News - Page 15

U.S. Marine Corps Capt. Sean M. Stephenson poses for a photo in front of his AV-8B Harrier on the flight deck of the USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD 6) March 17, 2015. Stephenson started out his career as an enlisted band member and then persued his dream of becoming a pilot. Stehenson is a Harrier pilot with Marine Attack Squadron 231, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit. - U.S. Marine Corps Capt. Sean M. Stephenson poses for a photo in front of his AV-8B Harrier on the flight deck of the USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD 6) March 17, 2015. Stephenson started out his career as an enlisted band member and then persued his dream of becoming a pilot. Stehenson is a Harrier pilot with Marine Attack Squadron 231, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit.

Pilot’s rare flight through Marine Corps

Playing a favorite instrument, kicking in doors, and flying an aircraft are some of the different career opportunities in the Marine Corps. In the case of Capt. Sean M. Stephenson, he would do a little bit of everything, or so it would seem, on his journey to his current rank and position.At the start of his career, Stephenson synchronized with

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Cpl. Brennan Palmiter shakes hands with a Republic of Korea (ROK) Marine during Korean Marine Exchange Program (KMEP) 15 in the vicinity of Pohang, South Korea March 30, 2015. The 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) participated in KMEP 15. The overall objective of KMEPs are to enhance amphibious operations between ROK and U.S. forces that contributes to security and stability on the Korean Peninsula as well as the entire Asia-Pacific region. The ROK Marines are with 33rd Battalion, 1st ROK Marine Division, and the U.S. Marines are with Company E, Battalion Landing Team 2nd Battalion, 4th Marines, 31st MEU. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Ryan C. Mains/ Released) - Cpl. Brennan Palmiter shakes hands with a Republic of Korea (ROK) Marine during Korean Marine Exchange Program (KMEP) 15 in the vicinity of Pohang, South Korea March 30, 2015. The 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) participated in KMEP 15. The overall objective of KMEPs are to enhance amphibious operations between ROK and U.S. forces that contributes to security and stability on the Korean Peninsula as well as the entire Asia-Pacific region. The ROK Marines are with 33rd Battalion, 1st ROK Marine Division, and the U.S. Marines are with Company E, Battalion Landing Team 2nd Battalion, 4th Marines, 31st MEU. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Ryan C. Mains/ Released)

U.S.-ROK Marine Force strengthens alliance through annual exercise

Republic of Korea and U.S. Marines completed a large-scale bilateral exercise here April 1. Approximately 4,500 ROK Marines and sailors worked alongside 2,200 U.S. Marine and 2,000 Navy personnel during Korean Marine Exchange Program ‘15 to improve their combined amphibious capabilities. “It is not always easy to integrate with the language

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U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Jeremiah Skaggs poses in the hangar bay of the USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD 6), at sea, March 16, 2015. Skaggs, from Stockton, California, has trained in multiple environments including Bridgeport, California, Twentynine Palms, California, Okinawa, Japan, and now aboard the USS Bonhomme Richard. Skaggs is a squad leader with Weapons Co., Battalion Landing Team 2nd Battalion, 4th Marines, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit and is currently participating in the MEU’s annually-scheduled Spring Patrol of the Asia-Pacific region. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Ryan C. Mains/Released) - U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Jeremiah Skaggs poses in the hangar bay of the USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD 6), at sea, March 16, 2015. Skaggs, from Stockton, California, has trained in multiple environments including Bridgeport, California, Twentynine Palms, California, Okinawa, Japan, and now aboard the USS Bonhomme Richard. Skaggs is a squad leader with Weapons Co., Battalion Landing Team 2nd Battalion, 4th Marines, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit and is currently participating in the MEU’s annually-scheduled Spring Patrol of the Asia-Pacific region. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Ryan C. Mains/Released)

The challenges of earning sea legs

As an infantryman, U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Jeremiah Skaggs has trained in different places around the world. He has kicked doors down at the mock urban ranges in Camp Pendleton, California, trudged through the dense jungles of Okinawa, Japan, and climbed the snowy mountains of Bridgeport, California. Now, attached to the 31st Marine Expeditionary

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Republic of Korea Marine Corps Lt. Col. Jeong Hyung-Goo watches a U.S. Marine Corps MV-22B Osprey land on the flight deck of the Republic of Korea ship Dokdo (LPH 6111), at sea, March 26, 2015. This was the first time an Osprey has landed on a ROK amphibious assault ship. The aircraft is with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 262 (Reinforced), 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit. The Marines of the 31st MEU are embarked aboard the forward-deployed amphibious assault ship USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD 6) and are currently participating in Korean Marine Exchange Program 15 during the MEU’s annual Spring Patrol of the Asia-Pacific region. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by SSgt. Joseph DiGirolamo/Released) - Republic of Korea Marine Corps Lt. Col. Jeong Hyung-Goo watches a U.S. Marine Corps MV-22B Osprey land on the flight deck of the Republic of Korea ship Dokdo (LPH 6111), at sea, March 26, 2015. This was the first time an Osprey has landed on a ROK amphibious assault ship. The aircraft is with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 262 (Reinforced), 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit. The Marines of the 31st MEU are embarked aboard the forward-deployed amphibious assault ship USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD 6) and are currently participating in Korean Marine Exchange Program 15 during the MEU’s annual Spring Patrol of the Asia-Pacific region. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by SSgt. Joseph DiGirolamo/Released)

Ospreys land on Korean Amphibious Assault Ship

A U.S. Marine Corps MV-22B Osprey tiltrotor aircraft made its first ever landing on the flight deck of a Republic of Korea Navy amphibious assault ship off the coast of the Korean peninsula, March 26, 2015. The Osprey departed from the USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD 6) nearby and landed on the ROK ship Dokdo (LPH-6111).“The Osprey is our primary

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US Marines demonstrate capabilities to Malaysian Armed Forces

Members of the Malaysian armed forces, alongside Malaysian and U.S. government officials, observed a theater security cooperation event with the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit here Feb. 27.The amphibious air-ground demonstration provided an opportunity for the U.S. Navy, U.S. Marine Corps and MAF to build relationships and pave the way for future

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Sgt. Antonio Lowe, left, and Cpl. Jimmy Ryan, right, watch as an MV-22B Osprey flies over the Nightingale team during a mass casualty evacuation drill Feb. 9 held at the Central Training Area, Okinawa, Japan. The Nightingale team, a contingency force of medical personnel trained to respond to mass casualties, participated in the drill to hone their skills. Lowe and Ryan are with the Communications Platoon, Combat Logistics Battalion 31, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Tyler Ngiraswei/ Released) - Sgt. Antonio Lowe, left, and Cpl. Jimmy Ryan, right, watch as an MV-22B Osprey flies over the Nightingale team during a mass casualty evacuation drill Feb. 9 held at the Central Training Area, Okinawa, Japan. The Nightingale team, a contingency force of medical personnel trained to respond to mass casualties, participated in the drill to hone their skills. Lowe and Ryan are with the Communications Platoon, Combat Logistics Battalion 31, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Tyler Ngiraswei/ Released)

Alert the Nightingale Crew

Petty Officer 1st Class Terral B. Brew, Jr., hears “Nightingale 1-2-0,” over the ship’s P.A. system and he scurries to get his medical supplies while Marines make their way to the armory to withdraw their weapons.At “Nightingale 6-0,” Brew makes his way to the ship’s hanger and stages his gear.At “Nightingale 3-0,” he goes onto the ramp with a

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Landing support specialists attach a load of tires to a UH-1Y Huey attached to Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 262, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, during a helicopter support team exercise Feb. 6 on the flight deck of the USS Bonhomme Richard. The Marines used a MK-105 cable, also known as the Q-tip, to hook the load onto the bottom of the Huey. The Marines are with Combat Logistics Battalion 31, 31st MEU, and are currently deployed in support of the annually-scheduled Spring Patrol of the Asia-Pacific region. - Landing support specialists attach a load of tires to a UH-1Y Huey attached to Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 262, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, during a helicopter support team exercise Feb. 6 on the flight deck of the USS Bonhomme Richard. The Marines used a MK-105 cable, also known as the Q-tip, to hook the load onto the bottom of the Huey. The Marines are with Combat Logistics Battalion 31, 31st MEU, and are currently deployed in support of the annually-scheduled Spring Patrol of the Asia-Pacific region.

Hook, line, take-off; Marines practice skills aboard ship

With the sound of a UH-1Y Huey approaching, Staff Sgt. Davon Simmons eagerly watches his Marines get ready to attach cargo to the bottom of the hovering aircraft for the first time at sea. Marines from Combat Logistics Battalion 31, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, honed their skills during a helicopter support team exercise with Marine Medium

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U.S. Marines sight in on their targets during a live-fire exercise Feb. 4 on the flight deck of the USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD-6). Given 30 rounds each, the Marines executed multiple live fire drills. The Marines are with Combat Logistics Battalion 31, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, and are currently underway as part of the regularly scheduled Spring Patrol of the Asia-Pacific region. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Ryan C. Mains/Released) - U.S. Marines sight in on their targets during a live-fire exercise Feb. 4 on the flight deck of the USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD-6). Given 30 rounds each, the Marines executed multiple live fire drills. The Marines are with Combat Logistics Battalion 31, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, and are currently underway as part of the regularly scheduled Spring Patrol of the Asia-Pacific region. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Ryan C. Mains/Released)

Amphibious roots: CLB-31 executes a live-fire exercise aboard ship

For Cpl. Derrick Gary, a massive, rocking amphibious assault ship in the middle of the ocean with a cool breeze blowing onto to its flight deck is not the normal setting for a shooting exercise.U.S. Marines with Combat Logistics Battalion 31 executed a live-fire shooting exercise Feb. 4 on the flight deck of the USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD-6) in the

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1st Lt. William Tidd, center, from Angola, Indiana, briefs the plan to help rebuild and aid a simulated village that has been struck by a flood Jan. 13 at Camp Hansen. The Marines are practicing scenarios as part of the Humanitarian Assistance Survey Team. The team is typically sent into a country after a natural disaster occurs in order to assess the damage and determine the amount of supply and resources are needed. Tidd is the Engineer Platoon commander for Combat Logistics Battalion 31, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Tyler Ngiraswei/ Released) - 1st Lt. William Tidd, center, from Angola, Indiana, briefs the plan to help rebuild and aid a simulated village that has been struck by a flood Jan. 13 at Camp Hansen. The Marines are practicing scenarios as part of the Humanitarian Assistance Survey Team. The team is typically sent into a country after a natural disaster occurs in order to assess the damage and determine the amount of supply and resources are needed. Tidd is the Engineer Platoon commander for Combat Logistics Battalion 31, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Tyler Ngiraswei/ Released)

CLB-31 HAST responds to disaster scenario

On March 11, 2011, the worst undersea earthquake to affect Japan struck at a magnitude of 9.0 off the coast of Honshu creating waves exceeding one-hundred feet in height. The waves swept inland, taking the lives of more than 15,000 people and injuring thousands more. The survivors were left with damaged roads, buildings and industrial facilities,

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Marines and their spouses attend a pre-deployment brief Jan. 16 at Marine Corps Air Station Futenma’s Habu Pit club. The brief was held to prepare them for the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit’s upcoming Spring Patrol. The Marines are with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 262 (Reinforced), currently assigned to the 31st MEU as the aviation combat element. - Marines and their spouses attend a pre-deployment brief Jan. 16 at Marine Corps Air Station Futenma’s Habu Pit club. The brief was held to prepare them for the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit’s upcoming Spring Patrol. The Marines are with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 262 (Reinforced), currently assigned to the 31st MEU as the aviation combat element.

VMM-262 families prepare for upcoming deployment

Lauren Blond has great advice for any spouse dealing with the separation of a military deployment: Set expectations ahead of time.“It helps a lot knowing that I will expect to wait two weeks for things to start settling in before we can talk, instead of waiting by the phone or constantly clicking refresh on my email,” said Blond, a Marine spouse

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