Hawaii Salutes A-6 Lifeguards B-1 MCCS & SM&SP B-2 Reunion B-3 Word to Pass & Menu B-6 Baseball C-1 Sports Briefs C-2 the Bottom Line C-3
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INSIDE Chapel Construction A-2 2/3 Training A-3 Honor Graduate A-4 Hawaii Salutes A-6 Lifeguards B-1 MCCS & SM&SP B-2 Reunion B-3 Word to Pass & Menu B-6 Baseball C-1 Sports Briefs C-2 The Bottom Line C-3 Anderson Hall D-1 MVMOLUME 35, NUMBER 12 ARINEARINEWWW.MCBH.USMC.MIL MARCH 25, 2005 2005 to be ‘pivotal’ for Iraq Donna Miles suffering, all our sacrifices made by confidence as they do so, Weber said to take on the mission is the coali- striving to “have two or three elec- American Forces Press Service the coalition forces, the U.S. forces, at the Multinational Force Iraq’s tion’s “ticket out of here,” Weber tions, seat a government, write a con- and all those people contributing Camp Victory headquarters. stressed that it’s important not to stitution, have a referendum, vote on BAGHDAD, Iraq — The year over here was worth something,” he “You just drive up and down make the transition too quickly. it, then have another election” — all 2005 will prove to be “very pivotal” said. Route Irish between here and the “We have a lot of time and money within a two-year timeframe, he said. in Iraq as the country transitions to a The next capstone event, Weber embassy and you can see them in and sweat and blood and tears invest- “We as Americans want to come in free, representative government with said, will be the seating of Iraq’s new uniform. They are squared away, ed over here,” he said. “And … as we here and do things very quickly and its own police and military forces government and the “passing of the they have their gear, they are very work with the Iraqis and the govern- fix things and apply money and providing security, according to the baton in the counterinsurgency fight professional in what they are doing,” ment and the security forces, we resources to it,” he said. “We want to chief of staff for Multinational Force from the coalition forces to the Iraqi he said. “And as that capacity builds need to be cautious about taking our fix it and leave, and it’s very difficult Iraq. security forces.” and spreads, the people are going to hand off the bicycle seat way too to do that.” Marine Maj. Gen. Joseph F. Weber The Iraqis’ and coalition’s vision gain confidence in their own security soon.” Weber said confidence in Iraq’s told the American Forces Press for Iraq’s security forces “is becoming forces.” As the Iraqis move forward, and potential as a free, democratic and Service the year already has begun a reality,” he said, as they grow in During the months ahead, the particularly as they form their new economically strong country appears with “a capstone event” — Iraq’s suc- numbers and capabilities so they are coalition will focus increasingly on government, Weber said it’s impor- to be growing as progress continues cessful Jan. 30 national elections. able “to take over this counterinsur- “partnering, mentoring, teaching tant to keep in mind how quickly — in the government, the security The elections, he said, gave the gency fight and provide for the secu- and building up the capability of they’re progressing. After gaining forces and the reconstruction pro- coalition here much-needed verifica- rity of their own people.” these forces” so they have the experi- independence, the United States did- grams under way. tion that their service in Iraq hasn’t Iraq’s security forces “are earning ence their new roles require. n’t get a constitution until 11 years “With all that accomplished been in vain. “The coalition needed their spurs,” demonstrating tenacity While acknowledging that the later, he pointed out. here,” he said. “I’m confidently opti- that, to see that all our efforts, all our as they face insurgents and gaining readiness of the Iraqi security forces In contrast, he said, the Iraqis are mistic about Iraq’s future.” Headquarters Howzit? Battery, 1/12 picks up duty Cpl. Megan L. Stiner Press Chief Recently the Marines of 1st Battalion, 12th Marine Regiment, were given the opportunity to do what Marines do best — adapt and overcome. One of the duties of a Marine Corps cannoneer is to perform firing salutes during ceremonious events. When the time came for these events to be put on, the Marines realized they did not have enough cannoneers on the island to perform the salutes, therefore, they looked to another source for personnel. That is how several Marines from Headquarters Company, 1/12, were trained in the art of firing an M101-A1 105mm light howitzer. “Traditionally the 0811s [cannoneers] are the ones who per- form the salutes,” explained Master Sgt. Manuel A. Colo’n, bat- talion field artillery chief, 1st Battalion, 12th Marine Regiment. “We knew we didn’t have enough on island so we asked Headquarters Battery if they could help us out. Before long, we had the Marines training for upcoming events.” The Marines chosen to take on the responsibility of learning the job of cannoneer came from various different military occu- pational specialties. They ranged from nuclear biological and Cpl. Trevor M. Carlee chemical defense specialists to field radio operators. In all, Marines with Battery A, 1st Battalion, 12th Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division, currently assigned to 3rd Battalion, 12th Marine Marines from nine different MOSs filled the billet for the 0811s. Regiment, align the coordinates on their howitzer at Camp Hansen, Okinawa, Japan, March 15, during the battery’s rehearsal of stan- “We began training by familiarizing the Marines with the dard operating procedure for providing indirect artillery support for infantry units. Sixty-six Marines with the Hawaii-based battery new equipment,” said Staff Sgt. Marcus A. Norman, cannoneer, participated in the three-day exercise that helped prepare them for their future training at the central training area, which will, in turn, 1st Battalion, 12th Marine Regiment. “I never had any prob- prepare them for their deployment to Cobra Gold ‘05. “Ultimately, we’re preparing for combat,” said Gunnery Sgt. Kevin T. Bowman, lems teaching them. They all caught on really quick.” the battery gunnery sergeant. “That’s what it boils down to.” The Marines began training in preparation solely for the recent Pacific Command change of command, but have since been asked to continue training for additional upcoming events. “We train every working day for one hour each day,” 2/3 trains in real-world scenes explained Norman. “These Marines are very motivated to be able to experience what it is like to be in a different MOS. They Sgt. Robert M. Storm training as realistic as possible, is using ronment; it’s realistic and designed for get to see what their fellow Marines do, first hand.” Combat Correspondent the deserted housing areas of MARB to what they will really face,” said Cpl. When Headquarters Battery was asked to provide Marines for train units for real-world operations in Jeffrey W. Hosterman, infantryman, 1st the events, the response was almost immediate — even though MARCH AIR RESERVE BASE, Iraq and Afghanistan. Marines who have Battalion, 6th Marines, who serves as an the battery is currently preparing for upcoming deployments. Calif. — Wrecked cars in the road, gut- deployed to these regions are used as aggressor at MARB. “With a lot of the units on base deployed, we have been ted houses, the smell of fire and smoke in instructors and role-playing aggressors to Units that come through MARB can asked to help out in a number of different ways,” said Capt. the air, men with full beards wearing per- increase the awareness of the Marines expect an immersion into a different Andrew A. Merz, officer-in-charge, Headquarters Battery, 1st ahan tunban (a knee-length shirt worn who have not yet deployed. The Marine world — one where prayer is blasted over Battalion, 12th Marine Regiment. “I was surprised at first, over trousers) — all of this and more Corps even goes as far as allowing the loudspeakers three times a day, and because I have never seen a Headquarters Battery perform the complete the training at March Air aggressors to grow full beards. where civilians are allowed to carry salutes. But I knew the Marines could handle it, and that it Reserve Base. “Training at MARB teaches the would be a good experience for them. Marines are very versa- The Marine Corps, in an effort to make Marines how to deal with an urban envi- See REAL, A-8 tile and this is just another example of how.” Some of the cannoneers are expected to return in the next couple of weeks, but until then, the Marines stepping in and fill- ing the job are more than happy to help out. CAX known as the ‘ultimate range’ “It is nice to see how the battery works from a different Sgt. Robert M. Storm See 1/12, A-7 Combat Correspondent MARINE CORPS AIR GROUND COMBAT CENTER, TWENTYNINE PALMS, Calif. — Range 400 — ask anyone who has been to the Marine Air Ground Combat Center, Twentynine Palms, and conducted a live fire on that range and they will likely tell you that it is unforgettable. Just the name sends a jolt down many an infantrymen’s spine from remembered experiences. The explo- sions from the breach, covering fire from ‘machine gun hill,’ the exhausting run over broken terrain in full gear to assault the objective, deafening blasts from mortars and rockets, the smell of gunpowder, smoke and dust everywhere, all this combines to make this range as close to combat as can be simu- lated.