Volume 2, Issue 17

May 20, 2011

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IED awareness course preps ANA troops for future ... Page 2

Also:Blotter ... Page 2Warrior of the Week ... Page 3CLB-2 Bronze Star ... Page 4In

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Commandant of the Marine Corps Gen. James F. Amos, accompanied by Sgt. Maj. William Stables, sergeant major for 2nd Marine Logistics Group (center), meets and greets some of the unit’s Marines based aboard Camp Leatherneck, Afghanistan. The Commandant and the Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps, Sgt. Maj. Carlton W. Kent, toured various facilities and personnel during a recent visit to the region.

Photo by Lance Cpl. Bruno J. Bego

Page 2The Warrior’s Log

9 May 2011 - A Marine with Combat Logisics Battalion 24 reported an unknown person(s) stole various pieces of CIF-issued gear from his unsecured vehicle. Investigations have revealed no leads or suspects. The estimated value of the stolen property is $1,600.7 May 2011 - A Marine with 2nd Supply Battalion was observed as he placed (2) boxes of “cough & cold relief” medication and (2) boxes of “Coricidin HBP” medication in his pocket and then proceeded to exit the store without rendering payment. The Marine was searched, which resulted in the discov-ery of several packets of spice, which were seized as evidence. The Marine was apprehended and released to a unit representative.

Humvee, IED awareness course prep ANA soldiers for future opsLance Cpl. Bruno J. Bego2nd MLG (FWD) Public Affairs

CAMP LEATHERNECK, Afghanistan – Soldiers with 215th Corps Logistics Bat-talion, Afghan National Army are not only better able to keep their vehicles running over the rugged Afghan terrain, but they are better prepared to encounter the insur-gents’ most common weapon: improvised explosive devices. Marines and sailors with the Embedded Partnering Team, 2nd Maintenance Battalion (-) (Reinforced), 2nd Marine Logistics Group (Forward) provided the necessary assets to con-duct a mine and IED awareness course, and a humvee course for nearly 160 soldiers aboard Camp Shorabak, Afghanistan, May 9, 2011. “Right now we are partnered with the 215th CLB to conduct operations and train-

ing,” said Capt. Patrick Ross, from Ham-den, Conn., the EPT officer in charge. “We have two main functions right now, first is to facilitate training for the ANA soldiers by pairing them with the [U.S.] experts in each individual skill they are expected to learn. “Second, we go on operations with them to offer assistance or guidance if neces-sary,” Ross added. During the first class, Marines with 2nd Combat Engineer Battalion, 2nd Marine Division (Fwd.) taught the soldiers the characteristics of IEDs as well as how to positively identify one during a search. “The training consists of IEDs, how they are made and what they are made of,” explained Lance Cpl. Dustin J. Wilbands, from Baldwin, Ga., a combat engineer with 2nd CEB. “The training had basic practical application so they can practice and learn

what to look for if they are searching a house or an individual.” Not long after the IED class, Marines with the motor vehicle incidental driver school held a class on the humvee. The two-week course the soldiers are currently undergoing will fa-miliarize them with every detail of the hum-vee, a new vehicle to most Afghan soldiers. “This is a new tactical vehicle for them, and all the knowledge we are going to give them is going to really help them in future missions,” explained Staff Sgt. James M. Sy-monette, from Crestview, Fla., the MVIDS licensing director with 2nd MLG (Fwd.). “We don’t only tell them what everything is or how the vehicle operates. We get in depth on each component and procedure, and make sure they really understand,” Sy-monette added. Currently the troops with the 215th CLB have the responsibility of sustaining Afghan infantry soldiers operating in southwestern Afghanistan. The Marines and sailors with the EPT will continue to support them, until they are self sufficient and experienced enough to operate completely independently.

Two Marines with 2nd Combat Engineer Battal-ion, 2nd Marine Division (Forward), demonstrate the proper way to use the mine detector when looking for explosive hazards during an IED and mine awareness class May 9, 2011, aboard Camp Shorabak, Afghanistan.

Photo by Lance Cpl. Bruno J. Bego

Maxine Jordan

Job: 2nd MLG Print Shop ManagerHometown: Durham, NC Q: What is the best part about your job? A: “I love supporting the troops. I feel like I am doing something important.”

Q: Favorite Food?A: “Baked turkey wings smothered in gravy, rice, col-lared greens and cornbread!”

Q: If you could do another job for a day, what would it be?A: “Photographer. There have been so many times when I wish I had a camera in my hand.”

Q: Hobbies? A: “Gardening and fishing.”

The Warrior’s Log Page 3

Perfect Print

From programs to newsletters, 2nd MLG Print Shop manager keeps unit inked

Photo by Cpl. Melissa A. LattyMaxine Jordan, 2nd Marine Logistics Group print shop manager, displayes some of her work at the shop aboard Camp Lejeune, N.C., May 11, 2011. Jordan has worked at the print shop since January 2008.

Cpl. Melissa A. Latty2nd MLG Public Affairs

CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. – Ever wonder who printed that copy of the 2nd Marine Logistics Group Warriors Log you’re reading? What about that program from the retire-ment ceremony you attended last month? Where do Marines go when they need pamphlets, programs, newsletters, or busi-ness cards printed? They go to Maxine Jordan, 2nd MLG print shop manager, for all of their mass printing needs. Jordan prints thousands of copies every week while supporting the Marines of 2nd MLG. “I love supporting the troops,” said Jordan. “I feel like I’m doing something important.” Jordan operates on two production printers, which can print up to 110 full-

color pages per minute. At more than 15 ft. in length, they take up more than half the length of her shop. “You can really tell the difference in something you print at home or in your office and what comes out of these print-ers,” she said, alluding to the crisp, vibrant appearance of the ink. Jordan started out working at a Xerox print shop in Raleigh, N.C., and trans-ferred to Camp Lejeune in January 2008. Jordan has more than 12 years of printing experience. “I love my job and I love coming to work,” she said. “My goal is to one day own my own print shop once I’m retired.” Next time you’re at a corporal’s course graduation, change of command ceremony or reading the latest issue of the Warriors Log, admire the work of Maxine Jordan.

The Warrior’s Log Page 4

Bridge Co. keeps boats afloatPfc. Franklin E. Mercado2nd MLG Public Affairs

CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. – Regardless of other operations Marines participated in throughout the last 10 years, like fighting a land locked war in Afghanistan, their am-phibious capabilities and flexibility remain a hallmark of the service. Across the globe small water crafts are uti-lized in numerous operations. Before anything hits the water, however, Marines are charged with ensuring these boats are mission ready. Aboard Camp Lejeune, a handful of these Marines can be found within Bridge Company, 8th Engineer Support Battalion, 2nd Marine Logistics Group, where these small craft me-chanics are responsible for inspecting and re-pairing the watercrafts for the battalion. These devil dogs keep Marines afloat, literally. Though they won’t deploy as a unit to do this job, they still understand the impor-tance of their duties, said Lance Cpl. Chris-topher Buss, a heavy equipment small craft mechanic with the company.

Bridge Co. is in charge of approximately 25 watercrafts, that all must be inspected once a month along with other maintenance they might require after a training exercise or operation. Keeping the boats mission capable is essential because the boats have a range of capabilities, from transporting Marines to transporting heavy equipment across bodies of water.

“These boats take a lot of wear and tear while they are being used by the battalion,” said Cpl. Carlos Fagan, a heavy equipment small craft me-chanic with the company and head of the main-tenance section. “Something as small as a light being out to something as large as a motor not working can keep a boat from being used.” An inoperable boat is a problem because mission readiness is priority number one. To maintain this readiness, 75 percent of the boats must be fully functional at all times, which is why deadlines are so important. “We have a turnaround time of 30 days,” said Buss. “Half of those 30 days is usually taken up with the ordering and shipping pro-cess for the parts, so in reality we only have fifteen days to get a boat on the ready line.” The ready line is where all mission ready watercrafts sit until they are checked out for use. A full ready line means Marines are working hard and making mission. “Whenever we have boats on the ready line it’s good,” said Fagan. “That means we are doing our job fast and proficiently and that keeps everyone happy.”

Photo by Pfc. Franklin E. MercadoBridge Erection Boat MK IIIs sit at the ready line at the Bridge Company, 8th Engineer Sup-port Battalion, 2nd Marine Logistics Group, lot aboard Camp Lejeune, N.C., May 4, 2011. Bridge Co. is in charge of approximately 25 watercrafts must be inspected once a month along with other maintenance they might need after a training exercise or operation.

Lance Cpl. Christopher Buss, a heavy equipment small craft mechanic with Bridge Company, 8th Engineer Support Battalion, 2nd Marine Lo-gistics Group, inspects the gauges on a watercraft aboard Camp Leje-une, N.C., May 4, 2011. Bridge Co. is in charge of approximately 25 wa-tercrafts, and they all must be inspected once a month along with other maintenance they might require after a training exercise or operation. Photo by Pfc. Franklin E. Mercado

The Warrior’s Log Page 5

Commanding General Public Affairs Officers Public Affairs ChiefBrig. Gen. Michael G. Dana 2nd Lt. Joshua Smith (FWD) Staff Sgt. Theresa E. Seng (FWD) 2nd Lt. James StengerSergeant Major Press ChiefSgt. Maj. William T. Stables Combat Correspondents Sgt. Justin J. Shemanski Sgt. Rachael Moore (FWD)Command Master Chief Cpl. Melissa LattyCMDCM Russell W. Folley LCpl. Bruno J. Bego (FWD) Pfc. Franklin E. Mercado

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CLR-27 CO leads unit in regimental run(Above) Following a three-mile run to 2nd Marine Logistics Group Headquarters and back, Col. Gary Keim, commanding officer for Combat Logistics Bat-talion 27, addresses his Marines and sailors at the French Creek PT Field aboard Camp Lejeune, N.C., May 13. Keim’s intent was to provide an opportunity to build teamwork and camaraderie among the battalion and companies, which resulted in the exectuion of a motivational run as a cohesive unit. (Inset) Col. Gary Keim leads hundreds of his Marines and sailors in a motivational run.

Photos by Lance Cpl. William Kresse

Outstanding ServiceCLB-2 SgtMaj awarded Bronze Starfollowing tour of duty in AfghanistanPfc. Franklin E. Mercado2nd MLG Public Affairs

CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. – Sgt. Maj. Tracy Linch, sergeant major for Combat Logistics Battalion 2, Combat Logistics Regiment 2, 2nd Marine Logistics Group, received the Bronze Star Medal during a ceremony aboard Camp Lejeune, May 6, 2011. The award honors Linch for his outstanding service as the battalion’s sergeant major while deployed to Afghani-stan in support of Internation-al Security Assistance Force operations. Though Linch was un-aware of the fact the forma-tion he was calling to atten-tion was present to see him receive the award, including Lt. Col. Brian Wolford, the battalion’s commanding of-ficer, no one was surprised he was being honored with this decoration. “Everyone here knows why sergeant major is receiving the Bronze Star Medal,” said Wol-ford as he addressed the bat-talion. “He did a great job in Afghanistan, far beyond what I expected from him.”

The job he did the best is the part people don’t get a chance to see all the time, said Wolford. He took care of all the Marines and made sure the battalion was doing its job to the best of its abilities. Linch was quick to share the spotlight, giving the credit to the Marines he worked with on the deployment. “The reason it looks like I did such a great job is because I had great Marines to lead,” said Linch. “You all made it easy for me to do my job. This award was earned on the shoulders and backs of you all.” After giving thanks to the Marines in attendance for being there for the ceremony, Linch began giving thanks for another reason. “I’m leaving here soon and I have to say these past couple of years have been great,” said Linch. “From the bottom of my heart I would like to thank each and every one of you that made my time here memorable. I will miss all of you.” Linch spent seven months with the unit in Afghanistan, which returned earlier this year.

Watch 2nd Marine Logistics Group in motion at home and abroad.