Volume 2, Issue 6

February 25, 2011

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CLB-2 transfers authority in Helmand province to CLB-8 ... Page 2

Also:Blotter ... Page 2Warrior of the Week... Page3Marine continues tradition... Page 3

East West

meets

2nd MLG (FWD) preps to take reigns from West Coast counterparts in Afg.

See the full story on Page 4

Watch 2nd MLG(FWD) learncounter-IED techniques

Page 2The Warrior’s Log

23 Feb. 2011 - A Marine with Combat Logistics Battalion 6 reported that an unknown person damaged his vehicle’s back door corner window and stole (2) side SAPI plates and an iPod. The subsequent investigation revealed no leads or suspects. The property was valued at more than $600.

22 Feb. 2011 - A Marine with Combat Logistics Battalion 2 approached the gate with an altered temporary pass issued to another individual. The Marine was apprehended, processed and released to his unit representative. The vehicle was towed off base. The Marine was cited for fraudulent use of a tem-porary pass and driving on a state and base suspension.

‘Ready Home’to go

CLB-2 transfers authority to CLB-8 in AfghanistanLance Cpl. Kenneth Jasik1st MLG Public Affairs

CAMP LEATHERNECK, Afghanistan – Marines and sailors with Combat Logis¬tics Battalion 2, 1st Marine Logis-tics Group (Forward), relin-quished their responsibil¬ity for providing direct logistics support to Regimental Combat Team 8 to the Marines and sail-ors of Combat Logistics Bat-

talion 8 during a transfer of au-thority ceremony here, Feb. 7. The ceremony included the casing of the CLB-2 colors by the commanding of¬ficer, Lt. Col. Brian N. Wolford, and the uncasing of the CLB-8 colors by the com¬manding officer of CLB-8, Lt. Col. Michael E. McWilliams, symbolizing the transfer of responsibilities in-volved with supporting RCT-8 and solidifying CLB-8’s pres-ence in Afghanistan.

Over the course of the unit’s 7-month deployment, CLB-2 worked continuously to pro-vide support to units operating in ar¬eas such as Sangin and Musa Qal’eh in northern Hel-mand province. “We were able to do almost 150 com¬bat logistics patrols,” said Wolford, 41, from Crofton, Md. “Plus another 50 missions including engineering and recov-ery opera-tions. We transported about 19,000 short tons up north through very brutal terrain.” After seven months in Af-ghanistan, the Marines and sail-ors of CLB-2 are ready to head back to Camp Lejeune, N.C., and are glad to have CLB-8

here to relieve them. “We’re very happy to have CLB-8 on deck, they are a great unit,” said Wolford. “They will pick up where we left off and take it to the next level, and we’re ready to go home.” CLB-8 is ready for the chal-lenge of pro¬viding logistics support to the Marines and sail-ors of RCT-8, who continue to challange the Taliban in north-ern Helmand province. “The Marines and sailors are excited to be here in Afghani-stan,” said McWilliams, 41, from Downingtown, Pa.

See TRANSFER, Page 4

PFC. Jonathon Rockey

Job: Data Systems Spec.Hometown: Rochester, Ind.

Q: If you were stranded on a desert island, what is one piece of issued gear you would want with you? A: “My M-16 rifle - for hunting and protection.”

Q: What is your favorite MRE?A: “I don’t really have one, but most of them aren’t too bad.”

Q: Why did you join the Marine Corps?A: “I come from a military family and always wanted to serve my country.”

Q: What sports team do you root for?A: “The Indianapolis Colts.

The Warrior’s Log Page 3

All in the familyCLR-27 Marine continues military traditionPfc. Franklin E. Mercado2nd MLG Public Affairs

CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. – From the quiet streets of Indiana, to the hectic pace of Ma-rine Corps life, Lance Cpl. Jonathon Rock-ey managed to make it a smooth transition in joining his family business of serving his country. “I grew up in a military family and always wanted to serve my country,” said the data systems spe-cialists with Combat Logistics Regiment 27, 2nd Marine Lo-gistics Group. “Al-though it took me longer to get there, it was worth the wait.” The wait he refers to is his age; he is 27 years old. Since he didn’t think he was ready for the commit-ment, Rockey worked several jobs in neigh-borhood factories. As a result, he waited quite a bit longer to join than most of his military-heavy family. He eventually made the jump to Camp Lejeune, which has more than five times the population of his home-town of Rochester, Ind. Though he had never been away from home for so long and he missed the small-town atmosphere, the transition was easy enough due to the fact his family is full of service members. Their guid-ance prepared him well for the journey that lay ahead. Having such an overwhelming military influence in his life, Rockey was interest-ed in the history of the Corps long before

standing on the yellow footprints. “Every part of our long, distinguished history interests me,” he said. “I’ve always been a pretty big history buff, coming from a military family. When other kids were reading children’s book, I was reading books about military wars, weapons, air-crafts and armor.” Even though he spent hours upon hours reading several books, he has no one hero. He says his heroes are the men and women who leave there loved ones behind to help

others thousands of miles away. “I admire the people who try hard and do the right thing even if it’s not the easiest path, those are my heroes,” said Rockey. He credits this for reinforcing his pas-sion for the military, along with his family, which he says is the reason he’s where he is today. His family has been there through thick and thin, mentioned Rockey, which he

says helps him through the everyday grind that is the Marine Corps. “I just try to do everything in my power to help my unit,” said Rockey. “I work until I come to a point where I can’t help no more, and if the problem hasn’t been solved, I pass it on to someone who is more knowledgeable than me.” Aside from a long military career, Rockey has much to look forward to. He and his wife are awaiting the birth of their first child – perhaps the next member of a proud family of veterans to join the ranks of their beloved Corps.

Pfc. Jonathon Rockey

The Warrior’s Log Page 4

Commanding General Public Affairs Officers Public Affairs ChiefBrig. Gen. Michael G. Dana 1st Lt.. Michele Perez Staff Sgt. Theresa E. Seng (FWD) 2nd Lt. Joshua Smith (FWD)

Sergeant Major Press ChiefSgt. Maj. William T. Stables Combat Correspondents Sgt. Justin J. Shemanski Cpl. Rachael Moore (FWD)Command Master Chief Cpl. Melissa LattyCMDMC Russell W. Folley LCpl. Bruno J. Bego (FWD) Pfc. Franklin E. Mercado

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TRANSFER, continued from Page 2 “They joined the Marine Corps in order to deploy, and that’s what they’re doing here. They know and under-stand they are providing lo-gistics support to RCT-8 and they are excited to do that.” The Marines and sailors of CLB-8 have been train-ing hard in preparation for this deployment and are well prepared to take the reins from CLB-2. “[The Marines and sailors have] been training for the past five or six months, and they’ve done an incredible job during that training pe-riod,” said McWilliams.

Photo by Lance Cpl. Kenneth JasikCombat Logistics Battalion 2, 1st Marine Logistics Group (For¬ward), relinquished their authority for providing direct lo-gistics support Regimental Com-bat Team 8 in northern Helmand province to Combat Lo¬gistics Battalion 8 and will redeploy to Camp Lejeune, N.C.

2nd MLG (FWD) readies to provide logistical support for RC(SW)

Lance Cpl. Bruno J. Bego2nd MLG(FWD) Public Affairs

CAMP LEATHERNECK, Af-ghanistan – Marines and sailors from the 2nd Marine Logistics Group (Forward) continue to arrive at Camp Leatherneck to begin replacing their west coast counterparts, as 1st MLG (Fwd) finishes their tour of duty. After undergoing a series of demanding pre-deployment training exercises and classes, the Group is finally in theatre and ready to take over, accord-ing to unit leaders.

The unit is adapting to its new mission with guidance from the Marines and sailors of 1st MLG (Fwd) as the Group prepares for the transfer of authority sched-uled for March 4. “Marines have landed, and we have started our turnover with 1st Marine Logistics Group,” said Col. Mark R. Hollahan, the chief of staff for the 2nd MLG (Fwd). “They have done a tre-mendous job for the past year and have set the bar extremely high for us.” Although Marines and sail-ors trained vigorously prior to leaving the United States, they also attend follow-on training

Transfer with 1st MLG (FWD) set for March 4

for current improvised explo-sive device threats in Afghani-stan, as well as a series of briefs upon arrival. “Marines have to attend the safety brief, rules of en-gagement brief and escala-tion of force brief to make sure they know what they are supposed to do,” said Gun-nery Sgt. Steven C. Bottom, the operations section officer in charge. “Everyone slated to deploy up to this point has arrived safe-ly. We are adjusting to the time difference, turning over with our counterparts, and establish-ing our routines,” emphasized Maj. John P. Flynn, the Head-quarters and Service Company commanding officer, 2nd MLG (Fwd). “The living conditions are good, the food is great, and mail is arriving.” Unit leaders also expressed the Marines and sailors of 2nd MLG (Fwd) are ready to start working and begin the overall mission of logistically sup-porting Regional Command Southwest. “We did extensive training prior to coming here,” Bottom concluded. “I truly believe that this unit is ready to support our troops on the ground.”

Marines with 2nd Marine Lo-

gistics Group (Forward) con-

duct Counter - Improvised

Explosive De-vice Training

in Afghanistan, Feb. 22.

Photo by Lance Cpl. Bruno J. Bego