News Stories Archive

Col. James E. Reilly, chief of staff, U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Pacific, congratulates Maj. Cliff Mrkvicka, aircraft maintenance officer, Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 24, on his graduation from the Hawaii Satellite Campus of the College of Distance Education and Training’s Command and Staff College Distance Education Program at the Marine Corps Base Hawaii theater, May 19, 2011. Mrkvicka was one of 55 service members who graduated from either the CSCDEP or the CDET’s Expeditionary Warfare School. Formerly known as the College of Continuing Education, the CDET offers a distance education alternative for the completion of requisite professional military education for the approximately 80 percent of officers who don’t have the opportunity to attend resident schools, Cos Spofford, regional chief instructor, CSCDEP, said. - Col. James E. Reilly, chief of staff, U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Pacific, congratulates Maj. Cliff Mrkvicka, aircraft maintenance officer, Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 24, on his graduation from the Hawaii Satellite Campus of the College of Distance Education and Training’s Command and Staff College Distance Education Program at the Marine Corps Base Hawaii theater, May 19, 2011. Mrkvicka was one of 55 service members who graduated from either the CSCDEP or the CDET’s Expeditionary Warfare School. Formerly known as the College of Continuing Education, the CDET offers a distance education alternative for the completion of requisite professional military education for the approximately 80 percent of officers who don’t have the opportunity to attend resident schools, Cos Spofford, regional chief instructor, CSCDEP, said.

Marines with India Company, 3rd Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, respond to a simulated improvised explosive device detonation during counter-IED training at Marine Corps Training Area Bellows, Hawaii, April 26, 2011. The training was part of a two-week evolution that allowed 3/3 Marines to learn and practically apply counter-IED techniques under the watchful eye of instructors from the Marine Corps Engineer Center of Excellence. During mounted and dismounted patrols, MCEC instructors introduced simulated IED explosions, small arms fire and casualty scenarios in order to guide Marines on how to mitigate the threat of IEDs, and respond to their detonation. - Marines with India Company, 3rd Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, respond to a simulated improvised explosive device detonation during counter-IED training at Marine Corps Training Area Bellows, Hawaii, April 26, 2011. The training was part of a two-week evolution that allowed 3/3 Marines to learn and practically apply counter-IED techniques under the watchful eye of instructors from the Marine Corps Engineer Center of Excellence. During mounted and dismounted patrols, MCEC instructors introduced simulated IED explosions, small arms fire and casualty scenarios in order to guide Marines on how to mitigate the threat of IEDs, and respond to their detonation.

From running down dirt roads as a youth in rural Oregon to finding success as one of 20 members of the All-Marine Running Team, Staff Sgt. Tyler Hubbard, the substance abuse and control officer for Headquarters Battalion, Marine Corps Base Hawaii, has built a passion for the sport bordering on fixation. “The simplicity of being out there in nature and running allows you to forget about whatever problems you have going on,” Hubbard said. “When you’re running, you’re just looking for the next turn and focusing on the moment. Everything else kind of fades into the background.” - From running down dirt roads as a youth in rural Oregon to finding success as one of 20 members of the All-Marine Running Team, Staff Sgt. Tyler Hubbard, the substance abuse and control officer for Headquarters Battalion, Marine Corps Base Hawaii, has built a passion for the sport bordering on fixation. “The simplicity of being out there in nature and running allows you to forget about whatever problems you have going on,” Hubbard said. “When you’re running, you’re just looking for the next turn and focusing on the moment. Everything else kind of fades into the background.”

Sgt. John Badon, a third-degree black belt Marine Corps Martial Arts Program instructor-trainer with the Marine Corps Martial Arts Center of Excellence, demonstrates a MCMAP technique on fellow instructor-trainer Sgt. Steven Richardson to students of a second degree advancement and re-certification workshop held by the MACE’s mobile training team on Marine Corps Base Hawaii, April 11, 2011. The team of top-level MACE instructors, coming to Hawaii from the Marine Corps’ MCMAP hub in Quantico, Va., offered more than 40 Hawaii-based Marines the opportunity to renew their three-year certifications as MCMAP instructors and instructor-trainers, and advance their belts to the second degree during the week-long workshop. - Sgt. John Badon, a third-degree black belt Marine Corps Martial Arts Program instructor-trainer with the Marine Corps Martial Arts Center of Excellence, demonstrates a MCMAP technique on fellow instructor-trainer Sgt. Steven Richardson to students of a second degree advancement and re-certification workshop held by the MACE’s mobile training team on Marine Corps Base Hawaii, April 11, 2011. The team of top-level MACE instructors, coming to Hawaii from the Marine Corps’ MCMAP hub in Quantico, Va., offered more than 40 Hawaii-based Marines the opportunity to renew their three-year certifications as MCMAP instructors and instructor-trainers, and advance their belts to the second degree during the week-long workshop.

Lance Cpl. Michael Haus, an amphibious assault vehicle crewman with AAV Platoon, Combat Assault Company, 3rd Marine Regiment, sits near the front of his AAV and watches as others tear up invasive pickleweed in the Nuupia Ponds Wildlife Management Area during the 29th annual Mud Ops exercise on Marine Corps Base Hawaii, Feb. 23, 2011. The 29-year-long Mud Ops tradition partnered AAV Platoon Marines with the base Environmental Compliance and Protection Department to prepare the 517-acre area for the upcoming breeding season of the endangered Hawaiian stilt bird species, which lasts from March until September. - Lance Cpl. Michael Haus, an amphibious assault vehicle crewman with AAV Platoon, Combat Assault Company, 3rd Marine Regiment, sits near the front of his AAV and watches as others tear up invasive pickleweed in the Nuupia Ponds Wildlife Management Area during the 29th annual Mud Ops exercise on Marine Corps Base Hawaii, Feb. 23, 2011. The 29-year-long Mud Ops tradition partnered AAV Platoon Marines with the base Environmental Compliance and Protection Department to prepare the 517-acre area for the upcoming breeding season of the endangered Hawaiian stilt bird species, which lasts from March until September.

Force reconnaissance Marines with 4th Force Reconnaissance Company sprint into the water with their F470 Combat Rubber Raiding Crafts in preparation for hydrographic reconnaissance training at Marine Corps Training Area Bellows in Waimanalo, Hawaii, Jan. 13, 2011. The training was part of a weeklong jump and dive training package that brought the unit, headquartered in Alameda, Calif., together with their Hawaii-based counterparts — 4th Force’s 4th Platoon. Following a real-life mission, the data they collect — such as the size and frequency of wave crests, sediment type and slope of the beach — allows unit commanders to determine what type of landing and vehicles the beach’s composite supports, said Petty Officer 2nd Class Mike Weissman, a hospital corpsman with 2nd Platoon, 4th Force. - Force reconnaissance Marines with 4th Force Reconnaissance Company sprint into the water with their F470 Combat Rubber Raiding Crafts in preparation for hydrographic reconnaissance training at Marine Corps Training Area Bellows in Waimanalo, Hawaii, Jan. 13, 2011. The training was part of a weeklong jump and dive training package that brought the unit, headquartered in Alameda, Calif., together with their Hawaii-based counterparts — 4th Force’s 4th Platoon. Following a real-life mission, the data they collect — such as the size and frequency of wave crests, sediment type and slope of the beach — allows unit commanders to determine what type of landing and vehicles the beach’s composite supports, said Petty Officer 2nd Class Mike Weissman, a hospital corpsman with 2nd Platoon, 4th Force.

The 21-month-old daughter of Lt. Cmdr. Alan Miller, training officer, Patrol Squadron 9, waves an American flag and greets her father as he returns to Marine Corps Air Station Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii, from a six-month deployment, Nov. 16, 2010. During the deployment, VP-9 detached throughout the Navy’s 5th and 7th Fleet areas of responsibility. A group of VP-9 P-3s supported 5th Fleet maritime operations in Operation Iraqi Freedom from Isa Air Base in Bahrain. From their hub at Kadena Air Base, the remaining portion of VP-9 detached throughout the 7th Fleet AOR, working with a variety of coalition partners including Guam, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, South Korea and Thailand. - The 21-month-old daughter of Lt. Cmdr. Alan Miller, training officer, Patrol Squadron 9, waves an American flag and greets her father as he returns to Marine Corps Air Station Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii, from a six-month deployment, Nov. 16, 2010. During the deployment, VP-9 detached throughout the Navy’s 5th and 7th Fleet areas of responsibility. A group of VP-9 P-3s supported 5th Fleet maritime operations in Operation Iraqi Freedom from Isa Air Base in Bahrain. From their hub at Kadena Air Base, the remaining portion of VP-9 detached throughout the 7th Fleet AOR, working with a variety of coalition partners including Guam, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, South Korea and Thailand.

Firefighters with Aircraft Rescue Firefighting, Marine Corps Air Station Kaneohe Bay, work to extinguish a fire during burn training near the MCAS flight line, Oct. 24, 2010. Once per month, ARFF uses the Mobile Aircraft Firefighting Training Device, a stainless steel aircraft mock-up, to practice realistic firefighting scenarios. After creating scenarios, operators burn propane on target areas of the MAFTD, such as the cabin, cockpit, and engines, while a team of firefighters moves in to quell the fire. - Firefighters with Aircraft Rescue Firefighting, Marine Corps Air Station Kaneohe Bay, work to extinguish a fire during burn training near the MCAS flight line, Oct. 24, 2010. Once per month, ARFF uses the Mobile Aircraft Firefighting Training Device, a stainless steel aircraft mock-up, to practice realistic firefighting scenarios. After creating scenarios, operators burn propane on target areas of the MAFTD, such as the cabin, cockpit, and engines, while a team of firefighters moves in to quell the fire.

Marines and sailors assigned to Marine Corps Air Station Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii, labor through the intense cardio portion of an Insanity Workout at Hangar 105 on MCAS, Oct. 29, 2010. “The workout is different from the norm, which makes it fun,” said Cpl. Christopher Thompson, C-20 Ops. “It’s not just like going out and running three miles. The exercises are challenging, but each workout builds up to the next.” - Marines and sailors assigned to Marine Corps Air Station Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii, labor through the intense cardio portion of an Insanity Workout at Hangar 105 on MCAS, Oct. 29, 2010. “The workout is different from the norm, which makes it fun,” said Cpl. Christopher Thompson, C-20 Ops. “It’s not just like going out and running three miles. The exercises are challenging, but each workout builds up to the next.”

Gunnery Sgt. Joseph Maupai, training and operations chief, 3rd Radio Battalion, assesses the injuries of simulated casualty Seaman Brad Parkerson, a corpsman with 21st Dental Company, during a mass casualty evacuation drill at Dillingham Air Field in Mokuleia, Hawaii, Oct. 21. Moulage kits attached to the casualties’ rubber wounds poured out fake blood, forcing the Marines to properly secure dressings, bandages, tourniquets, and apply pressure before the blood from the wounds would clot. - Gunnery Sgt. Joseph Maupai, training and operations chief, 3rd Radio Battalion, assesses the injuries of simulated casualty Seaman Brad Parkerson, a corpsman with 21st Dental Company, during a mass casualty evacuation drill at Dillingham Air Field in Mokuleia, Hawaii, Oct. 21. Moulage kits attached to the casualties’ rubber wounds poured out fake blood, forcing the Marines to properly secure dressings, bandages, tourniquets, and apply pressure before the blood from the wounds would clot.