III Marine Expeditionary Force and Marine Corps Base Camp Smedley D. Butler June 23, 2006 www.okinawa.usmc.mil FUELING THE FIGHT MARINE CORPS AIR STATION FUTENMA | Four KC-130 Hercules aircraft from Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron 152, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, assisted six Navy F/A-18 Hornets from Strike Fighter Squadron 97 in a refueling mission to Anderson Air Force Base, Guam, June 16. The Marines were supporting Exercise Valiant Shield 2006, a joint interoperability exercise involving 10 air bases, three Navy carrier strike groups and the U.S. Coast Guard. Photo by Lance Cpl. Terence L. Yancey Marines receive Japan Good Conduct Award Lance Cpl. Eric D. Arndt rine units: 3rd Medical Battalion, and supporting several local com- as possible. Okinawa Marine Staff 3rd Marine Logistics Group and munity events such as trick or treat “I help out with the different Headquarters Battalion, 3rd Marine for Okinawan children. single mothers’ shelters,” Landen NAHA CITY — The Japan Good Division. “Landen was the Marine most said. “I always do the beach cleanups Conduct Association recognized Sgt. Jeremy J. Landen, an elec- deserving of the award,” said 1st cause I like to surf, and I figure if I’m Marines, sailors and Okinawans for tronic switching operator/main- Lt. Markus Trouerbach, a platoon out there, I might as well be (at the their contributions to the Okinawan tainer with Communications commander with Communications cleanup) with everybody.” community at the Japan Agriculture Company, Headquarters Bn., 3rd Co. “It’s hard to find junior Marines Camp Kinser was recognized in Mawashi Center June 17. MarDiv, received the annual award who represent the Marine Corps in a the category titled “Good Neighbor.” The association presented the for cleaning Okinawa beaches and different country the way (Landen) In 2005, Camp Kinser service Japan Good Conduct Award to nine rivers, teaching English in several does.” members and their families con- individuals, including one Marine, Okinawan schools and community Landen said he tries to engulf ducted 30 Native English and to Camp Kinser and two Ma- halls, teaching Japanese to Marines, himself in Japanese culture as much SEE AWARD pg. 5 GET A MOVE ON PRACTICE WHAT OUT WITH THE OLD, Prior to leaving Okinawa, service YOU PREACH IN WITH THE NEW members with families must complete Marines with III Marine Expeditionary We’ve updated our look. Learn about a variety of tasks from selling their Force’s Special Operations Training our new style and read the details vehicle to preparing their house for final Group conduct a simulated raid to behind the new design. inspection. We have tips to help you out. INSIDE sharpen their skills as instructors. pg. 6 pg. 9 pg. 10 2 OKINAWA MARINE | NEWS | JUNE 23, 2006 Around the MARINE CORPS AIR STATION MIRAMAR, Calif. | Engulfed by flames and enduring incredible heat, Marines with Aircraft, Rescue and Firefighting pushed back a blazing inferno recently at a burn training area here. The Marines participated in a live night-fire burn to practice emergency firefight- ing techniques. Photo by For more Marine Corps stories and photos, Lance Cpl. George J. Papastrat visit http://www.usmc.mil CorpBANTULS, Indone- sia | Indonesians find shade in the shadows of a destroyed mosque June 3. The mosque was destroyed in the 6.3-magnitude earthquake that devastated Central Java, Indonesia, May 27 leaving more than 6,000 people dead and thou- sands homeless. The disaster forced the local government to seek global as- sistance. Within two days the Marine Corps responded with an assessment team followed by a 165-member medical relief team capable of surgical, primary and acute care for victims of the quake. Photo by Lance Cpl. Warren Peace USS IWO JIMA | Marines practice fast-roping aboard the USS Iwo Jima June 16. Marines with the MEU are undergoing an ag- gressive program to further enhance their technique by first sending them- selves down the rope from a tower and progressing to fast- roping from an air- craft hovering above the flight deck. The Marines are with Alpha and Weapons Companies, Battalion Landing Team, 1st Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, 24th Ma- rine Expeditionary Unit (Special Opera- CAMP FALLUJAH, Iraq | Lance Cpl. Arius D. Hawkins, a 20-year-old from Fort Worth, tions Capable). Photo Texas, waits for his turn on the M-2 .50-caliber machine gun. Hawkins, along with nearly by Lance Cpl. two dozen other Marines from Headquarters Company, Regimental Combat Team 5, Andrew J. Carlson honed their skills on mounted weapons June 13. Photo by Gunnery Sgt. Mark Oliva OKINAWA MARINE | OPINION & EDITORIAL | JUNE 23, 2006 3 Inspired by Indonesian resilience s I stepped over suffering Muslim population. They broke the language barrier patients to get to the hospital Lance Cpl. The spirit of the Indonesians con- with generosity. I may not speak Ba- entrance, the nightmarish Warren tinued to amaze me as victims came hasa Indonesian, but that did not stop Apace of arriving victims only added to to our medical facility with hope in me from understanding their apprecia- Peace the chaotic situation. their eyes. Not only were they smiling, tion for our help. Neither my skin nor It was three days after the earth- but they seemed sincerely happy. How my beliefs stood in the way of them quake that devastated a rural region could they be so happy after a disaster? accepting me into their homes. in the island of Java, Indonesia. My job The people I spoke to in Louisiana I felt more connected to these people was to document the relief effort of the had given up and wanted to blame than I did with the people of my home 3rd Marine Expeditionary Brigade’s death or desolation, having seen first- someone for their situation. Maybe we, town in Louisiana. medical assistance team. hand the destruction of my home town as Americans, can learn something I didn’t expect this experience to My plan was to remain emotionally in Louisiana after hurricanes Katrina from the Indonesian society. have such a profound affect on my life, detached from the situation. This idea and Rita struck. But, it was the first Again surprising me, villagers gave and words cannot express my new- was quickly forgotten as families sat time I have seen so many casualties. me an insight into their communities found appreciation for life or the way I outside next to loved ones waiting to The most shocking sight was as I walked through the destruction. perceive the world as a whole. see a doctor. It was impossible to ignore smiling faces. As our convoy moved Entire neighborhoods lived together The Earth is not populated by the feelings ripping at my stomach, through the neighborhoods, we were in makeshift tents surrounded by the separate communities. It is home to all even though I knew these people would bombarded with kindness. This rubble they called home. They shared mankind, and I believe one day we will soon receive care from the medical was the last thing I expected from a their food with each other and, surpris- strive together – not against. team that I arrived with. community in despair, especially as ingly, with me. I have so much more Peace is a combat correspondent This wasn’t the first time I had seen a Christian in a country with a large than they do. with the Okinawa Marine newspaper. Celebrating Marine Corps legends, heroes JoAnna M. McDonald build a permanent home for the Marines who were actions during the battle for Guadalcanal. camped at Balboa Park. On Dec. 1, 1921, Pendleton • Edgar R. Huff, Jr. spoke fluent Creek Native hen we reflect on Marine Corps history, and his Marines moved to their new base at Marine American language and transcribed coded messages we visualize such leaders as Gen. Joseph Corps Base San Diego. in Creek. Huff became the first African-American to Pendleton and many others. Let us • John Archer Lejeune is considered the father of earn the rank of sergeant major in the Marine Corps. Wreflect upon some of the Marines who are considered numerous Marine Corps firsts: During World War When we read or hear about our leaders, let us not legends to the Corps. I, he became the first Marine to command an army forget there is always a great example behind those • Samuel Nicholas was a successful blacksmith division. On June 30, 1920, he became the 13th Com- we call our fathers in the field. and the first captain of the Marines in 1775. He mandant of the Marine Corps. McDonald is the command museum education successfully recruited and led the first Continental • Howland McTyeire Smith directed extensive specialist at Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego. Marines and became the first commanding officer of amphibious warfare training with all the military the Marines. branches as a general on the eve of World War II. He • Charles Grymes McCawley rose to the rank of is considered to be the father of modern U.S. am- Sempertoons colonel and became the eighth Commandant on Nov. phibious warfare. Created by Gunnery Sgt. Charles Wolf 1, 1876. In 1883 he approved the Marine Corps motto, • Lewis Burwell “Chesty” Puller served in the “Semper Fidelis.” Marine Corps for 37 years and is the only Marine to • Joseph Henry Pendleton (“Uncle Joe”), as the earn five Navy Crosses. colonel of the 4th Marines at San Diego, worked to • John Basilone won the Medal of Honor for his MARINE CORPS FACT CHECK GROOMING REGULATIONS Q: Are female Marines allowed to wear nail polish or lipstick in uniform? Yes. Nail polish and non-eccentric lipstick, in shades of red, may be worn with all uni- forms.