once and a while it will dip below 20 degrees at night. The cold weather has helped to keep the dust down and you can see the mountains in the North clearly now. The battalion has continued to work hard and I receive compli-ments from the units we support everywhere I go. The area that we oper-ate in is constantly ex-panding and operations continue to increase. Our Combat Logistics Patrols are getting more challenging as we con-tinue to push more sup-port North. Our typical convoys take 3-5 days to complete and are al-ways an adventure. But the Marines and Sailors have been more than up to the challenge though! In addition to our daily operations, we are also making preparations to turn over our battalion areas and equipment to CLB-8, conducting rede-ployment training, and many Marines are even starting to mail some of their things home. I can-not walk anywhere in the battalion areas and not get a smile from our Ma-rines and Sailors; but even with the expecta-tion of going home they remain focused on the

It is hard to be-lieve but another month has passed and the pace of the deployment has continued to pick up momentum. As I write this, our replacements from CLB-8 are starting to arrive. When they get settled in, we will begin in earnest our turnover which will consume the rest of our deployment. Our turnover will include inventorying equipment and left seat / right seat convoys to help them learn the ropes of oper-ating in our Area of Op-erations. We are all looking forward to the Transfer of Authority on 7 February.

While the weather has been cold at times this month, it doesn't look like it has been nearly as cold as some of you back in the States. We have had many days in the low 60's but we did not re-ceive any snow. The Battalion has been dressing for the season and drinking plenty of hot coffee and chocolate (when we can get it). Even so, I can already tell the coldest part of the winter is behind us as temperatures push back up into the 60's during the day but every

task at hand. I continue to be ap-preciative of the efforts of the folks who have participated in our Fam-ily Readiness Program. It really means a lot to the Marines and Sailors of the Battalion. I ask for your continued sup-port as we approach the end of the deployment. In the coming weeks, our Family Readiness Officer, Mr. Jeff Peters, will be planning several events aimed at prepar-ing our families for the battalion's return. If you are interested in helping out or participating, please contact Mr. Jeff Peters at the phone numbers listed later in this letter. Semper Fidelis, LtCol B. N. Wolford

From the Commander

Upcoming Events:

February

Marine and Sailors

return Home

CLB-2, CLR-2, 2D MLG

JANUARY 2011 NEWS

LETTER

Inside this issue:

The Commander 1

The Sergeant Major 2

Chaplain’s Corner 3

Headquarters Company 4

Alpha Company 5

Bravo Company 6

Charlie Company 7

Family Readiness Officer 8

JANUARY 2011 Volume 2, Issue 8

Page 2 CLB-2, CLR-2, 2D MLG JANUARY 2011 NEWS LETTER

Block Leave Dates: March 1–15 2011

From The SgtMaj

From the SgtMaj

Hello to all! This is a very exciting time for everyone. I think it has to do with our re-placements showing up. As we wind down the deployment and prepare to come home let me take a minute to thank all of you back there for your unwavering sup-port. We would not been able to do what we have been doing over here without it. All the Marines and Sailors are ready to get home and spend some quality time with our families. As we

continue to prepare to leave please contact our FRO Jeff Peters with any questions on flights. I want to ex-press how proud I am of everyone’s effort and hard work, it has been a very challeng-ing 7 months. They have definitely earned some much needed time off. I look forward to seeing everyone soon. Block Leave Dates: March 1–15 2011

Semper Fidelis, SgtMaj T. A. Linch

Page 3

Yesterday, Today, Tomorrow

“We are the ones

who create the atmosphere, the

climate in our homes. We create the tension or the peace, the conflict

or the order. ‖

With deployment basically over and our departure for home drawing near, I thought this letter would help us to put into perspective the state of our lives. The following letter was written by Tom Craik and he is a high school counselor. Although this letter is about the new school year with all its hope and dreams, I want to encourage each of us to read it and strive to reevaluate the state of our lives as we anticipate our glad reunion day.

―With school having started again, we are probably all aware of what ways we are going to be different this school year. We are going to be different kids this year. We are going to work harder at our studies. This year we’ll get A’s and B’s, be more respectful to our folks, show good sense in all our endeavors so that we will be seen as responsible young adults. This year we are going to be more of a family, we are going to be more to-gether, enjoy each other’s company more. We are going to like to be with each other, we’ll even go on some weekend outings. As a family we’ll argue less and discuss more. . . .This year Dad will stop drinking and Mom won’t yell so much. This year my brothers and sisters will all get along better. We’ll help each other with our stud-ies and help Mom around the house. This year Mom and Dad won’t have to keep bugging us to do our chores; we’ll just do them. We’ll keep our rooms clean and put the dishes in the dishwasher. No fights and hassles for us this year. This year we’ll appreciate Mom and Dad more because now we really do know all of what they do for us. . . One thing’s for sure, we’re all going to get along better this year.

Does any of this sound vaguely familiar? Sadly time marches on and these ―dreams‖ are going to be history as yesterday becomes today, and today becomes tomorrow. Parents, most of this applies to us. We are the ones who create the atmosphere, the climate in our homes. We create the tension or the peace, the conflict or the order. We choose whether our homes are loving and supportive or hateful and iso-lating. We are the ones who teach self-responsibility or blame. We are the ones who look for the good or complain, complain, complain. Kids, tomorrow you’re going to be thirty. The time is already past to look for some-one to blame, to look for some reason why things aren’t the way you want them to be. Create your own change. Take care of yourself. Act in your own best interest. . . Find your intention, your purpose, your dream and realize that if it is going to hap-pen, you’re the one who’s got to make it happen. And then go to it! Husbands, wives, and children, our deployment is over. Are you ready? Make the changes. Plot the course you want to live, and do it. And one more thing, don’t leave God out of your plans!

By Chaplain Ken Amador CLB 2 Battalion Chaplain

UNITED THROUGH

READING

One of the most difficult

things a child can experience

is having a parent deployed

to a war zone for an indeter-

minate period of time.

The United Through Read-

ing® Military Program helps

ease the stress of separation

for military families by hav-

ing deployed parents read

children’s books aloud via

DVD for their child to watch

at home.

All CLB-2 Marines and Sail-

ors can see Chaplain Amador

to create a DVD for their

children.

Chaplain Amador with V-22

Osprey in the background.

To the family and friends of Headquarters and Support (H&S) Company, In the month of January CLB-8 arrived in theater, initiating the relief in place and transfer of au-thority process with CLB-2. The Marines and Sailors of the H&S Company are excited to return home as the light at the end of the tunnel continues to strengthen. This month also marked another drop in temperatures that puts the nights in the low teens and the days in the mid 50s. The conclu-sion of this month represents the rapid re-deployment of the com-pany from Camp Leatherneck Afghanistan back to Camp Le-jeune, NC. The company is boil-ing over with eagerness about the near return to their loved ones.

January has not been a month of preparation like the previous two months, instead it has been a month of execution and turnover. The detailed plans developed by each section to turnover their posi-tion to their respective counter-parts in CLB-8 has proven invalu-able. The feeling of accomplish-ment throughout the Company can be seen in the faces of the Marines and Sailors as they watch CLB-8 begin to take over. They can see that their unselfish hard work did not only pay dividends in the accomplishment of their mis-sion, but paid dividends to CLB-8 as they took over CLB-2’s mis-sion. The following Marines were re-cently promoted to Corporal: James Barrett, Justin Corliss, Mathew Reynoso, Christopher Welch. The following Marines were pro-moted to Sergeant: Bradley Marincil Marisol Mondragon. Corporal William Jackson was awarded a Good Conduct Medal during the month of December and represented the Company on the Battalion NCO of the Quarter

Board. The following Marines were awarded Good Conduct Medals in January: Cpl Kyle Hussin, Cpl Amulfo Zubia, Cpl Nicholas Lauth, Cpl Fiberl Labitad, SSgt James Taylor.

The following Marines had birth-days in January: LCpl Rachel Jonitis (22), Cpl Nicholas Lauth (22), Pvt Deon Hall (21), Cpl Christopher Durden (23) LCpl Pedro Diaz (25), MSgt Marla Edwards (45), Cpl Ernesto Sarduy (20), LCpl Alric Brito (21), LCpl Zachary Thomas (21), 2ndLt Tony Beavers (27), 1stLt Catherine Cunningham (26), Sgt Tiffany Fincham (24), Cpl Myles Carlson (22), 1stLt Mark Fannin (26), LCpl Michael Simpson (20), LCpl Glen Curran (24). The labors of the young individu-als that comprise H&S Company have been historic in nature, and have contributed greatly to the Coalition succcess in the Helmand Province. These efforts are how the Marine Corps built its long standing name and will maintain such a name in the near future.

Semper Fidelis! Captain Nathan J. Green Headquarters and Support Com-pany Commander

Page 4 CLB-2, CLR-2, 2D MLG JANUARY 2011 NEWS LETTER

Headquarters and Support Company

STOCKING STUFFERS

CHRISTMAS IN SUPPLY

THE BATTALION OPERATIONS SECTION

To all the families, friends and loved ones, I sincerely thank you for all the love and support you have shown your Marines throughout the deployment. I am proud to report that this will be our last newsletter from Afghani-stan as we will be home in the month of Febru-ary. The unit that is re-placing us is here and we are in the process of changing over and pass-ing on the hard-learned lessons of the last 7 months. This deploy-ment has been complete with challenges of every variety and it has been interesting to witness the manners in which the Marines overcame each and every one. We will always remember our time here and the ex-periences will hopefully be used for the greater good, whether it pertains

to home life or future military endeavors. The mission was difficult as was the time apart, but with your help the Ma-rines were able to suc-cessfully meet and excel at both challenges. My communication on this final deployed letter will be short as we cannot fully express our grati-tude for your sacrifices and joy at returning home. I and 1

st Sergeant

personally thank you; the Marines certainly thank you, and a grateful nation returns your Ma-rines home. Semper Fi, Capt J.C. Fuller 1

st Sgt R.L. Moore

Page 5 Volume 2, Issue 8

Alpha Company “The mission was difficult as was the time

apart, but with your help the Marines were able

to successfully meet and excel at both

challenges. “

Mail

The cutoff date for mailing any-

thing to Afghanistan is 22 Janu-

ary 2011. Any mail sent before

this date will be delivered. Any-

thing after the 22nd will be re-

routed back to Camp Lejeune.

Camp Leatherneck (do not include base name)

Rank, Last name, First name, MI

CLB-2 (Company)

Unit 73960

FPO AE 09510-3960

To all our families and friends, These last six months have been nothing less than an amazing roller coaster of nonstop action. Our sister battalion CLB-8’s leadership arrived on deck just after the New Year and the turnover process has begun. The official Transfer of Author-ity will take place on 7 Feb and Bravo Company will be on the plane com-ing home soon after. On behalf of all the Marines and Sailors in Bravo Company, Active and Reserve, I want to thank all of our family and

Page 6 Volume 2, Issue 8

Bravo Company

friends for their unwaver-ing support over these past six months. All of you can be extremely proud of the amazing ac-complishments your Ma-rines and Sailors have completed. I know that I can speak for every mem-ber of Bravo Company when I say, it has been a long deployment and we are eagerly looking for-ward to returning home and seeing each of you again soon. It has been an honor and privilege to lead some of the most amazing young men and women of Bravo Company during this de-ployment. Thank you.

First Sergeant Baker and I wish all our fami-lies, friends, and loved ones a safe and Happy New Year. Thank you for all your support and prayers, we are all ea-ger to return home and will be soon. Semper Fidelis,

First Sergeant Russell Baker, USMCR Bravo Company First Ser-

geant

Captain Jeremy Henwood, USMC R Bravo Company Commander

“It has been an

honor and privilege

to lead some of the

most amazing young

men and women of

Bravo Company

during this

deployment. “

Promotions during this month: Gunnery Sgt. Juan Ibarra Sergeant Brandon Coleman Corporal Garrett Douglas Staff Sergeant Ryan Halley Sergeant Christopher Davis Corporal Idriss Tracy Sergeant Jared Dunn Sergeant Shawn Campbell Corporal Rachel Ward

New joins to the company: Lance Corporal James Aldridge and his wife Chantelle welcomed the birth of Jaymisen Presley Aldridge, Corporal Joshua Nantz and his wife Jillian celebrated the birth of their son Austin James Nantz and Cpl Roeder’s new addition Arianna Stephania Roeder. All of the new mothers and babies are doing outstanding. Awards for this month: Staff Sergeant Derek Cheek was awarded the Navy Achievement Medal with combat distinguishing device and Sergeant Dustin Baldwin was awarded two Certificates of Commendation for his outstanding performance as an instructor in two consecutive cycles of the Corporals Course.

Marine Corps Martial Arts Program (MCMAP): Sergeant Matthew Lynskey graduated from the Marine Corps Martial Arts instructor course Sergeant Steven Padilla and Corporal Christian Roeder reached the level of Black Belt. Corporals Course Graduates: Corporal Corey Price received a meritorious mast for his performance in graduating as the second in his class. Corporal Jeremy Vasquez.

Dear Charlie Company Fam-

ily and Friends,

January has definitely been eventful. We safely rang in the New Year while the Marines and Sailors prepared for con-voys and stayed extremely busy throughout our area of operation. Additionally, we had the pleasure of welcoming our counter-parts from Combat Logis-tics Battalion 8 (CLB-8) to Camp Leatherneck. It is nice to see familiar faces and to turn over the reins with one of our sister com-panies from 8th Engineer Support Battalion (8th ESB). I know they will work hard and continue to provide the support neces-sary, just the way that Charlie Company has throughout our deploy-ment. Throughout the month, both platoons con-tinued to provide support to our long haul convoys ensuring their safety while transiting between the many outlying posts. They also continued to enhance vertical and horizontal construction efforts where required which guaranteed the supported units were provided with the best force protection and qual-ity of life available. Fur-thermore, the Marines and Sailors worked long hours

to prepare all our equip-ment for the upcoming turnover. Through their hard work all the trucks were running properly, all the parts and components were accounted for, and all supplies were available for the upcoming construc-tion projects. They worked hard to set CLB-8 Engi-neers up for success upon their arrival and it has truly paid off. I would like to rec-ognize Sergeant Kasey Gribble, an 0621 Field Ra-dio Operator, and Corporal Scott Frank, a 1371 Com-bat Engineer, for the pro-motion to their current ranks. Sergeant Gribble is assigned to Second Pla-toon and Corporal Frank is assigned to the Headquar-ters Section. Both have worked hard to enable the successes of their Marines and they truly deserve the recognition they’ve re-ceived. Congratulations to both. Throughout this

month and the deploy-

ment, the Marines and

Sailors have kept their

heads high while continu-

ing to provide the support

needed for success. Their

efforts will forever be re-

membered by the units

they served and those that

benefited from the support

provided. It has been a

lengthy seven month de-

ployment and all our guys

and gals are anxious to

make that last trip home.

Keep the Company in your

thoughts as we continue

with our changeover in

preparation for our return

to Camp Lejeune. Thank

you again for your support

and we’ll see you all

shortly.

Semper Fidelis,

Captain Christian R. Felder Charlie Company Commander

Page 7 CLB-2, CLR-2, 2D MLG JANUARY 2011 NEWS LETTER

Charlie Company

“Throughout

this month

and the

deployment,

the Marines

and Sailors

have kept

their heads

high while

continuing to

provide the

support

needed for

success. “

Greetings to the Marines, Sailors, Families and Friends of CLB-2.

The Advanced party arrived back safely in January. They are busy setting up the barracks, work spaces and other important areas in order to ensure that when the rest of the battalion returns everything will be ready for them.

When I receive confirmation on each flight you will receive a call or an e-mail from me letting you know the date, time and location that you can meet your Marine or Sailor. This message will go out as soon as I re-ceive the information.

For example if your Marine is on flight one you will receive an e-mail or a phone call from me letting you know the location and time that you can meet your Marine or Sailor. You will not receive information on any other flights such as flight two, three, or four.

You can also call 1-800-664-7193 option 23 and listen for any flight updates in regards to your loved ones’ flight.

If you have any questions on this please contact your Family Readiness Officer, Mr. Jeff Peters at 910-382-9175 or 910-451-0593.

Page 8 Volume 2, Issue 8

Family Readiness Officer

Battalion shirts

Here at CLB-2 we are lucky enough to have such a close family. The Curtis family has volunteered their time to organize the assembly of our battalion t-shirts. We have the set design and price all worked out. Every Marine and Sailor in the battalion will be offered the chance to buy them. We would like to extend that same opportunity to our families here at CLB-2. The deadline and last day for all payments and orders to be received is by February 28th. In order for your purchase to be made properly please follow the guidelines listed below: - Send all payments by mail to: Melinda Curtis 541 Wetherington Landing Stella, NC 28582 -Please include your return address, t-shirt size, quantity, type (short sleeve, long sleeve, etc.), color (green or black) - We accept cash, check, money order or PayPal - If using check or money order please make them payable to: Melinda Curtis - If using PayPal, just go to PayPal.com and make the payment to: palmerterror@gmail.com The following are prices and set styles for the t-shirts: Back Logo: SHORT SLEEVE TEES: S , M, L, XL- $12, 2XL-$14 LONG SLEEVE TEES: S, M, L, XL- $14, 2XL- $16 CREW SWEATSHIRTS: S,M,L, XL-$20, 2XL- $22 HOODIES: S, M, L, XL- $27, 2XL- $30 ALSO include the following prices with your order for shipping and handling: - A Small box will contain up to 2 t-shirts- $6 - A Medium box can contain up to 3 t-shirts or 1 hoody- $11 - A Large box can contain but not limited to 2 hoodies or 5 shirts- $15

Front Logo:

****************IMPORTANT**************** Out With The Mass Communication Tool And In With Marine On Line

At present when you receive an automated message or e-mail from the Family Readiness Officer it comes out through the Mass Communication Tool, MCT. This program is able to send out a message to all the family contacts of CLB-2 in a matter of hours. The message goes out by e-mail, home phone, cell phone and even by text message. The Marine Corps is fading this program out in the next couple of months and replacing it with an automated messaging system through Marine Online (MOL). The Marine Corps has been using MOL for years to account for Marines and to keep track of other information. At present MOL is only able to send out messages by e-mail. So if you only receive messages by phone you will not receive any updates when we start to use the new system. We have approximately 400 family members in CLB-2 that do not have an e-mail address. To ensure that you continue to receive messages please look at doing one of the following; Current e-mail address—if you currently have an e-mail address please forward an e-mail to the Family Readiness Officer from this account letting him know who you are and who your Marine or Sailor is. He will then add your e-mail address to his system. Create a new e-mail address— This can be done by any home computer, friends computer or at your local library. Many of the services are free such as Yahoo, Gmail, AOL and Hotmail. Once created please e-mail the Family Readiness Offi-cer your name and your Marine/Sailor’s name. He will then add your new e-mail to his system. Please take some time out of your schedule and set up an e-mail account. Once this account is set up its important that you check once a week or more when it gets closer to your loved one coming home. It is very important that you are still in the loop and will receive any and all updates. If you have any questions or concerns please contact your Family Readiness Officer at 910-382-9175/910-451-0593 or by e-mail at Jeffrey.m.peters@usmc.mil.

Slide Show

To view the slide show copy the appropriate link into your web browser: CLB-2 slide show:

http://www.kizoa.com/slideshow/d1255768kP62969124o2/the-clb2-slideshow

CLB-2 Alpha Co. :

http://www.kizoa.com/slideshow/d1247591kP134747680o2/alpha-slideshow

CLB-2 Bravo Co. :

http://www.kizoa.com/slideshow/d1251274kP114928195o2/bravo-slideshow

CLB-2 Charlie Co. :

http://www.kizoa.com/slideshow/d1251314kP32510326o2/charlie-slideshow

CLB-2 H&S Co. :

http://www.kizoa.com/slideshow/d1251697kP85497908o2/hs-slideshow