Brett Harman...

Today, January 31st, is Brett Harman's birthday. Brett was my brother and friend. He died in the fall of last year. For those that did not know him, Brett had a positive impact, in so many ways, on the people who ever came in contact with him. His strong spirit was contagious among great numbers, and it will continue to be amongst the ones he touched, forever.

There's too much to be said for a man of this caliber. Here is a site that Remembers Brett:

www.brettharman.net

In the photo, you'll see Lt Brett J. Harman, USMC, on the left, and Lt Letchford on the right.

You are a great man, Brett. I love you and I miss you.

Semper Fidelis.

Bahrain...

We're in Bahrain right now, enjoying a little libo. The Arabian culture is a lot different than what we're used to in the U.S., but I'm sure you don't need me telling you that. The Marines' time off the ship has been much deserved and even more needed. We'll be here for only a short time longer before it's back on ship and on to wherever this MEU(SOC) takes us. We're ready for anything.

Here's a hasty photo of Bahrain as we were rolling into port. The photo is nothing special, but we hope to get some more up once we're underway again.

Operation Photo...

This is a picture of my beautiful wife, Madeline, on the Fox News channel set in Philadelphia, PA. She was on live national television yesterday, much to my surprise, to talk about Operation Photo. The program was designed to raise digital cameras from the American public to give to military families. What a great program. Please feel free to check out the information at:

www.30minphotos.com

Click on the "Operation Photo" link on the left. If you know anyone who is interested in donating, please pass on the information.

This post was mostly just a shout out to my awesome wife. Great job, Madeline. I love you and you did well for the Pack. Oorah.

A Message from the Commanding Genral of the 1st Marine Division...

The 26th of January 2005 was a tragic day for the Marines, Soldiers, Sailors, and Airmen of the 1st Marine Division. Thirty-one of our brothers in arms perished in a helicopter crash while conducting security and stabilization operations in the Al Anbar province. Although our mission is dangerous and we understand the risk associated with our task, losses of this magnitude remind us all of how fragile life is. Our Division has reflected on the sacrifice of these brave warriors and said a prayer for their families and friends. Although our hearts are burdened by this loss, we continue to march toward our goal of a free and democratic Iraq. We will honor their sacrifice with our deeds. The first free election in Iraqi history will occur in no small part due to the efforts of the members of the 1st Marine Division who have sacrificed for this historic day.

We also send our condolences to the families and friends who lost loved ones from the 3d Marine Aircraft Wing. We often talk about the Marine Corps being a family. Whenever a family loses one of its’ own, it comes together to find the strength and courage to persevere. Today we are not separated by unit, occupational specialty, or rank; but rather joined by the bonds forged of 229 years of brotherhood. Together we will carry on. We honor all those who have made the ultimate sacrifice in the service of our nation.

May God bless all those who we have lost and the Marines, Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, and families of the 1st Marine Division.

Through the Straits...

We moved through the Straits to enter the Arabian Gulf today. This is quite an event because of all the force protection that has to be stood up in the ESG-5 (Expeditionary Strike Group). You'll see what I'm talking about in the photos. Because we're so close to land on both sides of the ship and we're not in such a nice part of town, we have to take all these measures precautionary measures. But we made it through just fine and on our way to libo!

Top left, the ships in the ESG-5 fall into line to pass through the Straits. Top right, you'll see a AH-1W Cobra helicopter on standby on the flight deck with one of the ESG-5 ships following in trace. Bottom left, pilots sit in the cockpit of the AH-1W Cobra on standby for an immediate mission. Bottom right, a Navy sailor mans a 25 mm gun on the starboard side of the ship.

Guitron and Stevens...

The Wolfpack would like to wish a Happy Birthday to Cpl Guitron (shown on the left) and Pfc Stevens (shown on the right). Cpl Guitron turned 22 and Pfc Stevens turned 20 today, January 25th.

There won't be much of a celebration for them, but we'll be sure that they get some extra chow on their trays.

On another note, we should be pulling into port here soon. After that Pack stretches out its legs for a little bit, we'll be sure to share it all with this site.

Ground Fighting...

The Pack woke up at 0430 yesterday morning to get an aggessive jump on PT. We went down to the Hangar Bay while the rest of the platoons were sleeping, rolled out the mat and ground fought each other for close to two hours. Ground fighting is a part of the Marine Corps Martial Arts Program (MCMAP). It encompasses chokes, pressure points, and body locks/submission holds.

The one on one nature of the training is what makes it so good. The Marines build on their athleticism, aggression, stamina, and mental toughness...just to name a few. (If you ask me, I just think they like taking out some of their shipboard frustrations on each other.)

Top left, Cpl Guitron and LCpl Huddleston go at it as SSgt Sanchez coaches them on. Top right, Sgt Barrett and LCpl West lock up before headed down to the mat. Bottom Left, LCpl Partin fends off a choke trying to be applied by LCpl Miller. Bottom right, Cpl Sullivan pushes away from Cpl Petterson's attack.

Weapons Races...

Two days ago, we worked with the M240G Machine Gun (7.62mm for you military types) and the Squad Automatic Weapon (SAW, 5.56 mm). These weapons are organic to our platoon, but we practiced disassembling and assembling them. Most of the Marines in the Wolfpack are extremely fast at doing this, so we had races.

Most of the time, the Marines out here just head to classes and training evolutions with no excitement at all. But when there's a competition on the table, the intensity definitely steps up.

Top left, you'll see Cpl Doan and LCpl Armstrong working on the SAW at their own pace. Top right, Cpl Sullivan, LCpl Legere, and Cpl Martinez raced dissassembling and then assembling the SAW. Bottom left, two squads match up in a relay race on the SAW. Bottom right, LCpl Miller and LCpl Lopez work on the SAW at their own pace.

Steel Beach...

We've been on ship for over 30 consecutive days now and as you can imagine, the Marines are getting a little "stir crazy," as one of the Wolfpack wives put it. The Navy organized what is called a steel beach. Flight deck operations are closed down for the day and all hands on the ship are invited up to enjoy in a BBQ. As much as we would have loved it, no beer, just burgers and sodas. But, every day off is a great day!

We said goodbye to the coast of Indonesia on the 18th and we're en route to U.S. Central Command (CentCom). Once we're there, we'll be under the tactical control of the General controlling the fight in Iraq.

The Wolfpack is doing great and is in high spirits. We're looking hoping for a liberty port in the near future so we can put our feet on land. It'll be nice to walk on a surface that isn't rocking back and forth.

Here are some pictures from the steel beach: On top, some of the Wolfpack enjoying some of the food and music. From left to right, HM3 Hill (The Platoon Corpsman), LCpl Watje, LCpl Jensen, Cpl Martinez, Cpl Cardenas, Cpl Guitron, and Lt Letchford. Bottom left, LCpl Nelson rolls around, looking smooth on his tricycle. Bottom right, some more of the Pack enjoys the chow. From left to right, LCpl Caldera, Cpl Nguyen, LCpl Waller, and Cpl Ray.

Mortar Training...

The Wolfpack got down and dirty with the 60 mm mortar systems today. The class was given by the mortar men that are now apart of the Pack. Like all the rest of the weapons we work with, we need to understand how to employ them and what their capibilities and limitations are.

On another note, Charlie Company was restructured to make four line platoons. With this being said, the Pack got some new members from Weapons Platoon. The change hasn't been very easy, but the Platoons have adapted very well.

Top left, LCpl Salazar, LCpl Cantu and Cpl Garcia go over some of the knowledge being taught. Top right, LCpl Armstrong goes over the mortar system. Bottom left, another shot of the class. Bottom right, LCpl Partin works with a "wiz wheel" and Cpl Sullivan looks on the class.

Tsunami Relief...

Sgt Barrett gave me some of the pictures he took when he and Cpl Guitron went to shore in Indonesia. They were the only Marines from the Wolfpack that had the opportunity to go witness the devastation caused to the island. As you all were following on the news, the Marines provided much of the supplies via helicopter and LCAC (Landing Craft, Air Cushioned).

In the picture, you'll see Sgt Barrett walking around in the middle of some of the devastation. It obviously wasn't a very pretty site.

The Caliber 50...

Sgt Ross gave the Wolfpack a Caliber 50 class today. He covered capabilities and limitations of the weapon. He also went over deeper knowledge that will seem like Mumbo-Jumbo to the most of you, so I won't even get into it. All-in-all, the Marines received a solid class on an extremely effective weapon.

On the left, Cpl Martinez works on "head-space and timing" as Cpl Ray and LCpl Cantu look on. You can also see Cpl Meinhardt (aka Krog) looking at his watch, wondering when all the pain will be over. Top right, LCpl West works on "head-space and timing" with the assistance of Cpl Sullivan and Cpl Ray. Bottom right, Sgt Ross puts the barrel on the Caliber 50 as Cpl Cardenas and Cpl Petterson look on.

PT...

Nice and early every morning, the company has Physical Training (PT) that usually goes down on the flight deck. Recently, with all the air missions that have been going out, the flight deck has been closed to the Grunts. They've driven us back down into the small gym that we have on ship.

Don't get me wrong, the gym is fairly nice, but you can't beat the fresh air and sun up on the flight deck. It helps us remember that there is life outside this huge hunk of steel. So, here are pictures of some of the Wolfpack "getting some" in the gym yesterday morning.

Top left, you'll see Sgt Dyas getting after the stationary bike. Top right, Cpl Meinhardt spots LCpl West on the bench. Bottom left, LCpl Cantu does some pull-overs while LCpl Salazar spots. Bottom right, Sgt Barrett in between a set of sit-ups.

Mail Call...

The Wolfpack received a mail call today. Mail calls are like Christmas morning out here. When the Marines get mail, the motivation and morale goes through the roof. We'd like to thank all the families, friends, and supporters that sent all the letters, cards, and care packages.

A special thanks to the following people(s):

- My wife, Madeline
- My mother, Ginger
- Sgt Larry S. Bennett (Retired), 0331
- Soldiers' Angels
- DeMasi Middle School (The Green House Seventh Graders)

As you'll see in the photo, the Navy SH-60Bs brought in 30 pallets of mail to the ship.

Happy New Year...

The Wolfpack has been very busy since the holiday season, shifting gears to support Operation Unified Assurance, the Humanitarian Assistance/Disaster Relief efforts in affected areas. Plans to go ashore change about every five minutes out here, but the Marines are adapting well and staying optimistic about what they might bring to the fight for relief. As of now, we're still not sure how much help a Grunt unit will contribute, so we just hang in there, day by day, hoping to get a little action somewhere.

All-in-all, the Marines are doing great. A bunch of characters in this platoon, that's for sure. They keep me on my feet, but I stay on top by working their tails off. What I do have to fall back on is the fact that I can kick all their butts if it ever came down to it. You may hear from some of them that they shaved my head against my will, but it took about half the platoon to accomplish.

Right now, we're standing by to go ashore in Indonesia. The Wolfpack is acting as a react force to any type of threat that may present itself in the relief efforts. We are on 24 hr. standby, bringing speed and power to any situation. To be trusted by the entire MEU(SOC) to take up this mission, it shows the confidence that is had in your Marines.

The strength of the wolf is the Pack...

"Alpha Wolf"
3rd Plt Cmdr