17th Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps Announced

17th Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps Announced

HEADQUARTERS MARINE CORPS- The Commandant of the Marine Corps announced today his selection for the next Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps.

"I'm pleased to announce Sergeant Major Micheal P. Barrett as the 17th Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps," said General James Amos, Commandant of the Marine Corps. "Sergeant Major Barrett, through his long and distinguished service to our Nation, has demonstrated that he is particularly well-suited to serve as my senior enlisted advisor through the challenges ahead. My wife Bonnie and I welcome him and his wife Susan and look forward to serving with them."

Sergeant Major Barrett will replace Sgt. Maj. Carlton W. Kent, who has served as the 16th SMMC since April 25, 2007. The relief and appointment, and retirement of Sgt. Maj. Kent will take place on June 9 at Marine Barracks Washington.

Sergeant Major Barrett recently returned from Afghanistan where he served as the sergeant major of Regional Command Southwest and I Marine Expeditionary Force (Forward). He currently serves as the sergeant major of the 1st Marine Division at Camp Pendleton, CA.

The post of Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps was established in 1957 as the senior enlisted advisor to the Commandant of the Marine Corps, the first such post in any of the branches of the United States Armed Forces. The Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps is selected by the Commandant, and typically serves a four-year term, though his service is at the pleasure of the Commandant.

31st MEU's leaves Japan / returns to Oki

31ST MEU RETURNS TO OKINAWA AFTER OPERATION TOMODACHI

USS ESSEX, AT SEA - 2,200 Marines and Sailors of the 31st Marine Expeditionary unit, are returning home to Okinawa, Japan, after nearly three weeks of conducting relief operations with the Japan Maritime and Ground Self-Defense Forces in support of Operation Tomodachi in mainland Japan.

USS Essex (LHD 2), with the majority of Marines and Sailors of the 31st MEU aboard, is scheduled to arrive at Naval Facility White Beach, Okinawa at noon on April 12. Two other ships with elements of the 31st MEU aboard, USS Germantown (LSD 42) and USS Harpers Ferry (LSD 49), already arrived in Okinawa on April 7.

"The Marines have helped their friends in time of need, and stand ready to support further if called upon," said Col. Andrew MacMannis, commanding officer, 31st MEU. "We are proud to call Okinawa our home, and to help those in Japan was an honor and privilege. We are all proud to have been a part of the relief efforts."

The 31st MEU was split into three separate parts on March 11. The largest ship, USS Essex (LHD 2), with most of the Marines and Sailors of the 31st MEU aboard, had just completed an exercise in Cambodia and had arrived in Malaysia for a port visit. When 31st MEU leadership received news of the tsunami, they initiated an immediate recall of all personnel who were away from the ship on liberty. The ship quickly took on some supplies, and in less than 24 hours was underway to Japan where it would meet up with the other two ships.

Germantown and Harpers Ferry were both in Indonesia with elements of the 31st MEU embarked, and Marines and Sailors aboard Harpers Ferry were scheduled to participate in a large humanitarian assistance and disaster relief exercise starting March 12. Both ships were immediately alerted upon news of the disaster in Japan and headed north for the stricken country.

The Essex Amphibious Ready Group and the 31st MEU first arrived off the coast of Akita, Japan, March 17 and began flying coastal surveillance flights. Then, on March 22, the ARG repositioned off the east coast of Japan, near Hachinohe, and the 31st MEU immediately began delivering relief supplies ashore via helicopters. Supplies delivered included water, blankets, and other health and comfort items. HMM-262 (Rein) conducted a total of 15 survey missions and 204 supply delivery missions with nearly 300 hours of flight time.

On March 27, the MEU and Essex ARG's priority became support to the isolated island of Oshima. The units began by transporting relief supplies, which included moving commercial electric utility vehicles, a fuel truck, a water re-supply vehicle and civilian workers from the Tohoku Power Company by U.S. Navy landing craft to restore partial power to the cut-off island.

During the Oshima operation, two pallets of clothes, blankets, food and toys donated by Marines and Sailors were flown to the JMSDF helicopter destroyer JS Hyuga (DDH 181) by Marine helicopters, where they were distributed to displaced residents of the island who were temporarily embarked aboard the ship.

Working alongside the JGSDF, the 31st MEU delivered 15,000 pounds of supplies to the island and cleared tons of debris from harbors, roads and beaches. Marines also created temporary shower facilities allowing residents to bathe. For some it was the first time they had been able to take a shower since the tsunami struck.

In total, the 31st MEU and the Essex ARG moved more than 160,000 pounds of relief supplies to those affected by the disaster.

JMSDF Lt. Hiroaki Tanaka, who served as a liaison officer between Japanese and U.S. forces in the area, expressed appreciation on behalf of the people of Japan. "Thank you," said Tanaka. "We are extremely thankful for your help and cooperation. I will never forget everything you have done for us."

The 31st MEU is the only continually forward-deployed MEU, and remains the nation's force-in-readiness in the Asia-Pacific region. It provides a forward-deployed, flexible, sea-based force capable of responding to a wide range of contingencies as required.

31ST MEU aids cut-off Oshima Island

OSHIMA, Japan - Approximately 170 Marines and Sailors from Company G, Battalion Landing Team 2nd Battalion, 5th Marines, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit left the USS Essex (LHD 2) beginning Operation Field Day in support of the Japanese Ground Self Defense Force, April 1.

The operation involves clearing and cleaning-up debris on the remote island of Oshima, which has been isolated since March 11 when the tsunami hit.

Along with the Marines and Sailors, four humvees, a dump truck, water truck and fuel truck were brought to the island via U.S. Navy landing craft to assist in debris removal.

The island, which is dependent upon ferry service from the mainland, was cut-off from the mainland when the tsunami washed its ferries ashore

31st MEU personnel are scheduled to assist in cleaning the harbor area to facilitate transportation of disaster aid and relief supplies to the island. Marines and Sailors are also scheduled to remove debris from local schools and government buildings, under the direction of the JGSDF and local officials.

"The Marines and Sailors with the 31st MEU are committed to helping out the people of Japan in any way possible," said Col. Andrew MacMannis, 31st MEU commanding officer. "We have the capability and equipment to move ashore and assist the people of Oshima, and we are proud to help the Japan Self Defense Forces begin the large task of getting the island back to normal."

For most Marines and Sailors with BLT 2/5, this is their first opportunity to help in the relief and recovery efforts.

"As the guys on the ground, we have a lot of manpower to assist our Japanese friends and neighbors," said Lt. Col. Pete Farnum, commanding officer of BLT

2/5. "This gives us the opportunity to join in the ongoing humanitarian operations, and to help those in need."

The 31st MEU's involvement comes in support of the ongoing Japanese response after the horrific earthquake and resulting tsunami struck northern Japan causing widespread damage. The 31st MEU is ready to support its Japanese partners and to provide assistance when called upon.




The island, which is dependent upon ferry service from the mainland, was cut-off from the mainland when the tsunami washed its ferries ashore.

31st MEU: Marines ashore @ Oshima Island

31st MEU: Marines ashore @ Oshima Island
By Capt Caleb Eames
31st MEU, PAO

Ohima Island: Power to the island was restored the same evening we delivered utility repair trucks, assisting the Japanese workers to repair the system after 16 days with no electricity.

Two U.S. Navy landing craft carrying Marines and Sailors with the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit and Amphibious Squadron 11, as well as disaster relief supplies and Japanese electrical utility trucks, arrived in Oshima Island, March 27.

Oshima Island has been without running water and electricity since the massive earthquake and subsequent tsunami ravaged the northeast coast of Japan, March 11.

"This island was supplied with water from a pipeline from mainland Japan," said Kiichro Onodera, a local city worker. "After the earthquake, the tsunami destroyed the pump station. Since then, people have purified the water in the city pool and made it drinkable; that's all we had."

The Marines delivered nearly 2,000 gallons of water to the island today. Approx 900 gallons were brought directly to a junior high school, which was being used as a shelter for 450 locals displaced by the disaster.

"This water will help supply over 3,000 people," Onodera said. "People will now be able to shower, and do things they have not been able to do since the disaster happened."

The Marines also delivered 1,738 meals ready to eat, 136 tarps, and 300 health and comfort kits to the Japan Self Defense Forces to distribute to those in need.

The health and comfort kits contain baby wipes, sun screen, toilet paper, soap, tooth paste and tooth brushes, shampoo and conditioner, lotion, eye drops, foot powder, razors, lip balm and tissues.

In addition to delivering humanitarian aid, the Marines and Sailors also transported local electrical utility vehicles from Kesennuma city to Oshima Island, to assist with restoring power to the isolated community.

The trucks were brought from the mainland port of Kessenuma nearby by a U.S. Navy landing craft because the bridge to the island was destroyed by the tsunami.

"This will help us to restore vital lifelines to Oshima from Kesennuma as soon as possible. Oshima island residents are suffering greatly," said JSDF Maj. Shinya Takase, operations officer, 1st Division, 41st Infantry Regiment, in charge of disaster response in Kesennuma. "There is no electrical power at all. These vehicles will help them and help ease the situation. Japanese forces and Marines are doing very well in working through this together. At this moment, there is no other option to get these vehicles to Oshima. That is why we are so grateful for your help."

With the landing craft transporting the vehicles, the vital infrastructure needed by the people of the island began to be repaired. By 5 p.m. today, the Marines of the 31st MEU received word that electricity had been restored for the first time in 16 days, due to their efforts in assisting the Japanese workers.

"We are extremely grateful for your cooperation and help," Sasaki Masaetsu, maintenance manager in Kesennuma who rode an LCU to Oshima Island. "We now have a 400kilowatt emergency generator, two bucket trucks, one crane, and a tools and materials truck, which arrived on your landing craft. We have 450 displaced people here on the island. These trucks will help us provide power for the displaced persons' shelters, and the remaining homes, so they can have heat and light.It is an extreme honor to have the Marines here, we did not expect it and we are so thankful."

As happy as the Japanese were to receive the supplies, the Marines and Sailors of the 31st MEU were just as happy to lend a helping hand.

"To be able to come out here and do this was mind-blowing," said Sgt. Kyle O. Mills, chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear assessment and consequence management technician, 31st MEU. "We all saw the destruction on the news, but you just don't know what it's like until you are out here experiencing it firsthand, it was great to be able to do something to help these people."

CBRN Marines were present during the operation as a precautionary measure to monitor radiation levels; ensuring there were no unexpected levels. In theevent of any possible contamination; Marines were ready to decontaminate any equipment and personnel exposed.

"We took readings every half-hour to ensure it was safe," said Mills. "For the entire operation the levels remained completely normal."

As the day came to an end, and the Marines returned to the LCU's, everyone who was involved knew they had made a difference.

"We came here to help our Japanese friends and support them in any way possible," said 1st Lt. Robert Jankowski, the engineering platoon commander with Combat Logistics Battalion 31, 31st MEU. "This operation was very successful, we were able to give help and disperse aid to the displaced. All the Marines did a great job."

31st MEU Update - Marine Assistance in Japan

31ST MEU CONTINUES RELIEF EFFORTS

USS ESSEX, Off the coast of Japan - The 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit continues relief efforts off the northeast coast of Honshu in support of Operation Tomodachi.

The MEU arrived off the coast March 19, after the 9.0-magnitude earthquake and subsequent tsunami devastated the region on March 11. As of March 25, the unit has delivered more than 50,000 pounds of supplies via helicopter to affected areas including; Myako, Hamanaki, Yamada and Oshima Island.

"The Marines and Sailors that are part of the 31st MEU are motivated and dedicated to helping the Japanese. We have spent quite a bit of time training for humanitarian aid situations, and we even practiced that type of mission during our last few exercises," said Col. Andrew MacMannis, 31st MEU commanding officer. "Now the time has come to do this in a real world scenario, and the Marines and sailors will exercise the skills they learned to bring help to those in need."

CH-53E Super Stallion and CH-46E Sea Knight helicopters, with Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 262 (Reinforced), 31st MEU, have delivered tons of supplies, including more than 1,500 pounds of blankets, 23,000 pounds of potable water and approximately 15,000 pounds of health and comfort packages.

Heavy and medium lift helicopters of the 31st MEU, operating from the Essex, are transferring badly-needed materials from primary distribution points at undamaged facilities to secondary, smaller hubs in the disaster area in order to get relief aid closer to those in need.

Once the supplies are delivered by Marine helicopters, Japanese Self-Defense Force members and local citizens join the Marines and sailors to help unload and then distribute the relief supplies to locals in need.

"The 31st MEU brings a tremendous amount of capabilities to this situation. Our MEU is configured ideally to support humanitarian aid and disaster relief operations. Transportation is one of the biggest capabilities we have," said MacMannis.

A medical team from USS Essex flew to the JS Hyuga March 25 to meet up with Japanese medical personnel, and then moved ashore to determine potential medical needs and areas where the 31st MEU medical staff could provide assistance.

The MEU also has a Forward Command Element in Sendai, Japan, responsible for coordinating potential relief efforts with the Japanese government.

The 31st MEU continues to work closely with the JSDF to accomplish the mission at the request of the Japanese government. Because of the longstanding and close working relationship between the two nations, the 31st MEU is able to coordinate with the JSDF to rapidly respond with critically needed capabilities and supplies in support of the ongoing relief mission. They prepared to deliver robust air, ground, and maritime security, medical and and dental health services; plus engineering assets as directed.

The 31st MEU is the only continually forward-deployed MEU, and remains the nation's force-in-readiness in the Asia-Pacific region.

The 31st MEU includes more than 2,200 Marines and Sailors and is comprised of four elements: the Command Element; Battalion Landing Team 2nd Battalion, 5th Marines; Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 262 (Reinforced) and CLB-31.

The 31st MEU provides a forward-deployed, flexible, sea-based force capable of supporting the ongoing Japanese humanitarian assistance and disaster relief operations as directed.

Deadline for Retroactive Stop Loss Special Pay Extended

Deadline for Retroactive Stop Loss Special Pay Extended The deadline for eligible service members, veterans and their beneficiaries to apply for Retroactive Stop Loss Special Pay (RSLSP) has been extended to April 8, 2011, allowing personnel more time to apply for the benefits they've earned under the program guidelines.

The deadline extension is included in the continuing resolution signed by President Obama Friday, providing funding for federal government operations through April 8, 2011.

Retroactive Stop Loss Special Pay was established to compensate for the hardships military members encountered when their service was involuntarily extended under Stop Loss Authority between Sept. 11, 2001, and Sept. 30, 2009. Eligible members or their beneficiaries may submit a claim to their respective military service in order to receive the benefit of $500 for each full or partial month served in a Stop Loss status.

When RSLSP began on Oct. 21, 2009, the services estimated 145,000 service members, veterans and beneficiaries were eligible for this benefit. Because the majority of those eligible had separated from the military, the services have engaged in extensive and persistent outreach efforts to reach them and remind them to apply. Outreach efforts including direct mail, engaging military and veteran service organizations, social networks and media outlets, will continue through April 8,2011.

To apply for more information, or to gather more information on RSLSP, including submission requirements and service-specific links, go to http://www.defense.gov/stoploss.

31st MEU off Japan!

31st MEU and Operation Tomodachi
By Andrew Lubin

The Marines of 31st MEU, Col Andrew MacMannis commanding, will be arriving off the west coast of Japan tomorrow morning.

Lead by the USS Essex (LHD 2), the USS Harpers Ferry (LSD 49) and USS Germantown (LSD 42) are currently in the Sea of Japanto arrive off the coast of Akita prefecture (west coast of Honshu) tomorrow morning to await further tasking. 12 Marines of the 31st MEU have established a Forward Command Element (FCE) in Yamagata. If the MEU is ordered to land, the west coast of Honshu affords greater access to undamaged ports and roads, fewer navigational hazards, and prevailing winds that are upwind of the Fukushima power plant.

Our thoughts and prayers go out to our close friends and allies in Japan during this difficult time,” said Col. Andrew MacMannis, the 31st MEU's commanding officer, “We are repositioning to be ready to support to our Japanese partners. Our support will compliment the services that the Government of Japan is already providing. We stand ready to help our partners in need as they work tirelessly to respond to this evolving crisis.”

With the Japanese Security Defense Forces (JDSF) leading Operation Tomodachi, U.S. Department of Defense assets such as 31st MEU are to provide Humanitarian Assistance – Disaster Relief (HA-DR) such as search-and-rescue provisions, medical services, food, shelter, command and control, water, and engineering. Drawing on prior Marine HA-DR efforts in Haiti, Bangladesh, and other stricken parts of the world, the 31st MEU is uniquely able to provide assistance to the Japanese populace.