observation post - amazon s3s3.amazonaws.com/zanran_storage/. nicholas j. galante, squad leader,...

Observation Post

September 7, 2007 Serving The Twentynine Palms Community Since 1957 Vol. 50 Issue 36

MM aa rr ii nn ee CC oo rr pp ss AA ii rr GG rr oo uu nn dd CC oo mm bb aa tt CC ee nn tt ee rr

IInnssiiddee tthhiiss iissssuuee

• A5: Promotions

• A7: 3/11, 5/11 Desert FIREX

• A8: Former Marine brings warm

welcome to 3/4

WWeeeekkeenndd WWeeaatthheerr OObbsseerrvvaattiioonnss

97/70Sunny

98/75Sunny

100/74Mostly Sunny

Friday

Saturday

Sunday

TThhiiss DDaayy iinn

MMaarriinnee CCoorrppss

HHiiss ttoorryy

—— 11999900——

The 13th MEU

embarked and arrived

in the Gulf of Oman,

joining U.N. forces.CG’s Intramural Football League season starts

PPFFCC.. JJAARREEDD JJ.. BBUUTTLLEERRCOMBAT CORRESPONDENT

The Marines of 2nd Battalion, 7thMarine Regiment, conducted a ceremo-ny to award and recognize one of theirMarines with a Bronze Star Medal withCombat Distinguishing Device and aPurple Heart Medal Aug. 30.

Sgt. Nicholas J. Galante, squadleader, Mobile Assault Platoon 1,Mobile Assault Company, 2/7, earnedhis awards for the actions taken andwounds received while he was in Iraq insupport of Operation Iraqi Freedom.

The Bronze Star Medal was awardedto Galante for his achievement in con-nection with 2/7 combat operationsfrom March 7 to March 13.

March 7, MAP 1 was conductingcounter insurgency operations froman observation post in Al Anbarprovince, Iraq, when Galante and hissquad identified a vehicle fleeing froman engagement in a nearby marketwith Echo Company, according to theaward citation.

“It made us all pretty mad that theywere taking shots at our guys in EchoCompany,” said Galante.

He and Lance Cpl. Josh Hayter,MAP 1, Mobile Assault Company, 2/7,left their position on a building top to

stop the vehicle. As they approachedthe truck, Cpl. Joe Ramirez, MAP 1,Mobile Assault Company, 2/7, observ-ing from his position on the building,made it clear the insurgents were armed.

“Those guys turned down thewrong alley that day,” said Ramirez. “Ifthey had taken a different turn, theymight have gotten away. We got tothem before they could cause anymore damage.”

When Galante and Hayter orderedthe occupants of the truck to get out,one of them attempted to aim his AK-47 at them.

At this time, Galante delivered twofatal shots to the armed insurgent’schest before he had the chance to fire.

The remaining two insurgents fledfrom their vehicle, and Galante andHayter pursued them on foot. Galantetook down both insurgents from dis-tances of 150 and 300 meters.

“We’re all pretty good shots,” saidRamirez, “and we had two of our bestguys down there.”

After successfully eliminating thethreat of the insurgents in the truck,Galante and his squad proceeded tosearch the vehicle and found severalweapons.

March 13, Galante was part of a dis-mounted patrol that received small

arms fire from multiple positions on asmall bridge in a desolate area of Iraq.

“We were taking fire from every-where,” said Galante. “We had to holdthem off until more of our guys couldcome support us.”

Galante exposed himself to theenemy multiple times to maximizeeffective suppression for his squad. Hisefforts resulted in the safety of his fel-low Marines and three dead enemyinsurgents before reinforcing unitscame to their aid.

“My squad and my staff sergeant hadmy back the entire time we were overthere,” said Galante. “All of those guysare great.”

The Purple Heart Medal was award-ed to Galante for the wounds hereceived June 19 at a patrol base in Iraq.

After a recent patrol, Galante and hisfellow Marines had stopped to get somerest when a suicide bomber in a dumptruck crashed into their patrol base,injuring him and several other Marines.

He received shrapnel to his head,back and shoulder, keeping him out ofaction for only four days before heinsisted on returning to his platoon.

Galante’s example is one thatdeserves respect and can be used tomotivate and inspire Marines for manyyears to come.

2/7 Marine earns Bronze Star, Purple Heart

LLAANNCCEE CCPPLL.. MMOONNIICCAA CC.. EERRIICCKKSSOONNCOMBAT CORRESPONDENT

Natural Resource and Environmental Affairs isan organization that helps protect human healthand the environment.

In 1981, NREA was established under theInstallation and Logistics Directorate andstaffed with one ecologist and two Marines.

“The purpose of the environmental offices isto help the Marines become aware of the envi-ronmental requirements associated with day-to-day activities,” said former NREA employeeLeon Bowling, now a facility planner at theFacility Management Division Planning. “It alsoinforms Marines of the long-term and short-term impacts to the environment and what theirpersonal liabilities might be if they do not followlaws and regulations.”

The first project NREA focused on was from1981 to 1985, when they started the relocationof desert tortoise from construction sites. Thedesert tortoises was in the process of beingadded to a list of threatened species. The otherproject at the time was the protection of theSurprise Springs cultural resource area.

In 1986, NREA began monitoring and man-aging all hazardous waste and clean-up of spillson the base.

Two years later, NREA completed a ground-water investigation of Sandhill, Emerson Lakeand Gypsum Ridge Training Areas to determineif the water was suitable for drinking.

Throughout all of NREA’s work, their organ-ization was getting acknowledged for their timeand effort.

According to Dr. Marie Cottrell, the Naturaland Cultural Resources officer, starting in 1962the Secretary of Defense and later the Secretary

of the Navy have recognized military installationsand Department of Defense employees for out-standing accomplishments in the conservation ofnatural resources on the approximate 25 millionacres of land and water under DoD control.

“The Combat Center was the first MarineCorps installation to win the Secretary of Navy’sEnvironmental Award in recognition of out-standing achievement in Cultural Resources

Management in 1996,” said Cottrell. “Theaward was given for excellence in achieving mul-tiple goals and objectives cited in the awardselection categories.”

In 1997, the Combat Center was recognizedby the Secretary of the Navy in both categoriesof conservation. The installation also won theSecretary of the Navy’s Environmental Awardin recognition of outstanding achievement in

Natural Resources Management for a largeinstallation.

Also in 1997, personnel working for NREAreceived individual recognition for their achieve-ments. Cottrell received the Secretary of theNavy’s award for individual recognition in thefield of cultural resources management.

NREA: Excels through the years

CCOOUURRTTEESSYY PPHHOOTTOO

California State University, Los Angeles, students assist NREA in an excavation here at Surprise Springs in 2005 to increase understand-ing of Native Americans who once lived in this area.

See NREA, A6

PPFFCC.. JJAARREEDD JJ.. BBUUTTLLEERR

Lt. Col. Joseph L’Etoile, commanding officer, 2nd Battalion, 7thMarine Regiment, congratulates Sgt. Nicholas J. Galante,squad leader, Mobile Assault Platoon 1, Mobile AssaultCompany, 2/7, Aug. 30 after awarding him the Bronze StarMedal with Combat Distinguishing Device and Purple HeartMedal for actions taken and wounds received in Iraq in supportof Operation Iraqi Freedom.

CCeenntteerrssppeeaakkDo you think America is prepared

for another Hurricane Katrina?Opinions expressed in Centerspeak

are not necessarily those of the OBSERVATION POST, the Marine Corps or Department of Defense.

AA22 SSEEPPTTEEMMBBEERR 77,, 22000077 OOBBSSEERRVVAATTIIOONN PPOOSSTT

The Observation Post is published by Hi-Desert Publishing, a private firm in no wayconnected with the Department of Defense or the United States Marine Corps, underexclusive written contract with the Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center. Thiscommercial enterprise newspaper is an authorized publication for members of the mil-itary services. Contents of the Observation Post are not necessarily the official views of,or endorsed by, the United States Government, the DoD, or the United States MarineCorps. The appearance of advertising in this publication, including inserts and supple-ments, does not constitute endorsement by the Department of Defense or Hi-DesertPublishing of the services advertised.Everything advertised in this publication shall be made available for purchase, use orpatronage without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status,physical handicap, political affiliation, or any other nonmerit factor of the purchaser,user or patron. Editorial content is prepared by the Public Affairs Office, MCAGCC,Twentynine Palms, Calif. 92278. All photos, unless otherwise indicated are OfficialUSMC Photos. Questions can be directed to the Public Affairs Office, located in Bldg.1417, during normal working hours at (760) 830-5472 or FAX (760) 830-5474. TheObservation Post is made with 60-percent recycled paper.

Observation Post

Commanding General Brig. Gen. Melvin G. SpiesePublic Affairs Officer Capt. Neal V. FisherPublic Affairs Chief (FWD) Gunnery Sgt. Chris W. CoxAdvertising Sales Manager Vivian MckinnisLayout and Design Patrick BrinkOperations Chief Sgt. Robert L. Fisher IIIEditor Susie StevensPress Chief Cpl. Regina N. OrtizBroadcast Chief Cpl. Brian A. TuthillCombat Correspondent Cpl. Michael S. CifuentesCombat Correspondent Lance Cpl. Monica C. EricksonCombat Correspondent Lance Cpl. Nicholas M. DunnCombat Correspondent Lance Cpl. Katelyn A. KnauerCombat Correspondent Lance Cpl. Nicole A. LaVineCombat Correspondent Pfc. Jared J. Butler

3RD BATTALION, 11TH MARINE REGIMENT

“Yes, I think we arebecause of Katrina we

have prepared better facilities.We have learned from that dis-aster.”

“No, because we arestill having a hard

time with the last hurricane.”“Yes, they need to be pre-

pared, families need tobe prepared also on a locallevel.”

Attention writersThe OP is looking for newspaper stringers. Once you get the “scoop” on a story inform the post newspaper editor. Eitherthe OP can send a reporter, or you can write it yourself. The submission deadline is Friday the week prior to the next pub-lication. For more information, call (760) 830-5472.

LLTT.. CCOOLL.. JJAAMMEESS CC.. LLEEWWIISS

2ND BATTALION, 7TH MARINE REGIMENT

SSTTAAFFFF SSGGTT.. JJOOEE EEZZII

7TH MARINE REGIMENT

PPFFCC.. JJAAMMEESS MMAASSOONN

SSeemmppeerrttoooonnss By Gunnery Sgt. Charles Wolf

C.O.P. CornerCommunity

Oriented PolicingThe proactive voice of crime prevention

Presented by the Provost Marshal’s Office Crime Prevention Section

Presented by the Provost Marshal’s Office Crime Prevention Section

The following services are available to on-base personnel and residents through CrimePrevention: literature, briefs, education, crime assessments, safety tips, the Stranger Dangerprogram, McGruff the Crime Dog, the Officer Friendly program, the Property Markingprogram, and the Child Identification and Fingerprinting program. For more informationcall Crime Prevention, 830-6094/5457.

Recognize the Signs

Of Depression and Possible

Suicide Risk

DDOOWWNN

2. Mmmmmmmmmm

3. Unbelievable

4. Hip to the Hop

5. In the Garden of Eden

8. Their song was an epic

10. Barbie fans

11. Not the most flavorful symphony

12. His heart was aching and breaking

13. A whiskey drink, then a vodka drink

15. Walked 500 miles

16. Bearers of funny, red hats

21. One of the Mambos

23. Macerena

AACCRROOSSSS

1. Played some funky music

6. Dialed up Jenny

7. A whole lot of red balloons

9. Ice Ice Baby

14. They felt the noise

17. Alwasy felt watched

18. There it was

19. They did a lot of jumping around

20. They didn't take it

22. Unclean affection

24. Rocked Amadeus

25. Became Asian

26. Didn't know how to talk to an angel

27. Never worried, always happy

28. Martial Arts Warriors

ONE HIT WONDERS

[Solutions on A6]

In last week’s edition of theObservation Post, the article“SMP donations appreciatedby deployed 3/7 Marines,”was ran with a photo of acorpsman handing out soc-cer balls in Iraq. The corps-man was misidentified. Theactual name of the “Doc” isSeaman Justin Harris, a 3/7corpsman, who is picturedabove with Iraqi locales.

Misfire!

Numerous deployments, rough relationships, or even no relationships can lead a personinto depression or even into the possible risk of depression.Here are some ways to tell if a person is at risk.Talking About Dying:any mention of dying, disappearing, jumping, shooting oneself, or other types of selfharm.Recent Loss:• through death, divorce, separation, broken relationship, loss of job, money, status, self-confidence, self-esteem, loss of religious faith, loss of interest in friends, sex, hobbies,activities previously enjoyed.Change in personality:• sad, withdrawn, irritable, anxious, tired, indecisive, apathetic.Change in Behavior:• can't concentrate on school, work, routine tasks.Change in Sleep Patterns:• insomnia, often with early waking or oversleeping, nightmares.Change in Eating Habits:• loss of appetite and weight, or overeating.Diminished Sexual Interest:• impotence, menstrual abnormalities (often missed periods).Fear of losing control:• going crazy, harming self or others.Low self esteem:• feeling worthless, shame, overwhelming guilt, self-hatred, "everyone would be better offwithout me".No hope for the future:• believing things will never get better; that nothing will ever change.Other things to watch for:• Suicidal impulses, statements, plans; giving away favorite things; previous suicideattempts, substance abuse, making out wills, arranging for the care of pets, extravagantspending, agitation, hyperactivity, restlessness or lethargy.REMEMBER: The risk of suicide may be greatest as the depression lifts.For more information go to website http://www.sfsuicide.org/html/warning.html.

OOBBSSEERRVVAATTIIOONN PPOOSSTT SSEEPPTTEEMMBBEERR 77,, 22000077 AA33

Movies and recreation for theupcoming week at the

Sunset CinemaFridayHot Rod6 p.m. (PG-13)

Rescue Dawn9 p.m. (PG-13)

I Now Pronounce You Chuck& LarryMidnight (PG-13)

SaturdayFree Matinee Wallace & Gromit11 a.m (G)

Underdog2 p.m (PG)

Bourne Ultimatum6 p.m (PG-13)

I Know Who Killed Me9 p.m. (PG-13)

Bourne UltimatumMidnight (PG-13)

SundayHarry Potter Order of thePhoenix2 p.m. (PG-13)

I Now Pronounce You Chuck& Larry6 p.m.(PG-13)

Sunshine9 p.m. (R)

MondayHot Rod7 p.m (PG)

TuesdayRescue Dawn7 p.m (PG-13)

WednesdayBourne Ultimatum7 p.m. (PG-13)

ThursdayNo Reservations7 p.m. (PG-13)

Liberty Call

HOTTOPICS

CCOOMMMMIISSSSAARRYY CCAASSEELLOOTT SSAALLEE!!

Friday, Saturday and Sunday,Sept. 14-16. Hours are Fridayand Saturday - 10 a.m. -7 p.m.and Sunday 12-5 p.m.

MMIILLIITTAARRYY SSPPOOUUSSEEEEMMPPLLOOYYMMEENNTT

SSTTUUDDYY The RAND Corporation is

conducting research for theDepartment of Defense tostudy the occupational choicesof military spouses and recom-mend actions to support mili-tary spouse employment.RAND is conducting inter-views with military spouseswho are female, at least 18years old, married to an ActiveDuty Enlisted Service Mem-ber, currently residing in theU.S., and currently employed inone of the following careerfields: Nursing (e.g. RNs,LPNs, home health aides, nurs-ing aides) Education (e.g.teachers, teacher aides, profes-sors, lecturers) Financial/Accounting (e.g. accountants,

bookkeepers, auditors) Infor-mation Tech- nology (e.g. com-puter programmers, softwaretechnicians) If you are interest-ed in participating, please visithttps://milspouse.rand.org/milspousestudy.php for moreinformation.

SSUUPPPPOORRTT TTHHEEBBAATTTTEERREEDD WWOOMMEENNAANNDD CCHHIILLDDRREENN OOFFOOUURR CCOOMMMMUUNNIITTYY::

The Battered Women's Shelteris in desperate need of cannedgoods and non-perishablefood items, as well as toiletriesfor women and clean clothing,disposable diapers, and goodtoys for children and toddlers.Items are being collected at theCatholic Chapel. For moreinformation contact PettyOfficer 2nd Class DemarioDavis at [email protected] orAlice-Ann Patu at [email protected].

MMAARRIINNEE CCOORRPPSSCCOOLLLLEEGGEE OOFFCCOONNTTIINNUUIINNGGEEDDUUCCAATTIIOONNAACCCCEEPPTTIINNGG

EENNRROOLLLLMMEENNTTSSNNOOWW!!

The Marine Corps College ofContinuing Education http://

www.tecom.usmc. mil/cce/ isthe center for advancingExpeditionary Warfare Schooland Command and StaffCollege Distance EducationPrograms DEP. In addition toconducting seminars for EWSand CSC, the regional coordi-nators provide support to stu-dents who are completing thesecourses independently. CCEseminar program academicyear runs October throughMay and consists of a two-hourseminar that meets once aweek. Seminars for all courseswill be available again this yearat Camp Pendleton beginningin October. Enrollments arebeing accepted now. If youhave questions about officerprofessional military educationrequirements, or if you needmore information about enroll-ment or seminar schedules,contact the Camp PendletonRegional Coordin-ator, JeffreyWillis at (760) 725-8400 or byemail at [email protected].

AAUUXXIILLIIAARRYY MMIILLIITTAARRYYPPOOLLIICCEE

OOPPPPOORRTTUUNNIITTYY FFOORRAACCTTIIVVEE DDUUTTYY

The Provost Marshal's Officeis looking for outstandingMar-ines and sailors tobecome part of the AuxiliaryMilitary Police. Volunteerswill receive on-the-job train-ing as a Military Police patrol-

man. Duties will include traf-fic enforcement, DUI detec-tion, criminal incident re-sponse and investigations.Volunteers are required toattend a one-week pre-servicecourse to study basic lawenforcement techniques andtactics. For more informa-tion, call 2nd Lt. Kristopher J.Knobel at 830-5456.

CCHHIILLDDCCAARREEEEXXPPEENNSSEESSAASSSSIITTAANNCCEE

Below is the Web site to theNational Network of ChildCare Resources and Referralwhich helps military membersdefray the costs of child care.The link contains informationabout NACCRRA, the assis-tance provided and applica-tions for assistance. It may bean additional resource for yourMarines and sailors. As anactive duty military memberwho deploys, you rate financialassistance and several militaryfamilies currently receive thisassistance. Many people havenever heard of this organiza-tion. Their Web site address is:http://www.naccrra.org/. TheDoD emblem and link halfwaydown the page on the righttakes you to the page which hasinformation and paperworkapplication links for assistanceto military programs.

LEISUREITEMS

TTOODDAAYY:: BBLLOOOODDDDRRIIVVEE OONN VVIICCTTOORRYY

FFIIEELLDD The Community Blood Bankwill be on Victory FieldTODAY from 9 a.m.-1 p.m.Please come by and donateblood, their is a shortage ofblood here in the lower andhigh desert. You may be able tosave a life and that life could beyour buddy on your left andright hand side.

TTOODDAAYY:: CCHHIILLIIRREECCIIPPEE AANNDD DDEEAATTHH

BBYY CCHHOOCCOOLLAATTEECCOONNTTEESSTT

Time to see which Direc-torate has what it takes... G-3’s2nd Annual Best Chili Recipeand Death by ChocolateContest. We're talking brag-ging rights. Today from 12 to1 p.m. at the BCC, building1559. Cost is $5 perpot/dessert to enter the con-test. Three categories for chili:hot, mild, exotic. One catego-ry for chocolate. $2 per bowlonce winner is announced.Judging commences at 11:30a.m. All proceeds will bedonated to the CombinedFederal Campaign. POC isTerry Vetsch at 830-4156

MMOONNDDAAYY NNIIGGHHTTFFOOOOTTBBAALLLL KKIICCKK OOFFFF

PPAARRTTYYThe Combat Centers' OfficersClub is hosting a MondayNight Football Kick Off partywith 2 games, steak and theBud Girls, Monday. Steaks willbe served from 5 to 7 p.m. withthe first game Baltimore versusCincinnati, starting at 4 p.m.and Arizona versus SanFrancisco at 7 p.m. For moreinformation, call 830-6610.


SSUUSSIIEE SSTTEEVVEENNSS

EDITOR

The Observation Post is asking military retirees to contact the base

Public Affairs Office during September if you would like the OP

to offer a Retiree’s Guide to services on the base at a future date.

The results of the poll will determine the outcome of this project.

The OP is available online at: http://www.op29online.com or at

many local businesses in the Twentynine Palms area.

Retirees can also contact the Retired Activities Office in

Building 1417, which is open 5-days a week from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.

or call 830-5472.

The RAO’s mission is to help military retirees with information

referral services. Therefore if a retiree has a question regarding

Social Security or other federal, state or local agencies often our

retiree staff can direct the retiree to a person who can answer their

question. To contact the RAO call 830-7550.

RETIREE POLLAttention All Military Retirees:

Ever considered teaching? Learn how to successful-ly transition to teaching by attending the Sept. 13presentation of TEACHING AS YOUR NEXTCAREER to be held at 10 a.m. at the BaseEducation Office, Building 1524 north on 7th Street.

It’s open to all active duty, reserve, retired militarymembers and their spouses. Did you know thatthere are teaching positions available in Californiathat do not require a college degree? Call 830-7225for more information.

Teaching as your next career

A Career Fair will beheld September 26th

at the CommunityCenter bldg 1004

from 9:30 a.m. – 1:30p.m. More than 50local and national

employers will be inattendance at this

semi-annual event sobring copies of yourresume and be pre-pared to interview.

Business dress or uni-form of the day is

highly recommended.This is a closed gate

event.

STAYMARINE

PPRRIIVVAATTEE FFIIRRSSTT CCLLAASSSS

BBAARRBBAALLAATTEE NICHOLAS MBBAARRBBEEEE IIII MARK EBBAAXXLLEEYY GREGORY MBBEEEE KEVIN LBBEENNEEDDEEKK BRYAN TBBIITTTTNNEERR CHRISTOPHE ABBOOCCAANNEEGGRRAA SERGIOBBOOIISSVVEERRTT MATTHEW RBBOOYYEERR NELSON KBBRRIIDDGGEESS NICHOLAS WBBRROOWWNN JJRR MICHAEL ACCAASSTTEELLLLAANNOOSS JOSUECCHHAAMMBBEERRLLAAIINN GREGORY JCCHHAANNCCEE CHRISTOPHE RCCOOVVIINNGGTTOONN NATHAN JCCRRAAMM JAMES FCCRROOSSSS JOSEPH MCCUULLPP STEVEN RDDIIAAZZ JUAN ADDUUFFFFYY WILLIE CEEBBYY BENJAMIN WEEDDWWAARRDDSS JEREMY AEESSCCOOBBEEDDOO EDGAR IEEVVAANNSS SEAN MFFAAIINNEE DAVID AFFAARRAAGGOO JARED SGGAARRRRIITTYY AMANDA LGGAARRZZAA DAVID MGGAATTEESS PETER DGGOOMMEEZZ JOSE CGGUUTTIIEERRRREEZZ LEOVARDOHHAARRRRIISS ALLEN EHHAATTCCHH RORY CHHEENNDDRRIICCKKSS BRIAN WHHEERRNNAANNDDEEZZ DANNY JHHOOYYOOSS GERMAN AJJAARRAAMMIILLLLOO STEVENJJUUDDDD CHAD MKKEELLLL KYLE WKKOOCCOOUURREEKK KYLE RKKYYGGEERR BRYANT LLLAARRSSOONN TYLER CLLOOPPEEZZ BENJAMIN TLLOOPPEEZZ FERNANDOLLYYOONNSS CHRISTOPHE GMMAANNUUEELL SAUNDRA LMMAAYY AUSTIN JMMCCCCAARRTTHHYY JEREMY EMMCCCCOOYY CHRISTOPHE RMMIILLLLEERR MATTHEW JMMOOCCKKLLEERR COURTNEY LMMOORRGGAANN JOSHUA DPPAACCHHEECCOO GILBERT RPPAALLMMEERR RYAN JPPOOPPEE ROBERT HPPRROOCCTTOORR JONATHAN BRRAASSMMUUSSSSEENN JASON ARRIICCHHAARRDDSSOONN MARK WRROODDDDAAMM CHRISTOPHE LRROOSSEERRAA MATTHEW PRROOUUSSHH JUSTIN DSSAANNDDEERRSS BRUCE TSSAAUUCCEEDDAA BRYANSSCCHHOOOONN JORDAN MSSCCOOTTTT ZACHARY RSSEEIILLEERR JEDDIDIAH ASSEEIITTZZ JASON LSSIIKKOORRAA KATELYN RSSMMAASSAALL MICHAEL LSSMMIITTHH BRANDON BSSOOLLIISS HUGOSSTTIIPPKKOOVVIICCHH CHRISTIANSSUULLLLIINNSS ASA CTTEEEEHHEEEE DESTANY STTOOMMLLIINN WILLIAMTTRROOUUTT MICHAEL STTUURRNNEERR MICHAEL KUUMMLLAAUUFF DYLAN LVVAALLCCOOUURRTT WILLIAMVVAALLDDEERRAAMMAA JOHNROSS FVVAANNDDEERRNNAAAALLDD DAVID RWWAALLKKEERR ADAM OWWEENNKKEERR KIMBERLY SWWEESSTTLLUUNNDD MICHAEL TWWIILLLLIIAAMMSS COREY MWWIILLLLIISS GARRETT DWWIITTCCHHEEYY JJRR ROBERT DWWOOOODD JEREMIAH DYYOORRKK DERRICK HZZOOLLIINNAASS DAVID M

LLAANNCCEE CCOORRPPOORRAALL

AABBEELLLL JOSHUA EAADDAAMMSS CLINTON SAALLVVAARREEZZ ANGEL GAAMMAADDOORR URIELAAMMAANNNN JOSHUA DAANNAAYYAA SANTINO TAANNTTHHOONNYY KENNETH PAATTKKIINNSSOONN RANDON RBBAAIINN RENAUKEBBAAKKEERR STERLING NBBAARRRROONN JJRR JOSE MBBEECCKKMMEEYYEERR DAVID MBBEERRGGEESS JOHNBBLLAACCKK JOHN WBBLLAALLOOCCKK JACOB KBBOOHHNN BENJAMIN LBBRROOWWNN KEITH BBBRROOWWNN NATHAN CBBUUNNGGEERR DANIEL JCCAAMMPPBBEELLLL KEITH LCCAARRDDOONNEE ANDREW JCCAARRRREERRAA JULIO CCCAARRRROOWW JAMES RCCAASSTTEELLLLOONN ARTUROCCHHIISSCCHHIILLLLYY MARCUS DCCHHOOII JAMES DCCLLAAYY JAMES PCCOOLLEE JORDAN TCCOOMMEERR LARRY GCCOONNDDIIEE MATTHEW TCCOONNNNOOLLLLYY ADAM JCCOORRDDEERRIIOO ELLIOT KCCOORRTTEEZZ DANIEL TCCOORRZZAANNTTEESS BALAM FCCOOTTEEYY BRYANT MCCRREEEEDD CHRISTOPHE RDDAAVVIISS LOGAN ADDAAVVIISS ROBERT SDDAAVVYY DAVID EDDEEJJOOSSEEPPHH CATHAL GDDEEPPAADDOOVVAA MATTHEW JDDEEPPEENNAA MARIEL VDDIICCKK MICHAEL JDDOONNNNEELLLLYY BRANDON JDDOORRSSEEYY JOSHUA ADDRREESSCCHHEERR JUSTIN TDDUUDDDDLLEESSTTOONN JJRR DAVID NDDUUTTCCHHOOVVEERR CHRISTOPHE DEEMMEERRSSOONN ERIC JFFIILLYYPPIIAAKK KEITH VFFIIRRTTSSCCHHRRUUDDSSEERR RAPHAEL PFFLLUUIIEERRAASS SEBASTIAN AFFOOEERRSSTTEERR IIII SHELTON HFFOORRRREESSTT IIIIII ROBERT JFFRREELLKK MICHAEL JGGAARRPPAARRDD CRU DGGOOMMEEZZ CESAR AGGOONNZZAALLEESSCCHHIICCAA CARLOS AGGOORRDDIILLLLOO HUGO GGOOSSSS COURTNEY LGGRREEEENNEE KEVIN RGGRREEGGEERR JOSEPH PHHAAAASS MICHAEL JHHAAMMIILLTTOONN LUKE AHHAARRBBIIGG COLE AHHEEBBEERRTT JEREMY WHHEERRAANNDDYY CHRISTOPHE THHIILLBBIIGG JAMESMICHA WHHIILLLL AUSTIN BHHIIMMEEBBAAUUGGHH THOMAS HHHIIRRSSCCHH JOSEPH MHHOOLLLLEERR JOSHUA DHHOOLLMMAANN DEREK RHHOOWWAARRDD JACOB DHHUUBBEERR JACOB AHHUUMMPPHHRREEYY STEVEN C

HHUURRRRIINNGGTTOONN BRANDON OHHUURRSSTT DREW MJJAACCKKOOWWSSKKII ROBERT TJJOOHHNNSSOONN MARK JJJOONNEESS JJRR ALONZO CKKAATTAA JOEL AKKAAUUTTZZ SAMUEL CKKLLIINNGGEENNBBEERRGG ADAM EKKOOLLBBAA JAKUBKKRRAAUUSSSS SEAN MLLEEDDEESSMMAALLEERRMMAA

LLEEVVRROONN TIMOTHY CLLEEVVYY DAVID JLLIIAANNGG DELONG LLLOOTTTT MATTHEW RLLUUDDWWIIGG CALVIN AMMAACCDDOONNAALLDD ADDISON EMMAAGGGGIITTTT R VMMAATTHHEEWWSS TOBY EMMAAYYEERRNNIIKK ROBERTMMAAYYFFIIEELLDD RAYMOND PMMCCGGIILLLLIISS WADEMMCCLLAAUUGGHHLLIINN SHAWN M IMMIINN CLAIRE JMMIITTCCHHEELLLL CHRISTOPHE JMMOONNTTGGOOMMEERRYY MATTHEW DOOCCHHOOAA JUAN COOLLSSOONN MATTHEW GPPAARRKK MICHAEL CPPAARRKKEERR MATTHEW DPPAATTTTEERRSSOONN ZACHARY DPPAAUULL TYLER M IPPEENNDDLLEETTOONN RICHARD DPPEERREEZZFFLLOORREESS EDUARDO APPIINNAA IIIIII RAMIRO RPPOOTTTTSS JONATHAN DPPRREESSTTOONN DAVID JPPRREETTZZ JJRR JOHN MQQUUIINNNN VALENTINORRAAMMIIRREEZZ DELILAH BRRAAMMLLEERR BRYAN JRRAAMMOOSS AARON GRRAASSMMUUSSSSEENN JOSHUA TRREEGGAANN DALTON RRROOBBIINNSSOONN JACOB JRROODDRRIIGGUUEEZZ CRISTY ARROOYYLLEE JJRR DENNIS TRRUUNNDDLLEE MATTHEW ESSAADDEERRUUPP TREVOR RSSAASSSSEERR CASSANDRA KSSAAVVAAGGEE DERRICK LSSCCHHAALLLLEERR GABRIEL MSSHHAAWW DANIEL JSSIIMMMMSS COLLIN JSSIIMMPPSSOONN JUSTIN CSSLLOOTTTTEENN ROBERT BSSMMIITTHH FREDERICK OSSOONNGG THOMAS ISSOOUUDDEERR KEVIN NSSTTAABBEENNOO DERRICKSSTTAAMMBBOOLLIISS TIMOTHY MSSTTOORRYY JOHN CSSTTRREECCKKEERR MATTHEW CSSTTUULLTTZZ DAVID JSSUUGGGGSS COLBY RTTAABBAARREESS EVER MTTAAPPIIAA HARRY HTTAAYYLLOORR ROBERT BTTHHOOMMPPSSOONN BRANDON MTTHHOOMMPPSSOONN JASON ATTIINNIIZZHHAANNAAYY CARLOS ATTOORRRREENNSS ANTHONY MTTOOUUCCHHSSTTOONN ROBERT CTTRRUUIITTTT MARSHALL DTTUURRCCAATTOO TAYLOR STTWWOOHHIIGG CHRISTOPHE MVVAALLDDEEZZ EDGAR HVVIIEELLMMAA JJRR VICENTE

WWEEIISSSS DON JWWHHIITTEE JOSIAH RWWIILLLLIIAAMMSS ADAM VWWIILLSSOONN CHRISTOPHE MWWIILLSSOONN MELVIN BWWIILLSSOONN TREY AZZIIEEGGLLEERR STEVEN R

CCOORRPPOORRAALL

AACCOOSSTTAA ALEXANDER JAADDAAMMSS ELLIOTT RAAGGUUIIAARRPPAARRRRAA RICARDOAAGGUUIIAARRPPAARRRRAA RICARDOAAZZAARRII DAVID NBBAARRNNEETTTT JAMES RBBAARRRREETTOO JULIO CBBAARRRRYY DICKON ABBEELLLLOO CARLOS ABBEENNTTOONN WESLEY CBBIICCEE ADAM MBBOOTTEELLLLOO RICARDO FBBOOWWEENN RICHARD PBBRREENNAADD JOSIAH LBBRRIINNKKMMAANN BRANDON KBBRRIINNSSOONN DEANNE FBBRROOWWNN KENYETTA CBBUURRGG RYAN JCCAAMMPPOOSSAAPPAARRIICCIIOO DIEGOCCHHAACCOONN MARCUS ACCOOLLEEMMAANN ROSE LCCOOOOPPEERR ADAM DCCUUMMMMIINNGGSS CALEB JDDAAVVIISS BRANDON DDDEELLAANNEEYY MATTHEW RDDIIAAZZRRAAMMIIRREEZZ JORGE EDDOOMMEENNIIGGHHIINNII BRYAN EEENNGGLLAANNDD WILLIAM REENNOO TRAVIS JEESSTTRRAADDAA RAFAELEESSTTRREELLLLAA ANTHONYFFAARRMMEERR ANDREW RFFEELLTTSS IIIIII HOWARD RFFLLOOWWEERRSS JJRR FRANCIS EFFOOLLAANNDD SHEA SFFRREEIINN JORDAN WGGAANNIIEERRSSLLOOTTTTEERRBBEECCKK DARREN JGGAARRNNEERR TY GGGAARRSSIIDDEE ROBERT MGGEEOORRGGEE TRAVIS JGGIILLBBRREEAAIITTHH GEORGEGGIILLEE BRYAN AGGIILLMMOORREE JOSHUA JGGNNOOTTSSAAVVAATTHH SIMON PGGOONNZZAALLEEZZ PEDRO AGGOOUULLDD JACOB TGGUUTTIIEERRRREEZZ CARLOS AGGUUZZMMAANN EDGARDOHHAAMMMMOONNDDSS JARED THHAANNDD JOSEPH THHAARRRRIINNGGTTOONN MATTHEW JHHAARRRRIISSOONN LEE MHHAAYYEESS KALIN RHHEERRNNAANNDDEEZZ JOSIMARHHOOLLLLAAWWAAYY WESTLEY JHHOOLLTTOONN JOSHUA PHHOOSSEE JEREMY LHHOOUUTT JOSHUA SHHUUNNTTEERR NATHANIEL AHHUUTTCCHHIISSOONN DOUGLAS RIINNGGEERRSSOOLLLL ANDREW AJJOOHHNNSSOONN MICHAEL AJJOONNEESS ALEXANDER LJJOONNEESS KYLE D

JJUURRGGEENNSS CHARLES FKKHHAATTRRII CHIRAG HKKIISSEERR JJRR ALBERT GLLAAKKEE RANDALL WLLAAMMBBEERRTTSSEENN KOLBY GLLAANNGG IIIIII WALTER DLLAARRIIOOSS JJRR TILOLLEEEE LIANGQINGLLYYMMAANN RAYMOND AMMAARRSSHHAALLLL RAYMOND MMMAAYYHHEEWW CASEY MMMAAZZUURR JEREMY JMMEELLUUMM AARON MMMEENNDDOOZZAAMMOONNTTAANNEEZZ ANGEL AMMIILLLLSS BRUCEMMUURRIILLLLOO FRANCISCO HNNEEWWBBYY ANDREW COOFFRRAAYY JASMINE YPPAATTTTEERRSSOONN BRET RPPEEUUGGHH DUSTIN MPPHHIIMMMMAASSOONNEE VILAYSAKPPOOOOLL JAMES RPPOOWWEELLLL AARON LRRAAMMOOSS MARK ARRIICCHH NATHAN PRROOBBLLEESS ADRIAN ARROODDRRIIGGUUEEZZ JJRR HUMBERTORROOSSAALLEESS GERARDO MRROOSSEERRAA MARKSSCCHHMMAALLZZ DAVID MSSCCHHUUTTTT BENJAMIN ASSCCOOTTTT BRANDON LSSMMIITTHH KODY ASSOORRLLEEYY ANDREW PSSPPEELLRREEMM TRAVIS LSSTTIINNEE CHRISTOPHER ASSWWAANNSSOONN JJRR DONALD PTTHHOOMMPPSSOONN GABRIEL JTTRROOLLLLOOPP CHRITIAN DVVAALLEEKK WESLEY JVVAANNGG YEELENGVVAASSIILLIIAADDEESS VINCENT CWWEELLLLEERR BLAKE RWWHHEERRRRYY STEPHEN LWWHHYYTTEE MICHAEL LWWIILLLLIIAAMMSS CHARLES MWWIILLLLIIAAMMSS JJRR JEFFERY SYYSSLLAASS MICHAEL L

SSEERRGGEEAANNTT

AARRMMEENNDDAARREEZZ MICHAEL RAARRRREEDDOONN MAXIMILLIO DBBAAHHEE CARLTONCCAAMMAACCHHOO IIIIII DANIELCCHHAACCOONN DAMIANCCOORROONNAACCAARRDDEENNAASS OMAR

DDOOUUGGLLAASSSS BRIAN MFFIIGGUUEERROOAA GERARDOFFRRAANNCCOO MIGUEL AGGAARRCCIIAA VICTOR MGGOORRDDOONN AARON MGGRRIINNNNEERR JJRR VINCENT EJJOOBB ARTHUR SLLOOOOMMIISS JONATHAN DLLOOPPEEZZGGOONNZZAALLEEZZ MAX AMMAACCCCAANNNN ALEXANDER JMMYYEERRSS JUSTIN APPHHIINNNNPPYY CHRISTEPHER APPOONNTTIILLLLOO JJRR JAMES JPPSSZZEENNNNYY NICOLAS CQQUUIINNTTAANNIILLLLAA MATTHEWSSOOLLIISS JOSE DVVAARRNNEERR PHILLIP AVVIILLLLAARRRREEAALL ELIWWAARRNNEERR RYAN JWWAATTTTSS MICHAEL AWWEELLCCHH WILFRED EWWEELLLLSS JAMES LWWIIGGMMOORREE MATTHEW JWWRRIIGGHHTT CHRISTOPHER AYYAAZZZZIIEE REYNALDO L

GGUUNNNNEERRYY SSEERRGGEEAANNTT

CCUURRTTIINN IIII MICHAEL RDDOOLLLLAAHHAANN JASON LKKOORRTTJJEE ROBERT MLLOOPPEEZZBBEELLTTRRAANN MARTIN AMMAAXXWWEELLLL IIIIII BOOKER TOORRRR TOBIN PSSAANNFFOORRDD BRADLEY MSSEEEEHHUUSSEENN JOHN WSSTTEEGGEERR ERNEST F

MMAASSTTEERR SSEERRGGEEAANNTT

PPUUTTNNEEYY CHARLES D

11SSTT.. SSEERRGGEEAANNTT

ZZAAPPAATTAA EDWARD G

SSEERRGGEEAANNTT MMAAJJOORR

PPAARRKKSS MICHAEL A

CCOOLLOONNEELL

KKIILLLLIIOONN MICHAEL P

LLIIEEUUTTEENNAANNTT CCOOLLOONNNNEELL

HHOORROOWWIITTZZ MARK AMMOORRRRIISS DARIN S


29 Palms September enlisted promotions


RROOMMAANN CCAATTHHOOLLIICC SSEERRVVIICCEESS

IImmmmaaccuullaattee HHeeaarrtt ooff MMaarryy CChhaappee

Sun 7:30 a.m. RosarySun 8 a.m. Catholic Mass*Sun 9 a.m Military Council of CatholicWomen (Bldg 1551)Sun 9 a.m. Faith Formation/CCD (Bldg1551)Sun 9:15 a.m. Confessions+Sun 10 a.m. RosarySun 10:30 a.m. Catholic MassSun 10:30 a.m. Children’s Liturgy of theWordSun 4 p.m. Choir PracticeSun 4 p.m. Life Teen/Youth GroupSun 4:30 p.m. RosarySun 5 p.m. Catholic MassSun 6 p.m. Cyrus Young Adult Group18-35 years of age married or single (3rd Sunday of the month)Fri 12:15 – 4:30 p.m. Exposition/Adoration Most Blessed Sacrament (1stFriday Each Month)

HHoollyy DDaayyss ooff OObblliiggaattiioonn MMaasssseess12:30 p.m. Immaculate Heart of MaryChapel

NNOONN--DDEENNOOMMIINNAATTIIOONNAALL

CCHHRRIISSTTIIAANN SSEERRVVIICCEE

CChhrriisstt CChhaappeell

Sun 8 a.m. Sunday School*Sun 9 a.m. Worship*Wed 7 p.m. Praise & Worship*

PPRROOTTEESSTTAANNTT LLIITTUURRGGIICCAALL

SSEERRVVIICCEE

CChhrriisstt CChhaappeell

Sun 11 a.m. Worship

LLAAYY--LLEEDD IINNDDEEPPEENNDDEENNTT BBAAPP--TTIISSTT SSEERRVVIICCEECChhrriisstt CChhaappeellSun 11 a.m. WorshipLLAAYY--LLEEDD GGOOSSPPEELL SSEERRVVIICCEECChhrriisstt CChhaappeellSun 12:30 p.m. Worship

MMIIDD--WWEEEEKK EEVVEENNTTSS

MMOONNDDAAYYIImmmmaaccuullaattee HHeeaarrtt ooff MMaarryy CChhaappeellMon-Fri 11:45 a.m. Catholic MassTTUUEESSDDAAYYIImmmmaaccuullaattee HHeeaarrtt ooff MMaarryy CChhaappeell5 – 7:30 p.m. Catechist Meeting(Second Tuesday of the month)6 p.m. Baptism Class 1st Tuesday eachMonthCC&&EE MMeessss HHaallll BBllddgg 11666600 11:30 a.m. Bible Study Chaplain Flint 830-6187WWEEDDNNEESSDDAAYYVViillllaaggee CCeenntteerr11:30 a.m. Prayer Meeting in the PrayerRoom contact Chaplain Flint 830-61876 p.m. RCIA (Bldg. 1551,CChhrriisstt CChhaappeell5:30 p.m. Catholic Choir Rehearsal6 p.m. Praise & Worship Rehearsal6 p.m. Pre-Service Food/Fellowship7 p.m. Lay-Led Gospel Bible Study7 p.m. Praise & Worship Service11SSTT TTHHUURRSSDDAAYY EEAACCHH MMOONNTTHH7 p.m. Knights of Columbus

LLEEGGEENNDD*Indicates Child Care Provided+Appointments can be made forConfessions by calling 830-6456/6646

CHRISTIAN WORSHIPOP ONLINE

op29online.com

“In 2001, our installation was recognized as part of a team

effort in receiving the 2001 Annual Governor’s Historic

Preservation Award,” she said.

Cottrell later received another award, this time from the

Society for California Archaeology Presidential Commendation

for her efforts on the DoD Statewide Historic Military Buildings

and Structures Inventory in 2002.

In 2003, NREA aboard the Combat Center again submitted

award packages for cultural resources management installation

and natural resources management team. They won both the

Secretary of the Navy and the Secretary of Defense

Environmental Awards for Cultural Resources Management and

the Secretary of Navy Team Award for Natural Resources

Management.

NREA is still working on the relocation of the desert tortois-

es and conducting thorough surveys of all natural resources

aboard the Combat Center.

The organization consists of many highly trained profession-

als who have provided the environment, installation and Marine

Corps with the best in conservation management.

NREA from A1

SO

LU

TIO

NS

LLAANNCCEE CCPPLL.. NNIICCHHOOLLAASSMM.. DDUUNNNNCOMBAT CORRESPONDENT

The Marines and sailors ofLima Battery and Mike Battery,3rd Battalion, 11th MarineRegiment; and Sierra andTango Batteries, 5th Battal-ion,11th Marine Regiment; con-ducted their annual regimentaldesert fire exercise Aug. 29through Sept. 5th.The two batteries from 3/11operated in the CombatCenter’s Blacktop trainingarea, while 5/11 operated inthe Lavic Lake area duringthe eight-day exercise.

“This artillery exercise issupposed to encompass allof 11th Marines,” said 1st Lt.Matthew H. Bates, fire direc-tion officer for Lima Battery.“Our plan is to fire approxi-mately 2,000 rounds of vari-ous types and to get the regi-ment to work on large-scaleoperations. This also allowsthe regiment to move, shootand communicate.”

Bates explained that, eventhough the exercise isdesigned for all of 11thMarines, many of the battal-ions could not make it. RomeoBattery, 5/11, and KiloBattery, 3/11, are currentlydeployed to Iraq in support ofOperation Iraqi Freedom. Allof 1st Battal-ion, 11th MarineRegiment, is also deployed.The Marines and sailors of2nd Battalion, 11th MarineRegiment, and India Battery,3/11, are preparing for theirupcoming deployments.

The participating batteriesspent the first few days ofthe exercise operating inde-pendently. Lima Batterymoved positions daily, con-ducting fire missions fromnumerous locations. The bat-tery’s three gun crews workedquickly and fired rounds withpinpoint accuracy.

“We aren’t just Lima,3/12, we’re the Lima, 3/12,”said 1st Lt. Ryan C. Collins,battery commander for LimaBattery. “I consider this bat-tery to be very efficient. Wejust completed a successfultour in Iraq with three seper-ate firing detachments. Thatmeans that leadership wasgiven to Marines who nevernormally see it, which en-

hances our skills.“Since we’ve come back,

we’ve worked hard to transi-tion to the M777A2 how-itzer, making the Marineseven more knowledgeableand proficient,” he added.“This should prove to be asuccessful field operation.”

Since Lima Battery’sreturn from Iraq earlier thisyear, they have not trainedon the new Digital FireControl System. For thisFIREX, Lima Battery usedthe aiming circles method.

“This is sort of an oldmethod,” said Collins. “Weuse geometry and angles toalign the guns on their prop-er azimuth of fire. The wholeprocess usually takes approx-imately 10-20 minutes.”

Monday brought a differ-ent concept to modernartillery. The batteries beganoperating on a regimentalscale, moving, shooting andcommunicating as a singleunit. The Marines of LimaBattery seemed to think theFIREX provided valuableexperience.

“This is a good chance toget the regiment together,”said Cpl. Justin A. Bromley,artilleryman with Lima Batt-ery. “We only get to do thisonce a year at best.”

Others feel that the train-ing is beneficial in more waysthan just an opportunity tofire artillery as a regiment.

“I think it’s a good thingfor the regiment to shoot inthe desert,” said Sgt. Gabriel

H. Torres, battery ammuni-tion chief for Lima Battery.“We used to go down toCamp Pendleton to train, sothis is a nice change of pace.Our combat environment isvery similar to TwentyninePalms these days, so it’sgood conditioning for theMarines from other bases.”

Lima Battery will continueto train in the field and in theclassroom. The battery will

be taught how to use theDFCS and will go to YumaProving Grounds, Ariz. to

train later this year. LimaBattery is going be attachedto Battalion Landing Team

2/4 as part of the 31stMarine Expeditionary Unitin January.

3/11, 5/11 make thunder in the desert

LLAANNCCEE CCPPLL.. NNIICCHHOOLLAASS MM.. DDUUNNNN

Marines from Lima Battery, 3/12, of 3rd Bn., 11th Marines conduct a fire mission during the annual regimental fire exercise at theCombat Center’s Blacktop training area Aug. 29 - Sept. 5th.



EmployeeSpotlight

EEmmppllooyyeeee:: Virginia SulickOOrrggaanniizzaattiioonn:: Career ResourcesOfficeBBiilllleett:: ManagerJJoobb DDuuttiieess:: Overall management ofthe Transition Assistance Program,Pre-separation Program, familymember assistance program andcomputer and library maintenance.HHoommeettoowwnn:: Owego, N.Y.HHoobbbbiieess:: Theater, cross stitching,gourmet cooking

WWhhaatt II lliikkee mmoosstt aabboouutt mmyy jjoobb::

Everyday is different and I still likeworking with Marines.OOnnee ooff tthhee mmoosstt ssiiggnniiffiiccaanntt aacchhiieevvee--

mmeennttss ssiinnccee yyoouu’’vvee bbeeeenn hheerree:: Everytime we help someone succeed, we con-sider that an achievement.HHaavvee yyoouu eevveerr sseerrvveedd iinn tthhee mmiillii--

ttaarryy:: Marine CorpsTTiimmee iinn mmiilliittaarryy sseerrvviiccee:: 10 yearsTTiimmee eemmppllooyyeedd aatt MMCCAAGGCCCC:: 12years

AANNNNEE DD''IINNNNOOCCEENNZZIIOOAP BUSINESS WRITER

NEW YORK -- The third majorrecall by Mattel Inc. of lead-taint-ed Chinese toys has left theworld's largest toymaker fightingto maintain its reputation with thecrucial holiday season fastapproaching.

Mattel announced late Tuesdayit was recalling 800,000 toys,including 675,000 accessories forone of the company's biggestsellers, the Barbie doll. Also partof the recall, the third in just overa month, were 90,000 units ofMattel's GeoTrax locomotive lineand about 8,900 Big Big World 6-in-1 Bongo Band toys, both fromthe company's Fisher-Pricebrand. The Big Big World prod-ucts were sold nationwide fromJuly through August of this year,while the GeoTrax toys were soldfrom September 2006 throughAugust of this year.

Mattel shares dropped morethan 3 percent, or 68 cents, to$21.29 at the open of tradingWednesday.

Mattel's last recall, announcedon Aug. 14, covered about 19 mil-lion toys worldwide. They includ-ed Chinese-made toys that eitherhad excessive amounts of leadpaint or had small magnets thatcould easily be swallowed by chil-dren.

On Aug. 1, Mattel's Fisher-Price division said it was recalling1.5 million preschool toys featur-ing characters such as Dora theExplorer, Big Bird and Elmobecause of lead paint. That actionincluded 967,000 toys sold in theUnited States between May andAugust.

Robert Eckert, chairman andchief executive of El Segundo,Calif.-based Mattel, warned at apress conference last month thatthere may be more recalls as thecompany stepped up investiga-tions into Chinese factories andintensified production checks.

In a statement issued lateTuesday, Eckert said: "As a result

of our ongoing investigation, wediscovered additional affectedproducts. Consequently, severalsubcontractors are no longermanufacturing Mattel toys. Weapologize again to everyoneaffected and promise that we willcontinue to focus on ensuring thesafety and quality of our toys."

Mattel added that it has com-pleted its testing program for themajority of its toys and spentmore than 50,000 hours investi-gating vendors and testing toysover the past four-week period.

Mattel, which has cultivated animage of tightly controlled pro-duction in China, may have trou-ble convincing consumers that itsproducts are safe this holiday sea-son. The Consumer ProductSafety Commission may investi-gate how quickly Mattel notifiedauthorities of problems beforethe Aug. 14 recall.

With more than 80 percent oftoys sold worldwide made inChina, the problems go wellbeyond Mattel's image.

In June, toy maker RC2 Corp.voluntarily recalled 1.5 millionwooden railroad toys and setparts from its Thomas & FriendsWooden Railway product line.The company said the surfacepaint on certain toys and partsmade in China between January2005 and April 2006 containedlead, affecting 23 retailers.

In July, Hasbro Inc. recalledChinese-made Easy Bake ovenson reports of second- and third-degree burns to children. It wasthe second time the iconic toy hasbeen recalled this year.

A Chinese quality official saidWednesday that the country isinvestigating the latest recall.

Wang Xin, an official with theGeneral Administration ofQuality Supervision, Inspection,and Quarantine, said the agency,which oversees all products madein China, is trying to get details onwhen the toys were made and themanufacturers involved.

Mattel vowed as recently as lastmonth it would tighten its con-

trols in China. About 65 percentof the company's toys are madein there, and about 50 percent ofMattel's production is in China atcompany-owned plants.

The recalled toys in the Barbieaccessory line included a BarbieDream Puppy House, which hadlead paint on the dog; a BarbieDream Kitty Condo playset,which had lead paint on the cat;and a Barbie table and chairskitchen playset, which had leadpaint on the dog and dinnerplates.

Mattel said in a statement thatthe Barbie products affected bythe recall were produced byHolder Plastic Company, a Mattelcontract vendor, which subcon-tracted the painting of miniaturetoy pets and small furniture piecesto Dong Lian Fa and Yip Sing.

The two GeoTrax toys weremade by Apex ManufacturingCompany Ltd., one of Mattel'scontract vendors, which out-sourced paint work to a subcon-tractor, Boyi Plastic ProductsFactory. Apex supplied Boyi withcertified paint; however, the toyswere made with uncertified paint.Boyi is no longer in business,Mattel said.

The GeoTrax toys were manu-factured between July 31, 2006,and September 4, 2006; however,the painted parts were stored andincorporated into toy productionthroughout the year. Mattel said itis recalling toys shipped betweenAugust 3, 2006, and July 31 ofthis year.

Fisher-Price's Big Big Worldtoy was manufactured by ShunOn Factory, one of Mattel's con-tract vendors, which outsourcedthe molding and painting of oneplastic piece. A subcontractor,Jingying Tampo PrintingProcessing Factory, used uncerti-fied paint on the recalled piece.

For information aboutTuesday's recalls, consumersshould call Mattel at 888-496-8330 or visit the company's Website at http://www.service.mat-tel.com.

Mattel Recalls 800,000 Toys

September 7, 2007

Observations

LLAANNCCEE CCPPLL.. MMOONNIICCAA CC..EERRIICCKKSSOONNCOMBAT CORRESPONDENT

The Lifestyle, Insight, Net-working, Knowledge andSkills program is a team vol-

unteer organization Marinespouses have designed forspouses new to the military.According to the MarineAdministrative Message 472/07, L.I.N.K.S. was founded in1995 by a group of Marine

wives who met in Leesburg,Va., to develop an educationalprogram for spouses. Theprogram helps motivatespouses to meet the hardshipsand challenges of MarineCorps life.

The MARADMIN alsostates that one of the program’smain goals was to stay inde-pendent and an all-volunteerorganization that would nothinder commands for help withfundraising and participation.

According to the L.I.N.K.S.Web site, the program offersservices to spouses in need ofan orientation to the MarineCorps lifestyle. It presents agreat way to make new friendsand enjoy the perks of being amilitary spouse here or at anyother installation.

The organization is runby volunteer spouses,Marine Corps Family TeamBuilding staff, Marine Corpscareer retention specialistsand chaplains.

L.I.N.K.S. is a mentoringorganization, giving tips,recommendations and infor-mation on the benefits avail-able to all military families.

“We have learned fromunits that have sponsoredsessions for their spouses,prior to deployment, have

fewer issues or problemsthat develop during thedeployment that require thereturn of a service memberor the immediate interven-tion of the Marine Corps,”said Monica McBroom,L.I.N.K.S. director.

The program ensuresspouses are aware of theirfinancial standings and how todeal with separations anddeployments. They recom-mend effective ways to com-municate. LI.N.K.S also offersadvice on moving betweenduty stations.

“This program has proventhat educated spouses trulyenable the service memberto concentrate on their dutyand mission while on deploy-ment,” said McBroom.

The L.I.N.K.S. program isin nearly every Marine Corpsinstallation from SouthCarolina to Japan.

“The number of volun-teers is continuously chang-ing,” said McBroom. “WhenPCS season is upon us we

lose a couple but we alsogain a couple. At this time wehave ten volunteers on theL.I.N.K.S. Mentor Team.”

With the help of the vol-unteers, the L.I.N.K.S. pro-gram aboard the CombatCenter can offer a learningsession to spouses no otherL.I.N.K.S. organization inthe Marine Corps can offer.

“In learning the history,traditions, color guard, uni-forms and ranks, we haveMarines in uniform, we havea color guard explain the col-ors and the banners on theMarine flag for this base ortheir unit,” said McBroom.“Instead of just showing thefamilies the services availableaboard the base on a map or aflyer, we place them in a per-sonnel transport carrier withflak jackets and Kevlar’s andshow them where the servic-es are located in person.”

For more informationabout the L.I.N.K.S. pro-gram, contact Monica Mc-Broom at 830-4163.

LINKS helps Marine spouses transition into new life

CCAAPPTT.. CCHHRRIISSTTYY LL.. KKEERRCCHHEEVVAALL

Jasmine Lawson, Kim Hubbard and Michelle Correa participate in a communications exer-cise at the L.I.N.K.S. session Aug. 31, 2005. The free, two-day course deems itself, “A roadmap for Marine Corps living,” and helps to teach spouses more about the Marine Corps andthe vast support network offered on the base.

PPFFCC.. JJAARREEDD JJ.. BBUUTTLLEERRCOMBAT CORRESPONDENT

The Commanding General’sIntramural Football League seasonkicked off at the Combat Center’sFelix Field Wednesday night.

The season-opener featured a dou-ble-header that matched 1st TankBattalion against Combat LogisticsBattalion 7 and HeadquartersBattalion against the Marine CorpsCommunication-Electronics School.

The first teams on deck to playwere 1st Tanks and CLB-7, two teamswho hadn’t had much practice theprevious few weeks due to other bat-talion functions.

The first quarter exemplified thequality of the defenses as both teamsfinished the quarter scoreless.

To start the second quarter, 1stTanks’ running game kicked it in highgear as they made their way up thefield to give their quarterback achance at the end zone.

Chris Ashinhurst, 1st Tanksstarting quarterback, kept the ballon a draw and was taken down atthe four yard line. From there hescanned the end zone and foundPerry King, 1st Tanks wide receiver,for the touchdown.

Then Ashinhurst rifled a pass toone of his receivers to make the two-point conversion successful and give1st Tanks an 8-0 lead.

The CLB-7 offense re-mainedquiet for the remainder of the halfespecially after sorting through anarray of quarterbacks and giving upmultiple turnovers.

After a few punts on both sides ofthe ball in the third quarter, 1stTanks began another promisingdrive, led by Rafael Estrada, 1stTanks running back.

Estrada carried 1st Tanks closeenough to the end zone forAshinhurst to run it in himself for thetouchdown.

Despite having their extra pointattempt blocked after the touchdown,

1st Tanks carried their 14-0 lead intothe fourth quarter.

With nine minutes remaining in thegame, CLB-7 started to find somerhythm with Greyson Escareno, CLB-7 athlete, at the quarterback position.

Escareno began to charge his teamdown the field and give them hope ofa fourth quarter rally with a few bigpasses until Tyler Johnson, 1st Tanksfree safety, intercepted his secondpass of the game on a fourth downand goal situation for CLB-7.

As the game clock neared thehalfway point of the fourth quarterand 1st Tanks used Estrada and theirrunning game to gain yardage and rundown the clock, CLB-7’s hopes beganto fade.

With six minutes left in regulationplay, CLB-7’s defense forced a fumbleand recovered the ball on their own 37yard line.

Escareno had another chance tolead his team down the field, andhe did just that, achieving five con-secutive first downs with the helpof Markevin Wilson, CLB-7 tightend and outside linebacker.

Wilson was called upon again forthe pass that would give CLB-7 notonly a touchdown, but a chance tocome back against 1st Tanks.

Joshua Pettine, CLB-7 runningback and cornerback, entered thegame at the quarterback position andran a sweep to the right to make thescore 14-8, 1st Tanks.

CLB-7’s attempted onside kickwith less than two minutes to play inthe game was unsuccessful andallowed 1st Tanks to run down thegame clock and take the win, 14-8.

“We proved that we have a lot ofdepth in every position, and we lookforward to see what we can do againstthe other teams in the future.” saidWilliam Cowger, 1st tanks coach.

The next match up of the nightproved to be more exciting, but notnearly as competitive, as Headquar-ters Bn. took on MCCES.

The first big drive of the game

belonged to Headquar-ters Bn. asthey rode on the back of RonHampton, Head-quarters Bn. run-ning back.

Hampton ignited his team after a40 yard run on a fourth down situa-tion for Headquar-ters Bn. Once histeam was within the ten yard line, theMCCES defense could do nothing tostop him from crossing the plane ofthe end zone and scoring six points.

Headquarters Bn. completed thetwo-point conversion, which gavethem 8-0 lead over MCCES.

After a few turnovers by bothteams, Charles Jefferson,Headquarters Bn. starting quarter-back, led his team down the field andused precise passing to put the ball inthe end zone for another touchdown.Head-quarters Bn. once again madethe two point conversion and gavethem a 16-0 lead heading into the sec-ond quarter.

The second quarter consisted ofmany possession chan-ges and amissed field goal by MCCES that leftHeadquarters Bn. lead intact goinginto halftime.

The second half started out slowas both teams didn’t score in the thirdquarter to change the outlook of thegame.

Headquarters Bn. 16-point leadwould only increase in the fourthquarter as Jefferson ran the ball for atouchdown deep in MCCES territory.

Although the conversion failed,Headquarters Bn. managed to getthe ball back and score again. Thistime it was Hampton, who rushedfor more than 150 yards on the day.

As the two-point conversion failedagain, the spirit of the HeadquartersBn. players was not shaken, as theywere about to deliver a shutout in theirseason opener. But MCCES would notgo quietly into the night as the clock

winded down.Daniel Pannell, MCCES back-up

quarterback, led a loose set of playsthat gave MCCES a touchdown with19 seconds remaining on the clock.

Although the touchdown was toolittle, too late, it allowed MCCES to beproud they had given it a shot.

The players of Headquar-ters Bn.started their season off in a great wayby taking a commanding victory overMCCES, 28-6.

The success of Head-quarters Bn.this season appears promising after adominating performance and theirhardworking coaches and players.

“We have a lot of areas we canimprove at, and we will,” said JohnnySanders, Head-quarters Bn. defensivecoach.

The CG’s Intramural Foot-ballLeague will continue to hold gamesevery Wednesday night for theremainder of the season.

Wednesday night lights: Tanks andHQBN take home first wins of season

PPFFCC.. JJAARREEDD JJ.. BBUUTTLLEERR

Ron Hampton, Headquarters Battalion running back, breaks past two Marine Corps Communication-Electronics School defenders to give his team a first down. Hampton finished the game with two touchdownsand was the leading rusher for Headquarters Bn. 28 - 6 victory.

BB22 SSEEPPTTEEMMBBEERR 77,, 22000077 OOBBSSEERRVVAATTIIOONN PPOOSSTT

Pfc. Craig M. Petty and Lance Cpl.Andrew C. Stevens, Marine CorpsCommun ica t i on -E lec t ron i csSchool students, stand besideJanet New, services operationsmanager, Marine Corps Com-munity Services, and show off theirprizes from the Pepsi BottlingGroup’s recent NASCAR give-away. Both participants becameinstant winners of the contest byopening winning bottles of Pepsiproducts. Each of them received aJeff Gordon jacket, a Pepsi hat, aFrisbee and two tickets to theNASCAR Nextel Cup Series 500 atthe California Speedway Sept. 2.

MCCESstudents

winNASCARtickets

PPFF

CC..JJ

AARR

EEDD

JJ..BB

UUTT

LLEERR

TTAAIILLIINN PPRRIIDDEEPPEETTTTIINNGGIILLLLDaughter of Lance Cpl. andMrs. Billie PettingillBorn August 13, 2007, weigh-ing 9 lbs, 4 oz and measuring20.5 inches

CCOOLLEE EEDDWWAARRDDFFUULLTTOONNSon of Sgt. and Mrs. EdwardFulton Jr.Born August 15, 2007, weigh-ing 8 lbs, 46 oz and measuring20.7 inches

MMIIKKAAEELL AALLLLEENN OOLLAAHHSon of LCpl. and Mrs. Lepl OlahBorn Aug. 15, 2007, weighing7 lbs, 6 oz and measuring 20.3inches

IISSAAIIAAHH AANNTTHHOONNYYHHOOYYTTEESon of Cpl. and Mrs. HoyteBorn Aug.16,2007,weighing 7 lbs,7 oz and measuring 19.2 inches

AAYYCCLLEENN CCOOLLEE GGRRAAFFFFSon of Lance Cpl. and Mrs.Zachariah GraffBorn Aug 16, 2007, weighing6 lbs, 11.2 oz and measuring19 inches

JJAACCOOBB DDEEAANN MMIISSCCHHKKEESon of Sgt. and Mrs. DonaldMischkeBorn Aug 17, 2007, weighing7 lbs, 10 oz and measuring20.3 inches

AAMMAAYYAA JJAANNAAYY BBAAKKEERRDaughter of Pvt. And Mrs.Israel MontaezBorn Aug 17, 2007, weighing6 lbs, 5 oz and measuring 19inches

TTAALLIITTHHAA CCUUMMIICCAARROOLLYYNN MMYYEERRSSDaughter of Lance Cpl. andMrs. Geoffrey Myers

Born Aug 16, 2007, weighing8 lbs and 4 oz and measuring20 inches

MMAARRTTII NNIICCOOLLEE LLEEWWIISSDaughter of Capt. And Mrs.Martin LewisBorn Aug 17, 2007, weighing7 lbs, 9 oz and measuring 20inches

JJAAYYCCEE AALLEEXXAANNDDEERRHHIICCKKSSSon of Sgt. and Mrs.Christopher HicksBorn on Aug 17, 2007, weigh-ing 8 lbs, 3.7 oz and measur-ing 20.1 inches

MMIICCAAHH NNOOLLAANNMMAALLEENNDDOOSSKKIISon of Cpl. and Mrs.MalendoskiBorn on Aug 18, 2007, weigh-ing 6 lbs 15 oz and measuring19.1 inches

CCHHAASSEE WWAARR--AATT--HHAANNDDSSCCHHNNEEIIDDEERRSon of Lance Cpl. and Mrs.Josiah SchneiderBorn on Aug 18,1007weigh-ing 7 lbs and 5 oz and meas-uring 19 inches

MMAAGGDDEELLIINNEE GGRRAACCEEHHAARRMMOONN

Daughter of Gunny Sgt.Christine Hopkins and MasterSgt. K. HarmonBorn on Aug 19, 2007weigh-ing 6 lbs, 9 oz and measuring19 inches

GGEEOOFFFFRRYY SSCCOOTTTTDDRRYYEERRSon of Cpl and Mrs.Nathaniel DryerBorn on Aug 19, 2007, weigh-ing 6 lbs, 15 oz and measuring19.9 inches

Birth announcements

OOBBSSEERRVVAATTIIOONN PPOOSSTT SSEEPPTTEEMMBBEERR 77,, 22000077 BB33

OOBBSSEERRVVAATTIIOONN PPOOSSTT SSEEPPTTEEMMBBEERR 77,, 22000077 BB55

observation post - amazon s3s3.amazonaws.com/zanran_storage/. nicholas j. galante, squad leader,...

Documents