JULY 17, 2009 VOLUME 39, NUMBER 28 WWW.MCBH.USMC.MIL Hawaii Marine 2/3 Marine killed East meets West in Afghanistan Naval Hospital in Maryland. While at Bethesda, Lembke Cpl. Matthew R. Lembke, 22, underwent numerous surgeries and battled infections. He developed an aggressive infection after a surgery on July suffers fatal wounds from 7, and died on the morning of July 10. In an article published in The Times, an Oregon newspa- IED blast while on patrol per, Lembke’s family shared their thoughts, saying: “We have lost our son and brother too soon. He walked Press Release early, talked early and now he has left us early. We have MCB Hawaii been so blessed to have the support and prayers of so many. We want everyone to know that all of our – and your – Marine stationed at Marine Corps Base Hawaii was prayers have not been in vain; we will always treasure these killed July 10, while supporting combat operations in 15 days that we have been with him, to comfort Matt and AHelmand province, Afghanistan. each other.” Cpl. Matthew R. Lembke, 22, of Tualatin, Dale Lembke returned to Oregon Ore., died as a result of wounds sustained Thursday with his son’s body. A memorial while conducting combat operations. service is scheduled for Monday at He was assigned to 2nd Battalion, 3rd Resurrection Catholic Church in Tualatin at Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division, 10 a.m. Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii. After the service, internment with full Lembke served as a scout sniper for 2/3, military honors will be held at Willamette and was patrolling in Now Zad, Afghanistan, National Cemetery. James E. Messner on June 24 when an improvised explosive Lembke’s awards include a Combat Japanese Emperor Akihito greets Lt. Gen. Keith Stalder, com- device exploded. He lost both legs and suf- Action Ribbon, Marine Corps Good mander, U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Pacific, at The National fered internal injuries. Conduct Medal, Sea Service Deployment Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific (Punchbowl) July 15. Akihito He was moved from an Afghanistan hospi- Ribbon, Iraq Campaign Medal, Global War and Empress Michiko paid tribute to fallen service members by tal to Landstuhl Regional Medical Center in on Terrorism Medal, National Defense laying a wreath and pausing for a moment of silence. The impe- Germany where he was met by his parents, Service Medal, Navy Unit Commendation, rial couple visited Punchbowl Cemetery on their first full day in Claudia and Dale, and his sister Carolyn. Meritorious Mast and Certificate of Oahu after arriving Tuesday afternoon. Their arrival marks their The family was then moved to Bethesda LEMBKE Commendation. first visit in more than a decade. E H T VIPER STRIKES Lance Cpl. Alesha R. Guard Marines from Alpha Company, 1/3, conduct live fire convoy training on PTA’s Range 13, July 9. The big island allows the Marines to conduct live fire training unavailable on Oahu. Marines, sailors train on Big Sgt. Brian A. Tuthill Island during Marines from Bravo Company, 1st Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, sprint down a hill and across a road toward cover during an assault on a simulated enemy compound at Pohakuloa Training Area as part of their mechanized infantry integration training July 9. More than 1,350 personnel from MCB Hawaii are par- Lava Viper ticipating in Exercise Lava Viper. The exercise is part of predeployment training for 1st Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment. Lance Cpl. Alesha R. Guard [Center of Command] along with the company units training at PTA through supporting logis- “Our first mission is to train ourselves,” Combat Correspondent COCs.” tical elements such as motor transportation, Malone said. “We have a potentially difficult Martinez said improvements to this year’s communications, utilities and ammunition. upcoming deployment with 1/3 in POHAKULOA TRAINING AREA, Hawaii – PTA training include artillery “Our mission is to support Afghanistan. So I want [our corpsmen] to get Since 2007, the Pohakuloa Training Area has support from Echo Battery, all the units such as 1/3, 2/12, the confidence they need, and as much train- hosted Hawaii-based Marines for the pre- 2/12, and aircraft integration. CAC, and MAG-24,” said Staff ing as possible because the Marines out there deployment training exercise known as Lava “Our mission at PTA is It brings out the Sgt. Joshua Holcomb, company are going to be depending on them for their Viper. Marines utilize its expansive landscape preparation for Mojave Viper,” gunnery sergeant, CLB-3. “It’s safety and health.” to conduct live fire training exercises which said Capt. Rogelio Maese, pilot leadership“ in the important for us to show our Teaming up with the battalion’s medical aren’t possible on neighboring islands due to training officer, Marine Heavy Marines and they support, because with us being team, 21st Dental Company from Marine various land restrictions. Helicopter Squadron 363. here, it makes their mission Corps Base Hawaii is also supporting Lava More than 1,350 personnel from 1st “We’re out here supporting the teach their Marines easier.” Viper to help improve overall medical readi- Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment; Echo Battery, ground units, specifically better because Throughout the training ness. 2nd Battalion, 12th Marine Regiment; Combat artillery and the grunts, doing they know they're area and at the base medical “Twenty-first Dental is seeing about fifty Assault Company, Combat Logistics Group 3; anything from moving cargo to center, the battalion’s hospital people per day, throughout the companies,” and Marine Aircraft Group 24 are currently moving [passengers], to getting not going home at corpsmen are continually Martinez said. “Because of them being out training together at PTA in preparation for 1/3’s our own personnel training the end of the day. working to keep the Marines here, we’ve increased our readiness to over 90 upcoming deployment later this year. complete. We’re scheduled to They’re out here to healthy for training. percent across the battalion.” “PTA serves as an opportunity for squad and go to Afghanistan the begin- Navy Lt. Jon Malone, battal- The less time Marines have to spend in med- platoon live fire as well as incorporating the ning of next year, so this is the do their jobs. ion surgeon, 1/3, said the bat- ical or dental, the more time they can spend use of combined arms with our Weapons building blocks for our younger —2nd Lt. Michael Eady talion’s corpsmen are not only training in the field, said Cmdr. G. F. “Jay” Company mortar systems, artillery and air sup- pilots and as a squadron as a providing emergency and rou- Rubio, dentist, 21st Dental Company. port,” said Maj. Roberto Martinez, executive whole building up to the evolution of going tine medical care for the Marines at PTA, but With continual support from air, ground officer, 1/3. “It’s also an opportunity to exercise out there.” they are also training on the same ranges and command and control via the battalion Combat Logistics Battalion 3 is assisting the shooting houses as the Marines. See VIPER, A-7 Bayfest volunteers wanted Inside today’s Hawaii Marine Weekend Forecast Services is looking to recruit val attendees,” said Janelle y Lance Cpl. a Scattered Showers volunteers for this year’s Kanuha-Marshall, personnel d Danny H. Woodall o High — 84 BayFest. officer, MCCS. “They’ll work Stick and move T Combat Correspondent Low — 73 Both service members and in operational support ele- Marines utilize brand ayFest is just around the civilians are welcome to vol- ments during the festival new MCMAP skills Bcorner, and from August unteer. and will be assigned to one course on base, B1 y Scattered Showers 14 – 16, service members BayFest is an annual event of several site locations such a d High — 83 and their families will be organized by MCCS that is as a food booth, retail tent, r u Low — 73 treated to music, food, open to the general public. ticket taking stand, the com- Gross! t a games and fireworks. Proceeds from this event mand post, or a security Go bug-eyed at Bishop S However, none of those directly benefit the quality of gate.” Museum’s Backyard items or events would be life for Marines, sailors and Volunteers must be at least Monsters: The World of possible without generous family members stationed in 16 years old in order to work Insects exhibit, C1 y Scattered Showers a people giving some of their Hawaii. at any of the ticket or retail d High — 84 time. “Volunteers will provide n u Low — 73 Marine Corps Community the “eyes and ears” of festi- See BAYFEST, A-7 S A-2 • JULY 17, 2009 HAWAII MARINE NEWS BRIEFS Armed Forces Classification Test What’s in a name? The next AFCT will be today in Building 220, Chaplains’ Corner Lt. Alan Rogers ject to fear and failure; and they already been in the Navy more classroom A at 7:30 a.m. CPRW-2 Wing Chaplain possessed hopes, dreams and than 15 years when he was This test gives service members the opportunity futures given for the benefit of awakened by gunfire on the to re-take the ASVAB to earn higher scores for Like many of you, I work in a others. morning of Dec. 7, 1941. advancement, lateral moves, officer candidacy, etc. building with a proper name as Thousands of Marines and Making his way to our flight It is highly recommended that service members well as a numbered address. I sailors have eaten at the Phelps line, Finn manned a 50-caliber take the pre-AFCT for practice prior to the actual routinely go in and out of build- Hall dining facility located at my machine gun in a completely AFCT.