News Stories Archive

Marking the culmination of 30 years of service and his time on Marine Corps Base Hawaii, Sgt. Maj. James W. Sutton, outgoing base sergeant major, passed the Marine noncommissioned officer sword to incoming Sgt. Maj. Robert E. Eriksson in a post and relief and retirement ceremony at Dewey Square on Marine Corps Base Hawaii, April 8, 2011. “The opportunity to serve on active duty, for any Marine, is a finite amount of time, whether its four years or 30 years,” Sutton said. “You take care of your Marines, accomplish the mission and do your job to the best of your ability through the opportunities you have. When it’s time to step aside, you turn it over to your Marines and sailors with the faith and confidence that they’ll continue in the fine traditions the Marine Corps has upheld for 235 years.” - Marking the culmination of 30 years of service and his time on Marine Corps Base Hawaii, Sgt. Maj. James W. Sutton, outgoing base sergeant major, passed the Marine noncommissioned officer sword to incoming Sgt. Maj. Robert E. Eriksson in a post and relief and retirement ceremony at Dewey Square on Marine Corps Base Hawaii, April 8, 2011. “The opportunity to serve on active duty, for any Marine, is a finite amount of time, whether its four years or 30 years,” Sutton said. “You take care of your Marines, accomplish the mission and do your job to the best of your ability through the opportunities you have. When it’s time to step aside, you turn it over to your Marines and sailors with the faith and confidence that they’ll continue in the fine traditions the Marine Corps has upheld for 235 years.”

Competitors bolt from the starting line outside Pop Warner Field during 3rd Marine Regiment's 8th annual "The Beast" 10K run on Marine Corps Base Hawaii, March 12, 2011. During the race, 335 military and civilian participants weaved through the challenging course while enduring heat, hills and gooey mud. The race, hosted by the regiment and Marine Corps Community Services, was the third in a series of 10 races in the 2011 Commanding Officer's Fitness Series. - Competitors bolt from the starting line outside Pop Warner Field during 3rd Marine Regiment's 8th annual "The Beast" 10K run on Marine Corps Base Hawaii, March 12, 2011. During the race, 335 military and civilian participants weaved through the challenging course while enduring heat, hills and gooey mud. The race, hosted by the regiment and Marine Corps Community Services, was the third in a series of 10 races in the 2011 Commanding Officer's Fitness Series.

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.

Actor and producer Gary Sinise, best known for his roles as Army 2nd Lt. Dan Taylor in the 1994 Academy Award-winning movie “Forrest Gump,” and Detective Mac Taylor in the TV show “Crime Scene Investigation: New York,” pumps up the crowd during a United Service Organizations-sponsored Lt. Dan Band concert at Hangar 103 on Marine Corps Base Hawaii, Feb. 11, 2011. While the band’s mission to entertain remained unchanged from past performances at MCB Hawaii, this visit focused on advocating the Marine Corps’ new DSTRESS Line — “a place to call for those with the courage to answer our nation’s call.” - Actor and producer Gary Sinise, best known for his roles as Army 2nd Lt. Dan Taylor in the 1994 Academy Award-winning movie “Forrest Gump,” and Detective Mac Taylor in the TV show “Crime Scene Investigation: New York,” pumps up the crowd during a United Service Organizations-sponsored Lt. Dan Band concert at Hangar 103 on Marine Corps Base Hawaii, Feb. 11, 2011. While the band’s mission to entertain remained unchanged from past performances at MCB Hawaii, this visit focused on advocating the Marine Corps’ new DSTRESS Line — “a place to call for those with the courage to answer our nation’s call.”

Gen. James F. Amos, 35th commandant of the Marine Corps, grins as Sgt. Maj. Carlton W. Kent, sergeant major of the Marine Corps, shares a story with approximately 2,000 Marines from 3rd Marine Regiment during a visit to Marine Corps Base Hawaii, Feb. 10, 2011. During their visit, the leaders spoke about and answered questions concerning the Corps’ continued involvement in overseas operations, reduction in personnel, the future of certain military occupational specialties, and issues surrounding the recent repeal of the Department of Defense’s “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy. For Amos, who began his career as a first lieutenant with a Hawaii-based squadron, the visit to Hawaii was his first as commandant. - Gen. James F. Amos, 35th commandant of the Marine Corps, grins as Sgt. Maj. Carlton W. Kent, sergeant major of the Marine Corps, shares a story with approximately 2,000 Marines from 3rd Marine Regiment during a visit to Marine Corps Base Hawaii, Feb. 10, 2011. During their visit, the leaders spoke about and answered questions concerning the Corps’ continued involvement in overseas operations, reduction in personnel, the future of certain military occupational specialties, and issues surrounding the recent repeal of the Department of Defense’s “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy. For Amos, who began his career as a first lieutenant with a Hawaii-based squadron, the visit to Hawaii was his first as commandant.

Cpl. James Owens, a radio operator with Headquarters Company, 1st Battalion, 12th Marine Regiment, paints new lines in the parking lot while volunteering at the Waianae Civic Center in Waianae, Hawaii, Dec. 17, 2010. Only hours before departing on winter holiday leave, 20 Headquarters Co. Marines volunteered their time to clean up the grounds of the center, which houses homeless veterans and their families. Opened in 2007 by Hawaii Gov. Linda Lingle, the center is operated by the United States Veterans Initiative, the nation’s largest non-profit provider of services to veterans facing challenges in their transition to civilian life. It provides housing and transitional programs for approximately 275 people. - Cpl. James Owens, a radio operator with Headquarters Company, 1st Battalion, 12th Marine Regiment, paints new lines in the parking lot while volunteering at the Waianae Civic Center in Waianae, Hawaii, Dec. 17, 2010. Only hours before departing on winter holiday leave, 20 Headquarters Co. Marines volunteered their time to clean up the grounds of the center, which houses homeless veterans and their families. Opened in 2007 by Hawaii Gov. Linda Lingle, the center is operated by the United States Veterans Initiative, the nation’s largest non-profit provider of services to veterans facing challenges in their transition to civilian life. It provides housing and transitional programs for approximately 275 people.

Wind-up Records rock band Seether shreds a song for a crowd of Marines, sailors and their families during a concert on Marine Corps Base Hawaii, Dec. 17, 2010. “There’s nothing like a bunch of fired-up Marines,” said Shaun Morgan, Seether’s frontman. “What you guys do is a selfless service, so the least we can do is come out here and honor you.” At the end of the free concert, sponsored by the United Service Organizations, Morgan gave a “shout-out” to Marines and sailors from 3rd Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, who recently returned from a seven-month deployment to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. “Welcome back, guys,” he said. - Wind-up Records rock band Seether shreds a song for a crowd of Marines, sailors and their families during a concert on Marine Corps Base Hawaii, Dec. 17, 2010. “There’s nothing like a bunch of fired-up Marines,” said Shaun Morgan, Seether’s frontman. “What you guys do is a selfless service, so the least we can do is come out here and honor you.” At the end of the free concert, sponsored by the United Service Organizations, Morgan gave a “shout-out” to Marines and sailors from 3rd Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, who recently returned from a seven-month deployment to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. “Welcome back, guys,” he said.

Marines with 3rd Marine Regiment honor the regiment’s fallen Marines and sailors while taking a knee at the Pacific War Memorial during a Fallen Heroes Run on Marine Corps Base Hawaii, Dec. 15, 2010. Since 2004, 116 Marines and sailors from 3rd Marine Regiment have been killed during operations in Afghanistan and Iraq. On Dec. 14 and 15, teams of at least two Marines or sailors in combat boots and camouflage trousers ran a 2-mile evolution 116 times — one for each fallen hero. The route took them from the 3rd Marine Regiment headquarters building to the Pacific War Memorial here and back. - Marines with 3rd Marine Regiment honor the regiment’s fallen Marines and sailors while taking a knee at the Pacific War Memorial during a Fallen Heroes Run on Marine Corps Base Hawaii, Dec. 15, 2010. Since 2004, 116 Marines and sailors from 3rd Marine Regiment have been killed during operations in Afghanistan and Iraq. On Dec. 14 and 15, teams of at least two Marines or sailors in combat boots and camouflage trousers ran a 2-mile evolution 116 times — one for each fallen hero. The route took them from the 3rd Marine Regiment headquarters building to the Pacific War Memorial here and back.

5-year-old Caroline Law grips the hand of her father, Chief Warrant Officer 2 James Law, battalion gunner, 3rd Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, following his return to Marine Corps Base Hawaii from a seven-month deployment to Afghanistan, Dec. 7, 2010. After replacing 1st Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, in Helmand province’s Nawa district last May, 3/3 supported Regimental Combat Teams 1 and 7, as part of counterinsurgency operations during Operation Enduring Freedom. The battalion’s operations varied from securing elections and ensuring school openings, to more traditional combat operations such as security patrols and clearing danger areas, said Maj. Jay Garcia, executive officer, 3/3, of Honolulu. The return of “America’s Battalion” brought 925 Marines back to Hawaii. - 5-year-old Caroline Law grips the hand of her father, Chief Warrant Officer 2 James Law, battalion gunner, 3rd Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, following his return to Marine Corps Base Hawaii from a seven-month deployment to Afghanistan, Dec. 7, 2010. After replacing 1st Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, in Helmand province’s Nawa district last May, 3/3 supported Regimental Combat Teams 1 and 7, as part of counterinsurgency operations during Operation Enduring Freedom. The battalion’s operations varied from securing elections and ensuring school openings, to more traditional combat operations such as security patrols and clearing danger areas, said Maj. Jay Garcia, executive officer, 3/3, of Honolulu. The return of “America’s Battalion” brought 925 Marines back to Hawaii.

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.