Fifteen insurgents dressed in U.S. Army uniforms breached Camp Bastion, Afghanistan Sept. 14. Marines sprung into action to stop the assault and limit damages as the insurgents targeted aircrafts parked on the flightline with automatic rifles and rocket-propelled grenade launchers. The adage, "Every Marine a rifleman," came true as Marines relied on their training to fend off the insurgents. In the end, all but one insurgent was killed and the remaining combatant was taken into custody by coalition forces. Following the attack, the Marines remained focused on their mission. "We are back to business as usual," said Staff Sgt. Justin Pauley. "We will continue to march forward, complete our mission and finish a successful deployment." Read more
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The U.S. and Japan reached an agreement to begin flight operations of the MV-22 Osprey aircraft at Marine Corps Air Station Futenma in Okinawa, Japan. Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta made the announcement Sept. 19 as part of his trip to Asia. Basing the Osprey in Okinawa will significantly strengthen the ability to provide for the defense of Japan, perform humanitarian assistance and disaster relief operations and fulfill other alliance roles. "This agreement was the result of a deep partnership and thorough process that allowed both sides to reconfirm the safety of the aircraft. It is a testament to the strength and maturity of our Alliance, which remains the cornerstone for peace and stability in the Asia-Pacific region," said Defense Department Press Secretary George Little. Read more
The Marine Corps' Experimental Forward Operating Base (ExFOB) process is designed to identify and evaluate commercial technologies that can increase the self-sufficiency of expeditionary forces. ExFOB hosted invited vendors to demonstrate their technologies at Camp Pendleton, Calif., Sept 17-21. Fourteen companies showed off the latest in energy efficient heating and cooling of personnel, bulk water, electronics, vehicles and shelters. "We know that resource efficiency aids in combat effectiveness, and that our investments in reset and modernization will provide a force that operates lighter, faster and at reduced risk," said Gen. James F. Amos, Commandant of the Marine Corps. Read more
Watch: Marines Test Self-Sufficient Technology
Marines with the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) concluded a three-week training package in Djibouti Sept. 16 with a five-day competition designed to test everything they learned while ashore. The extensive training and competition, based in the coastal mountains off the Gulf of Toujours, focused on mountain-based infantry skills intended to lend tactical superiority in rugged environments. The 24th MEU is currently deployed with the Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group as a theater reserve and crisis response force throughout U.S. Central Command and the Navy's 5th Fleet area of responsibility. Read more
As part of the Artillery Relocation Training Program (ARTP) 12-2, reserve and active duty Marines trained side by side at Shizuoka, Japan, in order to sustain unit proficiency and enhance combat readiness in support of the U.S.-Japan Treaty of Mutual Cooperation and Security. For Oscar Battery 5th Battalion, 14th Marine Regiment, assigned to 3rd Battalion, 12th Marines, the ARTP earlier this month provided an opportunity to hone their technical skills alongside counterparts from III Marine Expeditionary Force. In addition to sending artillery rounds downrange, Oscar Battery will be participating in a small-arms range, a climb to the summit of Mt. Fuji, the battalion field meet and community relations events. Read more
Under a renewed partnership between the U.S. and New Zealand militaries, the Marine Corps could help the Kiwis build its amphibious capabilities, Defense Secretary Leon Panetta announced Sept. 21 at a joint news conference with New Zealand Defense Minister Jonathan Coleman. Panetta said the partnership will "increase cooperation in the South Pacific, build New Zealand's amphibious capacity in order to tackle some common challenges and work multilaterally to build the capacity of other security partners in peacekeeping efforts and humanitarian assistance and disaster relief." Read more
Keeping with the age-old tradition of bedtime stories, the United Through Reading (UTR) program is making it easier for deployed parents to keep in touch with their families. Marines and Sailors with the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit can now videotape themselves reading a book and send the recording back home. Petty Officer 1st Class Edward Debaun, UTR project manager, started the program to help kids better understand the dynamics of their parents being away, while providing service members with another way to keep in touch with their family. Read more
The Department of Veterans' Affairs' (VA) Veterans Retraining Assistance Program (VRAP) has begun to fill the 54,000 openings allotted for the program's second year after all 45,000 openings were filled in the program's inaugural year. VRAP provides Montgomery GI Bill benefits to qualified veterans who complete vocational training classes to help them find jobs in one of 200 high-demand fields. According to VA Secretary Eric Shinseki, the "surge" of veterans applying for the new benefit "demonstrates this program's importance to provide unemployed veterans the opportunity to find employment in high-demand fields."
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VRAP Website
The National Museum of the Marine Corps recently acquired a sword traced back to Col. Frank Goettge, a Marine who earned notoriety on the battlefield as well as on the football field. Even after joining the Corps in 1917, Goettge was recruited by the New York Giants, but turned them down to remain in the Marines. After 25 years of service to the Corps, he was killed in action leading the ill-fated "Lost Patrol" on Guadalcanal. The sword will be on display at the Marine Corps Sports Hall of Fame gallery, which is scheduled to open in 2017.
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Nearly seven decades later, Harrison Miller, a radioman aboard an OS2N-1 "Kingfisher" observation plane shot down by enemy fire during World War II (WWII), was finally awarded for his heroic efforts. Miller, with no flying experience, successfully made a water landing and attempted to save wounded Navy pilot Lt. Forney Fuqua. His bravery went unrecognized until Maj. Josh Vance, a KC-130 Pilot at Quantico, Va., uncovered the story. Vance reviewed Miller's WWII service records, researched the criteria for each medal and was able to assist Miller in applying for the awards. Vance recently had the chance to fly down to Brooksville, Fla., to present the Air Medal (1st through 3rd awards) to Miller. Read more