July 2010

COMBAT LOGISTICS REGIMENT—15 (FORWARD)

MAINTENANCE COMPANY
Major Copley, Company Commander
Last month I told you Maintenance Company was the best
company in the Regiment and June has left little doubt in
Sections: my mind this still holds true. This month we had nine
regular promotions, five meritorious promotions, eight
Headquarters 2
Good Conduct Medals, four Navy and Marine Corps
Repairable Issue Point 3 Achievement Medals and two Outstanding Volunteer Ser-
vice Medals awarded to Marines within Maintenance Com-
Communications 4 pany. Maintenance Company is without a doubt the com-
Electronics pany with the most promotions and awards; of course we
Engineers 5,6 are the biggest company in the Regiment. The Marines
from Maintenance Company continue to impress me each
Ordnance and General 7
and every day. Hardwork, dedication and innovation are
Support
the hallmark of their character. For instance, we have a Marine that discovered a
Motor Transport 8 way to reduce the repair time on certain vehicles from 40 hours to 20 hours – an un-
believable contribution to the fight. Your Marines continue to do great things each
Forward Detachments, 9 and every day. As we celebrate Independence day together, the mission still per-
SEI sists. I could not be more proud of each and every Marine under my charge. As al-
ways, thank you for your continued support of your Marines. We could not accom-
plish our mission without you.

Major J. R. Copley

First Sergeant Monroe, Company First Sergeant

Greetings families and friends. I am happy to say that we have passed
the halfway point and the Marines of Maintenance Company continue
to set the precedence for I MEF. Over the past month I have watched
them perform at a level well beyond what is expected without missing a
beat. You would be very proud to know that their hard work is a very valuable asset to the
mission that stands before our country. The Marines stand proudly side by side, through
the ups and downs to ensure that their families can rest safely and we will continue to
hold that honor until we are properly relieved. Take comfort in knowing that your Marine
is on guard. Continue to pray for us as we pray for you. This weekend marks Independ-
ence Day, I ask that you take a moment and remember those that have served our country
and the many that continue to serve. God Bless you and your families.

First Sergeant J. E. Monroe

 Page 2

Headquarters

Another month has gone by and the Marines of Headquarters

(HQs) Platoon (Plt) continue to impress. It’s amazing the inge-
nuity and work ethic of Marines as they are continually tested
mentally and physically away from home. The long hours and
exhausting climate have taken their toll on everyone, but the
equipment parts are still getting ordered and getting brought
in. The paperwork is still getting filed and the reporting is still
getting accomplished. All of this while moving into our new
homes, the Maintenance Company Office and the Maintenance
Management Office buildings. The compliments are also pour-
ing in. CLR-15 (FWD) is definitely being touted as the tip of the
logistical spear. The Marines here are changing the pace of
operations and leading the Marine Logistics Group (MLG) to
accomplish the mission. The support that the Marines in HQs Plt are giving
is able to directly affect the ability for CLR-15 Maintenance Company to sup-
port the MEF. I am proud of the efforts and determination of each and every
one of the Marines in HQs Plt for persevering through these tough times and
know that the support they receive from their friends and family are not going
unnoticed. It puts a hop in their step every time mail call is done and the
letters, postcards and packages are received. I would like to take this oppor-
tunity to place a special congratulations to Cpl Clark on his meritorious pro-
motion to Corporal this month and SSgt Hunter for his selection to Gunnery
Sergeant. These Marine’s efforts and professionalism have not gone unno-
LCpl Rodriguez arms himself for a
SMU run

Awards and Promotions

Combat Meritorious Promotions
Sgt Ryan Albright
Joshua Cook Raymond Sullivan Jr Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal

LCpl Felisha Franklin

Jorge Carrillo Aaron Lungmus
Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal

Dominick Chiurco Patrick Clark LCpl Keith Medlin

Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal
Jorge Floresgutierrez Diana Valdez
LCpl Taylor Smith
Ian Jones Nikolas Rivera Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal

Adam Luttio United States Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal

Cpl Stephen Jensen
MSgt Charles Baker III
Bradley McDonald Military Outstanding Volunteer Service
Sgt Joshua Cook
Carlos Ramos Sgt Victoria Wellman
Cpl Antony Oliveira Cpl Brandon Diggins
Joseph Teague Cpl Kelcey Smith Military Outstanding Volunteer Service
Cpl Sergio Miranda
LCpl Tyler Erickson
LCpl Zachary Douglas
 Page 3

The Reparable Issue Point had a month to remember. On the 16th of

Repairable Issue Point May the lot which we shared with the Supply Management Unit was
destroyed by fire. However, due to heroic efforts of RIP Marines over
80% of our inventory was saved. I would like to take time to thank all of those family and
friends who wished us well during this period. The Marines of the RIP performed their duties
admirably and continued the mission without a building, warehouse, or usual day to day of-
fice equipment. A testament to their determination was evident as we did our first transaction
the morning following the fire. Never has my pride in a group been more than it was that day.

As this current month roles on and we are now comfortably moved into our new facility we
continue to support the MEFs effort in Afghanistan. Until next month…

-CWO Nemiah Johnson

Left, Clockwise: Cpl Carillo discov-

ers art among the destruction.

The SMU is burning.

LCpl Jones and LCpl Valdez work-

ing hard.

LCpl Staritz skillfully operating

the tram.

The Gator got too close.

CWO Johnson, Maj Copley and

SSgt Alcorn assess the damage.
 Page 4

Communications Electronics Maintenance

The Fantastic 4

From left to right: LCpl Springer,

Sgt Rosamilia, LCpl Loeck and
Cpl Alvarado

Greetings Family and Friends,

Another month has passed and we are quickly approaching the half way point of the deployment. The Ma-
rines in the Platoon have settled into their daily routines and continue to impress. We would like to start out
this month by congratulating Sergeant Albright for winning the Non-Commissioned Officer of the quarter
board. Competition was keen, but Sergeant Albright came out on top. Well Done!

This month’s spot light is not one Marine, but the four man team that Communication Electronics Mainte-
nance has stationed at Camp Dwyer. This team is responsible for augmenting Combat Logistics Battalion-5
(CLB-5) and providing an Intermediate Maintenance Activity (IMA) capability further forward. When we
stepped on deck CLC-252 had eight Marines performing this mission. Due to changing mission requirements,
we were only able to send out four Marines. Sgt Rosamilia, Cpl Alvarado, LCpl Loeck and LCpl Springer took
the place of the eight Marines and have been able to provide the same level of service with half the man-
power. LCpl Spencer Loeck is a reservist who volunteered for the deployment from Wichita Kansas and serves
as the sections shipping and receiving NCO. He has learned a lot since deploying and is becoming a great
computer technician. LCpl Christopher Springer is another reservist is from Indianapolis who also volun-
teered to deploy. He has deployed before and used his vast knowledge and previous experience to provide in-
put on how to restructure and configure the Maintenance shop to better support Intermediate Mainte-
nance. Cpl Franklin Alvarado is an active duty Marine stationed at Camp Pendleton and hails from Los Ange-
les, CA. A radio repairman by MOS, Cpl Alvarado has cross trained as a computer technician while in Dwyer
to better support the needs of the shop. He and his wife Suzi are expecting their second child sometime in the
middle of June…any day now. Sgt Rosamilia is serving as the IMA Comm/Elect Maintenance Site Chief and is
directly responsible for the other Comm/Elect Marines at Dwyer. He issues out daily tasks and responsibili-
ties, and looks after the morale and welfare of the Marines. Sgt Rosamilia and his wife Toni have two children,
Jalees (10) and Jaden (who turns 8 in June-Happy Birthday!), and live on San Marcos, California. These Ma-
rines are doing great things while down at Camp Dwyer and have recently combined tech shops with CLB-5 to
better support the war fighters in the area of operation.

We would like to again thank all of you for your love and support!
 Page 5

Engineer

Maintenance

Friends and family of Engineer Maintenance Platoon,

Another month has passed by and your Marines continue to excel beyond my expectations. Also, the weather is reach-
ing extreme summer temperatures as we encounter each new day. Nearing the halfway point in our deployment to
Afghanistan, the Marines of Engineer Maintenance Platoon push on and are continuing their mission, repairing all
equipment that comes their way. I must say, they are doing an outstanding job.

Though the work has not slowed down, we were able to take a few hours out of a Sunday afternoon and have a barbe-
que, play volleyball, horse shoes, cards and just relax for a bit.

The Marines of the Metal Shop have been doing an outstanding job. The Metal Shop has fabricated numerous protec-
tive barriers to enhance security for Marines manning Entry Control Points throughout our base. The Metal Shop has
also fabricated racks, ladders, and steps for many Marine Corps tactical vehicles. They have also made bolts and
plugs for many different types of vehicles and equipment. To date, our Metal Shop Marines have fabricated and com-
pleted repairs on over 200 pieces of equipment which is about three times as much work normally completed by the
same Marines at Camp Pendleton.

Our platoon’s Maintenance Management Section is run by a single Marine; Corporal Manuel Montelongo Jr. He proc-
esses all equipment repair orders and parts requisition for Engineer Equipment Platoon. So far, Cpl Montelongo has
opened and closed over 1,200 Equipment Repair Orders for our platoon.

The Tool Room and Calibrations Marines continue to be busy as always conducting inventories, re-arranging the Tool
Room and trying to provide the best tools for the hard working Marines that are on the lot fixing the gear. This is the
reason we recently re-located our Common #30 Tool Kit. It was placed in a more accessible spot and now the Marines
will be able to use the Material Handling Crane to lift generators, engines and other heavy components when needed.

It’s been another busy month for the Marines of the Utilities section. Our refrigeration mechanics continue to do great
work despite the seemingly endless flow of request for air conditioner repairs; they continue to keep their customers
comfortable and cool. The generator section is staying busy as well remaining on call 24/7, completing repairs as
complex as replacing engines and as simple as instructing someone to add fuel to their generator.

Equipment issues have plagued us since our arrival in Afghanistan but the Marines in Heavy Equipment section have
continued to do great work. They have repaired roughly 50 heavy equipment items so far and as fast as they fix
them…more broken ones roll in. There’s no shortage of work for this section either.

We have a number of acknowledgements for the month of June. Sergeant James McCormick and his wife Amanda
welcomed their baby girl, Arianna Elizabeth, into the world on 16 May, 2010. Aaron Lungmus was meritoriously pro-
moted to the rank of Corporal. Lance Corporals Felisha Franklin and Taylor Smith were each awarded the Navy and
Marine Corps Achievement Medal and Lance Corporal Justin Grizzle received the Good Conduct Medal.

We would like to send a sincere Happy Father’s Day to all the parents, spouses, friends, and families of the Marines of
Engineer Maintenance Platoon.

Semper Fidelis,
CWO3 Keith Earhart

Machinists hard at work

Utilities Section replacing an engine Cpl Thompson wiring up a generator
 Page 6

Engineer

Maintenance

The phrase, ―A picture is worth a thousand words,‖ may mean more to some
than it does to others. To a Metal Worker, it means pouring your heart mind and soul
into a raw piece of metal. As he applies fire and force with acute precision, he creates
inspirations that serve both as art and useful products. In some cases his labor becomes
an incredible contribution to history—as are bridges, statues, currencies, and many
other fabrications created by past Metalworkers.

Lance Corporal Phan, Quyen joined the Marine Corp in October 2007. He was born in Saigon Vietnam,
and is currently serving as a metal worker, with 1st Maintenance Battalion, Combat Logistics Regiment-
15, currently deployed to Camp Leatherneck, Afghanistan.

―It is very rewarding to create such art work during a major part of history‖, said LCpl Phan.
―The public needs to know what we are doing. Our job is to document and provide a personal and emo-
tional medium for the public and family to understand what
Marines do. I am able to see what my family couldn’t, and I
showed them what life is like in a different environment
through our history and traditions.‖

―It’s almost incalculable what he is able to do with any type

of metal,‖ said Cpl Fugate, LCpl Phan’s Non-Commissioned
Officer and his senior Metal worker. ―Metal work paints a
broader perspective then what pictures do‖ he opines.

LCpl Phan’s inspiration was born from his mother’s recent

purchase of a new home. His work, which will be sent out
this month as a house warming gift; and to wish his family a wonderful new beginning in their new
home, is derived from a combination of ancient Asian facts and myths surrounding the power of drag-
ons and spirits, and their influence on life. In the Chinese tradition, the dragon has a place of very high
esteem and differs dramatically from those that appear in Western-world stories and sagas. Unlike its
Western counterpart, a symbol of evil, a malevolent force to be vanquished and slain, the Chinese
dragon is a benevolent creature exemplifying the life force and signifying good fortune.

LCpl Phan reflects on how he feels that it is only right to return the gratitude and encouragement that
has been provided to him by his family. ―Even as a Marine you always appreciate the never ending love
and the support that is provided by your parents‖. He con-
tinues on to say ―And even miles away a piece of home is
what brings comfort and serenity to a young Marines mind
and heart‖. His dedication keeps his welders and fellow Ma-
rines inspired as they admire his artistic and professional
metal work. LCpl Phan enjoys working with his fellow metal
workers and says he will continue to dream and create his
one of a kind metal work on his spare time. He will always
focus on fulfilling his family’s traditions, heritage as well as
his new found Marine Corps duties as a Metal worker.
 Page 7

rdnance and General Support

GENERAL SUPPORT SECTION

Finally! After three months of repairing engines and starters in the open, followed by a mended tent, we now have our
new maintenance facility, and have successfully made a home for the fuel test machine (AVM2PC) adjacent to our
facility. This was accomplished by the direct leadership of the Non-
Commission Officers and the dedication and ingenuity of the Lance Cor-
porals.
The section has been working hard to set up shop in the new mainte-
nance facility. Their enthusiasm and dedication continues to show, even
during the hottest times of the day. By choice the section would rather
work in the heat to get the shop up and ready, instead of waiting for the
heat to decrease later in the day. Yes! with plenty of water and some
shade they have endure some of the intense hot weather that Afghanistan
has to offer thus far, but we are still waiting for those 130 degree days
we hear so much about.
Cpl Desplinter setting the valves
on an LAV engine

M88 RECOVERY SECTION

This month we are proud to announce two promotions within the recovery crew, Cpl Cook was promoted to
Sgt and LCpl Chiurco was promoted to Cpl. Also, the M88A2 Recovery team has been hard at work preparing several
M88’s for return to the States and providing the technical expertise to
other units to accomplish repairs. Specifically Cpl Avila and Cpl
Chiurco have been of immeasurable assistance to CLB 6, saving them
several days of labor in repairing their own M88A2 Tank Recovery
Vehicle.

SSgt Ray and the M88 crew

OPTICS SECTION

Following an urgent request for support from a forward unit, LCpl Ja-
red B. Murrill jumped on the next convoy to Marjeh, taking with him
only a handful of tools and a container full of repair parts. Upon arri-
val, LCpl Murrill got to work on more than 50 night vision devices that
required repair. By the time he left, he had traveled to multiple loca-
tions and fixed or collected more items than the original request re-
quired. His performance speaks volumes of his character.

LCpl Murrill adjusts a mortar sight

Motor Transport We have come a long way since arriving in country over 3 months ago, yes it has
Page 8

been 3 months already and we are at the half way point of our deployment. When we
reflect on the last three months and all that we have accomplished, it’s easy to forget some of
our accomplishments since there’ve been so many. During the month of June we rotated 1/3 of
each of our sections ,mechanics in the IMA lot between the MRAP, MRAP-ATV and legacy equip-
ment, in order to ensure that all mechanics are trained and experienced on all of the Motor
Transport equipment used in support of I MEF operational forces. Also, since half of our broth-
ers and sisters are Reservist, this will improve their technical proficiency in their MOS and in
the Marine Forces Reserve.

The GSMT Marines are well into the deployment and with the platoon’s conducting non-stop
Combat Logistics Patrols (CLP’s) in the Area of Operations (AO), the Marines at GSMT are in
high demand. The mechanics at GSMT have risen to the occasion and assisted in over 20 con-
voys providing pre-operational and post operational checks on all the vehicles allowing the op-
erators to shift their focus on the safety of the loads, the equipment they are hauling and allow-
ing them to get the much needed rest to return to base in a safe and efficient manner.

While at Camp Leatherneck, the Marines of GSMT continue maintenance support for Supply Company, Security Company and
General Support Motor Transport Company in a timely manner and allowing them to complete their mission of supporting other
units here in the Helmand province. To date the Marines have completed 320 different repairs to the over 250 vehicles that are mov-
ing supplies and equipment down the road.

The IIP maintenance team continues to work to identify defects, once I MEF assets arrive into Afghanistan, in a timely manner.
Once all defects have been identified, repairs are conducted to the equipment to ensure it is operational and combat ready. All mo-
tor transport assets are sent to the Joint Projects Office lot to get their additional equipment installed onto them. From there, vehi-
cles requiring gunner turrets are sent to IMA where the modifications are applied.

During the last month we’ve had several mechanics being interviewed and a public affairs article being published, about our ability
to rebuild/repair I MEF’s Mine Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicles in order to protect the Marines on the front lines and
help them accomplish their mission in a relatively safe vehicle. Also, SSgt Cooke (MTM Recovery Chief) conducted a live interview for
NBC San Diego. He was chosen due to the outstanding recovery support that his team provides to I MEF operational forces. The
links below will take you to the website.

http://www.dvidshub.net/?script=news/news_show.php&id=51039
http://www.dvidshub.net/popups/theater-tveyes.php?vid=17712

Left: LCpl Brewer and

LCpl Leija repair an
MRAP

Above: Sgt Losh shows LCpl Dalessandro

the benefits of facial hair

Left: LCpl Erickson repairing an MRAP

 Page 9
Maintenance Company Forward Detachments

Since the merger of CLB-5 and CLR-15, Maintenance Company has set forth a new standard for units to come. The de-
tachment has been on deck for almost three months now and the strength of this company is well known. We maintain,
issue, inspect, repair and replace Heavy Equipment, Motor Transport, Artillery, Optics, Utilities, and Communication
assets. To these Marines, failure to support the warfighter is not an option. The work ethic and man hours they dedicate
to the surrounding units is inspiring. Keeping product quality in
mind, Maintenance Company has also increased its productivity
and while forward units are more satisfied with the results pro-
duced from our IMA lot. The brotherhood that has been estab-
lished here has allowed us to become more efficient in the task at
hand. Our Marines aren’t just turning wrenches, they are grow-
ing as Marines. This past holiday we took time out to reflect dur-
ing the Memorial Day weekend and shared a BBQ with CLB-5.
The Marines here are tasked with many difficult situations and
through hard work and challenges, these Marines are beginning
to see their true potential. This experience is not only an eye
opener but a true test for a Marine. All the hours spent repairing,
cross training on numerous MOS’s, and the leadership and dedi-
cation of our NCO’s has established an Esprit de Corps that
serves as powerful reminder of our values as Marines.

Special Equipment Issue (SEI)

Counter Suicide Bomber Capability (CSBC) or better known as Dragon Vision is

made up of two Field Service Representatives (FSR) . On the right is Mike (aka
Peter) and the left is Dan (aka Jesus). Yes these two former Marines are charac-
ters but have a very serious job to perform. The CSBC allows Marines to deter-
mine if a person has a suicide vest or other harmful items on their person. The
standoff distance the CSBS system provides keeps the Marines at a safe distance
to counter this threat.

Besides it’s force protection capa-

bilities, Peter and Jesus utilize
Dragon Vision to peer underneath
the clothing of unsuspecting
bystanders