LAR Wolf Pack Memorial

Marines and sailors with 3rd Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion opened Fallen Hero Memorial Park Dec. 7, and dedicated it to the Marines and sailors who fell during Desert Storm and Operation Iraqi Freedom.

The park commemorated the 25 fallen heroes of  the ‘Wolf Pack’ from Desert Storm and Operation Iraqi Freedom. 
On Dec. 7, their brothers in 3rd LAR paid tribute to these fallen heroes with the official opening of Fallen Hero Memorial Park in front of Bldg. 1620.Lance Cpl. Ali Azimi 

First Lieutenant James Brobyn, Iraq Sept.2006

James Brobyn, Iraq War Veteran, Recalls Pursuing Insurgent Who ...
Huffington Post
James Brodyn with the 3rd Platoon, Apache Company, 3rd Light Armored ReconnaissanceBattalion, 1st Marine Division. James Brodyn with the 3rd Platoon, ...

Battalion Gunner Travis L. McKinney, First LAR Bn.

Battalion Gunner Travis L. McKinney, First Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion, will be the guest of honor at the Salute To Veterans Day ceremony by the Poway Veterans Park Committee and VFW Post 7907  this  Sunday, Nov. 11 at 11 pm.   Poway, CA.

Family Day

War pig/ 2nd Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion gives a family a ride during Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 467’s family day on Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, N.C., Oct. 19. Participants said the event helped the families understand why their Marines’ work is important. photo credit Cpl, Scott L. Tomaszycki

Read more: http://www.dvidshub.net/image/766477/hmla-467-rolls-out-big-guns-family-day#.UIpt0LThCow#ixzz2AOz4xdE3

This day is called the feast Crispian....

H&S 3rd LAR Returns Home

Capt. John Fulton, company officer, Headquarters and Service Company, 3rd Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion, with  daughters at the unit’s homecoming event. Approximately 200 3rd LAR Marines and sailors arrived at Del Valle Field Oct. 2 to a warm welcome from friends and family members  The unit deployed in April, for six months,  to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.  photo credit LCpl. Ali Azimi 

At "Battle Rattle" Marine Corps Times blog, Dan Lamothe and photog Colin Kelly pay a visit to
COP Payne AFG once upon a time the battalion H.Q. for LAR units in country.

"In August, 3rd Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion was replaced by Weapons Company, 3rd Battalion, 8th Marines, said Capt. Paul Mann, its company commander. The unit provides assistance as needed to Afghan Border Police units and the Marine advisers working with them.“The days of Marines doing a lot of independent operations down here are past,” Mann said."

Charlie Battery, 1st Battalion, 12th Marine Regiment, test the Expeditionary Fire Support System M327 120mm mortar at Pohakuloa Training Area, Aug. 23. The battery was selected to train on the new mortar system for the Marine Corps. [Photo taken by Navy Lt. Lt. Joshua R. Lebenson | 1st Battalion, 12th Marine Regiment]

2010 4th LAR AFG

Raw video footage, taken by writer / still photographer Ed Darack, of riding on a Marine Corps LAV-25 (a Light Armored Vehicle) of 4th Light Armored Reconnaissance (4th LAR) over roadless terrain of southern Helmand Province of Afghanistan. We're going from one COP (combat outpost) to another. A little narration by Lieutenant Colonel Rick Crevier, the battalion executive officer of 4th LAR.

Lance Cpl. Joseph R. Hauer,LAR,AA Co.

Lance Cpl. Joseph R. Hauer clears a smoke-filled room during live-fire grenade training at Camp Hansen Sept. 14. Hauer is a light armored vehicle crewman with the light armed reconnaissance platoon assigned to Assault Amphibious Vehicle Company, photo by Lance Cpl. Jose D. Lujano

Lance Cpl. Marcus A. Blanchard & Lance Cpl. Jorge Martinez

 Lance Cpl. Marcus A. Blanchard, left, shows Lance Cpl. Jorge Martinez, the grenade before throwing  into a room during live-fire grenade training at Camp Hansen, Okinawa, Sept. 14, 2012.  Marines are trained to show the live grenade to other team members to ensure safety during room-clearing drills. These Marines are light armored vehicle crewmen with an,  LAR, light armed reconnaissance platoon,  assigned to Assault Amphibious Vehicle Company, Combat Assault Battalion, 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force. (photo by Lance Cpl. Jose D. Lujano

 3rd Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion struck a key insurgent illicit trafficking hub along the Helmand-Pakistan border March 14-17. The attack marked the opening of Operation Rawhide II, an effort to stem the flow of narcotics, weapons, and fighters in to, out of, and around southern Afghanistan. Produced by Sgt. Jeremy Ross. 

SILVER STAR: STAFF SGT. ALEC HARALOVICH

For  gallantry in action, SSGT. Haralovich was presented the Silver Star Medal, the nation’s third highest award for combat heroism, by Maj. Gen. James M. Lariviere, the 4th Marine Division Commanding General at Camp Atterbury in Indiana Aug. 26, 2012 (PHOTO/story credit)  Sgt. Ray Lewis

CAMP ATTERBURY, Ind. - “I thought I was going to die,” Staff Sgt. Alec Haralovich  as he lay on his back in Afghanistan, 

On Oct. 4, Taliban fighters ambushed his patrol of dismounted Marines with automatic gunfire. The enemy’s aim was accurate. Two bullets had struck his body armor with such force that he was knocked backward into the dirt.   “I thought I was going to die,”:Staff Sgt. Alec Haralovich  as he lay on his back in Afghanistan.

Haralovich had seen all the signs. It was quiet as they patrolled Ghorah, a village that was usually filled with people. 

“As we were pushing through we were all feeling confident like we were going to get a drop on these guys,” thought Haralovich, who is from Bloomington, Ind. “They’re not going to have anywhere to run to.” 

He was wrong. The insurgents set up a complex ambush that lured his Marines into a death trap. 

Haralovich didn’t let his fears get the best of him though. He had survived two other combat deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan. A reconnaissance Marine who knows how to treat his own wounds, Haralovich applied pressure to his side while he checked for bleeding.

There was no blood. 

“I was really angry,” he recalled. “I was angry because it basically was like they had duped us, they had out maneuvered us, outsmarted us.”

Haralovich’s combat medic, Cpl. Matthew Chen, bounded forward to treat Haralovich who he thought was critically wounded. However, Haralovich was only shot in his armor, so he yelled at Chen to get back.

As Chen was returning, he was wounded in the leg, with a minor grazing wound from an enemy bullet.

“That’s when I was like, time for the rocket shot,” he said. “It’s time to end this now.”

He yelled for a Marine to bring him the M72 Light Anti-Tank Weapon, a rocket launcher that can disable a tank. He knew this weapon well. He trained extensively with it on active duty before he became a reconnaissance Marine in the Reserves.

Haralovich and his team bounded forward through an open field toward the enemy, while two of his Marines were sending rounds steadily to the enemy. Haralovich armed his rocket launcher. He knew he had to hurry because those two Marines were laying prone, shooting with less than one foot of cover.

“Running out with a prepped LAW on your shoulder, you’re definitely a target, I realized like halfway into the field,” Haralovich remembered. “I had to basically hurry up, take the shot.”

Haralovich fired. The explosion blew up the enemy stronghold and caused all of the attackers to cease fire and retreat. But Haralovich and the Marines weren’t finished. He wasn’t just going to let insurgents attack them.

Haralovich tried to communicate with the other element but he couldn’t. One of the rounds that struck his armor also ruined his radio. 

He had to go back and link up to get a face-to-face with his other patrol element. Then both elements patrolled forward as a bigger, stronger unit.

“We knew there was a command and control element that was well known within the region that was near this mosque so we pushed to the north,” Haralovich said. “We pushed toward that area, ran into a couple more fighters. They were surprised to see us and then they took off.”

With the insurgents nowhere to be seen, Haralovich gathered his men and headed back to the patrol base. His company commander, Capt. Jonathan Joseph, said he had to convince him to rest after he had returned.

For his gallantry in action, Haralovich was presented the Silver Star Medal, the nation’s third highest award for combat heroism, by Maj. Gen. James M. Lariviere, the 4th Marine Division Commanding General at Camp Atterbury in Indiana Aug. 26. 

More than 100 Marines, sailors, soldiers, family and friends attended the event at the training base. This was the same place where his grandfather, an Army veteran, was stationed before serving in D-Day in 1944. So it was also a historical occasion for Haralovich and his immediate and extended family members who attended the ceremony.

“I’d have to say that he’s made me extremely proud,” said Peter Haralovich, Alec’s uncle. “We followed his three tours in Iraq and Afghanistan and communicated with him regularly by satellite phone and email. We’ve experienced the stress that any family experiences. And of course we’re relieved that he’s healthy and in one piece and looking forward to the rest of his career in the United States military.”





Read more: http://www.dvidshub.net/news/94748/indiana-marines-rocket-assault-earns-silver-star#.UFcPXULhCow#ixzz26jBZOxAd

Marines with Bravo Company, Battalion Landing Team 1st Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, take part in assault climber training in Djibouti, Aug. 29, 2012. The day consisted of a rotation among several stations including knot-tying, one-rope bridge maneuver, ground rappelling, and rappels down both a tower and 150 foot cliff-face. The training was part of a three-week long Training Force, or T-Force package focused on primitive infantry skills. The 24thMEU is deployed with the Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group as a theater reserve and crisis response force. (U.S. Marine Corps motion imagery by Cpl. Michael Petersheim; produced by 2nd Lt. Joshua W. Larson)

Marines with the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit's Light Armored Reconnaissance platoon, Battalion Landing Team 1st Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, take part in a bilateral training raid with French Marines in Djibouti, Aug. 27, 2012. A small contingent of the 24th MEU is currently ashore in Djibouti conducting various unilateral, bilateral and joint exercises. The 24th MEU is deployed with the Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group as a theater reserve and crisis response force for U.S. Central Command and U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility. U.S. Marine Corps motion imagery by Cpl. Michael Petersheim.

US Ambassador Killed 9/11/2012

Palestinians celebrating the fall of the twin towers on 911

People Falling

2nd Plane

First Plane 9/11/01

Alpha Company, 1st Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion on a dismounted patrol through Sre Kala to seriously mess with enemy turf and search for their  weapons caches in  Khan-Neshin district. Produced by Cpl Alfred Lopez.

LAR Platoon in Djibouti on the Horn Of Africa-Training with the French

LAR Marines with the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit's Light Armored Reconnaissance platoon, BLT 1st Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment,  move toward their objective during a bilateral training raid with French Marines in Djibouti, Aug. 27, 2012. 

Read more: http://www.dvidshub.net/image/657965/us-french-marines-partner-light-armored-reconnaissance-training-djibouti#.UEiFhkLhCow#ixzz25ghQ3mdl

The Horn of Africa aka North east Africa aka Somali Peninsula

Lance Cpl. Derek Gaffett 3rd LAR

Lance Cpl. Derek Gaffett, Monona, Iowa, working on an alternator in a mine-resistant, ambush-protected vehicle,
July 14, 2012, at Forward Operating Base Payne, Afghanistan. photo credit Cpl Ed Galo

Read more: http://www.dvidshub.net/image/625603/maintenance-marines-keep-base-running#.UEc_zkLhCox#ixzz25b2FQbFh

Final FarewellCpl. Roberto Cazarez and Lance Cpl. Ramon Kaipat, First LAR

A First LAR rifle detail fires  the final farewell ceremonial gun salute to honor their fallen comrades in  a memorial ceremony at Camp Pendleton, July 19, 2012.  The ceremony was held to honor Cpl. Roberto Cazarez and Lance Cpl. Ramon Kaipat,  Marines of 1st Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion who lost their lives during the 2011 deployment to Khan Neshin, Afghanistan.  Cpl. Roberto Cazarez,  was from Angostura, Mexico, and Lance Cpl. Ramon T. Kaipat,  from the Northern Mariana Islands.

Read more: http://www.dvidshub.net/news/91862/1st-lar-bids-final-farewell-fallen-marines#.UEXosELhCow#ixzz25V5ixtc8photo credit LCpl. Tyler Reiriz

Corporal Nicholas Fredrick Three LAR Khan Neshin

Cpl. Nicholas Fredrick, Out Post Castle Chef, aka USMC food specialist, Three LAR,
July 26 2012  Combat Outpost Castle, Khan Neshin, Afghanistan.  One chef.  300 Marines.  Mission statement: "Open early-close late.  Keep Marines full and happy."
photo credit  Cpl. Ed Galo

REAR ADMIRAL MARGARET KIBBEN USMC CHAPLAIN

Rear Admiral Margaret Kibben, USMC Chaplin escorted to chapel  by
an LAVwar pig from the First Light Armored Reconnaissance at
MCB Camp Pendleton,  Aug. 15, 2012.
photo LCpl. Correy Dabney

Cpls. Dominick Nappi, & Daniel Hulick, 4th LAR

Cpls. Dominick Nappi, Rialto, Calif., and Daniel Hulick,
Rowland Heights, Calif,  4th Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion,
on  range 410 A  exercise Javelin Thrust  July 7, 2012,
MCAGCC,  29 Stumps, CA.
Photo Sgt. Alvin Parson

Read more: http://www.dvidshub.net/image/620191/javelin-thrust-2012#.UD9XzKnhCow#ixzz251yapD7S

POTUS BOW

PFC. JOSHUA HANSON DELTA THREE LAR

PFC.  Joshua Hanson, Forks, Washington,
Delta Company, Third Light Armored Reconnaissance
Battalion, 06/12/2006 protected by armor vest
from sniper shot  Habbaniya, IQ.
photo Spc. Graham Pennsgrove

JOSHUA S. ADAMS DELTA THREE LAR

Sgt. Joshua S. Adams, 

Sgt Joshua S. Adams, Bowling Green, Missouri, Delta Company
Third Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion
06/12/2006 with sniper shot in armored vest.

Photo Spc. Graham Paulsgrove

Lance Cpl. Jonathan Ricky Medrano, Third LAR

Lance Cpl. Jonathan Ricky Medrano,  Lansing, Mich, on  Operation Big Valley, Feb. 1, 2011, ISO the Teliban  somewhere near the Helmand River.  photo Cpl. Ned Johnson

LCPL. DANIEL WILLIAMS & CPL. RILEY DOBBS-FIRST LAR

Lance Cpl. Daniel Williams and Cpl. Riley Dobbs, mortarmen,  1st Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion,  fire  mortar rounds during Scorpion Fire  a two-week training exercise at the Chocolate Mountain Gunnery range near Yuma, AZ, Aug. 13, 2012.
photo LCPL. Rebecca Eller
Read more: http://www.dvidshub.net/image/646126/joint-training-puts-sting-scorpion-fire#.UDeAl6nhCow#ixzz24TD0jqfcAug. 13.

LANCE CPL. MATTHEW BAYLES ALPHA ONE LAR

LCpl. Matthew Bayles, from Plainfield, Ill., Alpha Company, First Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion,  Feb. 16, 2012, on Operation Highland Thunder near the village Sre Kala. photo Cpl. Alfred V. Lopez

CPL. MARCOS CASTELAN A CO. FIRST LAR

 Cpl. Marcos Castelan, Alvin, Texas, on patrol around the villages of Sre Kala and Paygel during Operation Highland Thundar Feb. 16, 2012.  photo Cpl. Alfred V. Lopez

Read more: http://www.dvidshub.net/image/529670/marines-sweep-uncharted-areas-khan-neshin-during-operation-highland-thunder#.UDYm26nhCow#ixzz24NDrwYid

SGT. JARED CARLSON A COMPANY FIRST LAR

Sgt. Jared Carlson,  squad leader Alpha Company, 1st Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion from Kaneohe, Hawaii. On  Operation Highland Thunder , Feb. 16 2012.  Combat deployments: 2005- Kunar Province AFG, 2006 - Haditha, Iraq ,  2007- Marine  Landing Force Cooperation Afloat Readiness Training, 2009-Khan Neshin, 2011-Helmand Province, Afg.   Squad leader on 80 patrols with 21 enemy caches discovered filled with weapons, drugs, and IED parts.  photo Alfred V, Lopez

Read more: http://www.dvidshub.net/image/530133/kaneohe-native-locates-enemy-caches-third-afghanistan-deployment#.UDYgpanhCow#ixzz24N7XrChKRead more: http://www.dvidshub.net/image/530133/kaneohe-native-locates-enemy-caches-third-afghanistan-deployment#.UDYgpanhCow#ixzz24N5nhdlW

CMC General James F. Amos visit THREE LAR

Commandant of the Marine Corps General James F. Amos, center,  greeted by Battalion Commander Lt. Col. Mark Clingan, 3rd Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion (3rd LAR), aboard Combat Outpost (COP) Payne, Reg-E Khan Neshin, Afghanistan on July 17, 2012. General Amos traveled to COP Payne to  thank the Marines of 3rd LAR and 1st Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment for their efforts in Afghanistan.  photo Lance Cpl. Travis A. D'Ambrogi
Read more: http://www.dvidshub.net/image/635025/cmc-and-smmc-visit-3rd-light-armored-reconnaissance-marines-cop-payne#.UDTWrKnhCow#ixzz24HNB2oQV

LCpl Samuel Mulquden TWO LAR

CAMP DWYER, Helmand province, Islamic Republic of Afghanistan — Lance Cpl. Samuel Mulquden, Clearwater, Minn.,  LAR Vehicle mechanic with 2nd Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion. PHOTO Sgt. Earnest J. Barnes

Read more: http://www.dvidshub.net/image/414006/light-armored-reconnaissance-trades-wheels#.UDTQ8anhCox#ixzz24HHEHz2U

Lance Cpl. Blayn Chamblee

Lance Cpl. Blayn Chamblee, graphics Marine with Quantico’s Combat Camera,  devoted nearly 75 hours to the design of the new logo for Delta Co., 4th Light Armored Reconnaisance Battalion on dispay on the quarterdeck at Camp Upshur on June 8, 2012.

Photographer: Lance Cpl. Shandra Dyess

CPL. GARRETT CAMACHO H&S FIRST LAR

Cpl. Garrett Camacho, Fredericksburg, VA., food specialist,  OWK as the most important Marine at breakfast and lunch time for 150 hungry Marines of Alpha Company, 1st LAR. photo Cpl. Alfred V. Lopez

Read more: http://www.dvidshub.net/image/538607/cooking-company-virginia-native-serves-1st-lar-afghanistan#.UDI7T6nhCow#ixzz245ogmPRI

ACE & CPL. SEAN GRADY ECHO FIRST LAR

Ace and Cpl. Sean Grady, Otho, Iowa, Echo Company, 1st Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion, have the battalion record for  finding 16  improvised explosive devices April 27, 2012. photo Alfred V. Lopez

Read more: http://www.dvidshub.net/image/569859/complete-ied-detection-team#.UDIz8qnhCow#ixzz245glUlop

CPL. KLEBER VILLALVA ECHO FIRST LAR

Cpl. Kleber Villalva, Houston, Texas,  section leader Echo Company, 1st Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion, cooks care package tuna in his  kitchen during an overnight mobile post Helmand Province, April 26, 2012. PHOTO CPL. ALFRED LOPEZ

Read more: http://www.dvidshub.net/image/568469/texas-marine-cooks-go-southern-helmand#.UDIw_qnhCow#ixzz245dxTmKR

TY AND LANCE CPL. BRANDON MANN A CO. 1LAR

Lance Cpl. Brandon Mann, and Ty  the IED dog  Alpha Company, 1st Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion, on patrol , Feb. 16, 2012 Operation Highland Thunder. 
Photo Cpl. Alfred V. Lopez
 http://www.dvidshub.net/image/635364/afghan-marine-partnership-bears-fruit-through-progress-transition-southern-helmand#.UDDi7KnhCow#ixzz23zs5dJFC

SERGEANT BRYAN ROSS B CO. LAR ENGINEER

Sergeant Bryan Ross, (right) squad leader, Bravo Company, Light Armored Reconnaissance 1st Combat Engineer Battalion,  Operation Stronghold, June29.  PHOTO Sgt. James Mercure29http://www.dvidshub.net/image/618857/california-native-builds-security-reg-e-khan-neshin#.UDDZzqnhCow#ixzz23ziQsZUs

CAPTAIN MATTHEW PEDERSON C.O. C3LAR

Marine Capt. Matthew Pederson, commander, Charlie Company, 3rd Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion, on patrol May 15, 2012  Khan Neshin. PHOTO Anthony Ward Jr
Read more: http://www.dvidshub.net/image/584144/marines-maintain-presence-khan-neshin-transition-nears-with-afghan-forces#.UDAAWKnhCow#ixzz23vvAEX1Z

LANCE CPL. BRANDON M. BARTON C3LAR AFG

Lance Cpl. Brandon M. Barton,Charlie Company, 3rd Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion, second deployment to Helmand province, Khan Neshin district.  PHOTO Anthony Ward Jr
Read more: http://www.dvidshub.net/image/583973/new-york-marine-heads-back-southern-helmand-second-tour#.UC_9KKnhCow#ixzz23vtBDEsG

Staff Sgt. Larry Kochevar, B Co. 3rd LAR

Staff Sgt. Larry Kochevar, platoon sergeant, 2nd Platoon, Bravo Company, 3rd Light Armored Reconnaissance Bn., near the Khaneshin District, Afghanistan, July 21, 2012. Third LAR Marines inserted in the Khaneshin District to  stop the enemy from using the area for trafficking people, weapons and drugs.
photoCpl. Ed Galo
Read more: http://www.dvidshub.net/image/635856/third-light-armored-reconnaissance-battalion-disrupts-enemy-passageways#.UC-cTKnhCow#ixzz23uByIWoi

CPL. FRANCISCO NARANJO B CO 3LAR

Corporal Francisco Naranjo, Bravo Company, 3rd Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion, Regimental Combat Team 6, in a CH-53E Super Stallion prepares to insert near the Khaneshin District, Afghanistan, July 21, 2012. Cpl. Ed Galo photo
Read more: http://www.dvidshub.net/image/635853/third-light-armored-reconnaissance-battalion-disrupts-enemy-passageways#.UC4mJKnhCow#ixzz23niKMoHf

First LT Ted Rose 3rd LAR AFG

irst Lt. Ted Rose, platoon commander, Bravo Company, 3rd Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion, Regimental Combat Team 6, in  a creek near the Khaneshin District, Afghanistan, July 22, 2012. 

Return of Jack Burton....

A reader inquires:

Where are you and why have you stopped posting? This is really neat blog. Nulla dies sine linea. on H and S 4thLAR Training in Republic of South Africa

Nothing terrible bad.  Got Pensioned out. Old Nam Vets, much like salmon heading up stream,  hit the road for several months. Insane.  Price of gas. Unreal. The last walk about I did was 1969 on a motorcycle right after I got back from Nam. Sweet Judy. Lovely.  Gas .33 cents a gallon.  This time, Bought an "Adventure Truck Tent" for the Pork Chop Express Gmc Pick up  and off we went.  Got up to Maine before turning back. Saw a good piece of this wonderful country.  Got mugged by a pair of raccoons in New York state. Heh.  They swiped our chicken dinner. Stealthy buggers.  Didn't know they were there until we finished our drinks and went for the grub.  That was as bad as it got- that and having to buy four new tires to make the return. Ouch.   We saw the Blue Smokey Mountains and relatives and grandkids and then it was time to return. Sad.  I wanted to get to Kentucky and do the bourbon tour at Makers Mark.  On our return  the first mate had a surprise for me. Tired of city life. She says.  Wants to move to a deserted island.  So we did. Unbelievable. It's not deserted but it do have internet.    I actually got a email from Dvids wondering why I stop pestering them for ignoring LAR units.  wow. Slow business day. We're back.