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CO’s Smoking Gun By LtCol R.J. Braatz

Hello MAG-49 Det C families. I hope you all had a fun and relaxing holiday season. For those of us that live in New Orleans I know it has been a good time especially with record Mardi Gras attendance and the Saints winning the Super Bowl. Even with a lot of time off, your Marines stayed busy. My Maintenance Department spent the holidays preparing for a very detailed inspection conducted by the Navy. All the preparation paid off and we did a superb job. There were

Marines preparing on their days off and we could not have done so well without your support. Thank you. If you haven’t heard, we have a new Family Readiness Officer, Monica McClure. She was selected by me with input from my staff and the Family Readiness Team. She has hit the ground running and will be setting up our website, scheduling and planning family days, and providing you information that will assist you with military life. MAG-49 Detachment C has a few major upcoming events. In May, expect to have a family day and a Hurrevac brief. I encourage you to attend both events, and I assure that you will receive important information regarding unit relocation in case we have to evacuate for an impending hurricane. Also in May, the command will deploy to Camp Pendleton, CA for 1 month. During this deployment we will provide vital air support to Marines of the Ground Combat Element in order to prepare them for deployment to Afghanistan. Again, thank you for your continued support and I look forward to seeing you at the upcoming family events.

MAG-49 Det CNewsletter

Feb 2010Feb 2010 Vol 3Vol 3

INSIDE THIS ISSUE

CO’s Smoking Gun1SgtMaj Words of Wisdom2Marine Corps Birthday Ball Photos3Family Day/Christmas Photos4Promotions/Awards5Welcome Aboard/Resources6Family Readiness News/Calendar7

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MAG-49 Det C NEWSLETTER

SgtMaj’s Words of WisdomBy SgtMaj J. Esparza

Marines, Family and Friends, Time is just flying here in NOLA! Since the last newsletter, we celebrated the Marine Corps’ 234TH Birthday, moved into our new Hangar, and had the Holiday season come and go. I sincerely hope that each of you enjoyed the extra time spent with your Marine. During these last few months, your Marine has conquered the new Marine Corps Combat Fitness Tests, stood multiple inspections, and has planned events that included our Mess Night on 5 February, this year’s Mardi Gras festivities, and a shooting exercise at Shelby, Mississippi. The Commanding Officer and I enjoyed meeting spouses and family members at the Birthday Ball and Family Day, and look forward to seeing you again in the near future.

234th United States Marine Corps Birthday Ball

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MAG-49 Det C NEWSLETTER

Sgt. Mahan, Sgt. Johnson, Sgt. Priest, Sgt. Weanie, Sgt. Thomas, LCpl. Guertin - Enjoying the 234th Marine Corps Birthday Ball at Antoine’s Restaurant (Nov 09)

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MAG-49 Det C NEWSLETTER

A few memories from the 234th Marine Corps Birthday Ball, held on November 14th, 2009 at Antoine’s restaurant in the French Quarter.

A great time was had by all !!!

MAG 49 Det C Family Day/Christmas Party

December 2009

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MAG-49 Det C NEWSLETTER

PROMOTIONS AND AWARDS

PROMOTIONS FOR DEC 09 & JAN 10: PME GRADS• SSgt Page, SNCOA Career Course

• SSgt AmezquitaZamora• SSgt Autin• Sgt Copeland REINLISTMENTS• Sgt Reyna • SSgt Price• Sgt Robbins• Cpl Borst • LCpl Wesley

DECORATIONS• CWO2 Key…NMCAM• GySgt Ceja…NMCAM• SSgt AmezquitaZamora…NMCAM• SSgt Blatt…NMCAM• SSgt Hansberry…NMCAM• SSgt May…NMCAM• Sgt Dowell…NMCAM• LCpl Borst…NMCAM

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MAG-49 Det C NEWSLETTER

ON BASEFree Tax Prep

Service AvailableLet Volunteer Income Tax Assistance(VITA) assist you in obtaining the best

refund you are entitled to!

Hours of Operation: 0800-1600

Call for appt:(504) 678-4894 or 697-9290

They are located in Bldg. 20. As you comein the Main Gate, it is the last street on theleft, just before the Flight Line, turn and goall the way down. The road dead ends into

Bldg. 20. 2ND deck, Room 201

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MAG-49 Det C NEWSLETTER

BIRTHS:• SSgt Blatt, a son• Sgt Edney, a daughter• Sgt Steele, a daughter • LCpl Lee, a son

“Welcome Aboard”(November to present)

Maj Baxter SSgt AutinSSgt Florencio SSgt Ford

Sgt Evans Sgt FlanaganSgt Gloster Sgt Hurst Sgt Jones Sgt Lyles

Sgt Nicholson Sgt PatrickSgt Sanchez Sgt Sumner

Cpl Anderson Cpl KnuthLCpl Carnero LCpl IsaacPFC Martinez

“Fare Winds and Following Seas”

GySgt Brumbley GySgt WhiteSSgt Miller Sgt ElicierSgt Tilton

Congratulations to the familieson the birth of their new babies!

SSgt Blatt, a sonSgt Edney, a daughterSgt Steele, a daughter

LCpl Lee, a son___________________________________________

Don’t forget the Fleet and Family Service Center

Bldg 555

The Center offers a variety of counseling services, including personal financial planning, childcare and

family issues, and career development.

Give them a call at: (504) 678-7569

Readiness Resources:

Marine Corps offers FREE tutoring 24/7: Kids : Homework and test preparation. Adults: math, writing skills and application assistance. Log on to www.usmc- mccs.org and click on the “Live Homework Help” link.

National Military Family Association: A great DoD sponsored site which helps military families weed through their benefits and provides them with additional ones. Look them up at http://www.nmfa.org

Military OneSource is a resource provided by the DOD at no cost to all active duty and reserve service members and their families. Their reps can assist with consultation, research and referral on a variety of issues. Contact them at www.militaryonesource.com or 1-800-342-9647

GI Bill Benefits, including Montgomery G.I. Bill, Post 9/11 G.I. Bill & Marine Corps College Fund, and information regarding these benefits may be found at www.gibill.va.gov

The official website of the U.S. Marine Corps hosts the top stories of the day, information on units, HQ MC, career and information for family members at www.marines.mil

MAG 49, Detachment C is in the process of updating its webpage at:http://www.marines.mil/unit/marforres/ 4thMAW/MAG49/DetC

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MAG-49 Det C NEWSLETTER

Upcoming Holidays

COMP DAY 1 MAR 10COMP DAY 12 MAR 10ST. PATRICK’S DAY 17 MAR 10COMP DAY 19 MAR 10

EASTER 4 APR 10COMP DAY 5 APR 10COMP DAY 16 APR 10

Upcoming EventsDRILL WEEKEND 20,21 FEB 10DRILL WEEKEND 5,6,7 MAR 10

(Rifle Range Prep)UNIFORM CHANGE 15 MAR 10DRILL WEEKEND 23,24,25 APR 10

(Rifle Range)ACTIVE DUTYRIFLE RANGE 26-30 APR 10MOJAVE VIPER 21 MAY-18 JUN 10

Family Readiness OfficerBy Monica L. McClure

Hello MAG 49 DET C Families: I’d like to introduce myself and extendan invitation to each of you to express any and all ideas you have about what a goodFamily Readiness Program should offer you and your family. This is a great programthat is here to serve you, so please feel freeto contact me with ideas or suggestions. Ifthere is a particular resource you would liketo discuss or a class you would like offered,please let me know . We are in the process of planning aFamily Day event in May, which willinclude a Hurricane briefing for theupcoming season. I hope to see you therefor this important briefing and to join in the Family Day events. If you would like toparticipate in planning or would like tovolunteer for this event, it is a great opportunity to get involved in your Marine’s unit. Please give me a call at (504) 678-7455 if you would like to offer suggestionsor volunteer some of your time.

Thank you all, and I look forward tomeeting you in the near future!

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED FOR THE FOLLOWING EVENTS:

New Orleans Hornets Home Games:19,21,26 Feb 1,3,8,12,22,24,27,29,31 Mar

NEW COFFEE SHOPNOW OPEN!

Located next to Macan’s Pub, Bldg. 40

Featuring Starbucks Coffee and Tazo Tea

Hours of Operation: M-F 0600-1030

Also open drillweekends!