RAMADI, Iraq (August 21, 2008) – Lance Cpl. Steven T. Wise, a heavy equipment operator with Combat Logistics Company 111, Combat Logistics Battalion 1, 1st Marine Logistics Group helps guide a T-wall into place at the Ramadi Government Center on Aug. 21. The HE operators installed concrete walls throughout the compound to add additional protection for Coalition Forces and civilians who work there. “The T-walls we are installing today will block the view of buildings that surround the Government Center in the case of an enemy sniper,” said Cpl. Chris R. Yohe, HE operator with CLC-111. “The barriers hide the main walkways that are constantly being used within the center.” (Photo by Lance Cpl. Jacob A. Singsank)
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AL-ASAD, Iraq (August 21, 2008) – Sgt. Wesley A. Laney, 25, Charleston, S.C., squad leader, 3rd Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment, Regimental Combat Team 1, 1st Marine Division places a mock improvised explosive device under the supervision of a Counter IED instructor here Aug. 21. Nineteen Marines recently attended the three-day CIED Train-the-Trainer course, which prepares small unit leaders to instruct a region specific CIED course to their Marines. (Photo by Cpl. G.P. Ingersoll)
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CAMP TAQADDUM, Iraq (August 30, 2008) – A Southwest Asia hut is engulfed in flames during a controlled burn here Aug. 30. The burning of the building was a project with Base Safety and Environmental, 1st Marine Logistics Group and the Marines of Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting Company of Marine Wing Support Squadron 374, 3rd Marine Aircraft Group. The project demonstrated the threats the buildings pose when exposed to fire in the desert conditions and the rapidity in which they can burn to the ground. (Photo by Cpl. Tyler B. Barstow)
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KABANI, Iraq (August 29, 2008) – An Iraqi boy waits for his father to finish an examination during the first Cooperative Dental Engagement here, Aug. 29. Cmdr. Scott Kooistra, dental detachment officer in charge for Dental Platoon, Medical Company, 1st Supply Battalion (-) (Reinforced), worked with Iraqi Army 2nd Lt. Ashraf Ali, a dentist with 7th Iraqi Army Division, to examine more than 100 patients during the CDE. (Photo by Cpl. Tyler B. Barstow)
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CAMP TAQADDUM, Iraq (October 18, 2008) – Mixed martial arts fighter Heath Herring with the Ultimate Fighting Championship, grapples Staff Sgt. Patricio B. Rodriguez, the radio chief for Communications Company, 1st Marine Logistics Group, at Camp Taqaddum, Oct. 18. Heath Herring, Jorge Rivera and Joe Lauzon came here to demonstrate moves and give service members the opportunity to grapple with them. Octagon Girls Amber Miller and Andrea Tiede also came to take photos and sign autographs for the service members. “It’s a great thing for the UFC fighters to come out here,” said Rodriguez, 26, from Van Horn, Texas. “They have really boosted the morale around here.” (Photo by Lance Cpl. Jacob A. Singsank)
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Lance Cpl. Jacob A. Singsank
AT-RAMADI, Iraq (August 9, 2008) –Marines with Combat Logistics Company 111 designed and built a Southwest Asia hut mover, saving the Marine Corps thousands of dollars with each hut moved.
Staff Sgt. James L. Aultman, operations chief, CLC-111, Combat Logistics Battalion 1, took the initiative to design a SWA hut mover made up of two support beams that connect to a 17 ft. spreader bar. The design supports the weight of a 10,000 pound hut when it’s being lifted by a 25 ton crane. “I came up with the design and the welders did the rest,” said Aultman.
“The SWA hut mover saves the Marine Corps money by moving the old ones instead of rebuilding them,” said Sgt. Nathan N. Nitch, heavy equipment non-commissioned officer in charge, CLC-111.
Each SWA hut costs more than $10,000 to build. “It takes 30 Marines to build three SWA huts a day,” said Aultman. The lifter and a working party of five Marines can move one in 30 minutes.
After the support beams are in place, the SWA huts are lifted so Marines can knock out the legs. When the foundation is removed, the huts are loaded on a truck to be relocated for their next use.
The Marine Corps and Army use the SWA huts for offices, living quarters and briefing rooms. “After the huts are moved, all they need is someone to splice the electrical hookup, then they are good to go,” said Cpl. Chris R. Yohe, heavy equipment operator, CLC-111.
Many of the SWA huts are being relocated in preparation to turn the southern part of Camp Ramadi to the Iraqi Army.
“There are 35 more SWA huts that are scheduled to be moved before Combat Logistics Battalion 5 comes to replace us,” said Chief Warrant Officer-2 Robert D. Nielsen, executive officer, CLC-111. “We will give the SWA hut mover to them so they can utilize it.”
“Why waste money rebuilding SWA huts when we have serviceable ones,” said Nielsen. “The Marine Corps has already saved more than $100,000 by using good property instead of being wasteful.”
Since the creation of Aultman’s SWA hut mover, the Marine Corps has saved money and man hours by using the simple design and a handful of motivated Marines.
“The ingenuity of the younger guys makes it possible,” said Nielsen. “They never say no and make stuff happen.”
Cpl. GP Ingersoll
CAMP MEJID, Iraq – It was the product of an old relationship, and the start of a new one.
Forty-four Iraqi Army Soldiers from the 7th IA Division graduated from a two-day Marine weapons maintenance and armory course, which included lessons on the M-16 series service rifle, here Aug. 7.
“This is a beautiful step between us and our friends, the Coalition Forces,” said General Sabah Mutab Helhel, deputy general, 7th IA Div. Helhel noted the long standing relationship between Coalition Forces and the fledgling IA, and that classes and training like this course were a product of that relationship.
“We will all benefit from what the friendly forces are teaching us, and hopefully we will have more (classes) down the road,” HelHel said.
With the 7th IA Div., slated to field the M-16 series service rifle to its Soldiers in replacement of the AK-47 by February 2009, Marine weapons maintenance classes may increase in frequency.
“They really paid attention when (the instructor) broke down the M-16, so they know what to expect in February,” said Steve A. Jabero, an interpreter for Combat Logistics Battalion 6, 1st Marine Logistics Group.
Along with lessons on the M-16, students received helpful tips from the instructor about their own organic small arms.
“They have their own way of doing things, so I just shared my views of their weapons,” said Lance Cpl. Sterling N. Hagan, armorer, Headquarters Company, Regimental Combat Team 5, 1st Marine Division. Hagan, 21, Greenburgs, La., learned most of his knowledge about foreign weapon systems from confiscated items brought into the armory.
“I just showed them any defects that I saw, and how to deal with them. I showed them what to look for as far as misfires and possible defects,” Hagan said.
The Marines conducting the course also emphasized proper weapons storage and armory administration. Helhel’s words at the graduation mirrored the Corps’ sentiment toward its Marines and their rifles.
“Armorers should never accept weapons that are dirty,” Helhel said. “Maintaining our weapons is important. A bad weapon makes for a bad Soldier. With that weapon you defend your family and your nation.”
The two-day course was not a one-way street however, as the Marines who organized the course learned both about Iraqi maintenance methods and their culture.
“Our gracious host, the 7th IA Division allowed us to share the culture of their Iraqi Soldiers, while we were able to pass on the knowledge of our particular logistical field,” said Master Sgt. Gregory P. Zenoni, 41, Lexington, S.C., operations chief, CLB-6, 1st MLG.
With an M-16 in the hands of every IA Soldier by mid-2009, there’s one more field Iraqis can learn from any Marine: rifle maintenance and marksmanship.
Cpl. GP Ingersoll
AT-TAQADDUM, Iraq (July 30, 2008) – When Marines leave the wire carrying nearly a ton of C-4, the result is sure to be explosive.
Explosive Ordnance Disposal Technicians, Engineers and Heavy Equipment Marines with Marine Wing Support Squadron 374, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing (Forward), leveled the equivalent of an entire city block here July 30.
The aptly named, long deserted “Pancake Village,” dubbed so due to the high amount of demolition the village saw during previous engagements, had become a jump-off point for insurgent activity, as well as an eyesore to local nationals. Graffiti, uncertain structural integrity and strategic location made the town a growing danger to Iraqis and Coalition Forces; so, the Marine Corps turned it into dust.
“We have 247 120 mm rounds, 80 (Tube-launched Optically-tracked Wire-guided) missiles, and 1,288 blocks of C-4,” said Chief Warrant Officer 2 Ralph G. Morlang, officer in charge, EOD, MWSS-374. Morlang said the ammunition they used to flatten Pancake Village was H-ammo, or unserviceable rounds. The engineers and heavy equipment operators appreciated the help afforded from the old ordnance.
“We couldn’t safely level the buildings with vehicles,” said Sgt. Benjamin T. Miller, 26, New Plymouth, Ind., heavy equipment operator, MWSS-374. Miller said that maneuvering a bulldozer around the buildings would put the operator in an unsafe position.
The operation was too big and too dangerous for HE operators and engineers alone, so EOD answered the call.
“(This mission) is good for operational security,” said Sgt. Gary T. Jackson, EOD technician, 25, McAlester, Ok. “Now, we won’t have to worry about people living out here and planting (Improvised Explosive Devices) or setting up an ambush on one of the main roads.”
Despite the work it took to wire up a city block’s worth of C-4, EOD seemed happy to participate.
“Anytime the Engineers need help with a project,” Jackson said, “EOD is more than willing to grab the pack straps and help them charge into the fight.”
The project was a success. The blast left no usable residence for squatters and potential insurgents alike, making roadways for the 1st Marine Logistics Group just a little bit safer.
By Cpl. Tyler B. Barstow
AT-TAQADDUM, Iraq – With heavy hearts and tender words, the Marines and Sailors of 1st Maintenance Battalion (-) (Reinforced), 1st Marine Logistics Group, honored the passing of a friend and fellow Marine during a memorial ceremony here, Oct. 27.
Lance Cpl. Stacy Ann Dryden, 22, from North Canton, Ohio, a preservation, packaging and packing specialist with Supply Company, 1st Maint. Bn. (-) (Rein.), was described by her peers as a strong spirited person who could always be turned to for support.
“She left a lasting impression,” said Sgt. Sheldon D. Johnson, 28, from Queens, N.Y., the platoon sergeant for the Material Distribution Center, Supply Co. “If you met her, she would always greet you with a warm smile.”
When asked what she was smiling about, Dryden would answer the question with “nothing” and return another beaming smile which spread to those around her.
“She made me feel not so homesick,” said Lance Cpl. Morgan Gray, 23, from Westbrook, Conn., shipping clerk with Supply Co., 1st Maint. Bn. (-) (Rein), about her friend who she knew since their military schooling together. When Gray arrived at Camp Pendleton, she was excited to find that her friend Dryden lived just a few doors down.
“Whenever you needed her to talk, to laugh, or to cry she was always there,” said Lance Cpl. Travis L. Lantz, 22, from Deland, Fla., a preservation, packaging and packing specialist with Supply Co.
Dryden deployed to Iraq in August and hit the ground running, motivating the other Marines in her shop with her positive attitude and blessing them with her compassion.
“She made a difference,” Johnson said. “She was the first one to lend a helping hand to those that needed it and comfort them when they were down.” Johnson also commented that Dryden had all the motivation and esprit de corps to be the next sergeant major of the Marine Corps.
Dryden worked side-by-side with her fellow packaging specialists at al-Asad where her positive attitude helped make things easier in the combat environment.
“You’d fall in love with her company,” said Lance Cpl. Lamarr W. Robinson, 20, from St. Louis, a fellow packaging specialist with Supply Co. “She’d make you smile when you’d call her phone just knowing that she’d say ‘What’s up?’”
Her care for her friends and co-workers affected all around her and filled the air with nothing but smiles, explained Robinson who encouraged the crowd of mourners to stay in that celebrated spirit in her honor, as she would not want them to mourn.
“She would say ‘enjoy life Robinson, never waste a second.’”
Dryden’s passing weighed heavily on her fellow Marines who took time to pay their final respects at a memoriam in her honor.
“She was a Marine who reflected well on the uniform she wore,” said Navy Lt. Jeffrey J. Ross, the battalion chaplain, 38, from Atlanta. Ross encouraged the crowd to remember the tremendous positive effect she had on everyone.
“She will always be in our hearts and we’ll remember her as a marvelous person and overall great Marine,” Lantz said.
KABANI, Iraq – Iraqi Army Soldiers, and Marines and Sailors from Bravo Battery, 2d Low Altitude Air Defense Battalion, 1st Marine Logistics Group facilitated medical care to more than 130 Iraqis during a cooperative medical engagement, July 24.
During the CME, three doctors and several corpsmen tended to and filled prescriptions for residents of Kabani who do not have a clinic in their town.
Maj. Tahseen Muallah, commander of the 1st IA Division’s clinic in Habbaniyah, said bringing healthcare to Kabani strengthens friendly ties with the town’s residents.
Muallah, 41, from Baghdad, noted that without the CME, those in need of medical assistance would have to travel to Ramadi or Fallujah to see a doctor.
During the CME, patients were first greeted by IA medics and Navy corpsmen, who measured their height and weight before sending them to the doctor. The corpsmen also gave patients toys, snacks and hygiene products.
“Being here makes me appreciate what we have, especially when we help little kids definitely in need,” said Petty Officer 1st Class Stephanie L. Minix, 32, from Graham, Wash., an independent duty corpsman with 1st Supply Battalion
(-) (Reinforced), 1st Marine Logistics Group. “Anytime you can interact with anybody outside the norm is good.”
As part of the CME, doctors and corpsmen also provided preventive medicine to ensure long-term good health of the Iraqis. They educated residents about improving their diets, and of the importance of drinking water and proper hygiene.
Lt. j.g. Kishla A. Askins, physician’s assistant, Medical Company, 1st Supply Bn. (-) (REIN), answered questions from pregnant and post-partum women and also stressed the importance of sunscreen to all attendees.
“I am out here on a mission to promote sunscreen … a lot of people have nothing on (protecting) their skin,” said Askins, 37, from San Diego.
Lt. Cmdr. Lewis J. Fermaglich, medical officer, 2d LAAD Bn., said the cooperation between the IA and Coalition forces was what made the operation in Kabani run smoothly.
The service members worked together providing security and medical care ensuring the day’s operation ran efficiently, added Fermaglich, 33, from Evanston, Ill.
“This was fantastic,” said Muallah of the CME. “We need to make these visits more frequently to show we are here to help the people.”
The following blog was written by Navy Chaplain Ollis J. Mozon Jr., TQ Group Chaplain for 1st Marine Logistics Group
Thursday, 19 June 2008 (Happy Juneteenth)
This has been a very “moving’ month – plus. In early May, less than a
week after returning from Camp
Fallujah, when we lost
our four CLB-1 Marines, RPC Dennis Abeling and I went back for the memorial service.
That was a moving event. On the stage, there were four memorial stands –
sets of boots with down turned rifles, helmet on top and dog tags dangling –
with a poster sized picture of the deceased. Chaplains are expected to provide
spiritually focused words of comfort at the memorial service. Commanding
Officers typically provide appropriate words of honor for their fallen Marines,
sharing the difficulty for a leader to lose any of his personnel yet
encouraging all to “stay in the fight and accomplish the mission,” as a tribute
to the fallen. What is most touching are the words of the young Marines
speaking of their personal connections to their roommates, friends or persons
who were, “like a brother/sister to me.” These young Marines are authentic and
eloquent. They tell the story, quote a scripture or line from a favorite movie,
always conveying that the fallen is really loved and really will be missed and
honored.
With so many changes in our battlespace and so much movement of various units, our higher headquarters (MNF-W) chaplain found one unit that had not had a chaplain visit in 31 days. His plan to address this deficit was to have a couple of commands provide some temporary coverage, so I was able to move Chaplain Leo Lynch and RP3 Ross S. Curiel down to Basara to provide a week of ministry. It turned out to be a great experience for all. They even managed to find a container large enough to fill with water to perform a baptism by immersion while down there. During that same week Chief Abeling and I traveled back up to Fallujah for the Multi-National Forces-West (MNF-W) Major Supporting Commands (MSC) Religious Ministry Team (RMT) conference for the senior chaplains and RPs. The theme was “Ever Creative Responsive and Flexible Combat Ministry.”
During the week following our return, we began moving into the new Walker Memorial Chapel after cleaning out months of dust that had gathered since its dedication ceremony. Finally, on 11 May (Mother’s Day) we held our first worship services in the new chapel. This was the Sunday before the anniversary of Lance Cpl. Walker’s death here in al-Anbar province on 15 May 2007.
The following weekend I had the opportunity to host the Central Command (CENTCOM) Chaplain. CENTCOM is headquartered in Tampa, FL but is responsible for the part of the world that covers Afghanistan and Iraq. (It used to encompass the Horn of Africa where I was in 2005-06, which is now part of the newly established Africa Command (AFRICOM)). He moves and travels a lot in his job overseeing ministry teams in multiple countries. On his visit to TQ, I had to arrange an office call with him and my Commanding General (CG), a luncheon meeting with all the TQ RMTs, and tours of the Navy Riverine Squadron area, the Personnel Retrieval and Processing Detachment and our surgical facilities. He also collaborated with Chaplain Keith Shuley a Mass Confirmation and First Communion for two Marines. When it was time for him to move on, I assigned RPC Abeling as his religious support and security for the rest of his visit throughout Anbar Province. They visited many large and small outposts in the Area of Responsibility (AOR).
While Chief was moving about the AOR with the CENTCOM Chaplain, I moved my office up to the Walker Memorial Chapel. Then, RP1 Brenda Dwiggins and I made a move to Al Asad for a support visit with our CLB-6 RMT, Chaplain Richard Roe and RPSN Jason Barrett. Chaplain Roe was covering for one of the Wing chaplains who was on leave, so our Sunday schedule was very full. He preached the 0800 and 0900 flightline services (one in a chow hall and the other in a small chapel), then he preached the 1100 Contemporary Praise service in the main base chapel. I preached the 1500 Gospel service in the main chapel and for Chaplain Roe’s 1900 service in a small chapel near the air terminal. Thanks to one of Iraq’s infamous dust storms we were delayed a day and a half getting back to TQ.
During this period one of our RMTs, Chaplain McKinney and RP2 Ponder, had opportunities to do some moving around an Iraqi village. Part of their battalion’s mission is to help rebuild Iraq. The Civil Affairs and engineer Marines of the battalion have been involved in making improvements on the village’s water treatment plant, repairing the school and some other buildings. The RMT has been involved in providing school supplies, Beanie Babies, and soccer balls for the Iraqi children. They have also been able to conduct Religious Leader Engagements (RLE) with the village imam. A RLE is a “meet and greet” between the religious leader of the community and of the religious leader of the military unit. In the Iraqi Muslim tribal system the imam is a very influential person. It helps build trust when they see that the US military unit has a religious leader who accompanies the commanding officer and may be involved in some of the decision-making and promoting goodwill between our cultures.
Once RP1 had moved back down to TQ, we started preparing for Father’s Day. June 12th would have been LCpl Walker’s 23rd birthday if he had not given his life serving our country. (It is worth noting, a news story this week indicated that violence is down 89% in Anbar Province compared to this time last year. Praise God and keep the prayers coming!) We prepared to hang a framed copy of his Memorial Service Bulletin in the sanctuary on the Sunday closest to his birthday, which just happened to be Father’s Day. In addition, we finally got the screen, flat panel TVs and projector mounted.
I preached the two services on Father’s Day. In a message titled “Fathers Set Standards” based upon Joshua 24:15, I shared 10 things I learned from my Daddy. Chaplain Lynch had prepared special certificates for Father’s Day – for the Father with oldest, youngest, most boys, most girls, most children. I got one for the “Most Beautiful Child” along with every other Navy, Marine, Army, and Air Force father who stood up.
AT-TAQADDUM, Iraq (July 13, 2008) – Marines met actor Gary Sinise during his visit to Camp Taqaddum, July 13. The actor, who also interacted with service members and civilian contractors during breakfast July 14, supports troops through his various visits as an actor and a performer with his band “The Lt. Dan Band.” He is the co-founder of Operation Iraqi Children. The program sends school supply kits and other necessities to troops to distribute among Iraqi children.
CAMP TAQADDUM, Iraq (July 4, 2008) – Service members got a taste of the lime light as they participated in “TQ Idol,” a friendly competition that brought together the finest talent acts here, with the spirit of Independence Day.
More than 20 performers did their best at singing, dancing, and impersonations to keep the audience excited throughout the night. A few members of the audience received their own prizes given away in a drawing, including DVDs, music and a new bike. The winner of the contest was awarded $200.
CAMP TAQADDUM, Iraq (June 28, 2008) - The bond between brothers is unbreakable. They grow up together, learning everything about life along the way. Putting those brothers in the Marine Corps and shipping them to Iraq takes that relationship to a whole new level.
The Maddux brothers are prime examples of the bond of brotherhood that transcends the blood they share. 1st Lt. Joseph K. Maddux, staff secretary and protocol officer for the 1st Marine Logistics Group and his older brother, First Sgt. Dave L. Maddux, first sergeant for Tango Battery, 5th Battalion, 11th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, have a strong connection between themselves and their families only further strengthened by the Corps.
“It’s not just a band of brothers in the Marine Corps, it’s also in the family,” Dave said, the oldest by two-and-a-half years and first to join the Corps.
“I remember going to his graduation from boot camp,” Joe said. “On the ride home, his question to me was ‘when are you going to go?’”
A high school sophomore at the time, Joe had no interest in the military but eventually joined after learning more from his brother.
“I talked to him about it and knew that it was a good thing from him.”
Being able to talk to his brother and share ideas continued throughout their time in the Corps. Travelling around the world and throughout the Corps, the Madduxes have left their foot print everywhere and now find themselves in Iraq. Throughout their various exploits, they both had a confidant they could rely on to discuss things that no one but a brother would understand.
“No one wants to ask the stupid question,” Dave said. “Instead of talking to a guy in the battery, I’ve got my brother that understands everything and probably has dealt with it too.”
The relationship works for Joe as well. Serving his first deployment to Iraq, he understandably had many questions. Questions he could turn to his brother for and receive a more personal answer.
“I feel weird because I don’t know (everything), but I can go behind the scenes and say ‘hey, how does this work?’” Joe said.
During Dave’s visits to Camp Taqaddum, the brothers manage to get together and share personal experiences, carrying on late-night discussions about the Corps, life and their families back home, who face their own problems.
Joe, with a son less than a year old and a 4-year-old daughter, leaves his wife Kara in charge, taking on full parenting responsibilities while he is serving his country.