Squadron Enjoys Safe Quarter Century
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Hawaii Marine MEU exercise Bowl Volume 29, Number 6 Serving Marine Corps Base Hawaii February 10, 2000 Pro A-3 B-1 Squadron enjoys safe quarter century Cpl. Charles R.. Moore thing we do," said LeBlanc. "It's just all about tilt rotor squadron. The squadron is trying to con- resemblance of a) family." Con&i Correspondent being careful." tinue doing what they've been doing so the final Continuing success will depend on the together- Marine Helicopter Training squadron 301 cele- During the .cake-cutting ceremony, Gunnery Sgt. chapter of that book can be as "mishap free" as it has ness 301 exhibits, LeBlanc said. brated more than 25 years without a class "A" John Jenkins, Marine with the most time on station, been up to this point. "It will all have to do with teamwork, following mishap at Hangar 103 aboard MCB HayVail, and Lance Cl.P Eric Burtenshaw, Marine With the "We've got three more years to uphold this tradi- instructions and (operational) procedures," he said. Kaneohe Bay, Friday. least time on station, received the first two pieces of tion," LeBlanc 'said. "That's my challenge to (the Jenkins said all the squadron needs is to "do what Squadron Marines observed the occasion by cake to symbolize passing on traditions and knowl- squadron)." we normally do -- make sure everything is done 'holding a traditional cake-cutting ceremony in edge to younger Marines... Confidence and morale in the squadron is high, right." honor of the squadron's mishap-free quarter century: After the ceremony, squadron Marines were said Cotterell. "There's no doubt the next three LeBlanc echoed that the squadron has continued Marines were given the opportunity to browse invited to have cake and look through newspaper years are going to be the same (as the last 25)." to press on as normal, even when getting close to the through unit historical documents as they payed clippings, old photographs and other memorabilia Cotterell credits a lot of the success to Marines landmark occasion. "We continued at the same hommage to the squadron's accomplishment of hav- saved throughout the years. taking pride in their work, equipment and each operational tempo. We weren't looking at it as a ing no accidents costing more than $1 million or "This means a lot to the squadron," said Sgt. Maj. other. "They treat (the aircraft) just like they treat goal." resulting in the loss of a life since Feb. 2, 1975. Collin Cotterell, the squadron sergeant major. their cars," he said. Even though the squadron may not have looked According to' Lt. Col. Steve LeBlanc, the "They're part of a history and tradition." Burtenshaw said even he, in the short time he has at 25 years mishap-free as a goal, 'they realize the squadron commanding officer, this feat was accom- This' occasion marks _ another page in the, been with the squadron, has seen HMT-301's pride. importance, Cotterell said. plished by maintaining safety. squadron's history book that is scheduled to end in "The squadron itself has been very welcoming," "They're very excited," he said. "It's saying our "We' keep safety on the front burner with every- 2003 to prepare for the starting of an MV-22 Osprey said . Burtenshaw. "You can definitely see (the Marines are always doing their job." An open letter Front gate gets close air support from Lt. Gen Frank Libutti, Commander, Marine Forces Pacific Marines, The Marine Corps is challenged with re-enlisting a higher percentage of first-term Marines this fiscal year. than we have ever needed to re-enlist before. There are many complicated reasons why this is so the bottom line is, die future of our enlisted force structure, prornotions and assignment. opportunities depend on our meeting our first-term re-enlistment requirements this year. So, 'what does this mean to you? Understandably, you are concerned about .yotir situation and your future. As your Commander, 1 ask that you do one thing When con- templating that future. Cio somewhere quiet, where you von'i be disturbed, and ask. yourself, "Why did I join the Corps ?" Could it have been: To see if you had what it takes. Few are good enough to earn the title, "Marine." To do something you knew you could be proud of something to earn the respect of your flintily and friends. To strike out On your own ... to do something chal- lenging where you held your success or failure in your Photo by Sgt. Richard W. Hoitgraver own hands. An F-4 Phantom fighter jet is towed through the intersection of G Street and 3rd Street on its way to its new home as a static display at the main gate of MCB Hawaii, Kaneohe Bay. The F-4 was part of a four-aircraft convoy Saturday morning. There are many reasons young men and women choose to become Marines._. If your reasons were among the above, yott have accomplished those goals. So where do you go from here? Have you thought about new, greater challenges and goals for yourSelf? As Marines progress in Postal Marines respond to blaze rank, responsibilities and challenges also become greater. A Marines first enlistment instills the fundamental quali- ties of Leadership, initiative, Courage, Poise, Self- Cpl. Otto C. Plell-Mueto Combat Correspondent Lance Cpl.. Donald G. Craig HI and Cpl. "The fire was pretty much extinguished Confidence, Self-Reliance, Self-Direction, Sel Blanton J. Austin II, the reactive postal clerks, already when we got there," said Jason Discipline. Second and subsequent enlistments hone those Postal Marines might have increased their said they could think of nothing else but to Montgomery, a firefighter With the federal fire qualities into razor sharp tools that will enable you to go short-distance run time Jan. 28, after they respond to the situation... department. 'There was just a little bit of smoke anywhere:and do anything. responded to a car fire at Branch Medical's "When we took off, I didn't know what to here and there." There are many incentives for re-enlisting. Some are parking lot 'across the street from the inilitary, expect. We just 'jetted' out the door," said Craig Damages were estimated at $5,000 and the tangible and some are not. There are many ways to pur- post office aboard MCB Hawaii, Kaneohe Bay. ,. smiling as he remembered the instant reaction. military police classified the incident as an sue a higher education while you are on active duty, con- The postal Marines had just ended their "I'm not going to lie. I was intimidated by it. assistance-rendered vehicle fire. tinuing to draw lull pay and allowances. The 4.8 percent 'morning physical training session and went The first thing in my mind was that it was going According to Master Sgt. Gregory Mitchell, pay raise we received on January 1st was the largest mili- home to change 'into' their uniforms of the day, to blow up." the operations chief for the Provost Marshals tary pay raise in 18 years; more raises are planned for the when Sgt. Donte Lewis, the operations chief for But with little time to think, Craig and Austin Office, it was suspected that the fire was the lawn,. Marines don't stay for the paycheck, though - the post office, started walking toward the post said they sprayed the vehicle from underneath, result of a leak in the gasoline line. Marines stay for the same reasons they became Marines in office. by the front wheel wells, to extinguish the fire "You read about things like this," said Lewis, the first place. It was then that flames attracted his attention emanating from around the closed hood. "but to actually have it happen and have The choice is ultimately your own. Your decision to to a 'lonely jeep in the parking lot ahead of him "It looked like it had snowed after we were Marines react like they're trained to react - it's stay Marine will benefit you arid' strengthen our Corps. and swayed him to dart to the post office to give done," said Austin as he described the smol- outstanding." But whatever path you choose, never forget, you are a the alarm of danger. dered remains of the fire. "Once we heard the "I'm absolutely proud of them," said Chief Marine forever. "My first instinct was td. call 9-1-1," recalled fire 'department come to the scene, we just Warrant Officer C.M. Sharpe, the officer in Semper l'i! Lewis. He ran into.the post office and informed backed off." charge of the Post Office. "That's what (non- two of his Marines who were inside getting Only about five minutes 'after a call was commissioned officers and junior noncommis- FRA.NK LJBUTH things ready for the workday. "Next thing made to' authorities, fire trucks and military sioned officers) are taught to do - to lead from knew, they grabbed two fire 'extinguishers and police came to the scene at approximately 6:30, the front. Above all, they put themselves above ran out the door." a.m. property and life," Caution warranted with Kailua speed limits Index Speeding along Mokapu Road has neighboring residents concerned; Civilian, and military police to be more active in enforcement of traffic laws A Section Secretary of the Navy's Letter 2 Lance Cpl. Roman Turek "On base, people are good erate out the back gate. cost at least 100 dollars and Police Department. 'This list NE0 ,exercise with 15th MEU 3 Combat Correspondent about obeying the speed lim- In the upcoming weeks, dri- roughly seven dollars for every will then be distributed to the Chaplain's Column 4 its," said Lt.