Stories

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War prep becoming broader and more hands-on

Convoy ambushes, makeshift explosives triggered remotely, mortar attacks from every direction in close quarters -- it's a lot to contend with when trying to stay alive in Iraq. So 1st Lt. Theresa E. Hornick is making sure her Marines are ready for anything. She's tapping state-of-the-art warfare training available here. Hornick, commander of 2nd

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Mickey Urlie reminisces with an artifact of her late father's, made from the wreckage of a Japanese airplane on Iwo Jima - Mickey Urlie reminisces with an artifact of her late father's, made from the wreckage of a Japanese airplane on Iwo Jima

Pappy, a Pendleton original, dies at 97;

He was there for the flag- raising at Iwo Jima and at the opening of Camp Pendleton, but most importantly, Howard "Pappy" Young was there for his Marines. Young, 97, died in his sleep June 22 -- but not without touching a few hearts before he left. "He loved all people he came in contact with, and they loved him in return," said Faye Jonason,

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Military Veteran Alex Kapitanski holds a salute as a Marine color guard posts during a memorial ceremony at the South Mesa staff non-commissioned officer's club Sept. 2. The memorial was in honor of the anniversary of the 4th Marine Divisions Deactivation. - Military Veteran Alex Kapitanski holds a salute as a Marine color guard posts during a memorial ceremony at the South Mesa staff non-commissioned officer's club Sept. 2. The memorial was in honor of the anniversary of the 4th Marine Divisions Deactivation.

Newest Americans take in national pastime

SAN DIEGO -- Many Americans celebrated our nation's birth with barbecues and fireworks, but the holiday weekend gave 13 Southern California Marines a reason to celebrate more than just the Fourth of July. It also marked the final step to their becoming American citizens. Their naturalization became official in a ceremony Saturday at PetCo Park

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Steward of readiness ends diverse career;

Few Americans have as broad a perspective on the modern evolution of American warfare as Bob Culanag. Culanag, a field administrator facilitating that evolution over the past 33 years, has seen it from the air, ground and sea. He has seen it develop from a Cold War ethos of mutual assured destruction to the current blueprint based on the

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'Docs' back at 'med school' after residency in Iraq;

Fortunately, most enemy-launched rocket propelled grenades in Iraq miss their mark. But Navy Lt. George J. Brand II knows better than most that occasionally insurgents strike a blow. Brand also knows the damage those erratic but lethal weapons can do. In his case, a strike on the humvee he was riding in killed one Marine and left another with two

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Marines prepare students for drench warfare;

Every Marine a rifleman, but is every Marine a swimmer? Many aren't, until they're steeped, stirred and strained in the refining water of the 53 Area Pool. That's where Lance Cpl. Christopher D. Manella and his expert squad of instructors from the Combat Water Safety Swimmer Course turn floundering Marines, some of whom struggle strenuously simply

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Pfc. Bryan A. Messman, 20, a combat engineer with 1st Combat Engineer Battalion, Company B, aims in on a Claymore mine under the watchful eye of Cpl. Justin A. Tatum. Company B spent June 28-29 on a basic demolition exercise to help the new Marines learn the "tricks of the trade" from combat veterans. - Pfc. Bryan A. Messman, 20, a combat engineer with 1st Combat Engineer Battalion, Company B, aims in on a Claymore mine under the watchful eye of Cpl. Justin A. Tatum. Company B spent June 28-29 on a basic demolition exercise to help the new Marines learn the "tricks of the trade" from combat veterans.