CONTENTS

2 3 4 6 7 8 12 17 18 19 20 21 Commanders Focus Sgt. Maj. Notes Well Being

Traveling Rabbi

SentinelsForward

Serving the families of I Marine Expeditionary Force Headquarters Group

S E N T I N E L S F O RWA R D

VOLUME 1, NUMBER 2

APRIL 2012

Marine on the Street Birthday Tracker

April birthdays

What do you miss about home?

Promotions & Awards 2/11 Marines

April promotions & awards Not just another day at the office
P h o t o b y S G t. L A U R A b o N A N o

Taking A Break

Marine learns to draw anime

Womens History Month

Camp Leatherneck celebrates

Keeps Lights On SecDef Visit Motor T

Camp Tombstone uses GREENS Secretary of Defense visits Mechanics keep MHG running

2/11

Cover Photo: Cpl. Joseph Taylor, with the 2nd Battalion 11th Marines hands a water bottle to a local Afghan child at a village in Helmand province.
For Best Results, View In Full Screen

Every Marine a Rifleman

Commanders Focus
Dear Marines, Sailors, Civilians, Family Members, and Friends of I Marine Expeditionary Force Headquarters Group,

hope you enjoyed our inaugural SENTINELS FORWARD family newsletter from last month, compliments of our superb U.S. Army 350th Public Affairs Detachment, which has been supporting us from day one. First Lt. Nixon and his team have been everywhere both inside and outside the wire so our I MHG families can gain a sense of the tremendous work going on out here by your Marines and Sailors. We are looking for ways to improve your newsletter and I welcome your suggestions on how to make it more enjoyable for everyone back home. We are another month into our deployment here in southern Afghanistan and my sense is that we are hitting our stride and performing at a very high level. I am very pleased with the performance of the I MHG Forward staff, companies and battalions. Its truly a pleasure to watch our Marines and Sailors step up to the challenge and perform at a level a rank or two beyond their experience. I am proud of the entire team as they demonstrate a strong work ethic, maturity, and courage. The S-Shops are working long hours with tremendous workloads and short deadlines. They havent missed a beat as we continue to do more with less. The Sergeant Major and I have had an opportunity to spend additional time visiting our subordinate units here at Camp Leatherneck, as well as a few outlying forward operating and patrol bases. It is inspirational to see our Marines and Sailors in action, often living in harsh conditions and performing dangerous work. We will continue to get out in the coming weeks to ensure our I MHG units have everything they need for mission success. It has been particularly rewarding to work with our assigned security force, 2nd Battalion, 11th Marines, led by Lt. Col. Joe Allena, whose commentary you will read in later pages. The 2/11 Marines are smart, tough, well led, and have demonstrated tremendous initiative and innovation in the security operations they conduct day in and day out in our area of operations. 2/11 is having a tremendously positive effect on security in and around our camp. Although not
April 2012

part of I MHG back in CONUS, 2/11 is a fellow Camp Pendleton-based unit and we are very pleased to share some news from the war front with their family members. I MEF Forward under Maj. Gen. Gurganus leadership has now assumed responsibility for operations in southwest Afghanistan and is I MHGs higher headquarters. This has also increased our pace of operations as we work to ensure General Gurganus staff has all the required support to accomplish its mission. As we Col. Steven M. Hanson head into the spring, operations will continue to increase and the weather will turn from cold to hot before we know it. Last week we experienced our first major sand storm and we are still cleaning up the fine particles of sand that seem to get into everything. In closing, I want to thank our family members for providing the support that allows us to perform the mission we need to accomplish here in Afghanistan. The operation is going well and we are achieving success. I recognize the tremendous sacrifice our families are making, having their loved ones deployed. I also want to recognize our fine group of family readiness volunteers that sacrifice their time to make our family readiness program the success it is. Although we will miss attending this months Spring Fling at the Camp Pendleton Ranch House, we look forward to hearing about the fun you had and seeing the pictures.
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Sgt. Maj. Notes

Dear Marines, Sailors, Civilians, Family Members, and Friends of I Marine Expeditionary Force Headquarters Group,

he Marines of I MHG, aka Task Force Belleau Wood (TFBW) have completed their second month of the deployment. Col. Hanson continues to challenge the unit to be excellent. I`m proud to report the Marines of I MHG/TFBW have accepted. Just like in the first newsletter I feel obligated to say a little something about the Marines and Sailors working in the various sections. Chief April Merriman has continued to be a standout performer and epitomizes what we expect in our senior enlisted Navy partners. The Chief and her team of Navy Corpsmen have been a tremendous asset in building morale throughout the unit during the early stage of the deployment. Always ready to lend a helping hand, the integration between the Sailors and Marines is seamless. Our I MHG Corpsmen show on a daily basis that good leadership is universal throughout our Sea Services. Congratulations to Chief Merriman on her birthday which happens to be the same day as the Navy Chief`s Birthday. Besides the compound which houses the TFBW staff we have another compound that our Marines of Supply spend the majority of their day with.

It would be unforgiveable if I didn`t mention Cpl. Crawford this month. This Marine has single-handedly been making and designing plaques, shadowboxes, lecterns, picture frames, bridges, etc. The list is endless with projects that I and others have asked this Marine to do. Cpl. Crawford stopped by the office today literally covered with sand from riding a four wheeled Gator in the middle of a sandstorm. I`m not sure what that was about, but this Marine can do Sgt. Maj. K Rocquemore no wrong in my book. If I could give out awards today Cpl. Crawford, Staff Sgt. Castilla and Master Sgt. Holiday would be my top three. All of the Marines have been working extremely hard but these three have gone well above and beyond. In closing, I would like to assure you that the Marines and Sailors are being well taken care of. The American People have been very generous with care packages full of candy, hygiene products and DVDs. I was even told some packages contained I-Pads. (I think that`s an exaggeration but you never know). We hope you have a happy and safe Easter and Spring Break.

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These Marines have done a phenomenal job reorganizing and cleaning the warehouse and properly accounting for every piece of gear that Col. Hanson is responsible for. Maj. Simmons and Staff Sgt. Chinchilla run a tight ship and have done a tremendous job with morale in their section. Yesterday I was at the supply warehouse to exchange some uniforms and pick up a few items. It was a pleasure to be assisted by Lance Cpl. Lord and Lance Cpl. Figueroa who were a tremendous help, even though supply didn`t have my size blouse (hint) it was a great opportunity to talk with these Marines.

S EN T I N EL S F O RWA R D

April 2012

Well Being Travelling Rabbi Visits Camp Leatherneck

AMP LEATHERNECK, Afghanistan Theres just not enough rabbis to go around. Thats why the only U.S. military rabbi currently serving in Afghanistan travels regularly from his base at Kandahar Air Field to other military camps here and uses the Internet to reach his congregation. Its not a conventional role for a rabbi, but it helps him reach more people. Army Chaplain Lt. Col. Avi Weiss of Chicago, a father of three and grandfather of 11, recently made his first visit to Camp Leatherneck since his December arrival in theater. He looks younger than his 61 years and has a friendly, approachable manner. His attire consists of the Army uniform and a black yarmulke that miraculously stays on his shaved head with the help of some bobby pins. His eyes rest on each person individually when hes talking in a group, like an unspoken invitation for each ones thoughts. Anyone who wants to jump in the conversation, however, needs to act quickly. Keeping up with Weiss train of thought isnt easy. He jumps from one topic to another and back again. Its a habit that his wife, Elcya, teases him about often. Fortunately, Weiss stays on topic during services. Attempting to keep traditional Jewish laws is difficult in this environment, said Weiss, explaining the shortage of rabbis in the military. Its a credit to the military that it does a lot to help someone practice their faith, but its still not necessarily the choice environment for someone who wants to live a certain way.
P h o t o b y S G t. C h R i S t i N e S A m P L e S

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Capt. Johannah Thyden (second from left), I MHG S-4 attends her first service at Campl Leatherneck led by U.S. Army Chaplain Lt. Col. Avi Weiss. Weiss is the only U.S. military rabbi currently serving in Afghanistan.

Story by Sgt. Christine Samples

April 2012
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It may not be a choice environment for some, but the military managed to attract Weiss in 1974 and keep him for 37 years as an active duty and Reserve chaplain. He first joined just for the job, but stayed for the unique opportunity to minister. I really enjoy the military, said Weiss. I dont want to be a synagogue rabbi. I enjoy jumping out of airplanes (with the 82nd Airborne Division). I really enjoy being in Afghanistan. You can touch peoples lives in ways you cant possibly do in other places. Weiss joked that because people cant go downtown on Friday nights, theyre more open to attending services, which makes his job easier. Although people cant hang out downtown, Weiss still has his work cut out for him. Schedules here make it difficult for some to attend services. Five came to Shabbat, four of whom were Marines, but Weiss said he concentrates on individuals, not numbers. The Jewish population in the military falls well below 1 percent according to Department of Defense statistics, but Weiss believes the actual numbers are higher and some just need to know theyre not alone.

I try to encourage individuals to think about being more involved in their faith, said Weiss. Im not really involved with the Afghanistan war or the issues. Im more concerned with the individuals here. I can make a little bit of difference in someones life; even one person. Capt. Johannah Thyden with I MHG is one person whose spiritual life was touched by Weiss. She described his service as enlightening and said she felt welcome even though shes not a practicing Jew. I gained a better understanding of my Jewish heritage and the meaning behind many of the traditions I had been briefly exposed to growing up, she said. Thyden represents the exact type of individual Weiss concentrates on, but because he cant be everywhere, he stays connected with the community through the Internet. So while there may not be enough rabbis to go around, Jewish servicemembers arent left on their own. Weiss uses the Internet and travel to make sure they get as much support as possible.
SENTINELS FORWARD is an official publication for the families of I Marine Expeditionary Force Headquarters Group and produced to provide command information to service members and families. SENTINELS FORWARD is produced by the 350th Public Affairs Detachment. The editorial content of this publication is the responsibility of the commands Public Affairs Office, under the provisions of AR 360-1. Contents of SENTINELS FORWARD are not necessarily official views, nor endorsed by the U.S. Government, the Department of Defense, the Department of the Army/Navy or the I Marine Expeditionary Force Headquarters Group. SENTINELS FORWARD is published monthly. Contact PAO staff at DSN 318.357.3595.

SENTINELS FORWARD
Produced for the families of I Marine Expeditionary Force Headquarters Group CoMMandEr

350tH PublIC aFFaIrS dEtaCHMEnt

PublIC aFFaIrS oFFICEr

1st Lt. Chad M. Nixon

PublIC aFFaIrS nCoIC

CONTENTS

Sgt. 1st Class Jeffrey Duran

journalIStS

Col. Steven M. Hanson

SErGEant Major

Staff Sgt. Daniel Symonds Sgt. Laura Bonano Sgt. Christine Samples

Sgt. Maj. K. Rocquemore

S EN T I N EL S F O RWA R D

April 2012

Marine On The Street

What Do You Miss Most About Home?

What I miss most about home is definitely my family and friends. I also miss Texas and American food and outdoor activities like hunting, fishing and kayaking.
Lance Cpl. Caleb J. Moeller PMO

I miss weekends and my mom.

Pfc. Alyssa Nida I MHG S-1

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I miss my red 2012 Camaro. Her name is Cici.

Cpl. Rito R. Adame MHG Motor T

I miss my wife and oneyear-old daughter.

Staff Sgt. Eric Gumbert 1st Radio Bn.

P h o t o S b y S G t. C h R i S t i N e S A m P L e S

April 2012

Birthday Tracker
RANK SSGT GYSGT CPL CPL SSGT CPL SSGT SSGT CPL 1ST LT CWO3 LCPL SGT SSGT LCPL SGT SGT LCPL LTCOL LCPL SGT CPL CPL SGT FIRST NAME DESTRIAN PAUL THOMAS MICHAEL RANDAL DAVID JASON NATHAN JRIAH PHILIP CHRISTOPHE JASON FREDDY AARON ATOM JOHN MICHAEL JOHN KEITH NATHANIEL DAVID ROBERT CASMIR MANUEL THEODORE ROGER ROBERT CARL MATHEW EDWIN EMANUEL DENNIS MICHAEL TYLER LAST NAME VALLEJO CAREY JENSEN HARTLEY LUNDQUIST BELL WHITE ASHMORE GUERRERO KWAK DIEM BELCHER NIETO NUCKLES SEMMEN SCRUGGS III MURPHY OCONNELL PARRY BOLER MCBRAYER STERLING HODKOSKI PINEDA WARK COFFMAN MARRON CULVER II HART SPIEWAK III REID KATOLIN REED DALY UNIT NAME 1ST INTEL BN 1ST INTEL BN 1ST INTEL BN 1ST INTEL BN 1ST INTEL BN 1ST INTEL BN 1ST INTEL BN 1ST INTEL BN 1ST INTEL BN 1ST INTEL BN 1ST LE BN 1ST LE BN 1ST LE BN 1ST LE BN 1ST LE BN 1ST LE BN 1ST LE BN 1ST RADIO BN 1ST RADIO BN 1ST RADIO BN 1ST RADIO BN 1ST RADIO BN 1ST RADIO BN 1ST RADIO BN 1ST RADIO BN 1ST RADIO BN 1ST RADIO BN 9TH COMMBN 9TH COMMBN 9TH COMMBN 9TH COMMBN 9TH COMMBN 9TH COMMBN 9TH COMMBN DATE 2-Apr 12-Apr 15-Apr 20-Apr 21-Apr 22-Apr 25-Apr 28-Apr 30-Apr 30-Apr 5-Apr 10-Apr 18-Apr 19-Apr 21-Apr 28-Apr 30-Apr 7-Apr 8-Apr 12-Apr 15-Apr 15-Apr 18-Apr 19-Apr 21-Apr 26-Apr 27-Apr 2-Apr 14-Apr 17-Apr 19-Apr 21-Apr 21-Apr 23-Apr
P h o t o b y S G t. 1 S t C L A S S J e f f R e y D U R A N

RANK SSGT LCPL CPL HMC CPL CPL SGT 1STSGT LCPL CPL PFC

FIRST NAME MAURICE JOEY ALEXANDER APRIL FIDENCIO KRISTOFER GINNI CHRISTINA WHITNEY SHAWN ALYSSA

LAST NAME PENNINGTON THORPE GOLDHAMMER MERRIMAN ARMENTA PINTO STOLAAS ROMEROARELLANO ZITO OPAL II NIDA

UNIT NAME 9TH COMMBN 9TH COMMBN 9TH COMMBN I MHG HQ I MHG HQ I MHG HQ I MHG HQ I MHG HQ I MHG HQ I MHG HQ I MHG HQ

DATE 23-Apr 24-Apr 25-Apr 1-Apr 4-Apr 11-Apr 12-Apr 16-Apr 18-Apr 21-Apr 30-Apr

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CPL LCPL SGT SGT SGT CPL GYSGT CAPT LCPL CPL

Pfc. Kimberly Mulligan celebrates her birthday with co-workers at I MHG.

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April 2012

Promotions & Awards

P h o t o b y S G t. L A U R A b o N A N o

Sgt. Devin Cooper and Marines with I MHG receive awards and recognition for their dedicated service during their deployment aboard Camp Leatherneck, Helmand province, Afghanistan March 16.

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Promotions & Awards

P h o t o b y S G t. L A U R A b o N A N o

CONTENTS

P h o t o b y S G t. C h R i S t i N e S A m P L e S

(Above) Birgit Freitag, a civilian working for I MHG in the ID card center, stands with the S-1 section after receiving a Certificate of Commendation from them for all her hard work March 10. (Top Right) Lance Cpl. Justin Clark, with I MHG receives an award and recognition for his dedicated service during his deployment. (Bottom Right) Lance Cpl. Denton Israel, with I MHG receives an award and recognition for his dedicated service during his deployment.
P h o t o b y S G t. L A U R A b o N A N o

S EN T I N EL S F O RWA R D

April 2012

Promotions & Awards

Cpl. Kristopher Pinto and Cpl. Keamus Tillman receive Good Conduct Medals, March 16 for their service as motor transport operators and dedication to honor, courage and committment in the Marine Corps. Cpl. Travis Tarun, with I MHG receives a certificate of appreciation and recognition for his dedicated service during his deployment aboard Camp Leatherneck.

Cpl. Michael Crawford, with I MHG receives a certificate of appreciationand recognition for his dedicated service during his deployment aboard Camp Leatherneck.

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Lance Cpl. Brandon Needham, with I MHG receives a certificate of appreciation and recognition for his dedicated service during his deployment aboard Camp Leatherneck.

P h o t o S b y S G t. L A U R A b o N A N o

S EN T I N EL S F O RWA R D

April 2012

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Promotions & Awards

P h o t o b y S G t. C h R i S t i N e S A m P L e S

Gunnery Sgt. Jose Orozco with I MHG S-1 is congratulated on his four-year reenlistment by teammate Gunnery Sgt. Alexander Ortiz, March 20.

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P h o t o b y S G t. L A U R A b o N A N o

Sgt. Dolphus Hill receives an award from Maj. Mark Wald for serving with the I MHG Color Guard during the RC (SW) of Authority ceremony. Hill assembled a six man team and over nine days put in extra hours during practice.
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2/11 Commander
Lt. Col. Joe Allena, USMC: Evolution of the Rifleman

d Battalion, 11th Marines is an artillery unit from 1st Marine Division. We deployed just about 5 months ago to perform our core artillery mission in support of Task Force Leatherneck here in Helmand province, Afghanistan. Soon after arriving here, just after we had assumed the artillery mission, we received an additional new mission - to conduct Security Force operations at multiple bases. This required us to reorganize in some non-standard ways, in order to accomplish our tasks.

lar basis with a determined enemy in our Area of Operation. Our HQ Battery Marines have trained for this new mission, creatively employed new tactics and technology and adapted to the threat. They are conducting complex, joint and combined operations with USMC, British, U.S. Army, Bahraini and Afghan forces. These HQ Battery Marines come from various military occupational specialties - and are proving the Marine Corps ethos that Every Marine is a Rifleman. While serving in Task Force Belleau Wood, our Battalion has been able to work closely with the other units in I MHG. We could not be successful in our missions without the tremendous support of 1st Intel Bn, 5th ANGLICO, 1st Radio Bn, Law Enforcement Det, and I MHG staff. For those of us in Afghanistan, these past 5 months have seen us adapt to change in mission, bases, higher headquarters and weather. Through it all, two things have remained constant. The first is the outstanding performance of our Marines and Sailors. The second is the outstanding support from our families and friends back home. There are no words that can ever quantify how proud I am of our Marines and Sailors. It is easy to get consumed in the daily grind and not see just how much these Marines have accomplished in a relatively short period of time. From my perspective - it is amazing to see young Marines evolve into true professionals. They are gaining a wealth of experience here that has caused them to grow and develop exponentially faster than they ever could in normal training. They are highly proficient, confident and motivated. It has been a privilege to watch this evolution. The enemy knows when theyve been in a fight with the Marines of 2/11, but there remains much more work to be done here. I am confident they will meet and exceed this challenge.
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Through it all, we still retain artillery capabilities spread across many locations in support of the maneuver units in combat. We also have a Battery serving as an infantry and artillery unit at the same time. For one of our cannon batteries, they are providing Lance Cpl. Danny Castro, security on two bases; and for our Battalion conducts a search of the ground Headquarters and the Headquarters Battery, with a metal detector for IEDs. we are conducting security operations and limited counter insurgency operations as part of Task Force Belleau Wood. For the artillery mission, our cannon Battery fired the newest precision guided 155mm artillery round scoring two target hits at a record range to target. This was a first for both Marine and US Army artillery. In doing so, we helped support the infantry Battalion who were engaged with the enemy until our projectiles eliminated the threat. Our Rocket Battery provides precision rocket fire in support of ground forces throughout Task Force Leatherneck and Helmand. For security forces in Task Force Belleau Wood, we are engaged on a regu-

CONTENTS

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April 2012

2/11: Not just another day at the office

AMP LEATHERNECK, AfghanistanMarines from the 2nd Battalion 11th Marines Headquarters Battery plan to prove yet again, that no matter what their job is, every Marine is a rifleman.

CONTENTS

These Marines dont have much infantry background; motor transport mechanics, radio communications operators, artillerymen and even one cook serve as mobile assault platoons.
P h o t o b y S G t. L A U R A b o N A N o

S EN T I N EL S F O RWA R D

April 2012

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Marines step outside familiar territory...

They throw on protective vests and Kevlar helmets after loading up ammunition to head out on a mission. In past months theyve been through firefights and have hit improvised explosive devices during patrols. Their uniforms bear the signs of what they have encountered. Brown dirt stains the knees from kneeling during foot patrols and their boots are rugged and worn from the many miles theyve walked. The group gears up to leave Patrol Cpl. Theodore Criswell, a fire team leader with Base Boldak for an operation in Helthe 2nd Battalion 11th Marines Headquarters mand province, Afghanistan. Up Battery, talks with a local Afghan. armored vehicles roar to life, black smoke clouding the already dusty air.

Staff Sgt. Jonny Apenanunez and an interpreter talk with an Afghan local during a checkpoint mission in Helmand province, Afghanistan.

A native of Boston, N.Y., Lance Cpl. Danny Castro is a motor transport mechanic by trade, but now conducts operations with the 2/11. He is the first to get out of the vehicle when the platoon stops at a village. Castro mentions a sewed four-leaf clover patch on his vest. Ive got the luck of the Irish, said Castro.

by Sgt. Laura Bonano

S EN T I N EL S F O RWA R D April 2012
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P h o t o S b y S G t. L A U R A b o N A N o

The Marines mount into their trucks and roll out of the base, ready to conduct a census in the area. They plan to set up checkpoints and speak with local Afghans to gather data on the people living in the area.

CONTENTS

That luck helps Castro keep his team safe outside of the wire. His job is to operate the compact metal detector, a portable tool resembling something a Florida beachgoer would use to find buried treasure. Instead of searching for treasure, Castro uses the metal detector to find buried improvised explosive devices. He clears the way for other Marines to pull security around a compound of houses made of mud. This is completely outside of the job Ive been doing for the past four years, its all new, said Castro, who was usually found in the motor pool back home. You get to see different sides of the Marines in a combat zone like this. The day is quiet as the Marines talk to locals about activity in the area. An Afghan child runs around the Marines and gives them high-fives. One Marine offers the little boy a bag of potato chips as his father talks with the team. The platoon stays vigilant, using the scopes on their weapons to look for danger. Soon, it is time to head back to base with no firefights taking place this day. Despite not having an infantry background, 2nd Lt. Matthew Lowen, a platoon commander with the 2/11, said his Marines have done an incredible job coming together. Theyve really stepped above and beyond what I think anyone expected of them, theyve proven that a Marine truly is a rifleman first and cook, communications technician, or motor transport Marine second, said Lowen.

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S EN T I N EL S F O RWA R D

April 2012

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1st Lt. Vincent Lowney, with the 2nd Battalion 11th Marines, talks with elders in Helmand province, Afghanistan March 9. Lowney talks with the local Afghans about activity in the area they live in.

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S EN T I N EL S F O RWA R D April 2012
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Taking a Break: Marine Learns to Draw Anime

AMP LEATHERNECK, Afghanistan Some of you at home may wonder what your loved ones do here when theyre not working. There are the usual gym workouts, laundry, video games and reading, but one Marine has taken up a new hobby. Cpl. Ryan S. Hoffman with 1st Intelligence Battalion is learning to draw anime, a style of animation originating in Japan. Hoffman, a tall, lanky 22-year-old, is trying to learn the skill from a book. He described his drawing attempts as atrocious and is currently working on shading techniques. Hoffman said he enjoys working in Intelligence because he feels like he has an important job that helps people, but learning to draw in the evenings is a nice break from staring at a computer screen all day. Because this is Hoffmans second deployment, he understands the unique opportunity he has to learn new things. Skills that people may overlook when theyre busy with every day life at home enjoy a new appreciation in a restricted environment. Hoffman said drawing provides a way to express himself creatively rather than in a destructive manner. He isnt eager to share his drawings with others, but he plans to keep plugging away at it until he gets good enough to move onto other types of drawings. Then maybe hell share with the rest of us. Or maybe not.
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P h o t o b y S G t. C h R i S t i N e S A m P L e S

Cpl. Ryan Hoffman with 1st Intelligence Battalion practices drawing in his room after work March 21. Hoffman is learning to draw Japanese anime from a book he ordered online.

Story by Sgt. Christine Samples

S EN T I N EL S F O RWA R D

April 2012

Womens History Month at Camp Leatherneck

Pfc. Alyssa Nida, Lance Cpl. Angela Pacheco, Cpl. Mitzi Kaneaster, 1st Sgt. Christina Romeroarellano, Cpl. Josselyn Davis, Lt. Col. Dawn Alonso, Lance Cpl. Abigail Krause, Cpl. Erica Adams and Lance Cpl. Sheila Kennedy take a group photo as part of the Womens History Month celebration March 25, aboard Camp Leatherneck, Helmand province, Afghanistan. I Marine Headquarters Group (Forward) sponsored the event, where members of the group gave speeches on important women in history who have impacted service members. The theme of the celebration was centered around a quote by Louisa May Alcott, I am not afraid of storms for Im learning how to sail my ship.

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Camp Tombstone keeps lights on with GREENS

AMP LEATHERNECK, Afghanistan Marines aboard Camp Tombstone in Helmand province, Afghanistan were hesitant to start using the Ground Renewable Expeditionary Energy Network System when they first heard about it. But after nightly power outages, the solar panel system has proven to be an important asset to members of the 5 Air Naval Gunfire Liaison Company. Cpl. Cody Cook, a radio technician with the unit, said radios, computers, printers, lights and even personal laptops can run off of the GREENS system. Cook, a native of Reno, Nev., said their command-operating center uses the grid system as the primary power supply, but when it goes down they can rely 100 percent on the solar panel system. An added benefit to the system is how easy it is to use. Cook said he learned how to use the system by studying the technical manual that comes with it, which describes step-by-step how to put it all together. The panel arrays are stackable so two panels can fit into one case for portability in vehicles.

to set up the whole thing, said Cook. Even maintenance of the system takes very little time. Marines wipe the dust off once a day to keep it clean. Staff Sgt. Antony Washington, a communications chief with ANGLICO, said GREENS is a joint venture by the Navy and Marine Corps to find alternate power systems to decrease the dependability on regular power sources such as batteries, generators and natural fossil fuels in remote locations. The Marine Corps is going green, said Washington. He said the system takes the solar energy that is provided from the sun and will generate up to 1600 watts of pure energy into the controller system. The controller system will then put that energy into batteries. Washington said GREENS is still in a testing phase but he is impressed so far. He said initially, they were worried about powering too much equipment, but eventually they even hooked up their air conditioning to it with no problems. Even though the cost of GREENS may seem high, a whopping $500,000 per system, Washington feels the benefits outweigh the price tag. Youre definitely reducing waste a lot because you have convoys that usually resupply fuel in and out on a daily basis, but this system here, it greatly reduces having to do that, in the long run, I think this will be more cost efficient, said Washington.
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Story & Photos by Sgt. Laura Bonano

CONTENTS

Cpl. Samuel Stark, a field radio operator with 5th Air Naval Gunfire Liaison Company, wipes down a solar array, a component of the Ground Expeditionary Energy Network System on Camp Tombstone. The panel arrays are stackable units, allowing two panels to fit into one case for portability in vehicles.

Set up of the system is simple. Cook kneels at a case, lifts the panel up at an angle, places a locking pin into the stand and plugs in a cable to connect it to the controller. The system is then essentially ready to go. It was super easy, it probably took about an hour
April 2012

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SecDef Visit
U.S. Secretary of Defense, Leon Panetta shakes hands with Sgt. Dolphus Hill, March 14 during a visit to Camp Leatherneck. U.S. Secretary of Defense, Leon Panetta shakes hands with Sgt. Joshua Busath, March 14 during a visit to Camp Leatherneck.

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U.S. Secretary of Defense, Leon Panetta shakes hands with 1st. Lt. Stephen Martinpinto, March 14 during a visit to Camp Leatherneck.
S EN T I N EL S F O RWA R D March 2012

U.S. Secretary of Defense, Leon Panetta shakes hands with Sgt. Tyler Ellenburg, March 14 during a visit to Camp Leatherneck.
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P h o t o S b y S G t. C h R i S t i N e S A m P L e S

(Main) Lance Cpl. Abigail Krause binds cargo down to the bed of a truck in I MHGs motor pool March 12. (Above) Lance Cpl. Gavin Pietrie (left) and Lance Cpl. Andrew Nguyen repair an out-ofcommission truck in I MHGs motor pool March 12.

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S EN T I N EL S F O RWA R D April 2012
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