Story by Lance Cpl. Samantha K. TorresStaff Writer

The threat is always there. It’s on television, social me-dia, and newspapers, but as military personnel, it is cru-cial to the mission to know and understand operational security and situational awareness.

Marine Corps Order 3070.2A provides detailed infor-mation on how to integrate OPSEC into daily activi-ties, and promotes an overall understanding of OPSEC among all personnel.

Operational security keeps potential adversaries from discovering critical and tactical information.

“It protects our planned operations as well as those in the process, and the ones we have completed,” said Mas-ter Sgt. Latecia Gibbons, the Air Station operation chief. “It’s the process of protecting little pieces of data that could be grouped together to give a bigger picture to our adversaries.”

Being vigilant about what’s happening in the sur-rounding area is known as situational awareness, and works hand-in-hand with OPSEC.

It is important to be familiar with both because they protect military personnel and their families. Poor OP-SEC practices can be costly and can result in the loss of human life and critical infrastructure.

The Tri-Command and Beaufort area routinely have

233

Marines on target with F-35 live-weapons release – Page 6

Sustaining partnerships: US Marines train Senegalese to fight – Page 7

Five NATO nations kick off Platinum Lion 15-3 Page 6

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twitter.com/MCASBeaufortSC

Beaufort.Marines.mil

Stream

TheJet Friday, July 10, 2015

Vol. 50, No. 27Marine Corps Air Station

Beaufort, S.C.

“The noise you hear is the sound of freedom.”

see OPseC, Page 4

OPSEC in an uncertain world

Movable missions: MALS-31 Marines work how they operate

Story and Photos by Lance Cpl. Samantha K. TorresStaff Writer

Taking their work with them is exactly what Marines of Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 31 do. When de-ployed, the mobile facilities the Marines operate out of are packed up and transported to wherever their mis-sion takes them.

The mission of MALS-31 is to provide aviation logistics support, guidance, planning and direction to Marine Aircraft Group 31 squadrons on behalf of the command-ing officer, as well as logistics support for Navy funded equipment in the supporting Marine Wing Support

Squadron, Marine Air Control Group, and Marine Air-craft Wing/Mobile Calibration Complex.

“Anytime a repairable piece comes off the jets, the squadrons will send it here to MALS-31 supply,” said staff Sgt. Melissa Grudowski, the mobile facility techni-cian assistant noncommissioned officer in charge. “Each shop works on a different piece, and we even have some that pack parachutes.”

The 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing MALS units work off the SS Wright on the east coast and SS Curtiss on the west coast. Each ship can deploy with over 300 operational mobile maintenance facilities, and is sustainable indefi-nitely.

Marines operate inside one of the many mobile facilities of Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 31, June 30. The Marines per-form their everyday duties inside the units, and when the time comes, pack up and take the units aboard ships or to foreign countries to continue their mission. The Marines are with MALS-31, Marine Aircraft Group 31.

see MOvable MissiOns, Page 4Courtesy Photo

VMFA-312soars to Western Pacific

See page 5 for story and photos

Marines board a plane July 8 aboard Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort. The Marines deployed to the Western Pacific as part of the Unit Deployment Program. During their deployment , they will participate in bilateral exchanges, exercises, and theater security and cooperation events. The Marines are with Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 312, Marine Aircraft Group 31.

Photo by Lance Cpl. Samantha K. Torres

The Jet Stream Friday, July 10, 2015 Games and Entertainment2

Sudoku

Answer to this week’s puzzles will be available in next week’s edition of The Jet Stream.

MCAS Beaufort Movie Schedule

Sunday 2 p.m.PG (2:10)

Sunday 4:30 p.m.PG-13 (1:54)

MCRD Parris Island Movie ScheduleMess Hall Menu

Saturday, Sunday and holidaysBrunch: 8:30 - 11 a.m. Dinner: 4 - 6 p.m.

Midrats

Sunday - Thursday11:30 p.m. - 1 a.m.

Monday - FridayBreakfast: 6 - 7:30 a.m.Lunch: 11 a.m. - 12:45 p.m. Dinner: 4 - 6 p.m.

Fraud, Waste and AbuseIf you know of or suspect any fraud, waste or abuse aboard MCAS Beaufort, call 228-7777.If you know of or suspect any fraud, waste or abuse within MAG-31, call (252) 466-5038.The automated answering service on these lines is available 24 hours a day.

The contact number for a Uniformed Victim Advocate is 592-0646. This number can get you in contact with a UVA 24 hours a day.

Hotlines

Sexual Assault

MCAS Beaufort Station InspectorSexual Assault Response CoordinatorForce Protection infor-mation and concernsPMO DispatchSevere Weather and Force Protection

228-7789

228-6904

228-6924

228-6710

1-800-343-0639

Roman Catholic • 9:30 a.m. - Sunday Mass • Confession takes place before Mass• Confession Monday - Thursday at noon

Protestant • 9:45 a.m. - Protestant Church School (Sun-day School) • 11 a.m. - Protestant Sunday Worship Service (Children’s church is also available at this time) • 5 p.m. - Wednesday Protestant Bible Study• 5 p.m. - Saturday Worship Service at Laurel Bay Youth Center

Buddhist• 11 a.m. - Saturday Worship Service in the Chapel Fellowship Hall

Labyrinth Walk• 8 a.m - 4 p.m. - Monday in the Chapel Fel-lowship Hall

Other Faith Groups• For Jewish, Mormon and Islamic support, contact the Chaplain’s Office at 228-7775

CHaPel serviCes

takeout window hours

Lunch - Mon. - Fri. 12:45 p.m. - 4 p.m.Dinner - Mon. - Fri. 6 p.m. - 8 p.m.

Breakfast - Mon. - Fri. 7:30 a.m. - 11 a.m.

SaturdayLunch

Bayou jerk pork loin and rice

DinnerShrimp cocktail, fried

chicken, steak

SundayLunch

Salmon with cucumber relish

DinnerBaked ziti with italian sausage

Monday - Friday Breakfast

LunchBaked smoked ham and sweet potatoes

DinnerSpicy shrimp with

cheesy gritsTuesday

LunchChicken and dump-

lings and rice

DinnerHerbed roast pork

loin with pan gravyWednesday

LunchRoast turkey and

green beans

DinnerManhattan clam

chowderThursday

LunchArroz con pollo and

garlic bread

DinnerApple glazed corn beef and squash

MondayHot farina, hot hominy grits and oven-fried bacon

FridayLunch

Herbed baked chicken and carrots

DinnerChili macaroni and

green beans

Sunday 7 p.m.R (1:47)

July 3rd solution

July 3rd solution

Beach Word SearchWord Bank

BoatBathing Suit

BikiniBoardwalkLifeguardSandals

SunglassesBeachWaves

SummerSun ScreenSwimming

Saturday 2 p.m.PG (2:10)

Saturday 4:30 p.m.PG-13 (2:00)

Saturday 7 p.m.R (2:00)

Command Information

Alice came across a lion and a unicorn in a forest of forgetful-ness. The lion lies every Mon-day, Tuesday and Wednesday and the other days he speaks the truth. The unicorn lies on Thursdays, Fridays and Satur-days, and the other days of the week he speaks the truth.

Lion: Yesterday I was lying.Unicorn: So was I.

Which day did they say that?

Brain Teaser

July 3rd Brain Teaser solution: The Match

Tri-Command Weather

Happenings

7 Day Forecast

Forecast according to accuweather.com

Editor’s note: We at The Jet Stream care about our reader’s opinion. In reaching our goal to put out the best possible product, we understand the importance of your feedback. Please add a comment to the “How can we improve The Jet Stream?” topic on our www.facebook.com/MCASBeaufort discussion board on how we can better your base newspaper.

Published by the Savannah Morning News, a private firm in no way connected with the Department of Defense, the United States Marine Corps, the United States Navy, or Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort, S.C., under exclusive written contract with the United States Marine Corps. This commercial-enterprise newspaper is an authorized publication for members of the military services. Its con-tents do not necessarily reflect the official views of the U.S. government, the Department of Defense, the U.S. Marine Corps or the U.S. Navy and do not imply endorsement thereof. The appearance of advertising in this publication, including inserts and supplements, does not constitute endorsement by the DoD, the Marine Corps, the Navy, Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort, S.C., or the Savannah Morning News of the products or services advertised. Everything in this newspaper shall be made available for purchase, use, or patronage without regard to race, color, religion, gender, national origin, age, marital status, physi-cal handicap, political affiliation or any other nonmerit factor of the purchaser, user or patron. If a violation of this equal opportunity policy by an advertiser is confirmed, the contractor shall refuse to print advertising from that source until the violation is corrected. Editorial content (i.e., all content other than paid advertisements) is edited, prepared and provided by the public affairs office of the installation. All queries concerning news and editorial content should be directed to: Jet Stream, Marine Corps Public Affairs Office, P.O. Box 55001, MCAS Beaufort, S.C., 29904 or (843) 228-7225. All queries concerning business matters or display ads should be directed to the Savannah Morning News at (843) 815-0800.

StreamTheJet

Contact us:228-7225

mcasbeaufort@gmail.comBFRT_JPAO@usmc.mil

Effective June 1, Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort will be in Tropical Cyclone Condition V for Hurricane season until

Nov. 30. There are currently no threats. Due to El Nino condi-tions, it’s likely to be a below average tropical cyclone sea-son for the Atlantic. NOAA is predicting 6-11 named storms,

3-6 hurricanes, and 0-2 ma-jor hurricanes. Monitor local weather sources to stay up to

date and be prepared.

facebook.com/MCASBeaufort

twitter.com/MCASBeaufortSC

Beaufort.Marines.mil

youtube.com/MCASBeaufortsc1

Did you know...July 11, 1798: President John Adams approved “An Act for Establishing and Organizing a Marine Corps”, and it became law. The following day, the President appointed William Ward Burrows the Major Commandant of the Marine Corps. In August 1798, Burrows opened his headquarters in Philadelphia, which at that time was still the capital of the new nation.

SECNAV Announces New Maternity Leave Policy

Story by The Office of the Chief of InformationDefense Media Activity

WASHINGTON – Ray Mabus, the sec-retary of the Navy, announced females who serve in the Navy and Marine Corps will have 18 weeks of maternity leave available to use during the first year of her child’s life, July 2.

The policy, which is effective immedi-ately, will also apply retroactively to any female who has been authorized conva-lescent leave following the birth of a child since January 1. Under the new policy, com-manding officers are required to grant up to a total of 18 weeks, using a combination of maternity leave and convalescent leave beyond 30 days. A mother does not need to

take all of her leave at once; however, she is only entitled to the use of this type of leave within one year of her child’s birth.

Mabus directed that commanding officers grant additional convalescent leave up to 84 days beyond the currently authorized 42 days of convalescent leave following the birth of a child.

“In the Navy and the Marine Corps, we are continually looking for ways to recruit and retain the best people,” Mabus said. “We have incredibly talented women who want to serve, that also want to be mothers and have the time to fulfill that important role properly. Meaningful maternity leave when it matters most is one of the best ways that we can support the women who serve our county. This flexibility is an invest-ment in our people and services, and is a

safeguard against losing skilled service members.”

For families, increased time following the birth of a child has tangible benefits for the physical and psychological health of both mother and child. For the Navy and Marine Corps, there is a likelihood that females will return to their career, yielding higher readi-ness and retention for the services.

“When the women in our Navy and Marine Corps answer the call to serve, they are making the difficult choice to be away from their children, sometimes for prolonged periods of time, so that they can do the demanding jobs that we ask them to do.” Mabus said. “With increased maternity leave, we can demonstrate the commit-ment of the Navy and Marine Corps to the women who are committed to serve.”

The Jet Stream Friday, July 10, 2015 3

Commanding Officer MCAS BeaufortCol. Peter D. Buck

Public Affairs OfficerCapt. Clayton Groover

Public Affairs ChiefCpl. Brendan Roethel

Community Relations/Staff WritersLance Cpl. Samantha K. TorresLance Cpl. Jonah V. Lovy

• The Single Marine Program is slated to hold a trip to Myrtle Beach, S.C. open to all eligible single Marines and sailors, Sept. 3-7. The trip costs $125. Payment is due by July 31, and includes transportation and hotel costs.

•The Single Marine Program is slated to hold an Atlanta Braves Game and Six Flags Georgia Trip open to all single Marines and sailors, Aug. 28-31. The trip costs $150. Payment is due by July 17, and includes transportation, hotel, and ticket costs.

• Marine Corps Community Ser-vices is slated to hold a Tactical Athlete Competition July 28-30,

aboard Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort. The challenges in the competition will be based on the rigorous fundamentals of the High Intensity Tactical Training program

• The Provost Marshal’s Office plans to test the mass notification system on the first Wednesday of every month at 1 p.m. aboard MCAS Beaufort and Laurel Bay. It will announce the follow-ing twice; “This is a test of the Marine Corps mass notification system. This is only a test. Test 5 4 3 2 1. Test out.” These tests are standard drills, and do not require any response. For further infor-mation, please contact the physi-cal security section at 228-6335.

Courtesy Photo

Ray Mabus, the secretary of the Navy, announced females who serve in the Navy and Marine Corps will have 18 weeks of maternity leave available to use during the first year of her child’s life, July 2. The new policy is effective immediately, and covers any female who has been authorized convalescent leave following the birth of a child since January 1.

The Jet Stream Friday, July 10, 20154 More of the Story

Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 31 is lined with the mobile facilities that have the capabil-ity of deploying onboard ships and in foreign countries. Marines operate inside the units, and have all the necessary resources needed to repair different components of aircraft. MALS-31 is with Marine Aircraft Group 31.

The mobile facilities of Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 31 house the gear and neces-sary workspace needed to successfully operate in a deployed environment. The units can be transported via ship around the Marine Corps to support a jet squadron. MALS-31 is with Marine Aircraft Group 31.

“From operating, packing up, and mov-ing to country X, we can make it happen within a 30 day window,” said GySgt. Mi-

chael Ward, the Mobile Facility Technician SNCOIC and mobile facility coordinator.

The facilities can be hooked onto genera-tors on the ships to power them up, allow-ing Marines to continue working.

Marines with MALS-31 depend on the mobile facilities to accomplish their mis-sion, when deployed or in garrison.

visitors due to the graduation ceremo-nies aboard Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island. Often times graduates and family members will have questions about the Corps.

“While out in town, family members and Marines shouldn’t discuss opera-tions, destinations, or missions,” said Gibbons. “Any type of unit deploy-ments, training events, job designa-tions or even your position in the mili-tary should not be discussed.”

Service members and their families should take precaution when traveling overseas or even in the states, to be as discreet as possible with their affiliation to the military, said Gibbons.

“Any article of clothing that screams ‘US Military’ should be avoided simply because we never know where ‘they’ are and what ‘they’ are looking for,” said Gibbons.

Today’s threat is real with the adver-sary looking to harm any military per-sonnel or their families.

Technology is a part of most people’s daily lives, and many people are famil-iar with or use social media websites to share what they are doing or just simply keep up with current events. However, as a service member there are precau-tions to take to know what should not be shared via social media.

“Full names, ages of children, where they attend school, deployment ad-dresses, countdown calendars, and locations of units or unit training dur-ing deployments are some examples of things that should not be posted on social media,” said Gibbons. “The military members work experience should also be considered as the adversary is always looking for the ‘boss’.”

It’s as simple as knowing what to do, and knowing how to ensure safety and security of the mission and those in-volved.

OPSECcontinued from page 1

MOVABLE MISSIONScontinued from page 1

Photo by Lance Cpl. Samantha K. Torres

The Jet Stream Friday, July 10, 2015 5More of The Story

VMFA-312 soars to Western Pacific

Story byLance Cpl. Samantha K. TorresStaff Writer

Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 312 deployed to the Western Pacific July 8 as part of the Unit Deployment Program.

Families and friends stood outside the squadron’s hangar as they waved goodbye to their loved ones.

During their deployment , they will participate in bilateral exchanges, ex-ercises, and theater security and co-operation events.

“They’ll be working and sweating just like they do in South Carolina,” said Sergeant Maj. Adrian Tagliere, the sergeant major of VMFA-312.

“Leading up to this, we’ve had many hurdles to overcome, but the Marines impressed me every day.”

Since 1977, the UDP has been ac-tive, and in 1979 they became the first squadron with 2nd Marine Air-craft Wing to deploy to the Western Pacific.

It will be a first deployment for most Marines, because the squadron has had more than a 50 percent change in personnel, including its leadership.

“The Marines are excited to go,” said Tagliere.

The Checkerboards began operat-ing out of South Carolina in 1943, and will now take their aircraft to the skies of the Western Pacific.

Courtesy Photo

Families and friends wait for their Marines from Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 312 to board their plane July 8 aboard Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort. The Marines deployed to the Western Pacific as part of the Unit Deployment Program. Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 312 is a part of Marine Aircraft Group 31.

Photo by Lance Cpl. Samantha K. Torres

Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 312 deployed to the Western Pacific July 8 as part of the Unit Deployment Program. While on the deployment, the unit will execute similar operations as they do aboard Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort, but with foreign nations. Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 312 is a part of Marine Aircraft Group 31.

Story and Photos by Staff Sgt. Wayne EdmistonMarine Corps Forces Europe

NOVO SELO TRAINING AREA, Bulgaria – Marines with Black Sea Rotational Force and service mem-bers from Bulgaria, Romania, the United Kingdom and Albania began Exercise Platinum Lion 15-3, at the Novo Selo Training Area, Bulgaria, July 6.

The two-week training exercise is designed to strengthen the partnerships between NATO na-tions, and share knowledge to help improve their military skill sets.

“Platinum Lion is designed to promote regional cooperation and foster interoperability between our nations in order to combat security threats,” said Capt. Michael R. McNicoll, the commanding officer of Company G, 2nd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment with BSRF. “We will do this through realistic training where we can share our ideas, thoughts, techniques, tactics and procedures.”

The exercise consists of classroom training, multiple live-fire events, military police training, maneuver training and one culminating event. The culminating event will consist of a three-day live-fire platoon attack exercise designed to pro-vide a challenging and realistic training scenario.

McNicoll was optimistic on what the training will provide for not only the Marines but for all the NATO nations involved.

“I believe we have a lot to learn from each oth-er,” said McNicoll. “I look forward to seeing how we progress throughout this exercise together.”

Bulgarian Army Col. Iavor Mateev, the head of the Joint Military Facilities Department at the Bul-garian Defense Ministry, was in attendance at the opening ceremony.

Mateev offered words of encouragement and explained that similar exercises in the past have a track record of success, serving to advance the mission of NATO.

“Platinum Lion became one of the greatest ex-amples in Europe for the real implementation of connected forces, and NATO smart defense initia-tives,” said Mateev.

Mateev was truly proud of the joint training fa-cility at Novo Selo and believed it to be a world class military site to conduct the exercise.

It is important for these nations to work to-gether and build these partnerships, according to Mateev.

“I wish everyone success, and that each of you meet the goals you came here to accomplish,” said Mateev.

The Jet Stream Friday, July 10, 20156 Around The Corps

Story and Photos byCpl. Alissa Schuning, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing

MARINE CORPS AIR STATION MIRAMAR, Calif. – Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 121, also known as the Green Knights, conducted the first F-35B operational ord-nance expenditures June 22 – 26.

Pilots employed the ordnance in Restricted Area 2507, in south-eastern California.

A total of 14 pilots used six F-35Bs to employ both inert and high-explosive munitions. In total, 18 Guided Bomb Unit 12s, and 12 GBU-32s were employed during the training.

According to Chief Warrant Of-ficer 2 Matthew Beard, the ord-nance officer with VMFA-121, the munitions employed by the pilots were the same as those dropped by legacy Marine Corps fixed-wing aircraft, but the in-stallation and technology that targets and employs them was different.

“The training was hugely suc-cessful,” said Beard. “We showed that we could employ the weap-ons that were supposed to be employed, and that we have sound weapons employment systems at this point.”

In accordance with the guide-lines set by Lt. Gen. Jon Davis, the Deputy Commandant for Avia-tion, fleet F-35Bs need to dem-onstrate the ability to employ ordnance for the squadron to de-clare Initial Operating Capability.

“The ordnance employment was one of the last pieces the squadron needed for the IOC declaration,” said Maj. Brendan Walsh, the operations officer and pilot with VMFA-121. “This train-ing validated the simulated pro-cedures pilots have been train-ing for, and gave us confidence in the jet’s ability to perform with real weaponry.”

The squadron, based out of Marine Corps Air Station Yuma, Ariz. will continue to employ ord-nance in the future as it becomes part of their normal training cy-cle, according to Walsh.

“This is an exciting time to be flying this aircraft,” said Walsh. “We look forward to continuing to train and exercise its capabili-ties for combat.”

Marines on target with F-35 live-weapons release

A Romanian soldier holds his nation’s colors next to color bearers from NATO partners during the opening ceremony of Platinum Lion 15-3. The two-week training exercise is designed to strengthen the partnerships between the NATO nations, and share knowledge to help improve their military skill sets.

Bulgarian Army Col. Iavor Mateev, left, and U.S. Marine Capt. Michael R. McNicoll talk following the opening ceremony of Platinum Lion 15-3. The two-week training exercise is designed to strengthen the partnerships between the NATO nations and share knowledge to help improve their military skill sets. Mateev is the head of the Joint Military Facilities Department at the Bulgar-ian Defense Ministry, and McNicoll is the command-ing officer of Golf Com-pany, 2nd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, Black Sea Rotational Force.

An F-35B Lightning II sits under a canopy while Marines conduct post flight checks aboard Edwards Air Force Base, Calif., Oct. 9, 2014. The F-35 is scheduled to replace several Marine aircraft in the future. The F-35 is with Marine Operational and Test Evaluation Squadron 22.

An F-35B Lightning II prepares to land aboard Edwards Air Force Base, Calif., Oct. 9, 2014. This is the squadron’s first F-35. The F-35 is with Marine Operational and Test Evaluation Squadron 22.

Five NATO nations kick off Platinum Lion 15-3

An F-35B Lightning II sits under a canopy aboard Edwards Air Force Base, Calif., Oct. 9, 2014. This is the squadron’s first F-35. The F-35 is with Marine Operational and Test Evaluation Squadron 22.

Fightertown deployed:VMFA(AW)-224 Bengals

are currently deployed to the Western Pacific as part of the

Unit Deployment Program.VMFA-251 Thunderbolts

are currently deployed aboard the USS Roosevelt as

part of the U.S. Fifth Fleet.

The Jet Stream Friday, July 10, 2015 7Around The Corps

Story and Photo bySgt. Terry BradyDefense Media Activity

MARINE CORPS BASE QUANTICO, Va. – The 54th Interservice Rifle Champion-ship, at Marine Corps Base Quantico, Va. wrapped up July 1.

During the competition, shooters from across the Department of Defense com-peted in a myriad of matches, consisting of individual and team scored shoots, varying from distances between 200 and 1,000 yards.

“These are all the best military shoot-ers,” said Col. Timothy Parker, the com-manding officer for Weapons Training Battalion. “Here we have all of the best military shooters in the United States, and they go against each other to see who [are] the best shooters.”

During the competition, participants also embraced their common bond through marksmanship, and shared with one another their knowledge so they could improve themselves and their re-spective units, according to U.S. Army Re-serve Staff Sgt. Jacob Probst, a competi-tor at the event.

“When I went overseas, I didn’t know how to shoot [and] this is where that re-ally gets to change,” said Probst. “We get to develop high-level shooters [here], then they go back to their units and teach what they’ve learned.

“There is a different mentality for indi-viduals who are competing at this level. They’re almost always positive and driv-en. They set goals and achieve them,” said Probst.

After the competition, the participants attended a banquet and awards ceremo-ny. The guest of honor, retired Chief War-rant Officer 4 Martin W. Dankanich, spoke

on behalf of the competitors during the event.

“It’s truly great to be here and to be with so many competitors,” said Dank-anich. “What I like about [this] is that this is our match. It captures the true spirit of sportsmanship and the brotherhood in arms.”

There were 15 matches during the

championship, four of which were won by members of the Marine Corps Shoot-ing Team: Staff Sgt. Stephen Ferguson, In-terservice Marine Corps Match; Staff Sgt. Mark Windmassinger, Interservice 1,000-yard Match, Division A Service Rifle; Capt. John Sheehan, Interservice Excellence-in-competition Rifle Match, First Silver; and Staff Sgt. Timothy Snyder, Kevin “Gus” Kis-

tler Memorial Trophy.“There is only one winner and every sin-

gle shot counts, just like in combat,” said Parker. “The difference in winning or los-ing can be one shot.”

The service members that participated in the championship will continue on to the National Rifle Matches held at Camp Perry, Ohio later this month.

Soldiers with the U.S. Army Reserves fire down range during the 54th Interservice Rifle Championship at Marine Corps Base Quantico, Va., June 29, 2015. Participants in the competition fired from distances between 200 - 1000 yards in the standing, sitting, and prone positions. This will be the last time Department of Defense competitors will face off against each other before going to the National Rifle Matches held at Camp Perry, Ohio

Sustaining partnerships:US Marines train with Senegalese

Story and Photo by Cpl. Lucas HopkinsMarine Corps Forces Africa

NAVAL AIR STATION SIG-ONELLA, Italy – A team of approximately 10 U.S. Marines, sailors and coast-guardsmen assigned to Special-Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force Cri-sis Response-Africa began training with the Com-panie Fusilier de Marine Commandos near St. Louis, Senegal June 1.

Throughout the six-week training evolution, the Ma-rines rehearsed small-unit infantry tactics and small-boat operations with the Senegalese.

“The Companie Fusilier de Marine Commandos are a Marine Corps equivalent and fall under the Senega-lese Navy,” said U.S. Marine Capt. Joseph Burger, the team’s officer-in-charge. “The operations conduct-ed by the COFUMACO are characterized by land and water based patrols, mak-ing proficiency in light in-fantry and small boat op-erations crucial.”

While the two groups share much in common, their unique histories and experiences have molded them into distinct fight-ing forces, with lessons to share from both sides.

“The Senegalese utilize a French system for military

operations,” said Burger. “In general, the ways we both operate are similar, but there are differences. We have dealt with this is-sue by explaining that this

is how we do business, but there are many different ways to achieve the same effect.”

The training has focused on combat marksmanship,

land navigation skills and operational planning. As the training continues, the U.S. service members will steadily build upon the foundational infantry and

small-boat skills, helping the COFUMACO bring all of the training together in a final culminating exercise.

“The end state and ulti-mate goal of the training

is to conduct a simulated small boat raid utilizing classes and practical appli-cation with Marine Corps methods and procedures,” said Burger.

MALS-31 Stingershave detachments currently

deployed to the Western Pacific supporting VMFA-251, VMFA-312,

and VMFA(AW)-224.

Senegalese Fusilier de Marine Commandos plot a route during land navigation training near St. Louis, Senegal, in early June 2015. A team of approximately 10 Marines, sailors and coast Guardsmen and Senegalese Compagnie Fusilier de Marine Commandos are working together as part of a Maritime Security Force Assistance training program to improve the light infantry and small boat operations skills.

Shooters make mark during interservice rifle competition

VMFA-312 Checkerboardsare currently deployed to the

Western Pacific as part of the Unit Deployment Program.

The Jet Stream Friday, July 10, 20158 Classifieds

The Jet Stream Friday, July 10, 2015 9News Flyer

The Jet Stream Friday, July 10, 201510 Classifieds