MARINE CORPS BASE HAWAII, KANEOHE BAY, Hawaii -- To recognize the Marine Corps' important environmental work, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service teamed up with the Corps to unveil the sixth in a series of "We're Saving a Few Good Species" posters during a ceremony Jan. 28. Representatives from Headquarters Marine Corps attended the ceremony, as well as other noted guests.
The new poster was unveiled before the backdrop of amphibious assault vehicle crews from Combat Support Company, 3rd Marine Regiment, who were completing the churning of the Nuupia Ponds Wildlife Management Area at Marine Corps Base Hawaii, Kaneohe Bay, during their annual "Mud Ops" exercises.
Brigadier Gen. Jerry C. McAbee, commanding general of MCB Hawaii, said the poster highlights operations at Nuupia Ponds and helps spread the message that military readiness and training are not mutually exclusive with environmental awareness.
Since 1982, the CSC Marines have invaded the pond wetlands with their 26-ton AAVs so that the vehicle's massive tracks can kill invasive pickleweed plants and create a "moat and island" terrain for the endangered Hawaiian stilt. Stilts nest in the mud mounds, where water deters predators. The stilts pierce their sword-like beaks through the mud to devour flies, worms and crustaceans.
As in past Januarys, CSC Marines, together with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, have demonstrated how their elite amphibious force can train while helping out another species.
Due to the efforts of the Hawaii Marines, the population of the Hawaiian stilt at MCB Hawaii has increased from 60 to 160 in 22 years.