10 July 2017 Battalion Commander s Comments Lava Dog Ohana, The men have done an incredible job over the course of the last month. I have been thoroughly impressed with their focus and commitment to the mission. As a forward deployed force your team is ready to conduct a wide range of operations with little to no notice. The battalion is a force in readiness that will succeed in any clime or place. Several unit leaders are attending Corporal s Course, Sergeant s Course, Advanced Course, Tactical Rope Suspension Techniques Course and numerous other courses which have improved our overall readiness level. We will continue to invest in education during the remainder of the deployment. Each deployment has a different operational flavor. Our deployment will be characterized by company level distributed operations in up to four countries simultaneously. The team is up to the challenge and eager to kick things off. Over the course of the last week we commenced an intense jungle warfare training package for half of the battalion and deployed forces to Camp Fuji which is near Tokyo for live fire training. The operational tempo will only increase in the coming weeks. The staff is working around the clock to set each company up for success. We ve attended numerous planning conferences to ensure that every exercise is realistic, challenging and improves our allied and partnered nation s military capabilities. Thank you for the sacrifices you have made to support your loved one. We could not have been as successful without the support from home. It s an honor to serve alongside these men. Fortes Fortuna Juvat (Fortune Favors the Bold), Lava 6 Sergeant Major s Corner Konnichiwa, Thanks for the care packages, letters and prayers. Your correspondence is a force multiplier which lifts our spirits. There are numerous methods to communicate with your Lava Dog while we are on Okinawa. In other portions of the area of operation we may not have access to the internet for several weeks. In these circumstances, letters are the most reliable method of communication. Don t assume the worst if you don t hear from your Lava Dog for a handful of weeks. If an emergency situation were to arise, the Commanding Officer will ensure that you will be contacted as soon as possible. Semper Fidelis, Lava 9
Important Family Readiness Contact Information for Hawaii Family Readiness Officer: orin.lucas@usmc.mil or (808) 257-1433 Military & Family Life Counselor: lavadogshawaii@gmail.com or (808) 285-8407 3d Marines Chaplain: charles.luff@usmc.mil (808) 257-8799 Remain Behind Element Officer in Charge sean.dix@usmc.mil or (808) 291-9156 Chaplain Update Want to see your Lava Dog in action? Be sure to follow us on Facebook for the most current photos of your Marines abroad. Facebook.com/LavaDogsUSMC Mailing Address (Rank, Full Name) 1/3 Unit 89012 Boxes 1202-2000 FPO AP 96610 Hello Families! Your Lava Dogs arrived safe and have been active at Camp Hansen and throughout Okinawa. We conducted several community relations events during the last month, including a beach cleanup, a base cleanup and several trips to Camp Schwab to participate in the "English for Adults" classes. The class has approximately 100 Japanese college students and local professionals that are eager to further their understanding of the English language. Our Lava Dogs are becoming quite the hit at this weekly event. The classes are split into three groups - with beginner, intermediate, and advanced levels. Since most of our men are not proficient in Japanese - they participate in the basic and intermediate classes. Typically the class instructors give the Japanese students an assignment with a public speaking requirement and our volunteers assist them in completing the assignment. Last week's event focused on cultural literacy, specifically on the celebration of Independence Day. Not only did the Japanese students enrich their English communication skills, our Lava Dogs had a positive engagement with the local Okinawan culture and improved their cultural understanding of our host country's citizens. Thank you for the support you continue to provide your deployed Lava Dogs! Chaplain Maruszewski
Head Hunter (H&S Co) From the Commanding Officer: Konnichiwa to our H&S families! It has been an action packed and exciting first month in Japan. Your Marines and Sailors wasted no time getting into action and focusing on our forward deployed mission. In addition to preparing for the upcoming combined exercises with our allied and partnered Nations, we are honing our warfighting skills as depicted in the below photos during combat marksmanship training as well as strengthening our bodies and minds through conditioning hikes, rigorous physical training and a professional military education program. The climate here is warm, humid and often raining. Our Marines and Sailors have acclimated to the weather and are used to being wet and muddy. Camp Hansen is a comfortable and safe environment where Marines can pass any free time they have in the gym or at the pool. We are rapidly approaching a period characterized by what I can only describe as a fast-paced tempo in several different countries. Communication with your loved one may be limited and intermittent; however, rest assured we will keep you updated on the latest accomplishments and milestones. From the First Sergeant: Throughout the last month the Head-Hunter Nation has been constantly striving to better ourselves and our Company. We have awarded six Navy/Marine Corps Achievement Medals for the accomplishments that have got us where we are today. We continue to push our limits and add to the list of promotions and awards this Company has earned. The future looks bright due to the Marines and Sailors of this great company. Warhammer (Weapons Co) Since arriving in Okinawa, Warhammer Company has conducted rigorous training to prepare for numerous exercises throughout the Pacific region. Marines and Sailors have been fine tuning their warfighting skills by employing their personal weapon systems on Camp Hansen s ranges and conducting drills with the.50 caliber machine gun, MK-19 grenade launcher, 81mm mortar system and sniper rifles. The Marines and Sailors have taken the first few weeks to enhance their capabilities and prepare them for what lies ahead. The Company has now acclimatized to the hot and humid weather by conducting daily physical training. The Company tackled the 3.5 mile endurance course aboard Camp Hansen that consisted of running through mud and water, climbing 30 foot cliffs, and navigating through thick jungle terrain. It was a great way for the Marines and Sailors to compete with one another and build comradery within the Company. During the next few weeks, the Company will conduct training at Jungle Warfare Training Center in Okinawa, Japan as well as combined arms training on mainland Japan. The month of July is filled with intense training that we are eagerly looking forward to. We are pleased to see our Marines continue to develop into great leaders. We cannot be more proud of the Marines and Sailors of Warhammer Company. They have consistently displayed the utmost professionalism and have represented our Nation exceptionally well. Thank you for your unwavering support. Semper Fi Warhammer 6
Ares (Co A) From the Commanding Officer: Aloha! I hope our Ares families and friends are in good health and spirits. We are entering our fourth week of your Marine s deployment and have adjusted exceptionally well. Japan has all of the amenities that your loved one are accustomed to back home. Most Marines have signed up for internet services and are fully connected with life back home. During the deployment the company will participate in several different exercises with our partners throughout the region. These exercises are very important as they build our strategic relationships in the Pacific, providing for peace and prosperity across the world. Do not be alarmed if you are unable to contact your loved one during these times as we could be in a remote location with reduced connectivity. Okinawa is an exciting and exotic place full of adventure and new experiences. From a culture rich in history, military battle site tours, outdoor adventures, and new cuisine, there is no shortage of opportunities in this once in a lifetime destination. If you are planning a trip to visit your loved one, Space-A travel through Hickam AFB to Kadina AFB is a great option and there are fairly regular flights. Ensure you have taken the Space A brief, have your authorization letter, and have checked with your spouse s schedule to ensure he will be in Okinawa during the time you plan for your visit. In closing, I wish you the best throughout our time apart. Semper Fidelis! Capt Reynolds From the First Sergeant: First and foremost, I hope that you are doing well. Should any concerns arise on the home front, do not hesitate to contact me. We are one month down in the deployment and things are going extremely well. We have conducted several training events. This includes confirming the zero on our weapon systems, rappelling, fast roping, swim qualification, and gear preparation for our upcoming exercises. Some of your Marines are beginning to attend schools this week such as Corporals Course, Sergeants Course, Combat Marksmanship Course, and for the majority of us, Infantry Jungle Skills Course. Hopefully the weather will be favorable as we have been poured on during each training event. In true Marine Corps fashion our warriors embraced the adversity and grow stronger from shared misery. We had a relaxing Independence Day weekend and appreciated the short week before training ramps up. Thank you for your support and happy belated Independence Day. First Sergeant Radebaugh. Berserker (Co B) Berserker Company safely arrived in Okinawa the first week of June full of motivation. We started the deployment off on the right foot. Upon arriving we conducted our Reception, Staging, Onward Movement and Integration (RSO&I) which set us up for success to carry out our mission in this Area of Operation and to help appreciate the culture of the surrounding area. It didn t take us long to get back to our roots as we found ourselves in the field the following week perfecting our craft with a combat marksman day and night shoot and zero of our machine guns. Soon after, we broadened the core capabilities of Berserker Company by getting everyone qualified in fast roping, a form of tactical insertion by helicopter by descending down a thick rope. The month of June wrapped up with our final preparations for a rigorous two week training evolution at the Jungle Warfare Training Center. We can t express how grateful we are for the love and support our families and friends have provided throughout this rewarding deployment. You are the backbone of Berserker Company and have been instrument to our success. Berserker 6
Chaos (Co C) Konnichiwa Chaos Families, The Marines and Sailors are getting settled in to their barracks and have had opportunities to experience Okinawan culture while preparing for upcoming exercises. Several of our Marines have already traveled to locations throughout the Pacific to plan bi-lateral training with partnered forces. We have spent much of the last several weeks completing required training and briefs to get us out the door, including zeroing our weapons and machine guns, grenade launchers, and automatic rifles. Additionally, we have focused on physical fitness, hiking under load, and Professional Military Education to prepare your Marines for any contingency. We will do our utmost to ensure that the hard work your Marines and Sailors do is documented and shared with you, either in this monthly newsletter or via the Battalion s Combat Correspondent. Please be advised, communication with your Marine/Sailor may become difficult over the next several months as we get into the busy part of our schedule, but we will do our best to afford them an opportunity to call home when the schedule permits. Mail will be forwarded to us, and while it is a little slower, letters may be the best way to keep in touch with your Marines and Sailors. Thank you for all the love and support you send to the Marines and Sailors of Chaos Company. Semper Fidelis, Capt Rooks, Chaos 6