 a point man course, and the 170 series, urban and barricaded shooting ranges. As always, the first of the month brings promotions. Congratulations are in order to Sergeant Dumas, Corporal Antle, Corporal Alvarado, Corporal, Decant, Corporal Morgan, Corporal Rogers, and Corporal Cardona. Corporal Wade reenlisted during the month at Hacksaw Ridge, a local battle site made famous by the Hollywood film. Congratulations to him and his wife. Finally, we are fully focused on Enlisted Professional Education. Many Marines have attended or are attending the Lance Corporal s Leadership Ethics Seminar, Corporal s Course, Career Course, Advanced Course, Martial Arts Instructor Course, Combat Marksmanship Trainer Course, and Helicopter Rope Suspension Course just to name a few. Our investiment in education has paid dividends in our overall readiness level. Semper Fi! Capt Reynolds Berserker (Co B) Aloha Berserker Family and Friends, I hope this letter finds you well wherever you may be. The last few months have been extremely busy for Bravo Company. September 2017, Bravo Company s first and third platoons departed Singapore aboard the USNS Millinocket to conduct the ground phase of exercise Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) with the Indonesian Marines at Camp Karang Tekok. This exercise included cross training with weapons systems, live fire training to include mortars and

5 machine guns, a battalion movement to contact, and a company raid. This provided another opportunity for the Marines of Bravo Company to refine their jungle skills and proficiency while increasing the lethality of a combined U.S. and Indonesian force. Second platoon embarked on the HSV to South Korea and attached to Charlie Company for an iteration of the Korean Marine Exchange Program. In Korea, second platoon conducted a live fire stress shoot as well as urban and patrol base operations partnered with a platoon from the 10th Republic of Korea (ROK) Battalion. The Bravo Company Fire Support Team (FiST) deployed to Rodriguez Live Fire Complex, South Korea in support of day and night non-illuminated combined arms training operations. Exercises included integration and coordination of U.S. Army and U.S. Air force fixed wing and rotary wing platforms, 81mm and 120mm indirect fire assets, and a mechanized maneuver element including a USMC Combined Anti-Armor Team (CAAT) Section, U.S. Army Armored Personnel Carriers and Republic of Korea mechanized assets. As the time gets ever closer to our return to Oahu, we thank you for your love and support throughout this deployment. Berserker 6 Chaos (Co C) Konnichiwa Chaos Families- OORAH! We are past the halfway point and have returned to Okinawa after a very successful time conducting training with our ROK Marine counterparts. We had the opportunity to continue building our partnerships during live-fire and non-live fire training. We learned new skills while we introduced the Koreans to new training techniques. Additionally, many of the Marines and Sailors had the opportunity to conduct a DMZ (Korean Demilitarized Zone) and Korean War Museum visit in Seoul. After several months on the Korean Peninsula we have finally rejoined the rest of the battalion back in Okinawa. Our work continues, as we prepare for our next exercise. Additionally, many of our Marines have begun their professional military education (PME) courses that will teach them new skills, improve their leadership, and better prepare them for promotion. Concurrently we will be conducting annual marksmanship training. Your Marines and Sailors have performed very well thus far and have come together as a cohesive, capable team. Please continue to send them support by taking advantage of all available means of maintaining communication. Arigatogozaimasu! Capt David Rooks, Chaos 6