Stories

Lance Cpl. Tom L. Belcher, an ammunition technician with Combat Service Support Group 15, 1st Force Service Support Group, tightens gas mask straps on Pfc. Galvin J. Murphy, also an ammo. tech., before he handles mortars emitting phosphine gas Aug. 17. Their ten-man crew was detoxifying the mortars to make them safe to use in Iraq. (Photo by Lance Cpl. Ray Lewis) - Lance Cpl. Tom L. Belcher, an ammunition technician with Combat Service Support Group 15, 1st Force Service Support Group, tightens gas mask straps on Pfc. Galvin J. Murphy, also an ammo. tech., before he handles mortars emitting phosphine gas Aug. 17. Their ten-man crew was detoxifying the mortars to make them safe to use in Iraq. (Photo by Lance Cpl. Ray Lewis)

Ammo techs rid mortars of deadly gas

Ammunition technicians here help make dangerous, expired ammunition safe for Marines preparing for deployment to Iraq. Thanks to the efforts of Marines from the 1st Force Service Support Group, ammunition can be used without wait. The Marines detoxified mortar rounds last month using a standard process to renew the explosive ammunition. In nine

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The Marine Corps Institute is now offering testing online, aimed at deployed Marines. - The Marine Corps Institute is now offering testing online, aimed at deployed Marines.

MCIs getting high speed

Camp Pendleton-based Marines preparing to replace II Marine Expeditionary Force units in Iraq now have a more high-speed option to complete their military education. The Marine Corps Institute now offers Marines the opportunity to complete their correspondence courses by testing online, sending a scanned answer sheet by e-mail, or faxing a copy of

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First national commemoration held since July 1979 for POWs,MIAs

“Once captured, there is no comprehending what goes through your head,” said former Marine and Vietnam prisoner of war, Walter W. Eckes, 59, who spoke at the Camp Pendleton Naval Hospital’s 15th annual Prisoner of War/Missing in Action remembrance ceremony Sept 16. The first national commemoration for POWs/MIAs was July 18, 1979. Since then,

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Jonathan Schwartz, a 2nd grade schoolteacher at Santa Margarita Elementary School here, leads his class in a discussion on dictionary terms. - Jonathan Schwartz, a 2nd grade schoolteacher at Santa Margarita Elementary School here, leads his class in a discussion on dictionary terms.

Pendleton elementary school nationally recognized for superior academic performance

Marines here aren't the only ones to practice leaving no one behind. Even the base elementary schools are accounting for their own. On Sept. 20, Santa Margarita Elementary, one of six elementary schools here became the only San Diego County elementary school to be notarized as a 2005 No Child Left Behind – Blue Ribbon School. The 22-year-old

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Orange County resident out to "Help Our Troops"

Just about anywhere you look these days, yellow ribbons and bumper stickers adorn vehicles across the country indicating Americans support for their military.However, some patriots like Kristen M. Maddox, 21, from Santa Ana, Calif., chose to do a little more in order to express her gratitude of servicemembers job overseas.Not content with several

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A recent test of water samples from Camp Pendleton's southern housing areas indicated that some residences' water did not meet state and federal standards for lead in drinking water. - A recent test of water samples from Camp Pendleton's southern housing areas indicated that some residences' water did not meet state and federal standards for lead in drinking water.

Water concerns adressed on Camp Pendleton

A recent routine test of water samples from Camp Pendleton's southern housing areas indicated that water in some of those residences does not meet state and federal standards for lead in drinking water. Base officials have confirmed these initial results and are conducting a proactive information campaign of informing residents through the local

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A drummer with the 1st Marine Division Band plays for the crowd at Oceanside's Harbor Days celebration, Sept. 17, 2005. - A drummer with the 1st Marine Division Band plays for the crowd at Oceanside's Harbor Days celebration, Sept. 17, 2005.

Annual waterfront festival showcases military might

Local surfers are usually the only people riding the crisp waves to shore at the Oceanside Harbor, but on the morning of Sept. 17, a lumbering Landing Craft Air Cushion — flanked by several assault amphibious vehicles — staked their own sandy claim. Joining the amphibious assault was a convoy of land vehicles including medium tactical vehicle

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Wing Marines land on home turf

For Marines from HMLA 169 the most important flight of the deployment was the one that brought them home. After delays making it here, the homecoming ceremony held at Marine Corps Air Station Camp Pendleton was bitter sweet as family members stood by waiting greet their Marine Sept. 15. “There’s nothing like having your feet back on U.S. soil,”

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Children ran and jumped through a bounce house on the lawn of the Ranch House on Camp Pendleton, Calif., Sept. 14. Emily J. Gonzalez was full of energy as she ran back for another romp through the house. - Children ran and jumped through a bounce house on the lawn of the Ranch House on Camp Pendleton, Calif., Sept. 14. Emily J. Gonzalez was full of energy as she ran back for another romp through the house.

Fiesta Day is fun for all

Approximately 300 people ventured out to Camp Pendleton’s Fiesta Day on the lawn of the Ranch House here Sept. 14. The Officers’ Wives Club and the Enlisted Wives Club came together in a massive recruiting effort for new members for both organizations. “Our main goal is to let the spouses know what the base has to offer them,” said Rhiannon

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Staff Sgt. Gregory S. Rogers, a recruiter at Marine Corps Recruiting Sub-station Oceanside, Ca., discusses future plans with a prospective recruit. - Staff Sgt. Gregory S. Rogers, a recruiter at Marine Corps Recruiting Sub-station Oceanside, Ca., discusses future plans with a prospective recruit.

Recruiting back on track for Corps

Since missing their recruiting goals for four straight months from January to April 2005, the Marine Corps is back on track and expected to meet overall shipping goals for the fiscal year. The increase in numbers may be in part due to the summer months, which traditionally bring in more prospects than springtime due to the influx of new high school

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