Nassau (LHA 4) - Naval Cruise Book

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Executive Ofzqcef, BL T 2X 6 Maj JD. MACKENZIE If ir airft broke . . . Don'r fix ir!,' SgtMa j SMITH - Wm -V SX-K f . , , A ' ,, , . 'v - Sergeant Major, BLT 2f6 -.... -. A V- P A , . A ' ' N. K A ,PN ' bk . Q i -. K Lf' gg ' is ' 2 Vg. ' Q-'wg ,. J. , I A A .- ,. Win 352 f fi, ix 4.4

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WD I Llnil Commanding OfHCer, BLT 2X6 Ltcoi SJ. BATHURST While our deployment as the Ground Command Element of Twenty-Second Marine Expeditionary Unit Special Operation Capable began on 30 September 1987 as we embarked aboard the ships of Amphibious Squadrons 2, we actually became a Battalion Landing Team in late March 1987. And as a BLT we accomplished much during our thirteen months together. Our work-up was both demanding and challenging, for each of us was required to make many personal sacrifices and push our bodies and minds to the limits we may not have thought possible. I also realize that some may have thought these activities unnecessary, for there is nothing short of war itself that can verify one's ability to survive and win. While BLT 2f6 was not put to the ultimate test, I believe we had our mettle tested through a rigorous training syllabus, aided by an extensive physical training program that included much humping, and of course, that ever present 2f6 weather factor . You have, on many occasions, endured the unendurable. I have seen, first hand, some of the finest Marines and Corpsmen our society has ever produced. I have witnessed NCO leadership at a level never before experienced in my career. I have seen SNCO's that would challenge the best the Corps has to offer, and I have served alongside officers like none other with which I have had the pleasure. Throughout our association as a Battalion Landing Team I found myself constantly asking the question: Where did we find men of such caliber, of such integrity, of such talent and of eagerness to learn and grow? Each of you has every right to be extremely proud of this BLT's accomplishments - for you were the BLT. You may have thoguht it was I who was leading you on to those unending miles of humping, but it wasn't, it was you pushing me. You have proven to be some of the finest Marines and Corpsmen that ever laced up a pair of combat boots. As you puruse the following pages, remember the closeness you felt with your fellow Marines and Corpsmen, remember the tough times, remember what it was like to belong to something that was good, something that was proud, something that you may never again experience in your lifetime. To all of you, the Few Good Men of Battalion Landing Team 2f6, you have my sincere and very deep appreciation for providing me the opportunity and the distinct pleasure to have been one of you for a short period of time. No matter what your future holds, I wish each and every one of you the very best that life has to offer. Keep Humpin'. if 1 Never ask a Marine what he does, if he is a GUNFIGHER, he will tell you, if not, why embarrass him?

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C955 'J vi ,, BLT S-1 4 M9W x Although in a small cubicle of an office, the S-1 . belied it's assigned space by spilling forth huge volumes of paperwork in characteristic S-1 style and supporting the Commanders' administratively so they could better accomplish their mission. The S-1 Marines included: long-time member of 2f6, Cpl Thibodeau, the BLT Legal Clerk who kept our legal work flowing, LCpl Hickman who provided virtually all of the correspondence for the BLT with his skillful typing, LCpl Felker who kept all of our files current and, with LCpl Myers, who provided entertaining cartoons for the BLT 2f6 Bull Sheet , LCpl Talasco who was the keeper of the book carefully kept track of the classified messages and the always disappearing messages boards, LCpl Yancey reigned over his empire of CMS gear and made sure that no classified material escaped the ship by destroying massive amounts of secret documents, LCpl Myers, the BLT Postal Clerk who helped to shorten the cruise by sorting and distributing tons of mail, and Sgt Castleberry, The Dream Weaver , the BLT Career Planner kept our Marines' hopes alive with promises of reenlistment bonuses and outstanding duty stations. Directing this menagerie of talent was the ever-smiling SSgt jackson, Administrative Chief Extraordinaire. Last, but not least, was the Adjutant, 1stLt Corson, last of the 0180's in Infantry Battalions. All this comprised the BLT S-1, a tight-knit group that exemplified the term Gung-ho The BLT S-1: Proud to Serve. 1stLt Corson, SSgt jackson, Sgt Castleberry, Cpl Thibo- deau, LCpl Hickman, LCpl Felker, LCpl Myers, LCpl Yancey, LCpl Talasco .