Stories

2nd Lt. Benjamin Maple, the kennel master with the Marine Corps Police Department Camp Pendleton K-9 Unit, gives a speech at a memorial dedication with his daughter Taylor Star Maple, 6 at the Pacific Views Event Center’s Memorial Garden here, Aug. 9. The Dawgs Project, a company dedicated to military working dog handlers of all services, unveiled the memorial to commemorate K-9 handling service members. - 2nd Lt. Benjamin Maple, the kennel master with the Marine Corps Police Department Camp Pendleton K-9 Unit, gives a speech at a memorial dedication with his daughter Taylor Star Maple, 6 at the Pacific Views Event Center’s Memorial Garden here, Aug. 9. The Dawgs Project, a company dedicated to military working dog handlers of all services, unveiled the memorial to commemorate K-9 handling service members.

CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. - Brig. Gen. John W. Bullard relinquished command of Marine Corps Installations West and Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton to Brig. Gen. Edward D. Banta during a Change of Command at the 11 Area Parade Field Aug. 1.Bullard who served as commanding general here since August 2013, acting as both the commanding general for Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton as well as commanding general for MCI-West, is retiring after 31 years of honorable and faithful military service.Before taking command of MCI-West, Banta served as the commanding general of 2nd Marine Logistics Group in Camp Lejeune, N.C. - CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. - Brig. Gen. John W. Bullard relinquished command of Marine Corps Installations West and Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton to Brig. Gen. Edward D. Banta during a Change of Command at the 11 Area Parade Field Aug. 1. Bullard who served as commanding general here since August 2013, acting as both the commanding general for Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton as well as commanding general for MCI-West, is retiring after 31 years of honorable and faithful military service. Before taking command of MCI-West, Banta served as the commanding general of 2nd Marine Logistics Group in Camp Lejeune, N.C.

Staff Sgt. Marcus Jenkins and son Aiden, 3, run out of the water ahead of a wave while at the Beach Bash at Del Mar Beach here July 4. The Beach Bash is an on-base event open to service members, dependents and guests and features live bands, kids’ activities, a tribute to heroes video, a fireworks show and give-aways. - Staff Sgt. Marcus Jenkins and son Aiden, 3, run out of the water ahead of a wave while at the Beach Bash at Del Mar Beach here July 4. The Beach Bash is an on-base event open to service members, dependents and guests and features live bands, kids’ activities, a tribute to heroes video, a fireworks show and give-aways.

CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. - Three teams of two competed for the title of the Culinary Team of the Quarter at the 31 Area Mess Hall on Edson Range here June 11. The winners for this quarter were Team 1, Dustin Delmar and Anthony Stewart who work at the 33 Area Mess Hall here.The competition is a two-day event. On the first day, 12 teams competed in a book test and a Jeopardy-style quiz. Only four teams qualified to move on to the cooking portion of the competition the following day.The theme of the cooking competition this third quarter was barbeque, and each team was expected to make a protein dish using chicken or pork, cornbread and a salad. For the first time this quarter the competition included 45 minutes of assistance to each team from guest chef Rahm Fama.This competition is used not only as an training tool, but also to build camaraderie among the food service community, said Donovan Brown, the Marine Corps Installations West regional executive chef.From Left to Right: 2nd place winners Cpl. Katherine Castaneda and Lance Cpl. Stephen Van Hout, 1st place winners Dustin Delmar and Anthony Stewart, and 3rd place winners Sgt. Raphael Castillo and Sgt. Matthew Mata. - CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. - Three teams of two competed for the title of the Culinary Team of the Quarter at the 31 Area Mess Hall on Edson Range here June 11. The winners for this quarter were Team 1, Dustin Delmar and Anthony Stewart who work at the 33 Area Mess Hall here. The competition is a two-day event. On the first day, 12 teams competed in a book test and a Jeopardy-style quiz. Only four teams qualified to move on to the cooking portion of the competition the following day. The theme of the cooking competition this third quarter was barbeque, and each team was expected to make a protein dish using chicken or pork, cornbread and a salad. For the first time this quarter the competition included 45 minutes of assistance to each team from guest chef Rahm Fama. This competition is used not only as an training tool, but also to build camaraderie among the food service community, said Donovan Brown, the Marine Corps Installations West regional executive chef. From Left to Right: 2nd place winners Cpl. Katherine Castaneda and Lance Cpl. Stephen Van Hout, 1st place winners Dustin Delmar and Anthony Stewart, and 3rd place winners Sgt. Raphael Castillo and Sgt. Matthew Mata.

The Marine West Expo showcases the latest technology and prototypes aimed at preparing today’s Marines for the opportunities and challenges of the 21st century. Marine West provides service members a chance to have a one-on-one time with exhibitors and their products. The Expo features companies that are bringing new concepts and technology to the table to better the future of the armed services. - The Marine West Expo showcases the latest technology and prototypes aimed at preparing today’s Marines for the opportunities and challenges of the 21st century. Marine West provides service members a chance to have a one-on-one time with exhibitors and their products. The Expo features companies that are bringing new concepts and technology to the table to better the future of the armed services.

Lance Cpl. Travis Wendt lines up his wedge during the Glow-Ball tournament at the Marine Memorial Golf Course Oct. 25. The par three course was nine holes, dimly lit by neon lights at each hole and the lighted necklaces the participants wore. Wendt is a middle-eastern cryptologic linguist with 1st Radio Battalion, 1st Marine Expeditionary Force. - Lance Cpl. Travis Wendt lines up his wedge during the Glow-Ball tournament at the Marine Memorial Golf Course Oct. 25. The par three course was nine holes, dimly lit by neon lights at each hole and the lighted necklaces the participants wore. Wendt is a middle-eastern cryptologic linguist with 1st Radio Battalion, 1st Marine Expeditionary Force.

Cpl. Toran Gaal, a dpuble amputee, rides a wave during the Operation Amped surf clinic at San Onofre beach here, Aug. 24. Many veterans use surfing as an escape while others surf as a part of their new lifestyle. - Cpl. Toran Gaal, a dpuble amputee, rides a wave during the Operation Amped surf clinic at San Onofre beach here, Aug. 24. Many veterans use surfing as an escape while others surf as a part of their new lifestyle.

Civilian attorneys from surrounding counties and Marines from Legal Service Support Section pose for a photo during the Help for Heroes event here, July 27. The Marines and attorneys volunteered their time to give legal service and advice to service members and their families on common problems they may have. - Civilian attorneys from surrounding counties and Marines from Legal Service Support Section pose for a photo during the Help for Heroes event here, July 27. The Marines and attorneys volunteered their time to give legal service and advice to service members and their families on common problems they may have.

Sgt. Matthew R. Bowen, a patient from Wounded Warrior Battalion East, swims during a wounded warrior swim camp here July 18. - Sgt. Matthew R. Bowen, a patient from Wounded Warrior Battalion East, swims during a wounded warrior swim camp here July 18.

Marines wheelbarrow race for the Commanders Paddle during the safety fair and field meet held at Lake O’Neill Recreational Area here May 17. Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron held their annual 101 days of summer safety stand down training in the form of an interactive fair coupled with a squadron sized field meet and competition. - Marines wheelbarrow race for the Commanders Paddle during the safety fair and field meet held at Lake O’Neill Recreational Area here May 17. Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron held their annual 101 days of summer safety stand down training in the form of an interactive fair coupled with a squadron sized field meet and competition.