News - Page 23

Staff Sgt. Patrick Adolphin, a Marine with Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 463 and a West Palm Beach, Fla., native, fires an M16A4 service rifle during the Pacific Division shooting competition on the newly-installed rubberized firing mats on Feb. 9, 2015. The mats were implemented to allow shooters to position themselves more comfortably on the firing line, which has drastically dropped the number of unqualified shooters that was through the range. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Adam O. Korolev/Released) - Staff Sgt. Patrick Adolphin, a Marine with Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 463 and a West Palm Beach, Fla., native, fires an M16A4 service rifle during the Pacific Division shooting competition on the newly-installed rubberized firing mats on Feb. 9, 2015. The mats were implemented to allow shooters to position themselves more comfortably on the firing line, which has drastically dropped the number of unqualified shooters that was through the range. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Adam O. Korolev/Released)

Unqualified shooter numbers drop at MCB Hawaii

Marines are expected to qualify with their rifles on an annual basis, and their rifle score validates how familiar they are with firing a rifle. It also shows how well they absorbed the formal education instructed to them by rifle coaches and affects their cutting scores. As a result of an expert rifle score, some Marines walk away with bragging rights, while some are forced to return due to a sub-par score. In recent months, however, the number of unqualified shooters has dropped dramatically.

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Rep. Richard Nugent, a congressman with the 11th Congressional District of Florida, serves as a gunner during a convoy simulation, March 31, 2015, in the Combat Convoy Simulator aboard Marine Corps Base Hawaii. The congressman’s visit brought visitors to the CCS, an immersive environment designed for convoy operations and tactical scenario training. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Harley Thomas/Released) - Rep. Richard Nugent, a congressman with the 11th Congressional District of Florida, serves as a gunner during a convoy simulation, March 31, 2015, in the Combat Convoy Simulator aboard Marine Corps Base Hawaii. The congressman’s visit brought visitors to the CCS, an immersive environment designed for convoy operations and tactical scenario training. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Harley Thomas/Released)

Nugent visits MCB Hawaii: Congressman rides with Marines in simulated convoy

Rep. Richard Nugent, a congressman with the 11th Congressional District of Florida, met with Marines from the 3rd Marine Regiment and representatives from Marine Corps Base Hawaii to attend a demonstration inside the Combat Convoy Simulator, March 31, 2015 aboard MCB Hawaii.

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Environmental Department wins 2014 SECNAV award

MARINE CORPS BASE HAWAII — The Cultural Resources Management Program of the Environmental Compliance and Protection Department at Marine Corps Base Hawaii was recently named the Marine Corps recipient of the 2014 Secretary of the Navy Environmental Award for cultural resources management in the small installation category. The cultural resources management team will also be eligible to compete for the 2015 Secretary of Defense Environmental Award.

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The M16A4 service rifle, donning the web sling, lies next to an M4 carbine rifle, donning the vigorous combat application sling, during annual rifle training at Puuloa Range Training Facility, March 23, 2015. All units are expected to transition from the web sling to either the VCAS sling, or the three-point sling by July 1. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Adam O. Korolev/Released) - The M16A4 service rifle, donning the web sling, lies next to an M4 carbine rifle, donning the vigorous combat application sling, during annual rifle training at Puuloa Range Training Facility, March 23, 2015. All units are expected to transition from the web sling to either the VCAS sling, or the three-point sling by July 1. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Adam O. Korolev/Released)

Slings no more: MCB Hawaii to replace obsolete web slings

Since first qualifying with their rifles at boot camp and constantly marching around the parade deck, Marines become familiar with the web sling, or parade sling. Even in the fleet, some units only have the web sling available for annual rifle training; however, the web sling’s days are numbered. By July 1, all Marine Corps Base Hawaii subordinate and tenant commands will be required to possess either the three-point sling or the vigorous combat application sling, otherwise known as the VCAS, or “Vickers” sling.

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Julie Dugan, the business community outreach manager with the Hawaii Job Corps Center, provides a tour to Col. Eric W. Schaefer, the commanding officer for Marine Corps Base Hawaii, along with other Job Corps staff and base representatives March 24, 2015, at the Job Corps Center in Waimanalo. Since 1964, the Job Corps has been committed to offering students a safe, drug-free learning and training environment. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Harley Thomas/released) - Julie Dugan, the business community outreach manager with the Hawaii Job Corps Center, provides a tour to Col. Eric W. Schaefer, the commanding officer for Marine Corps Base Hawaii, along with other Job Corps staff and base representatives March 24, 2015, at the Job Corps Center in Waimanalo. Since 1964, the Job Corps has been committed to offering students a safe, drug-free learning and training environment. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Harley Thomas/released)

Hawaii Job Corps pushes students toward summit

Members of the Hawaii Job Corps staff met with Col. Eric W. Schaefer, the commanding officer for Marine Corps Base Hawaii, and other base representatives to discuss the Job Corps and it’s effects on the local population and community March 24, 2015 at the Job Corps Center in Waimanalo.

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Lt. j.g. Austin Wood, a co-pilot with Detachment 5 for Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron 37, looks out of a MH-60R Seahawk before takeoff from Marine Corps Air Station Kaneohe Bay, March 24, 2015. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Brittney Vella/Released) - Lt. j.g. Austin Wood, a co-pilot with Detachment 5 for Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron 37, looks out of a MH-60R Seahawk before takeoff from Marine Corps Air Station Kaneohe Bay, March 24, 2015. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Brittney Vella/Released)

Sailors set out to WESTPAC

Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron 37, otherwise known as the “Easyriders,” sent off Detachment 5 to embark on a seven-month deployment to the Western Pacific aboard the guided-missile destroyer USS Preble, Tuesday. While deployed, the detachment of 28, including pilots and air crew, will join more than 300 sailors aboard the vessel to be a vital role in theater security cooperation and maritime presence operations with partner nations.

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Gen. Joseph F. Dunford Jr., 36th commandant of the Marine Corps, hosts a question and answer session with Marines and sailors stationed aboard Marine Corps Base Hawaii during a visit March 18, 2015. Sgt. Maj. Ronald L. Green, the 18th sergeant major of the Marine Corps, accompanied him. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Brittney Vella/Released) - Gen. Joseph F. Dunford Jr., 36th commandant of the Marine Corps, hosts a question and answer session with Marines and sailors stationed aboard Marine Corps Base Hawaii during a visit March 18, 2015. Sgt. Maj. Ronald L. Green, the 18th sergeant major of the Marine Corps, accompanied him. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Brittney Vella/Released)

Top Devil Dogs visit MCB Hawaii

More than 850 Marines and sailors gathered in the base theater to hear from the new top dogs of the Corps, March 18, 2015. Gen. Joseph F. Dunford Jr., 36th commandant of the Marine Corps, and Sgt. Maj. Ronald L. Green, 18th sergeant major of the Marine Corps, who have just been appointed this fiscal year, are making their rounds through the Pacific to hear firsthand what are on the minds of Marines and sailors.

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MARINE CORPS BASE HAWAII - Lt. Gen. John A. Toolan (front left), commanding general, U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Pacific, chats with Hawaii Gov. David Ige (front right) at the Pacific War Memorial, March 16, 2015. Ige and his spouse, Dawn, visited Marine Corps Base Hawaii for a tour. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Kristen Wong/Released) - MARINE CORPS BASE HAWAII - Lt. Gen. John A. Toolan (front left), commanding general, U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Pacific, chats with Hawaii Gov. David Ige (front right) at the Pacific War Memorial, March 16, 2015. Ige and his spouse, Dawn, visited Marine Corps Base Hawaii for a tour. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Kristen Wong/Released)

Hawaii governor visits K-Bay

MARINE CORPS BASE HAWAII - Hawaii Gov. David Ige made his first ever visit to Marine Corps Base Hawaii for a tour, March 16, 2015. Accompanied by Lt. Gen. John A. Toolan, commanding general, U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Pacific and Col. Eric W. Schaefer, commanding officer, MCB Hawaii, among other guests, Ige and his spouse, Dawn, were given a tour of the base.

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Cpl. Collin Osgood (left), a scout observer with 1st Battalion, 12th Marine Regiment and Petty Officer 3rd Class KC Lorilla, a hospital corpsman with 1st Bn., 12th Marines, prepare a simulated casualty for evacuation. Staff Sgt. Christopher McFarland, a forward observer with 1st Bn., 12th Marines, simulates a wounded leg and arm injury as a UH-1Y Venom helicopter lands to conduct a casualty evacuation on Pohakuloa Training Area, March 12, 2015. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Khalil Ross/Released) - Cpl. Collin Osgood (left), a scout observer with 1st Battalion, 12th Marine Regiment and Petty Officer 3rd Class KC Lorilla, a hospital corpsman with 1st Bn., 12th Marines, prepare a simulated casualty for evacuation. Staff Sgt. Christopher McFarland, a forward observer with 1st Bn., 12th Marines, simulates a wounded leg and arm injury as a UH-1Y Venom helicopter lands to conduct a casualty evacuation on Pohakuloa Training Area, March 12, 2015. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Khalil Ross/Released)

‘Enemy mortar fire in the open!’: 1/12 JTACs wrap up Spartan Fury with exercise

POHAKULOA TRAINING AREA, Hawaii — A group of Joint Tactical Air Controllers conducted a Fire Support Coordination Exercise at Pohakuloa Training Area, March 12 and 13, 2015.

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Lance Cpl. Andrew Tucker (left) and Master Sgt. Timothy Harvey coordinate artillery strikes with Bravo Battery over military radios from the Fire Direction Center March 8, 2015, during Operation Spartan Fury 15.2 at Pohakuloa Training Area. The military radios are referred to as the “hooks.” (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Khalil Ross/Released) - Lance Cpl. Andrew Tucker (left) and Master Sgt. Timothy Harvey coordinate artillery strikes with Bravo Battery over military radios from the Fire Direction Center March 8, 2015, during Operation Spartan Fury 15.2 at Pohakuloa Training Area. The military radios are referred to as the “hooks.” (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Khalil Ross/Released)

1/12 concludes battalion phase of Spartan Fury

The battalion phase of Operation Spartan Fury 15.2 drew to a close for 1st Battalion, 12th Marine Regiment at Pohakuloa Training Area on the Big Island of Hawaii, March 10, 2015.

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