Volume 1, Issue 3 October 15, 2010 All Clear 2nd MLG CBRN runs Marines, sailors through advanced sustainment training CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. Marines and sailors from 2nd Marine Logistics Group completed chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear decontamination sustainment training, at Camp Lejeune, Oct. 8, 2010. The four day course, taught by the Marines and Navy corpsmen of the 2nd MLG CBRN section, was designed to teach troops the skills needed to decontaminate personnel and equipment in a contaminated environment. Corporal Michael J. Bell, the chief instructor from 2nd MLG CBRN, explained that a CBRN defense specialist may not always be on hand and it s important for all Marines to have a good grasp on CBRN operations. The only familiarization they have with our MOS (military occupational specialty) is the training they receive at the gas chamber; this course runs the entire gambit of decontamination, he said. This was the second time the course was offered and Bell said that the section hopes Private First Class Courtney Pinette, an ammunition technician with 2nd Supply Battalion, Combat Logistics Regiment 25, 2nd Marine Logistics Group, helps decontaminate a fellow Marine during chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear decontamination sustainment training, at Camp Lejeune, Oct. 8, 2010. to train much of the 2nd MLG to prepare them for possible CBRN incidents. On Wednesday during the field exercise, students took all the knowledge they learned from classroom instruction the previous two days, and applied it to a simulated decontamination of their fellow students and equipment. Bell said that the students were able to learn an extensive amount of knowledge in a short period of time. On day one, 100 percent of them didn t know how to do this, he said. They went from having zero knowledge to learning how to do the most complex operations in our MOS. Petty Officer 3rd Class Dustin W. Thacker, a corpsmen with 2nd Dental Battalion, said he thought the class was very beneficial. The causality decontamination was interesting to me because I m a doc, he explained. I had a really good time, met a lot of good Marines, had fun and it got me out of the clininc. Pros school Marines, sailors on dirt bike skills during two-day course... Page 4 Also: Threat Detection Test... Page 2 Warrior of the Week... Page 3 235th Navy Birthday... Page 5 Editorial: Back to Basics - Follow the conversation on facebook
Page 2 8th ESB Marines Test New Threat Detection System Pfc. Franklin E. Mercado CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. Troops deployed to combat zones put themselves in harm s way on a daily basis, but due to recent innovations their mission may be a bit safer. Marines and sailors with 8th Engineer Support Battalion, 2nd Marine Logistics Group, began testing fiber optic cables with the ability to sense vibrations from the ground around them, aboard Camp Lejeune, recently. In addition to being able to sense ground vibrations produce by a potential threat, the cables can also determine the source. The cables can tell you the difference between someone walking above them to someone digging a hole, said Staff Sgt. Alexander Abel, a combat engineer with 8th ESB. This tool can prove to be very valuable in the fight. The cables are placed in the ground and connected to computers in the combat operations center. In the COC, Marines and sailors watch the monitors for any disturbances. The different types of vibrations are categorized by color codes, red being the most severe. When this code is received, appropriate actions are taken to defuse the situation and ensure the path is clear. Photo by Pfc. Franklin E. Mercado Staff Sgt. Alexander Abel, Pfc. Andrew Gonzalez, Sgt. Christopher A. Archuleta, Lance Cpl. Charles Richardson and Sgt. Heath Keller, combat engineers with 8th Engineer Support Battalion, 2nd Marine Logistics Group, and several other Marines and sailors with the battalion tested fiber optic cables aboard Camp Lejeune, N.C., Oct. 6, 2010. The cables are able to sense ground vibrations produced by a potential threat and can also determine the source. This can keep so many Marines and sailors safe, said Abel. We can have eyes on the roads without actually putting our own service members in danger. Safety is paramount when in a combat zone. Anything that can help service members in the fight is a plus, and the Marines and sailors of 8th ESB are putting forth their best efforts in keeping their fellow ship mates safe. If we can send Marines out to stop someone while they are digging the hole for an [improvised explosive device], it will prevent a lot of unnecessary injuries, Abel concluded.
Page 3 Sailor of the Quarter brings unique skills to Med. Bn. Cpl. M. Foster CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. Ladies and gentlemen, meet Petty Officer 3rd Class Robert Jones. Described by one of his officers as having natural leadership abilities, Jones is a hospital corpsman and surgical technician working as an operations clerk for 2nd Medical Battalion. He was recently awarded Sailor of the Quarter for the battalion. He s a hard worker, he s motivated, he likes what he does and he shows a lot of initiative, said Ensign Matthew Robinson, the assistant operations officer for 2nd Med. Bn. He s one of the kinds of guys you wish you could have a hundred more of. Jones joined the Navy in 2003 and worked his first four years as a naval airman. An accumulated year and a half of that was spent aboard the USS Kitty Hawk with the Strike Fighter Attack Squadron 102, controlling the launching, landing, fuelling and overall condition of fighter jets. It was pretty exciting, he recalled with a slight smile on his face. It was like being on a freeway but with jets taking off and landing at full throttle. A couple times I was almost blown over [the side of] the ship. It was an adrenaline rush every night. Jones said during his first four years he never met a Marine it wasn t until he became a corpsman. He loves working with Marines and being their sole medical provider when he s in the field with them. It gives me the ability to exercise my skills and put all my training to good use, he said. In addition to that, he uses his past experiences to make better decisions in order to be a more efficient petty officer. My goal here is to be a better leader, whether or not I m leading sailors or Marines, he concluded. Jones also plays football on an all Marine team. So if you d like to cheer this sailor on, check out a New River Knights game so far they re undefeated. Petty Officer 3rd Class Robert Jones Age: 26 Job: Hospital Corpsmen / Surgical Technician Q: If you were stranded on an island, what is one piece of combat gear you would want with you? A: 550 cord! You could build/ do anything with 550 cord. Q: Most memorable deployment experience? A: First deployment on the USS Kitty Hawk. Being in control of and launching million dollar aircrafts. Q: What football team are you rooting for? A: Oakland Raiders. Q: What is your favorite part about your job in the Navy? A: Leading my junior troops. Photo courtesy of Petty Officer 3rd Class Robert Jones Petty Officer 3rd Class Robert Jones, an operations clerk for 2nd Medical Battalion, 2nd Marine Logistics Group, served aboard the USS Kitty Hawk during eight different deployments throughout the first four years of his enlistment. The sailor was recently named as Sailor of the Quarter for the battalion.
Page 4 A rider from II Marine Expeditionary Force rides a dirt bike during a safety class, Oct. 6, 2010, at Marine Corps Auxiliary Landing Field Bogue, N.C. During the training, veteran motorcyclists who have competed in national competitions taught the Marines and sailors in attendance the basics of riding dirt bikes on dirt and pavement. Photos by Hit the Dirt: CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. Over the last few years a lot of emphasis has been put on motorcycle safety in the Marine Corps. But what about those Marines and sailors who ride off-road motorcycles? Instructors from American Supercamp, a motorcycle school based out of Ft. Collins, Colo., taught the Marines and sailors of II Marine Expeditionary Force basic dirt bike skills aimed at making them better, more knowledgeable dirt bike operators Oct. 6, at Marine Corps Auxiliary Landing Field Bogue, N.C. This is off-road motorcycle training for Marines and sailors, explained Staff Sgt. Brent M. Sharp, traffic and motorcycle safety officer, 2nd Marine Logistics Group Safety Office. Some of these guys haven t ridden in years and some race every single weekend. During the training, veteran motorcyclists who have competed in national competitions taught the Marines and sailors in attendance the basics of riding dirt bikes on dirt and pavement. According to Sharp, the Headquarters Motorcycle pros school Marines, sailors on dirt bike skills during two-day course Marine Corps initiative to start the course began after a member completed one of American Supercamp s similar courses and found it to be quite beneficial. Sharp, who himself is an avid motorcyclist, thinks the training will have the same benefits for Marines everywhere. A lot of Marines do this as a recreational activity just by watching it you can see it s inherently dangerous, he said. If they can come out here and gain skills and take that to a motocross track, it can be beneficial and keep them from getting hurt. Monday they re back at work on full duty status. 2nd MLG s safety office attributes approximately 35 percent of motorcycle related mishaps in II MEF this calendar year to off-road incidents. The event attracted Marines from all around Lejeune, Including 10 Marines/ sailors from 2nd MLG and even two Marines from Quantico, Va. If Marines and sailors are interested in dirt bike and all-terrain vehicle safety classes, Marine Corps Community Services offers them year around. For more information on similar courses, contact your unit s safety office. Riders from ll MEF negotiate a portion of the dirt bike course at Marine Corps Auxillary Landing Field Bogue, N.C. Veteran motorcyclists taught the Marines and sailors the basics of riding bikes on dirt and pavement.
Page 5 235 Navy th Birthday Lance Cpl. Katherine M. Solano The theme, transcending through time, not only reminds us to stop to reflect on the proud tradition and history laid out by our founding fathers, but to also re-energize our focus to the future of our great Navy. CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. The 235th Navy Ball was a birthday celebration to remember for the sailors of Camp Lejeune and Marine Corps Air Station New River. The 516 sailors, retirees, and family members who attended embodied the centuries of tradition, history, sacrifice and growth of the United States Navy as they honored the branch s birthday at the Sheraton Atlantic Beach, Oct. 9. The ball went beyond just food, drinks and dancing. It was the pinnacle of history, tradition, pride and remembering those who had made the ultimate sacrifice. Senior Chief Christopher Hill, chairman, 2010 Navy Ball committee Commanding General Public Affairs Officer Sergeant Major Combat Correspondents Brig. Gen. Michael G. Dana Sgt. Maj. William T. Stables Command Master Chief HMCM Kelly A. McNulty 2nd Lt. Joshua Smith Sgt. Jeremy Ross Sgt. Justin J. Shemanski Cpl. Rachael Moore Cpl. Mikaela Foster Cpl. Bobbie Curtis Cpl. Melissa Latty Public Affairs Chief Staff Sgt. Theresa Seng Lance Cpl. Katherine M. Solano Lance Cpl. Bruno J. Bego PFC. Franklin Mercado Follow us on facebook