NEWS
Marines provide crucial maintenance support
Story by Cpl. Anthony Ward Jr.
COMBAT OUTPOST SHIR GHAZAY, Afghanistan - The Intermediate Maintenance Activity section at Combat Outpost Shir Ghazay, Afghanistan, plays an integral part in keeping things up and running.
Marines with the IMA operate out of the base in support of the 32nd Georgian Battalion, Georgian Liaison Team 6 and the units who fall under Regimental Combat Team 7 in the area.
“We provide third and limited fourth echelon maintenance support,” said Gunnery Sgt. Dale Tilley, staff noncommissioned officer in charge of the IMA. “We support all the outer lying units.” (Read the STORY)
CLR-15 completes deployment, transfers Logistics Combat Element to CLR-2
Story and photos by Cpl. Timothy Lenzo
CAMP LEATHERNECK, Afghanistan – After completing a successful deployment as the Logistics Combat Element for Regional Command Southwest, Combat Logistics Regiment 15 transferred authority of the LCE to CLR-2 during a ceremony aboard Camp Leatherneck, Afghanistan, Jan. 26.
Combat Logistics Regiment 15 took command of the LCE from 1st Marine Logistics Group (Forward) during September 2012 and provided RC(SW) with tactical logistics support throughout the area of operations.
During their time deployed to Helmand province, the Marines and sailors of CLR-15 accomplished many missions. The unit planned and coordinated 535 combat logistics patrols, coordinated the movement of more than 1.2 million gallons of fuel throughout the battlespace, coordinated and executed more than 150 helicopter support team missions, executed nine major base transfers or closures in support of Base Realignment and Closure operations, and much more. (Read the STORY)
I MEF Headquarters Group transfer authority to II MEF Headquarters Group
Story by Cpl. Timothy Lenzo; Photo by Cpl. Robert Reeves
CAMP LEATHERNECK, Afghanistan –Marines and sailors with I Marine Expeditionary Force Headquarters Group (Forward) handed over their responsibility to II MHG (Fwd) during a transfer of authority ceremony aboard Camp Leatherneck, Afghanistan, Jan. 24.
Service members with I MHG (Fwd) oversaw times of great triumph as well as overcame challenges during their yearlong deployment to Helmand province.
“The security job the Marines have done with our partners have made a tremendous difference,” said Maj. Gen. Charles Gurganus, Commanding General, Regional Command Southwest. “For all that (Col. James B. Hanlon) and his great Marines have done, Marines from several different battalions thank you.” (Read the STORY)
Operation New Hope clears insurgent stronghold
Story and Photos by Cpl. Timothy Lenzo
KAJAKI, Afghanistan – During a time when insurgent forces typically bed down until the spring poppy harvest, Afghan National Security Forces, aided by a small group of Marine advisors, engaged multiple enemy forces during Operation New Hope, Kajaki, Afghanistan, Jan. 16 through 19.
Afghan National Army soldiers led the main assault with supporting forces from the Afghan National Civil Order Police and the Afghan Uniform Police. The operation’s focus was to bring peace, stability and increase the Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan’s influence in the area. Afghan National Security Forces localized their efforts to Kajaki Sofala, part of the southern green zone in Kajaki, and a known insurgent hotbed in the district.
By the time the chilly Afghan dawn had come marking the start of the operation, ANSF forces were receiving enemy fire from multiple directions. Fueled by the desire to bring peace to the highly contested area, the ANSF fearlessly pushed forward. (Read the STORY)
Shir Ghazay school receives much needed supplies
Story and Photos by Cpl. Anthony Ward Jr.
SHIR GHAZAY, Afghanistan—Marines and Georgian soldiers delivered much needed supplies to a local school in Shir Ghazay, Afghanistan, Jan. 17.
The Marines are with Georgian Liaison Team 6, Regimental Combat Team 7, Regional Command Southwest, and directly support the soldiers of the 32nd Georgian Battalion.
The school falls within the area of responsibility for the Georgians, who provide security for the area.
“The school opened Nov.28 (2012) with about 60 kids attending it,” said 1st Lt. Whitney A. Reynolds, executive officer for GLT-6. “We immediately saw there were no school supplies for the kids.” (Read the STORY)
VIGNETTES
Marine works hard, to be promoted
Story and photo by Sgt. Ned Johnson
CAMP LEATHERNECK, Afghanistan— When someone says CAMP LEATHERNECK, Afghanistan— When someone says “logistics,” people often think of UPS or headaches, but a Marine in Afghanistan who loves logistics will soon be rewarded for his hard work.
Lance Cpl. Kenieth Kimbrough, an embarkation specialist with Regimental Combat Team 7, works as a unit movement control clerk and will be promoted to corporal on Feb. 1.
“I deal with a lot of movement of units, both personnel and cargo,” said Kimbrough, a 21-year-old native of Phoenix, Ariz. “I schedule transportation via air and ground like flights and convoys.”
“logistics,” people often think of UPS or headaches, but a Marine in Afghanistan who loves logistics will soon be rewarded for his hard work.
Lance Cpl. Kenieth Kimbrough, an embarkation specialist with Regimental Combat Team 7, works as a unit movement control clerk and will be promoted to corporal on Feb. 1.
“I deal with a lot of movement of units, both personnel and cargo,” said Kimbrough, a 21-year-old native of Phoenix, Ariz. “I schedule transportation via air and ground like flights and convoys.” (Read the STORY)
Trading high heels for boots, former USO performer deploys to Afghanistan
Story and photo by Cpl. Timothy Lenzo
CAMP LEATHERNECK, Afghanistan – Three years ago, Cpl. Rocio Sanchez was entertaining troops in Iraq with her vocals. Now she is on the other side, serving in the Marine Corps as an electronic key management systems clerk aboard Camp Leatherneck, Afghanistan.
“I traded in my high heels for combat boots and my microphone for an M-16 (service rifle),” said Sanchez, currently deployed with Retrograde and Redeployment in support of Reset and Reconstitution Operational Group, Regional Command (Southwest). “In May 2009 we went out to Iraq for a two-week tour.”
Sanchez, from South Gate, Calif., had already made her decision to join the Marines before the tour. She joined the Marine Corps Delayed Entry Program earlier that same year.(Read the STORY)
Long Island Marine shoulders heavy responsibilities
Story and Photos by Cpl. Anthony Ward Jr.
AFGHANISTAN - One of the easiest ways to supply Marines in combat with essential gear and equipment are vehicle convoys. These logistics trains can carry more supplies than a helicopter and reach areas that may not be feasible to reach by air.
The responsibility of orchestrating these multiple vehicle trips usually doesn’t fall upon the shoulders of a junior noncommissioned officer.
Corporal Stephen Karavolos is one of the exceptions, serving as an asset to the Georgian Liaison Team for Regimental Combat Team 7, Regional Command Southwest. (Read the STORY)
VIDEOS
We Are Logistics: Shock Trauma Platoon Provides Critical Care
Video by Cpl. Anthony Ward Jr.
News story about the Corpsmen at Combat Outpost Shukvani, who provide critical care needed to save the lives of every injured patient that passes through their doors. (Watch the VIDEO)
Marketed/Republished Combat Correspondent Product
Regional Command Team-7 completed a unit shout out for Super Bowl XLVII that was featured on the NFL network.
Trading high heels for boots republished on The Globe website.
Long Island Marine shoulders heavy responsibilities republished by the U.S. Department of Defense.
We Are Logistics: Shock Trauma Platoon Provides Critical Care republished on YouTube.
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