Okinawa-based ‘glorified paper pusher’ earns 2 Bronze Star Medals for combat action in Iraq.

pg. 8

Iraq ConneCtIonsDeployed service members video conference with loved ones over holiday season.

pg. 6

Sports roundup highlights some of the year’s best sports pictures.

pg. 17

OkiMar takes a look back at

major operations, exercises and

accomplishments of the commands on Okinawa and features the best pictures of 2007.

pgs. 9-14

2007i n r e v i e w

Lance Cpl. David Rogersokinawa marine staff

CAMP FOSTER — Since World War II, 55 percent of all U.S. military casualties have been a result of opera-tional accidents, according to statistics released in 2004 by the U.S. Army Combat Readi-ness/Safety Center.

Marine safety representa-tives on Okinawa want mili-tary members to consider this fact as they come back from the long holiday break.

“Statistics show after a long holiday season, people become relaxed toward safety,” said Shawn Curtis, the occupation-al safety and health specialist for Camp Foster. “We see an increase in mishaps during that time.”

All Marine Corps Bases Japan and III Marine Expedi-tionary Force personnel are required to attend Back in the Saddle training this month. Twenty-five briefs will be held Jan. 7-17 at Marine Corps in-stallations across Okinawa.

“I’m not teaching them any-thing they don’t know; I just want to retrigger that thought process to manage and elimi-nate risk to an acceptable level,” Curtis said.

Safety officials will hold the first 15 briefs in English. The last two English briefs are scheduled for Jan. 11 at 8:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. Safety of-ficials will hold 10 more briefs

see saddle pg 6

Operational pause helps Marines get ‘Back in the Saddle’

Sgt.

Eth

an E

. Roc

ke

Cpl. Warren Peace

Cpl. Eric D. Arndt

Cpl. Peter R. Miller

seeing double

best sportspICs

iii marine expeditionary force and marine corps bases japanIn

sIde

friday, january 11, 2008 www.okinawa.usmc.mil

okinawa marine | YeAR In ReVIeW | january 11, 2008 �

COMBAT OUTPOST RAWAH, Iraq | Staff Sgt. Thomas R. Johnson, a platoon commander with Company C, 1st Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion, Regimental Combat Team 2, walks away from a truck rigged with a detonation trigger and suspected to have an improvised explosive device July 24, 2007. The company used fuel and an incendiary grenade to destroy the vehicle and deny its use against coalition forces. Photo by Cpl. Ryan C. Heiser

CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. | Marines from 2nd Marine Division’s 2nd Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion bow their heads in prayer during a memorial ceremony for their fallen brothers April 17, 2007. The battalion returned from a seven-month deployment to Iraq in the beginning of April. Photo by Lance Cpl. Nathaniel Sapp

CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. | Marines of 1st Marine Regiment wait at sunrise to trek up Camp Horno’s “Microwave Hill” on Camp Pendleton Nov. 16, 2007. The Marines carried a cross up the hill to replace one that had memorialized Marines killed in Iraq. The original cross was destroyed by the 2007 Southern California wildfires. Photo by Cpl. Ray Lewis

CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. Cpl. Robert A.

Montgomery, a squad leader with 3rd

Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, kisses his

wife, Nicole, Feb. 7 after coming home

from Iraq. The Marines’ arrival marked the

end of a seven-month deployment in

Habbaniyah, conducting combat operations under Regimental

Combat Team 5. Photo by Cpl. Ray Lewis

corpsfor more marine corps stories and photos, visit http://www.marines.mil

around the

okinawa marine | OPInIOn & edITORIAL | january 11, 2008 �

The Okinawa Marine is published by Marine Corps Community Services under exclusive written contract with Marine Corps Base Camp Smedley D. Butler, Okinawa, Japan.

The editorial content of this newspaper is edited and approved by the Consolidated Public Affairs Office of Marine Corps Base Camp Smedley D. Butler.

This newspaper is an authorized publication for members of military services stationed overseas, at sea and their families. Its contents do not necessarily ref lect the official views of the U.S. Government, the Department of Defense or the U.S. Marine Corps and do not imply endorsement thereof.

The appearance of advertising in this newspaper, including inserts of supplements, does not constitute endorsement by the Department of Defense,

the U.S. Marine Corps, Marine Corps Base Camp Smedley D. Butler or Marine Corps Community Services of the products and services advertised.

Everything advertised in this newspaper shall be made available for purchase, use or patronage without regard to race, color, religion, gender, national origin, age, marital status, physical handicap, political affiliation or any other non-merit factor of the purchaser, user or patron. If a violation or rejection of this equal opportunity policy by an advertiser is confirmed, the publisher shall refuse to print advertising from that source until the violation is corrected.

All photos, unless otherwise indicated, are “official U.S. Marine Corps photos.” For more information, e-mail us at okinawamarine.mcbb.fct@usmc.mil or write to us at Public Affairs Office, H&S BN MCB PAO, Unit 35002, FPO AP 96373-5002.

Commanding general Maj. Gen. Mary Ann Krusa-Dossin

publiC affairs direCtor Lt. Col. Douglas M. Powell

press offiCer 1st Lt. Adrian J.T. Rankine-Galloway

press Chief Gunnery Sgt. William J. Ray

design editor Sgt. Ethan E. Rocke

editor Cpl. Warren Peace

okinawa marine newspaperH&S Battalion MCB PAO

Unit 35002FPO AP 96373-5002

Central bureau ChiefCpl. Juan D. Alfonso

Camp Foster, DSN 645-7422

northern bureau ChiefLance Cpl. Kevin M. Knallay

Camp Hansen, DSN 623-4054

TO submIT An OPInIOn OR edITORIAL, e-mAIL us AT

OkInAWAmARIne.mcbb.fcT@usmc.mIL

fact checknail polish in utilities

What are the regulations for manicures for female Marines in utilities?

According to Marine Administrative Message 504/07, colored nail polish is

not authorized for wear with the utility uniform, but manicures that imitate the natural nail are authorized for wear with all uniforms. Press-on and acrylic nails are authorized for wear as long as they are maintained within the length and style set forth in Marine Corps Uniform Regulations.

Q:a:

Navy Lt. David B. Thames

readiness has a specific meaning in the military. For some of us, readiness brings to mind the phrase – “Death by

PowerPoint” and conjures up images of slides with endless data, charts and graphs that indicate manpower, equipment status, etc.

There is a kind of readiness, though, that can’t be quantified on a slide or neatly laid out on a “smart card,” and it applies to all of us. It is spiritual readiness.

Spirituality can mean a lot of different things to different people, but I have come to recognize there are some common themes to

spiritual readiness, regard-less of the spirituality or faith tradition involved. I think of spiritual readiness as the

extent to which I have peace and confidence in my heart about four crucial areas: moral readi-ness, mental readiness, relational readiness and numinous readiness.

Moral Readiness has to do with knowing right and wrong, good and bad, and honing the will to do the right thing, no matter how tough. But it is not simply the black and white issues that confront us. We must de-velop a level of moral maturity that allows us to wrestle with the complicated matters of life, which often set right against right. These issues – call them moral dilemmas – require of us a capacity for moral reason-ing that doesn’t happen accidentally. It takes work and studied practice. Moral readiness means I have prepared myself to confront difficult situations, make morally good deci-sions, and then apply the willpower to carry them out.

Mental readiness is the business of keep-ing our minds sharp and open. It means actively seeking new knowledge and under-standing, and stretching ourselves to see

things from different perspectives. One of the questions I often ask Marines or sailors who come to me for counseling is, “What was the most recent book you read?” It’s not idle curiosity on my part – there is direct cor-relation between mental acuity and reading, and I don’t just mean the FBI Warning at the beginning of a DVD or computer game. Mental readiness also has to do with charac-ter. Character (whether virtuous or vicious) is the meeting place in actions and attitudes where our mental capacity and our moral willpower come together.

Relational readiness refers to our skills, atti-tudes and disposition about relationships with others – a spouse and kids, neighbors, cowork-ers, unit members, whoever. The bottom line is we are relational creatures. We live our lives in the context of relationships with others, and the truth of the matter is none of us has com-pletely mastered the art. Relational readiness means growing in emotional intelligence and the capacity to communicate, resolve conflict, and work and live constructively with the people who are part of our lives.

And finally, that weird one – Numinous readiness. Numinous refers to the divine, the mystery of God or one’s Higher Power, however He / She / They / It is conceived. Nu-minous readiness means I know my beliefs, and I seek to grow in my relationship to the reality that is greater than me. It means that I have a reasoned basis for my belief system and a constructive (as opposed to destruc-tive) faith that carries on where reason can go no further into divine mystery. Numinous readiness also means that I know and put into practice as best I can the moral tenets of my belief system, and I live up to the demands, disciplines and responsibilities of my faith. In other words, I don’t just talk the talk; I walk the walk.

Spiritual readiness is as crucial to a unit’s

ready or not? Spiritual readiness is at the core of who we are

chaplain’s corner

Spiritual readiness (is) the extent to which I have peace and con-fidence in my heart about four crucial areas: moral readiness,

mental readiness, relational readiness and numinous readiness … Spiritual readiness is as crucial to a unit’s performance in combat

as marksmanship or the mechanical status of equipment.

performance in combat as marksmanship or the mechanical status of equipment. But its scope extends way beyond the battlefield and the uniform. Spiritual readiness shows itself every day – in a husband’s love for his wife or a child’s concern for a younger sibling; in a supervisor’s dedication to her subordinate’s success, or an aging vet’s solemn salute to comrades long ago fallen. It shows itself in the stubborn determination to take time for daily prayer, or when some unforeseen crisis calls for great courage and selflessness, most likely to go unrecognized, but embraced just the same.

Jesus Christ, who happens to be my Higher Power, once described a wedding procession in which some participants disgraced themselves by not having enough oil for their lamps – a major social no-no then (Matthew 25:1-13). His point then, and I echo it now, is that spiritual readiness gets right down to the core of who we are, how we get on in life and what is to be our ulti-mate destiny — ready or not.

� okinawa marine | neWs | january 11, 2008

religious enriChment retreatsChapla in’s Rel ig ious Enr ichment

Development Operations offer opportunities to take a break from the routine. Upcoming retreats:

• 1-Day Unit Marine Retreat (E1-E4): Jan. 23 & 25 and Feb. 14

• Multi-Day Unit Marine Retreat: Feb. 6-8. The retreat focuses on core values, leader-ship, team-building and life goals.

• Marriage Enrichment Retreat: Feb. 1-3. The retreat provides couples the tools to communicate more effectively and work as a team to preserve and enhance love, commitment and friendship. Sign-up by Jan. 25.

• Personal Growth Retreat: Feb. 27 to March 1. The retreat will let individuals reflect upon their personal and professional lives, consider steps they need to take to lead progressive lives and set goals for the future. Sign-up by Feb. 20.

For details or to sign-up, call 645-3041.

influenza VaCCinations aVailableFlu shots are available to all eligible

beneficiaries at the U.S. Naval Hospital’s immunization clinic, the Camp Kinser Family Medicine Clinic, the Bush Family Medicine Clinic on Camp Courtney and the 18th Medical Group Clinic on Kadena Air Base.

Vaccinations will also be offered at the following locations from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.:

• Camp Foster Main Exchange — Jan. 12• Camp Kinser Commissary — Jan. 19 The USNH clinic is open weekdays from

8 a.m. to 4 p.m. and walk-in hours for Bush and Kinser clinics are Monday, Tuesday Wednesday and Friday from 8 to 11 a.m. and 1 to 4 p.m. and Thursdays from 8 to 11 a.m.

Shots are available at the 18th Medical Group Clinic’s immunization clinic Monday through Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.

martin luther king day obserVanCesLocations and times for Martin Luther King

observances are as follows: • Camp Hansen Theater, 8:30 a.m.• Butler Officers Club, 11 a.m.• Kinser Surfside, 1:30 p.m.• Camp Foster Chapel, 3:30 p.m.For more information, contact the Marine

Corps Base equal opportunity advisor at 645-3555 or 090-6861-7325.

roller hoCkey sign-upsThe Okinawa Roller Hockey Association of-

fers a fun, competitive roller hockey league on Okinawa for ages 5 and older. Spring registra-tion will be held Jan. 19 and 26 from 10 a.m. to noon at Camp McTureous and Kadena rinks. Registration is $45 for the first player and $35 for each additional family member. Fee includes a jersey. Volunteer coaches are also needed and will receive free registration. For more infor-mation, visit http://eteamz.active.com/orha, or e-mail orhajapan@hotmail.com.

Call for aCtorsThe Pacific Okinawa Players are holding

auditions for “Steel Magnolias” Jan 28-29 from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Camp Foster Community Performing Arts Center.

Auditions are for ages 18 and older. For more information go to http://pops-okinawa.org.

bRIefs

TO SUBMIT A BRIEF, send an e-mail to okinawamarine.mcbb.fct@usmc.mil, or fax your request to 645-3803. The deadline for submitting a brief is noon every Friday. The Okinawa Marine reserves the right to edit all submitted material.

Marine and Family Services helps families connect with loved ones deployed to IraqLance Cpl. Daniel R. Toddokinawa marine staff

CAMP FOSTER — The holidays are usually a joyous time, but many military families miss the chance to spend them together because of deployments.

The Fishers didn’t get to spend their Christ-mas together, but the day after Christmas, Yuki Fisher took her two children Lita and Tyson to the Camp Foster Library for a special surprise.

In a small room sat a single computer with a webcam and microphone. Yuki guided Lita and Tyson over to the computer, sat in a chair and lifted them onto her lap. On the screen looking back at them was their father, Staff Sgt. Daniel Fisher, whom they hadn’t seen since he left for Iraq in August.

Smiles stretched across their faces and laughter filled the room as the family had a virtual face-to-face after five months of only speaking on the phone, which was not very often, Yuki said.

“It was really exciting for all of us because it has been so long since we have seen each other,” Yuki said. “This is his second deployment and actually having the chance to see him this time made a huge difference.”

The chance for the Fishers to make their holidays a little more cheerful was made pos-sible by Marine and Family Services. Using the

Freedom Calls Foundation satellite network, they provided Marines of Combat Logistics Bat-talion 4, 3rd Marine Logistics Group with the capability to connect to their families via video conference free of cost from Dec. 21-26.

Marine and Family Services have held two scheduled sessions for the families of CLB-4, and each time there have been a lot of smiles, according to Riley Flynn, a librarian who helped set up the calls. This is great technology and it can make a huge difference for a family.

During this session a Marine got to see his child for the first time and without this tech-nology he would have had to wait until his unit returned to see his newborn, Flynn said. Giv-ing families the opportunity for moments like this is the whole reason the Marine and Family Services team conduct this program.

So far the only unit Marine and Family Ser-vices have linked to using the satellite network is CLB-4, but they are trying to expand the capability to other units, said Bill Linnehan, the Marine and Family Services chief. He said he believes every service member deployed in harms way should have the means to stay in close touch with their families back home.

“It is important for the families to stay in touch during these tough times, and we will do everything we can do to help them do that and have a little more peace of mind,” he said.

saddle from pg 1in Japanese for master labor con-tractors and indirect hire agree-ment employees Jan. 14-17.

Safety representatives are using a mixture of PowerPoint classes and entertaining and educational safety videos to cover operational risk man-agement, sports injuries and emergency action plans.

Safety officials help the au-dience understand operational risk management and how they

already use it in everyday life.“When you turn on the

shower, before you step un-derneath the water, what do you do?” Curtis said. “Touch it … so we can see how hot it is. That’s utilizing operational risk management.”

Operational risk management employs a five-step process: identify hazards, assess the haz-ards, make risk decisions, imple-ment controls and supervise.

Curtis stressed the impor-

tance of going through the five steps before any activity on or off duty to identify and eliminate unnecessary risk.

“It’s that thinking process about what’s out there that could injure me and prevent the mission from being com-pleted,” Curtis said.

Anyone interested in more information about what they can do to help prevent mishaps in their office can call Curtis at 645-3806.

Shawn Curtis speaks to Marines, sailors and civilians about operational risk management during a “Back in the Saddle” safety brief Jan. 7 at the Camp Foster Theater. All III Marine Expeditionary Force and Marine Corps Bases Japan personnel are required to attend one of the 25 safety briefs after the holiday break. Curtis is an occupational safety and health specialist with Marine Corps Bases Japan. Photo by Lance Cpl. David Rogers

okinawa marine | neWs | january 11, 2008 �

Lance Cpl. Ryan Wicksokinawa marine staff

CAMP FOSTER — The Foster Tax Center will of-fer free federal and state tax return serv ices in Building 437 beginning Feb. 1 for all military iden-

tification card holders.Last year, the center

helped 5,599 patrons pre-pare and f i le their tax returns, which resulted in about $6.5 million in re-funds, a savings of $617,302 based on the estimated to-tal cost of using private tax

return agencies. Personnel who seek as-

sistance from the center need to bring their mili-tary identification card, social security cards for themselves and their de-pendents, birth dates for anyone listed on the tax re-

turn and the current year’s tax package.

Customers also need to have all wage and tax state-ments Forms W-2, W-2G; Form 1099-R; interest and dividend statements from banks; a copy of last year’s federal and state returns,

if available; bank routing and account numbers for direct deposit; total paid for day care; and the day care provider’s identifying number.

For questions or concerns, contact the Camp Foster Tax Center at 645-4829.

Camp foster tax Center opens for business feb. 1

Pfc. Aaron Hostutlerokinawa marine staff

CAMP FOSTER — Lt. Col. Michael Farrell passed command of Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 262, Marine Aircraft Group 36, 1st Ma-rine Aircraft Wing, to Lt. Col. Doug-las Schueler Jan. 10 during a change of command ceremony on Marine Corps Air Station Futenma.

Farrell took command of HMM-262 in July 2006. He will now serve as MAG-36’s executive officer.

Schueler was MAG-36’s executive officer before coming to HMM-262.

He earned his Bachelor of Science in aeronautical engineering from the U.S. Naval Academy and completed The Basic School in 1988. He also received a Master of Science in avia-tion systems from the University of Tennessee in 2002.

He began his career with Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 364, MAG-36. While assigned to HMM-364, he completed three deploy-ments to the Western Pacific. During his tour, he served as a legal officer, ground training officer, airframes division officer, quality assurance

officer, weap-ons and tactics instructor, and assistant opera-tions officer.

In 2001, he was assigned to HMM-266 at Marine Corps Air Station New R i v e r , N .C . , where he served as operations of-ficer and execu-tive officer. Dur-ing his tour, he supported Op-eration Endur-ing Freedom in Afghanistan with the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit.

In 2004, he returned to the Naval Air Systems Command at Patuxent River, Md., and was assigned to the V-22 Joint Program Office as assis-tant program manager for Training Systems.

Schueler’s personal decorations include the Bronze Star Medal, the Air Medal, and the Navy Marine Corps Commendation Medal.

New commander takes HMM-262 helm

Farrell

Schueler

Lance Cpl. Daniel R. Toddokinawa marine staff

CAMP FOSTER — Lt. Col. Brett A. Wadsworth passed command of Marine Wing Headquarters Squadron 1, 1st Marine Air-craft Wing, to Lt. Col. James M. Blackburn during a change of command ceremony on Camp Foster Jan. 11.

Wadsworth served as the MWHS-1 commanding officer since May 2006.

Blackburn comes to MWHS-1 after serving as the staff sec-retary of 1st Marine Aircraft Wing.

He is a graduate of Rose-Hul-man Institute of Technology and completed flight training school in 1993.

His first assignment was with Marine Attack Squadron 223 in Cherry Point, N.C., where he served as ground safety officer, aviation safety officer and flight training officer.

Upon graduation of the Air Command and Staff College in June 2003, he served with

M a r i n e A t -tack Squadron (VMA-211). W h i l e p a r t of V M A-211 he served as t h e o f f i c e r in charge of a Marine de-tachment that served as the fixed-wing arm of the Air Combat Ele-ment for the 31st Mar ine Expeditionary Unit in from December 2003 to July 2004.

In March 2005, Blackburn de-ployed as an individual augment in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, working in the Combat Plans Division of Central Com-mand Air Forces.

Blackburn’s personal decora-tions include the Meritorious Service Medal with Gold Star, Air Medal and Navy Achievement Medal with two Gold Stars.

MWHS-1 welcomes new commander

Blackburn

Wadsworth

Lance Cpl. Richard Blumensteinokinawa marine staff

CAMP COURTNEY — Maj. Gen. Robert B. Neller, 3rd Marine Division commanding general, presented Sgt. Maj. Kenneth C. Pickering with the Bronze Star Medal Dec. 20 at the 3rd Marine Division Headquarters on Camp Courtney.

Pickering, the sergeant major of 3rd Reconnaissance Battalion, received the award for heroic achievement while serving in Fallujah, Iraq, as sergeant major of 2nd Reconnaissance Battalion, Regimental Combat Team 6, 2nd Marine Division, from Sept. 28, 2006, to April 17, 2007.

According to his award citation, with disregard for his personal safety, Pickering remained on a rooftop directing his Marines toward enemy positions while insurgents fired rocket propelled grenades at him. His actions resulted in the capture of four insurgents.

Pickering also helped capture hundreds of pieces of enemy ordnance.

recon sergeant major

awarded bronze star

Sgt. Maj. Kenneth C. Pickering receives the Bronze Star Medal from Maj. Gen. Robert B. Neller Dec. 20 at the 3rd Marine Division Headquarters on Camp Courtney. Photo by Lance Cpl. Richard Blumenstein

� okinawa marine | feATuRe | january 11, 2008

Lance Cpl. David Rogersokinawa marine staff

As Marine Staff Sgt. Jacob Jones walked into a room full of laughing U.S. soldiers in

Iraq’s Diyala province last year, silence immediately descended over the group.

Jones asked what was going on.“Well, there’s a running bet

what your job is and what you do in the Marine Corps. Are you, like, recon or something?”

Jones told them they couldn’t be further from the truth.

By his own assessment, he is a “glorified paper pusher” — an aviation operations specialist.

On Jan. 2, Lt. Col. David W. Bussel, the commanding offi-cer of Marine Corps Air Station Futenma’s Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron, present-ed the Woodberry, Conn., native with two Bronze Star Medals at the Futenma Theater — one with combat distinguishing device.

Jones earned one medal for “exemplary leadership, tireless dedication and outstanding per-formance of duty” while serving as operations chief of the Iraqi Ground Forces Command’s Mili-tary Transition Team, according to the award citation. He received the medal with combat distin-guishing device for an incident in which he put himself in harm’s way to protect Iraqi women and children from a sniper attack.

But what convinces an entire group of soldiers a Marine is a reconnaissance man?

Is it the swagger? The attitude? Whatever it is, it isn’t pushing

paper.When he arrived at Camp

Victory in March 2007, Jones’ job involved arranging transportation for MTT members and the team’s Iraqi advisor officers.

After a few weeks, he became the personal security for Army Lt. Col. Timothy Small, the MTT plans officer.

“They knew I was a Marine; they knew I knew how to fight,” Jones said. “They wanted someone who could shoot, move and com-municate, and they picked me.”

Small’s mission was to estab-lish a joint operations center in Baqubah, a major stronghold of insurgent activity.

Jones and Small set up the Provincial Joint Security Coordi-nation Center in a local Baqubah police department building.

The PJCC became the center for coordinating efforts between lo-cal police, fire department and emergency medical services.

“First and foremost I was (Small’s) security,” Jones said. “The last thing we wanted was for him to get captured. So I was his hired gun.”

Jones descended from the PJCC’s rooftop on the morning of May 4, 2007, after checking their machine gun posts and headed to Small’s office to give him a situa-tion report.

“As soon as I sat down in the office and started talking to him, letting him know everything was secure … we started taking rounds,” Jones said.

Bullets impacted the front of the building. Jones grabbed his M-4A1 carbine and M-9 pistol, threw a bandolier of 5.56 mm am-munition over his shoulder and ran to the front of the building.

“When I got there, there were a bunch of women and children trying to meet with the police, and (the insurgents) were shoot-ing at the women and children that were at the front door, which is just cowardly,” Jones recalled with disgust.

Iraqi Police told Jones there was a sniper firing from a nearby window. Jones peeked out of a window and identified the attacker’s location.

“I moved into a firing position in the front doorway and … I un-leashed the fury, man. I let loose with that M-4,” Jones said.

Jones and the insurgent went back and forth, popping in and out of cover while firing at each other. Eventually, Small met up with Jones, took a knee and joined in. Soon, they ran low on ammunition.

“Jones immediately took it upon himself to retrieve ammo from a nearby outpost,” Small said. “It was only about 50 meters, but to get there he had to expose himself to enemy fire.”

Jones returned with more am-munition as another insurgent joined the sniper. Regardless of the enemy reinforcement, Jones and Small managed to neutralize both enemies. But the insurgents had not had their fill.

“The next day we started tak-ing more fire out of there,” Jones said in a frustrated voice.

Jones decided to end the recur-ring problem by retrieving an AT-4 rocket launcher, moving to the

‘Glorified paper pusher’ earns 2 bronze stars for Iraq service, combat action

PJCC’s roof and aiming in on the insurgents’ building. Before firing the rocket, however, an Army captain alerted him to an Army patrol nearby.

Jones put away the rocket launcher. He would have to find another solution.

“Get your men out of the racks, right now.” Jones told the Army captain. “Mount them up. Get them into a stack next to the building. We’re going to raid this block.”

Inspired by Jones’ efforts the previous day, the Iraqi policemen stepped up and joined the U.S. service members in the house-to-house city block raid.

“By the example Jones set that day, he boosted the morale of the whole headquarters and proved to (Iraqi police) we were ready to fight by them,” Small said. “Up to that point, they hadn’t fought side by side with Americans. All I can say is he really turned things around.”

Jones took charge of the patrol, teaching the Iraqi police the proper way to clear buildings while proceeding down the block and continuously receiving fire from enemy insurgents.

Jones’ patrol was not the only force in conflict, as the first Army

patrol got caught in a major fire-fight as well behind the insur-gents. Meanwhile, Jones’ patrol cleared the city block, progress-ing steadily to the top of a build-ing only to find trails of blood where he had engaged the previ-ous day’s sniper.

“After that we really didn’t take any fire from (that tower),” Jones said. “We made our pres-ence known. That was my biggest thing. Don’t sit inside the base. Get out there. Show them that we’re not afraid.”

As he looks back on his time in Iraq, the most important thing that remains on his mind is the hope that his contributions left a mark.

“I’ll look on (my time spent there) with pride,” Jones said. “I’m proud of the work the police did. I’d like to think that I had a hand in making Diyala province and the country of Iraq a stronger nation, more able to stand up for themselves. I just like to think that I made a difference.”

But he remains humble about his accomplishments.

“I don’t even want to be called a hero,” Jones said. “I did my job. Just call me Marine and that’s good enough.”

The U.S. Army awarded Staff Sgt. Jacob Jones two Bronze Stars for his service and combat actions in Iraq last year. One of the medals was awarded with combat distinguishing device for a specific incident in which he put himself in harm’s way to protect Iraqi women and children from a sniper attack. Jones earned the medals while serving as operations chief of the Iraqi Ground Forces Command’s Military Transition Team. Photo illustration by Cpl. Warren Peace

okinawa marine | YeAR In ReVIeW | january 11, 2008 �

Consolidated Public Affairs Office

CAMP FOSTER — Ser-vice members with the III Marine Expeditionary Force participated in a demanding year of events in 2007.

III MEF elements par-ticipated in dozens of ex-ercises in numerous coun-

tries within the Asia-Pa-cific region

while continuing to sup-port the Global War on Terrorism in Afghanistan, Iraq and the Philippines.

Exercises included Ba-likatan and Talon Vision in the Philippines; Recep-t ion, Stag ing, Onward movement, and Integra-tion (RSO&I) and Ulchi Focus Lens (UFL) in South Korea; Yama Sakura and Keen Edge in mainland Japan; Cobra Gold in Thai-land; Talisman Saber in Australia; and Coopera-tion Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) in the Asia-Pacific region.

“The Marines and sail-ors of the MEF remained heavily engaged in exer-cises throughout the year,” said Lt. Gen. Richard C. Zilmer, the commanding general of III MEF and

III MEF is ‘tip of spear’ in Pacific

commander of Mar ine Corps Bases Japan. “As the ‘Tip of the Spear,’ the MEF continues to perform su-perbly, meeting or exceed-ing my expectations.”

In addition to contribut-ing to missions throughout the Asia-Pacific region, III MEF has significantly con-tributed to the local com-munity. In 2007, MEF ser-

vice members volunteered to help out with more than 200 community relations projects including edu-cational programs, sports and cultural exchanges,

environmental clean ups, city beautification proj-ects, and visits to local orphanages and children’s homes.

Midway through 2007, I I I M E F conduc ted a change of command. On June 22, 2007, Lt. Gen. Joseph F. Weber, now the commander of U.S. Marine Corps Forces Command, commander of U.S. Marine Corps Bases Atlantic, and commanding general of Fleet Marine Forces At-lantic, relinquished com-mand to Lt. Gen. Zilmer.

Before taking command, Zilmer served as the com-manding general of 1st Marine Expeditionary Bri-gade and as commanding general of Multi-national Force-West and I MEF (Forward) in Iraq’s Anbar Province.

Most recent ly, M EF personnel provided hu-manitarian assistance and disaster relief support to Bangladesh and delivered donated items to people in the Philippines.

MEF units participated in Operation Sea Angel II, deliv-ering approximately 253,000 pounds of food and other supplies to victims of Cyclone Sidr in Bangladesh. Mobile medical teams also provided assistance to more than 4,700 people during the two-week mission.

In the Philippines, the MEF delivered about 18,000 pounds of food, clothing and toys from Dec. 8-10 as part of Operation Goodwill 2007.

“2007 was a year of great accomplishments for the men and women of III MEF,” Zilmer said. “We will con-tinue to engage our mission and help our allies with zeal, fidelity and honor.”

Students in the Special Operations Training Group’s Helicopter Rope Suspension Training Masters Course conduct Special Patrol Insertion Extraction training Sept. 20 in the Central Training Area. Photo by Sgt. Ethan E. Rocke

MEF Marines, sailors see dozens of exercises, continue support of War on Terror

III MEF Marines safely detonate a charge during the Dynamic Entry Course on Camp Hansen Oct. 26. Photo by Lance Cpl. Kevin M. Knallay

Dental officer Lt. Nick Peterson works in Cambodia to extract a decayed tooth Aug. 17. Photo by Sgt. Ethan E. Rocke

III MEF

10 okinawa marine | YeAR In ReVIeW | january 11, 2008

Consolidated Public Affairs Office

CAMP FOSTER — Over the past year, Marine Corps Base Camp Smedley D. Butler remained fo-cused on its mission: supporting warfighters and their families. Throughout 2007, MCB provided training, mobilization and deployment support and installation services to other commands, service members and their family members.

“Marine Corps Base provides stability and sup-port to III MEF, both operationally and politically,”

said Maj. Gen. Mary Ann Krusa-Dos-sin, MCB commanding general. “We provide facilities and training areas to

maintain military readiness while coordinating with the local government to minimize the impact on local communities.”

2007 was filled with significant accomplish-ments for MCB. MCB established civilian Anti-Terrorism Officers for Camps Kinser, Foster, Courtney and MCAS Futenma and procured $7.2 million for range improvement projects, Krusa-Dossin said. MCB also formalized an agreement to use the new Japanese Ground Self Defense Force’s military operations in urban-

ized terrain facility and completed the Prelimi-nary Master Plan for the Futenma Replacement Facilities and the Master Plan for Iwakuni.

In addition to strengthening the bond between MCB, JGSDF and local governments, MCB com-munity relations specialists conducted hundreds of events in 2007.

“We have worked hard at fostering and con-tinuing the good relationships we have with the Okinawan and Japanese people and the agencies that we work and interact with,” Krusa-Dossin said. “We are neighbors and part of the community. All of these activities provide us the opportunity to learn from each other and strengthen our bond and understanding. The camp commanders have played an integral role in these events outside their gates. Whether it’s playing softball, teaching English or other cultural exchanges, they are great at getting Marines motivated and involved. They really have done an outstanding job.”

In 2007, Marine Corps Community Services Okinawa launched the Individual Augmentee Welcome Home Program, which includes a book-let of promotional certificates to thank individual

augments for their sacrifice and service. MCCS also won numerous awards for excellence, includ-ing the prestigious Library of Congress Award for Federal Library of the Year and awards for publishing and creative excellence for the staff of Okinawa Living, Okinawa Outdoors and The Source. MCCS also took home seven Armed Forces Recreation Society Awards.

“As MCB pushes ahead into 2008, it will con-tinue to work on Okinawa consolidation issues, provide and support individual augments abroad, and fulfill our operational commitments here at home,” Krusa-Dossin said. “We are going to be busy in 2008, but I feel good about it because of the team we have put together.”

Throughout 2007’s high-operational tempo and numerous commitments, the MCB team and their families did a superb job, according to the commanding general.

“I cannot express enough my appreciation for all their hard work,” Krusa-Dossin said. “They all help enormously, and we could not do it without them. It is a pure joy for me to be here and be able to work alongside the quality folks we have.”

A simulated rioter tries to break through a wall of Marines during Auxiliary Security Force training on Camp Foster Aug. 2. Photo by Lance Cpl. Corey A. Blodgett

Cpl. Tyler Barrie presents his Noncommissioned Officer’s Sword during the final drill portion of Corporals Course May 31. Photo by Cpl. Warren Peace

Staff Sgt. Brian M. Ableman, with the MCB Butler Provost Marshal’s Office, demonstrates a reload drill with the M-4 carbine to Nepalese soldiers Aug. 13. Photo by Staff Sgt. C. Nuntavong

Marines compete in the 2007 Far

East Division Matches. The

MCB Butler team won both the

rifle and pistol competitions for the second year in a row. Photo by Lance Cpl. Richard C.

Blumenstein

Supporting the warfighterMCB Butler expands support, readiness programs in 2007

MCB

okinawa marine | YeAR In ReVIeW | january 11, 2008 11

War on Terror, training, operations in Pacific make ‘Fighting 3rd’ one of Corps’ most active units Consolidated Public Affairs Office

CAMP COURTNEY — The Marines and sailors of “The Fighting Third” finished 2007 as one of the most heavily engaged units in the Ma-

rine Corps, w it h de -ployments

in support of the Global War on Ter-ror, training exercises throughout the Pacific, and rigorous training in Okinawa, Hawaii, and California.

“We are the only permanently forward-deployed division in the Corps and the commitment of our Marines, sailors and their families to support our mission has been incredible,” said Maj. Gen. Robert B. Neller, 3rd Marine Division com-manding general.

Neller, who served previously as 1st Marine Division’s assistant commander, took charge June 11, replacing Brig. Gen. Joseph V. Me-dina as the division’s commanding general. Neller assumed command of a division whose units were deployed throughout the Asia-Pa-cific region and the Middle East supporting regional security and combating terrorism.

Like the 1st and 2nd Marine Divisions based in the continental United States, 3rd Marine Division units deploy regularly in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom. This year alone, the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Battalions of the 3rd Marine Regiment deployed to Iraq’s Anbar

province to combat Al Qaeda and bolster security in the region. Also, Marines and sailors from 1st Bn., 12th Marines and augments from Okinawa manned Task Force MP, conducting a variety of missions ranging from convoy escorts to vehicle checkpoint operations.

Ma r ines and sa i lors f rom throughout the division also deployed four Military Transi-tion Teams that trained Iraqi

soldiers to assume responsibility for their country’s security. Ad-ditionally, counter-battery radar detachments from 12th Marine Regiment; Truck Company, Head-quarters Battalion; and numerous individual Marine augments also deployed to Iraq in 2007.

As the lead Marine Corps unit responsible for training Afghan se-curity forces, the division deployed five training teams to the Regional

Security Advisory Command, which trains and fights alongside Afghan forces against Al Qaeda and Taliban forces.

The division balanced OIF and OEF commitments with operations and exercises that contributed to regional security in the Asia-Pacific region.

“The division is unique in that our units deploy to the fight and return to Okinawa to support re-gional theater security cooperation exercises,” said Neller. “We are always on the go, even during our OIF/OEF dwell time.”

Detachments from 12th Marines deployed to Joint Special Opera-tions Task Force-Philippines in its continuing mission of support to the Armed Forces of the Philip-pines, fighting terrorism through-out Mindanao.

The division’s regional exercises included Reception, Staging, On-ward movement and Integration; Foal Eagle; and Ulchi Focus Lens in the Republic of Korea; Cobra Gold in Thailand; Yama Sakura in Japan; and Marine Air-Ground Task Force Tactical Warfare Simu-lations in Singapore, Thailand and the Philippines.

Here in Okinawa, the 4th Marine Regiment’s Regimental Schools prepared Marine Corps units from across the island for the rigors of combat operations by conducting tough, realistic training tailored to the unique geographical and cultural challenges Marines will face when deployed.

As the division’s Marines and sailors deployed to operations and exercises around the world, the Key Volunteer Network kept family members informed and prepared.

“It is only with the support of our families that the division can main-tain its high operational tempo,” Neller said. “And it is because of our families that deployed units from ‘The Fighting Third’ will always be successful.”

3rd MarDiv ‘heavily engaged’ in ‘07

Marines from 3rd Marine Division watch as Royal Thai reconnaissance Marines show them how to catch a cobra during jungle survival training at Thailand’s Ban Chan Krem Training Area May 14. The Marines got a crash course in jungle survival from their Thai counterparts during Cobra Gold’s nine-day field training exercise. Photo by Sgt. Ethan E. Rocke

Non-lethal weapons

instructor Lance Cpl.

Christopher M. Mills is shocked

by a Taser in a demonstration

during a Non-lethal Weapons

Course for more than 100 Marines with 12th Marine

Regiment, 3rd Marine Division, on Camp Hansen

July 23. Photo by Lance Cpl. Richard

Blumenstein

3rd MARDIV

3rd Marine Division reconnaissance Marines prepare to enter a courtyard during Military Operations in Urbanized Terrain training at the Combined Arms Collective Training Facility in the Republic of Korea March 9. Photo by Cpl. Eric D. Arndt

12 okinawa marine | YeAR In ReVIeW | january 11, 2008

Consolidated Public Affairs Office

CAMP FOSTER — The 1st Marine Aircraft Wing spent much of 2007 conducting opera-tions across the spectrum of conflict, providing responsive and effective Marine aviation capa-bilities to III Marine Expeditionary Force.

Subordinate units within the Wing partici-pated in a variety of joint-service and coalition exercises and theater security initiatives.

“These exercises were focused on supporting efforts in the Global War on Terrorism,” said

Maj. Gen. Robert E. Schmidle Jr., who assumed command of 1st MAW in June. “They also

served to develop the capabilities of coalition and partner nations.”

Despite a high operational tempo, 1st MAW remained focused on its major theater warfight-ing capabilities. 1st MAW units were heavily involved in Marine air ground task force train-ing and joint-service exercises throughout the

area of responsibility. This mix of unilateral, joint, and combined

training exercises ensured the Wing maintained warfighting readiness and prepared its major subordinate elements to execute operational and contingency plans.

The Wing also provided U.S. Central Com-mand a continuous presence of one Marine Heavy Helicopter squadron. During the past year HMH-363 and HMH-362 completed Iraq rotations.

Additionally, Marine Medium Helicopter squadron 262 and 1st Stinger Battery returned in September after completing seven-month deployments in Iraq.

1st MAW also contributed other units to the Operation Iraqi Freedom mission, deploying a Motor Transport platoon and an Explosive Ordnance Team.

Finally, the Wing continued to provide numerous individual augments in support of Operations Iraqi and Enduring Freedom.

The efforts of 1st MAW Marines and sailors were recognized by the Marine Corps Avia-tion Association. HMH-363 received the Com-mandant’s Aviation Trophy, while HMM-262 received the Edward C. Dyer Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron of the Year Award. Mean-while, 1st Stinger Battery received the Edward S. Fris Outstanding Marine Command and Control Squadron of the Year Award.

The Wing also bid farewell to Marine Air Control Group 18’s 1st Stinger Battery in Sep-tember. The unit, established in 1982, was deactivated as part of a Corps-wide initiative to transform and restructure air defense units. Prior to its deactivation, the battery served as the only ground-based, air defense unit within III MEF.

Schmidle said he is confident that as the Marines and sailors of 1st MAW look forward to 2008, they will continue their outstanding dedication to duty and selfless service that led to mission success in 2007.

1st MAW maintains high operational tempo in 2007

1st MAW

Maj. Daniel Dimicco embraces his children Aug. 16 during a post-deployment celebration at the Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 262 hangar at Marine Corps Air Station Futenma. Friends and families of HMM-262 Marines and sailors welcomed them home outside the hangar after the unit returned from a seven-month deployment to Anbar, Iraq. Photo by Cpl. Eric D. Arndt

An F/A-18C Hornet from Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 212, Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, connects with a refueling hose from a KC-130 Hercules from Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron 152 from MCAS Futenma, 180 miles off the coast of Okinawa, during aerial refueling training Aug. 16. Photo by Lance Cpl. Corey A. Blodgett

A Cambodian boy helps Lance Cpl. Rudy Olivares, a combat engineer with Marine Wing Support Squadron 172, carry sand during an engineering civil assistance project in Kampong Som Province, Cambodia Aug. 15. Photo by Sgt. Ethan E. Rocke

okinawa marine | YeAR In ReVIeW | january 11, 2008 1�

Tactical Applications Group instructor Don Zarnes Jr. checks configurations on Modular Tactical Vests issued to 3rd Marine Logistics Group Marines March 29 on Camp Foster. Photo by Sgt. Ethan E. Rocke

Consolidated Public Affairs Office

CAMP KINSER — When it comes to moving people, supplies and equipment and provid-ing the full range of medical care, 3rd Marine Logistics Group gets the job done. In 2007, 3rd MLG supported more than 20 exercises in the Asia-Pacific region, participated in two humani-tarian assistance operations and deployed more than 1,000 Marines and sailors to Operations Iraqi and Enduring Freedom.

“In each exercise and operation, the MLG pro-vided responsive, quality logistics support to the

III Marine Expeditionary Force and its major subordinate com-mands,” said Brig. Gen. Peter

J. Talleri, 3rd MLG commanding general. “Our biggest challenge is balancing exercise commit-ments with supporting our number one prior-ity—(the missions in Iraq and Afghanistan).”

Talleri added that 3rd MLG accomplished their missions while implementing major changes in their battle rhythm.

“I am confident that this logistics force is the best in the Marine Corps,” he said. “We have, over

Landing support specialists with Combat Logistics Battalion 4 prepare to connect supplies to a CH-53D Sea Stallion helicopter at Asad, Iraq Oct. 18. Photo by Sgt. Wayne Edmiston

3rd MLG focuses on tomorrow’s fight todaythe past year, taken this organization into the modern era of battlefield logistics, and as a Marine Logistics Group, we can support the entire gamut of logistics operations, from major operational plans, to distributive operations, to humanitarian assistance and disaster relief efforts within our area of responsibility and worldwide.”

The MLG has acted as the pioneer of a new command and control strategy. The Marines and sailors of the MLG have enhanced Battle Cabin tactics, techniques, and procedures us-ing a number of command and control enablers, including satellite tracking technology and Web-based portal technology.

“What we do that no other MLG does is ex-ploit the logistics modernization and bridging technologies,” said Col. Peter T. McClenahan, the Chief of Staff for 3rd MLG. “We have actu-ally employed them.”

Aside from employing advanced technology, MLG members also take pride in teamwork.

“The Navy is an intricate part of the overall success of the MLG. Our role is to sustain com-bat operations and ensure everyone gets the sup-plies and healthcare they deserve,” said Master Chief Petty Officer Kevin T. Burg, 3rd MLG’s Command Master Chief. “We complement the Marine Corps’ warfighting capabilities well.”

According to Burg, the MLG has more Naval personnel than any other major subordinate command in III MEF.

“Marines and sailors work shoulder-to-shoulder and hand-in-hand to accomplish the missions of 3rd MLG, III MEF, the Corps and the nation,” said Sgt Maj. Clinton Carter, 3rd MLG Sergeant Major. “Within 3rd MLG, teamwork is not a buzz word; it is our way of life.”

Of all that 3rd MLG accomplished in 2007, Talleri holds the Group’s accomplishments in the War on Terror in highest regard.

“We have (Combat Logistics Brigade) 4 cur-

rently deployed and doing a great job and 9th (Engineer Support Battalion) will be next in future operations,” Talleri said. “It’s about the people who are getting the job done.”

Whether supporting combat operations in Iraq or training exercises in the Philippines, Marines and sailors from 3rd MLG have performed.

“Without a doubt, the junior Marines and sail-ors of 3rd MLG who have been operating in our area of responsibility and in OIF and OEF have done a superb job and will continue to do so,” Tal-leri said. “They are who I am most proud of.”

Marines with 9th ESB prepare to clear a room during Military Operations in Urbanized Terrain training July 19 at the Central Training Area’s Combat Town. Photo by Sgt. Ethan E. Rocke

3rd MLG

14 okinawa marine | YeAR In ReVIeW | january 11, 2008

Australian forces and pushed several miles inland to combat a simulated enemy. The assault employed every MEU asset to in-clude, logistics support, light and mechanized infantry forces, deep and amphibious reconnaissance units and valuable air support in

an environment that allowed the MEU to hone its capabilities in air and ground offense.

In the fall, the MEU deployed to the Philippines, Hong Kong, Cam-bodia and Korea.

In the Philippines and Cambo-dia, the MEU executed medical and

31st MEU Public Affairs Office

CAMP HANSEN — Throughout 2007, the Marines and sailors of the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit forged lasting memories as they patrolled the Asia-Pacific region while embarked aboard the Essex Amphibious Ready Group comprised of the USS Essex, USS Tortuga, and USS Juneau.

The MEU consisted of a ground combat element from Battalion Landing Team 2nd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment and a combat ser-vice support element from Combat

Logistics Bat-talion 31. The MEU’s aviation

combat element came from Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 265 (Reinforced) and Marine Attack Squadron 214.

After several weeks of pre-de-ployment training and exercises, the MEU departed to the Republic of Korea in March, to participate in Exercise Foal Eagle 2007. Dur-ing the bilateral training exercise between the U.S. and Korean Armed Forces, MEU personnel got a taste of the Korean winter as they trained and operated on land for nearly a month. The culminat-ing event was a combined U.S.–ROK Armed Forces amphibious assault, which took place along the Republic of Korea’s western coastline.

In May, the 31st MEU sailed to Australia, to participate in Exercise Talisman Saber 2007, a joint exer-cise between U.S. and Australian forces. The exercise allowed the MEU to enhance interoperability with the Australians while improv-ing regional security as part of the Global War on Terror.

At the Shoalwater Bay Train-ing Area in Queensland, Austra-lia, the MEU conducted a com-bined amphibious landing with

Training, deployments keep 31st MEU active in 2007dental civic action projects that benefited more than 5,000 patients and provided donations of medical supplies, dental examinations and tooth extractions, and also con-ducted several civic action projects that helped strengthen local infra-structure. The projects included repairs to school classrooms, bridge reconstruction, and culvert system installation.

In addition to its goodwill ef for ts, the MEU focused on military training, participating in Amphibious Landing Exercise 2008 in the Philippines. The exercises during PHIBLEX ’08 included a company-sized am-phibious landing, combined arms live-fire exercises, an exchange of martial arts techniques, and convoy operations.

In Korea, the MEU executed the Korean Interoperability Training Program, which primarily focused on a combined amphibious landing and sustained operations ashore in the vicinity of Pohang. KITP involved more than 8,000 ROK and U.S. military members and was the largest combined exercise conducted in over a decade.

Midway during the fall deploy-ment, the 31st MEU was called upon to send a Humanitarian As-sessment Survey Team to Bangla-desh to assess the damage caused by Cyclone Sidr. The HAST mem-bers provided detailed analysis that was used to determine fea-sible courses of action to support future ongoing relief efforts in Bangladesh.

Training with the Royal Cam-bodian Armed Forces capped the MEU’s military training. The MEU’s efforts with the RCAF included participation in profes-sional military exchange activities that promoted martial arts tech-niques classes, live-fire exercises and combat first-aid classes.

Marines and sailors with the 31st MEU’s Battalion Landing Team and Australian soldiers with 2nd Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment disembark a landing craft June 22 at the Shoalwater Bay Training Area in Queensland, Australia, during Exercise Talisman Saber 2007, a joint bilateral exercise between Australian and U.S. armed forces. Photo by Cpl. Eric D. Arndt

31st MEU

31st MEU Marines attempt to dry their soaked boots at the Shoalwater Bay Training Area in Queensland, Australia June 23, while awaiting transport further inland during Talisman Saber. Photo by Cpl. Eric D. Arndt

Lance Cpl. Patrick Martino (top) and Sgt. Michael Saldana, with Weapons Company, Battalion Landing Team 2nd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, grapple during Marine Corps Martial Arts training on Camp Hansen Sept. 22. Photo by Cpl. Kamran Sadaghiani

okinawa marine | sPORTs | january 11, 2008 1�

Caution running back Ronny Frank surges past a Knights defender during the championship game of the Gunners Open Flag Football Tournament on Camp Foster April 1. Caution defeated the Knights in overtime 20-13. Photo by Lance Cpl. Daniel R. Todd

Shannon Thomas was the women’s overall winner in the 12th Annual Far East Bodybuilding Competition at the Foster Theater July 15. Photo by Lance Cpl. Daniel R. Todd

sports roundup2007

Sgt. Ryan Frazier slams Pfc. Joshua Cardona during the back-hold wrestling event at Camp Fuji’s 2nd Annual Highland Games May 13. Photo by Cpl. Warren Peace

Traditionally, Marines are highly competitive and instinctively refuse to accept defeat. On Marine installations in Japan, that tradition carries on and is nurtured throughout the

year with help from the many diverse sports programs and competitions available to

service members here.

Ie Shima Operations Support Detachment shortstop Brandon L. Walker slides safely into home July 5 during the 25th Annual Team of Any Occupation Softball Tournament on Ie Shima. The detachment lost the game 10-3 to the Ie Shima Town Office. Photo by Lance Cpl. Richard Blumenstein

John Brown catches Yuma

Uehara with an uppercut

during a kickboxing fight

at Tenkaichi-Stadium Sept.

16. Brown defeated Uehara

by decision after four

rounds in the middleweight division fight.

Photos by Lance Cpl. Daniel R. Todd

1� okinawa marine | mARkeTPLAce | january 11, 2008

’95 TOYOTA exiv jci March 09, $995(080) 1792-2065’95 hOndA wAgOn jci july 08, $2,000 637-6076’01 sATurn sTATiOn wAgOn jci jan. 09, $1,200. 646-2408’95 TOYOTA windOm jci May 09, $2,500 OBO. (090) 9820-4033’96 miTsubishi diAmAnTe jci Dec. 08, $2,500 OBO. 646-2251’96 nissAn mArch jci Feb. 09, $1,200 OBO. 637-6970

’96 miTsubishi delicA jci jan. 09, $3,000. (090) 9966-9796’92 TOYOTA cOrOnA jci Nov. 08, $600 OBO. (090) 3428-6628’96 miTsubishi pAjerO jci Feb. 09, $3,200 OBO. 646-5173’98 hOndA inTegrA jci Aug. 09, $2,700 OBO. (080) 3518-4302’95 suzuki escudO jci jan. 09, $1,200. 646-2408’97 dAihATsu TeriOs jci Aug. 08, $3,900 OBO, 926-0935’95 nissAn lArgO

jci Nov. 09, $3,500 OBO. (080) 1767-3596’94 TOYOTA esTimA jci june 09, $1,800. 646-6795’00 TOYOTA plATz jci june 09, $3,200. 646-6102’99 suzuki wAgOn jci Nov. 09, $2,500 OBO. (090) 6861-7594’94 TOYOTA esTimA jci Nov. 08, $2,000 OBO. (090) 6861-7594’93 nissAn mArk ii jci jan. 09, $1,600 OBO. 645-7461

’97 hArleY-dAvidsOn fAT bOY $14,500 OBO. (090) 5745-9837

Camp Foster | 645-7486/7487• Catholic: Mon.-Fri., 11:45 a.m. Sat., 5 p.m.; Sun., 10 a.m.• Christian Science: Sun., 11:45 a.m., Bldg. 442• Eastern Orthodox: Sun., 9:30 a.m.• Gospel: Sun., 11:30 a.m.• Hindu: Sun., 3:30 p.m., Bldg. 455• Jewish: Fri., traditional, 5:45 p.m.; informal (first and third Friday), 6:30 p.m.• Latter-day Saints: Sun., 2 p.m., Bldg. 455• Muslim: Friday prayer at 12:45 p.m.• Protestant: Sun., 8:30 a.m.

Camp Courtney | 622-9350• Catholic: Mon., Tues., Thurs., Fri., 7 a.m. Sun. 8 a.m., 11:15 a.m.• Protestant: Sun., 9:30 a.m. Liturgical, 6:30 p.m.

Camp Lester | 643-7248• Catholic: Sun., 8 a.m., Lester Chapel• Protestant: Sun., 9 a.m., Hospital Chapel Sun., 10 a.m., Lester Chapel Tues., noon, Holy Eucharist, Hospital Chapel

Camp Kinser | 637-1148• Catholic: Sun., 11 a.m., Chapel 1• Gospel: Sun., 8 a.m., Chapel 1• Protestant: Sun., 9:30 a.m., Chapel 1

Camp Hansen | 623-4694• Catholic: Sun., 10 a.m., East Chapel• Protestant: Sun., 11 a.m., West Chapel;

mCas Futenma | 636-3058• Catholic: Sun., noon• Contemporary: Sun., 9 a.m.

Camp sCHwab | 625-2644/2866• Catholic: Sun., 5:30 p.m.• Protestant: Sun., 11 a.m.

Camp mctureous | 622-7505• Gospel: Sun., 12:30 p.m.• Lutheran: Sun., 9:45 a.m.

Kadena air base | 634-1288• Catholic: Sun., 8:30 a.m., Mass, Chapel 1 Sun., 11:30 a.m., Reconciliation, Chapel 1 Sun., 12:30 p.m., Mass, Chapel 1 Sun., 5 p.m., Mass, Chapel 1 Sun., 10:30 a.m., CCD, Amelia Earhart School Daily Mass, Mon.-Thurs., noon, Chapel 2

• Protestant: Sun., Contemporary, 10:30 a.m., Chapel 1 Sun., Project 196 (Contemporary), 7:06 p.m., Chapel 1 Sun., 8:30 a.m., Inspirational, Chapel 2 Sun., 10:30 a.m., Traditional, Chapel 2 Sun., 10:30 a.m., Gospel, Chapel 3 Sunday School, 8:45 a.m., Bldg. 856

• Wiccan/Pagan Women’s service, Thurs., 6:30 p.m., Chapel 2 Open circle service, Fri., 7 p.m., Chapel 1 Wiccan/Pagan service, Sat., 6:30 p.m., Religious Education Center, Bldg. 856

In TheATeRs jAn. 11-1�

Movie schedule is subject to change without notice. Call in advance to confirm show times. For a complete listing, visit http://www.aafes.com.

schWAb625-2333

FRIDAY closed

SATURDAY The Water Horse (PG), noon, 6 p.m.; Mr. Magorium’s Wonder Emporium (G), 3 p.m.; Lions for Lambs (R), 9 p.m.

SUNDAY Mr. Magorium’s Wonder Emporium (G), 1 p.m.; The Water Horse (PG), 4 p.m.; Lions for Lambs (R), 7 p.m.

MONDAY Lions for Lambs (R), 7 p.m.

TUESDAY closed

WEDNESDAY i am Legend (PG13), 7 p.m.

THURSDAY National Treasure: Book of Secrets (PG), 7 p.m.

FRIDAY The Water Horse (PG), 7 p.m.; Lions for Lambs (R), 10 p.m.

SATURDAY Mr. Magorium’s Wonder Emporium (G), 1 and 4 p.m.; Lions for Lambs (R), 7 and 10 p.m.

SUNDAY Mr. Magorium’s Wonder Emporium (G), 1 p.m.; The Bucket List (PG13), 4 and 7 p.m.

MONDAY Lions for Lambs (R), 7 p.m.

TUESDAY American Gangster (R), 7 p.m.

WEDNESDAY Lions for Lambs (R), 7 p.m.

THURSDAY The Bucket List (PG13), 7 p.m.

kAdenA634-4422

fOsTeR645-3465

fuTenmA636-3890

cOuRTneY622-9616

kInseR637-2177

FRIDAY The Bucket List (PG13), 6:30 and 9:30 p.m.

SATURDAY Martian child (PG), 2 p.m.; Bee Movie (PG), 7 p.m.

SUNDAY National Treasure: Book of Secrets (PG), 7 p.m.

MONDAY Martian child (PG), 7 p.m.

TUESDAY closed

WEDNESDAY The Water Horse (PG), 7 p.m.

THURSDAY closed

FRIDAY Fred claus (PG), 6:30 p.m.

SATURDAY The Bucket List (PG13), 4 p.m., 7 p.m.

SUNDAY Bee Movie (PG), 4 p.m.; Martian child (PG), 7 p.m.

MONDAY National Treasure: Book of Secrets (PG), 6:30 p.m.

TUESDAY closed

WEDNESDAY closed

THURSDAY closed

FRIDAY 3:10 To Yuma (R), 7 p.m.

SATURDAY Eastern Promises (R), 7 p.m.

SUNDAY Bee Movie (PG), 7 p.m.

MONDAY The Bucket List (PG13), 7 p.m.

TUESDAY Good Luck chuck (R), 7 p.m.

WEDNESDAY closed

THURSDAY closed

chAPeL scheduLe

For more information, contact the Single

Marine Program Office at 645-3681.

JANUARY 16-17 | SPORTS, TOURS AND RECREATION PROGRAM FOR NORTHERN CAMPS• Free STAR tours provide a healthy, recreational quality of life for Marines and sailors assigned to one-year unaccompanied tours. They provide information on health and wellness issues, life skill training, recreational activities, and the local community.

• Depart camp Schwab at 6:15 a.m., camp Hansen at 6:45 a.m. and camp courtney at 7:30 a.m.

JANUARY 18 | DISCOVER GOLF PROGRAM FOR NORTHERN CAMPS• This free class gives aspiring golfers the skills and knowledge of the game at the Awase Golf course including how to set up a tee time, cart and club rental, club types, swing techniques and putting styles.

• Depart camp Schwab at 7 a.m., camp Hansen at 7:30 a.m., camp courtney at 8:15 a.m.

cLAssIfIed Ads

Ads appearing in the Okinawa Marine are a free ser-vice to active duty military and their dependents, DoD employees and retirees. Ads are restricted to personal property or service of incidental exchange. Ads are run on a space-available basis. The deadline for ads is noon Fridays. The Okinawa Marine reserves the right to edit ads to fit available space. Please include your name and the phone number you wish published. The Okinawa Marine makes every effort to ensure accu-racy but assumes no responsibility for services offered in ads. Submit ads by fax to 645-3803, or send an e-mail to okinawamarine.mcbb.fct@usmc.mil.

AuTOmObILes— Full size bed, $150; curtains, $75; two white bookcases, $25 each; desk, $35; 32-inch TV, $250; jVc subwoofer, $100; Kenwood receiver, $100. 646-4448— 61-inch jVc projection TV, $1,300. (090) 9785-0911

— Dell Dimension desktop, $200. (080) 3495-3716— HP laptop with accessories, $499 OBO. (090) 6430-9643 — For the home,$100; Dehumidifier, $150; two bunk beds, (090) 6861-7594

mIsceLLAneOus

sIngLe mARIne PROgRAm eVenTs

All bus pick-up points will be at Semper Fit gyms or the Foster

Fieldhouse.

hAnsen623-4564

FRIDAY National Treasure (PG), 6 p.m.; Lions For Lambs (R), 9 p.m.

SATURDAY National Treasure: Book of Secrets (PG), 6 p.m.; Lions For Lambs (R), 9 p.m.

SUNDAY We Own The Night (R), 2 p.m.; Lions For Lambs (R), 5:30 p.m.

MONDAY The comebacks (PG13), 7 p.m.

TUESDAY The Bucket List (PG13), 7 p.m.

WEDNESDAY Lions For Lambs (R), 7 p.m.

THURSDAY The Water Horse (R), 7 p.m.

usOMovie nightS

The USO hosts movie nights at the locations below.

For schedules and start times, call:

CAMP SCHWAB 625-3834

MCAS FUTENMA 636-2113

CAMP HANSEN 623-5011

KADENA AIR BASE 632-8781

mOTORcYcLes

FRIDAY i Am Legend (PG13), 3 p.m.; Lions For Lambs (R), 6:30 p.m.

SATURDAY Mr. Magorium’s Wonder Emporium (G), 3 p.m.; Lions For Lambs (R), 6:30 p.m.

SUNDAY Mr. Magorium’s Wonder Emporium (G), 3 p.m.; i Am Legend (PG13), 6:30 p.m.

MONDAY closed

TUESDAY closed

WEDNESDAY & THURSDAY closed