Volume 2, Issue 21

June 23, 2011

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7th ESB continues road repairs in Marjah ... Page 2

Also:Blotter ... Page 2Warrior of the Week ... Page 3ANA graduation ... Page 5In

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In Good Hands

Photo by Sgt. Justin J. ShemanskiLt. Col. Timothy R. Bryant (right), outgoing commanding officer for Combat Logistics Battalion 26, 2nd Marine Logistics Group, passes the unit colors to incoming commander Lt. Col. Kevin G. Collins (left) during a change of command ceremony at the 2nd MLG Headquarters aboard Camp Lejeune, N.C., June 23. Bryant, who hails from Riverside, Calif., served as the unit’s commanding officer since June 2009. See full story on Page 4.

Page 2The Warrior’s Log

22 June 2011 - A Marine with Combat Logistics Regiment 2 reported that another Marine from the regiment struck him with a shower rod and attempted to choke him, additionally the offending Marine threatened to slit his throat. The Marine was apprehended, processed and released to a unit representative.

22 June 2011 - A Marine with 2nd Maintenance Battalion reported an unknown person(s) stole his Navy Federal Credit Union Visa debit card and made (4) un-authorized transactions. The investigation continues. The Estimated value of the stolen funds is $65.17.

7th ESB continues road repairs in Marjah

Paving the wayLance Cpl. Bruno J. Bego2nd MLG (FWD) Public Affairs

FORWARD OPERATING BASE GERONIMO, Afghanistan – Ease of movement for troops, equipment and sup-plies is a high priority for coalition forces operating in Marjah, Afghanistan. Route repairs improve infantry and logistical units’ mobility in and out of combat out-posts and forward operating bases through-out the area. Marines with 7th Engineer Support Bat-talion, 2nd Marine Logistics Group (For-ward) traveled to Forward Operating Base Geronimo June 12 to repair two major routes for 1st Battalion, 9th Marine Regi-ment, 2nd Marine Division (Fwd.) who

are conducting operations in the area in support of the International Security Assis-tance Force. “We are going to repair about three and a half miles of roads in this area of operation,” explained Staff Sgt. Joseph Gomez, originally from Chicago, the staff noncommissioned officer in charge of the operation with 7th ESB. “We are going to make some sections of the road wider to allow a better flow of incoming and outgo-ing traffic in the district.” The repairs will allow mounted patrols and resupply convoys to travel faster, cov-ering a longer distance in less time. “Some of the repairs consist of install-ing a draining system and a small bridge,” Gomez explained. “This will prevent con-

voys, as well as local nationals, from hav-ing to cross the canal through the water.” The repaired routes will provide infantry units, logistical convoys and local nationals a quick and easy access to remote areas in Marjah.

Photo by Lance Cpl. Bruno J. BegoSgt. Dennis W. Ruff from Eureka Springs, Ark., an engineer equipment operator with 7th Engineer Support Battalion, 2nd Marine Logistics Group (Forward), guides a fellow Marine operating a Tractor Rubber-Tired Ar-ticulated Steering Multipurpose vehicle, or TRAM, as it picks up a drainage pipe piece from a trailer June 11, 2011, aboard Forward Operating Base Geronimo, Afghanistan. The engineers are currently repairing two major routes in Marjah for Marines from 1st Battal-ion, 9th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Divi-sion (Fwd.) who are conducting operations in the area in support of the International Security Assistance Force.

Watch 2nd Marine Logistics Group in motion at home and abroad.

Lance CorporalMAtthew Kirkman

Job: Radio TechnicianHometown: Birmingham Ala.

Q: Favorite MRE?A: “Tortellini, which is probably everyone’s, right?”

Q: If you were stranded on a deserted island with one piece of gear you would want to have?A: “I would have to say my Camelbak, because that would allow me to stay properly hy-drated while I PT.”

Q: Favorite sports team?A: “Crimson Tide!”

The Warrior’s Log Page 3

Walking Tall8th ESB Marine represents Corps as newest member of 2nd MLG Color GuardSgt. Justin J. Shemanski2nd MLG Public Affairs

Cracking rifles against his hands and walking tall in ceremonies and parades along the eastern seaboard, Lance Cpl. Matthew Kirkman is right where he wants to be as the newest member as the 2nd Marine Logistics Group Color Guard – for now anyways. Since he got his first taste of the military as a member of his high school Naval Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps program as a senior, Kirkman has always aspired to move to the next level possible. Couple this with the fact that one of his JROTC instructors was a former Marine major whom he deeply admired; it was only natural for him to pursue the title of “Marine.” “It may sound silly, but I wanted to come as close to a superhero as I could,” he said. “Marines are top notch. In this capacity I can help others who cannot help themselves.” A native of Birmingham, Ala., Kirkman reported to recruit training aboard Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island, S.C., on Sept. 9, 2011 and graduated on Dec.

11. Now stationed aboard Camp Lejeune, he serves as a radio technician with 8th Engineer Support Battalion, in addition to his collateral duties as a rifle bearer – an opportunity he jumped at a little more than a month ago. “I was asked if I was interested and I said ‘of course,’” said Kirkman. “I’ve always wanted to do something like this because I wanted to represent the Corps on that level,” he explained. “People look at you and what they see is exactly what they expect a Marine to be, that squared-away image.” Kirkman also mentioned that while serving as a rifle bearer is an awesome op-portunity in itself (one that recently took him to New York in support of Fleet Week 20110, he would love to eventually serve as a color sergeant. Looking even further down the road, he looks forward to deploying, perhaps a tour on the drill field and then ultimately retir-ing from the Corps. All things, he noted, would be worth it if he could just leave with one thing. “Knowing I may have helped change someone’s life at some point would be it for me,” he said.

Lance Cpl. Matthew Kirk-man, a radio technician with 8th Engineer Support Battalion, 2nd Marine Logistics Group, is the newest member of the 2nd MLG Color Guard and serves as a rifle bearer. Kirkman jumped at the opportunity to become a member of the team, because it allows him to represent the Marine Corps in ceremonies and parades up and down the eastern seaboard.

Photo by Sgt. Justin J. Shemanski

The Warrior’s Log Page 4

Passing the Reigns

Photo by Sgt. Justin J. ShemanskiLt. Col. Timothy R. Bryant (right), outgoing commanding officer for Combat Logistics Battalion 26, 2nd Marine Logistics Group, and incoming commander Lt. Col. Kevin G. Collins (left) prepare to exchange the unit colors during a change of command ceremony at the 2nd MLG Headquarters aboard Camp Lejeune, N.C., June 23. After accepting the colors from Bryant, Collins officially took charge of the battalion.

Sgt. Justin J. Shemanski2nd MLG Public Affairs

Lt. Col. Timothy R. Bryant relinquished command of Combat Logistics Battalion 26, 2nd Marine Logistics Group, to Lt. Col. Kevin G. Collins during a change of command ceremony at the 2nd MLG Head-quarters aboard Camp Lejeune, June 23. Bryant, who hails from Riverside, Calif., took charge of the battalion in June 2009. During his tenure as commander, the unit actively supported both combat and human-itarian operations across the globe. The battalion recently returned to Camp Lejeune after being deployed for more than

eight months with the 26th Marine Expedi-tionary Unit in support of Operations Od-yssey Dawn, Enduring Freedom and Uni-fied Protector. “Marines and Sailors, you’ve done your best over the last two years and I thank you for that,” said Bryant, as he addressed the formations of Marines and Sailors whom stood before him. “These have been the best two years of my Marine Corps career. “I’m a better Marine and a better man for it.” Bryant noted the confidence, capabilities and drive of his former battalion were key fac-tors in their successes in Pakistan, Afghanistan and Tunisia during their latest deployment.

Bryant relinquishes command of CLB-26 “That’s the beauty of a MEU CLB; they may be logisticians, but they have the ca-pability to task organize and get any job done,” said Bryant. “It’s been great to be a part of.” Collins, a native of Detroit, enlisted in the Marine Corps in 1990 and after being selected for the Marine Enlisted Commis-sioning Education Program in 1993, he re-ceived his commission in 1995. Having served in a myriad of operational and supporting establishment assignments, he looks forward to leading CLB-26 in their future endeavors. “A Marine Expeditionary Unit is a fast, flexible and lethal formation, but it’s none of that without its logistics component,” said Collins. “I’m proud to be joining this formation.”

The Warrior’s Log Page 5

Commanding General Public Affairs Officers Public Affairs ChiefBrig. Gen. Michael G. Dana 1st Lt. Joshua Smith (FWD) Staff Sgt. Theresa E. Seng (FWD) 2nd Lt. James StengerSergeant Major Press ChiefSgt. Maj. William T. Stables Combat Correspondents Sgt. Justin J. Shemanski Sgt. Rachael Moore (FWD)Command Master Chief LCpl. Bruno J. Bego (FWD)CMDCM Russell W. Folley Pfc. Franklin E. Mercado

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51 ANA soldiers graduate from special trade coursesSgt. Rachael Moore2nd MLG (FWD) Public Affairs

FORWARD OPERATING BASE DELARAM, Afghanistan – Coalition forces gathered at Forward Operating Base Delaram, Afghanistan, for one of the larg-est graduations to date for the 5th Kandak, Afghan National Army. Fifty-one ANA soldiers from the 5th Kandak graduated from various courses June 5, 2011, during a ceremony aboard the FOB. Marines from the Embedded Partnering Team, Combat Logistics Battalion 8, 2nd Marine Lo-gistics Group (Forward), hosted five different courses, to include a new weapons course. “It’s important to teach the ANA about the weapons systems because their proficiency

in shooting, as well as communication and movement, will enable American forces to confidently withdraw from Afghanistan,” said Sgt. David W. Saunders, the weapons course instructor with CLB-8’s EPT. Seven soldiers graduated from the weapons course, which consisted of 40 hours of class-room instruction, 13 hours of guided instruction and 27 hours of hands-on training with various American and Russian weapons systems. During the course, the soldiers learned the characteristics of each weapon, different types of ammunition, shooting positions and what to do if the weapon malfunctions. Eleven other soldiers graduated from a combat life saver course, which consisted of 40 hours of classroom instruction and 20 hours of practical application. “We’re working with the Shock Trauma

Platoon and EPT corpsmen to have ANA medics observe local national patients when they come in,” said 1st Lt. Andrew R. Booth, the officer in charge of the EPT. “They watch as the corpsmen treat the pa-tient. It allows them to observe the proce-dures and to gain an understanding of what they do, which is much better than doing medical procedures on a dummy.” In addition to those courses, 15 other sol-diers graduated from a basic driving course, which teaches them how to properly oper-ate vehicles, as well as improve their overall driving skills, during both day and night. “We noticed it’s uncommon for Afghans to drive after dark, but during some mis-sions, we have to travel then,” explained Booth. “We are conducting more night driv-ing courses to better prepare our soldiers.” Six other soldiers graduated from a wrecker operator course, and the remaining 12 soldiers graduated from a basic radio operator course. Since CLB-8’s EPT started the series of seven courses – driving, radio operator, vehi-cle maintenance, combat life saver, wrecker operator, medic training, weapons and fork-lift operator – 174 ANA soldiers graduated and became certified in their trade. “They like knowing they can drive a truck or operate a radio,” added 1st Sgt. Mohammad Hamid Balouch, the 5th Kandak first sergeant. “These things go a long way and will help us to continue to teach our fellow soldiers when the Marines are not here anymore.” As the EPT Marines prepare for the next set of courses, they plan to tweak the syllabus to better benefit the ANA in the long run. “The biggest change for future courses is transitioning to more ANA instructors teaching the material, and our EPT Marines can advise more and instruct less,” concluded Booth.

Courtesy PhotoMarines with the Embedded Partnering Team, Combat Logistics Battalion 8, 2nd Marine Logis-tics Group (Forward), pose next to graduates from the 5th Kandak, Afghan national army after a ceremony at Forward Operating Base Delaram, Afghanistan, June 5, 2011.