Peleliu ARG Arrives in US 5Th Fleet November 4, 2012
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
PeleNewsNovember 4, 2012 Peleliu ARG Arrives in U.S. 5th Fleet Photo by MC3 Derek Stroop The Peleliu Amphibious Ready Group steams in formation. The ARG consists of USS Green Bay (LPD 20) (left) USS Peleliu (LHA 5) (center) and USS Rushmore (LSD 47)with the 15th MEU embarked through out the three ships. Story by MC2 Daniel Viramontes training unit exercise and 7th Fleet area of operations in last Peleliu Staff Writer certification exercise, in August September, completed Exercise The Peleliu Amphibious Ready 2012, testing its capabilities to Crocodilo in Timor-Leste and Group (ARG) and embarked 15th conduct amphibious operations at conducted port visits to Phuket, Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) sea and ashore. Thailand, Darwin, Australia and arrived in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of The 15th MEU, commanded by Bali, Indonesia. operations, Oct. 30. Col. Scott D. Campbell, is comprised Peleliu ARG consists of the While in the U.S. 5th Fleet, the of approximately 2,400 Marines and Amphibious Squadron Three staff, ARG will demonstrate forward Sailors, and serves as the nation’s amphibious assault ship USS presence, conduct maritime security rapid-response sea-based Marine Peleliu (LHA 5), amphibious dock operations and participate in theater Air Ground Task Force for their landing ship USS Rushmore (LSD security cooperation events. Western Pacific deployment of 47) and amphibious transport dock Commanded by Capt. Mark 2012. ship USS Green Bay (LPD 20), with Sakaguchi, commander, Amphibious Amphibious ships deliver 15th MEU embarked throughout the Squadron Three, the ARG will also embarked Marine landing forces three ships. participate in routine scheduled ashore to provide humanitarian The 5th Fleet’s area of operations exercises and engagements with assistance, civil support, non- encompasses 2.5 million square coalition and regional partners combatant evacuations, peace miles of water and includes the During the past year, the operations, recovery operations, Arabian Gulf, Arabian Sea, Red ARG trained for a wide range of disaster reliefs and counter-piracy. Sea, Gulf of Aden, Gulf of Oman contingence situations through Peleliu ARG and 15th MEU and parts of the Indian Ocean. weeks of underway exercises departed their home port of San The ARG and embarked 15th MEU while also conducting engineering, Diego, and Camp Pendelton are deployed in support of maritime general quarters and damage control respectively on Sept. 17 for a security operations and theater drills. scheduled deployment. The three security cooperation efforts in the The ARG completed its composite ships of the ARG entered the U.S. U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility. 2 Vol. 1, Issue 9 November 4, 2012 SAPR CORNER 5th Fleet Offers Benefits to Deployed Sailors, Marines PELELIU SAPR POC: NCCS SUSAN GARROW Ext 7567 If you have been sexually assaulted, contact any of the following personnel BEFORE you speak to anyone else: Any Chaplain; Victim Advocates: PELELIU VICTIM ADVOCATES Lt. Nicole Schwegman Lt. j. g. Andrea Goldstein HMC Jody Lacefield AO1 Jennifer Martin AO1 Benjamin Callen LS1 Vernita Foster AE1 Jeffery Ritchie ABH2 Donnell Viree HM2 Janice Sapaden Photo by MC2 Daniel Viramontes OS2 Canon Deimerly Sailors and Marines sort mail and care packages in the hangar bay of amphibious assault ship USS Peleliu (LHA 5) during an underway replenishment at sea PR2 Cassandra Cox HM1 Ryan Hachez Story by MC3 Derek Stroop MSgt John Lee Peleliu Staff Writer Pay earned while in the 5th Fleet is not taxed. The GySgt Jennifer Antoine Sailors and Marines aboard amphibious assault tax advantage is 100 percent for enlisted members and Capt Joseph Babajan ship USS Peleliu (LHA 5) entered the 5th Fleet area of warrant officers, and is limited to $7368.30 for all other Capt Karla Cumbie operation Oct. 30 with unique benefits not commonly officers. This tax advantage is not prorated, so if at least or found in any other U.S. Fleets. one day is spent in the combat zone or designated area, These benefits include imminent danger pay (IDP), the whole month is tax free, according to militarypay. Call stateside, use 24-hour crisis hotline at 877-995- 5247 or text your location to 55247. family separation allowance (FSA), tax exclusion and defense.gov, website for the Under Secretary of postage-free mail sponsored by the United States Defense, Personnel and Readiness. SEXUAL ASSAULT REPORTING OPTIONS There are two types of reporting options for victims of Postal Service. Sailors and Marines on board Peleliu can also take sexual assault: Restricted and Unrestricted. IDP is paid when service members serve on advantage of the “free mail” opportunity. Unrestricted: An option that allows a military service member to disclose to the chain of official duty within a specified area of operation. According to Chief Logistics Specialist William command, victim advocate, SARC, medical “We are paid on a per diem-basis,” said Personnel Taylor, this option is only offered to service provider, friend, that they were a victim of sexual Specialist 2nd Class Paul Umali. “It’s $7.50 per day, assault. Unrestricted reporting ensures the members mailing from designated areas, like U.S. widest range of rights and protections to the which turns out to be $225 for a full month while in 5th Fleet, back to the United States or any of its victim and command assistance regarding safety 5th Fleet.” territories like Guam or Puerto Rico. The program and assignment to include; Military Protective Orders-MPOs, separation from offender, A new policy came into effect in December 2011, is not for loved ones back home mailing to the ship. deferred collateral misconduct, accountability of which required the Department of Defense to prorate Service members can mail letters, postcards, sound perpetrator. Victims receive medical treatment, including emergency care and counseling, and IDP payments into individual days served in an IDP recordings or any personal correspondence from an assignment of a victim advocate. This type of specified area, rather than a lump sum for the months Armed Services Post Office to any place in the United reporting initiates an investigation until final served in the area. disposition of the case. States. Another benefit is the FSA. According to the “Free mail must have a complete APO or FPO Defense Financial and Accounting Service, FSA is return, the word ‘free’ in the upper right hand corner Some limitations of Unrestricted Reporting: •Cannot change to Restricted Reporting. payable to any service member, with dependents, who with an APO or FPO postmark and complete delivery •Victim may consider investigation or legal is on duty aboard a ship that is away from its homeport information,” said Taylor. process too intrusive. •Assault will be known and discussed among continuously for 30 days in the amount of $250 per For more information about free mail contact those with a need to know. month. the ship’s post office at extension 5262. For more •Investigation and court proceedings may be “FSA is also payable to both spouses if they are lengthy (approximately 6-18 months). information on pay benefits, contact the personnel •Offender(s) may not be convicted. both in the military, no matter what branch,” said office aboard Peleliu or go to the DFAS website, Umali. http://www.dfas.mil. PeleNews is published and printed on board by the USS Peleliu (LHA 5) Media Division. This newspaper is an authorized publication for members of the Department of Defense. Contents are not necessarily the official views of the U.S. Government. PeleNews reserves the right to edit submissions. Submission deadline is Thursday by noon to [email protected] Commanding Officer Public Affairs Officer Staff Capt. John D. Deehr Lt. Nicole Schwegman MC2 (SW) Daniel Viramontes Executive Officer Managing Editor MC2 Nick Brown MCC (SW/EXW) Jeremy L. Wood MC3(AW) Valerie M. Grayson Cmdr. Jay M. Steingold Leading Petty Officer MC3 Derek S. Stroop Command Master Chief MC1 (SW/AW) George G. DeLeon MCSN Jasmine N. Sheard CMDCM (SW/AW) Designer/Editor MCSN Dustin Knight David Dearie MCSN Alex Vant’Leven MCSN Michael I. Duran 3 Vol. 1, Issue 9 November 4, 2012 Peleliu Sailors, Marines Begin Savings Deposit Program Story by MCSN Michael Duran on your investment is very good,” said CMC’s Corner Peleliu Staff Writer Anderson. “Members who participate in the Having entered U.S. fifth fleet area of program earn 2.5 percent per quarter on their responsibility, Oct. 30, Sailors and Marines investment. So for example, if you deposited aboard amphibious assault ship USS Peleliu $1,000 to the program, after six months, you (LHA 5) are eligible for the Department of would make 5 percent, or $50. Compared to Defense Savings Deposit Program (SDP), most bank savings accounts, that return rate guaranteeing a 10 percent annual interest rate is much better.” on funds. Withdrawing funds prior to leaving the Administered by the Defense Finance and hazardous duty zone is not authorized, Accounting Service, SDP is only eligible to unless in the event of an emergency. Once service members who have deployed longer the member has returned from hazardous than 30 days and are operating in designated duty, the member can choose to close their hazardous duty zones. Originating during the accounts; however interest will continue YO, Shipmate! What’s up? Vietnam War, SDP retuned during Operation to accrue for an additional 90 days after Great, now that I have your attention, most of Desert Storm and further expanded into what departure. If the account accrues more than you are aware that there is a new “sheriff” in town! it is today. the maximum $10,000, the extra funds can be I am QMCM(SW/AW) Barber, and I have the “The Savings Deposit Program was withdrawn quarterly upon dividend earnings.