Wednesday, June 30, 2010

Delta Company, Two LAR Kosovo


Marines from Delta Company, 2nd Light Armored Reconnaissance (LAR) Battalion, patrol the streets of Vegra, Kosovo. The day prior, Marines from Lima Battery, 3rd Battalion, 10th Marine Regiment returned fire on snipers killing one. The Marines are part of Operation JOINT GUARDIAN photo





Tuesday, June 29, 2010

HM Dan Ocampo, C/Company, 3rd LAR

Scouts ahead during a field exercise, part of
Exercise KERNEL BLITZ 2001.


Monday, June 28, 2010

Pfc. Daniel Wingo, A Co. Two LAR

Pfc. Daniel Wingo during a civil outreach mission in a village in the Salah Ad Din province of Iraq May 2, 2008, in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.
photo Sgt. Rome M. Lazarus


Sunday, June 27, 2010

Sgt. Jose M. Lopez, Medal of Honor , Brownsville, Texas



At the Veterans Park in Brownsville, Texas, is a statue of Sgt. Jose M. Lopez carrying a Browning M1919A4- weight 31 lbs. During the Battle of the Bulge on December 17, 1944, Sgt. Lopez stopped the German Army blitz to over run his company. I once saw, on film, Sgt Lopez speak about his "seemingly suicidal mission" and to hear him say how he would pick up his weapon and cases of machine gun ammo and keep firing and running is just awesome.

moh_army.gif (14215 bytes)

The President of the United States
in the name of The Congress
takes pleasure in presenting the

Medal of Honor

to

LOPEZ, JOSE M.

Rank and organization: Sergeant, U.S. Army, 23d Infantry, 2d Infantry Division. Place and date: Near Krinkelt, Belgium, 17 December 1944. Entered service at: Brownsville, Tex. Birth: Mission, Tex. G.O. No.: 47, 18 June 1945.

Citation:

On his own initiative, he carried his heavy machinegun from Company K's right flank to its left, in order to protect that flank which was in danger of being overrun by advancing enemy infantry supported by tanks. Occupying a shallow hole offering no protection above his waist, he cut down a group of 10 Germans. Ignoring enemy fire from an advancing tank, he held his position and cut down 25 more enemy infantry attempting to turn his flank. Glancing to his right, he saw a large number of infantry swarming in from the front. Although dazed and shaken from enemy artillery fire which had crashed into the ground only a few yards away, he realized that his position soon would be outflanked. Again, alone, he carried his machinegun to a position to the right rear of the sector; enemy tanks and infantry were forcing a withdrawal. Blown over backward by the concussion of enemy fire, he immediately reset his gun and continued his fire. Single-handed he held off the German horde until he was satisfied his company had effected its retirement. Again he loaded his gun on his back and in a hail of small arms fire he ran to a point where a few of his comrades were attempting to set up another defense against the onrushing enemy. He fired from this position until his ammunition was exhausted. Still carrying his gun, he fell back with his small group to Krinkelt. Sgt. Lopez's gallantry and intrepidity, on seemingly suicidal missions in which he killed at least 100 of the enemy, were almost solely responsible for allowing Company K to avoid being enveloped, to withdraw successfully and to give other forces coming up in support time to build a line which repelled the enemy drive.

Saturday, June 26, 2010

SNAFU In the Gulf of Mexico Part Two

We take you back in time to a point-21 years ago and the Exxon Valdez disaster:
"When the Exxon Valdez oil tanker accident occurred off the coast of Alaska in 1989, a Dutch team with clean-up equipment flew in to Anchorage airport to offer their help. To their amazement, they were rebuffed and told to go home with their equipment. The Exxon Valdez became the biggest oil spill disaster in U.S. history--until the BP Gulf spill."

Fast forward 21 years and once again: "Three days after the BP oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico began on April 20, the Netherlands offered the U.S. government ships equipped to handle a major spill, one much larger than the BP spill that then appeared to be underway." "To protect against the possibility that its equipment wouldn't capture all the oil gushing from the bottom of the Gulf of Mexico, the Dutch also offered to prepare for the U.S. a contingency plan to protect Louisiana's marshlands with sand barriers. One Dutch research institute specializing in deltas, coastal areas and rivers, in fact, developed a strategy to begin building 60-mile-long sand dikes within three weeks."


Incredibly, once again the Dutch teams were told by our very own Yankee Govt. to get lost. Sick. Just sick. Read. It. All. Remember in November....
The Avertible Catastrophe @ The Financial Post

Invited Back!

Michael Yon
That's what I'm talking about...Yon is back! Invited by the Brit's and Americans to return to embed in Afghanistan. He'll write the truth and those moss backed Mickey Mucks will think it's hell. Yead buddy.

Cpl. Thomas R. Ryhal, D-TWO LAR

Cpl. Thomas R. Ryhal, assistant gunner , Newcastle, Penn., Delta Company, 2nd Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion, delivering a high-explosive round in a mortar tube(just for practice) in western al-Anbar province, Iraq, Sept. 14/2008
photo Cpl. Ryan Tomlinson

Wimps In White House Surrender Chunk of America To Drug Runners With Polite Warning To Americans

Friday, June 25, 2010

Thibodeaux /Lenfesty, Mortars Two LAR


Cpl. Brent J. Thibodeaux (right), 21, a gunner from Kaplan, La., and Lance Cpl. Robert C. Lenfesty, 22, ammunition specialist from Seattle, with Delta Company, 2nd Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion, prepare to fire a high-explosive mortar round during a shoot in western al-Anbar province, Iraq, Sept. 14, 2008.
photo
Cpl. Ryan Tomlinson

Thursday, June 24, 2010

Lance Cpl. Douglas M. Bowker, Charlie Two LAR

One on the Way! Lance Cpl. Douglas M. Bowker, 20, assistant gunner from Brooklyn, N.Y., Charlie Company, 2nd Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion, AL-ANBAR PROVINCE, Iraq


photo Cpl. Ryan Tomlinson

Wednesday, June 23, 2010

More Cow Bell Two LAR

Lance Cpl. Michael A. Shipman, 21, a small-arms repair specialist with Headquarters and Service Company, 2nd Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion, plays the cowbell during a performance with the rock group CatchPenny at Camp Korean Village, Iraq, July 10, 2008.

Tuesday, June 22, 2010

Pfc. Robert Edwards, D Three LAR

Pfc. Robert Edwards, mortarman with Company D, 3rd Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion, fires off a SMAW June 10 at Combat Center Range 410. The range will to train units on platoon sized attacks on fixed enemy positions. Photo by Lance Cpl. Michael Nerl

Monday, June 21, 2010

LCpl. Cory Bell, D3LAR

Lance Cpl. Cory Bell, a scout with Company D, 3rd Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion, picks off targets at Combat Center Range 410 June 10. The scouts were given support from their light armored vehicles when running the range.

Sunday, June 20, 2010

BOLO ALERT--Suspicious Package

BE ON THE LOOK OUT-for a suspicious package left behind (after first taking a picture) by your friendly neighborhood Islamic Jihadi Jockey Clown. FBI officials are warning of a new terror tactic by the We Own The World AKA the you know (nudge, nudge, wink wink) of peace AKA the greater world domination gang. Get ready for a summer of the religious nick pickers going out to be a super pain in tush by leaving harmless but suspicious packages here and there just to be a serious pain in the ass. The kill joy boys of peace mean to wear out the taxpayers and cops by planting packages where ever. Jihadi Clowns aim to be a pain in the ass this summer

If you see something-say something. Especially if you see the clown snap a picture of the package--take of picture of his ass--and send it to the cops or FBI!

A recent internal FBI report warns federal, state and local authorities to be alert for a potential new tool in the jihadi terror arsenal – the placing of suspicious, but harmless, bags in public places to inspire fear, disrupt public transportation and tie up police and bomb

Private First Class Hayden Harmon, D3LAR

PFC Harmon, Company D, 3rd Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion, throws a grappling hook to check barbed wire for boobytraps June 10 at Combat Center Range 410. The range helped the Marines operate outside of their light armored vehicles and clear trenches.Photo by Lance Cpl. Michael Nerl

Saturday, June 19, 2010

WAR PIGS from Company D, 3rd Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion are illuminated by flares at the Combat Center's Range 410 June 10. The LAVs were used along with dismounted scouts to conduct platoon sized attacks at the range June 9 to 11.

Friday, June 18, 2010

Captain Edward Han, A4LAR

1st Platoon, Alpha Company, 4th Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion, 4th Marine Division, Marine Forces Reserve receive a mission brief from Capt. Edward Han during an enhanced Mojave Viper training exercise at Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center, Twentynine Palms, Calif., Sept. 13, 2009. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Chief Warrant Officer 2 Keith A. Stevenso

Tuesday, June 15, 2010

Iron Horse @ African Lion 2010

“This is a beautiful thing...." Moroccan Gen. Abdul Al Aziz Benani, General of the Royal Moroccan Army Corps

Saturday, June 12, 2010

Memorial for Cpl. Jacob Leicht




First LAR Marines erect a memorial display for Cpl. Jacob Leicht, a friend and fellow Marine killed during a patrol through the Rig District. "If there is an example of determination and selflessness, there is none greater than can be found in Cpl. Leicht," said Lt. Col. Scott Leonard, commanding officer of 1st LAR. "He is a shining beacon to the American public of what is best in the young men of our country, and what is best in her Marines."


by SGT DEAN DAVIS--DVIDS---Afghanistan -- At a remote combat outpost, Marines of Alpha Company, 1st Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion gathered to honor a fallen hero, Cpl. Jacob Leicht. The 24-year-old, affectionately known as "Bobby" by his fellow Marines was killed during a patrol in the Rig District.

With solemn praises and respect, the Marines remembered the young infantryman from Kerrville, Texas.

"He loved this job. He wanted to be an infantryman from the day we signed up," said Cpl. Matt White, long-time friend of Leicht, and light armored vehicle crewman with 1st LAR's C Company. "When I found out he reenlisted to come here, I thought, 'if he can do it- I can do it,' so I did. Going back home won't be the same without him."

Leicht's road to reenlisting in the Marine Corps was not easy. In 2007, Leicht was badly wounded by an improvised explosive device while deployed to Iraq with 1st Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment. After more than a dozen surgeries and countless hours of rehabilitation, he returned to a deployable unit, this time with 1st LAR.

"After he was wounded in Iraq, he could have easily called it quits- but he didn't," said 1st Lt. Jonathan Walaski, Leicht's platoon commander. "He possessed a quality that is rare these days - selflessness. He would do anything for his country and his brother Marines."

It became clear that each of the A Company Marines felt the same way, as one by one, each Marine lined up to offer prayers and reflect at Leicht's memorial display, until the entire company was formed behind it.

"But, Cpl. Leicht wouldn't want us to feel bad for him," Walaski said. "He would want us to hold our heads high and keep taking the fight to the enemy."

A sentiment that seemed all more appropriate as the final respects for Leicht were briefly interrupted as enemy rockets exploded just outside the compound walls.
As the Marines of 1st LAR now turn back to their mission, they will have the memory and inspiration of a Marine who was truly driven to guide them.

"If there is an example of determination and selflessness, there is none greater than can be found in Cpl. Leicht," said Lt. Col. Scott Leonard, commanding officer of 1st LAR. "He is a shining beacon to the American public of what is best in the young men of our country, and what is best in her Marines

Friday, June 11, 2010

Lance Cpl. Jason Mims, 4th LAR

Lance Cpl. Jason Mims, chill day before Mojave Viper

Thursday, June 10, 2010

Wednesday, June 09, 2010

Lance Cpl. Jonathan Reyes, 4LAR

Lance Cpl. Jonathan Reyes, 4th Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion

Tuesday, June 08, 2010

Monday, June 07, 2010

The Party's Over--Helen Thomas Sent to Her Room

Helen Thomas

The Media Queen of the White House Press room has lost her crown and sent to the showers and retirement after her attempt to make anti Semitic remarks fashionable fell on it's face and her cronies were unable to cover for her outrageous remarks. Her retirement plans were initiated last week after her comments for Jews to get the hell out of Palestine and go back to Poland were videotaped and seen world wide.

Charlie One LAR at Parghee Bagat AFG

Story by Sgt. Dean Davis-PARGHEE BAGAT, Afghanistan -- As the patrol trudged through waist-deep water, Cpl. Matt Davis called over to his point man.

"Keep watch over the far side of the water, there are quite a few buildings over that way," said Davis. With daylight waining, the 25-year-old infantryman brought his team into a wide circle and waited for darkness to cover the village.

The Marines of Charlie Company, 1st Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion arrived here a few weeks ago. Patrols like this one go out at least daily, usually more.

"We have really been trying to learn this area and its people, and these Marines continue to impress me," said Capt. Jason Ford, commander of C Company. "There is no limit to their potential- they don't get tired. These men are ready to do battle with the enemy, and they are always looking to do the right thing."

With enemy lines that are often unclear, the Marines of C Company use patrols like these as a baseline to gauge changes in the area. But when they go to meet the neighbors, it isn't like going next door for coffee and cookies.

"A thorn just stuck right through my boot," said Davis, more amused than concerned.

The terrain here is uneven at best. The fine sand in open areas makes moving forward difficult enough in the 115-degree heat. But, if firm footing is found, it comes with waist-high nettle, and rocks that seem fashioned for twisting ankles.

"It can be difficult sometimes. With the heat and the gear, it can weigh on you," said Davis, a Modesto, Calif., native. "But we push through all that. That's what Marines are about."

If the job is hard, the Marines here must be a little harder, because it's a mission that Marines like Lance Cpl. Naoto Nakamura, a scout team leader, are determined to do well. "I know for guys going out on combat patrols, especially for the first or second time, they might be jittery- I know I was. But in this type of war, you can't treat everyone like they're a hostile," said Nakamura, 21, from Boulder, Colo. "The people here want what most people want. They don't want to live under oppression, and that's exactly what the Taliban is doing to them."

That sentiment is exactly what many Marine leaders have come to expect from their men: a trustworthy friend to the people, a relentless hunter of the enemy.

"These people have had it hard. War has been going on for more than 30 years here," said Ford, 32, from San Lorenzo, Calif. "I can't imagine what it would be like to grow up in that. So, a little compassion and sympathy can help us understand how we can really help the people."

In this area, C Company's professionalism and resilience, will be put to the test. They will pursue the Taliban, to help provide a better life for Afghanistan's people.

"For as hard as it can be sometimes…" said Nakamura. "It's satisfying to know that we are helping the people. That's what this is about."

Sunday, June 06, 2010

06/06/1944-D-Day

Lance Cpl. Naoto Nakamura, C First LAR

Scout team leader with Charlie Company, scans a village on the other side of a canal, May 31, near Parghee Bagat. "The people here want what most people want," said Nakamura, 21, from Boulder, Colo. "They don't want to live under oppression, and that's exactly what the Taliban is doing to them." Photo Sgt. Dean Davis

Lance Cpl. Chase Peloquin, C First LAR

Cleans up after returning from a long patrol, June 2. 2010.
Photo Sgt. Dean Davis

Lance Cpl. Konrad Menk,C First LAR

War Pig crewman promoted to current rank during a ceremony at Combat Outpost Station South, in southern Afghanistan, June 1. Photo Sgt. Dean Davis

Cpl. Daniel Callahan, Charlie First LAR

Team leader promoted to current rank while deployed to Helmand province, Afghanistan,
June 1. Photo Sgt. Dean Davis

D-Day Tuesday, 6 June 1944


Omaha Beach 6 June 1944

Frisco, Texas-'We'll sell your house out from under you while you are in AFG'

Beats me how a Texas home owners association has a legal right to sell your house for not paying $800. in dues. Totally screwed up. Frisco, Texas.

Michael Clauer is a captain in the Army Reserve who commanded over 100 soldiers in Iraq. But while he was fighting for his country, a different kind of battle was brewing on the home front. Last September, Michael returned to Frisco, Texas, to find that his homeowners' association had foreclosed on his $300,000 house—and sold it for $3,500. This story illustrates the type of legal quagmire that can get out of hand while soldiers are serving abroad and their families are dealing with the stress of their deployment. And fixing the mess isn't easy.


Clauer Legal Defense Fund

c/o Plains Capital Bank

1629 Hebron Parkway West

Carrollton, TX 75010

Saturday, June 05, 2010

"Oorah!"




Lance Cpl. Van R. Nicholson, D4LAR

Lance Cpl. Van R. Nicholson, Delta Company, 4th Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion inspects the undercarriage of a truck after stopping it along the Syrian border of Iraq, April 12, 2008
Photo by Cpl. Seth Maggard

Friday, June 04, 2010

Faces of War-Fox News and War Pigs

The Surge is On

Video

Fri, 4 Jun 2010

… the front lines. In tonight's faces of war segment senior correspondent Rick ..... about one of the man in charge. The faces of war are the men who fight and the men



Helen Thomas:‘Get the Hell Out of Palestine’



Helen Thomas has been a White House correspondent for so long that when the White House was being built she was there holding the nails. So it's no surprise that the media darling should chin in with uber sugar daddy Obama-Care sentiments aka (animus against Israel) aka Israel is chopped liver quotes. Why NOT! The entire world is now going nuts with hatred toward Israel, who by the way, is the ONLY democracy in the her area of operations. Obama-care sentiments toward Israel have enabled the rest of the world into giving full expression to their hatred of Israel. As if they needed an excuse. And in our own backyard, Helen Thomas is the reeking tip of the antisemitic Iceberg in Washington. After the death camps and Hitler and World War II you would have thought we might have learned our lesson. You would be wrong. NUTS!

Corporal Kevin Harter,

Down Time on 04/11/2003 Delta/Company, 1st Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion,
photo

After the Firefight

Hospital Corpsmen (HM) assigned with the Delta AfterCompany, 1st Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion, treat a wounded enemy soldier in Baghdad, Iraq, during Operation IRAQI FREEDOM. 04/13/2003.

Clear the Underpass

Scouts with White/ Platoon, Delta/Company, 1st Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion, prepare to clear a road underpass suspected of hiding Iraqi soldiers during a firefight in Baghdad, Iraq, during Operation IRAQI FREEDOM. 04/13/2003--photo

Sandstorm of 03/23/2003

War Pig, DeltaCompany, 1st Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion photo

Thursday, June 03, 2010

Lt. Col. Scott Leonard, FIRST LAR, AFG

Rick Leventhal, in case your son just shipped out with the War Pigs and you are new to all this, is a correspondent with Fox News and embedded with the Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion on the run to Baghdad 2003 ( a ghastly number of years ago) . Completely unlike other news wonks, who like sea gulls fly in and fly out, Leventhal continually returns for an extended visit and covers the in's and out's of the War Pigs. His column "Faces of War" features the battalion commander of the First LAR, Lt. Col. Scott Leonard, here.
So, TO: the punch line, go to the site, check out the video and support our War Pigs!

High Expectations

1st Platoon, Alpha Company, 2nd Light Armor Reconnaissance, give candies to the kids of a local village in the Salah Ad Din Province, Iraq on May 18, 2008. photo/Sgt. Rome M. Lazarus

Wednesday, June 02, 2010

Capt John Bitonti Alpha First LAR on Fox News link

Capt. John Bitonti

Video

Tue, 1 Jun 2010

In tonight's faces of war we are on the ground with the unit(Alpha First LAR). That lost one of its own last week senior correspondent (Rick Levenathal).......

Tuesday, June 01, 2010

The Fallen Marine From First LAR-

Fox registration required-password protected:

"...from the Marines Combat Outpost in Tahgaz, Afghanistan: There is much Fox News can't report about the valor and heroism of the most recent casualty in Afghanistan, a U.S. Marine with the 1st Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion. It's just too soon. But after spending time with his unit, Alpha Company of the 1st L.A.R., two things are clear: this Marine's loss ... read more

Bravo First LAR on Fox tonight

Rick Leventhal, Fox News, has a story on Bravo First LAR here

"Faces of War" and film segment :The Desert Rats, unfiltered, on Fox News Channel later tonight.


"Officially, they're Bravo Company Marines with the 1st Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion (or 1st L.A.R.)

Their nickname is "Berserkers".

Around the base, though, they're more likely to be called "Desert Rats".

There are REAL desert rats, which have been spotted running across the stone paths between sleeping tents at Forward Operating Base Payne... and then there are these guys, who spend up to 30 days at a time living, sleeping and patrolling the desert sands of Helmand Province in Southern Afghanistan.

"Best job I ever had. Best job I probably ever will have." says Captain Adrian Haskamp, an Iraq combat veteran now serving his first tour here.