NEWS

Marine Corps Logistics Command (Forward) receives new commander

Story by Cpl. Kenneth Jasik

CAMP LEATHERNECK, Afghanistan – After a successful deployment as the commanding officer of Marine Corps Logistics Command (Forward), Col. Christopher J. Michelsen relinquished command to Lt. Col. Matthew S. Cook, who will now be in charge of the unit’s responsibilities to support International Security Assistance Forces and Marine Corps Forces Central Command with logistical support. “Marine Corps Logistics Command’s mission is to sustain the ISAF (Marine Air Ground Task Force) with operational logistics support,” said Michelsen, 46, from Louisville, Ky. “In addition to that, we do other missions directed by MarCent, and support the commandant’s reset strategy via the reset, redeployment and retrograde. The role of MCLC (Fwd) has expanded throughout the last six months with the drawdown of troops. (Read the STORY)

Combat engineers conduct expansion operation, increase patrol base size, capabilities

Story and photos by Sgt. Michele Watson

 PATROL BASE EREDVI, Afghanistan – More than 100 Marines from Engineer Company, 8th Engineer Support Battalion, 1st Marine Logistics Group (Forward) completed their largest mission to date in Helmand Province, Afghanistan, here, July 15. Patrol Base Eredvi, manned primarily by troops from the Republic of Georgia, underwent multiple construction projects that included moving the helicopter landing zone and adding a firing point for a High Mobility Artillery Rocket System. “We’ve expanded the base by 1,000 feet to the north, 400 to the south and 450 to the west,” said Capt. Anthony Rowley, company commander, Engineer Co., 8th ESB. “We added a new 120mm mortar site and an area for HIMARS.” (Read the STORY)

Navy Seabees boost morale of US, coalition troops in Afghanistan

Story and photos by Petty Officer 1^st Class Jonathan Carmichael

 HELMAND PROVINCE, Afghanistan – Seabees assigned to Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 11 continue the longstanding Seabee tradition of giving back to the community by volunteering to serve waffles weekly to patrons of the United Services Organization tent on Camp Leatherneck. Every Sunday, U.S. and coalition troops on Camp Leatherneck have the option of attending the waffle breakfast where they are served freshly made waffles and can choose from a variety of toppings while they dine among friends in the casual atmosphere offered by the USO. Those waffles are mixed, cooked, and served hot from the iron by about eight Seabee volunteers who have relinquished their single weekly opportunity for a half-day off in the name of serving their brothers and sisters in uniform. (Read the STORY)

Artillery Marines are ‘Kings of Battle’ in Kajaki

Story and photos by Cpl. Kenneth Jasik

 HELMAND PROVINCE, Afghanistan – Napoleon once referred to artillery as the king of the battlefield. And that’s how Marines with Fox Battery, 2nd Battalion, 10th Marines, Regimental Combat Team 6 look at their deployment. Fox Battery has operated in Kajaki for about four months, firing their Howitzers, providing base security for 1st Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment and conducting patrols to the Kajaki District Center for key leader engagements. “We provide direct support for 1st Bn., 8th Marines and 2nd Bn., 5th Marines,” said Sgt. Tucker J. Ward, section chief, Fox Battery. “We’ve fired all kinds of artillery in for them. In case they get in situations they can’t get out of, we will drop a smoke screen or (high explosives) on a target for them.” (Read the STORY)

Marines sacrifice personal time, complete Martial Arts Instructor Course

Story and photos by Cpl. Mark Stroud

 CAMP LEATHERNECK, Afghanistan – Marines with Combat Logistics Battalion 4, 1st Marine Logistics Group (Forward), completed a seven-week Martial Arts Instructor Course here, July 14.  The 16 graduates received a secondary military occupational specialty of Martial Arts Instructor for completing the course and became certified to teach the Marine Corps Martial Arts Program up to the green-belt level. “The MAI course has over 125 hours of combat conditioning, MCMAP sustainment, classroom sessions, graded exams and many, many hours of technique training and review,” said Sgt. Cody R. McKinney, MAI Course instructor, Support Company, CLB-4. Due to the time constraints present in a forward deployed environment, the MAI course instructors adapted the class schedule to make it possible for the Marines to complete the rigorous training during their free time.  (Read the STORY)

VIGNETTES

Marine born in Afghanistan gives back to home nation

Story and photos by Marine Cpl. Mark Stroud

 CAMP LEATHERNECK, Afghanistan —“I remember the day I heard that America was going into Afghanistan,” said Lance Cpl. Behzad Razzada, a member of the Embedded Partnering Team, Combat Logistics Battalion 4, 1st Marine Logistics Group (Forward). “My parents were happy because it was a chance for Afghanistan to unite and fight for freedom. They said it was the only way that injustice in Afghanistan would be finished.” The idea of providing a better future for the Afghan people resonated with Razzada, a 24-year-old native of Afghanistan.
“I was born in Kabul and lived there until I was 10,” said Razzada. “I went to school there. It was just a normal school like anywhere else before the Taliban came. I studied until the fifth grade … and then chaos started. Everyone started leaving the country, all heading in one direction and hoping they didn’t get killed by the Taliban.” (Read the STORY)

Machine gunner to security manager – Washington native keeps security at forefront on Camp Leatherneck

Story and photos by Sgt. James Mercure

 CAMP LEATHERNECK, Afghanistan - After three deployments as an infantry machine gunner, Sgt. Perry M. Boykin wanted nothing more than to get back to the fight. So when an opportunity to head to Afghanistan as an individual augment came his way, he jumped at the chance. Now operating as the security manger noncommissioned officer, Boykin is responsible for screening appropriate security clearances and controlling the flow of sensitive information within the Regional Command Southwest compound.  “I’ll take the request for our computer network use and judge whether or not it should be approved,” said Boykin, a 26-year-old Shelton, Wash., native. “Our office maintains the security of this compound. Whether it’s physical security or network security it, we take care of it.” (Read the STORY)

Marine advisor builds relations with Afghans, strengthens partnership through mentoring

Story and photos by Sgt. Michele Watson

 CAMP DWYER, Afghanistan – In 2001, a surge of applicants lined up at the doors of recruiting offices, eager for a chance to defend the nation’s honor after the terrorist attacks on our nation. For Staff Sergeant Harry Petit-Homme, his choice to join the Marine Corps had already been made. “I had already joined the Delayed Entry Program and when 9/11 happened, my shipping date got pushed back a couple weeks,” said Petit-Homme. “Going through boot camp there was a lot of talk of going to war.” Petit-Homme was born in Nassau, Bahamas and lived there until 1997, when his mother moved their family to the United States. Originally from Haiti, his parents had a negative view of the military. “The military was basically the president’s gangsters in Haiti, so my family’s perception about the military isn’t what it’s like in the U.S.,” said Petit-Homme. “My family thought I was crazy for signing up.” (Read the STORY)

VIDEOS

Keeping Our Honor Clean: EOD Technicians - With Titles

Video by Sgt. John Jackson

 This is part seven of a series of videos about 1st Marine Logistics Group (Forward) noncommissioned officers and their professionalism, hard work and dedication to the mission while deployed to Helmand Province, Afghanistan. This video features the Explosive Ordnance Disposal Marines and noncommissioned officers and they work they do to help rid the battlefield of Improvised Explosive Devices. This video features soundbites from Sgt. Michael Smith, EOD Technician/Assistant Team Leader; Sgt. Brenden Burnham, EOD Technician/Assistant Team Leader; and Maj. Gen. David Berger, Commanding General, Task Force Leatherneck. Produced by Sgt. John Jackson. Also available in High Definition. (Watch the VIDEO)

MCLC (FWD) Change of Command

Video by Cpl. Kenneth Jasik

 Marines with Marine Corps Logistics Command (Forward) holding a change of command ceremony at Camp Leatherneck, Afghanistan, July, 23. Produced by Cpl. Marcus Kuiper and Cpl. Kenneth Jasik. Released by Regional Command Southwest. Also available in High Definition.

(Watch the VIDEO)

 Col. Roger Turner

Video by Staff Sgt. Brian Buckwalter

Col. Roger Turner talks to Pentagon Channel, CNN, and  British Forces Broadcasting Services reporters about the progress that is being made in the southern part of Helmand Province, Afghanistan. Also available in high definition. (Watch VIDEO 1) (Watch VIDEO 2) (Watch VIDEO 3)

Col. Roger Turner

Video by Cpl. Alfred V. Lopez

Col. Roger Turner, the commanding officer of Regimental Combat Team 5, reflects on the progress of governance and security in the regiment's southern Helmand battlespace as his yearlong deployment comes to a close. Turner is from Laurel Md. Available in High Definition. (Watch the VIDEO)

Transition in Helmand: Maj. Shannon Neller

Video by Cpl. Alfred V. Lopez

Maj. Shannon Neller, Brooklyn, N.Y., the Regimental Combat Team 5 Brigade Advisor Team deputy senior advisor, discusses mentoring Afghan National Army soldiers with 1st Brigade, 215th Corps and their ability to maintain security in southern Helmand after taking the lead in counterinsurgency operations from their Marine partners. Also available in high definition. (Watch the VIDEO)

Marketed/Republished Combat Correspondent Product

Sgt. Chelsea McCourt Chelsea McCourt, Conyers, Ga., talks to a WGAU-AM reporter

Commandant, Sergeant Major of Marine Corps visit Marines in Afghanistan republished in World’s Luxury Guide

One year on, reflections on Lashkar Gar’s entry into Transition  republished in I4U news

Col Roger Turner- Complete interviews

http://www.dvidshub.net/video/149925/col-roger-turner#.UA6c3TGe5mI

http://www.dvidshub.net/video/149924/col-roger-turner#.UA6eJjGe5mI

http://www.dvidshub.net/video/149927/marine-col-roger-turner#.UA6fMDGe5mI

Master Sgt. Kelvin Hamilton – Fox Sports

11 shout outs  – San Diego Chargers

Interview with Marine Lance Cpl. Eric Robinson from Buffalo, N.Y., a motor transport operator with Marine Wing Support Squadron 273, from Beaufort, S.C., for WBBZ-TV in Buffalo, N.Y. – WBBZ

This column presents “Patriot Profiles” to provide readers insight into the lives of our country’s heroes. - Del Mar Times, Jeanne McKinney