November 1, 2013 Since 1957 Vol. 57 Issue 42

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Combat Center Marines participated inthe Patriot Ride for Our Heroes in LaQuinta, Calif. Oct. 26. The Patriot Ride washeld in honor of all heroes including servicemembers, firefighters and police officers.

The event was open to all ages andability groups. The ride began and endedat the La Quinta Community Park. Riderswere separated into three route distances;25 miles, 50 miles and 100 miles.

With the park draped in red, white andblue, the local high school band per-formed the National Anthem and thehymns of each military branch. After theperformance, all of the bicyclists andhand cyclists prepared for the ride.

There were snacks and drinks for theriders throughout the route. Vendors linedthe sidewalks of the community park. Thevendor’s expo included sport clothing,food, drinks and veteran’s booths.

More than 1,000 riders swarmed to

the starting point of the race. Localpolice officers, firefighters, and servicemembers all participated in the race torepresent their part of the community.Marines from various units throughoutthe Combat Center participated in theride. Among the Combat Center Marineswere the wounded warriors.

“We are living up to our motto by stay-ing in the fight,” said Staff Sgt. SeanO’Leary, Wounded Warrior DetachmentTwentynine Palms. “We are so thankful forall of the support towards the rest of thepeople being represented in this event.”

Staff members from the WoundedWarrior Detachment joined the woundedwarriors on the ride.

“Events like these are amazing,” saidGunnery Sgt. Joseph Saunders, WoundedWarrior Detachment Twentynine Palms.“It is great to see the local communitiescome together to honor these heroes”

The public servants of local communities

Marines and family members with Company E, 2ndBattalion, 7th Marine Regiment, volunteered their time in aneffort to help beautify the community in Copper MountainMesa, Calif., Oct. 26. The Copper Mountain Mesa neighbor-hood watch requested the Marines to help in an effort toremove trash from more than 30 sites within the area, whichhave been used as unauthorized dumping sites.

“Copper Mountain Mesa has been known as the dumpinggrounds for the Morongo Basin for such a long time,” saidLinda Carmella Sibio, president, Copper Mountain neighbor-hood watch. “Contractors, who don’t want to go out to a

Marines and sailors with 3rd Combat EngineerBattalion’s main body returned home to the CombatCenter Oct. 28. The Marines and sailors weredeployed to Afghanistan for seven months.

Families and friends waited eagerly at the supplycompany’s motor transport lot to welcome theMarines and sailors.

“It’s been seven months of sacrifice and supportand now it is time to have their loved ones home,”said Erika Capistran, family readiness officer,3rd CEB.

The mission of 3rd CEB was to provide mobili-ty, counter-mobility, survivability, and limited gen-eral engineering support.

“We’re a family, not just a battalion. It’s not justMarines, its brothers and sisters and I feel honoredto be a part of that,” Capistran said.

After multiple deployments, 3rd CEB can nowbegin the transitioning process into their deactiva-tion scheduled for summer 2014.

Combat Center Marines

participate in Patriot Day

‘Wardogs’ pitch in to clean up community

Story byLance Cpl. Alejandro Bedoya

Story and photos byLance Cpl. Charles J. Santamaria

Story byLance Cpl. Charles J. Santamaria

Story and photo byCpl. Lauren A. Kurkimilis

Marines with Company E, 2nd Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment,volunteer in Copper Mountain Mesa to remove trash left at morethan 30 unauthorized dumping sites in the community Oct. 26.

A presentation was held at the base theater Oct. 30, by Marines who were partof the battle of Khe-Sanh during the Vietnam conflict. The host was Ken Pipes,who witnessed the events first-hand and presented the battle through experi-ences of fellow veterans, and a documentary highlighting the conditions of theenvironment through the eyes of other Marines and their stories.

A participant inthe first PatriotRide in La Quinta,Calif., greets aline of bikers ashe rides throughthe first stretch ofthe race Oct. 26.The ride was inhonor of the localpublic servants,including policeofficers, firefight-ers and servicemembers.

See RRIIDDEE page A7

See WWAARRDDOOGGSS page A7

3RD CEB RETURNSTO COMBAT CENTER

LLAANNCCEE CCPPLL.. CCHHAARRLLEESS JJ.. SSAANNTTAAMMAARRIIAA

A Marine with 3rd Combat Engineer Battalion is wel-comed home after returning to the Combat Centerafter a deployment to Afghanistan Oct. 28.

Vietnam veterans describe the battle

of Khe-Sahn to a younger generation

1/8 attacks Range 410

LLAANNCCEE CCPPLL.. CCHHAARRLLEESS JJ.. SSAANNTTAAMMAARRIIAA

Sand, rock, and the smell ofgun powder filled the air asmachine gun rounds fired downrange. This exercise was utilizedto simulate Marines suppressingenemy forces and providingcover for squads advancingtoward training objectives.

Company B, 1st battalion,8th Marine Regiment conductedlive-fire drills on range 410 in a

See RANGE page A7

Marines with 1st Battalion 8th Marine Regimentprovide suppression from Machine gun hill onrange range 410 Oct. 29.

LLAANNCCEE CCPPLL.. AALLEEJJAANNDDRROO BBEEDDOOYYAA

[Above] Col. George C. Aucoin, Combat Center chief of staff to theCommanding General David H. Berger, retires during a ceremonyheld at Lance Cpl. Torrey L. Gray Field Oct. 31 after 33 years offaithful service.[Top, right] Col. George C. Aucoin, shakes hands with Lt. Gen. JonM. Davis, deputy commander, United States Cyber Command,during his retirement ceremony held at Lance Cpl. Torrey L. GrayField, Oct. 31.[Right] Col. George C. Aucoin, sits with his wife and sister during hisretirement ceremony held at Lance Cpl.Torrey L. Gray Field, Oct. 31.

&FAIR WINDS FOLLOWING SEASCHIEF OF STAFF RETIRESPhotos by CPL. LAUREN KURKIMILIS

OFF-LIMITSESTABLISHMENTS

MCIWest off-limits establishments guid-ance prohibits service members frompatronizing the following locations. Thisorder applies to all military personnel.

In Oceanside:- Angelo’s Kars, 222 S. Coast Hwy,

Oceanside, Calif., 92054- Angelo’s Kars, 226 S. Coast Hwy,

Oceanside, Calif., 92054

In San Diego:- Club Mustang, 2200 University Ave.- Club San Diego, 3955 Fourth St.- Get It On Shoppe, 3219 Mission Blvd.- Main Street Motel, 3494 Main St.- Vulcan Baths, 805 W. Cedar St.

In National City:- Dream Crystal, 15366 Highland Ave.- Sports Auto Sales, 1112 National City Blvd.

Local off-limits guidance prohibits servicemembers from patronizing the followinglocations.

In Twentynine Palms:- Adobe Smoke Shop, 6441 Adobe Rd.- STC Smoke Shop, 6001 Adobe Rd.- K Smoke Shop, 5865A Adobe Rd.

In Yucca Valley:- Yucca Tobacco Mart, 57602 29 Palms Hwy.- Puff ’s Tobacco Mart, 57063 29 Palms Hwy.

In Palm Springs:- Village Pub, 266 S. Palm Canyon Dr.- Whispering Palms Apts., 449 E. Arenas Road- NYPD Pizza, 260-262 N. Palm Canyon Drive

For the complete orders, but not off-limits,check out the Combat Center’s official websiteat http://www.29palms.marines.mil

A2 NOOVVEEMMBBEERR 1, 2013 OBBSSEERRVVAATTIIOONN Post

Observation Post

The Observation Post is published by Hi-Desert Publishing, a private firm in no way connect-ed with the Department of Defense or the United States Marine Corps, under exclusive writ-ten contract with the Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center. This commercial enterprisenewspaper is an authorized publication for members of the military services. Contents of theObservation Post are not necessarily the official views of, or endorsed by, the United Statesgovernment, the DOD, or the United States Marine Corps. The appearance of advertising inthis publication, including inserts and supplements, does not constitute endorsement by theDOD or Hi-Desert Publishing of the services advertised.Everything advertised in this publication shall be made available for purchase, use orpatronage without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status,physical handicap, political affiliation, or any other nonmerit factor of the purchaser, useror patron. Editorial content is prepared by the Public Affairs Office, MCAGCC,Twentynine Palms, Calif. 92278. All photos, unless otherwise indicated are Official USMCPhotos. Questions can be directed to the Public Affairs Office, located in building 1417,during normal working hours at 830-6213 or FAX 830-5474. The Observation Post is madewith 60 percent recycled paper.

CCoommmmaannddiinngg GGeenneerraall -- Maj. Gen. David H. Berger PPuubblliicc AAffffaaiirrss OOffffiicceerr - Capt. Justin SmithPPuubblliicc AAffffaaiirrss CChhiieeff -- Staff Sgt. Dorian GardnerPPrreessss CChhiieeff -- Cpl. Lauren A. KurkimilisLLaayyoouutt//DDeessiiggnn -- Cpl. Ali Azimi

CCoorrrreessppoonnddeennttssCpl. D. J. WuLance Cpl. Alejandro BedoyaLance Cpl. Paul S. MartinezLance Cpl. Charles J. Santamaria

Whatever you’re lookingfor, you can find it in the

Observation PostClassified section

SUDOKU 3067DACROSS 1. Basket boundary 4. Unreleased, as

emotion 10. Start for a

playwright 14. Turkish title 15. Get excited 16. First word of two

Springsteen albums 17. Person who hauls

shrubbery? 19. “Beat it!”20. Count ___

(jazz great) 21. “Exodus” author 23. Ending for lemon

or lime 24. Properly

organized 27. Consoling one 29. Not nuts 30. Jamaican export 32. Boot the dictator 33. Just ___ and

dandy 34. Sandwich shops 35. Federal money for

a project? 41. Lucy’s sidekick 42. Falco of “Nurse

Jackie”43. Coral reefs 45. Nancy’s husband 46. “Make a ___!”50. Vote back into

office

52. “Desperately Seeking Susan” star Arquette

54. Suffix with hobby or lobby

55. Campus quarters 57. Giant 58. French 101 verb 60. Grab some market

share from an auto company?

63. Goblet feature 64. Relax 65. Tiger Woods peg 66. Little piggies 67. Nat Turner’s

rebels 68. Not divisible

by two DOWN1. Torah readers 2. Exotic pet 3. Vintner Paul 4. Acted nervously 5. Baseball stat 6. Neither go-with 7. South African

Peace Nobelist 8. Computer owners 9. Sentence stopper 10. Crunch target 11. Pepsi rival 12. Swaps 13. Money with a loan 18. Take on 22. Sister ___ (“We

Are Family” singers)

25. “___ go bragh!”26. Ladder section 28. Copycat 31. Taxi equipment 33. Unavailable, as a

position 35. Most exhausted 36. Vouch for 37. Where loafers

hang out? 38. Alternative to

high water 39. Olfactory stimulus 40. Boy, in Bogota? 44. Checks (out) 46. Street urchin 47. Altogether 48. Caught

49. Empty-___ (having gained nothing)

51. Court proceeding 53. Program parts 56. Southwest sight 59. Scrabble 3- pointers 61. Show off on one’s

Harley

JOINT CHIEFS See answers on page A8

Visit the official

MCAGCC facebook page athttp://www.flickr.com/thecombatcenterhttp://www.youtube.com/user/CombatCenterPAOhttp://www.facebook.com/thecombatcenter

The Combat Center has its own

YouTube channel. Find it at

The Combat Center has its ownFlickr photo and video streams.

Find them at

SALYSIA ROSE ARGUIJOBorn on: Oct. 18, 2013

Born to: Gilbert and Serinna Arguijo

DAIHVIENKAL-EL SERRANOBorn on: Oct. 17, 2013

Born to: Carlos Serrano and Heather Schiel

WINSTON MICHAEL TURNERBorn on: Oct. 16, 2013

Born to: Daniel and Monique Turner

GREYSON ISAIAH GILBERTBorn on: Oct. 15, 2013

Born to: Jeremy and Rebecca Gilbert

DAVID EARLE TOPPSALBorn on: Oct. 14, 2013

Born to: Edward and Lorraials Toppsal

ISAIAH JUSTIN ESPINOSABorn on: Oct. 13, 2013

Born to: Matthew and Jasmine Espinosa

ISAIAH JUSTIN ESPINOSABorn on: Oct. 13, 2013

Born to: Matthew and Jasmine Espinosa

MILO MARCUS CUMPSTON- O’CALLAGHAN Born on: Oct. 10, 2013

Born to: Evan O’Callaghan and Daisy Cumpston

BIRTH ANNOUNCEMENTS

The Combined FederalCampaign’s 2013 season has begunand is now available to CombatCenter personnel. The CFC sup-ports an estimated 20,000 charita-ble, non-profit organizations thatincludes local community charitiesas well as larger, national charities.

Pledges made by federal employ-ees and military donors during thecampaign season support eligiblenon-profit organizations that pro-vide health and human service ben-efits throughout the world.

The CFC is the world’s largest,most successful, annual workplacecharity campaign, according to theOffice of Personnel Managementat www.opm.gov.

“The Combat Center has nowjoined the southern California CFC,which raises five million dollars ayear,” said Master Gunnery Sgt.Lawanda Hall, Manpower staff non-commissioned officer in charge.

These partnerships promotedonations from federal employeesto local and national charities.

“A local organization on the cam-

paign list is the Armed ServicesYMCA,” Hall said. “It allows the uni-form thrift store and the food pantryon base to support the community.”

There are approximately 200 CFCcampaigns throughout the countryand overseas that raise 256 milliondollars each year. Each campaign ismanaged by a volunteer group offederal employees who work withnon-profit executives in their com-munities to raise funds and distrib-ute them to an eligible recipient.

This partnership provides anopportunity for federal employeesto become involved in assistingtheir local communities.

“There are 26 service categoriesthat federal employees can chooseto donate to, ranging from employ-ment and nutrition to militaryorganizations like the WoundedWarrior Project,” Hall said.

Online donations can be madedirectly to the CFC at www.socal-cfc.org. Anyone interested can alsorequest donation forms from theirrespective unit representatives todonate.

CFC ReturnsStory by Lance Cpl. Charles J. Santamaria

Combined Federal Campaign beginnings for the Combat Center

We all know it is getting darker, we all know it’s time tochange our clocks, and hopefully we all remember that we needto change the batteries in our life saving devices – smoke alarms,carbon monoxide detectors, flashlights, etc. On SundayNovember 3, 2013 San Bernardino County Fire is once againasking residents of San Bernardino County to test and changebatteries, but we are also asking for all homeowners to reviewtheir home escape plan with their families. Being prepared andhaving the right equipment can mean the difference betweenbeing safe or being a victim.

When smoke alarms fail to operate, it is usually because bat-teries are missing, disconnected or dead. Almost ne-quarter ofthe smoke alarm failures was due to dead batteries. Smokealarms save lives. Almost two-thirds of home fire deaths result-ed from fires in homes with no smoke alarms or no workingsmoke alarms. When there is a fire, smoke spreads fast and youneed smoke alarms to give you time to get out. When a fireoccurs and smoke starts to spread you need to remember that itis: hot, dark, you have NO time to waste, and the smoke andtoxic gasses can kill you.

An ionization smoke alarm is generally more responsive toflaming fires, and a photoelectric smoke alarm is generally moreresponsive to smoldering fires. For the best protection, eithertypes of alarms or a combination alarm (photoelectric and ion-ization) should be installed in homes. Knowing the needs ofyour family will help make the decision process easier as thereare recordable alarms (you record a brief message for yourhild/family), alarms for hearing impaired, and alarms that com-bine technology with carbon monoxide detectors.

Have a plan, practice, and get the right devices for your fam-ily. A person can be poisoned by a small amount of carbonmonoxide (CO) over a longer period of time or by a largeamount of CO over a shorter amount of time. Make sure toreview with your family the different sounds between yoursmoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors and practiceescape plans at different times of the day/night. For more lifesafety information, visit our website at www.sbcfire.org.

ONE HOURCAN CHANGE YOUR LIFE

Mark A. Hartwig Fire Chief / Fire Warden

> I got my first job when I was 11 at a little surf shop. Imade a dollar an hour plus free pizza. I grew up with just mymom so this family gave me a job to sort of keep me out of trouble.> I was never really into conventional sports. Growing up,I did BMX, dirt biking and freestyle. I also skate boarded andI surfed. I did all of those things practically my whole life.> I also worked making t-shirts later on and the nextthing you know, I’m making jerseys of my favorite motorcross riders like Jean-Michel Bayle, Jeff Ward and RickyJohnson. I thought it was the coolest thing ever.> I always thought I was right, and maybe that’s some-thing I never quite got rid of, but I’m at least a lot morepatient now.> I worked for my wife’s dad as a handyman for a campat United Methodist Church in Mission Hills. I worked a lotwith my hands and it was only 10 minutes away from thebeach so for a guy like me, it was perfect.> I admired her family so much. I guess you could say her father was kind of like a dad to me butkind of had more of a competitive rivalry. He’s like the master of all trades. He always said that it wasgood to know a little about a lot of things.> When I think back, it’s kind of funny. There was this kid in high school named Chris, and he’d alwayshave the high-and-tight and the red poolee jacket and we thought, “Dude, what a dork.” So, I never thoughtI’d be in the military. I wanted to get into construction because that’s what my buddies were doing.> I owe it all to my recruiter, Sgt. Sullivan, and I thank my mom for calling him. He chased medown relentlessly. He even called my work and eventually, he finally cornered me and he goes, “Hey!Hey you! You had an appointment with me.” He told me that since I made a commitment to talk to him,that I needed to step up and do that. So, I did. I don’t know what my life would have been like if he

hadn’t been so persistent.> I’m an engineer by trade and initially I joined for the job. I had no idea what the title was but at somepoint, I really got the Marine part of it and I fell in love with that.

> One of the turning points was probably in my first unit, when I was running up Cardiac and they just gave me the guidon and said get up front. I didn’t askfor it and kind of didn’t want it, but they said, “Cooper, get up front with this next to the (Commanding Officer) and I don’t even know how it happened but sud-denly, I became the guide for Bravo Company, 3rd (Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion). I thought to myself, “I’m the freakin’ welder. How the heck am I uphere in the front of an infantry platoon?” It just hit me like a ton of bricks.> Right around the time I was coming to the end of my first enlistment, Master Gunnery Sgt. brought me in and said, “Cpl. Cooper, you do a dang good job.You should stick around.” Honestly, I think it was because someone had believed in me that I kept going.> My mom and my wife were always my biggest supporters. Every enlistment, they told me that they liked what I was doing and how proud they were of me.> My wife is such a sweetheart and she doesn’t get caught up with rank. Her theory was that she’s not in the Marines; her husband is but she is not. I thinkthat when you get up there in rank, you sort of get caught up in the lifestyle and it’s almost like they are serving in the military too. There’s a way you can balance itall and it’s tough, but now I’m coming home.> I have a 13-year-old son, an 18-year-old daughter, and a 20-year-old daughter. My 20-year-old is out of the house and she has a son. I got them all into dirtbiking from the time they could balance on one. My daughters both did it andmy son, Kirby, is actually better than I am now.> They’re going to be tired of me when I retire and I’m going to be glad.The words stay-at-home dad have actually come up, and stay-at-home grandpa.> Cpl. Cooper certainly wasn’t perfect but I had a good work ethic and arespect for the institution and I didn’t ever mistake what the Marines Corps’mission was. That was to be ready to fight whenever the nation called andwhether that meant you got recalled off your honeymoon to go to Desert Stormor you missed Christmas to go to Somalia, it’s just what you had to do.> The Marine Corps gave me an opportunity to grow up and be a part ofsomething. It’s been a great ride. There have been a few bad days but it has allbeen worth it.

OBBSSEERRVVAATTIIOONN Post NOOVVEEMMBBEERR 1, 2013 A3

Huntington Beach, Calif.Scott

COOPER IS THE HQBNBATTALION SERGEANT

MAJOR AND IS RETIRING

AFTER 22 YEARS OF

HONORABLE SERVICE IN

THE MARINE CORPS.

COOPER

Interviewed by Cpl. Lauren KurkimilisOct. 29, 2013

HQBN sergeant major, 43

WHAT I’VE LEARNED

A4 NOOVVEEMMBBEERR 1, 2013 OBBSSEERRVVAATTIIOONN Post

he mission of the AmericanRed Cross is to provide careto those in need. The RedCross is supported by peo-ple who donate, volun-teers, and employees who

all share the same mission.Although the Red Cross is

not a government agency, it isan essential part of the nation’s dis-

aster response. It works in partnership with other agenciesand organizations to provide services to victims. They offerfive key types of service to people in the United States andaround the world.

“We are here to help people in any type of struggle,”said Michael Wolfe, station manager, American Red Cross,Combat Center station. “We are a program made up ofdonations and 97 percent of us are volunteers all wantingto complete the same mission.”

Disaster ReliefAccording to their website, the Red Cross supports approx-

imately 70,000 disasters in the United States. They respond to

disasters ranging from home fires that affect a single family tohurricanes that affect many more. When they respond to thesetypes of incidents, they provide shelter, food, medical and men-tal health services to help people get back on their feet.

Supporting the Military“Most family emergencies are usually time critical,” said Capt.

Shannon Mawson, company commander, Company A,Headquarters Battalion. “Swift and sensitive action on emer-gency leave requests are essential.”

The Red Cross helps service members and their familiescope with the challenges of serving in the military.

Emergency communication is one thing provided to serv-

ice members by the Red Cross in case of an emergency withthe service member or their family.

“Emergency Leave does not mandate a Red Cross Message,”Mawson said. “However, a Red Cross Message provides verifi-cation of the emergency. Most Marines are mature and respon-sible individuals whose emergency leave needs can be consid-ered on their merits.”

The Red Cross also provides things like training andsupport to wounded warriors, veterans and access to commu-nity resources. According to their website, these resources helpan average of 150,000 military families and veterans annually.

Blood Saves LivesThe American Red Cross is the largest single supplier of

blood and blood products in the United States, according totheir website. Nearly four million people donate blood throughthe Red Cross, helping to provide more than 40 percent ofAmerica’s blood supply.

Health and Safety TrainingThe American Red Cross is also the leading provider of

health and safety courses. Some of the courses provided bythem are Cardiovascular Pulmonary Resuscitation, first aid andlifeguard training. According to their website, more than ninemillion Americans participate in their training programs eachyear. Some of the people participating in these courses are firstresponders, educators and babysitters.

International ServicesAccording to their website, The American Red Cross is part

of the world’s largest humanitarian network with 13 million vol-unteers in 187 different countries. They help respond to disas-ters, build safer communities and educate future humanitariansall around the world. The Red Cross reaches an average of morethan 100 million people across the globe.

“This program plays a huge role in society,” Wolfe said.“These volunteers and donations make a huge difference to ourcountry and the world.”

To support the American Red Cross, you maydonate, fundraise, give blood, teach a class, volunteer,help internationally or become an advocate. For anyquestions about the Red Cross, call (760) 830-6685, orvisit www.redcross.org.

REDCROSS

T“

These volunteers and donations makea huge difference to our country andthe world.”

– Michael Wolfe

IMPACTS COMMUNITIES AROUND THE WORLD

Story by Lance Cpl. Alejandro Bedoya

ombat Center Marines participatedin the monthly Dirt Day hosted byHeadquarters Battalion at the JoshuaTree Dry Lake Bed Oct 25. All serv-ice members and their families wereinvited to bring their off-road vehi-cles and participate in the event.

“Dirt Day has a lot to offer,” said Sgt. Jake Seibert,technician, Explosive Ordinance Disposal. “We areout here to have fun and build camaraderie betweenthe Marines, but there is much more to it than that.”

Dirt Day began with the Marines finding a placeto setup in the middle of the dried lake bed. Oncethe Marines parked their trucks and trailers, the funbegan. Before taking off for their first ride, theMarines were inspected for safety gear. One of thebiggest focuses of Dirt Day is to teach participantsto be safe when they ride.

“You should always be as safe as possible when rid-ing,” Seibert said. “Most of the people out here arepretty experienced and have plenty of tips or personalstories to share with people who aren’t as experienced.”

Riders of all levels rode together, charging toward

the first trail. The service members rode in a variety oftrails including soft-sand, hill-climb and flat-groundtrails. After each trail was completed, the riders wouldensure their bikes were still operational. They alsoshared their experiences on the trail and any otheradvice they had to offer.

“The more you do something, the better you willget,” said Staff Sgt. Andrew Eichelberger, mastergunner, company C, 3rd Light ArmoredReconnaissance Battalion. “This place offers trailsfor all levels of riders but the first step is actuallygetting out here and doing it. It is like heaven outhere for off-road vehicles.”

The Headquarters’ Battalion Dirt Day is open toall service members and family members with off-road vehicles aboard the Combat Center. It is heldmonthly in different locations throughout SouthernCalifornia. This event gives people a chance to join a

community that looks forward to spending time inthe dirt and teaching one-another.

“It truly is a great time,” Eichelberger said. “It’s afull day of riding, learning and playing in the dirt. Itdoesn’t get better than that.”

For more information on how to sign up, contactSgt. Jake Seibert, Dirt Day liaison, at (760) 830-6050.

OBBSSEERRVVAATTIIOONN Post NOOVVEEMMBBEERR 1, 2013 A5

CDIRT

DAY

[Above] A Marine jumps his dirt bike during themonthly Headquarters’ Battalion Dirt Day at theJoshua Tree Dry Lake Bed Oct 25.

[Left] Staff Sgt. Andrew Eichelberger, master gunner, Company C, 3rd Light ArmoredReconnaissance Battalion, prepares to ride his dirtbike on a trail during the monthly HQBN Dirt Day atthe Joshua Tree Dry Lake Bed Oct 25.

Combat Center Marines ride together throughJoshua Tree Lake Bed

Story by Lance Cpl. Alejandro Bedoya

A6 NOOVVEEMMBBEERR 1, 2013 OBBSSEERRVVAATTIIOONN Post

ifestyle, Insights, Networking,Knowledge and Skills hostedthe annual combined-armsexercise for Combat Centerspouses at Felix Field Oct. 24.The spouses participated indifferent mock-trainingevents that their Marines are

regularly required to conduct.“Our program is like an introduction to

the Marine Corps lifestyle,” said AmberBilderain, L.I.N.K.S program manager. “Thespouses get a chance to spend a day in theirMarine’s boots. It gives them a good under-standing of what their husbands do and howdifficult it would be to do every day.”

The Marine wives started the day withclasses covering Marine Corps knowledgeincluding classes on customs and courtesies,and rank structure. The spouses then

charged an inflatable obstacle course. Oncethey completed the course two times, thewives ran to another section of Felix Field tosuit up for laser tag and learn how to conduct

fire and movement drills. The spouses werefaced with the challenge of overcoming anenemy force portrayed by Marines, whomthey defeated.

The spouses grabbed Meals-Ready-to-Eat

for lunch before gearing up in flak jacketsand Kevlar helmets to take a ride in aMedium Tactical Vehicle Replacement, or 7-ton. The 7-ton took the wives to theExplosive Ordinance Disposal building tosee a static display of different equipmentEOD technicians use for training on base,and combat environments.

“Our husbands are used to seeing thesekinds of things,” said Lindsey Ferguson,spouse. “We are constantly surrounded bythem, why not learn about them.”

The spouses were excited to learn aboutthe Marine Corps and use the knowledgethey gained to make their Marine Corpsexperience even better.

“This is like our little boot camp,”Ferguson said. “We want to be the best Marinewives we can possibly be and with events likethese, it will help us achieve our goal.”

“We want to be the best Marine

wives we can possibly be andwith events like these, it willhelp us achieve our goal.”

– Lindsey Ferguson

LSPOUSES SPEND A DAY IN THE BOOTS OF THEIR MARINES

Story and photos by LANCE CPL. ALEJANDRO BEDOYA

CAX SPOUSESFOR

[Left] Spouses were challenged with completing aninflatable obstacle course during the Combat Center’sannual CAX for Spouses event at Felix Field Oct. 24.[Above] Spouses competed in a game of laser tag during the Combat Center’s annual CAX for Spousesevent at Felix Field Oct. 24. The spouses learned fireand movement drills and fought against Marines por-traying an enemy force.

See page B2 forSunset Cinemamovieschedule

Visit the official MCAGCC facebook page at

http://www.facebook.com/thecombatcenter

OBBSSEERRVVAATTIIOONN Post NOOVVEEMMBBEERR 1, 2013 A7

Visit the official

MCAGCC facebook page athttp://www.flickr.com/thecombatcenterhttp://www.youtube.com/user/CombatCenterPAOhttp://www.facebook.com/thecombatcenter

The Combat Center has its own

YouTube channel. Find it at

The Combat Center has its ownFlickr photo and video streams.

Find them at

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dump and pay a fee, come out here and dumpgarbage in our neighborhood. I moved herein 1997 and back then, it was horrible butwith volunteer efforts, we’ve been able to getrid of a lot.”

The Marines and family members droveout to each site and removed various types oftrash and separated it into four categories;tires, metal, wood and other trash. After mul-tiple trips of filling truck beds to their limits,the Marines and other local volunteers put adent in the goal to clean up the area, but thereis still much to be done.

“Today we’ve gotten about one third ofthe sites done,” Sibio said. “We plan to organ-ize more events like this. There’s just so muchto pick up out there.”

Many of the Marines said they chose tovolunteer their Saturday for this cause

because they were aware of the limitedresources made available to the residents ofCopper Mountain Mesa.

“For the people out here, it’s very hard forthem to get the man power (to perform theclean up,)” said Lance Cpl. Tim Cassidy, rifle-man, E Co., 2/7. “Maybe if they see us outhere they'll think, ‘Hey, these people don’teven live here and they’re doing this.’ Thenmaybe it will help them to stand up and addto the manpower efforts.”

The Marine volunteers believe that it didn’tmatter what their rank or title was, it wasimportant to them to get out into the com-munity and help. Those who participatedwere comprised of lance corporals all the wayup to the battalion’s sergeant major.

“This is our community too,” said Sgt. Maj.Fredrick Smith, battalion sergeant major, 2/7.“We live here as well and we’re all in thistogether. It’s very important that we’re seen as

one big happy Twentynine Palms, (Calif.)family. For Marines and the community, itreally goes a long way.”

Events like this not only help support thecommunity, but also help Marine volunteerscome together as a unit and bolster their teambuilding skills.

“This definitely builds camaraderie and theunit’s esprit de corps,” said Staff Sgt. LorenzoHernandez, platoon sergeant, 1st Platoon, ECo., 2/7. “Along with that, it allows the juniorMarines to say, ‘Not only am I out here, butmy battalion sergeant major is out here doingthe same thing. I’m doing this because hecares just as much as I care.’”

As the day wrapped up, volunteers with theCopper Mountain Mesa neighborhood watchprepared lunch for the Marines and their fam-ily members. As the food was served, 2/7’ssenior leadership expressed their gratitudeand explained that they would wait until all of

their Marines returned from the cleanup sitesso they could all eat together. Smith stressedthe importance of leading from the front andtaking care of the Marines.

“As a leader, we don’t ever ask theMarines to do something we wouldn’t doourselves,” said Smith, who brought his twodaughters to come help clean up. “If myMarines can be out here doing communityservice, then so can I.”

After eating, the Marines and local volun-teers decided to go out on one more clean-uprun. They knew they weren’t going to be ableto clean it all in one day and expressed thatthey would like to volunteer for the nextclean-up event.

“I can’t say enough about the Marinescoming out here,” Sibio said. “They are justwonderful to have and we can’t expressenough how much we appreciate them vol-unteering.”

were honored with the display of American flagsthroughout the city of La Quinta and members ofthe community lined the streets to cheer as the par-ticipants rode past. There were also banners andsigns posted for the various organizations that par-ticipated.

The Patriot Day ride is an event celebratedthroughout the United States and has reached thecity of La Quinta. With the large outcome, ThePatriot Ride is scheduled to become an annual event.

“We are glad we were invited to participate,”Saunders said. “We use this as physical trainingbut we also like to get out here and representwhere we come from. We want to continue rid-ing in this event and watch it grow even largerin the years to come.”

WARDOGS, from A1

RIDE, from A1 RANGE, from A1

[Top] A Marine with 1st Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment,takes aim at an objective with a M32 Multiple-ShotGrenade Launcher Oct 29.[Center] Combat Engineers with 1st Battalion, 8thMarine Regiment, wait for the signal to proceed to thebreach point Oct. 29, during an exercise at Range 410.[Bottom] A mortarman with 1st Battalion, 8th MarineRegiment, carries a mortar piece before a fire-and-maneuver exercise Oct. 29.

PPHHOOTTOOSS BBYY LLAANNCCEE CCPPLL.. CCHHAARRLLEESS JJ.. SSAANNTTAAMMAARRIIAA

platoon-level fire and maneuver training exercise Oct. 29.“This range is ultimately designed to teach Marines that they

can shoot near eachother and have the confidence in eachotherthat they won’t hit one another,” said Staff Sgt. Donald Vaughn,platoon sergeant, 1st Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment.

The exercise consisted of platoon-sized attacks on threeobjectives with support from M249 machine guns, mortarteams, and combat engineers. The platoons had to capture theobjectives and breach at a designated location while pushingback a simulated enemy assault.

“The exercise helps out a lot because they can actually seewhat their piece of the pie is in the operation and execute it,”said Lance Cpl. Rob Hearn, team leader, 1st Platoon,Company B, 1/8.

The unit was evaluated on their fire and maneuverthrough the objectives and obstacles throughout each run.The exercise took approximately 45 minutes per platoon.The live-fire exercise made each platoon work within theirsquads and support groups to fulfill a role in order to com-plete the scenario successfully.

“No matter what, you still have to take the objective andknow that the Marine to your left and your right is there tosupport you,” Vaughn said.

Marines with 1st Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, are sched-uled to conduct training exercises on base for one month.Company B will be completing it's platoon-level exercises thisweek. Throughout the month, Tactical Training ExerciseControl Group Marines will evaluate the unit's effectiveness ina variety of scenarios until its conclusion in mid-November.

See page B2 forSunset Cinemamovieschedule

A8 NOOVVEEMMBBEERR 1, 2013 OBBSSEERRVVAATTIIOONN POOSSTT

CROSSWORD SOLUTIONS

SUDOKU SOLUTIONS

For more Combat Center photos, visit the official MCAGCC

facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/

thecombatcenter

U.S. and Royal Marinescompete in a game of rugbyduring Warrior Day held atDel Valle Field Oct. 30. Thetwo forces faced-off in multiple events including soccer, football and an obstacle course.

ombat Center Marinesand Royal Marines withCommando 40 RoyalMarines competed inWarrior Day at Del ValleField Oct. 30. The com-petition’s intent was to

bring together Marines from differentnations who participated in the annualBlack Alligator training exercise. BlackAlligator 13 is a combined-arms trainingexercise conducted by Marines, RoyalMarines and Dutch Marines.

“It is great too see these units cometogether and compete,” said Maj. Gen.David H. Berger, Combat Center com-manding general. “We want to build onour great camaraderie, and some compe-tition after a good, hard month of train-ing will help do that.”

The Warrior Day consisted of multipleevents where the military organizationsfaced off. To start the day, a musical per-formance was conducted by Joel Daniels,a bagpipe player known as the MarineSand Piper. Speeches were given byBerger and Lt. Col. Alex Janzen, com-manding officer of 40 Commando RoyalMarines. The competitions consisted ofsoccer, football, rugby and softball.

While these sports took place, otherMarines participated in a timed HighIntensity Tactical Training competition.

“It is an awesome feeling when youcompete with someone from anothercountry,” said Lance Cpl. Ethan Curnow,ammunition technician, center magazinearea. “You can tell how competitiveeveryone is as soon as you walk out here.I really appreciate them coming out tocompete after a long training exercise.”

The Royal Marines won the soccer andrugby portions of the event while theUnited States Marines won the softballand football events.

The units are scheduled to return totheir countries next month to continuetraining in jungle, mountain and cold-weather warfare.

October 25, 2013 Since 1957 Vol. 57 B SECTIONNovember 1, 2013 Since 1957 Vol. 57 B SECTION

Gunnery Sgt. Joel Daniels, alsoknown as the Marine SandPiper, plays the bagpipes duringthe start of the Warrior Day atDel Valle Field Oct. 30.

A Marine navigatesthe monkey bars on

the High IntensityTactical Training

obstacle course, aspart of Warrior Day

held at Del ValleField Oct. 30. The

day challenged U.S.and Royal Marines inmultiple competitionsand sporting events.

U.S., ROYAL MARINES FACE-OFF IN MULTI-EVENT COMPETITION

WARRIOR DAY

Story by LANCE CPL. ALEJANDRO BEDOYA

C

PPHHOOTTOOSS BBYY LLAANNCCEE CCPPLL.. JJOOHHNN TTRRAANN

[Top, left] A Royal Marine with 40 Commando Royal Marines, jumps over a wall at the HITT obstacle course during Warrior Day at Del Valle FieldOct. 30. The day pitted U.S. and Royal Marines against eachother in different challenges. The Royal Marines are currently at the Combat Center totrain in Black Alligator-13.[Top, right] Lance Cpl. Thomas Salukombo, administration clerk, Installation Personnel Administration Center, Headquarters Battalion, dodges aplayer from the Royal Marines’ team during a soccer game as part of the Warrior Day held at Del Valle Field Oct. 30.[Bottom, right] A Royal Marine with 40 Commando Royal Marines climbs the rope in the HITT obstacle course during Warrior Day held at Del ValleField Oct. 30.

B2 NOOVVEEMMBBEERR 1, 2013 OBBSSEERRVVAATTIIOONN Post

Liber t y Call

FFrreeee LLiinnee--DDaannccee LLeessssoonnssLearn to dance the night awayWhen: 5 - 9 p.m., every SundayWhere: Willie Boy’s Saloon and Dance Hall50048 29 Palms Hwy, Morongo Valley, Calif.For more information, call 363-3343.

Local Events

EExxccuurrssiioonnss EEnnlliisstteedd CClluubbThursday: Karaoke, 8:30 - 10 p.m.Friday: DJ Gjettblaque, 8 - 11 p.m.Saturday: DJ Gjettblaque, 8 - 11 p.m.

BBllooooddssttrriippeess NNCCOO CClluubbThursday: Warrior Night, 4:30 - 9 p.m.Friday: Karaoke Night, 6 - 9 p.m.

HHaasshhmmaarrkkss 2299 SSNNCCOO CClluubbMonday: Steak Night, 4:30 - 8 p.m.Wednesday: Wing Special Wednesday, 4:30 - 9 p.m.Thursday: Free Happy Hour Food, 5 - 7 p.m.Friday: Steak Night, 4:30 - 8 p.m.

DJ Gixxa, 8 - 11 p.m.

CCoommbbaatt CCeenntteerr OOffffiicceerrss’’ CClluubbMonday: Steak Night, 5 - 7:30 p.m.Thursday: Free Pub Grub, 4:30 - 6:30 p.m.

Taco Night, 5 - 7 p.m.

For complete calendars visit http://www.mccs29palms.com

Combat Center Clubs

Low Desert

WWaannddaa SSyykkeessComedian PerformsWhen: 9 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 1Where: Agua Caliente Casino, Resort and Spa32-250 Bob Hope Dr., Rancho Mirage, Calif.For more information, call 888-999-1995 or visit http://hotwatercasino.com

CCrraaiigg FFeerrgguussoonnComedian performsWhen: 9 p.m., Friday, Nov. 8Where: Morongo Casino Resort and Spa49500 Seminole Drive, Cabazon, Calif.For more information, call 800-252-4499 or visithttp://www.morongocasinoresort.com

MMoooonnwwaallkkeerrThe ultimate Michael Jackson ExperienceWhen: 8 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 9Where: Spotlight 29 Casino 46-200 Harrison Place, Coachella, Calif.For more information, call 866-377-6829 or visithttp://www.spotlight29.com

NNee--YYooGrammy award-winning star performsWhen: 8 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 16Where: Fantasy Springs Resort Casino 84-245 Indio Springs Parkway, Indio, Calif.For more information, call 800-827-2946 or visithttp://www.fantasyspringsresort.com

WikiLeaks drama pounds its story,but becomes a cold, dreary slog

NNiigghhttmmaarreess HHaalllloowweeeenn HHaauunnttA play that dwells into the nightmare of a little girlWhen: 7 p.m., Fridays & Saturdays, Oct. 18 - Oct. 31Where: Theatre 2973637 Sullivan Rd., Twentynine Palms, Calif.For more information, call 316-4151

Sunset Cinema

NEIL POND

“The Fifth Estate”

Starring: Benedict Cumberbatch & Daniel BrühlDirected by: Bill CondonR, 128 min.

Earlier this year, I went to a team trivia-event where one ofthe questions was “What is the ‘fourth estate?’

Having a bit of newsprint in my blood, I knew that it wasan old British term for “the press.” Our team got the point –hooray for us, right? But what struck me that evening was howmany teams were completely stumped for an answer.

Was the term really that arcane, that unfamiliar, thatantiquated?

If so, are the people on those teams going to have any ideawhat “The Fifth Estate” is, either? And an even bigger ques-tion: How interested will they be in seeing this movie, no mat-ter what it’s called?

“The Fifth Estate” dramatizes the beginnings ofWikiLeaks, the cyber-organization that shook up world gov-ernments and conventional media by posting highly confiden-tial news from anonymous sources, who “leaked” it fromplaces where it was supposed to be contained, sealed away,secreted. Among other stories, the site released sensitive filesabout the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, about civilians killedby military airstrikes, and about what went on at the notoriousprisoner detention center, Guantanamo Bay.

The term “fifth estate,” the movie tells us, refers to the waynews reporting was shaped by the speed, force – and reckless-ness – of information zipping around the planet in the newmillennium’s digital, instant-Internet age. If the old-fashionedprinting press was the pillar of the fourth estate, new e-media,spurred by WikiLeaks, became the fifth.

The movie centers on WikiLeak’s Australian founder, JulianAssange, and his contentious, co-dependent relationship withDaniel Berg, the site’s German representative (on whose book,“Inside WikiLeaks: My Time at the World’s Most DangerousWebsite With Julian Assange,” the screenplay is partly based).

Benedict Cumberbatch is mesmerizing as Assange, ablonde-haired cyber warrior crusading to expose fraud, cor-ruption, injustice, war crimes and other sins in high places.Daniel Brühl, who also co-stars in the new movie “Rush,” isBerg, a young computer hacker whose prankish, anti-estab-lishment sparks are fanned into flames of internationalactivism by Assange’s zeal and heated rhetoric.

Director Bill Condon – whose diverse credentials includethe musical “Dreamgirls,” the Gothic drama “Gods andMonsters” and two “Twilight” teen-angst vampire sagas –pumps the story hard, backfilling details of Assange’s dam-aged childhood; weaving in a difficult romantic relationshipfor Berg; and inserting a pair of Washington D.C. insiders(Stanley Tucci and Laura Linney) who have to deal with theserious fallout WikiLeaks creates as it puts foreign diplomats,military personnel and their families in danger by revealingtheir identities.

Was Assange a hero or a traitor? That’s the question themovie wants us to ponder. It also paints him as a cyber rockstar, with throngs of fans, followers and groupies. (He’s cur-rently living in London, where he’s been granted diplomaticasylum after a 2010 sexual assault investigation.)

But the movie’s all too much of a slog, I’m afraid,through a story that a lot of viewers will find too heavy oncurrent events and history and too light on entertainment.Like the cold, bleak backdrops of Belgium and Germany,where the filming took place, there’s far too little warmth,wit or movie sunshine to penetrate its overarching sense ofits own seriousness.

The movie ends with a faux-documentary segment inwhich Cumberbatch, as Assange, addresses the audience, as ifhe’s being interviewed about the movie they’ve just seen. Hesomewhat dismissively brushes the question away, then looksdirectly into the camera and tells viewers to become inspiredto seek their own truths, to ferret out their own information,to become their own crusading, whistle-blowing leak-findersand “look beyond this story.”

That’s assuming, of course, that they see it to begin with –which might require a leap of an estate or two beyond a lot ofpeople’s usual areas of interest.

FFrriiddaayy,, NNoovv.. 116 p.m. – Rush, R9 p.m. – Parkland, Pg-1311:30 p.m. – The Family, RSSaattuurrddaayy,, NNoovv.. 2210:30 a.m. – Free Admission Monster University, G1 p.m. – Hotel Transylvania 3-D, PG3:30 p.m. – Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs 3-D, PG6 p.m. – Insidious Chapter 2, PG-138:30 p.m. – Don Jon, R11 p.m. – Prisoners, RSSuunnddaayy,, NNoovv.. 3312: 30 p.m. – Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs 3-D, PG3 p.m. – Prisoners, R6:30 p.m. – Gravity 3-D, PG-139 p.m. – Baggage Claim, PG-13MMoonnddaayy,, NNoovv.. 447 p.m. – Don Jon, RTTuueessddaayy,, NNoovv.. 557 p.m. – Hotel Transylvania 3-D, PG7:30 p.m. – Riddick, RWWeeddnneessddaayy,, NNoovv.. 665 p.m. – Insidious Chapter 2, PG-137:30 p.m. – The Family, RTThhuurrssddaayy,, NNoovv.. 775 p.m. – Free Admission War Horse, PG-138:30 p.m. – Parkland, PG-13

COURTESY PHOTO

Whatever you’re lookingfor, you can find it in the

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Whatever you’re looking for, youcan find it in the

Observation PostClassified section

B6 NOOVVEEMMBBEERR 1, 2013 OBBSSEERRVVAATTIIOONN Post

Marines with 3rd LightArmored ReconnaissanceBattalion won first place in

the annual Combat CenterChallenge Oct. 25. The com-

petition pitted Combat Centerunits as well as Royal Marines from

40 Commando Royal Marines, in multiple compe-titions spanning the course of several days. Thechallenges tested their strength, speed andendurance. The Royal Marines placed second inthe competition, followed by sailors from RobertE. Bush Hospital in third place.

OMBAT ENTERHALLENGEC Photos by

Cpl. Ali Azimi

[Top, left] Marines with Marine Wing SupportSquadron 374 weave through obstacles as partof the annual Combat Center Challenge Oct. 25.[Top, right] Royal Marines with 40 CommandoRoyal Marines, race to the finish line during thelast portion of the competition Oct. 25. [Bottom,left] Cpl. Nathan Flaskegaard, Light ArmoredVehicle mechanic, 3rd Light ArmoredReconnaissance Battalion, competes in the chal-lenge at Del Valle Field Oct. 25. [Bottom, right]Cpl. Jorge Vega, squad leader, 2nd Battalion, 7thMarine Regiment, provides medical care for asimulated casualty as part of the last competitionof the Combat Center Challenge, Oct. 25.

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