Marines

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Archive: July, 2009

Yuma Marines headed home from 13th MEU

Approximately 90 Yuma Marines and sailors are scheduled to return home July 30 and 31, 2009, after a seven-month deployment with the 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit.During the deployment, the detachment, composed of Marines primarily from Marine Attack Squadron 214 and Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 13, participated in counter-piracy operations

Lance Cpl. Christian Antonio, Intermediate Maintenance Activity asset manager, provides rear security during a simulated patrol at the Enhanced Combat Skills course in Camp Pendleton, Calif., July 12, 2009. Antonio attended the course with fellow Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron Marines from the Marine Corps Air Station in Yuma, Ariz. - Lance Cpl. Christian Antonio, Intermediate Maintenance Activity asset manager, provides rear security during a simulated patrol at the Enhanced Combat Skills course in Camp Pendleton, Calif., July 12, 2009. Antonio attended the course with fellow Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron Marines from the Marine Corps Air Station in Yuma, Ariz.

Back to basics school: Yuma Marines go grunt during combat training

Being a nondeployable unit didn’t stop Yuma's Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron Marines from heading to Camp Pendleton, Calif., recently to brush up on combat skills. Seventy-six service members participated in the six-day Enhanced Combat Skills course conducted by 1st Marine Logistics Group July 12-18, 2009.The squadron doesn’t want its

Test pilot selection board to convene

The Corps’ test pilot selection board is scheduled to convene Aug. 14, 2009, to review applicants interested in testing aircraft and new flying techniques. According to Marine Administrative Message 417/09, test pilot applicants must submit their package for test pilot school by Aug. 7, 2009.Targeted for this school are AV-8B Harrier, F/A-18

Corps establishes body armor protection levels

A new Corpswide system was announced July 9, 2009, in order to simplify and standardize body armor protection levels for Marines in combat zones. Similar to the establishment of nuclear, biological and chemical mission-oriented protective posture levels in the 1980s, the intent of establishing standardized body armor protection levels is to enable

Emergency aircraft recovery crew leader Sgt. William Seldon and crewman Lance Cpl. Josh Kidwell check the lubrication on one of four sets of arresting gear on the flight line at the Marine Corps Air Station in Yuma, Ariz., July 8, 2009. The recovery crew repaired a set of gear that was out of operation for more than two years. The device uses a heavy steel cable and heavy nylon tapes to rapidly decelerate landing aircraft in an emergency, much like the arresting gear on an aircraft carrier. - Emergency aircraft recovery crew leader Sgt. William Seldon and crewman Lance Cpl. Josh Kidwell check the lubrication on one of four sets of arresting gear on the flight line at the Marine Corps Air Station in Yuma, Ariz., July 8, 2009. The recovery crew repaired a set of gear that was out of operation for more than two years. The device uses a heavy steel cable and heavy nylon tapes to rapidly decelerate landing aircraft in an emergency, much like the arresting gear on an aircraft carrier.

Yuma Marines keep flight line safe for disabled aircraft

Emergency aircraft recovery Marines repaired one of the stations plane-stopping arresting gear, which had been out of commission for more than two years due to problems with the gear’s foundation on the flight line July 7-11, 2009.After waiting for a contractor to repair the foundation, the recovery section Marines spent long days in the sun and

Devil coming down to Yuma: Charlie Daniels Band to play on station

Country and southern rock music icon Charlie Daniels is scheduled to perform a free concert for Yuma Marines Aug. 6, 2009.The concert is part of the “Spirit of America” tour, which brings headline entertainment to stateside military bases with the goal of boosting troop morale. “Spirit of America” was responsible for bringing fellow country music

Second annual summit held for Yuma leaders

The station’s second annual senior leadership summit, held July 14 and 15, 2009, at the theater, covered current issues within the Marine Corps and gave leaders tools for taking care of their own.The two-day summit, broken up into three sessions, included guest speakers from Headquarters Marine Corps, the local U.S. Marshals office, the Drug

Yuma civilians to rate three hours for PT

Beginning in August, the station is giving its civilian employees the chance to participate in a physical fitness program, according to a new order signed June 15, 2009.The Civilian Wellness Program will offer the option to take up to three paid work hours for fitness activities per week to civilian government employees, although employees of

Yuma Marine found dead

The body of a Marine was discovered by the Yuma Police Department in his residence at Camelot Apartments at 6:10 p.m. on July 9, 2009.The Marine has been identified as Pfc. Benito B. Benitez, 21, an AV-8B Harrier engine mechanic assigned to Marine Attack Squadron 311.The Yuma police determined Benitez committed suicide by shooting himself, said

Corps announces NCO suicide prevention course plan

Every noncommissioned officer in the Marine Corps will receive additional training in suicide prevention, according to Marine Administrative Message 404/09, released July 2, 2009.Suicide rates in the military are at a 10-year high, with the Army and the Marine Corps leading in suicide deaths. In 2008, the Marine Corps had 41 confirmed suicides and

Marine Corps Air Station Yuma