1ST MAINTENANCE BATTALION

May 2011 Newsletter

1st Maintenance Battalion Friends and Families, First of all and most importantly, welcome home to all of our 10.2 Marines. We are so excited to have you back and I know the family reunions taking place across the Command are truly special moments. As I always say, "there is nothing harder than leaving, but there is nothing better than coming home." Thank you for all you did while deployed to Afghanistan, you truly had an incredible deployment filled with so many operational successes.

This will be my last newsletter as the Commanding Officer of 1st Maintenance Battalion. Sadly, I will be leaving the Battalion on 16 June and heading to Penn State for a year of school. Definitely not a bad deal, but I would give it up in a heartbeat to stay here with you. The last two years have been the best. We have a tremendous Battalion because we have amazing Marines and amazing families. It has been an absolute privilege to serve with you. As I leave, rest assured, the Battalion is going to be in great hands with the arrival of LtCol Chris Richardson. He is coming to us from Camp Lejeune and he is ready to assume the duties as the Commanding Officer. I know you will support him like you have me and this fine unit will continue to roll on. Enough about me and let's focus on what is taking place in the Battalion. For the spouses that participated in our Jane/John Wayne Day, it was so much fun, every-body is already looking forward to next year's event. Also, planning is already un-derway for our big summer bash and we are going to put together a teen day in August. This summer will also begin the preparations for our next deployment to Afghani-stan. It is hard to imagine that we are starting this process again, but it is abso-lutely essential to start early and ensure we are ready. It will be a busy summer and I ask you all to be safe. Whether you are at the beach or driving on a family vaca-tion, please be careful. It has been an absolute privilege to serve as your Commanding Officer and it is a special honor to be part of this incredible team. I will never forget the last two years. Thank you! All the best, LtCol K. J. Stewart

1st Maintenance Battalion Families and Friends,

First of all I want to welcome back all of the Marines from

10.2. It is great to have you home and finally have our whole

battalion together again. I would also like to thank all of

the spouses who participated in our Jayne/John Wayne Day last

month. If you didn’t get a chance to participate please try

to make it to our summer bash.

Our Marines have been very busy around the battalion supporting all of the

units in the MAGTF on a daily basis. They have also had some great training in

a field environment by setting up detachments around Camp Pendleton numerous

times. Our workload will not get any easier this year as we are starting to

fill out our rosters for the 12.1 deployment to Afghanistan.

We will be having a Change of Command in June and LtCol Stewart will be leav-

ing us after two great years. He has been a great commanding officer and has

done many outstanding things for Maintenance Battalion. LtCol Richardson will

be coming in to take command and I am sure that your Marines and Sailors will

make sure that we remain the number one battalion in the MLG.

Like I said earlier Maintenance Battalion will be very busy the rest of the

year as we begin to transition into our next phase of deployments. We could not

be as successful as we have been in the past without the support of our friends

and family. I look forward to working with all of you this year and hope to see

you at our summer bash.

Marines, Sailors and Families,

It is hard to believe that we are half way through this year. So many families

have come and gone. As we bid farewell to those that have moved on, we welcome

our new families and look forward to seeing them at our future events.

There are many opportunities on the horizon that encourages Family Team Build-

ing and unit camaraderie. Coming in June we will be hosting a Unit specific

L.I.N.K.S. for Spouses session, Lifestyle, Insight, Network, Knowledge and

Skills brought to us by Marine Corps Family Team Building. This session

“provides information to Spouses on the resources available and methods for

meeting challenges of the military lifestyle.” This summer we can also look

forward to our annual Summer Bash and for the first time ever TEEN MARINE!

If you would like to be actively involved in the planning of

future events, join us at our Volunteer meetings held the

last Wednesday of each month at 6pm in the 43 Area 1st

Maintenance Battalion Conference Room (The Phoenix Lounge).

Sincerely,

Nila Thompson

760-725-3023

leonila.thompson@usmc.mil

SGTMAJ’S CORNER

FROM THE FRO

In the Buddhist faith, the word “interdependence” means that all things

are mutually connected through the medium of thoughts, words, and ac-

tions. Everything that we think, do, or say has an effect on other peo-

ple, whether we realize it or not. This idea is also related to “karma”

which is simply the idea of cause-and-effect; the Bible also mentions

“you reap what you sow.” It is also basic physics: every action has a

reaction. Whether an action is good or bad depends on how one receives

it and perceives it.

By understanding “cause-and-effect,” we

realize that our behavior affects others.

We are responsible not only for ourselves,

but also for others. This is similar to

how Marines think: no Marine stands alone,

but works as a team. While every Marine is

an individual, each Marine is affected by

what other Marines do; when something very

good happens, they are proud to be Ma-

rines. When something bad happens (and

we’ll see it on the news) then it is a

“black eye” for the Corps and Marines eve-

rywhere, even if they were not directly

involved in what happened.

Understanding interdependence is a feature of leadership: interdepend-

ence means we not only need to take care of ourselves, but we should

also help others, whether that is the people who work for us, with us,

or those we report to. This is also the first step towards a peaceful

life: when we realize how meaningful our actions really are, we will

work to provide a better life for ourselves, our families, our communi-

ties, and environment.

We cannot solve all the world’s problems on our own, but once we recog-

nize and implement the teachings of interdependence and cause-and-

effect, we can make a difference in the place we are. We may not know

all the ways our actions can and will

affect others, but let’s try to make

them actions that are thoughtful and

positive.

Namaste!

CHAPLAIN’S CORNER

They told (us) to open up the Embassy, or "we'll blow you away." And then they looked up and saw the Marines on the roof with these really big guns, and they said in Somali, "Igaralli ahow," which means "Excuse me, I didn't mean it, my mistake". Karen Aquilar, in the U.S. Embassy; Mogadishu, Somalia, 1991

Since the last news letter, Head Quarters and Service Company has

been involved in multiple support operations, both in an external

collaborative role as well as the ever present internal role

within 1st Maintenance Battalion.

In February H&S played a major role in the pack-out, reach

back, and retrograde evolution as part of "Operation Pacific Hori-

zon" along with the other four Companies within 1st Maintenance

Battalion, which showcased the Battalions ability to operate and

perform maintenance in a forward area in support of ship-to-shore

movement and MPF operations at the Marine Expeditionary Brigade

(MEB) level.

In March, following the return from the field in support of

Operation Pacific Horizon H&S coordinated and provided sol support

for the Battalions field meet located at Lake O'Neil on board Camp

Pendleton. A great time was had by all and the event was a huge

success, greatly adding to the spirit of competition, and esprit

de corps within the Company and Battalion.

Again in April, H&S along with coordinated efforts from the

Family Readiness Officer hosted the annual Jane Wayne Day at Main-

tenance Battalion. The logistical support for this event included

ammunition allocations for the range, food requests for the

spouses and demonstrations for performance of the CFT, PFT and

Martial Arts Program. The spouses left that day with a new appre-

ciation of what their spouses are asked to do on a day-to-day ba-

sis and a ton of praise for the event itself.

Most recently H&S just finished another field exercise in the

beginning of May," Brutal Spartan". This time it wasn't a collabo-

rative operation, but rather an independent exercise at the Bat-

talion level. Motor Transport Engineer Platoon within H&S along

with the S-4 and S-3 provided 100 % of all logistical, transporta-

tion / lift and power support for this operation.

Sincerely, 2ndLt Petrisevac G.D.

HEADQUARTERS AND SERVICE

OMC wants to welcome back our 30 Marines returning as part CLR-15 (FWD).

We all appreciate what you’ve done representing OMC while forward de-

ployed in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. You did a fantastic

job and it was well noted by all.

This past month the Marines of OMC’s Comm -Elec Section took part in a

variety of activities to include 1st Maintenance Battalion’s Softball

Tournament and several Marines played on the Battalion Football Team.

Cpl Taylor won the 1st Marine Logistics Group Meritorious Sergeant Board

this month and will be promoted on 2 May 2011. Cpl Taylor was recog-

nized by the Marine Corps Association and was presented with the IMEF

Leadership Award for 2010 which was presented during the 1st Maint Bn

Field Meet. The following Marines completed significant Off Duty educa-

tion accomplishments this month; two received Associate degrees (Sgt

Green and Cpl Hicks) and Cpl Morrison completed his Fiber Optic Repair

Certification.

The Infantry Weapons Repair Section welcomes, Anthony Robert Sanchez

Born: 16 April 2011 at 0423 to SSgt and Mrs Sanchez. Anthony weighed in

at 7lbs 12 oz with a length of 19.5 inches. We also extend congratula-

tions to MSgt Torza on the occasion of her promotion and change of MOS

to 2181.

OMC welcomes 1stSgt Robles aboard as the new 1stSgt, and wishes 1stSgt

Greenleaf the best as he moves to CLB-1 and prepares to deploy. He was

only here a short time, but he leaves a lasting impression. We are

sorry you weren’t here longer, but we know CLB -1 needs you more. We

also say goodbye to GySgt Pitcher as he moves on to the Technical Assis-

tance Team in Albany Georgia. As Gunny says “five years and two deploy-

ments is enough, it’s time to do something a little different”. While

here he was in charge of the Electro-

Optics section, the Artillery Repair

Section, and was part of the Commanding

General’s Logistics Readiness Evaluation

(LRE) team. GySgt Marigoni moves up to

the G-4 section of 1st MLG to fulfill

that requirement for a knowledgeable and

experienced Ordnance expert.

We at OMC also wish CWO3 Southern fair

winds and following seas for the rest of

his days as he retires from our Corps

with 20 years of service. We all wish

you well; know that you are already

missed.

Ordnance Maintenance Company

Motor Transport Maintenance Company (MTM) had a busy month of April into May. We

welcomed back our warriors who were deployed with CLR-15 (FWD) 10.2 during Operation

Enduring Freedom (OEF). It hasn’t taken long to adjust from the dusty Afghanistan

weather to the always sunny southern California. Marines with 10.2 quickly got back to

work turning wrenches and fixing trucks here at Camp Pendleton, eager to take leave for

some rest, relaxation, and to spend some quality time with their loved ones.

Marines who recently returned from deployment have a thorough understanding of the af-

termath that an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) can cause to a moving vehicle. This

understanding comes from conducting wrecker recovery operations and performing third

level maintenance on the same vehicles throughout a 7-month deployment. MTM Com-

pany has benefitted from the return of our 10.2 Marines as they have been able to provide

guidance as well as recent experiences to Marines who are expecting to deploy in the near

future. These experiences are used as an excellent training tool. This was evident during 1st

Maintenance Battalion’s field exercise; Brutal Spartan.

During the week long exercise, Brutal Spartan, Marines were able to get hands-on training

with vehicles in need of recovery while simulating a hostile environment. Armored tactical

vehicles were altered and placed in tough terrain in order to simulate an IED attack or a

vehicle rollover. These occurrences are common to what has been seen during deploy-

ments. During the exercise, 10.2 Marines were able to provide one on one assistance with

Marines who are anticipating their first deployment. This exercise proved to be an impor-

tant training aid to prepare Marines for an OEF deployment. A key goal during the exer-

cise was to learn that whether you

are working on a truck in Afghani-

stan or Camp Pendleton, the main-

tenance tactics, techniques, and

procedures still remain in effect.

Consistent training in various envi-

ronments will ensure Marines have

the mental and physical abilities to

be successful carrying out their du-

ties regardless of their surround-

ings.

MOTOR TRANSPORT MAINTENANCE

April proved to be a busy month for the Marines of Engineer Maintenance Company (EMC). Marines said

goodbye to their Company Commander, Captain Brooke Speers, who moved on to Inspector-Instructor

(I&I) duty at 6th Engineer Support Battalion out of Battle Creek Michigan, and welcomed aboard Capt

Sarah Reisberg, who returned from a seven month deployment to Helmand Province, Afghanistan, where

she served as the 1st Marine Logistics Group Engineer Officer. EMC won the battalion softball tournament

on April 14th, earning our players a three-day weekend. Of note, this was EMC’s second battalion tourna-

ment victory in a row. EMC also had 33 Marines return home from a seven month deployment with Com-

bat Logistics Regiment 15 (Forward) [CLR-15 (FWD)] in support of Operation Enduring Freedom 10.2.

During this deployment, EMC Marines stepped up and accomplished objectives that were said to be unat-

tainable. Spread throughout the Helmand Province, EMC Marines worked long hours to provide quality

support to all units in I Marine Expeditionary Force. Heavy Equipment Marines swapped everything from

engines to axles, day and night, never slowing down. “It makes you feel important, since the day we ar-

rived, it was a steady flow of maintenance, working 12-hour days, 7 days a week,” said LCpl Castillo-

Rinaldi. Welders and machinists provided repair and fabrication on everything from building mobile PXs,

which provide exchange services to Marines and sailors stationed at remote Forward Operating Bases

(FOBs,) to welding the armor upgrades on the first M1A1 Abrams tanks to roll out into the Afghanistan

theatre. Utilities Marines repaired damaged generators, flood light sets, air conditioners, small field refrig-

eration units, water pumps and even an occasional shower for units across I Marine Expeditionary Force

(Forward). Through all the trials and tribulations, these 33 brave warriors made it back to their families

with little more than a few bumps and scratches. They now face reintegrating into their family lives, rou-

tines and work.

Despite being down the 33 deployed Marines, operations still rolled on back at Camp Pendleton. This

month, a team of 5 Marines from the Utilities Platoon, led by SSgt McIntosh, traveled to Fort Lee, Virginia

from 29 Apr to 2 May for a 5 day training evolution on the new Lightweight Water Purification System

(LWPS). They received valuable operator and organizational maintenance training that could only be pro-

vided at the Army’s facility. Training was done via the rodeo/lanes training that included the 3K Gallons

per Hour (GPH) Reverse Osmosis Water Purification Unit (ROWPU), the 600 GPH ROWPU, the Tactical

Water Distribution System (TWDS), the Water Storage and Distribution System (WSDS), the Tactical Wa-

ter Purification Systems (TWPS), and the LWPS. The lanes training also include tasks related to the an-

nual Rodeo lanes evaluation all-services competition that our Marines will be attending in August to rep-

resent the Battalion and the Marine Corps. In addition, the training will enhance the ability to assist in

the deployment and employment of water assets for exercises and contingency operations.

In HE Platoon, metal workers fabricated

multiple precision test plates and jack

plates for other companies in the battalion.

SSgt Verduzco and Sgt Kondziella gradu-

ated the Journeyman's Mechanic Course at

Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri and came

back to the Fabrication Shop with many

skills to pass on to our junior Marines.

Heavy Equipment Platoon also had 10 Ma-

rines qualify on the rifle range, 3

ENGINEER MAINTENANCE COMPANY

Marines, Civilians, & Family members of RMC,

A lot has happened within RMC since the last command news letter was

released. The command and this company lost one of our own, Lance

Corporal Zachery Johnston, and had a moving memorial service in his

honor on April 13th. RMC is also sending prayers and get well wishes

to Lance Corporal Rory Sackinger and his family, who is slowly but

surely recovering from his injuries while remaining hospitalized in

Scripps Memorial Hospital in La Jolla, CA. To all the Marines and

family members who have sent cards, emails, money, thoughts and

prayers on behalf of both families, thank you very much. Special rec-

ognition goes out to Gunnery Sergeant Dean, Staff Sergeant Cunning-

ham, and Staff Sergeant Jackson for their coordination efforts and

allowing Marines to meet and memorialize Lance Corporal Johnston with visiting family

members.

The command welcomed back with open arms the Marines returning from Afghanistan in early

April and have since molded them back into their respective platoons and sections. Your

Marines performed beyond expectations and with great devotion and pride while deployed.

From the Commanding General to commanders throughout Afghanistan, all continually talked

and praised the hard work and fantastic job your Marines did in support of this Nation’s

war on terror. It is great to have all the Marines back and the company is planning a

family day and cookout very soon on Del Mar beach; will send date and time out when

scheduled.

The Marines of RMC bid farewell to a legend within the 2800

Military Occupational Specialty (MOS) community on April 15th.

Major Ron McFaul, a Limited Duty Officer with 26 years of ser-

vice, retired from the Marine Corps and rendered a passionate

and unforgettable speech honoring his spouse Marla and regaling

tales from his past. The retirement ceremony Commander of

Troops was led by our very own Company Executive Officer, Chief

Warrant Officer 4 Brown and was flawlessly orchestrated by the

Company First Sergeant, First Sergeant Torres.

Over the past few months there have been several battalion

sporting events held between the companies. In April, your RMC

Marines softball team lost a very close game to the eventual

battalion champs. During the month of May, RMC will be hosting

the next battalion sporting event of kickball, and looking for-

ward to bringing the trophy back home where it belongs. In

early May, more than 25 RMC Marines took to the field for a battalion level exercise.

The Marines set up expeditionary maintenance and supply capabilities while enhancing

their Marine Corps basic skills training. This exercise proved to be a great challenge

that your Marines handled with ease, fun, and skill. Of particular note were three

standout Marines; Sergeant Thomas, Sergeant Gallagher, and Lance Corporal Evangel-

ista.....job well done!!!

Special congratulations go out to the proud parents of RMC’s newest family members;

Master Gunnery Sergeant Chaldekas, Sergeant Stites, Sergeant Holliman, and Lance Corpo-

ral McClanahan; as well as to the proud new Grandfather Master Gunnery Sergeant

Maldonado....congratulations to all! RMC would also like to recognize the hard work and

dedication of some of our very own hard-charging Marines: Lance Corporal Nguyen, who was

the Marine of the Quarter for the entire I Marine Expeditionary Force consisting of more

than 45,000 Marines; and Corporal Gallagher, who won a meritorious promotion to the rank

of Sergeant and was promoted to rank, as such, on May 2nd.

RMC is bidding farewell to several hard-charging Marines who will not be present for the

next command news letter; Captain Flynn, Chief Warrant Officer Johnson, Master Sergeant

Collins, Master Sergeant Anderson, Master Sergeant Krebs, Gunnery Sergeant Diep, Gunnery

Sergeant Strother, and Gunnery Sergeant Marroquinortiz.

REPARABLE MAINTENANCE COMPANY

OCEANSIDE POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

Contact:

Acting Captain Leonard Mata, Administrative Services Unit For Immediate Release

(760) 435-4688 Lmata@ci.oceanside.ca.us

(760) 801-1917 Cell

May 10, 2011

POLICE RELEASE PICTURE OF SUSPECT DEFRAUDING MILITARY

FAMILIES

Police are asking for the public’s help to identify a woman who has been defrauding military

families who post items for sale on the “Camp Pendleton Yard Sale” website.

The suspect calls the victims and arranges for a meeting at the victim’s bank. The suspect

gives the victims a check, that she states is her payroll check, and asks the victims to deposit it

in their account. She tells the victims to deduct the cost of the item they are selling and to give

her the remainder of the deposit. The victims deposit the check and give the suspect the

remainder of the bank deposit. The victims later learn the check is fraudulent. The suspect

usually gives the victims checks that range from $700.00 to $800.00 and the cost of the item

that is sold is usually less than $100.00. There have been at least four victims in the last

several months. The attached photo of the suspect was taken by one of the victims as they

drove to the bank; in this case the suspect and the victim rode to the bank together.

Anyone with information on the suspect’s identity can call Oceanside Detective Mark Kalb at

760 435-4743.

Important Phone Numbers

Family Readiness Officer (760) 725-3023

American Red Cross (760) 725-3303 or (800) 951-5600

Battalion Chaplain (760) 725-4001

Military OneSource (800) 342-9647

MCCS Information (760) 725-4111

Medical Clinic (760) 777-4810

Naval Hospital (760) 725-1288

TRICARE Healthcare (800) 874-9378

DEERS (760) 725-2442

MCCS CP Information (760) 725-3400

Navy-Marine Corps Relief (760) 725-5337

Financial Management (760) 725-6098

Legal Assistance (760) 725-6172

New Parent Support Program (760) 725-3884

L.I.N.K.S. (858) 577-4810

ID Cards (760) 725-2442

Lincoln Military Housing (760) 430-0040

CP Base Information (760) 725-4111

Domestic Violence Hotline (800) 799-7233

Base Police (PMO) (760) 725-3888

Useful Websites

www.facebook.com/firstmaintenancebn

www.mccscp.com

www.sdarc.com or www.redcross.org

www.triwest.com

www.i-mef.usmc.mil

www.mccsonesource.com

https://mypay.dfas.mil

THIS SPACE RESERVED FOR POSTAL