Essex (LHD 2) - Naval Cruise Book

Text from Pages 1 - 504 of the 1995 volume:

ai5S T , x CYKyz T i-Gn I yfovimcTit m -W5- - WESTPAC 1994-95 the maiden voyage USS ESSEX % LHD 2 TEAM ESSEX Dedicated to all United States Sailors and Marines who faithfully and continually go in harms way so others may find hope and peace. In Memorium Captain Raymond N. McKay, USMC Capt. Raymond N. McKay was bom the son of George and Jesse McKay on 13 October 1964. Ray started : ■ life as the son of a Marine and would end it a Marine himself. He also grew up with Naval Aviation as his father was an A-6 Intruder pilot. This set the stage for Ray ' s life. He would grow up with the dream of being a Marine pilot. A dream he would one day realize. Ray joined the Marine Corps in 1 988 after graduating from the University of Western Florida. Upon completing The Basic School in June of ' 89, he left Quantico and moved back to his home town of Pensacola, Florida, the birth place of Naval Aviation. Here he would take the first steps in fulfilling his dreams of flight. Flight school was a long and arduous process, but it was also a labor of love. When his father, George McKay, LtCol, USMC, Ret., pinned his own wings on Rays chest, his lifelong dream was fulfilled: Ray was now a Marine Aviator. Ray, or Razor as he was known to his pilot friends, began Harrier flight training in January of 1 992. He completed the Replacement Air Group (RAG) in November of 1992 and was assigned to his first fleet squadron: VMA-214, The World Famous Blacksheep Squadron! He progressed through the training syllabus quickly and was well respected by his friends, juniors and seniors alike. He worked tirelessly at his job and his flying. Razor could often be seen running around trying to get things signed, paperwork completed, always with an open tactical manual on his desk. Yet, in the midst of it all, he had time to meet, develop a relationship with and eventually marry the love of his life, Gina. Shortly after their wedding, Ray was assigned as the Supply Officer for the VM A-2 1 4 Det Bravo. The Det attached to HMM-161 as part of the 13th MEU (SOC) aboard the USS Essex on 22 October 1994 for a 6 month deployment to the Western Pacific, Indian Ocean and the Persian Gulf. It was an exciting and challenging time for Razor, and he loved every minute of it. No matter how busy he was, however, he kept his mind on what was really important; his new wife Gina. He always had time for her. Whether it was a short note, a long letter, a quick tape or even a video, he was constantly thinking of ways to make her smile even though he was thousands of miles from home. She was the most important thing in his life, and all of his friends knew it. Razor, however, did not return home when the deployment ended in April. On the moonless night of January 30, 1995, 150 miles off the eastern coast of Africa, Capt. Ray McKay launched off the deck of the USS ESSEX for a night systems sortie. Shortly after takeoff, he vanished into the night. Despite an extensive search, no trace of either Ray or his aircraft were ever recovered. No evidence was available to help explain the cause for Captain McKay ' s tragic loss. As a single seat pilot, Ray McKay flew alone. On the night of January 30th, he died alone. But, Ray was not a lonely man. There was not a single person from Ray ' s squadron or the ship who knew Ray who would not be happy to say, Ray McKay was my friend. He was a good pilot, a hard worker, dependable and a generous friend. From private to colonel, Ray was truly respected and admired by all those around him. To those of us who knew and worked with Ray, he was the one who always wanted to do things right. If it took Razor a little longer to get things done, it was because he put in the extra time and effort and made sure everything was done right. If anyone had to try to tell you what Ray ' s most important characteristic was, it would have to be, Ray loved to laugh ; it was a loud bold laugh that couldn ' t help but infect everyone around him. He also loved to fly, especially Night Systems sorties. Given all this, it is easy to see that he was truly happy that last night when he launched off the deck of the USS Essex. For those of us who leave our homes and families to help keep the world free and safe. Captain McKay reminded us of the price for that freedom. Ray paid the ultimate sacrifice for the principles and freedoms we enjoy. His death punctuates the importance of the job we do, and the reason we put ourselves in harms way. Each time those of us who knew Ray pin on the medals we earned on this deployment, we ' 11 think of our friend and fallen comrade. Captain Raymond N. McKay. Semper Fi. Razor Rest in peace In Memorium Sgt Justin A, Harris FAMILY MAN, HUSBAND, AND LOVING, DEVOTED FATHER J as we called him, was always in good spirits, always encouraging and always thinking of others. I can remember the day he found out he was going to be a father, the happiness he showed was incomparable to anything. I could very well relate to that happiness having experienced it with my first bom. He immediately began planning for the arrival of the baby with numerous accessories to welcome the new life, he and his wife Chantay created. That preparation also brought him to ask my wife, Anita and I questions that sometimes caught us off guard. After the birth, there were complications with Baby Justin , near fatal. In and out of the hospital the first precious months of its life but the little fella pulled through. It was the fight and determination I most remember J for. Flying was an addiction to him, if he couldn ' t fly it was as if he had no purpose in his eyes. Music was another love. The bass was his favorite. He loved teaching as much as playing. He began to teach my son to play the keyboard. His family was always on his mind and in his heart. Never a day went by without him talking about Chantay and baby J , whom he loved dearly. From SSgt Rahatt The one thing I remember about Justin is during our Hong Kong Singapore visits, we went to Toys ' R ' Us to get that special toy for his son, a Bumper Ball , we searched high and low for it but could not find it. Justin, when I return I will make sure baby J gets that Bumper Ball ' . To Chantay The sorrow and loneliness you feel cannot ever be replaced. You are right, you were cheated , baby J was cheated out of life ' s dreams. You are not in this struggle alone, we, Anita and I, are only a phone call away and will always be there for you and baby J . Sgt Harris was known to most, and to the fellas as Tupac due to the resemblance. He would always greet with What up potna . Now I say Lata Potna for you are truly missed. Much Love.... Nate I able of Contents t JJiUiA tk 8 Beginnings Embark Deploy Ship Life 20 Holidays 24 Work and Play Okinawa Sports HongKong UnrepsA ertreps Singapore EagerMace Kuwait Distinguished Visitors- Jebel Ali Nautical Mantis Iion Magic-Steel Beach- United Shield-Crossing the Line-Perth 114 Just the Facts 116 COMPHIBRON FIVE Statf-Tacron One-HC 1 1-EODMU Three- Fleet Surgical Team One- ACU Five- NAVSPECWARGRUOne ._.ai-Jlii rWMMIBBHK 266 USS FORT FISHER 268 13TH MARINE EXPEDITIONARY UNIT (SOC) 494 ...Adventure Continues 496 Cruisebook Staff WELCOME ABOARD Do we really have to go? t beIvI E — filH I m Bi BB hh Until we meet again... In training for C.O. ' s tnast! Ir mi ij.ri;iif: VSBI 1 i i 1 think it ' s the square root of the angle off the bow to the 4th planet from the sun, divided by... Where the hell is that mail bouy? Through 2 1 9 years of history and tradition in the service of our country, United States Marines have set the standard for mihtary professionaUsm. Since the Second Continental Congress, American men and women in Marine uniforms have woven a close fabric, one of courage, discipline and esprit that will never be threadbare. % ' .. . Our corps has ever been in the international spotlight and today, more than ever before, the title Marine challenges each of us to reach the highest standards of courage in stress, discipline in behavior, and dedication to our flag and each other. From Somalia to Haiti, the world looks for Marines to help restore peace, render humane assistance, and defend those threatened by tyranny. No matter what our task, uncompromising strength and resolve are the hallmarks of our corps. Happy Birthday and Semper Fidelis. HOLIDAYS Joy J Peace y and Good Will towards all... Every religous holiday celebrated on ESSEX is a memorable event thanks to the Chaplain s office. 1JTH H iisoc) corners Nearly 3,500 Marines and Sailors of the 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit(Special Operations Capable) and Amphibious Squadron-5 took time to keep their special operations skills sharp by conducting training at Camp Schwab, Okinawa, Japan. The 13th MEU(SOC), commanded by Col. John C. Garrett, arrived off the coast of the island of Okinawa November 13th, 1994: three weeks after leaving San Diego, California where they began a western Pacific deployment. They built a 50- hour window into the transit schedule to allow conduct of a training exercise . We do these exercises for two reasons, Garrett said, to practice and to identify where we need to train further. The exercise had three parts, explained Captain Billy Bob Brown, MEU Assistant Operations Officer. We wanted to exercise an amphibious landing, conduct a Battalion Landing Team size movement, and conduct an amphibious withdrawal, Brown added. The MEU landed at Camp Schwab, on a beach area that ' s only 80 meters wide and 45 meters deep, an area that normally would fit only one Landing Craft Air Cushion (LCAC) hovercraft; however. Sailors of Assault Craft Unit-5 maneuvered two LCACs on the beach, putting them in close position so the offload of men, vehicles, and equipment could begin. Coordinating the landing force offload was one of the missions MEU Service Support Group- 13 was tasked to do. saidCapt.M.C. Vacca, Air Officer for Using a landing force shore party of 12 BLT 3 1. The BLT had planned to men, MSSG-13 coordinated the conduct a long range Non- offload of more than 50 vehicles. Combatant Evacuation Operation, but Once ashore, the MEU that part of the exercise was aborted executed security maneuvers and enroute due to rapidly deteriorating scenarios utilizing BLT 3 1, the weather. Our safety standards are MEU ' s Ground Combat Element, high, Vacca said. Our intention was to test and Once maneuvers were challenge our Marines in their ability to completed, we supervised the remain within their rules of washdown and retrograde of all MEU engagement, but not place themselves vehicles, said Captain Daniel or their mission under undue threat, Fitzgerald, MSSG-13 Logistics Logistics Officer. The MSSG-13 Marines moved the vehicles down to Kin-blue beach where they were washed to get rid of dirt and debris collected on them during the exercise. The washing of vehicles was needed to maintain their cleanliness during transport and storage. The entire evolution took only nine hours. There were a few minor mechanical problems during the exercise and each was quickly solved. We pulled off the offload, washdown, and retrograde in the face of adversities, such as bad weather and parts failure. We adjusted to all challenges and accomplished the mission, professionally and safely, Fitzgerald added. The MEU ' s Air Combat Element, Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron- 161 (Reinforced), based at Marine Corps Air Station, El Toro, used training sites on the nearby island of Iri Suna Jima . We want to always remain current and proficient in MEU(SOC) mission tactics, said Major Thomas Murray, Operations Officer for the ACE. For this exercise, the ACE practiced integrating aircraft communication interoperability with ground control units from 1st Air Naval Gunfire Liaison Company (ANGLICO). The helicopter pilots flew Close Air Support missions called in by the ANGLICO forward air controllers on the ground. Using UH-1 Hueys, AH-1 Cobras, CH-46E Sea Knights, CH- 53E Super Stallions, and AV-8B Harrier jets, the ACE conducted 25 hours of flying time during the two-day exercise, honing communications, night flying, and night shooting skills using inert ordnance. The ordnance shoots were extremely beneficial, Murray said. Some of the ACE pilots have never been to Okinawa, and for some others it ' s been a while since they ' ve been to the island. The ACE also provided ship-to-shore transportation for men, equipment, parts, and even mail. Navy Captain Gary Stubbs, Commodore of Amphibious Squadron-5, summed up the exercise when he said: When we finish up training back in the states, it ' s usually a month before we deploy. It ' s really important to exercise all the facets of our amphibious mission; without that exercise, you start getting rusty. The biggest lesson we learned is you ' ve got to have an exercise like this in order to get the cobwebs out. Overall, Colonel Garrett was very pleased with the exercise. I felt the Marines were very motivated. Their individual actions were superb and they ' played the game, ' he said. That was the most outstanding part, Garrett said. The performance of the Marines and Sailors involved. Prior to the start of the Okinawa exercise, the Marines took time to celebrate the 219th birthday of the Marine Corps by holding birthday ceremonies aboard all three ships in the amphibious ready group. The ceremonies, which consisted of the reading of former Marine Corps Commandant, Gen. John A. Lejeune ' s famous Birthday message, the recognition of the youngest and oldest Marine present, and the traditional cutting of the birthday cake, are a time-honored tradition in the Marine Corps. D C o L Y M P I C S ' A ■=M 9 Oldy neWy and a touch of glass! UNDERWAY L E N I S H M E N T SINGAPORE , ■Mi . .■ ' a:. v 5 if :  «u Typical of Singapore s beauty Modern Transportation... c; r S$5§ ?« ■ «, ' .V 1 HlltflMHl iMtttM m r i •«ni - C .. - m It ' ' w -- W i re did they put the road ? 13thMEU(S0C) hones skills in Singapore SGT. DOUG ANDERSON 13TH MARINE EXPEDITIONARY UNIT(SOC) Aboard the USS Essex (LHD-2) — The Marines and Sailors of the 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable) took advantage of their visit to Singapore during the first part of their deployment to train in a jungle environment. The 13th MEU(SOC), commanded by Colonel John C. Garrett, departed Hong Kong, heading for one of the three islands that make up the country of Singapore. Singapore was the first working port the MEU had visited since beginning their six-month Western Pacific deployment. Singapore provided the Marines and Sailors with terrain that can ' t be found aboard the 13th MEU(SOC) ' s home base, Camp Pendleton, California — a terrain of hot, humid, dense, jungle forest. This is a chance to do some more sustainment training, said Major Kirk Rice, Operations Officer for Battalion Landing Team (BLT) 3 1 , Ground Combat Element for the 1 3th MEU(SOC). Singapore offers us the chance to get the Marines and Sailors out on terra firmae, run around and practice our basic skills, living up to the motto ' In every clime and place, ' Rice added. Some of those skills included: Military Operations in Urban Terrain (MOUT), rappelling, assault rock climbing, and infantry tactics. For five days the Marines and Sailors trained in the northern area of Singapore at the Saribum Fibua Village, a small area located within the Lim Chu Kang training site. The Marines made good use of the MOUT facility and jungle environment. A great deal of time and effort went into cross-training units that weren ' t infantry-tactics inclined. Marines that normally prepare legal briefs went out on reconnaissance patrols alongside Marines that normally handle mail. Marines from the 13th MEU(SOC) ' s communication detachment had a chance to patrol and land navigate in the dense jungle area. I never know when the time will come when I ' ll have to go out there Left: Lance Corporal Jamie Lindermuth, a field radio operator with the 13TH MEU(SOC), blends into his surroundings during a patrol in the LIM CHU KANG training area in Singapore. Right: Light Armored Vehicle Commander, Sgt. Anecito Hernadez (left) provides security as Light Armored Reconnaissance Scout, Lcpl. Erick Rezendiz ( middle) checks on Lcpl. Nathan Haley. The Marines were part of a military operation in an urban terrain training scenario at the Lim Chukang Training Site in Singapore. WBmi mWM and actively patrol. I need to keep my skills at top level, said Corporal Jose Ramirez, a radio operator with the 13thMEU(SOC) communication detachment. If I don ' t, I wouldn ' t want to get someone ambushed or killed because ofsomething I did. When you patrol, you really learn how much you need and count on each other, said Ramirez. The assault rock cUmbers of BLT 3 1, along with Sailors from amphibious squadron five, honed their skills on 45 to 65-foot rock walls, getting to the top and back down expertly and efficiently. It was a chance for the scalers to get into the swing of things. The climbers had not been on a wall since January, 1994. According to Corporal Joseph Fortune, Chief Assault Chmber from Weapons Platoon, Company I, BLT 3 1. Getting on any cUff wall after a long period of time always feels like the first time, Fortune said. The Marines of Company D, 1st Light Armored Reconnaissance (LAR) Battalion, brushed up on training outside their light armored vehicles (LAV). We wanted to train more on using an LAR unit in a MOUT environment, said LAV Commander Sergeant Aniceto Hemandez. We never know when the situation may arise, and we might have to get out of our Corporal Joseph Fortune (HANGING UPSIDE DOWN), Chief Assault Rock Climber for COMPANY I, BATTALION LANDING TEAM 3 1, Works with other climbers to develop dieir rock climbing skills in Singapore. The Marines were on the cliff wall practicing emergency rescue procedures. Above: Lance Corporal Steven Starks, an Intelligence Specialist with the 13TH MEU(SOC), conies to a danger area and tells his patrol to freeze by using hand and arm signals. Starks and other Marines were in the jungles of Singapore honing their basic skills. Below: Lcpl. Erick Rezendiz carries Lcpl. Nathan Haley to safety during military operations training in Singapore. Above: Assault rock climbers from Company I, BLT 3 1 , scale a cliff face during training in Singapore. r v ' ■ X. ■ ' a$. , vehicles and maneuver in a city on foot, he added. The LAV scouts and crews even encountered mock resistance in the MOUT facihty , dealing with Marines acting as enraged locals. It ' s good training for us because we could be called out to do something like. . .crowd control in some tiny village, said Lance Corporal John Rule, an LAR scout with Company D, 1 st LAR Bn. Throughout the training, safety was of paramount importance. A major challenge was adjusting to the hot, humid weather in the area. Heat casualties were kept to a minimum, due toconstantwaterintake. Supervisionis what really helped, saidRice. Supervision before you go to the field. Supervision while you ' re in the field. Small unit leaders ensured their Marines got plenty of water, by the numbers, if necessary , ' Grab a canteen, let ' s drink, ' ' ' Rice said. Throughout the whole week, the Singapore Battalion Guard provided support when and where required, in the form of transportation and liaison. You Marines aie quite courageous in the way you do things, said First Leftenant Lim Chi Kin, Liaison Officer for the Singapore Battalion Guard. You strive to achieve. You go to strange places and you tend to venture out here and there. Yes, you Marines are pretty daring, Kin said. ' ' iji- Right: Lcpl Victor Renteria, an operations clerk with the 13th MEU(SOC), finds a clear patch of fohage while on patrol in the dense jungles of Singapore. Col. John C. Garrett, Commanding Officer, 13th MEU (SOC) explains their intentions to Ambassador Brian C. Crocker, United States Ambassador to Kuwait. 13th MEU (SOC) conducts Eager Mace 95-1 United Stales helicopters broke the early morning silence over Kuwait City as nine CH- 53E Super Stallion and CH-46E Sea Knight helicopters carrying elements of the 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable) assaulted Camp Monterey, Kuwait, to kick off Exercise Eager Mace 95- 1 . Exercise Eager Mace was a combined amphibious training exercise that demonstrated the capabilities of U. S. forces and the continuing U. S. commitment to the security and stability of the Gulf region. TTie 4,350 U. S. Marines and Sailors who took part in the nine-day exercise in December are from the Essex Amphibious Ready Group, which is comprised of Commander, Amphibious Squadron Five, USS Essex, USS Fort Fisher, USS Odgen and the 13th MEU(SOC), based out of Camp Pendleton, Calif. The 1 3th MEU(SOC) is comprised of Battalion Landing Team 3 1 , Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 161 (Reinforced), and MEU Service Support Group 13. The Kuwaiti Armed Forces 63rd Battalion (supported by a Kuwaiti artillery Battery) of the 26th Brigade was the major allied ground unit involved in Eager Mace. Marines from BLT 3 1 were the first combat Marines ashore, conducting a helibome assault in the vicinity of Camp Monterey, storming two buildings on the military camp 40 kilometers north of Kuwait City. Another 150 Marines conducted a surfacebome amphibious landing at Mina Ash Shuwayukh Port. Over the next 36 hours, the rest of the landing force came ashore aboard Air Cushion Landing Craft, Utility Landing Craft and helicopter sorties. The LC ACs also brought ashore the majority of the heavy equipment and firepower used during the exercise. A total of 2,000 Marines and Sailors, over 200 vehicles, and 30 aircraft came ashore. ( Below left ) LtCol. Philip Tracy, Commanding Officer, Battalion Landing Team 3 1, Sgt. Jay Chamberlain ( with binoculars ), and Cpl. Paul Ring, machine gunners from Weapons Company, BLT 3 1, look on as a Kuwaiti soldier fires a MK-19 grenade launcher downrange. This is a rare opportunity — to be able to bring the entire MEU ashore fortraining, said Col. John C. Garrett, commanding officer of the 13th MEU{SOC). • ' ! am very pleased we have this chance, he added. Once the Marines were ashore, extensive training with the Kuwaiti Armed Forces was conducted. The training began with an operational overview between the Marines and their Kuwaiti counterparts, and progressed through the small unit level up to company sized maneuvers and battery-level firing exercises. the Kuwaiti soldiers got the chance to fire the M2 .50 cal. and MK19 machine guns at the Udayri Range with their Marine infantry counterparts. They were very attentive and willing to learn, said LCpl. Ian Scott, a machine gunner with Weapons Co., BLT 3 1. Learning new things was a two-way street. The Kuwaiti forces eager to share their military expertise and learn new warfighting skills, explained Sgt. Mohammed Yasheen, A kuwaiti .soldier who took part in the exercise. LCpl. Scott, who is from New Haven, Conn., agreed that the exchange of information was mutually beneficial. Working together really heightened our tactical proficiency, he said. And, Kuwait was a new place to go that borderlined on potential real- world activity in the area. It ' s something I ' ve never done before, Scott added. The Kuwaitis also got a chance to see antitank weapons and light armored vehicles in action at the range. Tliey even participated in several fastroping maneuvers, .something the Kuwaitis don ' t usually do. The Marines of Alpha Battery, 1 1 1 , the 1 3th MEU(SOC) ' s artillery arm, also had a chance to gain new experience while working with the Kuwaitis. The Kuwaiti military currently uses the Ml 09 self-propelled Howitzer, an indirect-fire weapon that the Marine Corps phased out of its arsenal a few years ago. (Above) CH-53E and UH-IN helicopters off the coast of Kuwait launch from the flight deck of USS Essex in support of EAGER MACE 95-1. Amphibious Assault Vehicles come ashore at the Mina Ash Shuwaykh Port. A lot of our younger Marines have never seen an Ml 09, said Sgt. Randolph Edwards, an Alpha Battery 1 11 section chief from Landover, Md. It was a learning experience to compare their guns with our Ml 98 155 MM Howitzer, he added. TheMEU ' s aviation combat element, HMM-161(Rein), based out of Marine Corps Air Station Tustin Calif, took advantage of every opportunity to get their aircraft in the air from the Kuwaiti airbase at Ali Al Salme Airfield. We flew 10-hour flight windows and countless sorties, said Maj . Jay BuUard, assistant operations officer for HMM- 161 (Rein). We ' d deliver our ordnance, land, re-ann, refuel, and be back in the air in a matter of minutes, non- stop, Bullard said. A lot of that couldn ' t have been done without the Kuwaitis support, the Annandale, Va., native said. The Kuwaitis supplied the fuel for the U. S. aircraft and ground transportation for the pilots, aircrew and maintenance personnel. The MEU helicopter and AV-8B Harrier pilots went through various flying maneuvers alongside the Kuwaitis Super Puma and Gazelle helicopters, and Kuwaiti F A-18 aircraft. TTie Kuwaiti pilots were very skilled and we enjoyed training with them, Bullard said. As the exercise continued, the withdrawal phase of the operations began. We backloaded 1 8 LCAC loads to the USS Essex alone, said 13thMEU(SOC) embarkation officer, CW03 Dirk Prentice of Irvine, Calif At 40 short tons (80,000 lbs.) per LCAC that ' s a lot of gear to be backloaded properiy, Prentice said. SSgt. Samson Avenetti, 13th MEU(SOC) embarkation chief, agreed. A simple mistake of putting a five-ton truck where two HMMWVs should be could really put a monkey wrench into the backload, the Hayden, Ariz., native said. The equipment and vehicles coming back to the ships must follow a certain load plan. This is to ensure an efficient offload should the 13th MEU(SOC) need to be inserted into a contingency quickly. Prior to the backload, all vehicles and equipment went through a washdown and maintenance check at Camp Doha and Mina Ash Shuwaykh Port. The landing force shore party, part of MSSG-13, worked around the clock for 36 hours to wash down 235 vehicles and trailers. Preventive maintenance is a must, said Sgt. Randy Graf, MSSG-13 ordnance inaintenance chief. You can ' t take soil from one country to another due to contaminants. Hence the need for a good washdown, explained Graf. Twenty vehicles were at one of three points at any given time, which made the backload go much faster. LtCol. William Macak, 13th MEU(SOC) executive officer, said the exercise exceeded all expectations. I have received numerous compliments from the U. S. Naval Forces Central Command, the U. S. Ambas.sador to Kuwait, and the Kuwaiti Military. The spirit of cooperation of all the participants and the dedication to safe tactical training made it a complete success. LCpl. Nathan Favilla, a machine gunner with Weapons Company, Battalion Landing Team 3 L checks the windage knob on an M2 .50 caL machine gun prior to it being fired by Sgt. Mohammed Yasheen, a Kuwaiti soldier in the 63rd Regiment, 26th Brigade A Kuwaiti soldier has his M2 .50 cal. machine gun rounds guided on target at Kuwait ' s Udayri Range by LCpl. Ian Scott. (Above) MSSG-13 Commanding Officer, LtCol. Steve Miller, tal es time to give an interview to a Kuwaiti television news crew during Eager Mace 95-1 while Marines from CAAT A unload vehicles at the Mina Al Shuwaykh Port. (V n. £p. fi A r .„ ■ t- .? Jl. - m® : ' ! k.;. ill I) M NAUTICAL N T I S i KEEPS 13TH MEU(SOC) ON THE cumNG EDGE ARABIAN GULF — Elements of the 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Ca- pable) conducted sustainment training in the Arabian Gulf re- gion during Exercise Nautical Mantis. We wanted to prepare for potential contingency operations and to improve our overall readi- ness, said Col. John C. Garrett, 13th MEU(SOC) Commanding Officer. Every opportunity to train is valuable. This was a great opportu- nity to exercise our helicopterbome and surfacebome ship-to-shore and shore-to-ship movements, said Major Kirk Rice, Operations Officer for Bat- talion Landing Team 3 1. We wanted to minimize the number of people ashore, Maj. Rice stated. Many of these people ashore belonged to the infantry. BLT 3 1 traveled ovedand 40 ki- lometers by vehicle to get to its training site. The training was in keeping with the United States current doctrine of projecting Naval power from the sea and also maintaining a presence in the GulfRegion. We took the chance to review the fundamentals of pa- trolling, immediate action, heli- copter egress maneuvers, and safe weapons carriage, said Lance Corporal Adrian Aguilera, a fire team leader with 2nd Pla- toon, Company K, BLT 3 1. These are things you have to keep practicing or else even the basics can be confusing, the 19- year-old Los Angeles native said. Weapons Company, BLT 3 1 , conducted live fire gun drills and fired 81 nrni mortars to keep their skills sharp. We have to do these gun drills to keep the cob- webs out of our gun routines should we be called upon to de- liver mortar rounds with a quick- ness, said Corporal Mike Blahota, a Weapons Company squad leader from Matewan, New Jersey. The Marines also V fired .50 caliber machine guns. Getting supplies to and from ships fell on the shoulders of the MEU Service Support Group 13 and Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 1 6 1 (Rein). External helicopter support lifts were employed during the exercise, lifting more than 20,000 lbs. of food, water and equipment to sustain the Marines ashore. The MSSG-13 Marines also rigged and lifted a high mobility, multi-purpose, wheeled vehicle. During the exercise, 12 pallets of Meals, Ready-to-Eat and bottled water were taken to the ships. This exercise, we wanted to put more emphasis on support from sea-based logistics, said First Lieutenant Matt Harris, MSSG-13, Landing Force Support Party Detachment Com- mander. We landed a force, we sustained a force and we moved a force, Maj. Rice said. That ' s what Nautical Mantis gave us the opportunity to train in. uum The Marines and Sailors of the 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable) participated in Exercise Iron Magic 95- 2, January 21-25 in the United Arab Emirates. The unilateral exercise gave the Marines and Sailors an opportunity to demonstrate the MEU(SOC) ' s capabilities and maintain force readiness. The exercise also allowed the United States a chance to maintain a regional presence and demonstrated its own continued commitment to that region. One week before the mission actually kicked off, members of the MEU(SOC) met with U.S. officials from the U. A.E. to iron out details. Reconnaissance of the training sites also took place along with the extensive planning during the first phase. Phase two of the exercise was a detailed reconnaissance of the landing zones and beaches. Marines from the 13th MEU(SOC) ' s Force Reconnaissance and Air Naval Gunfire Liaison Company detachments and the Navy SEALS led the initial thrust ashore. On D-Day, January 22, a massive force swept into the beaches in a surfaceborne amphibious landing, with support from a heliborne quick reaction force. Once on shore the Marines seized and secured their objective and continued security operations With the addition of light armored elements, the ground forces made route reconnnaissance and tactical movements to secure a beach for a safe withdrawal. During this phase the Marines and Sailors were also tested during a mass casualty drill. The final phase of the exercise consisted of two days of tactical amphibious withdrawal to the ships of the ARG, as well as an overviewand critique of the exercise. Car : .%tk1 1 1? MAGIC STEEL EE lCr PICNIC ' Z) - ■.. :r ' ' % i i. iK . iw..-.: .,v. MBa«aM Coalition Forces conduct Operation United Shield By Sgt. Doug Anderson MOGADISHU, Somalia -- After two years, the mission to restore hope to Somalia ended as United Nations and coalition forces withdrew from the ravaged country. The withdrawal mission, named Operation United Shield, had more than 14,000 troops and 23 coalition task force ships participating. More than 1,800 United States Marines and Sailors from the 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable), were joined by more than 400 Italian Marines and Paratroopers, to safeguard the withdrawal of 1,500 Pakistani and 900 Bangladeshi troops. These troops were the last of the U.N. forces left in Somalia to try and restore a semblance of peace and sanity in the country. After two years, I feel they (Somalis) have missed their opportunity, said U. S. Marine Lieutenant General Anthony Zinni, Commanding General of Operation United Shield. They ' re going to have to sort things out for themselves now, General Zinni added, standing atop a hill overlooking Mogadishu Airport. The 13th MEU(SOC), Command Element Marines came ashore at 7:30 A.M. on February 27th. Within a few hours, they were ready to control the actual landing force, which landed very early on the 28th. This was the largest MEU (SOC) amphibious assault in recent history. At H-hour, Amphibious Assault Vehicles (AAV) hit the beach just south of the airport while Utility Landing Craft (LCU) brought Marines and Sailors ashore at the new port. The landing force immediately began replacing the Bangladeshi soldiers, who were guarding the perimeter at the new port. Concurrently, Marines began digging in ■ behind the Pakistanis, while the Pakistanis continued to provide security for them around the airport. At 8:30 A.M. on March 1st, the 900 Bangladeshi peacekeepers, the first of the last [ U.N. Forces to leave Somalia, boarded their ; transports to begin their voyage home. We were the first ones (U.N. FORCES) here. We ' re the lastto leave, said Brigadier General Salad Abbas, Commanding General of the U.N. Forces. We ' ve suffered the mbst, Abbas mentioned, recalling that Pakistan had 32 soldiers killed in action in Somalia. A few hours before the Bangladeshi troops had Somalia in their rearview mirrors, the Pakistani forces pulled back to the safety of • the coalition security perimeter. Chaos erupted then as hundreds of Somalis, including some riding in technical vehicles and numerous trucks with machine guns mounted to them, came into the airport area to loot. Gunfire could be heard everywhere as the locals rummaged through and destroyed the areas previously occupied by U.N. Forces. The Marines and Sailors watched intently as stray UNITED SHIELD II Take Notice UNITEDSHIELD TIMELINE EVINT PAKISTANI BRIGADE EVACUATES EMBASSY UNIVERSITY COMPOUND, RELOCATES TO AIRPORT. EGYPTIAN FORCES CONDUCTWITHDRAWAL FROM MOGADISHU AIRPORT VIA U.N. CONTRACTED AIRCRAFT. PAKISTANI FORCES RETROGRADES FROM OLD PORTTO NEW PORT. UNITED STATES MARINES FROM 1 3fb MBU(SOC) AND ITALIAN rORCCS LAND AT GUCtNBtACH AND NEW POUT. REMAINING BANGLADESHI FORCESEMBARK ON U.N. CONTRACTED SHIPPING. PAKISTANI FORCES DEPART AIRPORT FOR NEW PORT. REMAINING PAKISTANI FORCES EMBARK ON U.N. CONTRACTED SHIPPING. ITALIAN FORCES COMPLETE WITHDRAWAL FROM GREEN BEACH. UN TEDSTATES FORCES REMAIN AS REAR GUARD. FINALWITHDRAWALOF U.N. FORCES COMPLETEDWITH RETROGRADE OFU.S.=ORCES FROM GREEN BEACH. fO bullets whizzed overhead. This was the first time Mogadishu airport had been under Somali control since the 15th MEU(SOC) landed ashore in December 1992. It ' s a shame, said Sgt. Arturo Montejano of Oakdale, Calif., from his antitank light armored vehicle (LAV-AT). overlooking the area. Instead of coming together and building things up peacefully, they seem to just tear everything up, Montejano added. Montejano and other Marines of Company D. 1st Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion. have been on watch since replacing the Italian Marines in the middle of the night. The operation is not complete to me, said Sgt. Giovanne Pulisci of the San Marcos Marines. 1 feel we could have done more, Pulisci said. He really wanted to see Somalia back on its feet again. At times the only thing separating the Marines from the Somalis was some concertina and a few hundred feet of ground. Throughout the operation, loudspeakers broadcast warnings and warning shots were fired whenever a Somali threat came too close to the Marines positions. More than once rocket-propelled grenade (RPG) launchers were visible. When one Somali male carrying an RPG ignored verbal and gunfire warnings and raised his weapon to fire at Marines, Marine snipers quickly took action. At one point during the looting, Somali clan leader. General Mohammed Farah Aidid, came to assess the situation that had developed at the airport. , ' • ' ir - P- f M W 1 ' is . 1 Mk Early in the morning of March 2nd, a group of SomaHs with technicals pushed their actions into clear, hostile intent in the Company K, 3 7, sector, in the vicinity of the airport ' s north ramp. Returning a proportionate amount of fire, the Marines silenced the Somali attackers. The Pakistani troops ' departure was delayed several hours the afternoon of March 2nd, due to a collision between the Pakistani ' s transport and a port tug boat. Acting quickly, the USS Essex Commanding Officer dispatched a rapid response damage control team. HMM-161 helicopters flew this team in with repair material which enabled the ship to fix the damage once underway. Once the Pakistanis were safely on their way home, the U. S. Marines and Sailors fell back to a stretch of sand called Green Beach. There, they staged men and equipment to wait for the retrograde back to the Essex ARC, waiting off the coast. Once again, the area the Marines had occupied that morning was swarming with Somalis that afternooh. The Marines of Battery A, 1st Battalion, 11th Marines, had provided security for Green Beach since the start of ■ « the operation. Having now been followed in place by the mechanized (AAV) rifle companies of BLT 3 1 , the stage was set for delay and defend maneuvers. Showing maximum restraint and patience, the Marines were constantly tested by Somali snipers and armed gunmen. Sporadic gunfire was heard throughout the day and night. Numerous Somalis were spotted with RPGs entering a sandbagged bunker close to their security perimeter. We had an RPG round explode over our heads earlier in the afternoon, said LCpl. Kelly Bennett of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. The Battery A, 1 1 1 Marine fired three to four ten-round bursts with his squad automatic weapon at the target. I just didn ' t want them firing another one at us, Bennett stated, looking down. The gunmen exited the bunker with quickness. Seventy-three hours after the Marines ' landing, the sounds of air-cushioned landing craft (LCAC) approaching signaled the wind down of Operation United Shield. Battery A, 1 1 1, was replaced as security by Company L, BLT 3 1 and Company K, 3rd Battalion, 7th Marines, riding in amphibious assault vehicles. Once the last of men and machinery were loaded aboard the last LCAC and waterborne, the AAVs pulled back, covering the endmost U. S. Marines and Sailors leaving Somalia. For the first time since March 1993, Somalia will not have U. N. Forces. I knew we ' d accomplish our mission. We had too much firepower not to. The challenge was to accomplish the mission without any casualties, said Col. Garrett. The coalition forces suffered no casualties during the three-day withdrawal. We planned thouroughly and we played it smart, Col. Garrett explained. Every U. S. Marine, U. S. Sailor, Italian Marine and coalition force participating had their head in the game from start to finish. The United Nations forces are out of Somalia, the coalition forces are out of Somalia, and Somalia, Africa is on its own once again. There ' s no other force in the world that could ' ve accomplished this mission except the United States Navy Marine Corps team, Col. Garrett said with pride. . ' .C- ' vr i ' -f I- - .9ir ' ' t it -. T-i ertt liESSEX M I : •(■;• •••■••••I ; y-s ! 1! .-: i- g JI - iTr viiiifmiv I I I 1 I « .K I I I UTTal ,«ii!iiiiillB9SnBsgi§ liiiRRlSiiRRiiiiaiial - ' • €S - « . jyt - . ;!i ' : • w I p J, J ESSEX ST Elements, Appliance AND Power Tool Repairs! ' int — Hi _ iwr TIGER CRUISE HAWAII LIBERTY CALL 1 RIGHT: Easter service ' s were held on the flight deck inport Hawaii. BELOW: ESSEX pulls into the last port before San Diego. • • li MHIBri ion I L -7 - ik. x:0tm, I fm . : . w .ee, Ij j ms WGEIlIliNGCIlt •Dt, i j AKll 1 C H O IM E S V EE i -i fy r)n H O Ivl E ! T Tar ? Vi i i out ' s JUST THE FACTS... MEDICAL DEPARTMENT Patient Visits = 6,206 Surgeries Performed = 178 Prescriptions Filled = 9,256 Lab Tests = 1 1 ,268 X-Rays Taken = 1,229 Motrin Dispensed = 31,500 tablets SUPPLY DEPARTMENT Mail Received = 350,000 pounds Laundry Processed = 245,000 pounds Disbursing Documents Processed = 18,514 Popcorn Sold = 12,000 bags Sodas Sold = 400,000 cans Eggs Served = 37,986 dozen Milk Consumed = 31,825 gallons Flour Used = 82,880 pounds Hamburgers Consumed = 29,815 pounds Special Event Cakes Baked = 133 AIMD Aeronautical Equipment Repaired = 12,638 Aircraft Repairable Components Repaired = 2,538 Man-Hours Expended on Repairs = 42,900 Aircraft Flight Hours = 5,422 OPERATIONS DEPARTMENT Movies Shown on CCTV = 1 ,803 ' Take Notice ' Newspapers Printed = 115 Press Releases = 20 Familygrams = 6 LCAC Operations = 110 Day 80 Night Carrier Controlled Instrument Approaches = 2,466 ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT Diesel Fuel Marine Used = 7,768,593 gallons JP-5 Fuel Used = 1,259,209 gallons Feed Water Used in Boilers = 3,816,054 gallons Fresh Water Used = 19,278,666 gallons COMBAT CARGO DEPARTMENT Ordnance Carried = 1,082 Tons Ordnance Expended = 80 Tons AIR DEPARTMENT Aircraft Landings = 3,617 Night Vision Goggles Evolutions = 1,284 Vertical Replenishments at Sea = 875 Wednesday, January 1 1, 1995 Local forces get key role in Somalia By JAMES W. CRAWLEY Marines from Camp Pendleton and three San Diego-based ships will evacuate the last U.N- peace- keeping forces in Somalia next month, the Pentagon announced yesterday. Although President Clinton had Slid last month the United States would handle the U.N. withdrawal, Pentagon officials provided details about the plan yesterday and, ? warrmg Somali far ' terfere, . way o ' nis Box, The « week of end of Ar %lje $ic v JJork Sitnc SATIjRPAY. DECEMBER 17. iWJ PENTAGON TO HELP U,N. OUIT SOMALIA 3.000 Marines Will Provide Cover for Peacekeepers Pentagon to Help U.N. Troops In Withdrawal From Somalia Iz jSito ' i , ' V% „ ' ; ' - ' o«. riiy o c - fcrces :g iAX? ' tween rival w The Camp P Marine Expedit rines based on Ok the mihtary muse. O ' : v I Xv U° ap - - ., v -c . ' ' S ,.e %  c s . c ., .o co ...s in,l;. self. officer Marines get new weapon — beanbag They may use them in Somalia operation ByOTTOKREISHER Vandegrift catches up withagygo Vandegrift CoaUaattf tnrm Paga ■ DBployed shipVMiijg„ Ys ' a45l by Solana Beich Slo y, S s j, .fi- ' . Fanile9W t. Hafl,- P EEJ ' tl ' Eager Mace ' no Kuwaiti holiday . .u, SsS ; ' . „ ,f5rJl DS O ' f rseas operation inclufdes local Sailers and Marines Uialcd FlTl MsJitT (li (3 40). All three By 8tf . IMgg AndenwiB I3ili MhUa -r;nrtifl cumliat elfaiunt wcrf tli h ! ? rlE : ' : ;°T£? ' ?!- ' ..S? ' .;. «l ' - l ll Vft C -SSS ' ■ ' ' ' ' ' ' ■■ --■- ' ■ ■ ' =. .■o„ l c-unr , l,-r ' THESAN DIEGO UNION-TRIBUNE pree San Diego-based ships await final Somalia mis WASHINGTON — Sailing in cir- cles in th« sparkling blue waters and equatorial heat of the Indian ean off SomaJia, sailors and Ma- ;iSnes aboard the dock-landing ship ' ort Fisher are looking ahead to tlieir final mission. r.And their return to San Diego afterward. ' . ' I ' ve been waiting to do this, Marine Cpi. Michael Savino, 21, Mid with excitement during a satel- Ube telephone interview from the Fort Fisher. Chief Petty Officer Guy Beckley. 35, was more matter Klf-fact about the upcoming mission. ' ! think it ' s the right thing to do, Fort Fisher plus two other San Diego Msed amphibous ships — Essex and Ogden — ind the Japan- based Belleau Wood are carrying about 2.700 Marines from Camp Pendleton and Okinawa who will provide the protective force as the last U.N. soldiers leave their forti- fied compounds in Mogadishu. Beckiey and Senioi Chief Petty Officer Thomas EJeasley, 37. of San Diego agreed that the country had a respotuibility to help ' Jie allied sol- diers safely end the mission the United Slates encouraged them to undertake. But the two veteran sailors also said they believed the outside world had doae enough to lelp Somalia solve Its problems. leit away packing up. Spahn said. It ' s going have beesj smoothly. P; J , Spahn said a small number of from th« { d oM ot Ameritans already are ashore, co- the U.S. ehfles at- ordinaiing with U.N. commanders Sa ' nn ' ' ' to ensure a smooth turnover of the ([,g ri. V ' - secunly and logisucal operations • ipiitoMog- when the mam U.S. force lands. Marine ' ™. S? Meanwhile, the Marines and the bly «« ' ' j, jlf sailors who will go ashore are pre- adishu paring for their mission, and the trynie rest ol the four ships ' crew mem- securit (y amptabi- bers have fulfilled their supporting troops ' irsMed ve- roles. But  y ' BecUey already has made two ous to ' ™ ' ' ' runs to the beach near the Mogadi- |,jcks, ' _ shu airport. crew nies ' don ' t Although there are no plans to unta tlM« ' but were use the US. landing craft to take 6aite ' ■ COMPHIBRON FIVE No Beach Beyond Reach Captain Gary W. Stubbs Commander, Amphibious Squadron Five The son of the late Mr. and Mrs. W. R. Stubbs, Captain Stubbs was raised in Cadisle, Pennsylvania and graduated from Duke University 1968 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science (international relations). Captain Stubbs entered flight training immediately after graduation, receiving his commission via Aviation Officer Candidate School in September 1968 and earning his wings in December 1969. Returning to the training command. Captain Stubbs served as a Flight Instructor in VT-9, NAS Meridian for two years and then proceeded to VA-128 Whidbey Island, Washington for A-6 Replacement Pilot Training. His first fleet assignment was with VA-52 deploying aboard USS KITTY HAWK (CVA 63) to the Western Pacific. Following this tour, he attended the Naval Postgraduate School for 1 5 months, obtaining a Master ' s Degree in Computer Systems Management. This subspecialty was immediately utilized in a two-year Washington, DC. tour as an Information Systems Analyst for the Chief of Naval Personnel. Returning to fleet duty on the east coast in 1979, Captain Stubbs served as Operations and Maintenance Officer of Attack Squadron 85, twice deploying aboard USS FORRESTAL (CV 59) to the Mediterranean and North Atlantic. His next assignment was to the Naval War College, Newport, Rhode Island where he graduated in November 1982. Captain Stubbs remained on the faculty at the Naval War College instructing the International Officers Course and serving as head of computer operations at the Center of War Gaming. After refresher training in VA-42 he joined the Thunderbolts of VA- 1 76 in July 1 984 as Executive Officer and assumed command in January 1986. After command. Captain Stubbs reported to the Commander, Naval Military Personnel Command, Washington DC where he served as Head Air Combat Units Placement. In his final operational flying tour with the A-6E Intruder, he commanded Attack Squadron 1 28, the west coast A-6 Fleet Replacement Squadron at NAS Whidbey Island, Washington. From June 1 99 1 to January 1 993, Captain Stubbs served as Commanding Officer of USS GUAM (LPH 9), deploying to the Mediterranean in support of Operation Provide Promise. Captain Stubbs wears the Legion of Merit, Meritorious Unit Commendation and Navy Achievement Medal and has graduated with distinction from both the Naval Postgraduate School and the Naval War College. Captain Stubb ' s wife is the former Christine Anne Ruby of Whittier, California and they are proud to be the parents of Brian, completing his fourth year of missionary aviation training and Tracie, who is attending Messiah College. Commander Thomas R. Williams Chief Staff Officer, COMPHIBRON FIVE Commander Williams was raised in Matthews, Georgia. He graduated from Auburn University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration and was commissioned an Ensign in the United States Navy in March 1979. Commander Williams first sea tour was aboard USS DECATUR (DDG 3 1 ) as Auxiliaries Officer, Boiler Division Officer, and Main Propulsion Assistant from 1980 through 1982. Subsequent to this he was the recommissioning Boiler Officer aboard USS NEW JERSEY (BB 62) from 1982 through 1984. After completing the SWOS Department Head course, CDR Williams reported to USS ALAMO (LSD 33) as Engineering Officer in 1985. Departing ALAMO in 1987. he was Engineer Officer aboard USS BUCHANAN (DDG 14) from 1987 to 1989. From 1989 to 1990, CDR Williams attended the Navy War College in Newport, Rhode Island where he earned a Master of Arts degree in National Security and Strategic Studies. While at the War College he also attended Salve Regina College and earned a Master of Arts degree in International Relations. In 1990, CDR Williams began a two year tour as a Navy Operations Action Officer at U.S. Central Command during which he served eight months in Riyadh. Saudi Arabia in the USCINCCENT Joint Operations Center during Operation Desert Shield and Desert Storm. Following his tour at U.S. Central Command, CDR Williams served Executive Officer aboard USS FORT FISHER (LSD 40) from August 1992 through March 1994. He began his current assignment as Chief Staff Officer for COMPHIBRON FIVE in April 1994. CDR Williams ' sea duty has included seven deployments to the Western Pacific. Central America, the Mediterranean, the Indian Ocean and the Arabian Gulf. In addition to various unit awards, CDR Williams personal decorations include the Bronze Star Medal, the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, the Meritorious Service Medal, the Navy Commendation Medal (two awards) and the Navy Achievement Medal (two awards). Commander Williams is married to the former Miss Regina Gail Rodriguez of Key West. Florida. They have one son, Thomas Hardy Williams. MMCS(SW) Frank Jarnot Command Senior Chief Senior Chief Jamot was born and raised in Buffalo, New York. He attended Cheektowaga Central School until May of 1976. He joined the Navy in June of that year. Upon completing boot camp in Orlando, Florida, he received orders to USS ENGLAND (CG 22), homeported in San Diego. California. From October 1977 to July 1980. Senior Chief Jamot served aboard the ENGLAND and during his tour of duty he advanced to the rank and rate of Machinist Mate Second Class (MM2). From July 1980 to June 1982, SeniorChief Jarnot was assigned to the Light Photographic Squadron. VFP- 63, out of Naval Air Station Miraniar, California. In 1 982, he volunteered for the Re-activation of the Battle Ship Program and received orders to USS NEW JERSEY (BB 62). homeported out of Long Beach, California, from August 1982 to July 1985. In 1984, he was named NEW JERSEY ' S Sailor of the Year and advanced to MMl, at which time he became Surface Warfare qualified. From August 1985 to September 1987, Senior Chief Jamot was assigned to SIM A Valve Shop, 3 ID, in San Diego, serving as Leading Chief Petty Officer of Team Z. In 1987, he was selected for Chief Petty Officer. From September 1 987 to October 1 99 1 . Senior Chief Jamot was assigned to USS JUNEAU (LPD 10). homeported in San Diego. While assigned to this tour of duty, he was involved in the Alaskan oil spill with two deployments. It was on Juneau that he was advanced to Senior Chief Petty Officer in March of 1991. From October 1991 to October 1994, Senior Chief Jamot was assigned to Naval Surface Force Pacific Readiness Group in San Diego. MPHIBRON Fl CDR P. COYLE MAJ C.H. lONA LCDR McMillan LCDR C.D.SMITH LT C.A. CRAIGLE LT C. HUENEFELD LT S.J. lATROU LT G.W. KLUZAK CDR A.F. PAPAPIETRO MAJ R.J. SOVA LCDR H. BATTERMAN LCDR M..L MILLER ACl S.R. FIDDES ACl T.W. CODY AC2 R.T. CHANNELL IS2 J. CROCIANTE AC2 R.M. GRIFFIN AC3 R. MULLENNIX ACl CM. WILLIAMS AC2 W.J. YORK OS3 T.A. HARRIS OS3 C.G. MURPHY RM3 J.S. SOAIN AC3 M. CATCHINGS ACAN S. SHANNON ACAN R.O. WILSON ACAA K. MADISON SA E.P. RESENDEZ LCDR MFEALLOCK LT J C ABSETZ LT R M ARIS LT E K ISAACSON LT P M REINHART LT A J STURBOIS CW02 B J BROWN I AMSC K J BINDER AEl I W ANDERSON AMSl J R PASS AMHl KBROKOSZ AD2 D W DABBS AE2 R G GROW AE2 KISIELEWSKI A02 J H MCDONALD AE2 N E SMITH AK2 J D SUMBILLO HC-11 AMS2 PM LEONARD AD3 F PENA AT3 J P SCHAFER AMS3 K A TAYLOR A03 THIBODEAUX AMSAN KMBENZON AMHAN REDALTON AN J R DAVIDUK AN J R DAVIS AEAN LE DOWNS AMSAN STEPHENSON PRAA RM HUNTER LT RLPARSLOW ICC CNCARR BMl D M VOLZ CDR S L NICHOLS LCDR S M CLARK LCDR W C DYKES LCDR B W STRONG LT B HARTGERINK LT G M JACKSON LT S S WANIEWSKI HMl F J LEPE HM2 JOHNSON HM2 W S LEE HM2 M D McDANIEL HM3 A M GARRARD HM3 P L PATTON HM3 E N SANCHEZ HN PL CASTOR HN E R WOOSLEY CDR G S KEMP IS2 A A STILES ET3 M BRIONES f B faa ' .-«« i;! U .__ , ) | ,,, - I « ' 1 ■• ■ ' ' ' = - -- v - ' JH .-■ MSC S FISHER RMC J JOHNSON CTIC B KAUTHEN ISl J M ALONSO CTIl R EDWARDS OSl G MITCHELL QMl G MOORE OSl T NIX 051 B SIPSY YNIJ TURNER 052 T BAILEY RM2 S R OWEN OS2 C A RUBY RP2 D M RUNGE RM2 W L WILLIAMS ()S2 A L DAVIS YN3 B D MOORE OS3 S A TELLIER RM3 D R WHITE CTTSN S FATULA USS Essex ESSEX (LHD 2) is the second ship in the LHD Class of U.S. Navy multipurpose amphibious assault ships. The mission of these ships is to conduct prompt, sustained operations at sea, primarily as the centerpiece of the Navy ' s amphibious groups. LHD ' s provide the means to transport, deploy, command and support all elements of a Marine landing force in assault by air and amphibious craft. The WASP Class is the first specifically designed by a joint Navy Marine Corps team to use air cushion landing craft (LCAC) for the assault and to carry Harrier II (AV-8B) jump jets, for close air support of the assault force. LHD ' s accommodate the full range of Navy and Marines Corps helicopters, conventional landing craft and amphibious vehicles, along with all the tanks, trucks, jeeps, other vehicles, artillery, ammunition and other supplies necessary to fully support the assault. ESSEX has an assault support system that synchronizes the simultaneous horizontal and vertical flow of troops, cargo and vehicles throughout the ship. Six 1 2- by 25-foot cargo elevators transport materials and supplies from cargo The Helicopters The Harrier holds throughout the ship to staging areas for loading. Cargo to be loaded aboard waiting landing craft within the well deck is moved via a unique monorail system. This system consists of 2,900 feet of track in a four-bay layout directly over the ship ' s vehicle storage area and well deck. Nine 32-foot cargo monorail trains, each with a capacity of 6,000 pounds, carry material at a speed of up to 600 feet-per-minute (6.8 miles per hour) from the staging area to landing craft in the well deck. Off the beach, ESSEX landing craft are launched and recovered through a huge gate in the ship ' s stern which opens ESSEX ' 1 3,000 square-foot well deck to the sea. The well deck is 267 feet long and 50 feet wide, and is designed specifically for the fly-in fly-out capabilities of the LCAC. The well deck will accommo- date air cushion landing craft, as well as a full range of conven- tional landing craft. To launch and recover conventional landing craft, the ship can ballast over 1 5,000 tons of sea waterto allow these craft to float into and out of the well deck. USS ESSEX Commanding Officer Captain John A. Cassidy Captain John Alexander Cassidy graduated from Villanova University in 1969 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Economics and was commissioned an Ensign through the NROTC Program. He entered flight training in Pensacola, Florida in June of 1969 and was designated a Naval Aviator in June of 1970. Captain Cassidy ' s first assignment was Helicopter Attack Squadron Light Three (HAL-3) in Vietnam. He was assigned to Detach- ment Three and served as an Attack Helicopter Aircraft Commander and Fire Team Leader flying UH-IB helicopter gunships. In 1972, he was assigned to the person- nel exchange program with the Royal Navy. As the first American to fly the Wasp, he served with 703, 706, 829 Squadrons, homeported in Dorset, England, United Kingdom. He made deployments as the Officer-In-Charge of HMS Diomede, HMS Rothesay and HMS Minerva detachments. In August 1974, he was chosen to represent the United Kingdom in the World Helicopter Championships. Returning to the United States Navy in November 1974, Captain Cassidy was assigned to Helicopter Antisubmarine Squadron Light Thirty (HSL-30) in addition to serving as a flight instructor in the SH-2F, he served as the Assistant Opera- tions Officer, Line Division Officer and syllabus coordinator. After completing Tactical Action Officer (TAO) school in December 1977, Captain Cassidy was assigned to HSL-34. He served as the LAMPS detachment Officer-In- Charge aboard USS RIDDLE (CG-34), USS JESSE L. BROWN (FF-1089), USS JOSEPH HEWES {FF-1078) and USS VOGUE (FF-1047) for deployed operations, and the training officer ashore. During this tour he conducted the initial fleet operations for the SQR-18a towed acoustic array with DIFAR equipped LAMPS MKI. In November 1979, aboard USS PETERSON (DD-969), he made his 2000th small ship deck landing. In August 1980, he was assigned to the staff of Commander Helicopter Sea Control Wing One where he served as Operations and Tactical Development Officer. In March 1983, Captain Cassidy reported to the staff of Commander, U.S. Naval Air Force, Atlantic Fleet where he served as the LAMPS MK III Introduction Officer and the Force NATOPS and Training Officer. In February 1986, he reported to HSL-44 at Naval Air Facility, Mayport and assumed command during the squadron establishment ceremony on 21 August 1986. In January 1988, Captain Cassidy reported to USS ABRAHAM LINCOLN (CVN-72) where he served as Executive Officer and as Navigator. From June 1990 to July 1991 Captain Cassidy was a Chief of Naval Operations fellow and was assigned to the CNO ' s strategic studies groups at the Naval War College, Newport, Rhode Island. Captain Cassidy served as Commanding Officer, USS Guadalcanal (LPH-7) from December 1991 to June 1993, conducting 2nd and 6th Fleet Operations from the Caribbean to north of the Arctic Circle. Captain Cassidy ' s awards include the Legion of Merit, Distinguished Flying Cross, 3 Meritorious Service Medals, 19 Air Strike Medals, 3 Navy Commendation Medals with Combat V , Navy Achievement Medal, Combat Action Ribbon and several unit commendations and campaign medals. He is a native of Elkins Park, Pennsylvania and is married to the former Janet M. N. Sloane of Melbourne, Australia. They have a daughter, Moyra Ann. USS ESSEX Executive Officer r a . H Captain W. Clyde Marsh K Ip H H Captain Willie Clyde Marsh graduated from Alabama A M University 3 BS H E H ' 1973 with a Bachelor of Arts in History and was commissioned an m fl H B I Ensign through the Direct Commissioning Program. m I B B H Captain Niarsh ' s sea duty assignments include tours at Portland, Or- ■ V ■ egon as Gunnery Officer aboard USS OZBOURN (DD-846); Missile Of- ■ rk. H f ' ' ' ' aboard USS PARSONS (DDG-33) forward deployed at Yokosuka, ■ H Japan and Operations Officer and Navigator aboard USS PRAIRIE (AD- ■ ■H 15) based in San Diego, California. While attached to PRAIRIE he H H H completed a WESTPAC deployment and was awarded the Battle Efficiency ■ K H ■ Upon completion of Naval Destroyer School at Newport, Rhode Island f M in 1980, he reported to USS MANLEY (DD 940) as Weapons Officer. His m l next tour was aboard USS PENSACOLA (LSD-38) at Little Creek, Vir- ginia as First Lieutenant. Captain Marsh served as Executive Officer aboard USS ST. LOUIS (LKA-116) forward deployed at Sasebo, Japan from 1985 to 1987. While attached to USS ST. LOUIS, he was twice awarded the Battle Efficiency E and the Top Gator Award. He commanded USS SUMTER (LST-1181) based at Little Creek, Virginia from 1990 to 1992. As Commanding Officer, he led SUMTER through two arduous deployments to the Mediterranean and was twice awarded t he Battle Efficiency E . As a member of MARG 2-90 operating with the Sixth Fleet, he sailed to the (Ivory Coast) Monrovia, Liberia where he participated in the rescue and evacuation (NEO) of over 1,600 U.S. citizens and foreign nationals during Operation Sharp Edge. Captain Marsh ' s ashore tours include Fleet Combat Training Center, Atlantic at Virginia Beach where he served as Director of Computer Simulation and Fleet Support from 1983 to 1985. He was assigned to the staff of the Chief of Naval Education and Training (CNET) at Pensacola, Florida as Surface Warfare Engineering Branch Head from April 1987 to August 1989. He was assigned to the Commander in Chief, U.S. Pacific Command (USCINCPAC) as a J5, Plans and Japan (policy) Desk Officer from April 1992 to August 1994. Captain Marsh ' s personal awards include the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal (two awards). Navy Commendation Medal, Joint Service Achievement Medal, Navy Achievement Medal, Navy Expeditionary Medal (two awards). Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Navy Unit Commendation (two awards), Southwest Asia Service Medal and National Defense Service Medal (two awards). Captain Marsh is married to the former Veronica Potts of Tallahassee, Alabama. Captain Marsh ' s children include a son, Diondre, a daughter, August and ward Kendretta. His family resides in Honolulu, Hawaii. USS ESSEX Command IVIaster Chief l laster Chief Yeoman (SW AW) IVIanuel C. Rodriguez Master Chief Manuel C. Rodriguez was born in Detroit, Michigan. After high school, he enlisted in the U. S. Navy in June 1970 and attended Recruit Training at Recruit Training Center, Great Lakes Illinois. Master Chief Rodriguez first saw duty aboard USS POCONO (LCC-160) fol- lowed by Yeoman A school in Bainbridge, Maryland. Upon completion, he was assigned to Naval Air Maintenance Training Detachment, Norfolk, for a brief tour followed by an assignment to the J-2 Staff, Commander in Chief, Atlantic. Master Chief Rodriguez then served with the Staff, Commander Amphibious Group Two aboard USS MOUNT WHITNEY (LCC-20). Other tours include Staff, Supreme Allied Commander Atlantic and Educational Service Officer, USS BELLEAU WOOD (LHD-3). Master Chief Rodriguez was selected to attend the Senior Enlisted Academy in Newport, Rhode Island in January 1986. Following graduation he was assigned as Military Secretary for Strategic Plans and Policy Directorate, Joint Chiefs of Staff, Washington, D. C, and was also designated as the Senior Enlisted Advisor for all Navy personnel assigned. While assigned the JCS he was advanced to Master Chief Officer. In March 1989, he was selected. Command Master Chief, of USS LEAHY (CG-16). In November 1991, Master Chief Rodriguez assumed the duties of Command Master Chief, Naval Air Station, Barbers Point, Hawaii. Presently, Master Chief Rodriguez is the Command Master Chief of USS ESSEX (LHD-2). Master Chief Rodri guez ' s personal awards include Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Navy Commendation Medal (two awards). Navy Achievement Medal, Good Conduct Medal (five awards), as well as unit and campaign awards. Master Chief Rodriguez and his wife Barbara have two children Jared and Anna. The Lineage of USS ESSEX In naming LHD 2 ESSEX , the Navy honors four previous ships, dating to the American Revolution, which borne this illustrious name. Previous U.S. Navy ships named ESSEX include a frigate launched in 1 799, subscribed by the people of ESSEX County and Salem, Massachusetts. The ship saw action against the French in 1 800, before serving gallantly in action against the British Navy during the War of 1 8 1 2. The second ESSEX was a steam ferry built in 1 856, and converted into an ironclad gunboat when bought by the War Department in 1 86 1 . During the Civil War, ESSEX participated in action against Confederate forces along the Mississippi and Tennessee Rivers, as well as the assault on Vicksburg, before being decommissioned in 1 865. The third ESSEX was a wooden-screw steamer commissioned in 1 876. Regarded as one of the finest ships in the Fleet, ESSEX saw action with the North Atlantic Squadron, on the Pacific Station and the Asiatic Station, before being designated as a training ship. Her last assignment in the quarter-century of training missions was with the Naval Reserve of the state of Minnesota. She was stricken from the record in 1930. An aircraft carrier ( C V C V A C VS-9 ) carried the name ESSEX into Fleet duty as lead ship in a class of World War II aircraft carriers. Commissioned in December 1 942, she reported to the Pacific Fleet following shakedown cruises, and embarked on a series of victories that would take her to Tokyo Bay . As flagship of Task Force 1 4, C V-9 struck Wake Lsland in October 1943, launched an attack on the Gilbert Islands and participated in her first amphibious assault, against Tarawa in November, then moved on to the Marshall Islands, Truk, the Marianas, Saipan, Tinian, and Guam in early 1944. After her first overhaul, she returned to the Pacific, and in the closing days of the war, ESSEX took part in the final telling raids against the Japanese home island. She was decommissioned in 1 947, then modernized and recommissioned in 1 95 1 , with a new flight deck and a streamlined superstructure. As flagship for Carrier Division One, she was the first carrier to launch twin-engine Banshee jet fighters in support of U.N. troops in Korea. Following her Korean action, she was again modernized, this time with an angled flight deck, and saw duty in both the Atlantic and Pacific Fleets in the late 1 950 ' s. In 1 960, ESSEX was converted to an ASW support carrier, and participated in various NATO exercises. The aircraft carrier ESSEX received the Presidential Unit Citation, 1 3 battle stars for World War II service, and four battle stars and the Navy Unit Commendation for action in Korea. LHD 2 was commissioned on October 17, ' 1992. The new ESSEX, although classified as an amphibious assault ship, is as large, at 40,500 tons, as her namesake, the World War II aircraft carrier. The LHD 2 departed on her , first overseas deployment on October 25, 1994 and returned to her homeport in San Diego on April 25, 1995. During the Western Pacific Indian Ocean Arabian Gulf deployment, ESSEX participated in a number of exercises with allies in the Gulf region and served as the primary control ship during Operation United Shield — the withdrawal of the final United Nations peacekeepers from Somalia. The frigate ESSEX 1799-1 H14 THE COAT OF ARMS FOR USS ESSEX (LHD-2) The bald eagle with the shield on his breast is representative of the eagle utilized on the Coat of Arms of the fourth ship to bear the name USS ESSEX. The Marine Officer ' s sword grasped in the eagle ' s talons is showing that the main battery of USS ESSEX is the Marine Corps. The Banner is red and stands for the sacrifice and valor required to win the thirteen battle stars on the top half of the banner for World War II and the four battle stars on the bottom half for the Korean War. The Motto TAKE NOTICE is in black letters on the upper part of the banner, so that it stands out for all to read and heed. It also refers to the notice that went out to the people of ESSEX, Massachusetts, to raise funds for the building of the first ESSEX. The border around the banner and stars is white and symbolizes the purity of cause for which the ship serves and the stars were won. The Shield in the middle is dark blue and scarlet representing the harmony of the two services. A gold diagonal stripe is drawn between the two that shows the unity required for Amphibious Operations. The 2 stands for LHD2. The globe of the world with the Amphibious Assault Insignia superimposed over the Pacific Ocean symbolizes Amphibious Operations from the oceans of the world. The chain surrounding the crest denotes the five naval ships to bear the name ESSEX, represented by the five sides of the Coat of Arms. i BHPT B P Pfl ' AIR CDR G. E. Air Boss HALL LCDR S. G. CUNDARI Asst. Air Boss ABHCS(AW) R. C. ALIGNAY AirLCPO AIR DEPARTMENT The mission of the USS ESSEX Air Department is to conduct aircraft handling, launch and recovery operations, including control of airborne VFR traffic within the ship ' s Control Zone. Additionally, the Air Department provides the necessary services and facilities required for the maintenance and fueling of aircraft so the embarked squadrons and detachments can effectively conduct air operations in the full application of their military potential. Of equal importance is the damage control role of aircraft crash and salvage on the flight deck and aircraft firefighting on the hangar deck. The Essex Air Department received the coveted Allen G. Ogden Award for the best Crash and Salvage Team in the fleet. The Flight Deck Crew LT FALEHARDY CW03 JHMIRELES ABHC J R GABA ABHl RL JOHNSON ABHl RE MCLEOD ABHl FTARDUGNO ABH2 D MARTINEZ ABH2 RS SANCHEZ ABH3 LB BARBER ABH3 BLANKENSHIP ABH3 J L BURKE ABH3 CG GARCIA ABH3 PEGRISHAM ABH3 HOGANCAMP ABH3 LLKUNZE The P-16 Firefighting vehicle, photo below, is an important part of flight deck crash and firefighting capabilities aboard ESSEX. A.BH3 JMCKISSICK ABH3 CP PERSON ABH3 J RICHARDSON ABH3 KASYE ABH3 VALENZUELA ABH3 CR VAUGHN ABH3 T J WILBUR AN L A ALMAZAN AN KOAMAECHI AN DMCADOGAN ABHAN JCARRASCO ABHAN KS CLARK AN LW DALEY AN DRDURRETT ABHAN RLEKLOFF AN B A ELLIS AN TFITZPATRICK AN DMGILENO ABHAN J R HOOD AN KELIEKOSKI ABHAN J D MILLER ABHAN M PARKER AN WP PONCE AN O RODRIGUEZ AN S E TENOR AN KWZUNIE AA C D AARON ABHAA J ALLEN AA ELCANTRELL ABHAA SMCHOS AA TAESSELL ABHAA T FLOURNOY AA J A HIX AA J L JACKSON AA WCUGON AA S A O ' DANIEL AA ESELMI AR CDBEARGEON ABHAR A D JARRETT AR RWISZOWATY LT M D MCLEAN ABHl L HAMPTON ABH3 J CHAMBERLIN LCDR J T COX ABHCS R ALIGNAY AA C WIGLEY ABH3 SHEVENER ABH3 RSKEENER ABH3 JSANDBERG AN RLCULLEN AN DLELLINGSON AN L GONZALEZ AN J L HERNANDEZ AN J C JONES AN T J JONES ABHAN J RODRIGUEZ AA J D GUNN ABHAA RT JENNINGS AA CKING AA R E LITTLEFIELD AA J T LOWE AA J H NEWTON AA LA STARKLY AR J K BRATTON AR J M CAMERON AR CP HAMPTON AR J M MASSEY AR MTNORTHCOTT The Hangar Bay Crew CW03 E J CARLINO ABFC M S CABRERA ABFC A J PISTOLE ABFl DELACRUZ ABFl L FISHER ABF2 A ANDREWS ABF2 C C JUNKIN ABF2 RDROWE ABF2 R WILLIAMS ABF3 ML BROWN ABF3 DCSONGEL ABF3 J L GILBERT ABF3 CHARDESTY ABF3 DWLUNA ABF3 E PENA ABF3 E PETERSON ABF3 WCRENART ABF3 T ROBINSON ABF3 R A ROQUE ABF3 J R SOMERS ABFAN TMBERG ABFAN R BUTLER AN CD CALDWELL AN J L CALLAHAN ABFAN A CORTES AN J D ESTES AN BJJESKEY ABFAN JOHNSTON AN DLJUMP AN WTMAYS AN J J PACKER ABF3 J D PITTMAN ABFAN STARCHER AN RL WHEELER AA HJCAMAGONG AA Q CASTILLO AA BS DUNBAR AA CC GENTRY AA PLSISTRUNK AR ASBULTER AR T J HARDER AR D M RAWLINGS - -s AIMD - Oi 653 The mission of Aircraft Intermediate Maintenance Department (AIMD) is to provide intermediate level maintenance, inspections, test and check, calibration, component repair, and Support and Material Handling Equipment (SE and MHE) to support the embarked Air Combat Element (ACE), Amphibious Ready Group (ARG) and Amphibious Ready Group Intermediate Maintenance Activity (ARGIMA) concept. AIMD manning consists of one Officer, two Chief Warrant Officers, eight Chief Petty Officers, and 68 technicians. For deployment, AIMD is augmented by Marine Corps personnel consisting of two Gunnery Sergeants, three Staff Sergeants and 60 enlisted technicians. The four divisions — Staff (IM-1 ), General Maintenance (IM-2), Avionics Armament (IM-3) and Support Equipment (IM-4) are subdivided into 18 different work centers, each with a specialized support function. Working together as a team, AIMD utilizes more than 2,700 pieces of installed, portable, rolling and armament support equipment to support over 100 systems in six different types of operational aircraft. AIMD has the capability to test, repair and service more than 4,000 individual repairable components. The level of repairs range from small delicate work performed by microminiature repair technicians to large complex work tasks performed on the Amphibious Assault Crash Crane by the support equipment technicians. Altogether, AIMD normally processes in excess of 400 repairable aircraft components with a total of more than 2,000 maintenance actions completed each month while deployed. IM-1 IM-1 is made up of two separate work centers, each with its own branch officer. Maintenance Administration performs all administra- tive functions of the department. Here, all official incoming and outgoing correspondence is typed, routed, and filed. In addition, the branch functions as coordinator for manpower personnel assignment and training. Production Control, the nerve center of the division, coordinates and controls the maintenance effort. Material control orders and receives test equipment parts and other non-aircraft repairables. This work center manages AIMD funds and ensure that all necessary repair parts are on hand. Quality AssuranceATechnical Publications Library is the watch dog for the department, monitoring the maintenance effort to ensure safe, correct mainte- nance procedures are used to obtain the highest quality of workmanship and the place where the most current and up to date maintenance related publica- tions can be found. CW03 SBARFOOT CW02 RC HOOPER PRCM LEFRANCOIS ADC CW MORGAN AOC RL RILEY AEC MAVIDAURI AOl C P BENNETT AZI G A CAMPBELL ASl ABCANOZA AZI E HONDOLERO ADl RMENDEZ AMEl DE OSBORNE AMSl RSPFRANG PRl FT RAGS AC ATI JMVITONE AKl CL WILLIAMS AK2 BBBEJOC AZ2 RH GRAHAM AS2 S A HANNON AZ2 TK LESLIE AS2 J A LIRANZO AZ2 B STENSTROM AD AN LJCOEN IM-2 ' s mission is to support ESSEX and ACE (Air Combat Element) aviation requirements. Engine mechanics, structural repair, hydraulics and aviation life support systems are just part of the unique expertise performed by divisional person- nel daily. IM-2 professionals are the key to insuring constant pilot and aircrew safety. ASCVANDERSOMME PRl A E BAUTISTA AMSl C L FISHER ADl RK KRESS AMHl D L ROGERS ADl MFSLADE PR2 N CHAMBERS AMS2 D J DIAZ AD2 W J GRAHAM AD2 R RICHARDSON AD2 RE SMITH AMS2 MD WALKER AMS3 W J PRICE AMSAN CEELKINS AMHAN HOLDING ADAN C KISHLOCK AN RH PARKS AMEAN PBERROZ AN SROTHENBERG AN AM SERRANO IM-3 IM-3, the AIMD Avionics Armament Division, per- forms maintenance and repair of aircraft electronics. The avionic shops support a myriad of aircraft sys- tems and equipment, including Automatic Test Equip- ment (ATE), radios, radar and navigation equipment, as well as on board computers, flight instruments, bomb racks, missile launchers and calibration of equipment. ATC R HAMILTON ATI D WHITE AEl S WOODBERRY AT2 R BURKE A02 M RICO AT2 R SCIFRES AT2M TALTON AT3 M BLADES AT3 S HAWKINS AOAN B ELLIS IM-4 The strong arm of ESSEX , Support Equipment Division is an element of the Aircraft Intermediate Maintenance Department. IM-4 maintains all sup- port equipment providing services for the aircraft on ESSEX. The Division can also simulate flight conditions which supports the ground maintenance crews with equipment that aids in troubleshooting in flight problems while the aircraft is on the deck. Support Equipment Division maintains hydraulic, electrical, pneumatic and towing equipment for all aircraft on board ESSEX. IM-4 also maintains the mobile firefighting, crash salvage support equip- ment and the material handling equipment for sup- ply and ammunition movement. No Air Support without Ground Support ! ASC F M BUENVIAJE ASl D A WARNOCK ASl P ROQUE AS2 V C BENZES AS2 C H BURSE AZ2R COLLMAN AS2 K P JOHNSON AS2 E V MCBRIDE AS3 BERMUDEZ AS3 S CHANSIRIK AS3 G R LAMBING AZ3 J LOPEZ AS3 R R PUC AS3K YBARRA AN T D COCHRAN AN M FORSYTHE AN J G GARTNER AZAN GOODMAN AN S D RANDLE ASAA C S RAMOS • s m i n T 1 I An 1 COMBAT SYSTEMS COMBAT SYSTEMS LCDR D M SENDER Department Head ENS S K SPAULDING Assistant DH GMCM R VAN DYCK Department LCPO Combat Systems Department consists of five divisions and is responsible for the maintenance and repair of all command and control, ship ' s weapons systems and ordnance. Data Systems Division maintains all computer systems both tactical and non- tactical along with display equipment. Electronics Division is responsible for search radars, exterior communications, air traffic control systems, identification friend or foe system. weather systems and micro miniature component repair. Fire Control Division maintains the 3D air search radar, fire control systems and all missile systems, while Gun Division maintains the Close-In Weapons System and all ship ' s gun systems. Weapons Division is responsible for all ammunition movement, ordnance build-up, handling and storage. These systems are an integral part in the defense of the Amphibious Ready Group. -I DS X GM SM CDj DSl C V BARTON DSl T L BRATCHER DSl DEMELE DSl J W PARKER DS2 J J GUSMAN DS2 J F ERVIN DS2 T H THOMAS DS2 J RWOLFF DS2 P J YELLAK DS3 J R ANDREWS DS3 B G AUTRY DS3 S M BORDEN DS3 B CHRISTENSEN DS3 W F CLUGSTON DS3 R L DUNDON DS3T MCCALMON DS3 T G SMITH DS3B SUTHERLAND DS3 E M WILLIAMS DSSN A BUBENDORF LT H G SNOWDEN ETCS R ENRIGHT ETC K S CASE ETC T MCQUEENEY ETC R VANDENSEN ETl C R GARDNER ETl T N SHIMKO ETl B A WALKER ET2 R BERTUCA ET2 G GRUENLOH ET2 J T MALICOAT ET2 M T PETERS ET2 W J SCOTT ET2 S C TRUE ET3 C R BARTLETT ET3 R L CALDWELL ET3 C L DAVIS ET3 K A DUNN ET3 D S HANEY ET3 S A HANKINS ET3 M W JAMISON ET3 D M LANE ET3 A LEE-LEHNER ET3 J D ORME ET3 J S SANCHEZ ET3 P L WARNER ET3 A D WEDDLE FC2 G P BRENNEN FC2 R W BROOKINS FC2 B W DANO FC2 M L DAVIS FC2 C C HILL FC2 K D HOPPER FC2 D J ROBINSON FC2 R J SCHERL FC3 N L DUCRAY FC3 J HENSLEY FC3S BLIGASON FC3 A W MILLER FC3 D R SMART FNSN KW GRAHAM CG X GM LTJG T M ORR f.fj r 0 w lr k HftM 1 p £ ?9h uJ tfci b- • Bl M F m. H TOUVAWV P 7 S g FCC K P MULLEN FCl C L ENSTAD GMGl C R TALLEY TM2 J B SANTANA GMG2 J P VASQUEZ FC3 P E CROWLEY FC3 R L HART FC3 P M MACALUSO FC3 T J MCCOY GMG3 RP MILLER GMG3 SOXENDINE GMG3 CWROBB FCSN T ANDERSON SN A B BROWNE TMSN J E TRIPLETT CW02 V HOWELL AOC K A MARKS AOC J J O ' ROURKE AOl E D BUSH AOl T D DEARDORFF AOl T J FINNEY AOl A KEREKES AOl L A LOYOLA AOl L D RILEY AOl J D WALKER A03 R T BROWN A03 A L GRIFFIN AD3E M BULATAO A03 E L LEBRON A03 T B LLERKNA A03C G STEFFEN A03 B TURNIPSEED ADAN J D ADAMS AOAN R ALLEBACH AN BRIDGEFORTH AOAN J B BROWER AOAN CARMICHAEL AOAN G CHARBETTE AOAN C L EVANS AOAN M J FIELDS AOAN J D HARTMAN AOAN M S JAKOB AOAN T R MONSEN AOAN D MORLONG AOAN M K PAGE AOAN C T RAINEY AOAN J C RIVERA AOAN A M SOTO AOAN T G WILLIAMS AOAA R GILCHRIST AOAA M L JOHNSON AOAA T SCHNEIDER rr 7 d K N Hv J l il _f LT i m M Rf- H ms ' COMMUNICATIONS % t ' , s  ■ CAPT S C ROBERTS Department Head LTJG A JAMISON Assistant DH RM The mission of the Communications Department is to provide and maintain reliable, secure and rapid external communications to support the command in carrying out administrative and operational tasking. Communications Department is the Voice of Command controlling all radio communications and executing all visual tactical signalling. All record messages are processed by Communications through automated computerized systems interconnecting with shore relay stations. Satellites comprise the main link of communication between the ship and shore based activities. Ship-to-Ship communications use many mediums, such as High Frequency, Ultra High Frequency or Very High Frequency radio radio waves, as well as satellite communications. Radiomen, Signalmen and Marine Technicians make up the Communications Department. Hello, Hello. Is there anyone out there? ' ' jii 1 ' ; ' ' ' RMCM R A POPE RMC J J BRAYMAN RMC R P DALE RMl W CHAMBERS RMl S FALETUFUGA RMl W B JONES RMl E I LORENZO RMl M M METZGER RMl B M NICHOLS RM2 D B BRYANT RM2 J L JESKE RM2J PEARSON RM2 J M SAMPLE RM3 M W BENNETT RM3 C C CHRIS RM3 S C DIEHL RM3 C B GREGORY RM3 T A MAGNESS RM3 T M MALLORY RM3 B J MORGAN RM3 J A ORTIZ RM3 J A SANDIN RM3 T P SERRATT RM3 R R STEEN RM3 M W VANCE RM3 D D WILLIAMS RMSN D BROWN RMSN GEERTSEMA RMSN E G HINES RMSN M A MARINO RMSN D E PRINCE RMSN D S SHELTON RMSA J S BROWN SMC R C PULLINS SMI R B CALDWELL SM2 B J MANUS SM2 G B MOLINA SM2 R D NORRIS SM3 K S HOLT SMSN W DOWNING SMSA J P BOX SMSA J S JONES SMSA J RUTLEDGE ▼ LCDR W M CONDON Department Head LT D POLLARD Assistant DH BMCM J H HOLLEY Department LCPO Deck Department consists of four officers, one Master Chief Boatswain ' s Mate, One Chief Boatswain ' s Mate, 25 other junior Boatswain ' s Mates and 65 undesignated Seamen. Responsible for the maintenance and operation of the welldeck, mooring stations, two 40,000 pound anchors, four underway replenishment stations, six boats, the ship ' s sides, and all ground tackle. Deck Department was involved in just about every evolution that occured onboard ESSEX. Deck also manned, 24 hours per day, many of the topside underway watches, including the Boatswain ' s Mate of the Watch, helmsman, lee helmsman, aftersteering helmsman, four lookout and lifebuoy watches, and the well deck integity watch. Deck Department was very proud of its accomplishments this deployment. From the order to ' take in all lines ' on 25 October 1994 to the order to ' over all lines ' on 25 April 1 995, Deck played a key role in many of ESSEX ' outstanding achievements. Conducting more than 200 well deck evolutions, including numerous launches and recoveries of the Landing Craft (Air Cushioned) (LCAC) and Landing Craft (Utility) (LCU) and movements of landing force equipment. Deck was the agency repsonsible for getting the embarked marines off the ship and enroute the beach. All events were safely and efficiently executed. In addition its well deck accomplishments. Deck Department also conducted more than 20 underway refuelings and reprovisioning evolutions, taking on more than than 300 pallets of stores and 5 million gallons of diesel and jet fuel. Deck also anchored the ship ten times, moored unmoored it twelve times, conducted its first ever LCU stemgate marriage, and launched its ready lifeboat five times to rescue 5 persons, recovery vital lost equipment, conduct a medical evacuation (MEDEVAC) and provide assistance to a foundering fishing vessel. During port visits, while the ship enjoyed as much liberty as possible. Deck was also hard at work maintaing the sides in the best condition possible, so that ESSEX returned to homeport looking nearly as good as the day it departed homeport six months earlier. ENSD BONNER BMl D W CRIPPEN BMl A DIAZ BMl L MIKOCZI BM2 T R KESTER BM2R MENTARES BM2 J E TALTON BM3RABOLICK ' BM3 R C HARRISON BM3 R S JONES BM3 M L REEVES BM3 R R RUDDOCK BM3J SMITH SNDJ BIGLIN SNJJ CRAFT BMSN R A CREWS SNBV ESTRADA SNWR FLAKES SNDWFORT SN R GARCIA SNEC MITCHELL SNTP O ' MEARA SN C M ROHN SNDS SOLON SNJR ZULUETA SA B M BECK SAJB BROWN SA D M CAMERON SA M A GAL SA G H HERARD SA J W JUMP SA R M LANE SA N N LEE SA L M MARTINEZ SA D T MERCHANT SA J W METZGER SA D C MILLER SA J NORSWORTHY SA R A RTVAS SA V M RIVERA SA P D SMITH SA A S VASQUEZ SA J A VERDECIA SR M J CORNELL CW04 R L HIDAY BMC K A BRYANT BMl R GARCIA BM3 D L EMERSON BM3 C L GENTRY BM3 C C LINTON ■ BM3 MA TUCKER BM3 A WASHINGTON SN F D BRYANT SN T L COZART SN J M DUCHESNEAU SN H R HERNANDEZ ' SN A R HOLLAR | SN J A HOLMES j SN J T ILEY SN R W JACKSON SN S L KLINE BMSN D S MAZE SN G J VITORINO SA R ARROYO SA G BAZARTE SA J D DEGRIO SA B J FLAUGHER SA R FLORES SA P FUGATE SA B A GORDON SAJR KABLE SA A D KEYS SAEI ORE SA B R RIVERA SA D M ROSSMAP«}N SA A A SANGUSTIN SA A R SCOTT SA T M WATSON SA P O ZURITA 0 4£{kd The ESSEX Medical Department is the largest com- batant medical facility afloat and consists of six Oper- ating Rooms, a 15-bed Intensive Care Unit, 44-bed] hospital ward with 500 overflow beds. In order to support casualty care, the Medical Department has two x-ray suites, a laboratory and blood processing unit, pharmacy and both ashore and afloat. As part of I our mission, we provide training in first-aid, preventa-| tive medicine and environmental safety. LT D A OLIVER LTBJ CRAIG LT V L KNIGHT HMC T L PRICE HMl R D ELLIOTT HMl G M GALANG HMl R V HANCOCK HMl P D MAZUREK HMl A J MENDIVIL HMl J R PLANTIN HM2 E C CARLSON HM2 C T FUERTE HM2 J R NEWTON HM2 K L SANDERS HM3 K J ABBOTT HM3 R D CRABTREE HM3 D DELFAVERO HM3 J E HILL HM3 J HUTCHISON HM3 C E OAKES HM3 G G PALENCIA HM3 D STOMBAUGH HM3 R D STONE HN D W FRATE HN R LERMA HN T E O ' BRIEN HN S P TAMISIEA LCDR MOSMAK DTI A C CAL DTI V C QUIMPO ' DcntaC DN F S SOLIZ DR C HUANTE The USS ESSEX Dental Department provides quality dental care and a full range of dental services for almost 3,000 Navy and Marine Corps personnel. Designed and built with modem and up-to-date dental technology, ESSEX is outfitted with an oral surgery suite, a complete prosthetics laboratory and two ultra modern x-ray units. Winneroftwo consecutive Dental D Awards, ESSEX ' dental capabilities include: endodontics, oral surgery, crown and bridge, operative and preventative dentistry. The ship ' s dental staff ' consists of one Dental Officer and ■I four dental technicians and is augmented when troops are embarked, by an additional Dental Officer and dental technician from Camp Pendleton, Ca. Br 1 Iff I Km- M E; - ■i- ' ■- ' 196 ENGINEERING I . i The true heart of ESSEX is the Engineering Department. Providing the steam to propel the ship and power electrical generators, in addi- tion to maintaining damage control and auxil- iary systems in a high readiness condition requires constant vigilence and attention to detail. The two Main Propulsion divisions, MP- 1 and MP-2, are responsible for the forward and aft main machinery rooms. Comprised of Boiler Technicians (BTs) and Machinist ' s Mates (MMs), they not only performed complex emergent repairs on various machinery while deployed, but found the time to complete exten- sive space preservation efforts. The Oil Lab ' s skilled and professional pert ' ormance ensured the smooth and safe transfer of over a 7 million gallons of fuel that was required by the Iron Gator during the six month deployment. The Auxiliary (A Gang) and Assault (AR) divisions kept the air conditioning plants cold. the small boats purring, and the elevators cy- cling. The MMs, Enginemen (ENs) and Electrician ' s Mates (EMs) formed a cohesive unit that maintained, operated, and repaired countless pieces of equipment throughout the ship essential to not only the primary missions of the ESSEX, but also to the health and comfort of the crew. Hot water and cold air conditioning were a welcome relief from the heat and humid- ity experienced overseas. Electrical (E) division, manned by EMs and Interior Communications Electricians (ICs) provided power distribution throughout the ship, maintained navigational equipment, and provided the entire command with sometimes the only form of entertainment. Closed Circuit Television (CCTV). By performing numerous repairs for other ships operating with ESSEX, they ably demonstrated that no repair was too large to accomplish. Running the gamut from firefighting and CHT systems to manufacturing parts not carried on board. Repair (R) Division handled it all. The Hull Technician ' s (HTs), Damage Controlmen (DCs) and Machinery Repairmen (MRs) handled even the most unusual with aplomb and a determined attitude to get the job done . This can-do spirit served them well when called upon to fly over and perform repairs on a sinking ship Christmas Day. In addition, these professionals operated a team of individuals who worked around the clock daily in the Trouble Call work center to quickly repair any deficiency that involved quality of life systems and components, such as air conditioning, hot water, galley, and laundry equipment. Through strong desire, initiative, and determi- nation the Engineering Department team per- formed flawlessly on ESSEX maiden voyage, and completed it casualty report free . The exacting standards adhered to on this deploy- ment demonstrated to the entire Pacific Fleet that when it comes to the IRON GATOR, there are no limits to what can be accomplished. A Division LT T R ALANI MMCS M R BURKE MMC S E CONRAD MMl M AHERN MMl D V FRY MMl G M GALANG MMl A H GONZALES ENl T KUHNHAUSEN MMl J R PUCKETT MRl R M ROSBECK MR2 K C HANTHORN EN2 D J LEFF EN2 T G SNOW EN2 C D STAFF EN2 T H VIGIL MM2 D J WARRAS MM3 V F BASANTES |{ MR3 A J COLLINS f MM3 S D DERICKS MM3 J E ENRIQUEZ MM3 J D GAULRAPP MM3 R A GILBERT EN3 J D HANN MM3 M C IVEY MM3 T S NAOTALA MM3 S M PAYNE EN3 R R RODULFO EN3 M B ROWLEY MM3 E S SANTIAGO MM3 T W SCHMITT MM3 L J SCOTT MM3 O G THOMAS MM3 G THOMPSON MM3 J J VARGAS MM3 C A VONCORDS ENFN D L CREWS FN L HEMINGWAY ENFN R MARES FN E M MILLER FN MONTEMAYOR MRFA O A ALLISON MMFA J E BROWN FA C G BUCKLER FA D B CONRADY MMFA R GHIZDALA FA C P MAYFIELD HTCS D C GREEN DCC A L BROWN DCC E WILEY DCl M B HARTWIG H Tl R C NEVIN DC2 S M CAIN DC2B DONATIO HT2 K R GAILLOT HT2 D H HUTCHISON DC2 M H LANOSA DC2 G T MORIN DC3 T K BALIK DC3 D L DALEY HT3 T C HOFMANN DC3 C L KELLEY HT3 C J LOPEZ DC3 E L PARKS HT3 K W PERKINS DC3 J C ROARK HT3 C R WORTHEY HT3 B J WRIGHT FN W A ANKUM ' DCFN KKBYNUM HTFN P M EVANS FN M PARKS FN L YOUNG DCFA T L HARPER FA C N KING DCFA B LEONARD FA W E MADONIA FA C W NIELSEN DCFA N R SANCHEZ FA R S STEINBACH FA A TAYLOR MM2 J P COMBS BT2R REYES BT2 G G SHERFIELD MM2 J M TESS BT3 F S AGUISANDA BT3 N A BARRERA BT3 C R FRANKLIN BT3 J T IRIARTE BT3 R R JENSON MM3 GRADEL MM3 E D RUFFIN FN B A FRANKE FN K L PATROM MMFA C T ALLEN FA M L BALL FA R A DOELKER FA S M GAMBLE FA N C GENAO FA T G HARRISON FA J M HUSKIN FA B MLONG FA G L PARSCAL FA M S QUICK MMFA A RAMIREZ FA A RUMBEAU FA D A SCHWARTZ FA D W SMITH FA M D TEIER FN R K BOATFIELD P2 Division ENS R MORRISON MMC T R ULLMAN MMl D R BELL BTl T B HILTY MMl J L RANCK BTl WATERMILLER BT2 K B BLAND BT2 M A FLOSL MM2 W A SELMAN BT2 G L WILLIAMS MM3 J A ALLEN BT3 R L BREESE BT3 R C CARIUS BT3 J A CORBETT BT3 B N FLORES MM3 J C FULAYTER MM3 A C HAYEL MM3 R R MCGAHAN BT3 D J MCRAE MM3 J WVISSER $A BT MM BT3 R L WEGNER FN MT CHILDRESS BTFN O CUMMINGS BTFN E W DANIELS BTFN T J DAVIS MMFN J C DEAN FN D L FARRIS BTFN FERNANDEZ FN D L SMITH FA C J EDWARDS FA B M FLOYD FAJC GREEN FA T H HYLTON FA E R LOYA FA J MCCUMBEE FA J D SUMMERS FA J A ZUMWALT FR C D BEAM FR R L LEYVA FR T A MORRIS BTC K M SHALER BTl R W LYDAY BT2 W W WHEELEY BT3 J K DINERO BT3 W J LEDDY FA P S CURREY Div ICC J E THOMAS EMI R G BLACK EMI C D BURCK ICl M DELGADO EMI D L DIWAG EMI E M JACKSON EMI D J KRAPP ICl W E RUSHTON EM2 A C BALANZA EM2 J M BEDNORZ EM2 R G BOWEN IC2 W R BOWERS IC2 K R DOWELL IC2 R T FATOOH EM2 J L JOHNSON EM2 MONTGOMERY IC2 G L PETRE EM2 E G TAGULAO EM2 P N TAJAROS EM2 N G VALENTINE EM2 P J WEBB EM3 L P ADLEY EM3 D T ALBERTO EM3 BADALAMENTI IC3 S CORDERO LTJG BERTHELOTTE CW02 E DARIA EMC G E EDJAN ICC J C OSBY IC3 W M DECASTRO EM3 N G DONAHUE EM3 J B FLETCHER EM3 R M FOCHT EM3 C B GROSSELIN EMFN E J HEDDEN EM3 M HUNCHUCK EM3 J F KANE IC3 E F KENNY EM3 R LANCASTER VM3 J M PASTERNIK EM3 T W RENO IC3 S W REPATH EM3 G S SAUCEDO EM3 H G SIERRA EM3 W C SIMS IC3 P E SMITH EMFN G J BOOTS ICFN F L CRANE EMFN EG GARCIA FN T A HENDRICKS ICFN S D JAMES EMFN AC JONES FN B V PHAM EMFN PHOUMINH FN D C SHANNON FN S B STREET EMFN WYSOCZANSKI FA J M O ' QUINN FA B M TORGERSEN :io LT W J BODINE Department Head NCCM R MILLER Department LCPO Executive Department ' s primary mission is Customer Service . Executive Department is similar to a city hall staff. Office Clerks, known as Yeoman and Personnelmen, maintain the records and files that enable the city (ESSEX) to operate. All official correspondence is routed through and distributed by this department. The Executive Department staff also supports ESSEX and all embarked units in the following areas: Career Counseling, Drug and Alcohol Abuse Prevention, Legal, Safety, Physical Security, Printing and Maintenance, Material and Management (3M). Educational programs, ranging from Navy Advancement tests to college course credits, are also coordinated through this department. These essential services are performed by a varied and talented group of individuals from their chosen occupations. LT W L PECK PNCS A S ELEFANTE ETC K V BERKEBILE Lie R W ROBEL YNC J N ROBINSON OSl M D BURTON LNl H J JONES RPI L N MARIBAO PNl G V NICDAO PNl S M REECE YNl G S SILVA YN2D FELTON YN2 L R FRANKLIN PN2 J KATTNER PN2 M A MARQUEZ YN2 F P SARTORI YN2 J W YOUNG PN3 CONCEPCION PN3 J T DOWNS PN3 J L ESTERO YN3 K A HAWS RP3 R H OVIEDO YN3 R A ROSELLI PN3 D SANTA ELENA PN3 J D SMITH YN3 A W WILSON SNSL BOWE LISN G G DELEON PNSN M A FOWLER DSCS A E AGUILAR EMI V FERNANDEZ MAI A MURAWSKE EMI E M ORDAZ MM2 R J ARNSON AT2 S D BROWN MS2 E B GRAVIS MA2 C C LUCKA AD2 E S MAXWELL SGT K A ROZYCZKO DS2 J E SAMPSON ABH2 J C SAMPSON MA2 J L SIDAS CTR2 VITTETOW A02 C D WIGINTON ABH2 R R YOUNG MA3 R J ADAMCZYK CPL S L HANK CPL B S HELMS CPL T R REED PR3 T J SCHEETZ MM3 S E WAGNER MA3 P WAKEFIELD LCPL MUMCHUCK LCPL T A NORDEN COMBAT CARGO )0o 219 COMBAT CMiGO CAPT G D BUTLER Department Head ISTLT A T REYER Assistant DH Combat Cargo is comprised of Marines permanently assigned to ESSEX. They are responsible for assisting in the development of ships load plans, as well as, the embarkation debarkation of Landing Force assets via helicopter and landing craft and the internal movement of all embarked personnel, cargo and vehicles. 1 A T CARGCI GYSGTS LAMANTIA SSGT A MENCHACA SGT J S CRANE CPL W C BISHOP CPL T W BROWN CPL E E DUANE CPL R P EMELIAN CPL M S HAMILTON CPL J G JONES CPLC MONCADA CPL D W SHAW CT3 M P THOMAS LCPL M ANGUIANO LCPL A S BARNES LCPL C J BERGIN LCPL K H BROWN LCPL S J CHARNEY LCPL M CORDOVA LCPL T CUMMINGS LCPL Q X DANG LCPL M DUMMETT LCPL J E FOYE LCPL C M GODEN LCPL M E GRAVES LCPL C HOLLISTER COMBAT CAlUiO LCPL S P MARSH LCPL J E MOCK LCPL B MORELAND LCPL J P NORMAN LCPL C C PANIAGUA LCPL D M POINTER LCPL D D REHA LCPL RICHARDSON LCPL J C ROBINSON LCPL D W ROSE f 4 .i: LCPL H A RUSSELL LCPL T A SANDERS LCPL SCHEMEHORN LCPL J J SHARPE LCPL SKIMEHORN LCPL R SMITH LCPL W D SMITH LCPL C G QUADE LCPL J B TULLAR LCPL V M VALENTIN LCPL M S WITT PFC H W EDDY PEC J L VARNER PFC WASHINGTON PFC M T WILLIAMS NAVIOATION The ESSEX Navigation Team is justifiably proud, as they complete the first navigationally successful deployment of an LHD. During this 37,700 mile deployment, whether thousands of miles from land or only a few feet, they kept the ship in safe water, headed fair at times. They navigated through the Straits of Singapore, Hormuz, Lomboc, Malacca, Makassar and Johor, and safely anchored the ship off of Hong Kong, Kuwait, United -! Arab Emirates, Kenya, and Okinawa, Japan. In ajob where any mistake can be disastrous, they never failed. They completed a difficult Navigation Check Ride , graded by Squadron Personnel, during the demanding passage to Singapore and achieved an outstanding score. This was one of the requirements that had to be met for the ESSEX to win the coveted Battle E . :):i: xj :i!iii ♦f . 1. . LTJE ARLETH QMCM BATANGAN QMl D J MOELLER QM2 T S ADAIR QM3 T J CARFF QM3 M M SCHAFF QM3 TAMBAZIDIS QM3 J J WALLIN QMSN R J TORRES 1 « • • • t •l OPERATIONS 1 AC fzrci X n CDR C CHENOWETH Department Head MAJ C F CLARK Assistant DH L T M E SHAKLIK Operations Admin. OPERATIONS The Operations Department is the focal point for planning coordination and execution of ESSEX missions. These missions range from complex LCAC and Flight Deck operations in support of amphibious exercises and nationally tasked operations, to underway replenishments and integrated training to prepare the ship for any contingency. The department encompasses the Combat Information Center, the true nerve center of the ship and the entity which affects each operational mission. Working closely with CIC is the Electronic Warfare Division, which brings a full suite of electronic surveillance and protective capability to enhance the defenses of the ship. The Operations Department also includes the Helicopter Directional Center, which expertly maintains the fluidity of a demanding flight plan and controls over 30 aircraft that are integral to Navy Marine Corps missions. The Joint Intelligence Center and Ship ' s Signals Exploitation Space are also the Operations Department ' s umbrella. JIC and SSES collect, analyze and disseminate vital information concerning existing threats, geopolitical climate and military conditions to allow Marine and Navy warfighters to perform their missions with minimal risk. The Operations Department ' s full Meteorological Center is capable of charting weather activity and determining how weather conditions will affect ESSEX operations. The Operations Department ' s personnel are highly professional individuals who discharge their duties with the intense conviction and dedication representative of the overall attitude of ESSEX ' crew. Operations Department flawlessly engineered numerous Well Deck and hundreds of Flight Deck missions for international exercises Eager Mace, Nautical Mantis and Iron Magic and for Operation United Shield. The Operations Department worked through a highly dynamic schedule and displayed the flexibility and sense of teamwork necessary in the joint environment. LCDR D W HOWELL AGC B S MORTON AGl R C CAPPS AGl M T WALSTED AG2 T B CROSBY AG2 S P JAMES AG2 D J OVERTON AG2 S R ROTOLO AG3 R A CORTEZ AG3 T J FRANCOIS AC3 L U UNRUSH AGAN BDERRICO AGAA DCOLTRANE w PH m 9k j ii LT J G BRUENING ACC K R LOZEAU ACl J EASTWOOD ACl T P KINSELLA AC2 M FELDSTEIN AC2 HARGARTEN AC2 J L WOOD AC3 R A BROWN AC3 P HARBAUGH AC3C SIRON AC3 D W TIBBITTS AC3 WITHERSTINE OS2A GARRETT OS2 M A JARVIS OS2 L L JOHNSON OS2 J D JOHNSON OS2 C A NORD OS2 W J SIDES OS2 M J SMOCK OS2 B A VANCE 052 D R WILLIAMS 053 P R ARNOLD OS3 H R CARTER ()S3 D C CLARK OS3 C D DICKENS OS3 RJLABOUNTY OS3 S RAMIREZ OS3 A A SHEPHERD OS3 N E TRUJILLO OS3 J M WOOD OS3 J E WORLEY OS3 Y D WYATT OS3 J R BASSETT SN E A BIBBY OSSN J M GUMBERT OSSN S R KITCHEN OSSN J RODRIGUEZ OSSN M S TALLEY OSSN B E THURMAN OSSA G V ELYEA OSSR S VASILOPUS owl LTJG M V MISIEWICZ EWC M H BRYANT EWl J S BOHEMIER EW2 D G HARDY EW3 K A GARZA EW3 J B MANN EW3 L C SAVOLDY EW3 C B THOMAS ISl N T BURNS ISl D R DUNDON PHI A JOHNSON DPI J R KARPENKO ISl J R ROMAN 151 P M SHAW J02 A D BOAST DP2 F C CANTU PH3 R D GORDON DM2 M MCKELLIP DP2 W S PERRIN PH2 M RODRIGUEZ 152 W R SOHOCKI 152 T D WILKINS 153 R A BROOKS IS3 D A ESCABI PH3 A GONZALES PH3 L HERNANDEZ J03 D T LATOUR PH3 M LINEBAUGH IS3 C J SEILE IS3 S C SHAW PH3 J Q VIGIL ISSN P J PETTIT PHAN G L BEEM LCDR M L VIEIRA LTJG M A ROSS ISCS P L LEONARD w ESSEX Artists came out of the woodwork this WestPac with many talented drawings and Cartoons as sampled on these pages. The ship ' s full-time artist, DM2(SW AW) Mike McKellip, was busy as well as creating over 300 pieces of art work for Take Notice intelligence briefings, command presentations and even theTiger Cruise T-shirts. teDduiM v(oMe iMPRQVFMehlT KCt yiLor - RBCeiVBS a fra se 3y ieis.. ' Koulg fee? ■1 op(.-?- ' . tiiiititi r? K R Boss AWARDS cC HARRIER Ti toy B-ravo 2utu For aciualv-Y A RR ' lM E) Cf KTBR rRA 5L5 To L.A. To END OF DEPLOYMENT TIGER CRUISE a Itotice USS ESSEX L hi D 2 ) Volume 2, Number 47 Monday, April 24, 1995 THE FULL OFF-eKS IE CKP B UTieS oF THE AG,A hit.T eweMV Forcer. SUPPLY SUPPL Y ESSEX ' S Supply Department works hard to live-up to the motto, Ready for Sea by providing a wide variety of services. They do everything from expediting critical repair parts, to washing and drying thousands of pounds of laundry daily, sending and receiving mail, cutting hair, running a multi- million dollar ship ' s store operation, managing a million dollar payroll, maintaining a state of the art Local Area Network (LAN) computer operation, to preparing and serving over 9000 meals daily to hungry Sailors and Marines. Made up of seven different ratings and over 200 personnel, the Supply Department has achieved much success in their quest to provide the best customer service possible. The initial impression of the Supply Department for a newly reported Sailor or Marine is generally made on its Captain Edward F. Ney Memorial Award winning mess decks. The Food Service Division takes pride in providing over 9,000 quality, well-balanced meals daily to its Sailors and Marines at-sea. The focus of our Mess Specialists is not only providing quality meals but directly enhancing crew morale through special meals and events such as. Ice Cream Socials, All-You-Can-Eat Pizza nights, and Steel Beach Picnics, Combined with the Mess Specialists in the Wardroom and CPO Mess, this group can organize a formal reception at a momemls notice. They are the top of their class. ..the best of the best! The Data Processors on ESSEX manage a system that costs in excess of $ 1 ,200,000 on a 24 hour a day basis that includes four Mainframes with over 127 individual workstations linked together by a state of the art Local Area Network. Deploying with a newly installed SNAP Ill LAN system, the Data Processors are proud of a 99 percent scheduled up time rate. The Data Processors have been a superb addition to the Supply Department. The S-4 Division is home for probably the most critical of the Supply Department ' s services. ..mail and pay. There is nothing more important to a deployed Sailor or Marine than getting a letter from home. On ESSEX ' S first deployment, Postal Clerks processed over 400,000 pounds of letter and bulk mail keeping morale high. The Disbursing Clerks manage a Crew payroll of over $2,000,000 a month, with cash disbursements exceeding $300,000. Our Disbursing Clerks do this while exceeding all Navy standards for pay record accuracy and travel claim processing time. Mail and Pay are often ignored until there is a problem, however on ESSEX there has been no major problems. Whether you ' re looking for watches or radios, ball caps, ESSEX t-shirts or uniform devices, you ' ll find it all in ESSEX ' S Ship ' s Store, The Swamp. On ESSEX ' S first deployment, retail sales exceeded one million dollars, providing all pr ofits to the ship ' s Welfare and Recreation Fund. These profits were used to outfit the fabulous Gator Gym, and underwrite Crew and Troop events in all liberty ports. The retail operations on ESSEX, barbershops, laundry, store and vending machines, have provided continuous top-level service to the crew and troops whether off the coast of Somalia or Waikiki. Whether off the coast of Somalia in support of United Shield or in the Persian Gulf conducting combined exercises, the ESSEX Storekeepers have been able to expedite critical parts around the world to keep operational readiness high. While managing an annual budget in excess of $8,000,000, the ESSEX ' S Storekeepers have averaged over 3900 issues per month, achieving a 93 percent effectiveness rate. They have set Pacific Fleet records in achieving logistic readiness. The.se phenomenal results have been achieved while managing an inventory of over 51,000 items valued at over $57,000,000. This handful of key personnel have been the backbone behind keeping ESSEX ' S operational readiness at peak levels. When the ESSEX ' S Supply Department provides operational readiness and quality of life, crew morale is high and ESSEX is Ready for Sea! SI r0 l • -J aft y w k. y - SKC M D GREEN SKI T L BARKER SKI J D MARTIN AKl J K THOMPSON SK2 A A LACDAN SK2 L B STEELE AK3A CLANSY SN M D DANCY SKSN J M LEWITZ S2 CW03 R T VALERIO MSCS C A POWELL MSC 1 1 IGLESIA MSI E S CAMARA MSI T K KLINE MSI M S PARKS MSI A T SONGCO MSI R STEGMAIER MS2 R C BACON MS2 J D CURTIS MS2 D C LARSEN MS2 J T MORENO MS2 C D POPOVIC MS3 C E AUSTIN MS3 D C CRUZ MS3 A S EDWARDS MS3 J W FORSYTH E MS3H LOURO MS3 M A NOVAK MS3 SAGUNGRUALVA MS3 D S SMITH MS3 R I YNGSON MSSN T CALDERON MSSN J R CEDENO MSSN D M CRIPPS MSSN S A DERKEE MSSN IJALWALCmT MSSN R H PALADO MSSN J W PEARD MSSN REGENCZUK MSSN M H REIS MSSN T C VIERRA MSSN M L WARNER MSSN A C WHITE SA S E MARTIN S3 SH LTJG J L CORDER SHC J C BALANZA SHI J MCKEOWN SHI W ROBERTSON SHI B H THOMAS SH2G PGOSSIN SH2 ER MEDINA Service with a smile! SH2 D PLUCINSKI SH2 J V REID SH2 D E SHANK SH2 K S TORA SH3 A D SHELTON SH3 R E WATTS SH3 D T WRIGHT SHSN MCMULLEN SHSN A SCURLOCK SHSN D A WALLACE SKI C L RAMIREZ PCI J B TRIPLETT DK2 F CARRANZA DK2 D PHILLIPS PC3 A Y AFIR DK3 A M HAYES PC3 B K HULSEY PCSN R A SALDIVAR . ■— ■- ENS D GARTRELL MSC G CLAUDIO MSI D LIWANAG MSI A MARTINEZ MS2 J O FAIN MS2 L S MOSES MS2 F PERIQUET MS2 E SUDDUTH MS3S FULWOOD MS3 C L LYNCH MS3 A M RUIZ MS3 W SAMPAIO MS3 A J SGANGA MSSN J L HAGUE MSSN B KISSINGER MSSN T W MOORE MSSN R NAVARRO MSSN D M NGUYEN MSSN J S PERRIA MSSN D D REECE MSSN C SCHILLING MSSN C WORSHAM MSSA M CORREIA AK2 L CROCHERON AK2 E R DEZEMO SGT P D HAILEY AK2 S T HILTON C PL A M BORGES AK3 S J DEROVE CPL D M DICARLO AK3 D R GARRETT CPL J L NUNEZ AK3 P W WEST AKAN L C ARZABAL ARAN J A BIRD AKAN S B KRAMER LCPL B L NICKELL AKAR D SPANGLER S7 DPC D A CHILDERS DPC J D WILSON DPI D A EWING DP2 T J SAUER DP3 J T BENNETT DP3 D B KRAUSE DP3 M P MICHAUD DP3 W K PETERSON DP3 C D STANLEY SN K A NUTTALL LT J D MORALES SK SKCS P N VALENCIA SKI F M CASILLAS SK2 M W HULL SK2 M A SIMEON SK3 S R BURKE SK3 E E GARCIA SK3 L M MELONE ANPM RIOS SKSA C FLETCHER AKC B W RAYFORD ABHC J D SAWYER DS3 L S CRUISE BM3 L C TANG iCLJ LT J M BRANDT LT C K WONG BMCS B M SIMS GSMC P EREKSON QMCM GILBERT GSMC S L HUGHES GSMC W R O ' HERN GSEC B D PANNELL SKI P R FALLETTA GSMl K HORACAEK QMl T L MCCULLY GSEl J MCDONALD 051 K C ROGERS GSMl C T SCHMITT YNl J L TAYLOR 052 E L CLINE GSM2 A C EWERT GSM2 D A GUFFIN BM2 C E JACKSON OS2 D K KNIGHT BM2 J E MELTON HT2 R A MULTHUP BM2 J T PICKENS GSM3 R D FRALICK GSM3 R L HOLMES GSE3 S M MILES GSM3 W R RHODES HT3 R RODRIGUEZ HT3 R RUSSO GSM3 D S SHARPE GSM3 M D SMITH GSE3 D R SMITH ET3 J D WALKER (;SEFN C LAMBERT HTFN R J LEQUEUX GSMFN L MENDOZA HTFN R E MUNOZ FN D A RIPOLL FA M W CLEARY FA S E RAMOS HTFA Z R VIERCK FA G J WARNER f- f c M M 1 T Y A T 1 O S i ,1 1 1 1 4 •a i _ ijj M HHHHj H R V f HH H HflH P ' ' H E- IJHHHHii i i J J Ji iSy?EsW i 5 H v K 1 HHHMaMiM|| v; H pEv 7 ?m7!Sr 7 rir? 73 H n i I B ' 1 . H «H I K -I ' ' JJ H ■•■ H Hk. . ' j k UL ii-fr;. v ' . r ; ' . wis fc- ' iir5r. w BBB Wi ' ' ' Umii ' i ' ' ' ' ' iM W USS OGDEN (LPD 5) Amphibious Assault Readiness Group Three i T w USS FT. FISHER (LSD 40) Amphibious Assault Readiness Group Three 269 Colonel John C. Garrett Commanding Officer 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit, Fleet Marine Force John C. Garrett was bom in Stillwater, Oklahoma. He was commissioned a Second Lieutenant through the PLC program in 1969 after graduating from Virginia lylechnic Institute with a Bachelor of science Degree in Business Administration. After completing The Basic School in 1969, he was assigned to 1st Battalion, 9th Marines in Okinawa Japan where he served as the Weapons Platoon Commander, Company D. Shortly thereafter he served as Platoon Commander, Executive Officer, and Commanding Officer of Company M, 3d Battalion, 5th Marines in Vietnam through 1970. In 1971 he went to the 2nd Force Service Regiment as the Guard Officer. In 1974, Col. Garrett returned to The Basic School in Quanlico, Virginia as a Staff Platoon Commander, Ordnance Officer, and Basic Tactics Instructor. In 1978, after completing the Amphibious Warfare School, he returned to Okinawa where he commanded Company L, 3d Battalion, 4th Marines. Following this command, he served as the Operations Officer for 1st Battalion, 4th | Marines until 1981, then to the Tactical Exercise and Evaluation Group for the Combined Arms Exercise (CAX) program at the Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center in 29 Palms, Calif. In 1982, Col. Garrett attended the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College at Ft. Leavenworth, Kansas. Upon completion, he served at Headquarters U.S. Marine Corps as the Head of the Allocations Section, Manpower Control Branch. While in Washington DC. he earned an M.A. in National Security Studies from Georgetown University. Remaining in Washington DC, he attended the National War College at Ft. Leslie J. NcNair in 1987. In 1989, Col. Garrett completed a tour with the Current Operations Division, Headquarters, USCINCPAC and moved to command 3d Battalion, 3d Marines, 1st Marine Brigade. With 3d Battalion, 3d Marines (3 3) Col. Garrett deployed to Saudi Arabia and Kuwait in support of operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm. After relinquishing command of 3 3, he moved back to Washington D.C. where he served as Head, Manpower Policy, Planning, and Programming and later with the Budgeting Branch, and Manpower and Reserve Affairs Department until June of 1993. Col. Garrett ' s next assignment was as the Head, Amphibious Branch, G-3, 1st Marine Expeditionary Force (I MEF), Camp Pendleton. Calif. On April 5, 1994 Col. Garrett took command of the 13th MEU. Col. Garrett ' s personal decorations include the Legion of Merit (two, one with combat V ), the Navy and Marine Corps Medal, the Bronze Star (with combat V ), the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, the Meritorious Service Medal, the Navy Commendation Medal, and the Combat Action Ribbon (two). Col. Garrett is married to the former Mary Paul Callis of Virginia Beach, Virginia. They have four children; Chris, Beth, Virginia, and Blair. LIEUTENANT COLONEL WILLIAM C. MACAK EXECUTIVE OFFICER 13TH MARINE EXPEDITIONARY UNIT (SOC), FLEET MARINE FORCE Lieutenant Colonel William C. Macak was bom in Athens. Ohio on 25 November 1953. He was commissioned a Second Lieutenant through the Platoon Leaders ' Class (PLC) program in March 1976 after graduating from Florida State University with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Government Economics. Following graduation from the Basic School in September 1976. he earned Naval Flight Officer Wings in July 1978. Completion of F-4 Phantom training led to an initial assigninent to Marine Attack Reconnaissance Squadron -i in March 1979 at Marine Corps Air Station. El Toro, Calif. During the tour he served aboard the USS Midway (March 1980 to November 1980) which deployed to the Indian Ocean. In July 1983, he reported to Naval Air Station (NAS) Pensacola to start Student Naval Aviator training. In October 1983 he reported to Headquarters Marine Corps to work in the Weapon System Acquisition field. He was assigned in October 1986 to the F A-18D Operational Development Team (ODT). NAS Lemoore, Calif., where he served as Operations Officer. He completed F A-I9D conversion training and Instructor training at Fighter Attack Squadron- 125 and assisted in the writing of the initial F A-I8D Training Readiness Manual, aircrew coordination studies and Tactical manual reviews. He then transferred the the 3rd Force Service Support Group (FSSG) in Okinawa, Japan in October 1988. He was the Group Air Officer and Contingency Plans Officer. He also flew the OA-4M. OV-IOD, F-I5D, and AW ACS aircraft. He detached from 3rd FSSG October 1989 with orders to Marine Air Group 1 1 (MAG- 1 1) at MCAS El Toro. In November 1989. he refreshed in the F A-I8D and was the assigned TAD to MAG-50 for RIMPAC 1990. He returned to MAG- 1 1 in June 1990 where he was the MAG- 1 1 (Rear) Operations Officer until November 1990. Lieutenant Colonel Macak reported to MAG- 1 1 (Forward) Bahrain. United Arab Emirates, for Operation Desert Shield in December 1990. There he performed as Assistant Plans Officer. He wrote the FASTFAC Concept of Operations for Operation Desert Storm, planned the Group 48 hour ATO, performed as Air Boss, and flew 38 combat missions in the F A-I8D. After the war. Lieutenant Colonel Macak returned to MCAS El Toro and assumed his duties in the Operations Department of MAG- 1 1 . He was assigned to Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (All Weather) 225 as the Executive Officer in July 1991. Lieutenant Colonel Macak has fiown more than 1 000 hours in the F A- 18D. Lieutenant Colonel Macak was assigned to his present position as Executive Officer, 13th MEU (SOC), in April 1994. Lieutenant Colonel Macak s personal awards include: Two single-mission Air Medals with combat V , Strike Right Air Medal with numerical 3, Navy Commendation Medal with two stars, and the Navy Achievement Medal. Lieutenant Colonel Macak is married to the former Janie Stevens of Yuma, Arizona and has three children; Andrew, Kristin, and Jonathon. SERGEANT MAJOR ROBERT W. TASKER SERGEANT MAJOR 13TH MARINE EXPEDITIONARY UNIT (SOC), FLEET MARINE FORCE Following graduation from Coe-Browns, Northwood Academy in Northwood, New Hampshire in 1966. Sergeant Major Ta.sker enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps on 27 July 1967. The Sergeant Major underwent Recruit Training at the Marine Corps Recruit Depot, Parris Island, South Car- olina and completed inf anu training at Camp Geiger, Nortli Carolina. Upon completion of infantry training he was transfen d to Marine Aviation Training Command, Memphis, Tennessee during November of 1967 and com- pleted the Aviation Operations Specialist Course in March of 1968. The Sergeant Major ' s first permanent duty station wa.s with Headquarters, MAG-32, 2d MAW, Marine Corps Air Station. Beaufort, S.C. .serving as the Assistant Operations Chief for the MAG and was later transferred to VMFA-25 1 as the Operations (Thief. Receiving orders in August 1969, tlie Sergeant Major reported for duty with Headquarters, MAG-ll, DaNang, RVN in December 1969 via Staging Battalion. MCB Camp Pendleton. Ca. During December 1970, he was transferred to Cherry Point, N.C. where he served as the Operations Chief for VMCJ-2 followed by an assignment as the Operations Chief of VMFA-312. In January 1973, tlien Sergeant Tasker, was assigned to Recruiter ' s School, MCRD, San Diego, Ca., and was sub- sequently assigned to Recruiting Station, Baltimore, Md from March 1973 through June 1977 as a recruiter where he was promoted to Staff Sergeant. He was reassigned to the Office of the Assistant Chief of Staff, Recruiting, Parris Island, S.C. During June 1977 and was promoted to Gun- nery Sergeant in March 1978. He served in the capacity of NCOIC. Recruiting Laison Section until July 1980 when he was transfered to MCAS. Beaufort, S.C. to assume the position of Station Flight Operations Chief. During July 1982. Sergeant Major Tasker was transferred to the Headquarters, 4th Marine Amphibious Brigade, em- barked onboard the USS Mount Whitney (LCC-20) serving first a.s the G-5, Plans Chief and then the G-3, Operations Chief conducting several major NATO Exerci.ses in North- em Norway, Denmark and Germany. In August 1984, fol- lowing his promotion to Master Sergeant, he was trans- ferred to Headquarters, Allied Forces Northern Europe where he served until June 1986 as the Ground Operations Chief. During this period he was redesignated as a First Sergeant. Transferred during June 1 986 to the I st Marine Division, Sergeant Major Tasker was a.ssigned as the First Sergeant for Company I, Third Battalion. I si Marines where he served until following his selection for Sergeant Major he was muisferred during July 1989 to Recruiting Station, San Diego, Ca. as the Station Sergeant Major. Completing his third tour of Recruiting Duty, he was transferred back to the 1st Marine Division where he served consecutively as the Battalion Sergeant Major of 1st Battalion, 1st Marines   - and then the 1st Light Armored Reconnaissance Bati Sergeant Major Tasker assumed his current position as the Sergeant Major, 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable) during June 1994. Sergeant Major Tasker ' s personal decorations include the Navy Achievement M edal and three Meritorious Service Medal. Sergeant Major Tasker is married to the former Dianne Konopka of New Hampshire. They have two children; Tammie and Kristie. History of the 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit (SOC), FMF (950409) The 1 3th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) was activated at Camp Pendleton, California on 1 February 1985. It is one of three West Coast MEUs which make periodic deployments to the Western Pacific, Indian Ocean, and Persian Gulf regions. Since its activation, 13th MEU has completed eight Western Pacific Deployments, participated in forty-five amphibious training exercises, visted thirteen foreign countries, and conducted combat operations in support of Operations Desert Shield, Desert Storm, and United Shield. The Fighting 13th MEU has experienced a number of firsts. It was the first West Coast MEU to be designated as Special Operations Capable, having undergone extensive training in conducting a wide variety of special missions. It was the first MEU to deploy with Landing Craft Air Cushion (LCAC) and the Mastiff remotely piloted vehicle, and the first West Coast MEU to deploy with a force reconnaissance platoon. The 13th MEU (SOC) ' s special operations capabilities were used extensively on its deployment during Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm. Beginning a routine deployment on 20 June 1990, the MEU was diverted to Southwest Asia in August 1990. The first amphibious force to arrive in theater of operations, 1 3th MEU conducted the first offensive actions against Iraq by Marine units. In October, elements of the 13th MEU (SOC) boarded two Iraqi tankers that refused to obey the United Nations sanctions. The MEU conducted a number of operations during Desert Storm including a helicopter raid on Maradim Island, Kuwait and amphibious operations the day the ground war started. The MEU ' s last combat operation in Desert Storm was an Iraqi prisoner of war roundup on Faylaka Island, Kuwait, on 3 March 1991, which resulted in 1,413 Iraqi prisoners. The 13th MEU returned to the United States on 16 April 1991 after being deployed 301 consecutive days. The 13th MEU (SOC) deployed again in January 1992 in support of its Western Pacific commitment. During this deployment, the MEU conducted training operations in the Persian Gulf, Africa and Thailand. Addtionally, the MEU was the last deploying unit to visit the Philippines prior to the closure of Naval Station, Subic Bay. In September 1993, the 13th MEU (SOC) sailed to the Western Pacific, keeping its normal deployment schedule. After completing a routine exercise in Okinawa and a liberty port call in Hong Kong, the MEU was redeployed to Somalia in early October in response to increasing hostilities there. As a key element of the newly-formed COMMARFOR SOMALIA, the 13th MEU (SOC), along with the 22nd MEU (SOC), remained on station ready to provide direct support to United States and United Nations forces ashore. By mid November, the 22nd MEU (SOC) was reassigned back to the Mediterranean area of operations, resulting in the disestablishment of COMMARFOR SOMALIA and leaving the 13th MEU (SOC) as the principle rapid response force in support of the joint task force ashore. During the execution of this vital presence mission, the MEU developed and executed two humanitarian assistance operations. The first, dubbed operation Show Care took place in the cities of Marka and Qoryooley from 11-14 November. From 1-3 December 1993 Operation More Care was conducted in the Old Port of Mogadishu. Both operations provided badly needed medical and dental assistance to the Somali people and went far to enhance civil military operations. The 13th MEU (SOC) continued its presence mission throughout December and January, providing aircraft for the Eyes Over Mogadishu mission as well as sniper support at the United States Embassy BATTALION LANDING TEAM (Ground Combat Element ) [GCE) compound The 24th MEU (SOC) calls in Thailand, Singapore and Hong Kong, the MEU returned to the United States on 16 March 1994 to begin immediate plans for the next pre-deployment workup period scheduled to begin in April 1994. The 13th MEU (SOC) began its eighth Western Pacific deployment 25 October 1995 only seven months after returning to Camp Pendleton. The MEU conducted its first scheduled exercise on Okinawa, 11- 13 November. Immediately following its completion the MEU conducted a liberty port call in Hong Kong and then sailed south to Singapore to conduct 5 days of bilateral training with the Singaporean Defense Forces. Following the training in Singapore the 13th MEU (SOC) sailed north to the Persian Gulf and came under operational control of COMUSNAVCENT. During the time the MEU was deployed in the Persian Gulf they conducted three major exercises: Eager Mace 95-1 in Kuwait, Nautical Mantis 95-1 in Saudi Arabia, and Iron Magic 95-2 in the United Arab Emirates. Each of these exercises involved extensive bilateral training with the host nation and all were dubbed a success. Additionally during this period the MEU conducted a real world Maritime Interdiction OperatiorWisit Board Search and Seizure (MIOA BSS) mission aboard the Honduran flagged Merchant Vessel Ajmer which was in violation of United Nations sanctions with Iraq. During January 1995 the 13th MEU (SOC) received an execute order to conduct Operation United Shield; the withdrawal of UNOSOM forces from Somalia. Immediately after receiving this warning order the MEU sailed south to Africa and conducted operational rehearsals in Kenya. On 3 February 1995 the MEU was in position off the coast of Somalia and began conducting initial reconnaissance of the operational area and liaison with UNOSOM forces. Early morning on 28 February 1 3th MEU (SOC) conducted an amphibious assault onto Somalia soil and began executing a relief-in-place with UNOSOM forces. By 2 March the withdrawal of all MARINE EXPEDITIONARY UNIT (MEU) COMMAND ELEMENT SQUADRON (Reinforced) I Aviation Combat Element ) (ACE) SERVICE SUPPORT ELEMENT (Combat Service Support Elemenl) (CSSE) PERSONNEL 2.050 Marines; 100 U.S.Navy personnel. Total: 2.150 GROUND FORCES EQUIPMENT 5 Tanks and or 8-17 Light Armored Vehicles (LAV) 8 8IMm Mortars 32 Dragon Missile Launcheis (anti-armor) 8 TOW missile launchers (tube-launched, optically sighted. wire-guided anti-armor) 12 amphibious assault vehicles 4 155mm howitzers 4 1 OSnun howitzers AIRCRAFT AND MISSILES 12 CH-46 medium-lift assault helicopters 4 CH-53 heavy lift assault transport helicopters 3 UH-1 utility helicopters 4 AH- 1 attack helicopters - The squadron could be rein- forced by one VMA Det (6 AV-8B) Venical Short Takeoff and Landmg (V STOLl attack aircraft and 2 KC- 1 30 aenal refuelers as the laciical situation dictates. ) 5 Stinger surface-to-air missile teams While the numbers of per- sonnel and types and quan- tities of equipment shown here are typical of those for a MEU, the actual numbers vary; prior to deployment, an MEU is tailored to meet specific or anticipated mis- sion requirements. MEU COMMAND ELEMENT Surveillance. Reconnais- sance and Inielligence Delachmcm REIN HELICOPTER SQUADRON REIN INFANTRY BATTALION CSSE MEU SERVICE SUPPORT GROUP MOTOR TRANSPORT PLATOON MARINE AIR CONTROL GROUP (DETACHMEhfT) i ASSAULT MPH1BIAN PLATOON -Tanks. LAVS, or twn COMBAT ENGINEER PLATOON LANDING SUPPORT PLATOON ENGINEER SUPPORT PLATOON UNOSOM forces was complete and during the first hours of 3 March, the final Marine forces departed Somali soil. Operation United Shield was a complete success. Following Operation United Shield the 1 3th MEU (SOC) sailed south to Perth, Australia for a port call and some well deserved liberty. After leaving Australia the MEU sailed north to Okinawa to conduct an LCAC turnover with the 3 1 st MEU and proceeded southeast to Hawaii. Forward . . . From the Sea THE STRATEGIC IMPERATIVE The vital economic, political, and military interests of the United Slates are truly global in nature and scope. In many respects these interests are located across broad oceans, and to a great extent they intersect those of current and emergent regional powers. It is in the world ' s littorals where the Naval Service, operating from sea bases in international waters, can influence events ashore in support of our interests. Because we are a maritime nation, our security strategy is necessarily a transoceanic one. Our vital interests-those interests for which the United States is willing to fight-are at the endpoint of highways of the seas or lines of strategic approach that stretch from the United States to the farthest point on the globe. Not surprisingly, these strategic lines and their endpoints coincide with the places to which we routinely deploy naval expeditionary forces: the Atlantic, Mediterranean. Pacific, Indian Ocean, Red Sea, Persian Gulf, and Caribbean Sea. Reductions in fiscal resources, however, dictate that we must refocus our more limited naval assets on the highest priorities and the most immediate challenges, even within these areas of historic and vital interests to the United States. Naval forces are particularly well-suited to the entire range of Military operations in support of our national strategy. They continue the historic role of naval forces engaged in preventive diplomacy and otherwise supporting our policies overseas. Moreover, forward-deployed naval forces-manned, equipped, and trained for combat-play a significant role in demonstrating both the intention and the capability to join our NATO and other allies, as well as other friendly powers, in defending shared interests. Finally, if deterrence fails during a crisis and conflict erupts, naval forces provide the means for immediate sea-based reaction. This could include forcible entrj ' and providing the protective cover essential to enabling the flow of follow-on forces which will be deployed, supported, and sustained from the continental United States. In short, forward-deployed naval forces will provide the critical operational linkages between peacetime operations and the initial requirements of developing crisis or major regional contingency. PEACETIME FORWARD PRESENCE OPERATIONS Naval forces are an indispensable and exceptional instrument of American foreign policy. From conducting routine port visits to nations and regions that are of special interest, to sustaining larger demonstrations of support to long-standing regional security interests, such as with UNITAS exercises in South America, U.S. naval forces underscore U.S. diplomatic initiatives overseas. Indeed, the critical importance of a credible overseas presence is emphasized in the President s 1994 National security Strategy; . . . presence demonstrates our commitment to allies and friends, underwrites regional stability, gains U.S. familiarity with overseas operating environments, promotes combined training among the forces of friendly countries, and provides timely initial response capabilities. In peacetime U.S. naval forces build interoperability -the ability to operate in concert with friendly and allied forces-so that in the future we can easily participate fully as part of a formal multinational response or as part of ad hoc coalitions forged to react to short-notice crisis situations. Participation in both NATO Standing Naval Forces and in a variety of exercises with the navies, air forces, and land forces of coalition partners around the Pacific rim, Norwegian Sea, Arabian Gulf, and Mediterranean basin provide solid foundations for sustaining interoperability with our friends and allies. Additionally, the outreach to the former Warsaw Pact countries in the NATO Partnership for Peace program will further build solidarity and interoperability. We have already made solid progress in expanding and intensifying our cooperation with the navies in Eastern Europe with exercises such as BALTOPS 94 and BREEZE 94, which included units from Bulgaria, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Romania, Russia, and Ukraine. U.S. forward-deployed naval forces have also contributed to humanitarian assistance and disaster-relief efforts-from the Philippines to Bangladesh to Rwanda- with similar, very positive, results. Although naval presence includes a wide range of forward-deployed navy and Marine Corps units afloat and ashore in friendly nations, our basic presence building blocks remain Aircraft Carrier Battle Groups - with versatile, multipurpose, naval tactical aviation wings - and Amphibious Ready Groups - with special operations-capable Marine Expeditionary Units. These highly flexible naval formations are valued by the theater commanders precisely because they provide the necessary capabilities forward. They are ready and positioned to respond to the wide range of contingencies and are available to participate in allied exercises, which are the bedrock of interoperability. We have also turned our attention to examining the naval capabilities that could contribute to extending conventional deterrence. In this regard, forward-deployed surface warships-cruisers and destroyers-with theater ballistic missile defense capabilities will play an increasingly important role in discouraging the proliferation of ballistic missiles be extending credible defenses to friendly and allied countries. By maintaining the means to enhance their security and safety, we may reduce the likelihood that some of these nations will develop their own offensive capabilities. Our efforts will thereby slow weapons proliferation and enhance regional stability. In addition, even as we have shifted our emphasis to forward presence and power projection from sea to land, the Navy continues to provide a robust strategic nuclear deterrent by maintaining strategic ballistic missile submarines at sea. As long as it is U.S. policy to ensure an adequate and ready strategic nuclear deterrent, our highly survivable strategic ballistic missile submarines will remain critical to national security. CRISIS RESPONSE U.S. naval forces are designed to fight and win wars. as are all elements of our military arsenal. To successfully deter aggressors, we must be capable of responding quickly and successfully in support of U.S. theater commanders. Forces deployed for routine exercises and activities girding forward presence are also the forces most likely to be called upon to respond rapidly to an emerging crisis. The potential for escalation dictates that present forces must be shaped for missions they may encounter. This provides theater commanders with credible crisis-response capabilities in the event normal conditions or outcomes do not turn out as we expect. Building on normally deployed forces, we can mass, if the situation requires, multiple Aircraft Carrier Battle Groups into Carrier Battle Forces, Amphibious Ready Groups with embarked Marine Expeditionary Units, and as needed project our naval expeditionary forces ashore using the afloat Maritime Prepositioning Force. Such as massing of naval units can be complemented by the deployment of Army and Air Force units to provide a joint force capable of the full range of combat operations that may be required. A U.S. warship is sovereign U.S. territory, whether in a port of a friendly country or transiting international straits and the high seas. U.S. naval forces, operating from highly mobile sea bases ' in forward areas, are therefore free of the political encumbrances that may inhibit and others ise limit the scope of land-based operations in forward theaters. The latter consideration is a unique characteristic and advantage of forward-deployed naval forces. In many critical situations. U.S. naval forces alone provide theater commanders with a variety of flexible options - including precise measures to control escalation — to respond quickly and appropriately to fast-breaking developments at the operational and tactical levels. Whether surging from adjacent theaters or from continental U.S. deployment bases, naval forces are uniquely positioned, configured, and trained to provide a variety of responses in the event of an unexpected international crisis. Their operational flexibility and responsiveness are a matter of record. The most recent examples of crisis-response operations are summarized here. REGIONAL CONFLICT Naval forces make a critical contribution in a major regional contingency during the transition from crisis to conflict. Forward naval forces deployed for presence and reinforced in response to an emerging crisis can serve as the transition force as land-based forces are brought forward into theater. Using a building-block approach. U.S. naval forces can be tailored with specific capabilities. The resulting naval expeditionary force-conceptually built around fleet operational forces and a forward-deployed Marine Expeditionary Force-can provide a highly flexible force for a wide range of missions, including long-range operations and early forcible entry to facilitate or enable the arrival of follow-on forces. Focusing on the littoral area. Navy and Marine Corps forces can seize and defend advanced bases-ports and airfields — to enable the flow of land-based air and ground forces, while providing the necessary command and control for joint and allied forces. The power-projection capabilities of specifically tailored naval expeditionary forces can contribute to blunting an initial attack and, ultimately, assuring victory. The keys to our enabling mission are effective means in place to dominate and exploit littoral battlespace during the earliest phases of hostilities. Moreover, the unique capabilities inherent in naval tactical aviation operating from our sea bases or expeditionary airfields, as well as the capability to contribute to sustained land combat operations, provide theater commanders with flexibility in the conduct of littoral operations. Throughout the 20th century. Marine Air- Ground Task Forces, placed ashore initially as enabling forces, have fought and contributed decisively in every major ground conflict. Similarly, naval tactical aviation has made pivotal contributions when the nation ' s air power was needed in combat. In the event of a future regional conflict. U.S. naval forces will assume critical roles in the protection of vital sealift along the strategic lines of approach to the theater of conflict, including the air-and sea-ports of debarkation. Our success in a major regional contingency will depend upon the delivery of heavy equipment and the resupply of major ground and air elements engaged forward. Sealift is the key to forces sustainment for joint operations, and we are committed to a strong national capability. JOINT AND COMBINED OPERATIONS No single military service embodies all of the capabilities needed to respond to every situation and threat. Our national strategy calls for the individual services to operate jointly to ensure both that we can operate successfully in all warfare areas and that we can apply our military power across the spectrum of foreseeable situations — in peace, crisis, regional conflict, and the subsequent restoration of peace. The enhanced combat power produced by the integration of all supporting arms, which we seek to attain through joint operations, is inherent in naval expeditionary forces. For example, the Aircraft Carrier Battle Group integrates and focuses diverse technologies and combat capabilities to assure the dominance of the air. surface, and sub-surface battle space necessary for the pro.secution of subsequent campaigns. Marine Expeditionary Forces, employing marine Air-Ground Task Force (MAGTF) combined-arms doctrine, are the most versatile expeditionary forces in existence. Established by law to be forces of combined arms, together with supporting air components, forces. Just as the complementary capabilities of Navy and Marine Corps forces add to our overall strength, combining the capabilities and resources of other services and those of our allies will yield decisive military power. MAINTAINING OUR NEW DIRECTION The new direction for the Naval Service remains focused on our ability to project power from the sea in the critical littoral regions of the world. We remain committed to structuring our naval expeditionary forces so that they are inherently shaped for joint operations, with the emphasis on operations forward from the sea, tailored for national needs. Recent Department of the Navy budget decisions, which resulted in a real increase in spending on littoral warfare and the means for power projection, are illustrative of the shift in priorities we have undertaken since the publication of . . . From the Sea. As we continue to improve our readiness to project power in the littorals, we need to proceed cautiously so as not to jeopardize our readiness for the full spectrum of missions and functions for which we are responsible. In the two years since . . . From the Sea was published, we have expanded on and capitalized upon its traditional expeditionary focus. Expeditionary implies a mind set, a culture, and a commitment to forces that are designed to be deployed forward and to respond swiftly. Our new direction provides the nation: Naval Expeditionary Forces Tailored for National N eeds Shaped for Joint Operations Operating Forward . . . From the Sea CONCLUSION From the Sea was the initial step in demonstrating how the Navy and Marine Corps respond to the challenges of a new security environment. Our strategy and policies continue to evolve as we learn from our recent experiences and prepare for the new challenges and opportunities of this highly dynamic world. Naval forces have five fundamental and enduring roles in support of the National Security Strategy; projection of power from the sea to land, sea control and maritime supremacy, strategic deterrence, strategic sealift, and forward naval presence. We will continue to can out these roles to protect vital U.S. global interests, citizens, allies and friends, wherever they may be at risk. The Cold War may be over, but the need for American leadership and commensurate military capability endures. Many of our most vital interests remain overseas where the Navy and Marine Corps are prepared for new challenges — forward deployed, ready for combat, and engaged to preserve the peace. THE ONE SHOP CAPT R. MYRICK GN SGT H. LAKE SGT C JONES CPL W SCOGGIN SGT G. WADE CPL D. GOODHN LCPl. S TWEEDELL LCPL M. MADISON SGT K ROZYCZKO CPL R. ROTTHOFF I AINTTAKIN ' IT! ADMIN CMCC POSTAL ' HURRY, TAKE IT! MY BACK HURTS S.l CHRISTMAS CHOIR POSTER MARINE ' ■WHERE ' S OUR MAIL. SGT D ' ' 02-110-2-0 FU 110-112. f) Above: To coincide Willi Naval Counicrparts. Disbursing brushes up on Us warfighling skills during General Quarters. Left: Cpl Dennis emerging from The Bush in Singapore. We can only pray he doesn ' t have llashbacks. LCDR Robert J. Clark RPSN Ian R. Sparrow Above; RPSN Sparrow selling lor Mass m the library. Right: The chaplain team hitching a ride on a LAV in SomaUa. CHAPLAIN Chaplain Clark celebrating Daily Muss in the Library. s-s (y ou ciiow, Ycof M rj one lia miou. . . c oe i t iat mea?i t iaf we a ae( iei liem ? (paacr Q riaca c . . . 0 171 o icratwri tv co7t YwaiY i ' n ' d sis iHeaf ca cd. . .una a nae omcy o ea r yo I ' Ve aye eaiit tia io a y o ' f Kim . . . air iHo ,e ■iioitj ' a ' iiDita (ovk (ihe a rZ rnj ' n till V yrnf. . . ' } n i iTnc ce ana nDrycii Oyfe. ta .i a acoa jame, tmf wAen it corttei to t ir rtt i iry f irrA tfi f ie rcaa fir ' j i aro i ajufto u t icc )i f ie Hf ' f ... If ico-mMKt  O ' y aKi . G ta r xi : ii ai eai we, ;e, a i awia taynet. Q Vud: 9 0 io , we W ' ce a ea i 6( f f oi ' riftar fe :.t MAJ. D. SHELTON OIC CAPT. J. WALLS S-2A GYSGT K. MCGUIRE S-2 CHIEF T £ Jja6Ci i C, SOT C. BECKMAN CPL J. OOTEN CPL S. STARKS PMts ! ' J j ' „l A. A nolo ofJ XT ! Uvincm l P OIO 57 GYSGT M. MCRAE SGT H. JURGILEWICZ SGT A. POULLAS CPL S. GROTE en rTP CW02 V. AYALA SGT V. BIBLE GYSGT A. STRUELENS SSGT J. ERASER . SGT M. DEMSEY SGT K. HINYARD - i ] VOPO :s m Ji -Zt:: SGT D. CHESSON CPL B. WILLIAMS r I w7r MAJ K. P. OKEEFE CAPT R. W. GATES CAPT M. HAMESTER CAPT B. B. BROWN CAPT J. C. KRAFFT ISTLTJ. R. HOLLAND CW02 D. A. DUNCAN MSGT R. S. GERARD SSGT C. D. SHEPARD SSGT D. NEACE SSGT J. F. FARRELL LCPL V, RENTERIA S-3 O P s . riS- Sii imi i ig , imm YOUR NEEDS! OUR MISSION! AMMUNITION ARMORY EMBARKATION MAINTENANCE MGNT SUPPLY LTCOL J.A. ROGERS CAPT T.J. WATTS CAPT J K HOTTHNDORF CWO.I D W PRENTICE HMC E.R. SORENSON SSGT S.P. AVENETTI SOT J. CASTILLO SOT K.D. PICKEL SGT W.G. WEPPNER SGT C.R. THOM SGTPD BITLEK CPL H. CONTRERAS CPL A. L POWELL CPL J. L. GRIFFIN LCPL L.W. MARTIN II! WHO TOOK MY SAW (lA.MI: I ' OINl NO COMMENT MARTIN AFTER 3 MONTHS 1 FOREST GUTMAN ..- ' VaV tU, ' Pidi. f Pid does iV e X3V - ° ' ,cV- ' A ' My names Gy Gutman, my friends call me Gy Gutman B— -h! ■What ' Danger ' HA HA HA! MAJ R. W. SCHIEKE. JR STAFF JUDGE ADVOCATE CPL J. J, LOPEZ LEGAL CHIEF GYSGT R. W. TURNER PUBLIC AFFAIRS OFFICER SGT D. D, ANDERSON PUBLIC AFFAIRS CHIEF ■ ' onder, should Just another day lor Force Legal, doing this I ' PHOTO I NOT I AVAILABLE I GySgt. Nolan R. Egemo Headquarters Commandant Cliiel ' Cpl. Kevin S. Bartlett Commanding Officer ' s Food Specialist MAOImhl ?JK vV ■ -vjv v ' -v- ■■ ' ' -A ' •■■r- Above left: GySgt. Egemo Teachers range Above: Cpl-Bergin works with combat cargo on 13th MEU (soc) ' s Westpac 95-1 deploy- ment. Left: Lcpl Hanman stands near the 13th MEU (soc) Coc front gate entrance in Somalia. ' 90 ' ■ sym FORCE RECONNAISSANCE DET. )UARTERS 1 St PLATOON TEAM 1 - %  jr ' ! ' 1st ANGLICODET 1st AIR NAVAL GUNFIRE LIAISON COMPANY CAPT. D, HIGGINS CAPT. G. HALLINAN CPO E. QUIRK CPL C. GEORGE SGT, K. HARRISON CPL. C. BARTO SGT. D. OSWELL CPL. D BALL CPL. D. PAPPAS CPL R. BOSHER SUPPORTING ARMS LIAISON TEAM E IstLt J. Hraba OIC 1st Radio Battalion Detachment 13-94 (kneeling, l-rl: Cpl B.J. Gurka. Cpl W.A. Powell. Sgt C.E. Haug. Cpl S.R. Taylor. Sgt J.R. Fogartv. Cpl T.K. Lownian. Cpl R.L. Rodriguez. Cpl J.W. Baker. Cpl B.C. Richer. Sgt P.P. Lee. and Cpl K,D. Brammer. (standing. 1-r) IstLt P.J. Hraba (OIC). SSgt E.J. Hanks. Sgt R.R. Istre. Cpl J.C. Guidry. Sgt W.D. Griesmever. Sgt G.D. Knepp, Cpl J.P. Moore. Sgt CM. Ceme. and GvSgt B.D. Hagberg (NOCOiC). GySgt B. D. Hagberg NCOIC SSgt E.J. Hanks Senior Analyst Sgt W.D. Griesmeyer RCTTL Sgt G.D. Knepp RRTTL Sgt CM. Ceme MEWSS TL I swear. Sir. They were RIGHT HERE five minutes ago! Exactly how many Radio Bn Marines DOES it take to make coffee? For Meritorious Service Under Fire, the Combat Action Ribbon is Awarded to Radios? What Radios? It never really was a fair fight! BATTALION LANDING TEAM 3 1 -r -It W Lieutenant Colonel Philip D. Tracy Commanding Officer Battalion Landing Team 3 1 Lieutenant Colonel Philip D. Tracy enlisted in the Marine Corps in May 1966. He served as a field radio operator in Vietnam with the 1st Marine Division from March 1967 to April 1968. He was honorably discharged in April 1969. Returning to civilian life. Lieutenant Colonel Tracy attended Western State College. Gunnison, Colorado, where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Education, and was commissioned a Second Lieutenant in 1974. After completing The Basic School, Quantico, Virginia, 2ndLt. Tracy was ordered overseas to serve with the 3rd Marine Division, Okinawa. Japan, as an 81mm Mortar Platoon Commander. He was promoted to First Lieutenant in January 1976. Following his tour in Okinawa, he served at the Marine Barracks, Subic Bay, Republic of the Philippines, where he was promoted to Captain. Returning stateside in November 1978, Captain Tracy was assigned as Commanding Officer, Company A, 1st Battalion, 9th Marines, 2nd Marine Division, Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. In March 1981 Captain Tracy was assigned to the Infantry Officer Advanced Course, Fori Benning, Georgia. Upon graduation, he served as a Tactics Instructor. In February 1983. Captain Tracy was assigned as a Company Commander and later, the Operations Officer for Officer Candidates School, Quantico. Virginia. He was promoted to Major in August 1984. Major Tracy attended the Command and Staff College from August 1985 to June 1986. Following graduation he transferred to Camp Pendleton. California, where he served as the Operations Officer for the 1 1th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU). Lieutenant Colonel Tracy assumed the command of Recruiting Station Dallas on 9 July 1988 where 1991. Lieutenant Colonel Tracy transferred to Headquarters, Marine Corps in July of 1991 where he was assigned as a Special Operations Action Officer, Special Operations Low Intensity Conflict Branch. He attended the National War College, Fort McNair. Washington D.C., from August 1992 until June 1993. He assumed command of 3rd Battalion, 1st Marines in July 1993. Lieutenant Colonel Tracy ' s personal decorations include: the Meritorious Service Medal, the Navy Commendation Medal, Navy Achievement Medal, and the Good Conduct Medal. Lieutenant Colonel Tracy is married to brmer Jeannette Bailer of Cleveland, Ohio. They have four children; Lisa (20) Valerie (17), Jill 3), and Michael (10). ■ Major Herbert A Hopper Executive Officer Battalion Landing Team 3 1 Major Herbert A. Hopper earned a Bachelor of Science degree at the United States Naval Academy, and was commissioned a Second Lieutenant in 1978. After completion of the Basic Officer Course and Infantry Officer Course, Quantico, Virginia, he reported to First Battalion, First Marines at Camp Pendleton, Calif. 2ndLt. Hopper served as a Rifle Platoon Commander, Battalion Adjutant, Company Executive Officer, and then Company Commander. He was assigned to School of Infantry, Camp Pendleton, Calif., in November 1982 for duty as a Company Commander and Officer in Charge of all Tactics Instruction. From August 1985 to May 1986, Captain Hopper attended Amphibious Warfare School, Quantico, Virginia. Upon graduation he transferred to First Battalion, Sergeant Major Bimie Sergeant Major Battalion Landing Team 3 1 Sergeant Major Bimie enlisted in the Marine Coprs in September 1972. After Recruit training at MCRD, San Diego, and Infantry training at Camp Pendleton, Calif., he reported to his first duty station with Company A, 3d Recon Battalion, Hawaii. In February, he graduated as the Honor Graduate from the Marine Security Guard School and was assigned to detachments at the American Embassy in Abidjan, Ivory Coast, and the American Consulate in Casablanca, Morocco. Upon completion of his tour as a Marine Security Guard in November 1977, SgtMaj. Bimie reported to 1st Battalion, 8th Marines, as the Operations Chief, where he served through two deployments to the Mediterranan. He was promoted to Staff Sergeant and was the Honor Graduate at the Staff NCO Academy during this tour. In November 1979, he reported to the Squad Leader School as a .senior in.structor until October 1980, when he retumed to Marine Security Guard Battalion for assignment as the Detachment Commander at the Fourth Marines, Twentynine Palms, Calif., where he served as Weapons Company Commander and then Battalion S-4 until August 1988. His next duty station was with the Inspector-Instructor Staff, Twenty- Fifth Marines, Worcester, Massachusetts and later as the Inspector-Instructor, First Battalion, Twenty-Fifth Marines on Cape Cod, Massachusetts. He was promoted to Major in October 1990. Major Hopper was a student at the United States Army Command and General Staff College, Fori Leavenworth, Kansas from July 1991 until June 1992, when he took command of Marine Corps Security Force Company, Navy Support Facility, Diego Garcia. He reported to Headquarters Battalion, First Marine Division in July 1993 where he served as the Future Plans Officer, G-3 Operations, until he assumed duty as Executive Officer, Third Battalion, First Marines in February 1994. Major Hopper ' s personal decorations include two Navy Commendation Medals and two Navy Achievement Medals. Major Hopper is married to the former American Embassies throughout North Africa, particularly, Georgetown, Gayana, Tunisia; and Rome, Italy. Gunnery Sergeant Bimie retumed to the United States in November 1985 and joined the Command Element of the 5th Marine Amphibious Brigade as the Contingency Plans Chief. Gunnery Sergeant Bimie was selected for the Staff NCO Degree Completion Program, attended National University and recieved his Bachelor of Business Administration Degree in April 1989. Selected for promotion to First Sergeant he was ordered to 1 st Light Armored Infantry Battalion where he served through one Western Pacific deployment, Operation DESERT STORM, and the Los Angeles riots. First Sergeant Bimie continued his education and earned a Masters in Business Administration degree in May 1993. In Jul 1993, he reported for duty as the First Sergeant for Marine Corps Security Force Company, Naval Air Station, North Island. He was selected to Sergeant Major and reported to his current position with 3rd Battalion, 1st Marines in August 1994. Sergeant Major Birnie ' s personal decorations include the Meritorious Service Medal, Navy Commendation Medal with Rose Marie Barrera of San Diego, California. They have four sons. two gold stars and Combat Distinguishing Device, Navy Achievement Medal, and the Combat Action Ribbon. He is married to the former Linda Lou Torgerson. They have a daughter, Celia (10). History of Battalion Landing Team 3 1 The 3rd Battalion, 1st Marines was activated 1 March 1941 at Guantanamo Bay. Cuba. During April 1941, the battalion relocated to Parris Island, South Carolina, before being deactivated on 18 June 1941. It was reactivated on 16 February 1942 at New River, North Carolina, and deployed to Wellington. New Zealand, during June and July 1942. 3rd Battalion, 1st Marines participated in campaigns on Guadalcanal, New Guinea, New Britain, Peleliu, and Okinawa. After World War II, the battalion participated in the occupation of North China from September 1945 to April 1946. It was deactivated on 15 April 1946 at Tientsin, China. On 4 August 1950, the battalion was reactivated at Camp Pendleton, Calif., and deployed to Kobe, Japan the following month. It participated in the Korean War from September 1950 to July 1953, operating from Inchon, Seoul, Chosin Reservoir, and the East Central and Western Fronts. After the war, the battalion participated in the defense of the Korean Demilitarized Zone until April 1955, when it relocated to Camp Pendleton. From October to december 1962, it was mobilized for the Cuban Missile Crisis. The battalion was deployed to Camp Schwab, Okinawa during September 1965 for the Vietnam War. It conducted operations in Vietnam from January 1966 to May 1971 from the following areas; Chu Lai, Da Nang, Thang Binh, Hoa Long, Than Thuy, Ca Lu Combat Base, and Hoa Vang. Relocation to Camp Pendleton was completed during May 1971. 3rd Battalion, 1st Marines was designated as Battalion Landing Team 3 1 and deployed to Okinawa for training at various times during the early 1980 ' s. It deployed to Southwest Asia in 1991 for Operations DESERT SHIELD and DESERT STORM. During May 1992 the battalion deployed to Los Angeles, Calif., for Operation PEACEKEEPER, helping to quell the Los Angeles riots. THUNDERING THIRD The 3rd Battalion, 1st Marines, which makes up the core of Battalion Landing Team 3 1, is reinforced by several vital attachments. The attachments each bring their own individual histories and unique capabilities to the BLT. Indirect fire support is provided by Alpha Battery of the 1st Battalion, 11th Marine Artillery Regiment. Alpha Battery has also proven its ability operate as a fourth rifle company, providing further flexibility to the BLT. Delta Company, 1st Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion adds mobility and firepower to the force. 4th Platoon, Echo Company, 1st Assault Amphibian Vehicle Battalion, gives amphibious mobility and firepower to Lima Company. Construction, demolitions, and other engineering tasks are performed by 4th Platoon, Alpha Company, 1st Combat Engineer Battalion. 4th Platoon, Division Reconnaissance Company gives the BLT its eyes forward and amphibious reconnaissance capability. HBS COMPANY CAPT N, SHUEHLE ISTSGTL. PATE GYSGT R. THOMAS SOT J. MARCUS CPL W. GALLION CPL K. MILLER CPL L YEARICKS LCPL A, RUDDICK CW03 A. RENTERIA SSGT A. GARCIA CPL E. HARRINGTON CPL M. HURD CPL C. MEDICI CPL D. STRAUSS CPL S. THOMAS LCPL J. LARGO LCPL D. POINTER LCPL S. SANCHEZ LCPL M. SOSA LCPL J. WEBB ISTLTM. LWIN GYSGT S, THALHAMMER SGT J. JULIEN SOT R. WILLIAMS CPL W. BICKET CPL J. CASELLA CPL G. MAESTAS CPL K. MATHIS CPL J. PERRODIN CPL J. PINEDA CPL M. RODRIGUEZ LCPL C. PANIAGUA ISTLTC. SHAUGHNESSY GYSGT D. ROBERTS SSGT W. CANTRELL SSGT D. NOYES SGT S. AHERN SGT C. CARLSON SGT T. GERDES SGT B. STOTTS CPL E, ASH CPL C, CLARK CPL M. DECICCO CPL J. GOODRICK CPL D. KEE CPL K. MULVEY CPL P. PRATT CPL P. RIALS CPL D. SUTTLES LCPL C. BRYANT LCPL E. FOLSTAD LCPL B. GAUTHIER CPL J. GRAMBOW LCPL E. ROBERTSON LCPL T. SALVADOR LCPL B. SCANLON LCPL W. SKINNER MAJ R. RICE CAPT M. ARBONEAUX CAPT I. FERGUSON CAPT S. PELHAM CAPT M. VACCA CW03 E. JOHNSON CW02 P. KOEBEL MSGT R. SEGURA SSGTJ. REBERNIK SGT M. JEFFERY SGT J. MALONE CPL T. JENKINS LCPLJ. AVERY LCPL R. CAMPBELL LCPL A. GORNEY LCPL A. MARMOLEJO CAPT C. NORFLEET 1 STLT D. FULLER GYSGT A. HICKS SSGT R. JIMENEZ SSGT D. SWETZ SGT L. TUNSTALL CPL G, ALLISON CPL J. CANTONWINE CPL J. COVARRUBIAS CPL S. ESPINDOLA CPL P. FORD CPL R. MAGALLANO LCPL J. BOWERS LCPL J. BROWN J l iJS LCPL W. VALOIS ISTLTK. MCROSTIE MSGT J. CARLOS SSGT C. SOLOMON SOT T. GRAY CPL V. GUERRERO CPL J. HORNER CPL W. LANGFORD CPLC. MATHIS CPL M. OVERTURE LCPL M. BURROWS LCPL B. DEBOARD LCPL R. DIRSCHELL LCPL S. DUCKSWORTH LCPL A. HEINEMEYER LCPL B. HOLBROOK LCPL A. MENDES LCPL D. MOORE LCPL W. YOUNG ISTLT A. REYER GYSGT L FISHER SGT D. NORWOOD SGT R. RAYBURN CPL T. HUTSON CPL T. JEFFERSON CPL G. PRIETO CPL K. STOBBE LCPL J. BARR LCPL N. LEANDRY PVT D. LEACH GYSGT J. KUBETZ SSGT M. DOBBINS sSGT R. THOMAS CPL O CAMPBELL C PL S. FARRELL t PL A. PORRECA CPL H. TARPLIN CPL R. WEAVER LCPL R. AVON LCPL B. BELL LCPL J. BRIDGES LCPL M. DIAZ LCPL D. DONALDSON LCPL J. ESTRADA LCPL J. GILMER LCPL D. GONZALES LCPL M. GUEST LCPL G. HEBERT LCPL G. VEGA ISTLTM. STEADMAN GYSGT M. ARMSTRONG GYSGT P. MEDINA SSGT S. GALLEGOS SGT L. BILLIE SGT B. HELMS SGT A. OSTLER SGT K. SCHMIDT SGT S. VILLAGRANA CPL P. FIGUEROAPEREZ CPL S. GARCIA CPL J. MILLER CPL C. MORAN CPL A. SCHWEHR CPL R. SNYDER CPL E. STEEPENS CPL S. STONE CPL S. SWEENEY CPL P. VELA CPL S. VIEAU CPL C. WADE CPL T. WARNER CPL R. WEITSEN 313, CPL A. WILSON CPL C. YOSINAO LCPL R. CHINCHILLA LCPL M. CHURCH LCPL C. DAMGAARD LCPL B. DAVIS LCPL J. DEAN LCPL J. DOB LCPL J. DRASCULA LCPL M. DRENON LCPL G. DUCY LCPL E. GARNER LCPL R. SAUNDERS LCPL J. THOMPSON LCPLC. WIELAND LCPL C. WILSON LCPL M. WILSON PFC D. CHAVIS PI-C J. ROBINSON HMCS D. CORTEZ HMI E.STEARNS HM2 V. BOROWY HM2 F. FERNANDEZ HM2 D. FLETCHER HM2 R. PAUL HM2 E. ROSCOE HM2 V. YAZON HM3 M. BERMUDEZ HM3 T. FORCIER HM3 A. MCCOY HM3 J. WILLIAMS HN N. BESCH HN P. FARQUHAR HN R. TOTANES CHAPLAIN LT T ADCOCK RP A. PELZL Wm- ' «■ 1 r ' i J mJ ■ B NiJ V ' H 1 iif r j W 1 l ll WEAPONS COMPANY HEADQUARTERS PLATOON CAPT D. PINEDO, COMMANDING OFFICER CAPT R. STEENROD. EXECUTIVE OFFICER ISTSGT C. PALSEY, CO. ISTSGT. MSGT B. WOODS, OP ' S CHIEF CPL D. MCALLISTER. TRAINING NCO LCPL W. BRADO, ARMORY CUSTODIAN LCPL T. MORRISON, POLICE SGT. LCPL K. HAINES, ARMORY CUSTODIAN LCPL J. MCMURL, CO CLERK HM3 J. CRUZ, CO. CORPSMAN ISTLT W. CI Kk PLT CMDR SSGT R. WHITNEY 1 ST SECT. LDR CPL J. TAYLOR 1ST FDC CHIEF GYSGT A. HOWARD PLT SGT SSGT D. BANDY 2ND SECT. LDR CPL J. FERGUSON 2ND FDC CHIEF LCPL J. PHIPPS LCPL A. SMITH LCPL B. TOPPEN LCPL W. CORDEIRO HM.3 M. MCLAIN SGT R. BROWN. iSTSQDLDR CPL J. TURNER LCPL L. ACKERMAN LCPL S. RATNAPALA CPLS. WARD. 2ND SQD LDR LCPL J. VARNER LCPL T. VANVOORST LCPL E. GARDNER SGT A. BAKERSKY. 3RD SQD LDR LCPL K. DAVLIN Gun 2, Add 2.000! LCPL M. BUSTOS LCPLM. OM ALLEY LCPL N. JACKSON CPL M. BLAHOTA, 4TH SQD LDR LCPL J. WEBER LCPL C. GALE LCPL J. ZAVALA LCPL S. TURNER LCPL D. ROOK LCPL C. LONCHIADIS, LCPL S. TRUEMAN 2ND FDC CHIEF LCPL C. EDWARDS HN J. DOUCET SGT C. BURGIN, 5TH SQD LDR LCPL W. CONSTANTE LCPL M. MAXIE LCPL R. ZINSKI SGTC. RUCKER. 6TH SQD LDR LCPL S. LEE LCPL T. COLLINS LCPL J. CARRICO LCPL C. WILSON CPL T. SHRUM. 7TH SQD LDR LCPL J. SCOTT LCPL R. MEYER LCPL A. HOGREFE CPL S. HANK CPL J. COOPER, 8TH SQD LDR LCP L J. MOORE LCPL T. PILAND PFC J. DEMING Thoughts of a Warrior To my fellow Marines I want you all to know, together we live and together we grow. The stuff we have been through can not be explained, we have endured a year of sweat, loneliness, and pain. Soon the time will come for us to prove who we are, we will fight on a beach somewhere unforgivingly far. No matter how long the battle or how bloody the scene, the enemy will fall to the U.S. Marines. And if somewhere on the battlefield I fall, I want it to be known in the hearts of all. It was not for my country that I fought and died. It was for you Marines that fought by my side. LCPL J. PHIPPS 02 n a) ClAkY lA ISTLT. R.HUMPHREY, PLT CMDR GYSGT A. ANTONIO, PLT SGT SSGT P. TONE, SEC LDR SSGT D. HOPP, SEC LDR SGT B. COVEY SGT R. PEARSON ,SGT J. CHAMBERLAIN CPL A. BATTISTA CPL P. RING CPL M. SNYDER CPL B. CRISWELL CPL J. LAWN CPL R. ADKINS CPL K. GARCIA LCPL B. ARNOW LCPL S. CRIDDLE LCPL R. BOYD LCPL C. ALBRIGHT LCPL D. MOLONEY LCPL F. STRICKLIN LCPL R. SCHNARR LCPL I. SCOTT LCPL G. DUNN LCPL C. BERRYHILL LCPL S. MORGANDO PFC D. DOLBEER LCPL D. SHELLEY LCPL K. PLEPLA LCPL B. ZERINGUE LCPL C. ZlOLKOWSKl LCPL E. GARCIA LCPL J. HERNANDEZROBLEDO LCPL R, DOWNEY LCPL I. MURILLO LCPL N. FAVILLA CPL R. BIRCH LCPL J. KNOTT LCPL J. BRONSON LCPL C. ORAM LCPL A. BLAKELY LCPL R. ALFARO CPL C. DELCOLLO LCPL P. RODRIGUEZ LCPL C. BAKER LCPL P. PAWLIK Top Left, Lcpl Criddle in Kuwait. Right, 1st Lt, Hum- phrey, during Exercise EAGER MACE. Below. Sgt Covey, Sgt Chamberlain, and Sgt Polfer. The most important part of training, ' Police Call. ' ISTLTJ. MARQUET, PLTj CMDR SSGT S. QUINTANILLA. PLT SGT SSGT D. STOVALL, SECT LDR SSGTS. DUTKO. SECT LDR SSGT S. DONAHUE, SECT LDR SQD LDRS: SGT R. PEREZ SGT B. POLFER CPL W. KUCZYNSKI CPL S. OLDHAM CPL P. VESTERGAARD CPL J. KOFFORD CPL J. KOEHLER CPL B. LOWE I CPL I SILVA CPL D. SAWATZKI CPL A. GIRARDIN CPL A. BRANDFASS 1ST SECTION: LCPL M. AFFLERBACH LCPL H. BICKFORD LCPL J. BOZEK LCPL G. DOMINGUEZ LCPL E. GREGORY LCPL T, HECKER LCPL D. LUTH LCPL B. MANNING LCPL J. PANDAK LCPL M. SETZLER 2ND SECTION: LCPL L. COVEY LCPL R. GRAY LCPL J. HAREMZA LCPL L. MCDONALD LCPL D. NOVACEK PFC R. PENA LCPL R. ROTHWELL LCPL R. SHIELDS LCPL J. VILLALOBOS LCPL A. WAHL 3RD SECTION: LCPL D. BREWICK LCPL S. CAMPBELL LCPL R. FRANCK LCPL J. FREEMAN LCPL M. FIGUEROA J H i •■Mi ■MMtt ' ' ■ ■ •■ — ' ■■•■ « ' — SSWlfe lSiSMBt , --. - - - - ' ' ' ' T™™™ ' •  .. . • ' S ' - :i:r ' ' i ' ' m ; ii  j ji r.,T aL.a ... --- 1 ,; mpii -Tiiv=C3_.i4r. - — INDIA COMPANY RAIDERS COMPANY COMMANDER COMPANY XO CAPT J. REIST ISTLTD CLARK COMPANY ISTSGT ISTSGTR. CANNADAY COMPANY GUNNY GYSGT K. JONES INDIA COMPANY BOAT MECH ' S CPL T. RUSSI CPLJ BARNHART CPL M. PIERSON COMPANY ARMORERS COMPANY CLERK AND POLICE SERGEANT CPL J. SCANLAN LCPL T. HOLMES LCPL F. MRAZIK LCPL S. TOLBERT ARTILLERY FO ' S AND SI ' S FO ' S LSTLT L. ALEXANDER LCPL D. GRAHAM LCPL J, LEDLEY LCPL A. SURIAN COMPANY CORPSMAN HM3 J. KING COMPANY RADIO OPERATOR CPL D. CUMMINGS PLT COMMANDER PLT SERGEANT PLT CORPSMAN 1 s T P L A T O O N T H E S c o u T S W I M M E R S ISTLTD. WELT CPL L. RIVERA SSGT R. DIXON SOT K. HEINER CPL J. GOODPASTER CPL D. KOSKI CPL R. MEREDITH CPL M. SNIDER HN J. JONES CPL J. POTEET LCPL W. CRILLEY LCPL C. DUERKSEN LCPL W, EMBSER LCPL J. EVERETTE LCPL J. HAGEN LCPL J. JONES LCPL J. KEEHN LCPL E. KNOX LCPL T. NELSON LCPL L. MILLER LCPL R. SAHLBERG LCPLJ. SCOFIELD LCPL A. SMITH LCPL K. STUCKI LCPL J. STOUFFLET LCPL M. THOMAS LCPL S. TRESSLER LCPL E. ROBINSON LCPL 1. RODRIGUEZ LCPL R. TUBBS LCPLJ.NUMSEN LCPL J. PLATT PLT COMMANDER PLT SERGEANT PLATOON GUIDE PLT CORPSMAN ISTLT R. CAUDILL SSGTD. SEARS SGT A. RUIZ HM3 A. VERONIE CPL J. WARREN CPL J. GARCIA CPL T. VANDERAU CPL C. PAULSEN CPL W. RAVENSCROFT LCPL E. ENGlJAIIL 2ND PLATOON THE ASSAULTERS LCPL R. FOWLER LCPL J. FARRELL LCPL R. ESTUDILLO LCPL S. RIDDLE LCPL S. MORRIS LCPL S. MOELLER LCPL A. MENDES LCPL K. MAZEL LCPL D. LITTLEPAGE LCPL K. LAMBERT LCPL B PAULSON LCPL B RLISSELL LCPL T. SAUCEDO LCPL S. FRENS LCPL R. FUQUA LCPL C.GOMEZ LCPL C. GUTIERREZ LCPL J. HANDLL ANU LCPL C. HARRIS LCPL J. KAPENAS LCPL M. FOSSEY LCPL P I LORES ICPL I, MANFORU PLT COMMANDER PLT SERGEANT 3RD PLATOON QUIET PROFESSIONALS PLT GUIDE PLT CORPSMAN SGT M, HUNT HN J, BORDELON SGT S, SARCilvXNT CPL S. RIZZA CPL R. KUCKS CPL J. WHITLEY CPL M. WILSON LCPL D. HENRY LCPL A. GUISAO MARITIME SPECIAL PURPOSE FORCE LCPL B. HILEMAN LCPL D. HOEMANN LCPL K. HUTSELL LCPL S. JOHNSTON LCPL R. KIPP p LCPL D. ARTIBANI LCPL C. BATES LCPL M. BRADLEY LCPL M. BRAZEB LCPL M. GOULD LCPL R. WALTERS LCPL J. VILLEGAS LCPL M. VEST LCPL J. SENA LCPL W. ROBERSON LCPL R RAPICH LCPL M. MAGNER LCPL B. MCDONALD LCPL S. MCEARLAND LCPL W. MCMILLAN ,,M - LCPL M. MEARS LCPL D. MOORE LCPL E. OATES LCPL D. PAIGE WPNS PLATOON THE BIG GUNS PLT COMMANDER PLT SERGEANT PLT CORPSMAN I STLT S. FIACCO SSGT D. WINTERBORNE SOT J. MORALES HM3 W. CERDA SOT H. RAMIREZ CPE D. HERNDON CPL P. MURPHY CPL C. ROGERS CPL G. GARCIA CPL T. NAUSS CPL J. FORTUNE CPL M. GALLOWAY CPL J. POSAS LCPL M SHOVLIN LCPL K. PARKER LCPL S. SPRLUHLL LCPL S. CHOATE LCPL B. CALDWELL £ a mmr I . ' ..t:,.,i LCPL S. CANTU LCPL K. AMICK LCPL S. HARTSOCK LCPL J. HANSHEW LCPL J. GRAALMAN LCPL E. GROSSMAN LCPL E. DAVIS LCPL C. KENDRICK LCPL L ZIEBELL LCPL J. RICHARDS LCPL D. NELSON LCPL J. MIRANDA LCPL M. DRAPER c K t ' ' jt Jl Bhw M ' %. ' j: at % M m{ ' CAPT A. SOLGERE ISTLTJ WOULFE ISTSGT K. WESTRUP GYSGT P. GROSS CPL D. YELAVICH LCPL J. DENNIS LCPL R. GAMMON LCPL M. WARREN LCPL R. RICHARDS LCPL B. COOK HM3 B WOODWARD WHERE THE Action (S.. HEADQUARTERS READY FOR ACTION. ISTLTM. HEFFERNAN SSGT R. ROYAL CPL D. VOLLMER LCPL A. MCCLAIN LCPL J. MONCADA LCPL H. DOCKERY LCPL J. SADLER LCPL D. JACOBS LCPL R. NORMAN LCPL M. MARTINEZ 1ST PLT. KUWAIT LCPL C. DEBEAL ' COURT LCPL J. REHN LCPL L PATTERSON Through the rough times, there was not a platoon who stuck together as close as First PlAtOON. Never letting a man give up, or letting him quit on himself. First PlAtOON knew what teamwork was all about. We spent months together, learning how each one of us thought, how each one of us acted. If one man was hurting, the plAtOON knew it. A Band of Brothers ' is what we were, and we all took pride in it . . . Cpl Blanton. HN C SHIPEE ' i THE MYTH. THE MAN. THE LEGEND ... OR SOME- THING LIKE THAT. CPL R. KENNON LCPL R. BOLLINGER NATURAL BORN 3f(b. auAD CPL R. BL ANTON LCPL J. HENDERSON PEG C. JOHNSON LCPL M JEWELL LCPL M MILES LGPL J. ROJAS LCPL R. HARMON 2ND TEAM, HARMON STANDING IN FOR MILES, .1 SGTJ. MEDELLIN CPL A. CONTRERAS LCPL R BROCK LCPL S. KULPACA LCPL J. CAMPOS LCPl. A. KJOLHEDE LCPL P. ENCINIAS LCPL h. JOHNSON LCPL R. RAY LCPL A. PEREZ ' i ' ' ' ly a ;:JIS . .J-:0 , C ' frv; LCPL P. ERYAR 1ST SQUAD A. LCPL J. GUTIERREZ SGT A. MONDRAGON LCPL S. SCHEFE LCPL J RINGLER LCPL B. STCJLP LCPL R. SKIFF LCPLJ.CHAIREZ When you mention 2nd platoon, the word teamwork will always come up. Like every other platoon in the corps, you always have tempers, but whenever something needs to be done everything seems to disappear except the job at hand. We ' ve been together now for over a year and never once in that year was there a time a marine needed help and didn ' t get it . . . Lcpl Schefe. ■1 WONDER IF A CANH L WILL PASS HIRDI ( ill CLS- TOMS?. ' LCPLG. WARE LCPL M. CHAVEZ LCPL P. SCHMITZ LCPL D. WESTBROOK HM3 J. GRANGER SGT M. MCCAULEY CPL H. MONROE LCPL J. MITCHELL LCPL M. CAUSEY LCPL L. DEVEMARK 3RD SQUAD WORKING HARD IN SOMALIA! LCPL C DELANEY LCPL D. BISHOP LCPL R. BLANKENSHIP LCPL A. MCNEW LCPL D. SEAMAN LCPL M. MCGEE LCPL J. RUIZ LCPL J. HULL LCPL T. KING LCPL L PEREZCHAVEZ LCPL J. CLASEN LCPL M. PENNY HM3 A. LALONDE LCPL M. RUNNING WE TRAVELED OFF TO FOREIGN LANDS AND EXPERIENCED NEW AND DIFFERENT SCENES. THE REASON WHY WE DO TNI S X5 WE ' RE UNITED STATES A ARINES. SEMPER EI . 2ND SQD, SRD PLT CPL C. CASANOVA CPL C. HALL LCPL D. WHITCOMB LCPL D. KOIVISTO LCPL E. ROCKWELL LCPL B. KNOESPEL LCPL C. PENA LCPL M. NITZEL LCPL D. BHNDBR LCPL D. BRUNS HEY BABY! WANNA BITE? CPL E. RIGS CPL H DIAZ LCPl. W HUCiHES LCPL J BARNES LCPL C. BURNAROOS CPL RIOS AND LIBO BUDDIES! 3RD PLATOON SEA- mhT s 8r%l LCPL J. RODRIGUEZ LCPL N. WILSON LCPL V. VILLALOBOZ LCPL T. TRACZYK LCPL J. AREVALO ISTLT M. DAVIS SSGT D. DANIELS SSGT J. DARLAK SGTJ. MEANS CPU R COOKE CPL R. BRAGAN CPI. J. KAMAI LCPL I. ANDERSON LCPL R. BUITRON MapoN3RtQ33] UWLL QFSTEEl CONTRERASBAEZ LCPL W. DOWLING LCI ' l. M. liGC.IMANN LCPL A. GREENE LCPL A. HOLM l,(PL R. HENSON LCPL R. MARTINEZ LCPL J. MERCADO LCPL J, NEWTON LCPL C. NYANDER LCPL J OLALDE ALWAYS RUNNING OFF AT THE MOUTH. AND THE GUN! ! ! 033 LS IN KUWAIT. LCPL D. WE.ST HM3 K. LEMASTER SGT R. HINNANT CPL H. MORFIN CPL J. BURBANK CPL T. STUMM LCPL G RHlSt LCPL D. SCHULTZ LCPL S. KNIGHT LCPL C MCINTYRE LCPL R. TOPMILLER LCPL B. KRIPPK L CA CALL you ORDE R LCPL S. SEILER LIMA COMPANY Company Commander CAPTJ. BUDWAY Company XO LTM. MACKEY Company First Sergeant ISTSGTR. RIVERA Company Gunny GYSGTD. VOGELWEID Company Armory CPU L. HILDRETH CPL C. HUNT LCPL R. WILLIAMS Anillery FO s ISTLT J. GORDON CPL J. BRYANT LCPL J. BELL Company Police Sergeant CPL T. EBERLE Company Mail Clerk CPL C. BENDER Company RO I-CPLD. SAMUEL ISTLT A. SMITH SSGTJ. GREEN SGT T. GOVAN SGTJ. RUSSAVAGE Plauion Commander Platoon Sergeant CPL T. CARROLL CPL M. DAWDY CPL A. LOPEZSANMIGUEL CPL B. MUNRO CPL D. OLSEN CPL J. VESPER CPL S. VIKLUND HM3 M. BRESKE LCPL J. BUTTS LCPL E. DUNN LCPL C. FARRELL LCPL B. FIELDERS LCPL J. GOSS LCPL J. GUTIERREZ LCPL F. GUZMAN LCPL J. HATHAWAY LCPL J. HEIDT LCPL J. HOULDIN LCPL R. IBARRA LCPL K. JOHNSON LCPL A. KIDDER LCPL J. LEWIS LCPL J. LOWE LCPL W. MARTINEZ LCpl Goss wails to conduct live fire in Saudi Arabia. ISTLTB. WALSH SSGTJ. REW SGT A. SMITH SGT C. COLE Platoon Commander Platoon Sergeant 2 N D P L A T O O N CPL S. FOWLER CPL D. GEARGE CPL J. HARTFORD CPLT. KLINK CPL C. LEETE CPL T. NELSON HM3 R. LEMOS LCPL G. BOUE LCPL H. BOYD LCPL C. BOYLES LCPL A. BRODA LCPL J. CAMPOS LCPL D. COX LCPL R. EDWARDS LCPL D. ENRIQUEZ LCPL T. FARRIS LCPL R. GARCIA LCPL B. GARZA LCPL C. HARRISON LCPL C. HOWE LCPL M. HUNTOON LCPL B. JONES LCPL F. MILLER LCPL J. PALAFOX LCPL E. PEREZ LCPL K. RICHARDS LCPL J. ROSALES LCPL J. SEEFELD ' Where the hell am I? ' Sgt Smith hard al work. ' ' I ' m missing Beavis and Biitt-head. ' 3 R D P L A T O O N ISTLTH. WEEDE SSGT M. CLEVELAND SGT K. TURNER SGT B. FAPSO Platoon commander Plaloon Sergeant CPL D. BALSEIRO CPL M. SCHNEIDER CPL J. TAYLOR HM3 G. ROMEROSA LCPL G. BARNES LCPL W. BEECHUM LCPL C. BLAKESLEE LCPL K. GALVAN LCPL R. GARCIA LCPL W. HELGESON LCPL J. HOLLERAN LCPL D. JACOBS LCPL A. KARAMINAS LCPL R. KINDBERG LCPL S. KY LCPL C. LANE LCPL L. LOPEZ LCPL R. MCCASLIN LCPL L MCCLELLAN LCPL C. MOORE LCPL J. MORT LCPL M. OROSCO LCPL M. OTTERBECK LCPL M. PARADLS LCPL S. PHONEXAYPHOVA LCPL P. POWERS LCPL D. SANTIAGO LCPL G. SOLIS LCPL R. STOTZ LCPL M. WHEELER LCPL W. WHITEMAN LCPLG. WICKERSHAM LCPL M. WILKS The Four Stooges knJ ■ ■ ' pat ' VB ' i ' H h ' m m r m- j| i .„„. — M w p N S P L A T O O N Platoon commander Platoon Sergeant ISTLTJ. LESTER SSGT J. ESPOSITO SGT R. JACKSON CPL C. KIMMERLE CPL D. MORGAN CPL B. ROSSEN CPL J. SCHOCH CPL M. TATUM CPL J. TENIENTESEGUNDO HM3 M. DUCRE LCPL P. AGUIRREDIAZ LCPL C. AMES LCPL D. BERRY LCPL E. BLAKELEY LCPL M. BROPHY LCPL P. CRAWFORD LCPL M. ESTRADA LCPL L. EVANS LCPL J. EENLON LCPL A. FISHER LCPL R. FISHER LCPL M. GARZA LCPL J. GLADIN LCPL J. LAESCH LCPL B. LINCOLN LCPL B. LUX LCPL R. MARTINEZ LCPL D. MCFARLANE LCPL B. MOORE LCPL D. MOORE LCPL N. MOREHOUSE LCPL D. PORRATA LCPL J. QUINN LCPL J. SAWRIE LCPL D. SCHROCK LCPL M. SPONSELLER LCPL J. THOMAS LCPL M. VENTURA LCPL D. WELTY LCPL R. WHITE CPL A. WIESENHAHN CPL M. DEVANE LCPL K. ADAMS LCPL L. BAKER LCPL I. DANNER LCPL A. ELROD LCPL K. HERNANDEZ LCPL F. LUNA LCPL C. LOSETH LCPL K. MINER LCPL J. PICKLE LCPL E. ROSAS M ■9 ' m l L. • l ' l ' y i 1  ._ A ' ffi ri (|w| 9 ' . •vi3s l P s 1 H SoSsH ' ! ' .■ ' - ' l- fj I M b J v ' ifi t ' ■ ' : m r r f m... ,i S ' - r iL , li n 1 l .v -; ' ' i li: Wf ni M yn 1 Vv wL W[ lr« i-r ' i ll Ei- J | 5 ' . 1 viNiBiv Hflk CAPTC. FELTON I STLT C. STODDARD ISTSGT R. SMITH SSGT M. THEULEN LT C. BLECKICKI ISTLT S. LUTTRELL I STLT C. PRICE ISTLT D. LEWIS ISTLT J. ALFORD ISTLT M.TYSON SSGT T. NUNLEY SSGT N. EUBANK SSGT V. CURRIER SSGT C. OKONSKl SSGT J. LOPEZ SSGT G. OCONNELL ALPHA BATTERY Leit ide: CPL D. ANDERSON, LCPL R. BAUTISTA, LCPL D. BELL. LCPL K. BENNETT. LCPL E. BERRL .SGT R. BLANKENSHIP. LCPL A. BROWN, CPL K. BROWN. CPL G. BRUNOT. LCPL W. BURDEN. LCPL B. BURR. LCPL J. BUSH- EY. Bottom Two: SGT S. CAMERON. LCPL J. CAMPBELL. Right side: LCPL A. CANTO. LCPL N. CERALDL LCPL H. CHAMBERS. SGT J. CORONA. LCPL K. DAVIS. LCPL M. DE- LAFLOR. LCPL R. DELORGE. LCPL W. DENNIS. CPL J. DOBRANIECKL SGT R. EDWARDS. LCPL E. FAICCO, CPL K. FORREST. Bottom Two: PFC J. GIACO- PELLL SGT W. GILBERT. Left side: LCPL S. GONSALVES, CPL J. GONZALEZ. CPL J. GRANADOS, LCPL M. GRAVES. CPL D. GRAY, SGT R HAR- RIS. SGT P. HEDEGARD. LCPL B. HELL- ING. LCPL D. HELLINGER. LCPL J. HOHNSTEIN, LCPL P. IMERGOOT. CPL T. IVEY. Bottom Two: CPL T. KASTEN, LCPL C. KAYTON. Right Side: LCPL B. KOPP, CPL A. KU- LEVICH. LCPL C. LAIS. LCPL H. LAM. CPL L. LANDEROS. LCPL W. LANE, CPL J. LEZALLA. LCPL J. LONGACRE. LCPL R. MAHR. LCPL D. MARTIN, LCPL M. MARTIN, LCPL C. MIERZWINSKI. Bot- tom Two: CPL B. MOLINI, SGT J. MON- TANO. Left side: LCPL J. MUNOZ. LCPL M. MUS- QUIZ. PFC M. NATAL, LCPL R. NEW- MAN, LCPL F. OCEGUEDA, CPL D. OG- DEN, SGT T. OLSEN. CPL A. OLSON, CPL C. OSMAN. LCPL M. PACHECO, PVT J. PARCEL. CPL R. PEEBLES. Bottom Two: LCPL O. PEREZ, LCPL T. PEREZ. Right side: CPL D. RANSOM, LCPL P ROBERTS, LCPL R. RODRIGUEZ. CPL R ROOTH, CPL A. RUELAS, LCPL N. SAV AGE, LCPL R. SCARBROUGH. LCPL J SCHURICHT, LCPL S. SEA, LCPL D SHEPARD, LCPL W. SIVER. LCPL B SMITH Bottom Two: PVTD. A. SMITH CPL DR. SMITH. Left to Right: LCPL J. SMITH, LCPL C. SPRECHER, CPL D. SPRUELL, SGT S. STAHL, LCPL S. STROH, CPL M. SUTH- ERLAND. LCPL M. TADDEL LCPL C. TAYLOR. SGT B. THOMAS. CPL D. THOMPSON, LCPL D. VANCLEVE. CPL T. VARGAS, HN J. VASQUEZ, CPL E. WASHINGTON. LCPL B. WHITE. HM3 M. WIELOSZYNSKI. CPL B. WILLIAMS. LCPL J. WILLIAMS. LCPL E. WILLIAM- SON, CPL C. WILSON, LCPL H. WILSON, CPLG. ZEILER. Art Drawn By: Icpl Schur- icht. ■■Mb ffHl ■ ,. ' . li  . H i jB p f . w o G D A Y 1 1 ■ f ■ - l H ( T J H ■ 1 iJEa B 1 The SHELLBACKS reign su- preme as the rituals of wog day became a reahty to the wogs in the early morning hours. As wog day com- menced the wogs anxiety be- gan to diminish. By noon all wogs had become TRUSTY SHELLBACKS. The LCAC attempting to unload the Guns AGAIN. Cpl Ku- levich the mad scien- tist hard at work. SSgt Lopez on a mission. Kuwait firing range. KUWAIT Helling walking the convoy shutting off headlights. Neg- ative Terry. 5 is mine. Convoy stopped at sheep- crossing. WHAT! WE ' RE TOO FAR NORTH! The first nighl in Jebal All and a case of BUD is too much tor Ll. Alford and Lcpl Taddei. Davis and Martin hold Vancleve up for a toast. r if ' s. Canto makes a new fnend. Another one of those nights for Gray and Gonsalves A3N ® CO: CAPT P. FORD XO: ISTLT B. MONTGO- MERY i M Oil® ISTSGT A. VIGIL GYSGT B. MASON GYSGT M. VARELLA CPU S. MONTEE CPL R. McSWEENEY LCPL J. PEREZ LCPL T. KLEINSCHMIT IXPL M. HESS SGTG. POITRA LCPL J. WILSON CPL M. DOELL LCPL J. HALVERSON LCPL J. MCGEE LCPL R. RASMUSSEN LCPL P. ANNUNZIATA rJ ii N LTE. OBRIEN SSGT T. BROWN SGT A. HERNANDEZ SGT T. ARTHUR , v CPL R. JOHNSON CPL M. ANDRIANO CPL T. CHANDLER CPL D. GLEIM CPL J. MONTGOMERY CPL A. SNEDEKER LCPL C. COMELLO LCPL J. COMPTON LCPL T. CROCKER HM3 P. DUNOMES LCPL H. EDDY LCPL A. GARGANO LCPL N. HALEY LCPL J. JOHNSON LCPL C. KALAR LCPL J. RULE LCPL D. SMITH LCPL S. SPITLER LCPL M. WALlir.Ki LCPL S. WHELAN LT: 592 ' S CREW SCOUTS IN KUWAIT. BELOW: CELE- BRATING THE HOLIDAYS IN THE GULF. RT: OUT DRINK- ING. LT: A MATCH MADE IN HEAVEN? BELOW: BUNCHA DRUNKS. RT: 519 TESTING THE HALON SYSTEM IN KUWAIT. LT M. PICKETT SSGT D. CRANE SGT A. BECKER SGTJ. WILSON CPL P. GALLAHER CPL K, GOODIN CPL T. PHAM CPL J. STROTHER CPL P. WOOD LCPL S. ALBRIGHT LCPL T. ARMIJO LCPL A. BENZON LCPL J. DURAN LCPL T. FOERSTER LCPL R. FOX LCPL B. GRIBBLE LCPL U. HERRERA LCPL D. JENKINS LCPL J. JOHNSON LCPL C. LAMP LCPL F. McCALLUM LCPL R. MORRIS LCPL D. ROSS LCPL K. SCHMIDT LCPL J. SHARPE III LCPL S. SILVERNAGEL LCPL M. TRUONG 1ST LT T.CARTER PLT CMDR GYSGT J. SHERROD PLT SGT SSGT S. HUGO SSGT D. BOLAND SGT S. MARUNA SGT R. ZUNIGA SGT S. GRADE SGT S. YOUNGS CPU C. BECK CRL D. COMBS CPL S. DICKMYER GPL J. GOODWIN CPL G. JENSEN EM3 D. MCRAE CPL J. RAMIREZ CPL J. SACHS CPL M. SAVING CPL J. SCHEPIS JR. CPL A. WITHEM LCPL M. BARRY PFC M. BURDETTE LCPL D. DAHOZY LCPL W. DOBRATZ LCPL R. CAVANAUGH LCPL F. CORREA LCPL A. FERNANDEZ LCPL E. FIERRO LCPL C. GUEVARA LCPL A. HAYES LCPL S. HELBEJ4G LCPL C. HOOKER LCPLK. JACKSON LCPH ' . KEATING iCPl! A. LANZA LCPL P. LEHMAN LCPL C.LOPEZ LCPL D. MARTIN LCPL W. MARVEL ' 7 LCPL M. MAYER LCPL J. NAVARRO LCPL C. NEIL LCPL R. NEVAREZ LCPL B. PAULSON LCPL G. PITRE LCPL R. PROCELL JR. LCPL S. RAMOS LCPL R. SELLERS LCPL T. TODACHINE LCPL B. TREASTER LCPL F. YAZZIE STLT C. BARRETT GYSGT R. DOXTADER SGT A. WILSON HN D. PEREZ CPL J. JOKINEN CPL. R.JOE LCPL W, ROBINSON LCPL J. KIRKWOOD CPLC. SARADIN CPL K. SMITH CPL. T. YAN LCPL R. VALVERDE LCPL B. BOONE LCPL M. MILLO LCPL A. GLUYAS PFC J. CHARLES CPL. J. BAO CPL J. BATIE CPL M. HOFFMAN CPL E. BERGEMANN LCPL R. HERNANDEZ CPL J. TESSARO CO. ENGR BN SGT R. ORTIZ CPL I. DENNY CPL M. DOW SGT J. MATHIS LCPL D. SHARP LCPL J. LANCE LCPL T. BEAN LCPL J. MCCOY CPL M. LANEY CPL T. ROBERTS LCPL T. DALTON LCPL E. MAGNUSON CPL A. BURROW LCPL J. VILLARREAL LCPL A. WINTERBOTTOM LCPL B. JACKOWITZ LCPL R. SALINAS LCPL D. NERI CPL E. FJALSTAD LCPL T. SEXTON LCPL E. MONTES BLT RECON Headquarters ISTLTM. MARCENELLE SSGT C. WRAY HM2 D. ONIFER HM3 B. BISHOP LCPL L. CARDER Team One SGT R. GIGER GPL J. PEREDA LCPL D. CUMMINGS LCPL T. DODSON LCPL M. HARDING LPL P. HAVLICEK Team Two SGT D. FRANKLIN LCPL D. KIRBY LCPL W. KERN LCPL S. LASCELLE LPL D. LINAHAN LCPL A. PETERSON Team Three SGT R. DAVILA CPL R. PELAYO LCPL S. GUTIERREZ LCPL J. COLLMORGEN LCPL J. PFITZNER LCPL J. SCHNURR DECK I4 ' ■ ' .. .-. Ulk I L1EU1 ENANT COLONEL WILLIAM J. NIEMASIK COMMANDING OFFICER MARINE MEDIUM HELICOPTER SQUADRON 161 HMM-161 Lieutenant Colonel William J. Niemasik was commissioned a Second Lieutenant in May 1974. He was ordered to flight training at Naval Air Station, Pensacola. Florida, and designated a Naval Aviator in August 1975. Reporting to the Third Marine Aircraft Wing, Second Lieutenant Niemasik was assigned to Marine Training Squadron- 301 (HMT-301) for initial training in the Ch-46. In January 1976 he was assigned to Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron- 161 (HMM-161) and served as the Legal Officer. One year later. First Lieutenant Niemasik was ordered to Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) Fulenma, Okinawa, and was assigned to HMM-164. He served as the Training Officer until August 1978 when HMM-164 returned to MCAS Tustin where he assumed the duties of Assistant Operations Officer. In June 1979, Captain Niemasik reported to Marine Aircraft Group- 1 6 and was assigned as the Marine Corps Combat Readiness Evaluation System (MCCRES) Tactics Officer. During this period he also earned his Masters of Science Degree in Systems Managemen] from the University of Southern California. From May of 1980 until February of 1981 he served with HMM- 764 as the NATOPS Officer. In March of 1981 he returned to HMM-161 and was assigned as the Aircraft Maintenance Officer. During September of 1982 he deployed with the Squadron to MCAS Futenma, Okinawa for a six month unit deployment. Later assigned as the Director of Safely and Standardization, Major Niemasik deployed with the Squadron to Okinawa for his second WeslPac tour from August 1984 to February 1985. During June of 1985, Major Niemasik was ordered to the Marine Corps Command and Staff College in Quantico, Virginia. Upon graduation, he was assigned as the Air Liaison Officer for the Seventh Marine Regiment at Camp Pendleton Calif Returning to the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing and MAG- 16 in July of 1987, Major Niemasik was assigned as the Executive Officer of HMM-163. In July of 1988, he reported to the Naval War College, Newport, Rhode Island, where he was a member of the faculty of the Naval Staff College. In August of 1992, Lieutenant Colonel Niemasik reported to MAG- 16 and was assigned as the Group Logistics Officer. In December 1992, he deployed with the Marine Forces Aviation Combat Element to Somalia in support of Operation Restore Hope. He returned to the United States in March of 1993 and resumed his duties as Logistics Officer. Lieutenant Colonel Niemasik assumed his present command as Commanding Officer of Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron- 161 in May 1993. Lieutenant Colonel Niemasik ' s awards include: the Navy Commendation Medal, Meritorious Unit Commendation, National Defense Service Medal, Sea Service Deployment Ribbon, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Humanitarian Service Medal, and Southwest Asia Service Medal. Lieutenant Colonel Niemasik is married to the former Deborah Lucente of Kingston, New York. They have two children, Kaylee and Kerne. Updated 9Hmn .1 ' SERGEANT MAJOR DONALD J. JOHNSON Sergeant Major Donald J. Johnson joined the Marine Corps in May 1970. He attended recruit training in San Diego California. Upon coitipletion of recruit training SgtMaj Johnson was ordered to Infantry Training Regiment Camp Pendleton. California, and was trained as an 03 1 1 . Reporting to First Marine Division, Camp Pendleton Ca. In November 1970 Pfc Johnson was assigned to Lima Company, Third Battalion, Third Marines. Five months later Pfc Johnson was transferred to Marine Barracks Subic Bay, Republic of the Philippines. He was assigned as a guard in the U.S. Naval Magazine Cubi Pt, until April 1973, when he was transferred to First Marine Division, Camp Pendleton California. Sgt Johnson served with Echo Company Second Battalion Fifth Marines until May 1974, when he was ordered to Marine Barracks Treasure Island San Francisco, California. While assigned to Marine Barracks Treasure Island Sgt Johnson served as Sergeant of the Guard, and later Guard Chief as a Staff Sergeant. SSgt Johnson remained at Treasure Island until October 1976, when he received orders to Golf Company Second Battalion Fourth Marines located in Okinawa, Japan. During August 1977, SSgt Johnson was ordered to Drill Instructor duty in San Diego, CA. While on Drill Instructor duty SSgt Johnson was promoted meritoriously to Gunnery Sergeant. In November 1 980 GySgt Johnson reported to First Marine Division Camp Pendleton and was assigned as Company Gunnery Sergeant, Kilo Company Third Battalion First Marines until September 1983. In October 1983 GySgt Johnson reported to Marine Barracks Roosevelt Roads, Puerto Rico assumed the duties as Guard Chief. GySgt Johnson remained at Roosevelt Roads until promoted to First Sergeant in July 1986. During September 1986 IstSgt Johnson reported toFirst Marine Division Camp Pendleton again to serv( with Alpha Company First Battalion Ninth Marines and remained there until November 1988, when he wi ordered to report to Marine Barracks Subic Bay, Republic of the Philippines for duties as Company First Sergeant Alpha Company Marine Barracks. In January 1991 SgtMaj John.son reported Marine Air Group 16, and was assigned as Sergeant Major HMT 301. Sergeant Major Johnson assumed his present duties as Sergeant Major HMM-I6I on 1 April 1992. His awards include Navy Commendation Medal with one star. Navy Achievement Medal, Navy Unit Citation. Meritorious Unit Citation with two stars. Good Conduct medal with seven stars, Sea Service deployment Ribbon with five stars. Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Southwest Asia Service Medal with one star. Overseas Service Ribbon with one star, Philippines Republic Presidential Unit Citation and National Defense Service Medal. Sergeant Major Johnson is married to the former Manuela Donglos of Bagiuo City, Philippines. They have two children Jing and Jennifer. MAJOR KEVIN P. SPILLERS Executive Officer Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron- 161 Originally from Columbia, Ohio, Major Kevin P. Spillers graduated from Ohio State University where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in History Education and was commissioned a Second Lieutenant in the Marine Coprs in August 1977. Upon completion of the Basic School, he reported to Combat Engineer School, Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, from April to June 1978. Reporting to the 8th Engineer Support Battalion, he served as a platoon commander and assistant Operations Officer from June 1978 to April 1983. In April 1983, Major Spillers was selected to transition to the Naval Aviator Program, he reported to the Naval Training Command and was designated a Naval Aviator in August 1984. Following flight school. Major Spillers joined Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron-263 at Marine Corps Air Station New River and deployed to the Caribbean and Mediterranean, serving there through February 1989. to the western Pacific and the Persian Gulf for Operation Desert Storm serving with the I Ith MEU through September 1991. In September 1991, Major Spillers was ordered to Marine Aircraft Group- 16 and was assigned as the Group Plans Officer. He joined HMM-268 in June 1992 serving as the Aircraft Maintenance Officer until July 1993. During July 1993, Major Spillers reported to Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron- 161 .serving as Operations Officer and currently is the Executive Officer. Major Spillers was recently selected for promotion to Lieutenant Colonel. Major Spillers ' personal awards include the Navy Commendation Medal and Navy Achievement Medal, Major Spillers and his wife, the former Lucia Wooley of Columbia, Ohio, have one son; J. Matthew, age 5. Major Spillers next assignment was with the 1 Ith Marine Expeditionary Unit, based at Camp Pendleton where he served as the MEU Air Officer. He deployed UNIT HISTORY Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron- 1 6 1 Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 161 (HMM-161) was com- missioned on 15 January 1951 at MCAS El Toro Calif., as Marine Helicopter Transport Squadron 161 (HMR-161). Moving to Santa Ana. Calif., the following month, HMR-161 began to receive and train with their new aircraft, the Sikorsky HRS-I. Deploying to Korea in August of 1951, HMR-161 operated on the west central and western fronts, becoming the first Marine helicopter squadron to deploy troops in combat. In September of 1952, HMR- 161 operated successfully from the deck of the USS SICILY (CVE- 1 18) to test the new concept of vertical envelopment in conjunction with amphibious operations. Following the Korean war, the squadron was relocated to Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii in March 1955. It continued to develop and to exercise the beginnings of our current air ground concept. On 3 1 December 1 956, the squadron was redesignated to Marine Helicopter Transport Squadron (LIGHT) 161 (HMR(L)-16I), and be- ginning in May of 1960, received the new Sikorsky H-34 helicopter. In February of 1962, the squadron was redesignated as Helicopter Marine Medium 1 6 1 (HMM- 161) and continued anti-guerilla training in preparation for contingency operations in Vietnam. On 3 October 1962, HMM-161 made the pickup of astronaut Wal- ter M. SCHIRRA and his Mercury Capsule that had just completed 5 orbits of the earth and splashed down in the Pacific Ocean. During May of 1965, HMM-161 deployed to Phu Bai in the Re- public of Vietnam, participating in numerous operations until moving to MCAS Futenma, Okinawa, remaining there until January 1966 to receive its new and current aircraft type, the BOEING VERTOL CH- 46 Sea Knight , more commonly referred to as the PHROG . After Futenma, HMM-161 returned to the republic of Vietnam op- erating from Da Nang and later, from Phu Bai until being relocated in December of 1966 to MCAS (H) New River, North Carolina. HMM -161 again deployed to Vietnam during May of 1968, and operated from Quang Tri and, later, from Phu Bai until September of 1970. The squadron then returned to its first home, Santa Ana, Cal- ifornia. On 29 August 1978, HMM-161 became the first helicopter squad- ron to deploy to MCAS Futenma, Okinawa under the unit deployment concept. The squadron returned the MCAS(H) Tustin, California on 28 February 1979. HMM 161 again deployed overseas to Okinawa in September of 1980, returning on February 1981. On 16 July 1982, HMM 161 achieved an aviation milestone by becoming the second Helicopter Squadron in the world to achieve l(X),000 flight hours in the Boeing Vertol CH-46 Helicopter. On 2 September 1982, HMM 161 deployed overseas to Okinawa, returning on 24 February 1983. On 26 January 1984, HMM 161, THE FIRST , planned and conducted the first FMFPac Night Vision Goggle EMCON Mission with troops embarked. On 14 August 1984, HMM 161 deployed overseas to Oki- nawa, returning on 5 February 1985. HMM 161 was awarded the CNO Safety Award and the Meritorious Unit Com- mendation for the year of 1984. On 19 June 1986, HMM- 161 embarked aboard the USS Tarawa for a WestPac deployment, returning on 19 December 1986. On 8 October 1987, HMM- 161 embarked a detachment aboard the USS Okinawa to the Persian Gulf, returning on 6 April 1988. On 12 January 1989, HMM- 161 embarked aboard the USS Belleau Wood for a WestPac deployment, returning on 19 June 1989. On 10 August 1989, HMM- 161 deployed a detachment on the USS Duluth to Prince William Sound, Alaska, in support of spill clean up operations, returning on 26 September 1989. On 9 April 1990, HMM- 161 embarked aboard the USS New Orleans for RIMPAC 90, returning on 24 May 1990. On 17 August 1990, HMM- 161 deployed overseas to Saudi Arabia for operation Desert Shield . The Squadron flew nu- merous missions in support of U.S. and allied forces during operation Desert Shield and Desert Storm . The Squadron returned to MCAS Tustin on 14 March 1991. On 27 May 1992, HMM- 161 embarked aboard the USS Tarawa for a WestPac deployment, returning on 24 November 1992. On 25 October 1994, HMM- 161 embarked aboard the USS Esseil for a WestPac deployment. On 25 December 1994, HMM- 161 con ducted a VBSS (Visit, Board, Search, and Seizure) in the Persian Gulf. From 29 January 1995 to 4 March 1995 HMM- 161 participated in operation United Shield , in Somalia. The squadron returned i MCAS Tustin on 24 April 1995. HMM- 161 has been awarded the following unit, service and fof eign awards during it ' s illustrious history: The Presidential Unit i tation with one star, the Navy Unit Commendation with two stars, the Meritorious Unit Commendation with three stars, the National j Defense Service Medal with two stars, the Armed Forces Expedi- tionary Medal, the Korean Service Medal with one star, the Vietnam Service Medal with two silver and one bronze star (representing twelve campaigns), the Southwest Asia Service Medal with three stars, the Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation, the Republic of Vietnam Meritorious Unit Citation (Gallantry Cross Medal Color with Palm) and the Republic of Vietnam Meritorious Unit Citationj (Civil Actions Medal First Class Color with Palm). HMM- 161 (REIN) Deployment History HMM-161(REIN) departed San Diego on 25 Octoer 1994, as part of the 13th MEU (SOC) on WESTPAC 1-95. Embarked onboard the USS ESSEX (LHD-2), the squadron set sail across the Pacific Ocean. During the crossing the squadron conductd routine air operations. Typhoon Zelda provided rough seas as the Amphibious Ready Group continued its journey West. The 13th MEU(SOC) arrived off the coast of Okinawa on 1 1 November where it conducted a 50-hour exercise to ready the Marines for future operations. From 16 to 21 November, the Greyhawks were in Hong Kong for a port visit. The squadron continued on to Singapore a week later, arriving on the 26th. HMM-16(REIN) transited the Straits of Hormuz on 16 December to join Operation Southern Watch. While in the Persian Gulf the squadron participted in three exercises; Eager Mace, Nautical Mantis, and Iron Magic. Arriving off the cost of Kuwait on the 15th the 13th MEU (SOC) disembarked for Eager Mace 3-95. The Greyhawks conducted air operations from the Kuwaiti Air Force Base at Ali Al Salem. Berthing was provided for most of the squadron at Doha Army Base over 45 minutes away. Training was conducted at Udayri Range, 10 miles away from the Iraqi border. The ACE flew 448.6 hours and transported 1568 passengers during the exercise. The sorties included aerial gunnery, CAS(close air support), FAC(A) missions, NVG training, navigation and terf routs. The MEU was back aboard the Iron Gator on 22 December, sailing south for Jebal Ali, United Arab Emirates. On 25 December the MEU was ordered to conduct a VBSS (Visit, Board, Search, and Seizure) to the merchant vessel Ajmer, which was found to be in violation of the United Nations sanctions against Iraq. The mission was to fastrope 24 marines aboard to take control of the vessel. Cover was provided by (2) AH-1 W Cobras and (2) AV-8B Harriers. The mission was conducted flawlesly and control of the Ajmer was turned over to the U.S. Navy. The ARG was pierside in Jebel Ali on the 26th. Music, beer, and sports activities provided by MWR were waiting ashore. While in port, training sorties were flown to Fuiara International Airport on the Southeast coast of the Emirates. The ARG left Jebal Ali on 8 January 1995 enroute to Nautical Mantis in Saudi Arabia. On 9 January the squadron disembarked the battalion to the Sameed training area while the Squadron conducted air operations off the ship. The fixed wing aircraft conducted air to ground sorties on Udayri Range in Kuwait. 529.3 hours were flown during the exercise. From the coast of Saudi Arabia, the 1 3th MEU(SOC) sailed south to United Arab Emirates and Iron Magic. From 20 to 24 January, the squadron again conducted operations from the Essex. A night raid was conducted on nearby Alhambra air field with U.A.E. forces. 203.8 hours were flown. On 24 January, the ARG was pierside at the port facility in downtown Dubai. The members of the Squadron enjoyed a few last days of liberty before arriving on Ground Hog Station off the coast of Somalia. The 13th MEU(SOC) exited the Straits of Hormuz on the 27th enroute to Mombasa, Kenya, and operation UNITED SHIELD. Mombasa was the rendezvous point for the multi-nation task force. Upon arrival off the coast of Kenya, the ARG was joined by over a dozen surface combatants from three countries. One of the ships was the USS Belleau Wood (LHA-3) which carried aboard the augmentation for the 13th MEU(SOC), which included a reinforced Battalion and HMLA- 267(REIN).The Stringers brought with them (4) UH-IN Huey Gunships, and (4)CH-53E Super Stallions. The Squadron was further reinforced with (4)KC-130 ' s to provide aerial refueling. This augmentation bolstered the strength of the ACE to over 700 marines and 44 aircraft. The squadron ' s(5)AV-8B Harriers were transfered to the deck of the USS Belleau Wood(LHA-3) to faciUtate better deck spotting and launch cycles. This allowed the Harriers to fly 177 sorties for 330.3 hours and the rest of the ACE to fly 1810.9 hours during the operation. On 5 February, HMM-161 returned to the coast of Somalia. In September of 1992, the Greyhawks were the first Marines to go into Mogadishu and now the squadron was poised to take the last of the forces out. The ACE provided a Quick Reaction Force that was on 1 hour alert 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for the entire time the squadron was off the coast of Somalia. The squadron also coordinated 15 Italian aircraft and incorporated the Air Force AC-130 ' s into the 24 hour close air support plan. The Squaron also flew leader recon teams into and out of Mogadishu International Airport daily. The ACE transported 450,000 pounds of cargo and 3,500 pasengers to and from the multitude of amphibious platforms that took part in Operation United Shield. At 0001 on 28 February, U.S. Marines went ashore to cover the final withdrawal of the United Nations Forces. The squadron coordinated CAS(close air support) sorties to be in the air 24 hours a day while Marines were ashore. The last of the forces were recovered on the 2nd of March. The 3rd was spent transferring all personnel and supplies back to their proper ships. The USS Essex(LHD-2) recovered the Harriers from the USS Belleau Wood (LHA-3) and turned east enroute to Australia. On the 17th of March the ARC was pierside in the port of Fremantle, Australia. Liberty Call was sounded at 1200 and the visit to the best port call in 5 months commenced. Beautiful beaches and the friendly people highlighted the 6 day liberty period. On March 23rd, the USS Essex(LHD-2) left Fremantle enroute to Okinawa, Japan. With a quick stop in Okinawa to redistribute supplies, the squadron was again heading East for home. On the 15th of April, the ARC sailed in the port of Peari Harbor in Oahu, Hawaii. It was great to be back in America, and only a week from home. With the transfer of cargo complete, the ARG left Hawaii on the 17th enroute to Camp Pendleton, Calif.,. The 13 MEU(SOC) and HMM-161 (REIN) disembarked on the 24th of . ,! ADMINISTRATION MAJ T. DEVIN CAPTL. MCKNbLLY SSGT W. COFFIE CPL S. GOMEZ CWU2 S. PETERSON CAPT D. MURPHY SGT G. MENDEZ CPL M. SCHMIDT CAPTJ.ADKINSON CAPTS. TORNETEN SGT J. GRENINGER CPLS. STEVENSON CAPT J. GATES ISTLTL. BROWN CPL C. BARGER CPL L. WHEELER CAPT W. KNETSCH CYSGT L. PEINADO CPL V. GALAN CPL E. WITHERITE LCpl M. Sd i D. McCullough LCpl J. Bostick Capt C. Taylor I stLt T. Stoichess OPERATIONS Maj T. Murray Maj J. Bullard Maj A. Aldridge Capt W. Bakkeby LOGISTICS Maj L. Ragland Capt S. Harris Capt D. Knoipe Capt M. Masini Cpl T. Norris LCpl A. Armendariz LCpl M. Crazier LCpl W. Pontes H LCpl J. Nagle LCpl J, Pouliot LCpl J. Witherspoon LCpl A. Rodriguez SAFETY - NATOPS AINTENANCE CONTROL MAINTENANCE ADMINISTRATION QUALITY AS SURANCE AN AL YSIS AVIONICS CW02 C. Anderson MSgl F. Chapul GySgt T. Garcia SSgt D. Brenenstuhl Cpl R Crews Cpl T. Hamilton Cpl G. Kirtley Cpl N. Lee Cpl S. McGrath Cpl M. Muraszewski Cpl K. Murphy Cpl D. Nolen f, ORDNANCE 430 CORROSION CONTROL AIRFRAMES Maj T. OLei Capt M. Byrd GySgl A. Nol Sgl K. Simmon Sgl M. McCi Sgl J. Messano Sgl T. Stellick Cpl G. Andei Cpl J. Kirchner Cpl S. Manemann Cpl F. McDonald Cpl S. Miller I mI 1 1 TOOL ROOM GROUND SUPPORT EQUIPMENT PHASE FLIGHTLINE Capt J. Kasuda Capt M. Deets Capt R. McFadden GySgl B. Leever FLIGHTLINE Cpl W. Gearhean Cpl F. Gobron Cpl R. Grundin Cpl B. Jones Cpl S. Stahn Cpl J. Suarez Cpl S. Thorn Cpl K. Williams Cpl A. Ahlers LCpl A. Bezayiff LCpl R. Bramletl LCpl M. Buckley LCpl C. Bressette LCpl C. Horstman LCpl C. Ingram LCpl C. Jones LCpl F. McGuinness LCpl B. Tompkins LCpl T. Wilson AVIATION LIFE SUPPORT SYSTEMS I stLl G. Hanscom SSgt G. Ragal SSgt E. Ryan SSgt W. Lloyd LCp! R. Landers f LCpl J. Vamer LCpl M. Gregor MARINE AIR CONTROL GROUP-38 GySgt M. Hallauer SSgt B. Hatfield Sgt J. Gamer Sgt S. Hobart alvin LCpl M. Kim LCpl A. Vendilti AIRCRAFT INTERMEDIATE MAINTENANCE DEPT. PRODUCTION CONTROL ORDINANCE AIRFRAMES NDI AVIONICS jySgt J. Ma I %. . • ' i ISgt A. Coen Sgt E. Graha I Cpl J. Grima Cpl C. Hurst Cpl J. Kerze Cpl J. McGeachy HYDRAULICS Sgl G. Beaudry S!S| r Cpl C. Sheldon pi ' • Cpl J. Snell Cpl J. Wendorf Cpl C. Fries LCpl B. Gondar LCpl S. Patrick HMM-161 Greyhawks CH-46E MCAS Tustin, CA VMA-214 Black Sheep AV-8BII Harriers MCAS Yuma. AZ HMLA 267 Stingers AH-IW UH-IN MCAS Camp Pendleton, CA HMH-361 Flying Tigers CH-53E MCAS Tustin, CA . ' .ifiniimas mimiKm ' . sii sm 449 -v:v: 1ST FORCE SERVICE SUPPORT GROUP Camp Pendleton C a. ;-i- ' -, ■ .-i - y - ' MEU SERVICE SUPPORT GROUP 13 LIEUTENANT COLONEL STEVE MILLER COMMANDING OFFICER MEU SERVICE SUPPORT GROUP- 13 (MSSG-13) Lieutenant Colonel Steve Miller enlisted in the United States Air Force from June 1966 to May 1970. He earned his Bachelor of Business degree in 1972 while serving in the United States Air Force Reserves. He was commissioned as a second Lieutenant upon completing Officer Candidate School in Aug. 1975, and was immediately assigned to the Basic School. Upon completing the Basic School he attended the Ground Supply Officers Course. From graduation in Oct. 1976 to Oct 1979, he was assigned various supply officer billets to include Supply Officer, Headquarters Battery. 2nd Battalion. 1 1th Marines, Supply Officer, Headquarters and Service Company, 1st Battalion 7th Marines; and Supply Officer, Range Company, Camp Fuji. In June 1981, he graduated from the Advanced Degree Program with a Master of Business Administration in Business Information Systems. His following assignment was as a Data Systems Officer, Headquarters Marine Corps. In July 1984, LtCol. Miller was transferred to 3rd Force Service Support Group, Okinawa, Japan, where he held billets as Supply Officer, 3rd Medical Battalion; Supply Officer, 3rd Supply Battalion: Commanding Officer, Supply Company Brigade Service Support Group (BSSG)-9 and Officer-in-Chargc, General Account, Supported Activities apply System Management Unit, id Supply Battalion. From June 1987 to June 1990, LlCol. Miller served as Officer Instructor, Marine Corps Service Support School, Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. Following that tour, he was assigned several operational billets from June 1990 to June 1993, which included G-4 Supply Officer, 5th Marine Expeditionary Brigade; Executive Officer, BSSG-5 and G-4 Supply, I Marine Expediti onary Force (MEF). From Dec. 1992 to June 1994, LtCol. Miller saw duty in Somalia as G-4, I MEF Forward, Coalition Joint Task Force (CJTF) Somalia. He was thereafter assigned as OIC, Field Supply and Maintenance Analysis Office (FSMAO)- 2, Camp Pendleton, Calif., from July 1993 to July 1994. On 10 July 1994, LtCol Miller assumed command of MEU Service Support Group- 13. His personal decorations include the Meritorious Serivce Medal (2nd award). Navy Commendation Medal (2nd award). Air Force Commendation, Navy Achievement Medal, Combat Action Ribbon and the Air Force Good Conduct Medal. LtCol. Miller is married to the former Lynda Burrell. Major Patrick Bailey Executive Officer MEU Service Support Group- 13 Major Patrick Bailey was born on March 28, 1957, in Clarendon, Jamaica. He enlisted in the Marine Corps from New York in March 1974. Upon completing boot camp, he was assigned as a communicator in 1st Reconnaissance Battalion, Camp Pendleton, Calif.. In 1976, he was selected to attend the United States Naval Academy Preparatory School (NAPS), Newport, Rhode Island. He graduated in May 1981 and was commissioned a Second Lieutenant in the Marine Corps. Major Bailey attended the Basic School and upon graduation was designated an Infantry Officer. Soon thereafter, he reported to 1st Battalion, 9th Marines, where he served as Infantry and Weapons Platoon Commander, Company Executive Officer and assistant Operations Officer. In 1984, he was transferred to Marine Barracks, Vallejo, Calif, where he performed duties as Guard Officer up to the disestablishment of the Barracks. He then assumed duties as the Officer-in-Charge of the Marine First Sergeant Maldonado Sergeant Major MEU Service Support Group- 13 First Sergeant Maldonado enlisted in the United States Marine Corps in June 1973. After serving four years with t he First Marine Division, Camp Pendleton Calif., he was promoted to sergeant meritoriously and transferred to 3rd Marine Air Wing, Yuma, Arizona. Upon completion of a three-year tour. Staff Sergeant Maldonado was assigned to 3rd Force Service Support Group, Okinawa, Japan. After serving a one year unaccompanied tour, he reported to the 4th Marine Division, New Orleans, La., as a financial auditor. Having successfully completed a tour in New Orleans, La., SSgt. Maldonado attended Detachment that remained. Major Bailey was promoted to Captain on 1 April 1986 and was redesignated as Logistics Officer. Upon completing the Logistics Officers Course, he was assigned to 3rd Landing Support Battalion. He served in billets as the Executive Officer Operations Officer, Beach and Port Company, Intelligence Officer and Commanding Officer, Combat Service Support Detachment-39. In January 1988, Major Bailey was ordered to Headquarters Marine Corps where he served as Operations Officer, Headquarters Marine Corps Casualty Section, Officer-in-Charge of Missing Captured Persons and Funeral Director of the Marine Corps. In July 1991, Major Bailey attended Amphibious Warfare School in Quantico, VA. Upon graduation, he was assigned to MEU Service Support Group- 13 where he served as Operations Officer from 2 September 1992 - 31 March 1994. On 1 April 1994, Major Bailey assumed his present duties as the Executive Officer of MEU Service Support Group- 13. His personal decorations include Meritorious Service Medal, Navy Achievement Medal and Good Conduct Medal. Major Bailey is married to the former Rosalind Trimble. They and completed Drill Instructor School in October 1985. After a successful tour of duty. Gunnery Sergeant Maldonado was assigned to the financial management office at Parris Island, South Carolina, for a period of one year, which he was transferred to the 1st Marine Air Wing Okinawa, Japan. Upon returning to CONUS GySgt. Maldonado was assignee as the lead instructor at Financial Management School, MCSSS, Camp Lejeune NC. Upon completing instructoi duty he was assigned to the 1st FSSG, Camp Pendleton CA as the controller chief. After selection to IstSgt. he was assigned to the 7th Engineer Support Battalion, Bridge Company. He deployed to Somalia and upon returning in 1993 IstSgt. Maldonado was reassigned to Bulk Fuel Company, 7th Engineer Support battalion. Upon Completion of his tour at 7th Engineer Support Battalion IstSgt. Maldonado was assigned as the SgtMaj. of MSSG-13, have 3 children, Patrick E II, Rosalind Renee, and H. Phillip Scott. 13th MEU, Camp Pendleton CA. His personal awards include Navy Commendation. Certificate of Commendation, (6th award) Good Conduct. He is married to the former Susan Ostrosky of Detroit, MI. They have three children Jaime, Bernardia, and Roberta. Unit History MEU Service Support Group 13 MEU Service Support Group 13 is task-orga- nized, equipped, and assigned by the Commandinj General, 1st Force Service Support Group, from tl assets of the eight battalions organic to the FSSG. Il mission is to provide combat service support, speci cally: supply, maintenance, transportation, deliberai engineer, health services and services to the forw deployed 13th MEU. MSSG-13 was formally activated at Ca Pendleton, Calif., on 1 February, 1985, but its histoi and lineage can be traced, indirectly, through a com- posite of the subordinate battalions of 1st FSSG from World War II through Korea and Vietnam. The prede- cessors of MSSG, Marines and sailors from 1st Land- ing Support Battalion, 1st Supply Battalion, 1st Main- tenance Battalion, 7th Motor Transport Battalion, 1st Dental Battalion, 1 st Medical Battalion and Headquar- ters and Service Battalion fought with distinction through Guadalcanal, Iwo Jima, Inchon, Chosin Reser- voir, and Vietnam. Although the designation of the Combat Service Support Element of the Marine Air-Ground Task Force has changed many times, from Combat Service Group, Force Service Regiment, Force Logistics Command and Force Service Support Group, each Marine and sailor still contributes his own specialized skill to ensure that the personnel and equipment of the combat arms are ready for and sustained throughout - combat and contingency operation. Relatively small in num- ber, with less than 300 Marines and sailors, MSSG-13 stands ready to support the 13th MEU across the spectrum of Combat Service Support requirements Organic capabilities include replenishment of al classes ofsupply, vehicular transportation, and landing support for both amphibious craft and helicopters. Engineer capabilities include Explosive Ordnance Disposal, road improvement, water production and distribution, and bulk fuel storage and distribution. Medical and dental support is resident in the MSSG for both health mai ntenance and battlefield casualty treat- ment and evacuation. Services supported through the MSSG include military police, disbursing and infor- i mation systems management. During an amphibious landing, while the Ma- rines of MSSG-13 are performing these myriad tasks both ashore and afloat, they are always prepared to depart from their specialized mission and assume the role of Marine riflemen should the need arise. While afloat, the Marines and sailors of MSSG- 1 3 are spread- loaded across the ships of the Amphibious Ready Group, proudly serving as an integral part of the Navy Marine Corps team. 1 MSSG-13 HIGHLIGHTS July 1994 - Conducted amphibious landing and rear area security tactics training. August 1994 - Underwent a FSMAO visit to improve supply and maintenance procedures. Continued predeployment preparations with NBC, rear area security, swim qualifications, rifle range, and crew serve weapons training. Received a mission capable grade by MCCRES evaluators. Most of MSSG-13 was aboard ARC ships in support of FLEET-EX September 1994- Completed the SOCEX and the MEU was awarded Special Operations Capable certification. October 25, 1994 - Deployed for WEST PAC 95-1. Most of MSSG-13 was embarked aboard the USS OGDEN, with small detachments aboard the USS ESSEX and the USS FORT FISHER. November 12-13, 1994 - Provided a Landig Force Support Party for BLT 3 1 training on Okinawa. November 26 -December 3, 1994 - Supported BLT 3 1 training in Singapore. December 14-22, 1994 Supported the MEU CE, BLT 3 1, and HMM-161 training ashore during Exercise EAGER MACE 95-1 conducted in the Republic of Kuwait. More than 10,441 miles were driven, 300,000 pounds of cargo delivered, 2,750 passengers carried, 1,200 gallons of water issued, and 6,300 gallons of fuel were pumped during exercises. December 25,1994 - Participated in a Vessel Board Search and Seizure of the Iranian ship Ajmer for violation of UN sanctions. December 28,1994 - Conducted MEU-wide maintenance stand-down in the United Arab Emirates. January 10-18, 1995 - Participated in Exercise NAUTICAL MANTIS 95-1 with Saudia Arabia. The MSSG played an extensive role in host nation bilateral training, while providing responsive sea based logistics to the BLT ashore. January 21-23, 1995 - Back in the United Arab Emirates to participate in Exercise IRON MAGIC 95-1. ARG MEU medical assets were put to the test with a Mass Casualty drill. EOD teams cleared training and bivouac areas of duds. February 1-27,1995 - Conducted on-board unit training in preparation for Operation UNITED SHIELD. This included Military Police training in the use of Less-Than-Lethal weapons and tactics. The rest of the Marines reviewed basic infantry skills, rules of engagement, detainee handling, and even learned some basic Somali phrases. February 8,1995 - Arrived off the coast of Mogadishu, Somalia. February 28- March 3,1995 - Conducted operation UNITED SHIELD, the MAGTF ' s mission to support the UN withdrawl from civil war torn Mogadishu as well as the MSSG ' s specific mission to provide combat service and support for all forces ashore were both completely successful. Not a single Marine or Sailor was killed or seriously wounded despite the many dangers encountered. March 17-25, - Spent a week of well deserved liberty in Perth, Australia. March 25-April 1 5 - Prepared for May FSMAO, conducted a unit wide Battle Skills Test, held ship-board safety classes, attended Return and Reunion Classes through visiting Navy Family Service Center counselors. April 15, 1995 - Arrived in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. April 18-24, 1995 - Tiger Cruise is highlighted by tiger familiarization fire and machine gun night demonstration shoot off the fan tail. April 25,1995 - Completion of WEST PAC 1-95. 465 MSSG- 13 Supporting Operations on The Kuwait Iraqi Border Clockwise from right Prepanng C4 explosive on Iraqi APC Unexpioded 81 mm mortar detonated SSgt. Carrol prepares blasting cap Ordinance pile to be blown, 198 howitzer, 40mm grenades and Hares Burned out Iraqi tanks MSSG Marines enduring Udairi Range Nautical Mantis Training with the Saudi Arabian Forces w% torn Green Beach United Shield Pakistani Withdrawl Shore to Ship Comm Reinlistment ashore ECC at Green Beach Checkpoint Guard Radio Watch !ommunications Detachment LCpl. Heckhaus LCpl. Belote LCpl. Bocanegra Cpo. Goecks Cpl. Spears Cpl. Baxman LCpl. Thompson LCpl. Mausser Engineer Detachment Cpl. Chavez. Cpl. Coyle, Cpl. Koch, Cpl. Mahnowski. LCpl. Henderson LCpl. Hansen LCpl. Dumford Headquarters s-4 Detachment T , Cpl. Wangler. Cpi. Abel. LCpl. Onriveios, 1 -pi. Bigaiuw, LCpl. Soria, LCpl. Alv] A Sgt. Jeffemon. LCpl. Bums, Cpl. Spean. LCpl Walker EOD Sgt. Holland S-1 S-3 . SSgt. Wright Cpl. Brachanionte LCpl. Robertson LCpl. Marquez DCpl. Serrano PHOTO NOT AVAILABLE PHOTO NOT AVAILABLE PHOTO NOT AVAILABLE PHOTO NOT AVAILABLE m PHOTO NOT AVAILABLE Maintenance Detachment -lein, oysgt. tsarerra, uysgt. Merle, sgt. uuerrero PHOTO NOT AVAILABLE Sgl. Herrig, Sgt. Graf. Cpl. Alberding, Cpl. Heitcamp Sobinson, Cpl Gaies p en Sgt. Galvan, Cpl. Lundholm, Cpl. Ferguson. LCpl. Torres ( pi. nenoerson (Jpl. Young CpH Cpl. Toring LCpl. Bond f .1 ' H-li LCpl. Levesque Cpl. Jones. Cpl. Beattie. Cpl. PaKerson, LCpl. Parr. LCpl. Harman Landing Support Detachment PHOTO NOT AVAILABLE PHOTO NOT AVAILABLE PHOTO NOT AVAILABLE PHOTO NOT AVAILABLE 1st Lt. Harris, SSgt, Brebeasces, SSgl. Crane, Sgt. Lucero, Sgt. Jacobo Health Services .Detachment U. Franco, Lt. Campbell, LCDR Porter, HMC Sanchez 11 Enriques, HMl Grey, HM3 Hernandez, HM2 Bacas HM2 Kelley, HM2 Delfin, HM3 Lopez, HM3 Padua HM3 Owen, HM3 Ehrmann, HM3 Bumelte, HM3 Robinson Motor Transport Detachment ' ,4 LCpl. Hall upply Detachment [ pl. MumchucH ! pl. Johnson 1 M - k A Plan Of The Day Six months away from America has its ups and down whether you are up all night on watch or someone is pour- ing Tobasco sauce down your trousers all depends on the POD. It could be that everyone you know is having a birth- day at the same time or maybe you are in Hong Kong and you can ' t remember when your birthday even is. Even if you hang with kangaroos or Cpl. He- nerson out in town you ' re sure not to forget every day of float . . . t ; -«i! ..-. -3I .- c -; -_?i 4 tf ■■ -■l r iiM Mi • - m m ' K-s? wL - f ' ti :;:! ■ -f ; r ' ' ' • ,4 -- : U HhT ' v; •« m E ' ' f ' Jt iKr? ' W0 MM M ..and the adventure :-  i C- - H k :.; r .. ' .. e -! . •■. sS ' , i  p-g . ' ■• ■ . - . -- - - - J-« c-- „ •.-. I X In Memory of PHAN Gavin Levi Beem 1974-1995 PHOTO BY: PHAN G L Beem U.S. NAVY STAFF ISCS(SW AW) Leonard ISC(SW) Nikola PH1 Abell PH2 Rodriguez HM2(SW AW) McDanlels J02 Boast J03 Latour DM2(SW AW) McKellip CRUISEBOOK STAFF LT B.J. Craig Cruisebook Officer PHOTOGRAPHERS PH2 Hernandez PH2 Gonzalez PH3 Linebaugh PH3 Lewis PH3 Vigil PHAN Beem U.S.M.C. STAFF GySgtTurrner Sgt Anderson Cpl Grote Cpl Ongley Sgt Poulas LCpl Heckhaus OiSS T CO S TCi-G w;uiTV(Mvt i99h ' 995