Battalion Commander’s Comments

Lava Dog Ohana,

I’d like to start by thanking the spouses, children, siblings, parents and extended

family members for their support. We are well past the halfway mark of

deployment and look forward to reuniting with our loved ones. The picture to

the right represents the “Half Way Party” on Oahu that was hosted by our

Family Readiness Team. You should be proud of the accomplishments that

your Marine or Sailor made over the course of the deployment.

Company B participated in a physically demanding bilateral exercise, Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training

(CARAT) with the Indonesian Marines. The team conducted jungle survival training and had an opportunity to eat a wide

range of jungle creatures to include pythons, large reptiles and tropical fruits. The culminating event was a three day final

exercise where our Marines patrolled thru an actual coffee plantation/village and captured enemy role players.

Company C, Weapons Co and H&S Company participated in the bilateral Korean Marine Exchange Program (KMEP) with

a reinforced Korean Marine Corps Battalion in Southern Korea. The highlight of the KMEP was a combined arms live fire

exercise (CALFEX) utilizing artillery, heavy mortars, tanks, AAVs, unarmored vehicles, transport helicopters and attack

helicopters. The KMEP was featured by international media to include MSNBC, Fox News and CNN.

Following the KMEP, Weapons Company with enablers from each company conducted a joint & bilateral CALFEX utilizing

81mm/120mm mortars, apache helicopters, UAVs, fixed wing aircrafts and unarmored vehicles mounted with crew served

weapons in the Northern portion of South Korea. During down time, Marines had an opportunity to travel to the Korean

Demilitarization Zone (DMZ) and Korean War Memorial for professional military education (PME) opportunities. The

PMEs facilitated a better understanding of the Korean War and particularly the Marine Corps contribution to the campaign.

A portion of the battalion remained on Okinawa and participated in formal and informal schools, equipment readiness, and

military occupational specialty training. Company A took advantage of being the only infantry company on the base and

conducted an aggressive live fire training package.

The month concluded with the return of our distributed operational battalion to Okinawa. It was nice to finally have the

team together again. I enjoyed watching the newest members of the command grow in confidence and proficiency during

this period of high operational tempo.

Combined Arms Live Fire Exercise in Korea CNN Reporter Paula Hancock

Semper Fidelis,

Lava 6

16 Oct 2017

Important Family Readiness

Contact Information for Hawaii

Family Readiness Officer:

orin.lucas@usmc.mil or (808) 257-1433

Military & Family Life Counselor:

lavadogshawaii@gmail.com or (808) 285-8407

3d Marines Chaplain:

charles.luff@usmc.mil (808) 257-8799

Remain Behind Element Officer in Charge

sean.dix@usmc.mil or (808) 291-9156

Chaplain Update

Konnichiwa Lava Families!

September came and went and the battalion surpassed the halfway mark of

deployment. We wrapped up operations in South Korea and Indonesia and

returned to Okinawa in preparation for a major exercise in October,

Exercise Blue Chromite.

While in South Korea, we had opportunities to interact with the local

community via Community Relation (COMREL) projects. We conducted 10

COMRELs; engaging in weekly English tutoring, a beach clean-up utilizing

72 Lava Dogs and 80 ROK Marines, spanning a 5 km stretch of land and

picking up over 5 tons of trash. Additionally, we sent 50 Lava Dogs to cheer

for the Pohang Steelers soccer team during a local match.

Several Protestant services were conducted as well as opportunities to

attend an English Catholic service in town. As we enter the final months

leading up to our return, look for information regarding local Return and

Reunion briefs. These are great opportunities to get information that will

help you and your loved one have a smooth transition from deployment.

The briefs posture the command to experience a seamless transition from

deployment life to living back home in Oahu. Return and Reunion Briefs will

take place in Oahu for family members and in Okinawa for our command.

Your Lava Dogs have accomplished a great deal in a short amount of time,

you should be proud of their performance, grit and professionalism.

As always – we appreciate your thoughts and prayers as we finish the final

portion of the deployment.

Mahalo!

Chaplain Maruszewski

Want to see your

Lava Dog in

action?

Facebook.com/LavaDogsUSMC

For hi-res photo downloads

of your Marines, use the link

provided below

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rtfolio/1191761/aaron-

patterson

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search your Marine’s full unit

on the DVIDS main page

“Company, 1st Battalion, 3rd

Marine Regiment”

Mailing Address

(Rank, Full Name)

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Unit 89012 Boxes 1202-2000

FPO AP 96610

Head Hunter (H&S Co)

From the Commanding Officer: Headhunter friends and loved ones, we have reached the halfway mark and your

Marines and Sailors are ever-busy conducting Theater Security Cooperation exercises in three different countries. You

will be happy to know that all the long days and countless hours training back in Hawaii are paying off and ensuring the

success and that the Lava Dog heritage continues to thrive in distant lands and tropic seas. The closing ceremonies of

one exercise marks the start of another; needless to say we are expeditious and becoming more acquainted with our

amphibious roots at the same time. Your love, care and support keep spirits high and are vital to a successful deployment,

so keep contributing in your special unique way.

As expected on any deployment, communication with your loved one will be limited; however, rest assured we will keep

you updated on the latest accomplishments and milestones

From the First Sergeant: As we push past the half way mark we look ahead to an ever busy operational schedule.

The Marines and Sailors of Head Hunter Nation continue to exceed expectations while remaining ever ready with our

allies in the Pacific. We thank you for your continued support and look forward to sharing our experiences over the course

of the deployment.

Warhammer (Weapons Co)

September was an exciting time for the Marines and Sailors of Warhammer Company. The Warhammer Family arrived in

South Korea from Fuji via High Speed Vessel (HSV). Within two days after disembarking from the 36 hour HSV ride, CAAT-

1, SST-3, 81mm Mortar Platoon 1st Section, and the Headquarters Platoon began training with the Republic of Korea Marine

Corps (ROKMC) from the 33d Infantry Battalion. Partaking in the training exercise called Korean Marine Exchange Program

(KMEP), afforded the Marines and Sailors to train alongside one another and teach and learn different military tactics,

languages, and cultural experiences. The two week training consisted of non-live fire training, where the Marines of 81mm

Mortar Platoon taught their counterparts aspects of the 81mm mortar system, CAAT-1 taught the Mk-19 and .50cal heavy

machine guns, and Snipers taught how to develop a final firing position and conduct range estimations. The culminating

event for KMEP was a combined arms exercise where all weapon systems were employed during various stages of the

attack. It was a great way to end the training and showcase the hard work that the Company and the ROKMC have

conducted. During a day off from training, the Company conducted a tour of the Korean War Museum, which afforded the

Marines to gain a better understanding of the history of the Korean War.

While KMEP was coming to an end, 81mm Mortar Platoon 2nd Section, CAAT-2, SST-1, and Headquarters Platoon boarded

buses and headed to the northern part of South Korea to conduct training at Rodriguez Live Fire Training Center. This

training incorporated working alongside 25th Army Transportation Unit and learning one another’s capabilities. It was the

first time that some of the Marines and Sailors had ever worked with an Army unit. The training was exceptional for the

Company as they integrated fixed and rotary wing aircraft, 81mm mortars, and heavy machine guns during training. The

Marines had the opportunity during an off day to visit the DMZ. It was a great experience and one that the Marines will

remember for a lifetime.

We would like to congratulate PFC’s Armstrong, Baker, Fredericks and Hash on being promoted to Lance Corporal, Lance

Corporal’s Austin and Cardona on being promoted to Corporal, and Corporal’s Alexander and Rollins on being promoted to

Sergeant. We are very pleased to see the Marines continue to develop into great leaders.

We cannot be more proud of the Marines and Sailors of Warhammer Company. They continue to display the utmost

professionalism and strive to achieve the “IT” factor in everything they do.

Thank you for all your continued support.

Semper Fi

Warhammer 6

Ares (Co A)

From the Commanding Officer: Aloha, Ares Families and friends. It is now September

and we are preparing for our last exercise of the deployment, Blue Chromite. This exercise

is unique in that the company will embark the USS Ashland and conduct a amphibious

assault in landing craft; two experiences the vast majority of Marines have not experienced

thus far in their careers.

In addition, Marines are staying busy conducting training in Okinawa. Over the past month, we have conducted four live

fire ranges including Range 10 which Marines of all MOSs of the company honed their craft over a three day period,

Range 51 a point man course, and the 170 series, urban and barricaded shooting ranges.

As always, the first of the month brings promotions. Congratulations are in order to Sergeant Dumas, Corporal Antle,

Corporal Alvarado, Corporal, Decant, Corporal Morgan, Corporal Rogers, and Corporal Cardona. Corporal Wade

reenlisted during the month at Hacksaw Ridge, a local battle site made famous by the Hollywood film. Congratulations to

him and his wife.

Finally, we are fully focused on Enlisted Professional Education. Many Marines have attended or are attending the Lance

Corporal’s Leadership Ethics Seminar, Corporal’s Course, Career Course, Advanced Course, Martial Arts Instructor

Course, Combat Marksmanship Trainer Course, and Helicopter Rope Suspension Course just to name a few. Our

investiment in education has paid dividends in our overall readiness level.

Semper Fi! Capt Reynolds

Berserker (Co B)

Aloha Berserker Family and Friends,

I hope this letter finds you well wherever you may be. The last few months have been extremely busy for Bravo Company.

September 2017, Bravo Company’s first and third platoons departed Singapore aboard the USNS Millinocket to conduct

the ground phase of exercise Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) with the Indonesian Marines at Camp

Karang Tekok. This exercise included cross training with weapons systems, live fire training to include mortars and

machine guns, a battalion movement to contact, and a company raid. This provided another opportunity for the Marines of

Bravo Company to refine their jungle skills and proficiency while increasing the lethality of a combined U.S. and

Indonesian force. Second platoon embarked on the HSV to South Korea and attached to Charlie Company for an iteration

of the Korean Marine Exchange Program. In Korea, second platoon conducted a live fire stress shoot as well as urban

and patrol base operations partnered with a platoon from the 10th Republic of Korea (ROK) Battalion. The Bravo

Company Fire Support Team (FiST) deployed to Rodriguez Live Fire Complex, South Korea in support of day and night

non-illuminated combined arms training operations. Exercises included integration and coordination of U.S. Army and

U.S. Air force fixed wing and rotary wing platforms, 81mm and 120mm indirect fire assets, and a mechanized maneuver

element including a USMC Combined Anti-Armor Team (CAAT) Section, U.S. Army Armored Personnel Carriers and

Republic of Korea mechanized assets.

As the time gets ever closer to our return to Oahu, we thank you for your love and support throughout this deployment.

Berserker 6

Chaos (Co C)

Konnichiwa Chaos Families-

OORAH! We are past the halfway point and have returned to Okinawa after a very

successful time conducting training with our ROK Marine counterparts. We had the

opportunity to continue building our partnerships during live-fire and non-live fire training. We

learned new skills while we introduced the Koreans to new training techniques. Additionally,

many of the Marines and Sailors had the opportunity to conduct a DMZ (Korean Demilitarized Zone) and Korean War

Museum visit in Seoul. After several months on the Korean Peninsula we have finally rejoined the rest of the battalion

back in Okinawa.

Our work continues, as we prepare for our next exercise. Additionally, many of our Marines have begun their professional

military education (PME) courses that will teach them new skills, improve their leadership, and better prepare them for

promotion. Concurrently we will be conducting annual marksmanship training.

Your Marines and Sailors have performed very well thus far and have come together as a cohesive, capable team. Please

continue to send them support by taking advantage of all available means of maintaining communication.

Arigatogozaimasu!

Capt David Rooks, Chaos 6