MARINE CORPS BASE HAWAII, Hawaii, -- Since its activation in June of 2008 Combat Logistics Battalion 3 has been constantly deployed to either train or conduct operations in Iraq and Afghanistan. Wednesday morning marked the first time since then when all the sections of the battalion have been back aboard Marine Corp Base Hawaii at the same time.
“It’s great to have the team back together,” said Lt. Col. Mike Jernigan commanding officer, CLB-3. “This is the first time everyone has been back since our inception. We have had units in both Iraq and Afghanistan and it’s just good to be home.”
The eight Marines and one sailor who arrived home Wednesday came from the southern Helmand Province of Afghanistan where they conducted combat logistic patrols in support of 3rd Regiment and other units. They were deployed to Afghanistan for seven months and were in Okinawa Japan for two months before that for pre-deployment training.
“It’s great to be back with my family — my wife,” said HM 3 Jamin Beaugard, corpsman, motor transport company, CLB-3. “I haven’t seen her for nine months.”
Although the battalion returned recently, they are scheduled to deploy again in the spring.
“We are glad to be home again and appreciate it,” Jernigan said. “We will be training and getting ready for our next deployment. We plan to spend the month of January at PTA (Pohakuloa Training Area) preparing for our deployment.”
Of the returnees, there were seven Marines from motor transport, one Marine from supply and one Navy corpsmen. All of them were released on liberty after their arrival and plan to spend the time relaxing.
“I plan to spend time hanging out with my wife and my dog around the house and just relax,” Beaugard said.
This battalion is the youngest in the Marine Corps and was just 121 days old when it deployed to Afghanistan in November of 2008. They deployed again in the spring.
“Being back is indescribable,” Beaugard said. “Being back in a car, being able to see grass — its amazing.”