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Official U.S. Marine Corps Website

Archive: August, 2013

From left to right, U.S. Navy Vice Adm. Robert L. Thomas, Republic of Korea Lt. Gen. Ho-Yeon Lee, U.S. Marine Corps Lt. Gen. John Wissler and Republic of Korea Maj. Gen. Sang-Hoon Lee discuss Exercise Ulchi Freedom Guardian 2013, Aug. 26. Wissler is aboard the USS Blue Ridge in his role as commander of the Combined Marine Component Command, Combined Forces Command (Wartime), for the exercise. The CMCC incorporates Marine Corps and selected naval forces of the U.S. and the Republic of Korea, as well as sending states’ amphibious forces, under one organization established in the event of a crisis on the Korean peninsula. Other service members with III MEF are participating in UFG from multiple locations across Japan and the Republic of Korea, as well as sending states, including a French battalion Landing team cell. UFG is carried out in support of the Republic of Korea and U.S. Mutual Defense Treaty signed on Oct. 1, 1953. This exercise furthers military training and enhances the Republic of Korea military’s abilities to take the lead of the combined defense of the Republic of Korea in 2015. Thomas is the commander of the U.S. 7th Fleet, Ho-Yeon Lee is the commandant of the Republic of Korea Marine Corps, Wissler is the commanding general of the III Marine Expeditionary Force, and Sang-Hoon Lee is the assistant commandant of the Republic of Korea Marine Corps. - From left to right, U.S. Navy Vice Adm. Robert L. Thomas, Republic of Korea Lt. Gen. Ho-Yeon Lee, U.S. Marine Corps Lt. Gen. John Wissler and Republic of Korea Maj. Gen. Sang-Hoon Lee discuss Exercise Ulchi Freedom Guardian 2013, Aug. 26. Wissler is aboard the USS Blue Ridge in his role as commander of the Combined Marine Component Command, Combined Forces Command (Wartime), for the exercise. The CMCC incorporates Marine Corps and selected naval forces of the U.S. and the Republic of Korea, as well as sending states’ amphibious forces, under one organization established in the event of a crisis on the Korean peninsula. Other service members with III MEF are participating in UFG from multiple locations across Japan and the Republic of Korea, as well as sending states, including a French battalion Landing team cell. UFG is carried out in support of the Republic of Korea and U.S. Mutual Defense Treaty signed on Oct. 1, 1953. This exercise furthers military training and enhances the Republic of Korea military’s abilities to take the lead of the combined defense of the Republic of Korea in 2015. Thomas is the commander of the U.S. 7th Fleet, Ho-Yeon Lee is the commandant of the Republic of Korea Marine Corps, Wissler is the commanding general of the III Marine Expeditionary Force, and Sang-Hoon Lee is the assistant commandant of the Republic of Korea Marine Corps.

US, South Korean generals command Marine forces from sea

The commanding general of III Marine Expeditionary Force embarked the USS Blue Ridge Aug. 25 for his command’s annual joint and combined warfighting exercise, Ulchi Freedom Guardian 2013. Lt. Gen. John Wissler embarked the USS Blue Ridge in his role as commander of the Combined Marine Component Command, Combined Forces Command (Wartime), for the

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ARTP 13-2 commences

Marines with Battery C, 3rd Battalion, 12th Marine Regiment, will begin artillery relocation training Aug. 26 in support of Artillery Relocation Training Program 13-2 at the Ojojihara Maneuver Area, Sendai, Japan.The battery training includes using artillery and small-arms live-fire, along with basic field training to enhance combat readiness and

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A Smokey SAM, also known as a GTR-18, travels through the air Aug. 27 on a training island off the coast of Ie Shima. - A Smokey SAM, also known as a GTR-18, travels through the air Aug. 27 on a training island off the coast of Ie Shima.

Pilots evade Smokey SAMs

Pilots of CH-46E Sea Knight helicopters and KC-130J Super Hercules transport aircraft practiced their threat reaction flight techniques using simulated missiles Aug. 27 on a training island off the coast of Ie Shima.The CH-46E pilots are with Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 262, Marine Aircraft Group 36, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, III Marine

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Lance Cpl. Jesse R. Gribble slices through a piece of metal Aug. 9 while deconstructing a dilapidated building on Camp Hansen. The building, along with another, presented a hazard to both personnel, as well as the equipment being stored in them due to deterioration from severe weather. Gribble is a combat engineer with 9th Engineer Support Battalion, 3rd Marine Logistics Group, III Marine Expeditionary Force. - Lance Cpl. Jesse R. Gribble slices through a piece of metal Aug. 9 while deconstructing a dilapidated building on Camp Hansen. The building, along with another, presented a hazard to both personnel, as well as the equipment being stored in them due to deterioration from severe weather. Gribble is a combat engineer with 9th Engineer Support Battalion, 3rd Marine Logistics Group, III Marine Expeditionary Force.

9th ESB demolishes safety hazard

Marines with 9th Engineer Support Battalion worked tirelessly to deconstruct two buildings previously used to store M777A2 howitzer artillery pieces for the 12th Marine Regiment Aug. 9-30 at Camp Hansen. Before the deconstruction process began, it was determined that the buildings were no longer sturdy enough to withstand the harsh weather on

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Cpl. Griffith D. Moore puts fuses on M777A2 155 mm lightweight howitzer rounds Aug. 21 at the Rodriguez Live-Fire Complex during Korean Marine Exchange Program 13-8. Throughout the exercise, Republic of Korea and U.S. Marines conducted live-fire training, helicopter operations, and military operations in urban terrain training as well as cultural exchanges and tours of the country. Moore is an artilleryman with Battery I, 3rd Battalion, 11th Marine Regiment, currently assigned to 12th Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force under the unit deployment program. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Kasey Peacock/Released) - Cpl. Griffith D. Moore puts fuses on M777A2 155 mm lightweight howitzer rounds Aug. 21 at the Rodriguez Live-Fire Complex during Korean Marine Exchange Program 13-8. Throughout the exercise, Republic of Korea and U.S. Marines conducted live-fire training, helicopter operations, and military operations in urban terrain training as well as cultural exchanges and tours of the country. Moore is an artilleryman with Battery I, 3rd Battalion, 11th Marine Regiment, currently assigned to 12th Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force under the unit deployment program. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Kasey Peacock/Released)

ROK, US Marines conclude KMEP 13-8

The two countries’ service members stood completely still at attention as they waited to be awarded. On this day, they did not stand representing different nations with different backgrounds, but as fellow Marines. Republic of Korea and U.S. Marines concluded Korean Marine Exchange Program 13-8 during an awards ceremony honoring the participants

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Marines with Marine Wing Support Squadron 172 participate in a flag-football game Aug. 16 as part of the 2nd annual Firebird Festival at the field behind on Camp Foster. “The flag football games were intense,” said Staff Sgt. Talan J. Wyenandt. “Though it was a flag football game the teams came out and gave their all. They weren’t afraid to get a little (aggressive) if they had to.” Wyenandt is the operations chief for MWSS-172, Marine Aircraft Group 36, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, III Marine Expeditionary Force. - Marines with Marine Wing Support Squadron 172 participate in a flag-football game Aug. 16 as part of the 2nd annual Firebird Festival at the field behind on Camp Foster. “The flag football games were intense,” said Staff Sgt. Talan J. Wyenandt. “Though it was a flag football game the teams came out and gave their all. They weren’t afraid to get a little (aggressive) if they had to.” Wyenandt is the operations chief for MWSS-172, Marine Aircraft Group 36, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, III Marine Expeditionary Force.

MWSS-172 hosts 2nd annual Firebird Festival

The aroma of food filled the air throughout the festival as Marines and their families enjoyed each other’s company while competing to decide who would win the annual Firebird Festival Trophy. Marine Wing Support Squadron 172, known as the Firebirds, hosted the second-annual Firebird Festival Aug. 16 at Camp Foster for members of the unit and

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CDOS concludes though safety remains critical

Living on a subtropical island allows for summer activities to take place throughout the year, so letting your guard down as the fall season approaches could lead to injuries or worse. Labor Day weekend marks the conclusion of the 2013 Critical Days of Summer campaign, but it is important to remember being safe is a year-round responsibility.

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Lance Cpl. Nathan E. Craig, left, and Cpl. Oumarou A. Abdoulaye search muddy water for lost parts and tools during a military occupational specialty re-designation training course Aug. 16 at Camp Hansen. Abdoulaye is a motor transport operator with 7th Communication Battalion, III Marine Expeditionary Force Headquarters Group, III MEF, and Craig is a motor transport operator with Truck Company, Headquarters Battalion, 3rd Marine Division, III MEF. - Lance Cpl. Nathan E. Craig, left, and Cpl. Oumarou A. Abdoulaye search muddy water for lost parts and tools during a military occupational specialty re-designation training course Aug. 16 at Camp Hansen. Abdoulaye is a motor transport operator with 7th Communication Battalion, III Marine Expeditionary Force Headquarters Group, III MEF, and Craig is a motor transport operator with Truck Company, Headquarters Battalion, 3rd Marine Division, III MEF.

Transport Marines embrace mud, grime

The advanced training of Marines is a requirement in most military occupational specialties. However, the associated temporary additional duty often requires Marines to be absent from their normal duties and units for extended periods of time. One resourceful group has solved this challenge and in doing so is saving precious TAD dollars. Motor

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Marines secure a leaking barrel in a sealed container for transport during a unit training exercise Aug. 23 at a warehouse on Camp Kinser. A fog machine was used to simulate harmful gasses, barrels, gas tanks were provided as demonstrations of unsecured contaminants, and several false bodies were used to simulate casualties the teams were required to extract during the exercise. The teams consisted of Marines from various units with III Marine Expeditionary Force. - Marines secure a leaking barrel in a sealed container for transport during a unit training exercise Aug. 23 at a warehouse on Camp Kinser. A fog machine was used to simulate harmful gasses, barrels, gas tanks were provided as demonstrations of unsecured contaminants, and several false bodies were used to simulate casualties the teams were required to extract during the exercise. The teams consisted of Marines from various units with III Marine Expeditionary Force.

Marines train to handle hazardous materials

During the training scenario, Marines dressed in sealed protective suits step into the tent, testing the smoke-filled air for toxins with a handheld sensor. Once the readings display it is safe to proceed, they step farther into the structure and approach the hazardous material. Chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear defense teams with III

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Cpl. Nikolas C. Wurdelman returns fire Aug. 15 during platoon-level military operations in urban terrain and counterinsurgency operations training at the Combat Town facility in the Central Training Area. Wurdelman is a team leader with Weapons Platoon, Company D, 3rd Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion, currently assigned to LAR Company, Combat Assault Battalion, 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force, under the unit deployment program. Photo by Lance Cpl. Brandon C. Suhr - Cpl. Nikolas C. Wurdelman returns fire Aug. 15 during platoon-level military operations in urban terrain and counterinsurgency operations training at the Combat Town facility in the Central Training Area. Wurdelman is a team leader with Weapons Platoon, Company D, 3rd Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion, currently assigned to LAR Company, Combat Assault Battalion, 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force, under the unit deployment program. Photo by Lance Cpl. Brandon C. Suhr

Combat Town tests LAR Marines’ readiness

Marines pride themselves in their role as a force in readiness, a role that demands continuous training and a drive for operational excellence.Marines with Combat Assault Battalion demonstrated their commitment to maintaining their edge as a force in readiness Aug. 12-15 during platoon-level military operations in urban terrain and

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