NEWS

Proper equipment saves Wisconsin Marine’s life
Story and photos by Cpl. Timothy Lenzo

PATROL BASE DETROIT, Afghanistan – Every day Marines put on their protective gear and put their lives in danger. They wear a heavy flak jacket, Kevlar helmet and fire retardant clothing. With temperatures reaching more than 130 degrees Fahrenheit, patrolling with all their gear can become tiresome, but there is one Marine who will not hear complaining about the extra weight. Lance Cpl. Jacob Noremberg, pointman, Weapons Company, 1st Battalion, 1st Marines, Regimental Combat Team 6, was hit with a bullet when running between compounds, July 28. “There was probably about 100 meters of open field between the two compounds,” explained Noremberg, from Merrill, Wis. “The bullet hit on my right side. When it hit me, it knocked the wind out of me. I kind of stumbled.” (Read the STORY)

Marines honor fallen comrade
Story and photos by Cpl. Mark Garcia

COMBAT OUTPOST SHIR GHAZAY, Afghanistan – On a sunny, somber Saturday morning in Afghanistan, more than 100 servicemembers gathered to pay their final respects to Cpl. Daniel L. Linnabary II, a fallen brother, during a memorial ceremony in the sweltering Afghanistan sunlight, Sept. 1. During the ceremony, Marines constructed a battlefield cross, which consisted of a Kevlar helmet with identification tags to signify they will never forget Linnabary; an upside down rifle with a bayonet signifying a time of prayer and a break in action to pay tribute; and a pair of boots signifying this was Linnabary’s last march. Linnabary, 23, from Hubert, N.C., was a tank gunner with 2nd Platoon, Bravo Company, 2nd Tank Battalion, when he was killed Aug. 6, while conducting combat operations in Now Zad District. This was his first deployment to Afghanistan. (Read the STORY)

Marines overcome language barriers, teach ANA mortar systems
Story and photos by Cpl. Timothy Lenzo

 

PATROL BASE DETROIT, Afghanistan –Afghan National Army soldiers march in and form a semicircle around their Marine instructor. They pull out notepads and pencils and are already jotting down notes before the class even starts. Sergeant Thomas Brown, squad leader, Weapons Company, 1st Battalion, 1st Marines, Regimental Combat Team 6, taught 60mm mortar classes to Afghan soldiers. The class adds a new weapon to the Afghans’ growing arsenal. “Being able to use a mortar system can change the outcome on the battlefield,” said Brown, from Grand Junction, Colo. “It’s different than using machine guns and sniper rifles. The mortar system can hit larger targets and from farther distances.” Brown, a trained mortarman, taught at 1st Marine Division schools in Camp Pendleton, Calif. As an instructor, he developed his communication skills. (Read the STORY)

Scout snipers keep watch over Marines
Story and photos by Cpl. Ed Galo

AGHA AHMAD, Afghanistan – The snaps and cracks of accurate small-arms fire break the silence of the day. As rounds impact their rooftop, a team of scout snipers and other Marines keep calm and work to sight in on their enemies. Marines with Scout Sniper Platoon, Alpha Company, 1st Battalion, 1st Marines provided over watch as other Marines with Alpha Co. executed Operation Helmand Viper to disrupt insurgent activity in Agha Ahmad, Afghanistan, August 29, 2012. As part of Operation Helmand Viper, the Marines with Alpha Co. interrupted enemy supply lines in the local area. “I took my team out, and we provided surveillance of the battlefield for intelligence gathering,” said Cpl. Eric Mabry, scout sniper team leader, Alpha Co.  (Read the STORY)

Engineers build up defenses for MARSOC
Story and photos by Cpl. Kenneth Jasik

HELMAND PROVINCE, Afghanistan – In one of the most dangerous areas of Helmand province, a lone team of Marines with Marine Corps Forces Special Operations Command operates daily from a pair of small patrol bases, which, until recently, had known vulnerabilities. To reduce the risk to service members living aboard the bases, Marines with 1st Marine Logistics Group (Forward) improved the defenses and completed their mission in support of Special Operations Task Force West, Sept. 1. “The purpose of this mission was to increase the force protection for the Marines here,” said Sgt. Derek C. Webb, a squad leader with 8th Engineer Support Battalion, 1st MLG (Fwd). “We rose the walls up higher to give the guys on the base more cover and concealment.” “The purpose of this mission was to increase the force protection for the Marines here,” said Sgt. Derek C. Webb, a squad leader with 8th Engineer Support Battalion, 1st MLG (Fwd). “We rose the walls up higher to give the guys on the base more cover and concealment.” The combat engineers enjoy supporting special operations forces, who are in turn willing to support the engineers any way they can.(Read the STORY)

  

Ready, Aim, Fire: scout snipers on target throughout Trek Nawa
Story and photos by Cpl. Timothy Lenzo

PATROL BASE DETROIT, Afghanistan – The Marine scout snipers are specialized, trained marksmen. Extensively trained in weapon systems, stalking, concealment and overall field skills, the Marines are able to adapt and run independently as small teams or while partnering with larger patrols. The scout sniper team with Weapons Company, 1st Battalion, 1st Marines, puts all these unique skills to work while deployed to Trek Nawa, Afghanistan, a known insurgent hotbed between the Nawa and Marjah districts. “I like the amount of independent operations we’re allowed to do,” said Sgt. Joshua Ott, team leader, scout sniper team, Weapons Company, 1st Battalion, 1st Marines, Regimental Combat Team 6. “It allows me to exercise my creativity to get the mission accomplished.” Trek Nawa’s dry and rocky terrain poses a unique challenge for Ott.(Read the STORY)


Camp Leatherneck hosts faith in leadership breakfast
Story and photos by Cpl. Kenneth Jasik

CAMP LEATHERNECK, Afghanistan – The intensity of deployments makes many servicemembers lose touch with their beliefs, but for those operating out of Camp Leatherneck, an early morning Faith in Combat Leadership Breakfast was held Aug. 28, to break their routines and get back in touch with their religion.  “The purpose of (the breakfast) was to build camaraderie amongst all the people and build a community,” said Navy Lt. Allen A. Presser Jr., squadron chaplain, Marine Wing Support Squadron 273. “It was geared for everyone, both religious and nonreligious alike. It was in interfaith service to break down walls and give people an opportunity to come together.” The service was open to U.S. servicemembers and their NATO allies, who also work on the camp, regardless of their beliefs. “Events such as this are important because it gives people an opportunity to come together and unite,” said Presser, 42, a Federal Way, Wash., native. (Read the STORY)


Aerial reconnaissance Marines complete deployment, fly final flight over Afghanistan
Story and photos by Cpl. Kenneth Jasik

HELMAND PROVINCE, Afghanistan, – As Marines patrol through a village, an ambush can come from any alley or home, but thanks to aerial reconnaissance the Marines at the front can eliminate the threat before insurgents successfully carry out their plans. One of the squadrons responsible for these flights, Marine Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Squadron 2, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing (Forward), flew their last RQ-7B Shadow surveillance flight over Helmand province on Aug. 26.  “We are the eyes in the sky,” said Cpl. Joshua P. Garcia, an unmanned aerial vehicle operator with VMU-2. “We work hand-in-hand with intelligence units, and anything significant we see we send up.” The information the squadron provides can mean life or death for the guys on the ground. They can see suspicious activity and relay that information, which is vital in a counterinsurgency operation. (Read the STORY) 

Explosive ordnance disposal technicians teach methods to counter improvised explosive devices in Afghanistan
Story and photos by Sgt. Michele Watson

CAMP LEATHERNECK, Afghanistan – In today’s war, improvised explosive devices remain the number one threat to Marines and sailors forward deployed to Afghanistan. To help counter this threat and save lives, members of the explosive ordnance disposal community have designed a counter IED course to train service members regarding IED detection methods. During the course, participants clear different paths, known as lanes, rigged with simulated IEDs in order to gain hands-on experience with different types of IED detection devices. “When you look at the mission of these Marines, they have to worry about enemy forces , where they are going, being hungry and tired, so they lose [sight of] how precious this information is in their mind,” said Sgt. Jesse Early, an EOD technician with 1st EOD Company, 1st Marine Logistics Group (Forward). (Read the STORY)


VIGNETTES

Illinois native bridges language, cultural barriers through Trek Nawa
Story and photos by Cpl. Timothy Lenzo

PATROL BASE DETROIT, Afghanistan – The Marines are down but not out. The late afternoon sun beats on them, and one Marine wipes sweat from his eyes. Across from them, their opponents smile, seemingly sensing the outcome. With the Olympics fresh in their minds, this is not simply a volleyball game, this is a matter of national pride. Then it happens, a questionable call. Is it a point for the Afghan National Army soldiers on one side of the net, or is it the Marines’ serve? Hand gestures and facial expressions are not enough to explain the concerns of both teams. Then a Marine steps in, turns to the Afghan soldier and begins pleading the Marines’ case. The only catch is he is not speaking English and using over dramatic hand gestures like the others. He is speaking Pashtu, the ANA soldiers’ native language. Lance Cpl. Nathan Pontious’, rifleman, Weapons Company, 1st Battalion, 1st Marines, Regimental Combat Team 6, ability to speak Pashtu helps build relationships with ANA soldiers and local Afghans. “It really helps when we are patrolling and we run into a family,” Pontious said. “When they see I can speak their language it usually puts them at ease. We have that common ground, and we can build off it.” (Read the STORY)

 

Afghan soldier, Marine share unique friendship
Story and photos by Cpl. Anthony Ward Jr.

 

CAMP SHORABAK, Afghanistan - Charged with aiding the 215th Corps Afghan National Army in improving their skills, Marine Corps Advisory Teams work side by side with their Afghan counterparts. Working so close and often with them can build relationships, some soldiers and Marines have a closer relationship than others. Lance Cpl. Christopher Lynch and Sgt. Shafieullah share such a relationship. “When I first came in here, it was just like meeting someone new,” said Lynch, an aviation electrician. “Over time we just kind of started talking more, we joke around, just goof off and became really good friends.” “We share a lot of laughs now,” said Shafieullah. “I remember when Lynch and another sergeant were playing a game on the computer and Lynch lost. He was so mad, but we all laughed about it.” Garnering such a friendship has allowed the two to move forward in learning new skills. (Read the STORY)


Through thick and thin, husband wife go through deployment together

Story and photos by Cpl. Mark Garcia

CAMP LEATHERNECK, Afghanistan – During a deployment, most Marines are separated from their families, but for one married couple a deployment provides the opportunity to connect in a way most would not be able to experience. Staff Sgt. Luke Billingsley along with his wife Sgt. Nancy Billingsley, from San Diego, are both currently deployed with Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 16 (Forward), 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing (Forward), in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. Although the couple was forced to leave their four children at home with family, they said being able to see each other throughout the deployment makes their time away easier. “It’s like a piece of home you get to bring with you,” Nancy said. “But ultimately it’s not all easy because even though we come out here we still have to exert ourselves at work, but then also find time to make the marriage work. It makes it a lot easier to be deployed because I get to see him every day. He’s more like my support, so when I’m having an off day I know that he’s there so I don’t feel alone as much.” (Read the STORY)

 

VIDEOS

Seabees Awarded Purple Heart
Video by Sgt. John Jackson

Maj. Gen. Charles M. Gurganus, the commanding general of Regional Command Southwest, awards Equipment Operator 1st Class Robert W. Dorch and Steelworker 3rd Class Grant J. Cullumber, both Seabees with Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 11, the Purple Heart during a ceremony aboard Camp Leatherneck, Afghanistan. Dorch, a native of Pensacola, Fla., and Cullumber, a native of Chandler, Ariz., were awarded the Purple Heart for injuries sustained while supporting Operation Enduring Freedom. Produced by Sgt. John Jackson. Also available in high definition. (Watch the VIDEO)



Scout Snipers Sight in on Helmand Viper

Video by Cpl. Ed Galo

Scout snipers with 1st Battalion, 1st Marines Regimental Combat Team 6, provided surveillance of the battlefield for intelligence gathering while other Marines with Alpha Co. interrupted enemy supply lines during Operation Helmand Viper. Produced by Cpl. Ed Galo. Includes soundbites from Marine Cpl. Eric Mabry, scout sniper team leader, Alpha Company, 1st Battalion, 1st Marines, Regimental Combat Team 6. (Watch the VIDEO)

 

Keeping Our Honor Clean: 8th Engineer Support Battalion Utilities
Video Series by Sgt. John Jackson

This is part ten of a series highlighting the work of 1st MLG (Fwd) noncommissioned officers deployed to Helmand Province, Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. This news story is about a detachment of Utilities Marines with 8th Engineer Support Battalion at Forward Operating Base Nolay and the work they do to help make deployment life more comfortable for Marines and Sailors. Produced by Sgt. John Jackson. Also available in High Definition. (Watch the VIDEO)

PSYOP Leaflet Drop
Video by Lance Cpl. Joshua Rudy

U.S. Army Soldiers with the 349th Psychological Operations (Psyop) Company, Regional Psyop Support Element, Regional Command Southwest, conduct a leaflet drop above Helmand province, Afghanistan August 22, 2012. The air drop was conducted to deliver information to areas of Helmand province unreachable by conventional communication. (U.S. Marine Corps Motion Imagery by Lance Cpl. Joshua M. Rudy). Also available in High Definition. (Watch the VIDEO)

 

Marketed/Republished Combat Correspondent Product

Marine Cpl. Lowell Switzer talks to a WTKF-FM reporter about his duties as a data systems specialist deployed to Afghanistan.

Lance Cpl. Phillip Byrd talks to a WTKF-FM reporter about his duties as a field radio operator deployed to Afghanistan.

Sailor turns passion into career republished in the The Cass County Democrat, Missouri

Afghans Ready for Security Responsibility in Delaram reaired on the Pentagon Channel

 

                      

    I Marine Expeditionary Force