HAWAI I Vol. 22 No. 20 Sowing MCAS Kaneohe Bay, lit MEl, Camp N.M. Smith and Marino Barracks. May 20, 1993 AAV's receive modifications Davis, AAV project officer, brigade By Sgt. Paul Schneider G4. SW ass Strips of paint on each vehicle had to be removed where the The Marines of the Assault bosses for the new armor were Amphibian Detachment, 3d welded. Marines will complete their The staff of the brigade looked upgrade to the unit's assault at contracting out to sand blast amphibian vehicles (AAVs) Friday. the vehicles, but it wasn't cost With the completion of the effective and the process left the detachment's AAVs, all the active brigade with a lot of waste to duty vehicles in the Marine Corps dispose. will have been modified. After looking at several Work on the modifications began options, Sgt. Denis McGuinness, May 3. With the Marines working the brigade hazardous waste 12-hour days since, all 25 vehicles manager, came up with a way to will be modified and painted. remove the paint using a stripping Some vehicles had as many as solution using methylene chloride. 13 modifications done on them. McGuinness tracked down a Applying the enhanced applique local distributor which had a armor kit was the main, and most product called Peel Away which visible, modification to the vehicles. had the active ingredient "The modifications immediately methylene chloride. He set up a enhance the commander's combat demonstration to see if it would capability and readiness," work. explained MSgt. T.J. Pitman, a The test was extremely representative from the Advanced successful and it set off a flurry Amphibious Assault Mobility of activity between the brigade Section at Headquarters Marine and Headquarters Marine Corps Corps. in February to get everything set Besides Pitman, MGySgt. W.H. up so the modifications could be Bailey, also from Headquarters done in May. Marine Corps, and Ralph Heflin, "The modifications wouldn't from VSE Corporation, are have happened if not for Sgt. supervising the Marines who are McGuinness," Davis said. In a recent ceremony on the South Lawn of the White House, President Clinton honored members of the military who served In Operation Restore involved with the modifications. The process is not only Hope in Somalia. On the far right of the President Is Marine Lieutenant General Robert B. Johnston, former Commanding General of the Joint This is the second round of considerably cheaper, a lot quicker Task Force In Somalia and a recipient of the Defense Distinguished SeMce Medal. modifications for the AAVs here. and easier than sand blasting, In November 1991, the vehicles because the paint peels off after had about 40 upgrades completed two hours disposal is also in a similar assembly line-fashion considerably easier. President honors LtGen. here. "The process contains all the Johnston toxins and keeps all the active Unfortunately, at that time the enhanced applique armor couldn't ingredients right where you want The White operation," said President Clinton, hunger, disease and death. But Force and former Commanding them," McGuinness said. "We House you pressed on served in General of the Joint Task Force be applied to the vehicles. "in the First Marine Expeditionary and the If fact, because of environmental dropped the projected waste from Force, in the Army 10th Mountain best tradition of the Armed Forces in Somalia. Only hours before the about 48,000 pounds to about WASHINGTON, you the President, concerns, it looked as if the 1,500 D.C.-In a Division, the Navy's Tripoli of the United States, and meeting with vehicles here wouldn't receive their pounds for the entire operation," ceremony on the lawn of the White Amphibious Ready Group, the Air have made the American People General Johnston turned over McGuinness said. House, very proud." Somalia operations to General Bir final modifications. President Bill Clinton Force and Air National Guard "At the time, the brigade did The alternative to sand blasting thanked the service men and Airlift Squadrons and other units Before the outdoor ceremony, of Turkey and the United Nations 30-minute not have a large enough sand has received a lot of attention women who served in Operation of the Services. Although your President Clinton met privately in Cotemand. During the from a lot of people, to include Restore Hope Marine meeting attended by Vice President blasting booth. We had to come in Somalia for "a mission was humanitarian and the Oval Office with up with a way to remove the representatives from the Army. job very, very well done. not combat, you nonetheless faced Lieutenant General Robert B. Gore, Defense Secretary Les Aspin, JCS Chairman General paint on the vehicles or it [the Although the Marines probably "You represent the thousands difficult and dangerous conditions. Johnston, Commanding General Collin modifications] wasn't going to wish they would have found this who You Expeditionary See Johnston, A-9 served in this crucial saw firsthand the horror of of the First Marine happen," explained Capt. Kenneth See AAV, A-2 Aquatics, medical Helping Navy-Marine Corps issues top NQLB Relief is like Helping yourself By Sgt. Paul Schneider Although donations are one way Hawaiian Auxiliary. this, workshops and seminars are Sal Mb, By Sgt. Lou Ramirez to help NMCRS, another way that "If it wouldn't be for our offered throughout the year. Ski Miler one is by we would not be able Speakers from the Morale, Welfare and Recreation pool and can also 'help volunteers, the Branch Medical Clinic volunteering. to provide the needed services," "Navy-Marine Corps Relief is will be featured at the Neighborhood your organization- think Quality of Life Board meeting 27. "Navy- Marine Corps Relief Freund said. of us as May An interest free loan is unheard Society is a volunteer organization, a trust fund or an insurance plan. The NQLB meeting is held at Bldg. 267, the Training of in today's society. But for Volunteers receive training in and 95 percent of all associated military rank and pay structure, The monies you raise during fund Audio Visual Center (TAVSC), 1 in classroom at 7 p.m. active duty and retired sailors and NMCRS are volunteers," said Paul drives are put in trust for future AfterMWR and the medical clinic presentations, the floor will Marines and their families, this learning how to read an LES, be open for other issues. and other services made Belanger, executive director, survivor benefits, budgeting and emergencies. It's your money, not are computer to ours," Belanger said. "It's important for people to remember that their vote will not possible during a time of need by Navy - Marine Corps Relief training. In addition be heard if they are not present," explained NQLB Chairman the Navy Marine Corps Relief Joseph Giardino. Society. Quality of life issues may be addressed by filling out NQLB The Navy-Marine Corps Relief suggestion forms located at several places on the air station. Society (NMCRS) is a non-profit One of the primary issues the board is currently working it organization which has been to expand bus service by TheBus to the air station. A survey serving and aiding Marines and form will be printed in an upcoming edition of the Hawaii sailors since its founding in 1904. Marine. Last year the society provided Marines, sailors and their families with $53.3 million in loans and grants in nearly 110,000 financial assistance cases worldwide. The society is sponsored by the Department of the Navy but Inside receives no funding from the government. It is mainly supported by its annual fund drive. Although the society disbursed $53.3 million, it only received $13.6 million in contributions. In Hawaii, more than $2,190,000 ws given out in loans and grants, but only $543,000 was raised during last year's campaign. Along with helping in monetary forms, NMCRS also aided families by providing budget counseling programs, visiting nurses, a thrift shop and a layette program. "Help is here for those who need it and it is important for Marines and sailors to use us as one of their first resources whether it be 3/3 completes missions to avoid a problem or help them through it," said Ann Freund, Weapon Co., 3/3 performs community service, cleans up chairman of volunteers, station park and cemetery; NMCRS. Kilo Co. trains new faces and Weapons Navy-Marine Corps Relief Co. learns the ropes . rappelling and fast roping 6-7 provides these services with funds donated by the people who are Sgt. Paul Schneider Blotter A-2 helped. All donations are Salutes A-8 translated to direct assistance Money in the bank Mass through NMCRS worldwide hall menu A-8 Col. R. R. Crawford, station commanding officer, and Col. R. A. Gangle, brigade chief of staff, sign donation Spada network of auxiliaries, branches, 11-11 ashore and shipboard offices. forms for the Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society fund drive. The annual fund drNe began here May 7 and continues until June 4. In Sports Briefs "Because all of the donations go addition to the donations of Marines, sailors and cNillan personnel, Tickets II-3 back to those who donate, it is the station is sponsoring a 5K benefit run and charity golf tournament. The 5K run is set for May 29 at 7 a.m. beginning at Dewey Square. The entry tee Is $15 which includes a T-shirt and an official timing Ads 1-3 important for people to see us almost like a bank," Freund said. card. if a T-shirt Is not desired, the entry fee Is $9.