Observation Post

A warm breeze swept through Victory as children sat atop the shoulders of parents, overlooking the sea of people gathered to watch the show. Once Old Dominion stepped on to stage, the mass of spectators erupted in cheers and thunderous applause, kicking off the Hot Summer Nights Concert.

It’s that time of year again when our desert weather reminds us why we live in an area that isn’t overly populated....The heat!

With Marines and sailors constantly conducting pre-deployment training in the harsh desert landscape aboard the Combat Center, they may not have time to research what resources are available to help them find the perfect career outside the Marine Corps.

The Aviation Combat Element, or ACE, plays an invaluable role within the Marine Air Ground Task Force, conducting offensive, defensive, and all other air operations to support the MAGTF mission. Marine aviation provides the MAGTF with the operational flexibility it needs to accomplish its mission across the range of military operations such as delivering fires, facilitating integrated command and control, enhancing mobility and maneuver, providing force protection, sustaining combat power, and collecting intelligence. Majority of aircraft usage within the ACE is for close air support or to transport for the Ground Combat Element or Logistics Combat Element. When the sky is the limit for technology, air superiority has become absolutely essential to winning wars, without ACE no major war can be won.

The Integrated Training Exercise, formerly known as Enhanced Mojave Viper and before that the Combined Armed Exercise, is the longest-lasting training exercise that occurs aboard the Combat Center and is comprised of an intense 29-day training cycle involving a series of progressive live-fire exercises that assesses the ability and adaptability of a force of approximately 3,500 active duty or Reserve Fleet Marine Force Personnel.

MARINE CORPS BASE QUANTICO, Virginia— Marine Corps Systems Command welcomed U.S. Congresswoman Niki Tsongas to the Gruntworks Squad Integration Facility aboard Marine Corps Base Quantico July 11. During her visit Tsongas received an insider view of advancements in personal protective equipment and load bearing equipment for Marines. 

JOSHUA TREE, Calif. – In the Southern Mojave Desert, the terrain is characterized by most as harsh and unforgiving. But located within that vast landscape is an area that many would consider a tranquil sanctuary.

As summer continues to heat up, and hot winds sweep through the desert, Combat Center Marines are beginning to search for new sources of recreation. Sandy Hill Lanes Bowling Center offers a perfect solution to Marines, sailors and families in search of amusement.

>I had a relaxed middle-class upbringing in east Pasadena, Calif. It was a nice neighborhood that allowed me and my brother to play outside a lot as children.

Freedom is defined as the power or right to act, speak, or think as one wants without hindrance or restraint. On July 4th, 1776, delegates from the 13 colonies adopted the Declaration of Independence, fueling the actions in the American Revolution that would render America a sovereign nation.

>I was born in The Bronx, New York and grew up in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Growing up in those two cities made me have thick skin and not be a pushover. 

The Marines of Phelps Mess Hall competed with one another during the Chef of the Quarter cooking competition, June 21, 2017.

Twentynine Palms is renowned for its sweltering temperatures as summer reaches its peak. During this time of year, Combat Center residents find ways to keep cool and stay active in the rising temperatures.

The Combat Center’s G-4 Installations and Logistics, always strives to improve life on the base through proving support services responsive to exercise forces; tenant and resident commands; Marines, sailors and their families. Representatives from the Combat Center, to include Col. Jay Wylie, assistant chief of staff, G-4, traveled to Columbus, Ohio, May 25, to receive the Society of American Military Engineers Award for Sustainability for the construction of the Child Development Center at the 2017 Society of American Military Engineers Joint Engineer Training Conference. 

Colonel Harold B. Eggers relinquished  command of the Marine Corps Communication -Electronics School to Col. Dom Ford during a change of command ceremony at the Dunham amphitheater aboard the Combat Center, Thursday.

Combat Center patrons came together for a day of fun and laughter during the Pro and Glow Frisbee Golf tournament, hosted by Marine Corps Community Services, at the Desert Winds Golf Course aboard the Combat Center, June 2.

U.S. Marines, soldiers, airmen and sailors with Task Force Al-Taqaddum come together with one common mission – advising and assisting the Iraqi security forces of the Anbar Operations Command. 

> I grew up in a small town in New Jersey. The mascot of Delran [New Jersey] was the bear. The middle, junior high and high school all shared that same mascot. It was a smaller and quiet town. 

TWENTYNINE PALMS, Calif. - For nearly 150 years, since the end of the Civil War, Americans have honored their fallen heroes. In 1971, Congress passed into law that Memorial Day would be recognized as a federal holiday on the last Monday of every May. The Combat Center participated in a service was held at the Twentynine Palms Cemetery, May 29, 2017, to honor those who paid the ultimate sacrifice in defense of the United States.

Marine Corps Community Services hosted the annual We Salute You Fest, at Victory Field aboard the Combat Center Saturday to show their appreciation for the hardworking service-members who protect this country.

Assistant Commandant of the Marine Corps, Gen. Glenn M. Walters, presented the Silver Star Medal to Capt. Andrew Kim, intelligence officer, Marine Corps Tactics and Operations Group, during Kim’s award presentation at Sunset Cinema, Thursday. 

>I am an avid video game player. I enjoy playing any game that is competitive, except for a few. I’m a competitive person and I can play with anyone I get to know including those who have gotten out of the Marine Corps.

The U.S. Marine Corps Battle Color Detachment performed during a Battle Color Ceremony at Lance Cpl. Torrey L. Gray Field, Wednesday.

The Marine Air Ground Task Force Communication Planners Course (MCPC) began Jan. 9 aboard the Combat Center and will serve as the advanced planners’ course for the Marine Corps.