Volume 1, Issue 2 October 8, 2010static.dvidshub.net/media/pubs/pdf_7375.pdf · 2010-10-07 · Volume 1, Issue 2 October 8, 2010 Volunteer Effort Marines, sailors pull together for

Gas Chamber preps Marines for worst case scenarios... Page 4

Also:Petroleum Analysis... Page 2Warrior of the Week... Page 3 Bonze Star awarded... Page 3

Volume 1, Issue 2

October 8, 2010

Volunteer EffortMarines, sailors pull together for local charity

Lance Cpl. Katherine M. SolanoMarines and sailors with 2nd Marine Logistics Group take time at the end of a charity walk to pose for a group photo in Jacksonville, N.C., Oct. 2, 2010. The service members not only participated in the walk, they also raised money as a team and volunteered during the event.

Lance Cpl. Katherine M. Solano2nd MLG Public Affairs

CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. – Surfing, boat-ing, fishing and beach volleyball are all popular pastimes for Marines and sailors stationed at Camp Lejeune. However,

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there is a growing number of service members who are choosing to use their free time to give back to their community in a number of charitable ways. Thanks in part to Marines and sailors with 2nd Marine Logistics Group, one lo-cal non-profit organization saw a tremen-dous increase in participants at their 2nd

annual charity walk Oct. 2nd. “Last year we had about 200 total par-ticipants,” said Troy Ehrhart, vice president of the charity’s board. “As of last night’s count, we had 500 registered participants.” The objective of the event was to raise enough money to build a brand new center

See CHARITY, Page 5

Page 2The Warrior’s Log

8th ESB Marines assist SysCom with new equipment testingCpl. Bobbie A. Curtis2nd MLG Public Affairs

CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. – Ma-rines from 8th Engineer Support Battalion, Combat Logistics Reg-iment 25, 2nd Marine Logistics Group, supported Marine Forces Systems Command’s testing of new fuel analysis equipment here, over the last week. The focus of the test was operator validation and veri-fication of the technical man-ual for the Petroleum Quality Analysis System - Enhanced, a fuel testing medium that the Marine Corps hopes to field as a replacement for their older system, the Tactical Petroleum Laboratory - Medium. The testing occurred in one of 8th ESB’s lots where they provided logistical support while two lab technicians with Marine Wing Support Squad-ron 272, from Marine Corps Air Station, New River, N.C., con-ducted the step-by-step review of the Army’s pre-existing tech-nical manual, to better tailor it to service in the Marine Corps. Michael E. Brown, the fuel systems logistician from Marine Forces Systems Command, ex-plained that the Army already uses the PQAS-E and that the Marine Corps intends to field a variant of the system as a more improved means for testing fuel.

“The reason why we’re going to the Army variant is because refur-bishing the TPL-M is not cost ef-fective … it cost more to refurbish it than it does to go ahead and buy the PQAS-E,” said Brown. The Marine Corps version is housed in an ISO container that is transported by a truck, the Army system is kept on the back of a portable trailer. According to Sgt. Michael McK-enzie, a bulk fuel specialist and lab technician testing the equipment, the system has an overall better feel to it than the TPL-M.

“It’s a great piece of equip-ment,” he said. “It’s better be-cause it caters to the lab tech a lot more, there’s more room, and it’s climate controlled so you get a better reading on your fuel.” The system has a central computer that records reading from all its test equipment. This Integrated Management System allows storage of all test read-ings acquired in the lab. When a tech is finished testing a fuel batch, all he has to do is use the labs onboard printer to make a single data sheet with all the

test information. “The machines don’t lie,” McKenzie added. He explained that if something should go wrong with an aircraft or other vehicle using the fuel, the test results will prevent blame from being put on a lab tech who found the fuel to be usable. “Its failsafe,” he said. “It pro-tects the person doing the sam-ple … ultimately if something goes wrong, it’s on us.” Systems Command hopes to field the unit by fourth quarter 2011.

Photo by Cpl. Bobbie A. CurtisCorporal Bryon Hickman, a motor transportation operator with Support Company, 8th Engineer Support Battalion, discuses movement of a Petroleum Quality Analysis System – Enhanced onto a Logistics Ve-hicle System Replacement, with Chief Warrant Officer 3 Paul Gill, the II Marine Expeditionary Force fuels officer, during a test at Camp Lejeune, N.C., Oct. 4, 2010.

1st Sgt.Christopher Combs

Age: 37Job: Company 1st Sgt.Q: If you were stranded on an island, what is one piece of combat gear you would want with you?A: “My canteen cup, because I love it. You can drink from it, cook with it and beat things with it.”Q: Most memorable deploy-ment experience?A: On a convoy in Afghanistan we hit an area where vehicles kept getting stuck. We re-covered two and while in the process of getting the third out I heard Brig. Gen. Simmons come over the radio and say “Hey Combs, maybe you can stop them and have them come pull us out.” I looked over and there was a civilian station wagon with about 18 Afghans hanging out of it driving around us with no problems. It looked like something you would see in a circus.”

The Warrior’s Log Page 3

A Distinguished HonorCLR-2 1st Sgt receives Bronze Star medal

Cpl. M. Foster2nd MLG Public Affairs

CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. – For Combat Logistics Regiment 2 Marines, receiv-ing the Bronze Star medal is a rare ac-complishment. One Marine in particu-lar- 1st Sgt. Christopher Combs, the Headquarters Company first sergeant, CLR-2, 2nd Marine Logistics Group, distinguished himself during the regi-ment’s recent deployment to Afghani-stan and was awarded the medal on Oct, 4, 2010 aboard Camp Lejeune. Combs, a Forestport, N.Y., native, received the award for his meritorious service in connection with combat op-erations in support of Operation Endur-ing Freedom. He successfully led the safe execu-tion of 23 security patrols conducted throughout southern Helmand province, staying calm and level-headed when-

ever they were under indirect fire or Im-provised Explosive Device attacks. As Camp Commandant of Camp Leather-neck he supervised living conditions of over 1,400 Marines. Sergeant Maj. Craig Chaplick, the CLR-2 regimental sergeant major, was deployed with Combs and recommend-ed him for the award. “He doesn’t really care about being too popular or making too many friends. He’s a good first sergeant,” Chaplick said. “He just gives you the unvarnished truth all the time.” He said Combs always took care of his Marines; checking up on them by making frequent battlefield circulations to wherever they were and leading them from the front when in harm’s way. “I observed him every day; we spent a lot of time together. He was always out there,” said Chaplick.

See MEDAL, Page 5

Photo by Cpl. M. FosterFirst Sgt. Christopher Combs, the Headquarters Company first ser-geant, Combat Logistics Regiment 2, 2nd Marine Logistics Group, shakes hands with Brig. Gen. John Simmons after receiving a Bronze

Star medal aboard Camp Lejeune, N.C., Oct. 4, 2010.

Page 4The Warrior’s Log

GAS! GAS! GAS!

Gas Chamber training preps Marines for worst case scenariosSgt. Justin J. Shemanski2nd MLG Public Affairs

CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. – Teary eyes, burn-ing skin and hacking coughs can all result after a brush with chlorobenzal malononitrile – an experience Marines know all too well. As painful as it can be, Marines are reintroduced each year to the non-lethal substance, commonly known as “CS,” during gas chamber training. The annual event allows them to experi-ence the effects of the gas, or lack thereof, with proper use of their issued protective gear and clothing. From chemical agent detection to decontamination measures, the training is all done in the spirit of preparedness. The training serves an important purpose, but some Marines less educated on the topic may argue that the prepara-tion is useless. Why prepare annually for something that doesn’t seem too much like a current threat in Iraq or Afghanistan? According to Sgt. Jason Stacy, a chemi-cal, biological, radiological and nuclear defense specialist with Headquarters and Support Company (Forward), 2nd Marine Logistics Group, the answer is simple. “It may not seem like it, but the threat

of a chemical or nuclear attack is always out there,” said Stacy, a native of Poplar Bluff, Mo. “There are organizations across the globe actively seeking these kinds of weapons. Keeping that in mind, I feel it’s better to get this kind of training done while in garrison, where we have the time, then after it’s too late; after an attack.” Gunnery Sgt. Steve Bottom, the chemi-cal, biological, radiological and nuclear defense chief with H&S Co. (Fwd), 2nd MLG, noted that the primary purpose of the training is to simply build confidence in the equipment – the M-40 Field Protec-tive Mask and Mission Oriented Protective Posture, or “MOPP,” suits, which include a charcoal lined top and bottom set along with rubber over shoes and gloves. “The gear really does work and that’s what we want to get across to Marines,” said Bottom, a native of Elco, Illinois. Both Stacy and Bottom first learned of the suit’s true protective properties when exposed to a live nerve agent during mili-tary occupational specialty training at Fort Leonard Wood, Mo. For annual training purposes here, Marines typically enter the CS-saturated chamber in full MOPP suits and perform a

series of activities to show them the mask is allowing them to breathe normally, giv-en the somewhat toxic environment. They are then instructed to “break the seal” of the mask around their face, after which they are exposed to the gas. Marines will then “clear” their mask of the gas and resume normal breathing patterns. Though CS is a milder agent, the gear also holds up well against far more haz-ardous substances. “It’s effective against most conventional chemical weapons; nerve agents, blood agents, choking agents…” said Stacy. “The gear can save you from a lot of that stuff if you just know what you are doing. That’s why this training is so important.” “We just want Marines to be prepared,” added Bottom. “The skills should be there if needed, but hopefully no one will have to use them.” Marines train for the worst, but hope for best and gas chamber training is just one of the many ways they stay on the cutting edge of war fighting. It’s hard to tell what the battlefields of tomorrow may bring, but the rest assured, the Corps is probably al-ready training for it. With that being said…Gas! Gas! Gas!

Photo by Cpl. Bobbie A. CurtisLance Cpl. Javier Joya, a chemical, biological, radiologi-

cal and nuclear specialist with Headquarters and Support Company (Forward), 2nd Marine Logistics Group, breaks

open containers of chlorobenzal malononitril powder into a burner turning it into tear gas, commonly known as CS

gas, at the Gas Chamber on Camp Lejeune, Sept. 24, 2010.

Commanding General Public Affairs Officer Public Affairs ChiefBrig. Gen. Michael G. Dana 2nd Lt. Joshua Smith Staff Sgt. Theresa Seng

Sergeant Major Combat CorrespondentsSgt. Maj. William T. Stables Sgt. Jeremy Ross Lance Cpl. Katherine M. Solano Sgt. Justin J. Shemanski Lance Cpl. Bruno J. Bego

Command Master Chief Cpl. Rachael Moore PFC. Franklin MercadoHMCM Kelly A. McNulty Cpl. Mikaela Foster Cpl. Bobbie Curtis Cpl. Melissa Latty

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MEDAL,continued from Page 3

A former drill instructor, Combs served as the lead for the commanding officer’s Personal Security Detachment during which he accurately accounted for more than $5,196,000 worth of equipment. “If the PSD was going somewhere or es-

corting convoys, stuff that’s not normally in his job description … he volunteered for it and they did a great job. It was very successful, Chaplick said.” Combs’ tireless efforts earned him the utmost respect and admiration from his Marines and were also instrumental in CLR-2’s success. When asked how he felt about receiving

the Bronze Star medal, Combs said it was an honor. “You wear it with pride,” he said. “But in actuality, you remember the Marines that were out there with you. Every time you see something like it or you put it on … you can tell the stories of the Marines that were out there and what they did.”

The Warrior’s Log Page 5

CHARITY,contiued from Page 1

for the organization. Their current building is too small and doesn’t allow for growth. By increasing the size of their facility, the center will be able to offer more free re-sources and programs, which include par-enting classes, pregnancy tests and coun-seling for both moms and dads. The organization’s main objective is to educate women on pregnancy and new parenthood, Ehrhart said. “It’s all about being strong, well-edu-cated parents,” Ehrhart added. Suluai also highlighted the goals of the center. “They support men and women in their new life as parents and also teach them about parenting and other needs,” she said. The service members and other par-ticipants not only signed up to partici-pate in the charity walk and to raise money individually, but also came out to work the registration tables and help with all the other activities the event had to offer. “My responsibility was to invite the lo-cal church and military service members to participate,” said Chief Petty Officer Sylvia Suluai, 2nd MLG command career coun-selor. “Overall we had roughly 20 churches

and one unit (2nd MLG) with a team.” Other activities offered were moon bounces for the children, face painting, mu-sic and plenty of food to go around. Marines and sailors got involved for a variety of reasons. “I got involved because I wanted to help the center raise money and increase aware-ness [for the organization],” Suluai said. Petty Officer 2nd Class Casey O’Neill, a preventive medicine technician with 2nd MLG safety, said she volunteered to work and raise money, in addition to walking with her three-year-old daughter, Mykayla

O’Neill, because “I love volunteering.” She also cited motherhood as a moti-vating factor. “Having a child myself, I understand the life changing experience that mother-hood is,” O’Neill added. “Great services are offered on base, but having a center out in town provides extra resources. “The mommy-baby [care] packages the center offers with their classes are a great benefit, too.” There was a wide variety of participants, from children and families, to teenagers, church groups and military members. “I was so energized with the amount of support from everybody that partici-pated,” Suluai said. “Everybody had only one focus and goal.”That focus and goal was the community and giving back. “The biggest benefit I gained from the walk was the amount of love and sup-port for the Onslow County Commu-nity,” Suluai added. “Everybody loved the opportunity to participate in such a great cause.” For more information on the opportuni-ties and resources offered by the featured organization, please contact Troy Ehrhart at 910-938-7000, or Petty Officer 2nd Class Casey O’Neill at 910-451-0517.

Photo by Lance Cpl. Katherine M. SolanoPetty Officer 2nd Class Casey O’Neill ties a balloon to her three-year-old daughter, My-kayla, during a charity event in Jacksonville, N.C., Oct. 2, 2010. The event included the organization’s 2nd annual charity walk, face painting, refreshments, and prizes for differ-ent teams and groups involved.