Marine News Breaks [Archive] - Marine Corps

thedrifter

09-20-05, 12:23 PM

September 26, 2005
Around the Corps
Compiled from military and other public sources.

Iraq

Offensive targets al-Qaida in Rutbah

The 2nd Marine Division launched an early morning offensive called Operation Zoba against al-Qaida fighters in Rutbah, Iraq, on Sept. 11, according to a Corps release.

The operation is intended to “disrupt insurgent support systems in and around the city,” according to the release.

For the past several months, insurgents in the city have “escalated their intimidation and murder campaign against the local populace and city government officials,” the release said.

According to the division, the increased enemy activity in Rutbah has given the insurgency a base from which to launch its operations against the coalition, Iraqi Security Forces and civilians.

The division has said it will take strict measures to prevent civilian casualties and collateral damage.

Gulf Coast

Papal envoy sees hurricane damage

Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 464 provided transportation to a special envoy sent by Pope Benedict XVI to survey the damage left by Hurricane Katrina and bring a message of condolence to the people of the Gulf Coast, according to a Sept. 13 Corps release.

According to Bishop John H. Ricard of the Diocese of Pensacola, Fla., the pope expressed deep concern when he heard news reports of the tragedy, and by sending Archbishop Paul Josef Cordes as a personal representative to the region, he hopes to show solidarity between the victims and the rest of the world.

“In addition to reporting back to the pope on the things he sees, Archbishop Cordes is also the head of the council which oversees the church’s charity institutions, so he will also determine the best way to aid in the relief effort,” Ricard said.

The “Condors” of HMH-464 got involved in the mission because the airspace over the area is still restricted to military and rescue flights, so Cordes and his entourage relied on the Marines for transportation, according to the release.

The release quoted Marine Aircraft Group 29’s chaplain, Lt. Charles McCormick, as saying the trip marked the first time a papal envoy has visited the United States for the purpose of disaster relief.

Egypt

Devil dogs in egypt for Bright Star

Components of U.S. Central Command’s Army, Air Force, Navy, Marine Corps and special operations forces began Exercise Bright Star in Egypt on Sept. 10, according to a Defense Department release.

In addition to U.S. military forces, the exercise includes military personnel from Egypt and 12 other nations, according to the release.

The Defense Department called Bright Star “the largest and most significant coalition military exercise conducted by U.S. Central Command.”

The release said the exercise is aimed at strengthening the U.S. military’s ability to operate with other nations while practicing CentCom’s “theater engagement strategy.”

Bright Star is slated to run until Oct. 3.

Japan

Cannon cockers test speed on mainland

Nearly 400 Marines and sailors with 3rd Battalion, 12th Marines, began an artillery relocation live-fire training exercise Sept. 5 in the Yausubetsu Maneuver Area in Hokkaido, Japan.

During the training exercise, the battalion was timed on how fast each gun crew could move its howitzer into place, anchor the gun by digging its spades into the ground, set up ammunition and powder pits, align the weapon toward the target and establish communications with the fire control center that dispatches fire missions.

All of this had to be accomplished within five minutes at each of the various locations in which the battalion was placed during the four-day exercise.

After leaving the field, the battalion visited Japanese locals before returning to Okinawa.

North Carolina

Lejeune, New River weather Ophelia

Slow-moving Ophelia, downgraded from hurricane to tropical storm, moved out to sea early Sept. 16 after drenching North Carolina and causing base closures at Camp Lejeune and Marine Corps Air Station New River.

The Marine installations resumed “normal operations” Sept. 15, allowing personnel to come to work while officials assessed damage.

Camp Lejeune spokesman 1st Lt. Clark Carpenter said the hurricane caused a few power outages, but structural damage to Marine Corps facilities was limited to a single instance at the base’s Risley pier.

New River spokesman Capt. Stuart Fugler said his installation experienced only two fallen trees and a brief power outage in the staff noncommissioned officers’ barracks.

New River commander Col. Stephen Forand toured the air station Sept. 15 and expressed satisfaction with the performance of emergency responders during the hurricane and with the resilience of station residents he saw cleaning debris from their yards after the hurricane passed, Fugler said.

Carpenter said the Corps was well prepared for the hurricane after having conducted a “destructive weather exercise” last July.

Ellie