1st Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion and 3rd Battalion, 3rd Marines in Operation Highland Thunder

Photos by Cpl. Alfred V. Lopez

U.S. Marine Lance Cpl. Brandon Mann, a dog handler with Alpha Company, 1st Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion, and native of Arlington, Texas, and Ty, an improvised explosive device detection dog, posts security during a patrol here, Feb. 16. Marines and sailors with 1st LAR and India Co., 3rd Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, conducted clearing and disrupting operations in and around the villages of Sre Kala and Paygel during Operation Highland Thunder. Marines with 1st LAR led the operation on foot, sweeping for enemy weapons and drug caches through 324 square kilometers of rough, previously unoccupied desert and marshland terrain. Mobile units with1st LAR set up blocking positions and vehicle check points while India Co., 3/3 conducted helicopter inserts to disrupt insurgent freedom of movement

U.S. Marine Sgt. Guillermo Floresmartines, an assistant squad leader with Alpha Company, 1st Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion, and 25-year-old native of Menifee, Calif., wades through a canal during a patrol here, Feb. 16. Marines and sailors with 1st LAR and India Co., 3rd Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, conducted clearing and disrupting operations in and around the villages of Sre Kala and Paygel during Operation Highland Thunder. Marines with 1st LAR led the operation on foot, sweeping for enemy weapons and drug caches through 324 square kilometers of rough, previously unoccupied desert and marshland terrain. Mobile units with1st LAR set up blocking positions and vehicle check points while India Co., 3/3 conducted helicopter inserts to disrupt insurgent freedom of movement.

U.S. Marine Lance Cpl. Brandon Mann, a dog handler with Alpha Company, 1st Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion, and native of Arlington, Texas, helps Sgt. Guillermo Floresmartines, an assistant squad leader with Alpha Co., 1st LAR, and 25-year-old native of Menifee, Calif., out of a canal during a patrol here, Feb. 16. Marines and sailors with 1st LAR and India Co., 3rd Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, conducted clearing and disrupting operations in and around the villages of Sre Kala and Paygel during Operation Highland Thunder. Marines with 1st LAR led the operation on foot, sweeping for enemy weapons and drug caches through 324 square kilometers of rough, previously unoccupied desert and marshland terrain. Mobile units with1st LAR set up blocking positions and vehicle check points while India Co., 3/3 conducted helicopter inserts to disrupt insurgent freedom of movement.

U.S. Marine Lance Cpl. Brandon Mann, a dog handler with Alpha Company, 1st Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion, and native of Arlington, Texas, and Ty, an improvised explosive device detection dog, walk over a dune during a patrol here, Feb. 16. Marines and sailors with 1st LAR and India Co., 3rd Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, conducted clearing and disrupting operations in and around the villages of Sre Kala and Paygel during Operation Highland Thunder. Marines with 1st LAR led the operation on foot, sweeping for enemy weapons and drug caches through 324 square kilometers of rough, previously unoccupied desert and marshland terrain. Mobile units with1st LAR set up blocking positions and vehicle check points while India Co., 3/3 conducted helicopter inserts to disrupt insurgent freedom of movement.

U.S. Marine Sgt. Guillermo Floresmartines, an assistant squad leader with Alpha Company, 1st Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion, and 25-year-old native of Menifee, Calif., sights in with his M4 assault carbine during a patrol here, Feb. 16. Marines and sailors with 1st LAR and India Co., 3rd Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, conducted clearing and disrupting operations in and around the villages of Sre Kala and Paygel during Operation Highland Thunder. Marines with 1st LAR led the operation on foot, sweeping for enemy weapons and drug caches through 324 square kilometers of rough, previously unoccupied desert and marshland terrain. Mobile units with 1st LAR set up blocking positions and vehicle check points while India Co., 3/3 conducted helicopter inserts to disrupt insurgent freedom of movement.

U.S. Marine Sgt. Mario Mendoza, a team leader with Alpha Company, 1st Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion, and 25-year-old native of Seguin, Texas, helps Lance Cpl. Marcos Castelan, a light armored vehicle crewman with Alpha Co., 1st LAR and 19-year-old native of Alvin, Texas, out of a canal during a patrol here, Feb. 16. Marines and sailors with 1st LAR and India Co., 3rd Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, conducted clearing and disrupting operations in and around the villages of Sre Kala and Paygel during Operation Highland Thunder. Marines with 1st LAR led the operation on foot, sweeping for enemy weapons and drug caches through 324 square kilometers of rough, previously unoccupied desert and marshland terrain. Mobile units with1st LAR set up blocking positions and vehicle check points while India Co., 3/3 conducted helicopter inserts to disrupt insurgent freedom of movement.

U.S. Marine Lance Cpl. Brandon Mann, a dog handler with Alpha Company, 1st Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion, and native of Arlington, Texas, and Ty, an improvised explosive devise detection dog, post security during a patrol here, Feb. 16. Marines and sailors with 1st LAR and India Company, 3rd Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, conducted clearing and disrupting operations in and around the villages of Sre Kala and Paygel during Operation Highland Thunder. Marines with 1st LAR led the operation on foot, sweeping for enemy weapons and drug caches through 324 square kilometers of rough, previously unoccupied desert and marshland terrain. Mobile units with 1st LAR set up blocking positions and vehicle check points while India Company, 3/3 conducted helicopter inserts to disrupt insurgent freedom of movement.

U.S. Marine Lance Cpl. Matthew Bayles, a point man with Alpha Company, 1st Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion, and native of Plainfield, Ill., sweeps for weapons and drug caches during a patrol here, Feb. 16. Marines and sailors with 1st LAR and India Company, 3rd Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, conducted clearing and disrupting operations in and around the villages of Sre Kala and Paygel during Operation Highland Thunder. Marines with 1st LAR led the operation on foot, sweeping for enemy weapons and drug caches through 324 square kilometers of rough, previously unoccupied desert and marshland terrain. Mobile units with1st LAR set up blocking positions and vehicle check points while India Company, 3/3 conducted helicopter inserts to disrupt insurgent freedom of movement.

U.S. Marine Lance Cpl. Brandon Mann, a dog handler with Alpha Company, 1st Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion, and native of Arlington, Texas, sights in with his infantry automatic rifle while providing security with Ty, an improvised explosive device detection dog, during a patrol here, Feb. 16. Marines and sailors with 1st LAR and India Company, 3rd Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, conducted clearing and disrupting operations in and around the villages of Sre Kala and Paygel during Operation Highland Thunder. Marines with 1st LAR led the operation on foot, sweeping for enemy weapons and drug caches through 324 square kilometers of rough, previously unoccupied desert and marshland terrain. Mobile units with1st LAR set up blocking positions and vehicle check points while India Company, 3/3 conducted helicopter inserts to disrupt insurgent freedom of movement.

U.S. Marine Sgt. Jared Carlson (left), a squad leader with Alpha Company, 1st Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion and 26-year-old native of Kaneohe, Hawaii, and Sgt. Mario Mendoza, a team leader with Alpha Company, 1st Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion, and 25-year-old native of Seguin, Texas, plot the location of a compound on a map during a patrol here, Feb. 16. Marines and sailors with 1st LAR and India Company, 3rd Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, conducted clearing and disrupting operations in and around the villages of Sre Kala and Paygel during Operation Highland Thunder. Marines with 1st LAR led the operation on foot, sweeping for enemy weapons and drug caches through 324 square kilometers of rough, previously unoccupied desert and marshland terrain. Mobile units with1st LAR set up blocking positions and vehicle check points while India Company, 3/3 conducted helicopter inserts to disrupt insurgent freedom of movement.

U.S. Marine Lance Cpl. Matthew Bayles, a point man with Alpha Company, 1st Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion, and native of Plainfield, Ill., crosses over a canal during a patrol here, Feb. 16. Marines and sailors with 1st LAR and India Company, 3rd Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, conducted clearing and disrupting operations in and around the villages of Sre Kala and Paygel during Operation Highland Thunder. Marines with 1st LAR led the operation on foot, sweeping for enemy weapons and drug caches through 324 square kilometers of rough, previously unoccupied desert and marshland terrain. Mobile units with1st LAR set up blocking positions and vehicle check points while India Company, 3/3 conducted helicopter inserts to disrupt insurgent freedom of movement.

First F-35C flight for the United Kingdom

11th MEU training in the 5th Fleet AOR.

Photos by Cpl. Ryan Carpenter and Cpl. Tommy Huynh

A Marine serving with Company L kneels beside an amphibious assault vehicle here Feb. 12 during field training. The company is one of three rifle companies with Battalion Landing Team 3/1, the ground combat element for the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit. The unit is deployed as part of the Makin Island Amphibious Ready Group, a U.S. Central Command theater reserve force. The group is providing support for maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts here.

Lance Cpl. Josh J. Haish prepares ammunition before live-fire training here Feb. 12. The 19-year-old Royce City, Texas, native serves as a machine gunner for Battalion Landing Team 3/1, the ground combat element for the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit. The unit is deployed as part of the Makin Island Amphibious Ready Group, a U.S. Central Command theater reserve force. The group is providing support for maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts here.

Company L Marines move in an amphibious assault vehicle here Feb. 12 during field training. The company is one of three rifle companies with Battalion Landing Team 3/1, the ground combat element for the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit. The unit is deployed as part of the Makin Island Amphibious Ready Group, a U.S. Central Command theater reserve force. The group is providing support for maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts here.

Weapons Company scout sniper and Lufkin, Texas, native Sgt. Hunter Bernius takes a shooting position here Feb. 12 during field training. The company provides specialized firepower for Battalion Landing Team 3/1, the ground combat element for the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit. The unit is deployed as part of the Makin Island Amphibious Ready Group, a U.S. Central Command theater reserve force. The group is providing support for maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts here.

Machine gunner Lance Cpl. Charles B. Childers fires an M240B machine gun here Feb. 12 during field training. The 20-year-old Fort Smith, Ark., native serves with Battalion Landing Team 3/1, the ground combat element for the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit. The unit is deployed as part of the Makin Island Amphibious Ready Group, a U.S. Central Command theater reserve force. The group is providing support for maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts here.

A Marine would have received a Big Chicken Dinner.

via Military.com

A former Navy SEAL has received an other-than-honorable discharge and awaits sentencing in a Las Vegas jail for his arms-smuggling conviction.
Nicholas Bickle, who was convicted in October on 13 charges, was supposed to have been sentenced this month but his lawyer, John Arrascada, asked for a delay because he just joined the case, The San Diego Tribune reported Monday. His sentencing is scheduled for April 27.

Bickle faces as much as 20 years in prison for smuggling AK-47 rifles and handguns from Iraq and giving them to co-conspirators to sell on the black market.
Lt. Cmdr. Frank Magallon of Naval Special Warfare Group 1 told the Tribune an other-than-honorable discharge was the most severe discharge Bickle could have received -- dishonorable and bad-conduct charges are only given at military courts-martial.
The discharge means Bickle can't use the GI Bill, get separation pay or wear his uniform at special occasions, the newspaper said.

This guy got off easy.

Real easy. 

Its funny.  Marines got other than honorable discharges for refusing the Anthrax shot.  BCD's were handed out for hazing.  And I'll check but in the Army and Marines this has occurred with people ending up in the brig with unhonorable discharges. 

US Marines train the Republic Of Georgia's 23rd Light Infantry Battalion.

*Note* The USMC and the Republic of Georgia are forming a very tight partnership.  The President of Georgia has two of his countrymen at the Naval Academy to be trained and commissioned as Marine Officers for the Georgian nation.  The Republic of Georgia has determined that it needs a Marine Corps.  OUTSTANDING!

Hohenfels, BY, DE-Two Georgian soldiers from Scout Platoon, Delta Co., 23rd Light Infantry Battalion keep a watchful eye on the surrounding area after the platoon engaged in a firefight with enemy insurgents while on a reconnaissance mission for a mission rehearsal exercise at Joint Multinational Readiness Center, Hohenfels, Germany, Feb. 17. The MRE is the culminating event for the Republic of Georgia's 23rd Light Infantry Battalion prior to deploying to Afghanistan to conduct counterinsurgency operations in support of the Georgia Deployment Program - International Security Assistance Force (GDP-ISAF). The total training exercise runs Feb. 1 - 24. , Gunnery Sgt. Alexis Mulero, 2/17/2012 2:43 PM

Hohenfels, BY, DE-Georgian soldiers from Scout Platoon, Delta Co., 23rd Light Infantry Battalion keep a watchful eye on the surrounding area after the platoon engaged in a firefight with enemy insurgents while on a reconnaissance mission for a mission rehearsal exercise at Joint Multinational Readiness Center, Hohenfels, Germany, Feb. 17. The MRE is the culminating event for the Republic of Georgia's 23rd Light Infantry Battalion prior to deploying to Afghanistan to conduct counterinsurgency operations in support of the Georgia Deployment Program - International Security Assistance Force (GDP-ISAF). The total training exercise runs Feb. 1 - 24. , Gunnery Sgt. Alexis Mulero, 2/17/2012 2:46 PM

Hohenfels, BY, DE-Two Georgian soldiers from Scout Platoon, Delta Co., 23rd Light Infantry Battalion keep a watchful eye on the surrounding area after the platoon engaged in a firefight with enemy insurgents while on a reconnaissance mission for a mission rehearsal exercise at Joint Multinational Readiness Center, Hohenfels, Germany, Feb. 17. The MRE is the culminating event for the Republic of Georgia's 23rd Light Infantry Battalion prior to deploying to Afghanistan to conduct counterinsurgency operations in support of the Georgia Deployment Program - International Security Assistance Force (GDP-ISAF). The total training exercise runs Feb. 1 - 24. , Gunnery Sgt. Alexis Mulero, 2/17/2012 2:46 PM

Hohenfels, BY, DE-A Georgian soldier with Scout Platoon, Delta Co., 23rd Light Infantry Battalion, practices first aid on a another soldier who was identified as wounded in action during a firefight with enemy insurgents at a mission rehearsal exercise at Joint Multinational Readiness Center, Hohenfels, Germany, Feb. 17. The Scout Platoon was conducting a reconnaissance mission for Alpha Co., 23rd Light Infantry Battalion, when they were ambushed by enemy insurgents about three kilometers into its reconnaissance mission., Gunnery Sgt. Alexis Mulero, 2/17/2012 2:50 PM

Sentinel Off Road Patrol Vehicle, the video.

Sentinel Off Road Patrol Vehicle.

I really should have been paying more attention to BAE USA.  They've been quite busy lately.  The Sentinel Off Road Patrol Vehicle is obviously aimed squarely at the Homeland Security and local Police Depts.  As much as US law enforcement likes to play with military equipment, its just not kosher to patrol anywhere in an MRAP.  The Sentinel easily bridges that gap.  I like it.

Team GCV. BAE comes out swinging.

It looks like BAE is coming out hard on the GCV.  Check out there website here. And the product card and vid is below.  To be honest I'm starting to look forward to what kind of upgrades they'll be offering for the AAV.



GCV 0112