Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Commander’s Corner
CLB‐31 Family and Friends, operating. Thailand was
unique and challenging, not
I hope this newsletter finds only were we participating in
INSIDE THIS
you well. As I am sure you are EXERCISE COBRA GOLD, but
ISSUE:
aware, we are off the coast of we were simultaneously
Japan providing relief in sup‐ being evaluated/certified on
Sergeant Major
& 2 port of OPERATION TOMODA‐ our assigned missions. That they accomplished will be re‐
Chaplains CHI. Our hearts and prayers go type of requirement, as I tell membered in Thailand, literally
Corner out to the Japanese people and our Marines and Sailors, is for generations‐‐ just an amaz‐
all who are affected by this varsity‐level stuff. What was ing opportunity.
FRO
3 disaster. Most of our support accomplished was nothing
Supply Plt up until this point has been less than exceptional, espe‐ I would like to close by saying
delivering supplies by aircraft cially with such a new battal‐ that I know there have
Photos 4-5 to the areas where they are ion. In fact, one of the been constant changes with CLB
most needed. While we have evaluators said he was very ‐31 supporting OPERATION TO‐
ID Card Changes not put ground forces ashore, impressed with the CLB, MODACHI here in Japan, and I
8
we are making all preparations which is all due to the pro‐ am sure you have had a lot of
Easter Party
across our spectrum of capa‐ fessionalism of our questions. Please know that we
bilities to ensure we are ready team. Much of what we ac‐ are safe. Our focus is to ensure
for those missions if called complished you can read we provide any and all support
Platoon 9-
upon. Many of the missions about in the platoon letters to the Japanese people that is
Updates 13 will come from CLB‐31, such as within this newsletter. We asked of us and to bring every‐
route clearing with our heavy did everything we do as a one in the battalion home
equipment, construction, water CLB, to include money ex‐ safely. I appreciate the sup‐
Awards and Pro- 14 production and distribution, change out in the field, logis‐ port you give your loved
motions transportation, medical sup‐ tics support in an austere one while they are deployed
port, and supply distribution training environment, weap‐ and away.
management. The Marines ons training, medical and
Misc. 15
and Sailors of this battalion are dental services to the com‐ As always, I am humbled to be
ready. munity, construction of a the commanding officer for
school for a local commu‐ such a special battalion. You
Events 16 Looking back to the beginning nity, community relations should be proud of your loved
of this deployment, I could not projects, as well lead a Non‐ one, as they really prove that
be more proud of our battal‐ combatant Evacuation Exer‐ the Marines and Sailors of CLB‐
ion. We started the deploy‐ cise. While the exercise was 31 are the best of the best!
ment with a short break be‐ underway, I was able to visit
tween our Fall Patrol and every single site and I was Semper Fidelis and God bless,
Spring Patrol. We boarded the amazed at the impact our
ship (I still remember the wind Marines and Sailors had on LtCol Will Arick
and the rain) and before we the community. What
knew it, we were in Thailand
PAGE 2
Important Numbers
Cindy Reiter, CLB‐31 FRO
Facebook CLB‐31: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Kin‐Japan/Combat‐Logistics‐
Battalion‐31/141423389227626?ref=s&v=wall
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31 MEU Facebook page: www.facebook.com/pages/31st‐Marine‐Expeditionary‐
Unit/115253045176016
Supply Platoon
“To all who shall see these presents, played against them. Navy tradition that any Sailor, or
greetings…” This month we welcome a In Indonesia we had numerous visitors Marine, who crosses the Equator
newly promoted 1st Lieutenant. Con‐ aboard the USS Germantown all the for the first time must go through
gratulations to 1stLt Luna on his promo‐ way from the Ambassador to local gov‐ an initiation to become a
tion. He was promoted aboard the Es‐ ernment officials to hundreds of local “Shellback”. SSgt Thomas and LCpl
sex while we were off the coast of Japan school children. The funniest story to Bonaldo were among the many
this month. tell there was about a group of school “Polly Wogs” who were found wor‐
Spring Patrol
LtCol Arick, 1stLt Jankowski and SgtMaj Goss standing in front of CLB‐31 Marines at the Ban Wang‐ii‐An schoolhouse
a plaque dedicating the three room schoolhouse to Ban Wang‐ii‐ dedication.
An School built by the Combined Joint Civil Military Operations
Task Force in Chantanburi, Kingdom of Thailand.
Two of or Navy Corpsman with their counterparts during Marines at work during mock evacuation during Cobra Gold
Cobra Gold 2011. Exercise in Thailand.
PAGE 5
Oshima Island
Japanese electric trucks arriving on island. 7 ton arriving with supplies
Ferry washed ashore Supplies heading into town
A young local getting a Preparing to distribute
much needed supply of water jugs.
fresh water.
A picture is worth
a thousand words...
PAGE 7
Maintenance Platoon
Greetings to the friends and family of nasty slimy Pollywogs were ordered to ing seas and cold weather. As
Maintenance Platoon, were their uniforms inside out and always the Marines are ready to
backwards, socks were worn on their serve in any clime and place so
Since the Amphibious ready group, has hands to simulate flippers. A breakfast with some additional warming
left Thailand, our platoon has been split befitting a motley slime ridden Polly- layers, the mission continues of
it 3 different directions. The Marines wog was served at 0530, this consisted maintaining the MEU’s equip-
who were originally attached to the of green eggs and ham, silverware was ment. It’s not only the Marines
USS Denver have conducted a hull not authorized and the food was eaten that need adjustment to the
swap in Okinawa and are now on the off the plate, as Pollywogs do not have change in climate; our equipment
USS Harpers Ferry. The Marines at- hands and do not understand the com- has undergone some adjustments
tached to the USS Essex completed plexities of utilizing a knife fork or to the cold weather as well. Bat-
some awesome training with the Cam- spoon. After that the Pollywogs were teries won’t hold charges, cold
bodian armed forces and the Marines on taken to the Focs’cle to ensure that any start systems, are having to be
the USS German Town were treated to fleas or sea slime was carefully re- checked and utilized, tires need
port visit to Surabaya Indonesia. More- moved with some fire hoses, during this to be inflated. All in all the Ma-
over some Marines from the German- period songs were sung by the wogs rines have never been busier
town were transferred to the Denver/ and some exercises conducted to keep while under way. One benefit to
Harpers Ferry and from the Essex to the the wogs warmed up and interested. this new climate is that we get to
Germantown, all in aid of ensuring we After that the wogs underwent a series work on issues seldom if ever
have the right assets and personnel in of stages where they were again given seen in Okinawa as we used to
place for our operational commitments exercises and a liberal hosing of more hot humid conditions, and now
and not to confuse the U.S. postal sys- cold sea water. Once cleanse of all nas- have to perform the same mission
tem and our loved ones. Please be un- tiness the wogs were presented to King in a snow storm…Semper
derstanding. Neptune and his royal court. Permis- Gumby, always flexible.
sion had to be asked of the royal court
Shortly after the port visit, the German- to become a shell back, some times it Currently all Maintenance Ma-
town Marines crossed the equator and was granted and often times not, the rines are poised and standing by
took part in the time honored tradition wogs were returned to the end of the to assist the people of Japan in
of the infamous Shell back ceremony. line. This was either due to lack of any way possible, so far we are
This ceremony dates back to ancient gusto in their rendition of the Marines’ assisting with moving food water
times where the sailors and Marines Hymn or Anchors away and the pres- and supplies by helicopter to the
who have already crossed the equator ence of sea slime or fleas. After all stricken region but we are ready
before, hence forth referred to as trusty wogs were cleansed, and confirmed as to carry out any mission that we
shell backs, help the un initiated crew trusty shell backs the ship was cleaned are tasked with.
members, (slimy pollywogs) to cross and a steel beach picnic was held.
the equator. The festivities began the Good times. MSgt Jones
night prior to crossing when Davy Jones
was piped aboard and a talent show was Due to the tragic earth quake and Tsu-
arranged for his entertainment. The nami in Japan our schedule has changed
next day revile was held at 0500, the slightly and we have been ordered north
Shell backs had been authorized no to the east coast of Main land Japan.
shaving chits and our female trusty shell This brings new challenges to our Ma-
backs could wear their hair down. Pirate rines as we have gone for an equatorial
attire was highly encouraged. The tropical climate to dark skies, forebod-
Headquarters Platoon
The Marines of HQ platoon had that Marines take care of each galley. They had fitness cen-
started seeing the light of a new other and we were all safe dur- ters to burn of those extra calo-
deployment. We have begun to ing Cobra Gold. We safely set ries from the chow hall and
endured long hours and gained up and tore down camps. We leadership classes; to include
valuable experience. Most worked as a team in order to get the rocking of the ship was sea
importantly, we started to grow the mission accomplished. The sickened. We all also learned
and starting to know each other deployment has improved our that if you going to Thailand
a little better. We began to lives as we experienced the during spring you should defi-
develop a sense of trust for each cultures of Thailand and soon be nitely use a lot of sun block
other, which helped us work other locations. Our Marines and bug sprays.
quickly and efficiently. I know and Sailors have been enjoying
some of you were concerned eating healthy food provided by HQ Platoon
about our welfare. Rest assured our Sailors and Marines at the
hot and humid environment and the Our medical personnel conducted
uncertainty of eating the local food section training almost on a daily ba‐
and beverages offered by street ven‐ sis which were related to patient care,
dors to our visiting Marines and Sail‐ physical assessments, dermatology,
ors. There were three authorized HEENT, radiation exposure, NBC train‐
hotels and the city mall where per‐ ing, and pain management topics.
PAGE 11 Communications Platoon
Exercise Cobra Gold came with in the end we prevailed. Marines. Afterwards the In‐
its bumps and bruises, but Afterwards, we set sail to help donesians showcased their
overall it was a great learning build relationship strengths great sportsmanship by pro‐
tool for Comm Platoon. The between the Indonesians and viding lunch to the Marines.
Marines were widely separated Americans. Comm Platoon led “That was the first time the
among four different sites with the way in participating in team played together, so I’m
miles and mountains in be‐ activities that fostered the happy we only lost by one
The mission of tween. Comm was tasked with morale and camaraderie be‐ goal,” said Cpl Harper.
Combat Logistics setting up a long distance High tween Indonesians and Ameri‐
Battalion 31 is to Frequency shot with the cans. Some of Comm Pla‐ On the morning of March
TRC‐209 which was not an easy toon’s own decided to put on 9th, the USS Germantown
provide ground
task by any means, but with their soccer uniforms, and cleansed its scurvy vessel of
combat service hard work proved to be a suc‐ participate in one of the many its grimy crew of pollywogs in
support to the 31st cess. While separated between sporting events. The day a Shellback Ceremony. Dur‐
Marine Expeditionary sites like Samesan and Ban Dan started with a motivating run ing a series of traditional
Unit, to conduct La Hoi (BDLH), the Marines around the base with Marines events, Comm endured many
special operations as provided Comm as well as took from both countries chanting trials on the way to becom‐
directed, and to act as part in multiple ranges, varying loud and motivating cadences. ing a trusty shellbacks. Cpl
from weapons like the M16A2, Afterwards Cpl Aavang and Harper, Comm’s only shell‐
the nucleus for
M240G and the 50 cal. With Cpl Harper, along with a few back at the time, took great
expanded combat the help of all the Data Ma‐ pleasure in making sure that
members of BLT 2/5, played
service support rines, Cpl Oliver worked dili‐ hard in a game against the the rest of Comm Platoon,
operations gently to get the SWAN up to Indonesian soccer team. After including SSgt Alexander,
provide full data services to the a rigorous game it was the was cleansed of its Slimy
COC. Ban Dan La Hoi was a Indonesians that proved true Wogness.
challenging location for us, but with an upset of 0‐1 to the
a Ceremony attended by Thai, Malay‐ hit the newsstands, however the
concrete block walls and a metal 1st Lt Robert Jankowski
after the devastating Earthquake and
framed roof. The project was com‐ Engineer Platoon Commander
Tsunami that hit northern Japan. The
pleted and dedicated on 17 February at subsequent Nuclear crisis may have
MP Detachment
25March2011: After Cobra Gold the MP’s of the USS Germantown had another port visit in Surabaya, Indonesia. Once we were under‐
way from Surabaya the MP’s along with Navy Personnel took part in getting their Oleoresin Capsicum (OC) training done. For the
training the MP’s had the OC swiped across their forehead in order to mimic a secondary contamination from the “bad guy”. While the
OC is on their forehead they had to go through 5 fighting stations which included Mechanical Advantage Control Holds (M.A.C.H.) ,
front and rear strikes with their baton, blocks with the batons, and fight off a “bad guy” utilizing the M.A.C.H. techniques along with
baton techniques and finally ending with them hand cuffing the “bad guy”. Overall it was good training and a great time to work with
their Navy Law Enforcement counterparts.
COMBAT LOGISTICS BATTALION - 31
VOLUME 2, ISSUE 1 PAGE 14
To Corporal ‐ January To Corporal ‐ March
Cpl Miles Partridge Cpl Matthew B Belmont
To Lance Corporal ‐ January To Lance Corporal ‐ February
LCpl Isaac Goodwin LCpl Michael Bass
LCpl Shane Maple LCpl James Cathcart
LCpl Samuel Palios LCpl Matthew L Clark
LCpl Juan Rodriguez LCpl Carl Huerta
LCpl Nathaniel Koch
LCpl Jake A Mettam
To Lance Corporal ‐ March
LCpl Tyler A Barnhart LCpl Adam F Blount
LCpl Nicholas S Buja LCpl Brett M Chilson
LCpl Alejandro Gutierrez LCpl Christophe B Hardeen
LCpl John G Jacobsen LCpl Joseph A Stoffel
LCpl Miguel A Torresbautista LCpl Ryan J Turner
LCpl Cody J Wallace
To Fist Lieutenant ‐ March
1stLt Francisco R Burniske
1st Lt Sandro Luna
Navy Achievement Medal ‐ February
LCpl Cory Green
PAGE 15
MISC...
L.I.N.K.S. for Spouses CULTURAL EVENTS MCFTB TRAINING DATES
• April 12th Golden Week:
L.I.N.K.S. for Kids Japanese holidays that run from 29 Become a Family Readiness
Kishaba Youth Center April to 05 May Advisor or a Assistant!
1000‐1200 (ages 6‐10) 29 April, Showa No Hi, (Showa Day) • April 14th
Light refreshments and lots 3 May 1700‐2000
of giveaways. Kenpo Kinenbi,(Constitution Memorial Day) MCFTB Rm 210, Bldg 5677
4 May Camp Foster
• April 14th Midori No Hi (Green Day)
Advanced L.I.N.K.S. for 5 May • May 13th
Seasoned Spouses Kodomo No Hi (Boy's Festival ) 1700‐2000
Courtney Chapel 0830‐1430 MCFTB Rm 210, Bldg 5677
Shisha Exhibition and Sale
Camp Foster
FREE CHILDCARE with ad‐ Tsuboya Pottery Museum,
vanced registration. Light Naha City Call or email the FRO to register
refreshments will be served. 2 & 3 April, 1000 - 1800
Entry fee: ¥315 / Shisha exhibition 090‐6861‐7928
Learn from experienced
is free DSN 623‐3135
spouses about: Island fun, Ser‐
vices for USMC families, Surviv‐ Ie Island Lily Festival cindy.reiter@usmc.mil
ing Deployments, Moving Tips Lily Field Park, Ie Island
and much more! 16 April - 5 May 0900- 2200
Free
Ryukyu Kaiensai Firework
Show
Haihin Park, Ginowan City
SAVE THE DATE!! April 16
CLB-31 FAMILY DAY Gates Open: 1500 / Fireworks Start:
JUNE 17th 1900
Adult Advance: ¥2500/Gate: ¥3000
Children Advance: ¥1500/Gate: ¥
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