Sunday, December 28, 2008

Pound, Wisconsin-native receives Christmas call from President Bush

Story by Lance Cpl. Brian D. Jones


CAMP BARBER, Islamic Republic of Afghanistan – How special would you feel if you received a phone call from U.S. President and Commander in Chief George W. Bush on Christmas Eve, while serving in Afghanistan?

Just three days before her 21st birthday, Cpl. Louise M. Nowak, a combat engineer with Combat Logistics Battalion 3, the logistics combat element of Special Purpose Marine Air Ground Task Force – Afghanistan, was informed President Bush was waiting on the phone to speak with her.

According to Nowak, it was just like any other day in Afghanistan when someone came up to her and said, “Did you know you are going to be talking to the president?”
Nowak replied, “What? Really!”

Close to 4 p.m., fellow Marine Lance Cpl. Antonio J. Paul was making his way to tell Nowak to report to the command operations center for the phone call.

“I was on my way to tell her, and I was like wow! I wish I could talk to the president, but she is a good-to-go Marine and she deserved it,” Paul said.

Nowak hurried her way to the COC to answer the call.

“I was really excited,” said Nowak. “My heart just started beating really fast. It was a great honor.”

Nowak described the phone call as kind of comical from her point of view, because of the long delay on the secured phone lines. When the commander in chief first spoke to her, she heard him ask, “Is this Cpl. Louise Nowak?” Nowak excitedly waited-out the delay and answered, “Yes sir, can you hear me?” They agreed the phone lines were working well enough.

“We talked a little bit about being over here, and he asked how long I had been over here and I told him it’s been two months now,” Nowak said. “I told him I was very, very honored to be over here, and that I was really happy because it means a lot to me that we are over here helping this country out.”

Bush assured her the troops are doing great things for the people of Afghanistan and even more for the overall security situation of the world.

“He tasked me with one thing and that was to tell everybody God bless and Merry Christmas,” Nowak said with a proud smile.
The conversation only ran about three to four minutes in length, but it was the significance of who was on the phone that made it so special for the Pound, Wis.-native.

Nowak was one of a select few forward-deployed U.S. service members chosen to receive the traditional presidential Christmas Day phone call.

“She was picked based on a couple of reasons,” said Sgt. Maj. Danny Duvall, the battalion sergeant major for CLB-3. “She is an overall good Marine. She is hard working and very mature. It’s the little things that she has done that made her an easy choice.”

Nowak first deployed to Al Asad, Iraq, from Aug. 19, 2007, through March 15, 2008, before voluntarily deploying to the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan on Nov. 5, 2008. In Iraq, she worked directly with infantry Marines building bunkers and providing other construction support. She also participated in the ‘Lioness Program’ for a month and a half, assisting with the security screening of Iraqi women.

“It’s all been a great experience,” said Nowak.
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Friday, December 26, 2008

Operation Santa successfully carried-out in Southern Afghanistan

Story by Lance Cpl. Brian D. Jones


HELMAND PROVINCE, Islamic Republic of Afghanistan – Third Battalion, Eighth Marine Regiment (Reinforced), and Combat Logistics Battalion 3 successfully conducted Operation Santa early Christmas morning, delivering mail and gifts to Marines and sailors throughout Southern Afghanistan.

Weeks of coordination, planning and preparation went into successfully carrying-out Operation Santa for the troops. The commanding officers of the battalions, Lt. Col. David L. Odom of 3/8, the ground combat element, and Lt. Col. Michael Jernigan of CLB-3, the logistics combat element, each elements of Special Purpose Marine Air Ground Task Force – Afghanistan, personally saw to it that all Marines’ and sailors’ mail and Christmas packages received by the battalions’ post office were specially delivered by Christmas morning, boosting morale on the holiday.

Working with families back at Camp Lejeune, N.C., 3/8’s home base, and various charities across America that sent Christmas stockings and care packages, the battalions engineered Operation Santa, so they could provide a little extra Christmas cheer for the Marines and sailors who are forward-deployed in austere locations, Odom said.

The two commanders made a four-hour trip to deliver the packages in two CH-53E Super Stallion helicopters from Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 466, part of SPMAGTF-A’s air combat element. They traveled approximately 370 miles to make all the deliveries to five forward operating bases manned by their U.S. Marines and sailors.

Included with the 8,600 pounds of mail were 1,400 pounds of Christmas dinners complete with turkeys and pies, along with 750 pounds of holiday donations for the troops by schools, churches, families and other patriotic organizations. The Christmas spirit totaled an impressive 24 pallets-worth, weighing-in at approximately 10,000 pounds.

A couple of weeks prior to the holiday, a generous offering was presented to 3/8 by Patty Lewis of Willow Grove, Penn. She contacted 3/8 through an e-mail on behalf of Moms4RMarines.org and requested to mail gift-filled, Marine Corps digital camouflage patterned Christmas stockings to all of the service members of the battalions. With only a small window of time to work with, Lewis, along with several other organizations, miraculously managed to get all the Christmas donations delivered just in time.

The final packages arrived to Camp Bastion, in the Helmand province of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, on Christmas Eve, leaving the Marines with just enough time to sort and load the stockings onto military aircraft for distribution to all of the service members early the next morning.

The holiday-gift stockings arrived filled with boot socks, candy, toiletries, head lamps, pocket-sized games and much more.
“It was wonderful knowing people other than my family care to send us gifts for Christmas,” said Lance Cpl. Jared M. Malimski, a supply clerk with 3/8.

To spread their blessings of generosity and Christmas cheer, the Marines of 3/8 shared their Christmas spirit with the Dutch military forces also stationed at Camp Bastion.

Both Odom and Jernigan extended their warm-hearted thanks to the families and organizations that generously donated, making Operation Santa an overwhelming success.

“I’d like to thank the Salamone family, Patty Smith, Boy Scout Troop 125 and the Slider family of Operation Support our Troops; the Brown family of the Blue Star Mothers of Spartanburg, S.C.; the Jones family of the South Washington County Military Support Group; Patty Lewis of Moms 4R Marines; the Saint Luke United Methodist Church of Hartsville, S.C.; the First Assembly of God in Griffin, Ga.; the Church of Saint Anne’s School in Garden City, N.Y.; the Esquinas family and Cathy Hedrick,” said Odom. “These are just some of the many fine Americans who have generously supported us.”
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Thursday, December 25, 2008

Commandant makes holiday visit to Marines, sailors in Afghanistan

Story by Lance Cpl. Monty Burton


HELMAND PROVINCE, Islamic Republic of Afghanistan – General James T. Conway, the 34th commandant of the Marine Corps, paid a special holiday visit to his deployed troops Dec. 24, 2008, in the Helmand province of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan.

Conway and Sgt. Maj. Carlton W. Kent, the 16th sergeant major of the Marine Corps, visited Camp Barber and Forward Operating Bases Bakwa and Delaram to speak with the Marines of 3rd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, and Combat Logistics Battalion 3, the ground combat and logistics combat elements of Special Purpose Marine Air Ground Task Force – Afghanistan.

During his visits, Conway had the opportunity to see three Marines extend their Marine Corps careers.

Re-enlisting Marines Sgt. Walter F. Meredith, Cpl. Eric M. Shaufler and Sgt. Herbert T. Barber III, reaffirmed their oaths with Conway Dec. 23 at Camp Barber.

During their visit, Conway and Kent took the time to talk to the Marines while opening the floor for questions.

“You are living up to the legacy of the Marines that came before you,” Kent told the Marines. “The seventh sergeant major of the Marine Corps, Hank Black, who is nearly 90 years old, still keeps up with the Marines today. He told me to tell you that he was proud of you and everything you do.

“No matter how long you serve, you will always be able to carry the Eagle, the Globe and the Anchor with you,” Kent said, referring to the Corps’ emblem and the spirit of the Marine Corps.

Conway gave the Marines some patriotic and encouraging words during the visit.

“Your country knows that you are over here, and your country supports you in all the good things that you do out here,” he said. “All of us joined the Marine Corps knowing that one day we would probably see some combat because that is what we do. That is our heritage.”
While at FOB Delaram, Conway got the chance to eat lunch with a few Marines from Company K, 3/8.

Lance Cpl. William Maykrants, a rifleman with Co. K, said it was a very exciting experience to eat a meal with the commandant.

“It was really motivating and definitely a morale booster,” he said. “We got to talk about some of the different things that happen out here.”

Before departing, Conway had a few last words for all the Marines.

“We are extremely proud of you for you service and extremely proud to call you United States Marines.”
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Wednesday, December 24, 2008

3/8 provides security in Afghanistan

HELMAND PROVINCE, Islamic Republic of Afghanistan – Lance Cpl. Sean Kunis, a rifleman with Company I, 3rd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, maintains security during a patrol in the Helmand province of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, Dec. 21, 2008. 3/8 is the ground combat element of Special Purpose Marine Air Ground Task Force – Afghanistan. ( photo by Cpl. Pete Thibodeau)
HELMAND PROVINCE, Islamic Republic of Afghanistan – Lance Cpl. Sean Kunis, a rifleman with Company I, 3rd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, maintains security during a patrol in the Helmand province of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, Dec. 21, 2008. 3/8 is the ground combat element of Special Purpose Marine Air Ground Task Force – Afghanistan. (photo by Cpl. Pete Thibodeau)








HELMAND PROVINCE, Islamic Republic of Afghanistan – Lance Cpl. James Welch, a rifleman with Company I, 3rd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, looks through binoculars on the rooftop of an abandoned house in the Helmand province of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, Dec. 21, 2008. 3/8 is the ground combat element of Special Purpose Marine Air Ground Task Force – Afghanistan. (photo by Cpl. Pete Thibodeau)






HELMAND PROVINCE, Islamic Republic of Afghanistan – Cpl. Josh Reasbeck, a patrol leader with Company I, 3rd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, maintains security on the rooftop of an abandoned house in the Helmand province of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, Dec. 21, 2008. 3/8 is the ground combat element of Special Purpose Marine Air Ground Task Force – Afghanistan. (photo by Cpl. Pete Thibodeau)
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Tuesday, December 23, 2008

III MEF commanding general visits Afghanistan Marines

Story by: Sgt. Juan D. Alfonso



KANDAHAR AIR FIELD, Islamic Republic of Afghanistan – Marines from III Marine Expeditionary Force serving in Afghanistan received a surprise visit from their top leader Dec. 23 on Kandahar Air Field, Islamic Republic of Afghanistan.

Lt. Gen. Richard C. Zilmer, commanding general of III MEF and Marine Corps Bases Japan, took time out of his busy schedule to visit Marines with Special Purpose Marine Air Ground Task Force – Afghanistan and thank them for their sacrifice and service during the holiday season.

During his visit, Zilmer focused his attention on his Marines from Okinawa, Japan, who make up a large portion of the SPMAGTF-A command element.

“This is a very difficult mission,” Zilmer said. “This is job number one for the Marine Corps and you are the foundation. It’s going to be harder for you than it is for the Marines that will follow, but that’s only possible because of the hard work you are putting in now.”

During his stay, the general ate lunch with several of his troops and held a town hall meeting later in the day. He addressed several issues specific to MCBJ, such as the liberty card policy, the Marine Corps Air Station Futenma relocation effort and political relations with Japan, which he stressed were good.

After his time with the Marines ended, Zilmer had a few parting words to give them regarding his expectations of his Marines and his confidence in their abilities.

“I expect the Marines and sailors from III MEF will not just perform their missions to the best of their abilities, they will set the standard of performance so high, that those that follow will have difficulty matching,” he said.

SPMAGTF-A’s mission is to conduct counterinsurgency operations, and train and mentor the Afghan National Police.


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U.S. Reps. meet with Marines in Afghanistan

CAMP BASTION, Islamic Republic of Afghanistan –Maj. Brian T. Mulvihill (third from left) escorts the visiting U.S. representatives and other guests after their arrival at the flight line on Camp Bastion, Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, Dec. 21. The representatives, from Mississippi, Texas, California, Connecticut and Virginia, made the trek to Afghanistan to meet with U.S. military commanders, service members and constituents from their home states about the mission here. Mulvihill is the executive officer of 3rd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, the ground combat element of Special Purpose Marine Air Ground Task Force – Afghanistan.
(photo by Lance Cpl. Brian D. Jones)(released)
CAMP BARBER, Islamic Republic of Afghanistan – U.S. Rep. Mike Conaway of Texas speaks with U.S. Marines during his visit to Camp Barber, Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, Dec. 21. Conaway visited with the Marines and sailors of 3rd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, and Combat Logistics Battalion 3, the ground combat and logistics combat elements of Special Purpose Marine Air Ground Task Force – Afghanistan.
(photo by Lance Cpl. Brian D. Jones)(released)
CAMP BARBER, Islamic Republic of Afghanistan – U.S. Rep. Loretta Sanchez of California speaks with a U.S. Marine during her visit to Camp Barber, Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, Dec. 21. Sanchez visited with the Marines and sailors of 3rd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, and Combat Logistics Battalion 3, the ground combat and logistics combat elements of Special Purpose Marine Air Ground Task Force – Afghanistan.
(photo by Lance Cpl. Brian D. Jones)(released)
CAMP BARBER, Islamic Republic of Afghanistan – U.S. Rep. Loretta Sanchez of California walks and speaks with Marines during her visit to Camp Barber, Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, Dec. 21. Sanchez visited with the Marines and sailors of 3rd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, and Combat Logistics Battalion 3, the ground combat and logistics combat elements of Special Purpose Marine Air Ground Task Force – Afghanistan.
(photo by Lance Cpl. Brian D. Jones)(released)
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Monday, December 22, 2008

Chairman of Joint Chiefs visits Marines, sailors in Afghanistan


Story by: Lance Cpl. Monty Burton


HELMAND PROVINCE, Islamic Republic of Afghanistan – Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Adm. Mike Mullen visited Marines and sailors deployed to Helmand Province, Islamic Republic of Afghanistan Dec. 21.

Mullen visited Marines with 3rd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, and Combat Logistics Battalion 3, the ground combat and logistics combat elements of Special Purpose Marine Air Ground Task Force – Afghanistan.

Mullen was escorted by Lt. Col. David L. Odom, commanding officer of 3/8, whose battalion has been deployed to the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan since early November.

During the day, Mullen was briefed on the battalion’s progress and on future operations in the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan. He was also briefed on the progress of the Afghan National Army and Afghan National Police, who are currently being trained and mentored by Marines of SPMAGTF-A.

“The governor of the Farah Province said he wants more Marines to train the ANA and ANP,” Mullen said. “Training them is a growing mission and what I consider to be a critical path for success in Afghanistan. We have to make sure they can eventually lead this effort.”

At Forward Operating Base Bakwa, Mullen got the opportunity to see how the Marines were living at the FOB. Marines assigned to Company K shared lunch with Mullen, who answered any questions the Marines had. The Marines and sailors had the opportunity to discuss several different topics ranging from tour lengths to the predicted outcomes of upcoming sporting events.

Following the meal, Mullin boarded an Army UH-60 Blackhawk helicopter and made his way to FOB Delaram to meet with more Marines and sailors from Co. K.

In Delaram, Mullen was briefed on the current operational picture there and received a tour of the largest Marine Corps FOB in the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan.

Following his time at FOB Delaram, Mullen proceeded to Camp Barber to meet with the Marines and sailors of 3/8 and CLB-3.

Sgt. Andre Green, the CLB-3 administrative chief, said it was very encouraging to see Mullen visit the Marines and sailors while deployed here.

“It was a very important visit because he can see what we are doing while we are deployed, and the junior Marines and sailors can see that he cares about us,” Green said. “It’s motivating to see that he took time out of his busy schedule to come out here and be with us.”

While at Camp Barber, Mullen had the honor of presenting a Navy hospital corpsman his fifth Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal. The recipient, Petty Officer 1st Class Israel Barrickman, 3/8’s Battalion Aid Station administrative chief, said being presented the medal by Mullen was definitely special to him.

“It meant more to know that my senior leadership could be here to present me this award,” he said. “It was definitely an honor.”
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United Through Reading program brings families closer

Story by Lance Cpl. Ronald W. Stauffer



CAMP BARBER, Islamic Republic of Afghanistan – Forward-deployed service members in Afghanistan are staying in touch with family, friends and children through a simple yet effective program dubbed United Through Reading.

The program is offered through the chaplains of Combat Logistics Battalion 3 and 3rd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, the logistics and ground combat elements of Special Purpose Marine Air Ground Task Force – Afghanistan, at the chapel aboard Camp Barber, Islamic Republic of Afghanistan.

“It’s a program where mothers, fathers, brothers, sisters, aunts and uncles can read a book to their family or even a classroom,” said Navy Lt. Karen Rector, CLB-3 chaplain. “It’s a way to keep connected.”

The service members simply read a book of their choosing from the chaplains’ extensive library and are videotaped as they read it. Afterward, the chaplains present the service members with a mini-DVD recording and a padded envelope to send the message home. In about two weeks, service members here have recorded and mailed approximately 50 greetings.

Rector said the absence of a deployed parent can have a huge impact on a child, but the United Through Reading program provides the child with both a visual and aural reference, making the absent parent seem closer to home.

“It’s a very special and important program that fills a big gap with the families because the children get to see and hear mom and dad,” Rector said. “The majority of service members are excited and can’t wait to read to their children.”

Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Jeffery B. Pritchett, the leading petty officer for 3/8’s Battalion Aid Station, said he reads to his son regularly, and it helps throughout the deployment.

“I made videos before I left, and my wife said (my son) gets excited when he sees me on TV,” Pritchett said. “He makes everyone sit down and watch the videos.”

Deployed parents aren’t the only individuals who can send videos.

Pfc. Rebecca L. Ortego, a combat engineer with CLB-3, found herself reading to two young ladies whom she’d never met.

Rector said she received a letter from a single mom with two daughters who were going through a rough time. The mother asked for a female Marine to write to her and her daughters. Instead, Ortego went one step further in fulfilling the request by taking advantage of the United Through Reading program and mailed the family a DVD. Ortego said she’s always loved reading to children and used to be a reading tutor.

“I like to be involved and the feeling that I can reach out to younger children and support them like they try to support us,” she said.

Rector said the program is a neat experience for the children and the service members, and it entices everyone to take the chance to share a story or personal message with their loved ones or someone they might not know.
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Saturday, December 20, 2008

U.S. forces provide medical treatment to Afghan women


Story by: Sgt. Juan D. Alfonso


CAMP HERO, Islamic Republic of Afghanistan – To help curb the mortality rate of Afghan women and infants, a U.S. medical officer provided medical treatment to several Afghan women and their children Dec. 17 at a women’s clinic on Camp Hero, Islamic Republic of Afghanistan.

The treatment was part of a semi-monthly effort to train and mentor Afghan medical personnel to improve health care and provide medical treatment to Afghan women, who otherwise would not be seen.

Navy Lt. Christine R. Stehman, the Special Purpose Marine Air Ground Task Force – Afghanistan air combat element flight surgeon, volunteered to conduct the women’s clinic to raise awareness and ensure afghan women received the medical treatment they need.

“Because of cultural restrictions, women are not allowed to take their burkas off in front of men and any conversation has to take place through the burka or even through a screen,” she said. “This makes examinations impossible. Sometimes, the women need to be seen for female issues.”

The ultimate goal of the program is to provide a permanent female medical provider, staffed by the Afghan people to handle the needs of women, whether they are pregnancy issues or something much more serious.

The clinic has also served as a form of social relief for many of the women.

According to Stehman, unless celebrating a holiday or attending a wedding, Afghan women do not gather in any social function. The clinic has served to treat both their medical needs and desire to spend time with other women.

Stehman hopes that raising awareness and educating female medical personnel will help not only to improve the medical treatment the majority of Afghan women receive, but also provide a positive role model to Afghan women.

“I’m a physician, so my job is to provide health care and medical attention, but I have an opportunity to not only do so but to show an example of an educated female to some of the local Afghani population, both male and female,” she said. “If one girl sees me and says ‘I want to be a doctor,’ that’s a step in the right direction.”

The clinic currently has one midwife who handles female medical issues.
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Thursday, December 18, 2008

USO tour comes to Kandahar Air Field, Afghanistan

KANDAHAR AIR FIELD, Islamic Republic of Afghanistan – Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Adm. Mike Mullen introduces the entertainment during the United Services Organization’s Holiday Tour Dec. 17 on Kandahar Air Field, Islamic Republic of Afghanistan. Despite the quality of entertainment, Mullen couldn’t help but say he expects a great deal of the Marines in Afghanistan and he knows they will live up to his expectations.
(photo by Sgt. Juan D. Alfonso)







KANDAHAR AIR FIELD, Islamic Republic of Afghanistan – More than 200 deployed service members attended the United Services Organization’s Holiday Tour Dec. 17 on Kandahar Air Field, Islamic Republic of Afghanistan. The concert included performances by hit stars, such as Kid Rock and American Idol contestant Kellie Pickler.
(photo by Sgt. Juan D. Alfonso)
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Sunday, December 14, 2008

U.S. troops meet with Afghan govenor

FARAH PROVINCE, Islamic Republic of Afghanistan — Governor Rohullah Amin listens intently as he is briefed by personnel from the Provincial Reconstruction Team and local military leaders during the Farah Province security meeting Dec. 13 in Farah Province, Islamic Republic of Afghanistan. The meeting was held to discuss the progress of security advancements in Farah Province. (photo by Lance Cpl. Monty Burton)

FARAH PROVINCE, Islamic Republic of Afghanistan — Governor Rohullah Amin speaks to a group of local military leaders and members of the Provincial Reconstruction Team during the Farah Province security meeting Dec. 13 in Farah Province, Islamic Republic of Afghanistan. The meeting was held to discuss the progress of the military forces in the Farah Province. Amin makes use of public service announcements to deconflict military activities in his province with the local Afghan community. (photo by Lance Cpl. Monty Burton)



FARAH PROVINCE, Islamic Republic of Afghanistan — A group of local military leaders and members of the Provincial Reconstruction Team listen intently as Governor Rohullah Amin speaks during the Farah Province security meeting Dec. 13 in Farah Province, Islamic Republic of Afghanistan. The meeting was held to discuss the progress of security advancements in Farah Province.
(photo by Lance Cpl. Monty Burton)









FARAH PROVINCE, Islamic Republic of Afghanistan — A group of local military leaders and members of the Provincial Reconstruction Team listen intently as Governor Rohullah Amin speaks during the Farah Province security meeting Dec. 13 in Farah Province, Islamic Republic of Afghanistan. The meeting was held to discuss the progress of security advancements in Farah Province. ( Lance Cpl. Monty Burton)
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