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CLB-6 top leaders survey their AO

nobody@vox.com(Combat Logistics Battalion 6) — Thu, 03 Jul 2008 00:12:55 -0700

AL-ASAD, Iraq (June 25, 2008) – Combat Logistics Battalion 6’s top leaders visited seven of the locations across al-Anbar province that they support for Multi-National Force-West, June 25-27.

The purpose of the various visits was to meet face-to-face with CLB-6 Marines and see the progress made on numerous construction projects in the area. The battalion commander and battalion sergeant major visited with the troops and checked the serviceability of equipment vital to mission accomplishment. The visit included stops at Forward Operating Base Korean Village, al-Qaim, Haditha Dam and Combat Outposts Gannon, Tripoli, Rawah and Anah.

During the convoy’s stop at COP Gannon, CLB-6 engineers prepared the ground for the new, and much larger, location for a Future Operations facility.

“This is a perfect example of how engineers take a piece of ground and transform it,” said Lt. Col. David J. Eskelund, battalion commander, CLB-6, 1st Marine Logistics Group.

The new site (next to the original COP) will be twice the original size, according to Warrant Officer David D. Clerk, support platoon commander, Engineer Company, CLB-6. Engineers with 7th Engineer Support Battalion, 22nd Naval Construction Regiment, will be building the Southwest Asia huts for service members to use as living quarters and common areas.

“It doesn’t matter what unit is out here,” said Sgt. Maj. Wayne O. Gallman, battalion sergeant major, CBL-6. “We will support them.”

During the stop at COP Rawah, Eskelund and Gallman spoke with Marines at the chow hall and inspected the new medical facilities that were completed a few weeks ago.

“Due to the increasing size of the COP, the medical facilities needed to expand,” explained Eskelund. “This will provide better sanitary working conditions for the medical personnel.”

CLB-6 Marines at Haditha Dam are doing their part by running the exchange, postal, disbursing and the chow hall for the service members there. The purification of drinking water is another vital role that CLB-6 accomplishes at the dam.

Providing security throughout the convoy was Security Company, CLB-6. This company is comprised of Marines from an array of occupations stationed at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, N.C.

“We have been doing these kinds of escorts a lot this deployment,” said Lance Cpl. Jeff Stromberg, driver, Security Co., CLB-6. “The battalion CO likes to get out and see first hand what his sections are doing.”

Gallman explained that it’s important as leaders to get out and see all the Marines in the battalion, wherever they are.

“You can’t have leadership from behind the desk,” continued Gallman.

Prior to the deployment, CLB-6 had only three months to assemble the Marines they needed.

“It’s unbelievable the things these Marines are doing,” Gallman said. “I’m definitely impressed. That gives you a snapshot of the caliber of Marines we have out there.”

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Happy 4th of July America!

nobody@vox.com(threehourtour) — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 01:49:36 -0700

Happy 4th of July America!

http://tankerbabelc985.vox.com/librar...

I'm heading out to the airport to catch a flight to Denver in a few hours. I'm going to hook up with Uncle Jimbo, The Wolf and kev from Blackfive for this great event. If you're in the Denver area come by and look us up at the Blackfive booth on the 4th. Rumor has it there will be a lot of great...

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50,000 pounds of supplies dropped over Milwaukee

nobody@vox.com(Combat Logistics Battalion 6) — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 04:01:44 -0700

AL-ASAD, Iraq – The chilled supplies provided the Marines a welcome break from the blistering Iraqi sun. Loading bags of ice, the Marines worked under the cover of the cool night to pack the supplies needed.

The ice, along with other supplies, was being loaded by the Marines of Air Delivery section, Landing Support Platoon, Transportation Support Company, Combat Logistics Battalion 6, 1st Marine Logistics Group, as part of a re-supply mission to Rest and Re-supply Point Milwaukee. It also helps ensure the safety of those involved.

“By dropping these supplies out of the plane, it takes vehicles off the road,” said Sgt. David S. Cascio, mission commander, AD section.

During the three drops throughout the night, classes I through IX supplies were delivered. These supplies include anything from food and water, to fuel and building materials. This particular load had ice, Gatorade, food and batteries for the Marines on the ground.

“We had the opportunity to meet the Marines we were dropping supplies to,” said Cpl. Josiah S. Selby, air delivery specialist, with LS Platoon. “They were thankful for all our hard work,” said Selby, from Ellicott City, Md.

Selby was one of the many Marines that worked to get supplies loaded and rigged with parachutes, ensuring them a safe drop to the Marines in need.

Once it was loaded onto the C-130 Hercules aircraft, it was in the capable hands of the Marines of Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron 352, 3rd Marine Aircraft Group, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, to take it the rest of the way.

The joint effort of both groups provided supplies to make life a little easier for the Marines at Milwaukee.

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Maddux Marines strengthen the bond of brotherhood in Iraq

nobody@vox.com(1st Marine Logistics Group) — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 03:38:53 -0700

CAMP TAQADDUM, Iraq (June 28, 2008) - The bond between brothers is unbreakable. They grow up together, learning everything about life along the way. Putting those brothers in the Marine Corps and shipping them to Iraq takes that relationship to a whole new level.

The Maddux brothers are prime examples of the bond of brotherhood that transcends the blood they share. 1st Lt. Joseph K. Maddux, staff secretary and protocol officer for the 1st Marine Logistics Group and his older brother, First Sgt. Dave L. Maddux, first sergeant for Tango Battery, 5th Battalion, 11th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, have a strong connection between themselves and their families only further strengthened by the Corps.

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“It’s not just a band of brothers in the Marine Corps, it’s also in the family,” Dave said, the oldest by two-and-a-half years and first to join the Corps.

“I remember going to his graduation from boot camp,” Joe said. “On the ride home, his question to me was ‘when are you going to go?’”

A high school sophomore at the time, Joe had no interest in the military but eventually joined after learning more from his brother.

“I talked to him about it and knew that it was a good thing from him.”

Being able to talk to his brother and share ideas continued throughout their time in the Corps. Travelling around the world and throughout the Corps, the Madduxes have left their foot print everywhere and now find themselves in Iraq. Throughout their various exploits, they both had a confidant they could rely on to discuss things that no one but a brother would understand.

“No one wants to ask the stupid question,” Dave said. “Instead of talking to a guy in the battery, I’ve got my brother that understands everything and probably has dealt with it too.”

The relationship works for Joe as well. Serving his first deployment to Iraq, he understandably had many questions. Questions he could turn to his brother for and receive a more personal answer.

“I feel weird because I don’t know (everything), but I can go behind the scenes and say ‘hey, how does this work?’” Joe said.

During Dave’s visits to Camp Taqaddum, the brothers manage to get together and share personal experiences, carrying on late-night discussions about the Corps, life and their families back home, who face their own problems.

Joe, with a son less than a year old and a 4-year-old daughter, leaves his wife Kara in charge, taking on full parenting responsibilities while he is serving his country.

They both admit deployment can be hard on the families but their closeness helps out back home as well.

“Both of our families are back there together in the same area,” explained Dave. “They live two miles from each other, so the kids can play with each other, (the families can) barbecue, hang out and having that is a good feeling.”

While they may be a world apart, both sides have someone they can relate to. Both have spouses with military experience who understand the workings of the green machine, but the separation still poses a problem.

“The other day I was talking to my wife and she’s telling me ‘it’s hot in California.’ I’m like, ‘yeah, it was kind of nice here today, balmy and a little windy,” joked Dave, explaining the extremely hot weather in Iraq.

The families half a world away may have a hard time understanding their conditions, but he has his brother who can relate to everything he’s going through. The sand storms, the heat, and all other experiences only shared by the brothers.

They’ve been through a lot together and through their careers have managed to overcome many obstacles. Dave, in particular, has dodged the ultimate bullet of saluting his younger brother.

“The first thing my dad said to me was ‘now you’ll have to salute your younger brother.’”

The respect is there, but the situation hasn’t presented itself to put them in the position. Now in Iraq, they can put it off for a while longer.

“I’d feel weird. It took a while to get used to (being saluted) anyway, much less from my older brother,” Joe said. “One of these days I’ll get him.”

Joe has a small window of time left to receive his salute. With his 18-year-mark approaching, Dave faces his next obstacle: retirement.

“I personally am (afraid of retiring).” Not in terms of getting another job, he explained, but of missing the Corps, his Marines and the lifestyle that goes with it.

“I don’t necessarily lose that when I retire because he’ll still be in the Marine Corps,” he said, referring to Joe.

Living vicariously through the younger brother, the Maddux Marines will continue to be present through out the Corps. Carrying on the tradition will be left up to other generations.

“We’re not trying to start a tradition but if it does start, so be it,” Dave said.

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Corpsmen teach combat casualty care to visiting Iraqi medical team

nobody@vox.com(1st Marine Logistics Group) — Fri, 27 Jun 2008 03:45:05 -0700

CAMP TAQADDUM, Iraq (June 20, 2008) – Service members at Camp Taqaddum are partnering with the Iraqis to show them their medical know-how and teach them the uses of their new equipment.

Five Iraqi Army medical officers from Camp Habbaniyah visited Camp Taqaddum Surgical, 1st Supply Battalion (-) (Reinforced), 1st Marine Logistics Group, June 20 to discuss a partnership and tour the building.

A new hospital has been constructed at Camp Habbaniyah, but the facility needs a properly trained staff to operate in the new building with an understanding of the equipment they will use.

“TQ Surgical is developing a training program to share our experience in treating combat casualties with Iraqis,” explained Lt. Cmdr. Frank Dos Santos, emergency medical physician with TQ Surgical, 1st Supply Bn. (-) (Rein), 1st Marine Logistics Group.

The staff at TQ Surgical showed the five Iraqi officers various life saving techniques and demonstrated the proper use of the new equipment.

Maj. Tahseen Muallah, a medical officer from Camp Habbaniyah, was impressed with the tour of the facility and the prospect of further training with the staff and equipment.

“We’d be happy to take professional courses and we’d be happy to push Iraqi patients to the Iraqi side,” Muallah said. “We’d (like) to take that responsibility.”

This training is to better prepare the Iraqi medical personnel to take care of their own by teaching them basic trauma skills.

“They’re energetic and want to be here,” said Cmdr. Kevin D. Buckley, the officer in charge of the Shock Trauma Platoon. “Hopefully, they’ll be able to take back what they learned.”

Buckley, from Livingston, N.J., demonstrated what TQ Surgical had to offer during the “Corpsman Olympics,” a friendly competition that provided training to the medical staff and gave the Iraqis a chance to see the staff and equipment in action.

Moving from different stations at twenty minute intervals, the staff checked for pulses with ultrasound technology, inserted IVs, drew blood and performed a variety of other medical tasks. The Iraqis observed the procedures and learned as much as they could before the time ran out.

“There’s mutual excitement about the possibility of developing a medical partnership,” Dos Santos said.

With the experience and equipment TQ Surgical has, Dos Santos plans to work out a partnership with the Iraqis to train them so they can better provide emergency medical care for injured Iraqis in the future.

“From what I saw today, they’re smart and excited about taking care of each other,” Dos Santos said.

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CLB-6 learns leadership on the job

nobody@vox.com(Combat Logistics Battalion 6) — Thu, 26 Jun 2008 23:32:14 -0700

AL-QAIM, Iraq (June 22, 2008) – Marines with Transportation Support Company, Combat Logistics Battalion 6, 1st Marine Logistics Group, conducted a re-supply mission to al-Qaim, June 22.

The convoy of 53 vehicles ventured through the night to deliver food, water, fuel and force protection materials to support 2nd Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division.

“This is a five-hour drive,” said Sgt. Deryl B. Stockton, assistant convoy commander for TS Co. “But, all these supplies will help get the mission accomplished and keep Marines safe.”

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The leadership and responsibility at the lowest level possible is essential to mission accomplishment. Transportation Support Co. is a perfect example of this kind of leadership.

“Every truck has at least a lance corporal, sometimes a private in charge of that vehicle,” said Stockton, from Dallas. “They have to be responsible enough to know exactly what they are doing on the convoy.”

Lance Cpl. Michael D. Ramirez a Logistics Vehicle System operator with TS Co., said they regularly make re-supply runs to al-Qaim.

“This is one of the most Northern camps we support,” said Ramirez, from El Paso, Texas. “We get to help the Marines out there and that’s a good feeling.”

Ramirez said he is proud to call himself a Marine and to have so much responsibility delivering supplies for his fellow Marines in the area.

“What other job can you have, where you have the opportunity to support Marines on the front lines?” said Ramirez, as he drove the dark road. “I get to be a part of history and make a difference in Iraq.”

Ramirez said their convoys cover a lot more distance than the convoys in the Southern part of the area of operations. With this distance, being accountable for gear and vehicle maintenance is crucial for a flawless trip. These are just some of the responsibilities that Marines have on any convoy.

“If you treat every mission as if it were your last and do everything you are supposed to the right way, you won’t have anything to worry about,” Ramirez said.

“I try to pass on to my Marines the leadership traits I learn along the way,” Stockton said.

As TS Co. continues to apply their leadership skills, they strive to make a difference for the units they support.

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Another Iraqi Policeman saved by U.S. service members

nobody@vox.com(threehourtour) — Wed, 25 Jun 2008 02:51:40 -0700

Another Iraqi Policeman saved by U.S. service members

http://victorythroughlogistics.vox.co...

CAMP TAQADDUM, Iraq (June 20, 2008) - Service members from across Camp Taqaddum rushed to help save a life during a “walking blood bank” here June 19. The day was coming to an end for most service members when the call for B positive blood came, but for the staff at Camp Taqaddum Surgical, it...

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Brothers reunite for combat reenlistment

nobody@vox.com(threehourtour) — Wed, 25 Jun 2008 02:43:05 -0700

Brothers reunite for combat reenlistment

http://victorythroughlogistics.vox.co...

AT-TAQADDUM, Iraq (June 17, 2008) – The Iraqi desert seems an unlikely and unwelcoming spot for a family reunion – a far cry from the picturesque, beachside barbecue California’s central coast would have offered – but for two brothers deployed to Iraq, there couldn’t be a more suitable...

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Another Iraqi Policeman saved by U.S. service members

nobody@vox.com(1st Marine Logistics Group) — Wed, 25 Jun 2008 01:40:00 -0700

CAMP TAQADDUM, Iraq (June 20, 2008) - Service members from across Camp Taqaddum rushed to help save a life during a “walking blood bank” here June 19.

The day was coming to an end for most service members when the call for B positive blood came, but for the staff at Camp Taqaddum Surgical, it was just beginning. They rushed about organizing a “walking blood bank” while they stabilized an Iraqi Policeman that was injured by an improvised explosive device.

“We’re here to save life, limb or eyesight,” explained Lt. j.g. Lindsay M. Touchette, a nurse with TQ Surgical, 1st Supply Battalion (-) (Reinforced.) The IP had his right leg and left foot amputated and suffered an injury to his right hand. The surgeons performed damage control to help stabilize the patient and refilled him with the blood he needed before he was shipped out.

This is where the donors came in.

“That’s the guy right there, he’s ready,” said Cpl. Ryan Winkelbauer, an Omaha, Neb., native with Maintenance Co., 1st Supply Bn. (-) (Rein) as he pointed out a throbbing vein on his extended forearm.

Service members from across the base came to resupply the patient’s lost blood. The fresh supply provides the necessary blood particles to handle the situation, without taking from the reserves stored at TQ Surgical.

Rather than providing specific components, such as blood platelets or blood plasma, a transfer of one unit of blood (about a pint) from a donor to the patient is the best for everyone.

“The fresh, whole blood replaces exactly what they need and it’s absolutely paramount in theatre,” explained Navy Capt. Joseph P. Costabile, the acting chief of professional services with TQ Surgical.

With all the moving pieces flowing together, the staff drew seven units of blood and screened nearly 20 applicants.

The corpsmen worked continuously, moving back and forth between drawing blood and checking vital signs. The rush to get the amount they needed and stay organized is nothing new to the staff.

“Out here, it’s like second nature,” explained Petty Officer 3rd Class Duy N. Giang, a corpsman with Shock Trauma Platoon, who assisted with drawing blood to be tested. “We’ve done it so many times, we know what’s needed once we get the call,” said the 25-year-old from Houston.

Sailors, Soldiers and Marines filled the narrow hallway waiting to do their part and give some of their own supply of blood to someone in need.

“I did (give blood) in high school but it means more here,” said Cpl. Taylor C. Kennedy, an Avionics Electrician Technician with Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 367, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing.

The donation of blood through the “walking blood bank” is of the utmost importance for patients, service members and the staff.

This is the third time this week donors were needed to save the lives of their Iraqi counterparts. Earlier this week, two IPs were injured and relied on the “walking blood bank” provided by TQ Surgical to get the care they needed. With the help of willing donors and the capable staff, they were all stabilized before being transferred for further care.

“We’d be out of our supply right now,” Costabile said. “The walking blood bank saved lives without going through our resources.”

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Another Damn Outrage To Deal With

nobody@vox.com(threehourtour) — Wed, 25 Jun 2008 01:13:26 -0700

Another Damn Outrage To Deal With

http://snooper.vox.com/library/post/a...

~Snooper~ In the Witch Hunt what Murtha started - the fat pig sucker that he is - we have yet another issue to tackle as we have tackled before. Let it be known...THIS GARBAGE IS UNACCEPTABLE!!! HOOAH?? I have "swiped" nearly the entire post from Blackfive... Marine Jailed For Refusing to Testify...

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