Observation Post

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TWENTYNINE PALMS, Calif. - Marines from the Combat Center’s Wounded Warrior detachment participated in an adopt-a-school event at Onaga Elementary School Nov. 14. The Marines spent the day with children of different grade levels playing bingo, board games, and building blocks.

“I came here last year to do the same types of things with the kids,” said Staff Sgt. Sean O’Leary, patient, Wounded Warrior West: Detachment Twentynine Palms. “These kids look up to the Marines. Spending time with the kids is good for the Marines, but it is a huge deal for the kids.” 

When the Wounded Warriors arrived at the elementary school, children immediately noticed and began to smile, wave and thank them for their service. After the warm greetings from the children, the Marines split up, integrating into classes from kindergarten to sixth grade. 

The Marines introduced themselves to the students and were assigned different stations throughout the classroom. The stations consisted of bingo, building blocks and board games. The students had 15 minutes at each station until the bell rang to switch. 

The teachers gave the students the signal for lunch and while the children were eating, the Marines remained in the classrooms to help the teachers with different tasks including organizing papers, books and assignments. 

“I really appreciate the help,” said Margarita Ramirez, 2nd grade teacher, Onaga Elementary. “The Marines are so willing, and take such good care of the children.” 

The students returned from lunch with smiles on their faces after seeing the Marines were still in the classrooms. The Marines then began to help teach the children in different subjects including math and reading. The Wounded Warriors each took a couple of the children to separate parts of the classroom and helped teach the material assigned to the students. 

“The Marines are awesome,” said Hector, 2nd grade student. “They are a lot of fun and I can’t wait until they come back to visit us again.” 

After a couple of lessons from the Marines, the children said their final goodbyes and the Wounded Warriors left the elementary school until the next time they are offered a chance to return.

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TWENTYNINE PALMS, Calif. - The ground shook as a convoy of Humvees, 7-ton trucks, and Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected vehicles trekked up a passage in the Combat Center’s Lava Lake Training Area. 

The vehicles lined the route while helicopters flew overhead providing air support. A combat logistics platoon navigated the terrain, stopping at designated areas to fire on mountainside targets. The Marines progressed through the Lava Lake Corridor simulating combat scenarios during the unit’s participation in Integrated Training Exercise 1-14.

Marines with Combat Logistics Battalion 7 performed a Combat Logistics Patrol, Nov. 15 to prepare Marines for situations that may occur when traveling between checkpoints in a hostile area, such as enemy engagements, ambushes, and casualty evacuations.

The Combat Center’s Lava Lake Training Area allowed the convoy to react to various scenarios, from different perspectives, which provided effective training for Marines on the ground.

“The Lava Corridor on the Combat Center allowed for 360 degree live-fire training,” said 1st Lt. David Heuwetter, platoon commander, Engineer Support Company, CLB-7. “It gave the Marines on the convoy a realistic experience of the angles of fire that they could expect on terrain like this.”

The unit conducted drills to prepare for casualty evacuations, landing zone preparation, vehicle dismount, convoy maneuvers and suppressive fire. CLB-7 participated in smaller training events, which culminated during this simulated convoy with enemy aggression and casualties.

“This is a culmination of all the maneuver-element events,” Heuwetter said. “It was great to see all the training come together for this.”

The exercise also gave small-unit leaders the opportunity to implement critical decision-making skills with their troops.

“You have to keep your head on a swivel,” said Cpl. Edgar Arreguin, fire team leader, Engineer Support Co., CLB-7. “I have to make sure that no matter what the convoy may encounter, myself and the junior Marines under me know what they’re doing and are ready for me to relay information.”

Key points in the exercise will require guidance from the leaders in order to navigate the terrain and handle obstacles in the training area.

“There’s going to be a lot of decision points in this exercise. It will require the quick-thinking of my non-commissioned officers and vehicle commanders to successfully navigate the constricted terrain of the corridor, which is good training for what we’re preparing for,” Heuwetter said.

ITX 1-14 was completed Friday. CLB-7 is scheduled to deploy early next year as the Logistics Combat Element in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.

TWENTYNINE PALMS, Calif. - Cpl. Paul Kelley, military working dog handler, reflects on his life.

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TWENTYNINE PALMS, Calif. - Marines, sailors and families with the Combat Center’s Headquarters Battalion came together to celebrate the Marine Corps’ 238th birthday at the Rio Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, Sunday.

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The Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center pays tribute on Veterans Day with ceremony, parade.

TWENTYNINE PALMS, Calif. - The year is 1775. On Nov. 10, men of different ages and occupations gathered in a dusty, candle-lit bar to listen as two individuals offered them a chance to be the first of a new breed fighting for independence. A breed that would be known as the United States Marines. As the men prepare to answer this call to arms, more join them within the walls of this place, known as Tun Tavern. Located in Philadelphia, Penn., this establishment played an integral role in not just the birth of the Marine Corps, but the early days of the United States.

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TWENTYNINE PALMS, Calif. - Sgt. Maj. Scott Cooper passed on the non-commissioned officer’s sword, to Sgt. Maj. Abel Leal, marking the relief and appointment of duty as sergeant major of Headquarters Battalion, Marine Air Ground Task Force Training Command / Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center, during a ceremony held at Lance Cpl. Torrey L. Grey Field Nov. 1, 2013.

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TWENTYNINE PALMS, Calif. - Marines, sailors, veterans, friends, and family of the Combat Center experienced the history of the Marine Corps during the 238th Marine Corps Birthday Uniform Pageant at Lance Cpl. Torrey L. Gray Field Nov. 7, 2013.

TWENTYNINE PALMS, Calif. - The mission of the American Red Cross is to provide care to those in need. The Red Cross is supported by people who donate, volunteers, and employees who all share the same mission.

TWENTYNINE PALMS, Calif. - Lifestyle, Insights, Networking, Knowledge and Skills hosted the annual combined-arms exercise for Combat Center spouses at Felix Field Oct. 24, 2013. The spouses participated in different mock-training events that their Marines are regularly required to conduct.

MARINE CORPS AIR GROUND COMBAT CENTER TWENTYNINE PALMS, Calif. – Marines and sailors with 7th Marine Regiment received a new commanding officer during a change of command ceremony here, Oct. 17.

TWENTYNINE PALMS, Calif. - Marines participated in a gun registration class Oct. 11 at the Village Center to keep them informed on gun regulations on base and the process of registering weapons.

TWENTYNINE PALMS, Calif. - Marines and sailors with 3rd Combat Engineer Battalion's advanced party returned home to the Combat Center Oct. 11, 2013. The Marines and sailors were deployed to Afghanistan for seven months.

Nearly 100 service members and spouses began the 4-mile race in the deep sand alongside the streets of the Combat Center. Sand and dirt flew behind the line of contestants as each runner took on the course against the cold, desert wind with nothing more than the clothes on

> I was just a kid growing up on the outskirts of Philadelphia. I never would have thought I would be where I am today. I had grand fathers who served in the Navy and the Army but I just wanted to go to school for criminal justice.

Marines and sailors with 1st Tank Battalion supported the Reach Out Morongo Basin community service program by performing community service throughout the Morongo Basin Oct. 4. The Marines and sailors performed tasks such as yard work and construction for elderly and disabled locals.

During this time of year, it’s likely that more people gather on couches in front of a TV than in pews at church. This is when a person’s attire consists of their team’s jersey, lucky socks and a magical headband that brings their team good luck. An essential part of the ‘game-time’ attire is superstitious items fans carry with them. These fans have a drive like no other. It is not the appeal of a gameday barbeque or the ice-cold drinks, it is the roaring cheer through four quarters of bone-breaking anticipation. It’s football season.

Fifteen Marine fireteams stood outside the combat operations center for 2nd Battalion, 7th Marine Reigment shortly before sunrise. They were the Marines of Company E, 2/7, ready to embark on a rigorous, 7-mile race with seven obstacles in various locations aboard the Combat Center Sept. 26.

Marines with Marine Wing Support Squadron 171 pushed their envelope of training when they arrived at the Combat Center Aug. 14, to conduct a variety of training exercises during the Integrated Training Exercise. What was extraordinary about this iteration of the ITX was that the squadron heavily expanded on their initial training utilizing every available asset.

Acool September breeze and the warm glow of an early evening sunset accompany the players on the Felix Field. Their children watch through chain-linked fences, laughing and teasing opponents as men and women from all over the Combat Center take the field and have fun with a simple game of softball.

The rifle and pistol competition, or intramural competition, tests the installation’s best shooters. It challenges them through a match-style course of shooting and an infantry team match. The shooters  qualify with both M4 and M16 A4 service rifle, and the M9 pistol.

Marines with Combat Logistics Battalion 7, 3rd Battalion, 11th Marine Regiment, and 3rd Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion participated in the annual Fiesta Days Parade held in Morongo Valley Sept. 14.

Military spouses and representatives of the Officer-Spouses Club met to discuss quality-of-life improvements and social events for military spouses stationed the aboard Combat Center, Sep. 13. Today marks their 58th anniversary as an organization striving to better the lives of spouses that support the warfighters of our country. The OSC started at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, N.C., in 1948 and continues today.