gsmt family readiness newsletter june edition final

GENERAL SUPPORT MOTOR-T COMPANY

COMBAT LOGISTICS REGIMENT-15

(FORWARD)

JUNE NEWSLETTER

JUNKYARD

OUR OLD FRIEND, THE MK48 LOGISTICS VEHICLE SYSTEM (LVS) HAS SEEN MANY GREAT YEARS IN THE MARINE CORPS. ORIGINALLY FIELDED IN 1985, IT HAS BEEN BATTLE TESTED AND OPERATOR APPROVED

FOR A QUARTER OF A CENTURY. AFFECTIONATELY NAMED “THE DRAGGIN’ WAGON” BY SEVERAL GENERATIONS OF MARINES, IT IS CURRENTLY BEING REPLACED BY THE

NONE OTHER THAN THE LVS-REPLACEMENT….ORIGINALITY IN NAMING CONVENTIONS IS NOT OUR

STRONG SUIT.

R.I.P. LVS!

(1985-2010)

THE LVS WITH FIFTH WHEEL AND 870 TRAILER CAN BE SEEN ABOVE HAULING PALLETS OF WATER TO

MARINES AT A SUPPORTED PATROL BASE.

GSMT COMPANY JUNE 2010

GSMT COMPANY STAFF

COMPANY COMMANDER & FIRST SERGEANT

CAPTAIN CHARLIE HINES

FIRST SERGEANT SCOTT MILLER

OPERATIONS CHIEF

GUNNERY SERGEANT COLBY HOBBS

COMPANY GUNNERY SERGEANT

STAFF SERGEANT ASHLEY GRAY

MOTOR TRANSPORT CHIEF

GUNNERY SERGEANT ARMANDO GUERRERO

HEAVY EQUIPMENT CHIEF

GUNNERY SERGEANT BRAD MOLINA

COMMUNICATIONS CHIEF

SERGEANT JOSH HOLTON

SAFETY CHIEF

STAFF SERGEANT TIM BLODGETT

LEAD CORPSMAN

HOSPITALMAN THIRD CLASS PETE HARDING

FIRST PLATOON

SECOND LIEUTENANT JEREMY TAYLOR

STAFF SERGEANT MIKE DELOACH

SECOND PLATOON

FIRST LIEUTENANT LINA DORRIS

STAFF SERGEANT JOEY AVILA

THIRD PLATOON

FIRST LIEUTENANT CHUCK ROBINSON

STAFF SERGEANT REM CUNANAN

FOURTH PLATOON NCOIC

SERGEANT MARK DRAINVILLE


ROAD WARRIOR OF THE MONTH

WHY WE LIKE LANCE CORPORAL DEPINA

LANCE CORPORAL DEPINA IS A MULTI-FACETED WARRIOR WHO CAN SHOW YOU HOW TO DRIVE A TRUCK, LOAD A TRUCK, FIX A TRUCK AND USE A CUTTING TORCH AMONG MANY OTHER THINGS...OH YEAH, HE CAN ALSO SHOW YOU HOW TO EMPLOY A SHOULDER LAUNCHED MULTI-PURPOSE ASSAULT WEAPON WHILE BREACHING IN AN URBAN ENVIRONMENT...NOT SOMETHING WE’RE DOING HERE, BUT A SKILL HE LEARNED IN HIS PREVIOUS SPECIALTY. BOTTOM LINE, WHEN ANY JOB NEEDS TO GET DONE, LANCE

CORPORAL DEPINA GETS IT DONE…. MOTIVATOR!


COMPANY COMMANDER

FIRST SERGEANT

THE POWER OF THE DIAMOND!!!!

Greetings to All,

I’m sure you are all aware of the big picture changes that have taken place in light of the Rolling Stone article, “The Runaway General”. As General Petraeus is confirmed as the next commander of forces in Afghanistan, rest assured that the perceived turmoil at the higher levels has not reached us on the ground. The Marines and Sailors of GSMT Company remain focused on accomplishing the task at hand professionally and safely, and every single one of them remains focused on taking care of themselves, taking care of each other and taking care of the people of Afghanistan that require our support. As we continue to burn through the days here in the Helmand Province, know that while we are laser focused on accomplishing the mission, we miss you all and look forward to coming home safely in the fall.

SEMPER FI……..Captain Hines

Our Marines have been operating full blast for the month of June! The operational tempo has been strong and time is going by quickly. We are now over the halfway point and preliminary planning has already begun for the Marines who are coming out to replace us. Our Marines are learning leaps and bounds about their jobs and about themselves. They’re staying motivated and working together as a team. Our Marines continue to accomplish their missions despite the consistent, harassing sand storms in heat that now often exceeds 110 degrees. With that being said their desire to serve their Country and Corps is unbending. Rest assured you can be proud of each of them. As we turn the corner into July we wish everyone a GREAT Fourth of July holiday as we celebrate the 234th birthday of our great nation!

Semper Fidelis,

1stSgt Miller


COMPANY HEADQUARTERS

A.K.A “THE NUCLEUS”

OPERATIONS CHIEF

THE COMPANY GUNNY

All,

I’m sure you have heard that your Marines are stay-ing busy, they are logging many miles and working long hours.

Know they are giving 110 % to accomplish the mission whatever they are assigned to do.

I’m sure you have seen on the news the many different stories of operations going on. Your Marines are playing a big role in keeping those running smoothly.

As the Memorial month passes please be sure to praise your Marines. Just remember in the future years they are they ones who will be in the History books. GySgt Colby Hobbs

Family and Friends,

We finally hit the 100 day mark. Thankfully, our convoy schedule gave us a little breathing room to get some much needed maintenance done on our trucks. You can only run these trucks for so hard and for so long in this environment without equipment failure. Don’t get me wrong this crew is still running at a very fast pace. Your loved ones are doing their very best to provide logistical sup-port to the marines right there on the front lines with every convoy they travel on.

There are always strong winds coming through and it is averaging above 110 everyday here in beautiful downtown Leatherneck but I never hear anyone complain. We have been so blessed with outstanding crews here in GSMT!

Be sure to have a safe and Happy 4th of July! It always has been my personal favorite, to cele-brate our nation’s freedom. Keep in touch!

SSgt Ashley B. Gray

Below (left to right): SSgt Avila, SSgt Gray and SSgt Cunanan


COMM

“Can you come to my can and fix my printer?”

“ Sir, Did you check to see if it has paper?”

DISPATCH GURUS

“Throwing trucks down range…

One trip ticket at a time”

Left: LCpl Reed filling out a record jacket in preparation for the Field Supply Maintenance Analysis Office (FSMAO) inspection.

Right (from left to right): LCpl ”Colonel” Santos, LCpl “Joe” Nichols and Cpl “The Ermis” Ermis. The brains behind the coordination of operations standing outside the dispatch hut because the AC is out…..AGAIN!


MEDICAL NINJAS

“Saving Lives and Throwing Knives”

SAFETY

“The door to Safety swings on the hinges of common sense !”

Left: SSgt Blodgett safely loading a tram onto an 870 trailer during a combat logistic patrol.

Left Docs trapped in a box of emotion… DISCLAIMER: THIS IS SELF-INDUCED

Top: LCpl Garrett becomes Cpl Garrett. Bottom (L): LCpl Kirchner is awarded “Road Warrior

of The Month” for the month of May. Bottom (R): 1st Platoon Marines at Camp Dwyer.


First Platoon “If you ain’t First, you’re LAST!”


Platoon Commander’s Corner

Platoon Sergeant

To the Friends & Family

Welcome Family & Friends, another month has gone and passed, the half-way point is

here at last. Your Marines and Sailors have been moving very fast, as we watch one convoy after

another pass. Marines are staying busy on all their tasks, Morale is high and the Marines always

find away to laugh.

On a day to day basis, I have seen your Marines complete every task and mission. Experi-

ence and experiences are growing, they have been able to see many new adventures this last

month and have done so with incomparable enthusiasm, motivation, and safety. We have pro-

moted and awarded many and I know there are more to come..

We will continue to say thank you for the support you have provided to your Marines and

Sailors. Packages from home are always a welcome blessing, its like a little piece of home. Your

prayers are always surrounding and have been answered to keep them safe. So continue to

send your Blessing.

-SSgt Michael W. Deloach

Dear Loved Ones & Friends of 1st Platoon,

June brought about more adventures for the Marines of 1st Platoon. We went to new bases

which allowed us to see even more of what this country has to offer; believe it or not there is actually

water and greenery to be found in the middle of this desert.

We have stayed busy with convoys and have made it through some challenging experiences.

I assure you that the Marines you care for are more than capable of handling the tasks at hand. With

so much experience in the platoon we have been able to get up to speed faster than most. That has

had a direct impact on our performance and we expect to continue to improve.

Your continued support, especially in the form of mail, has kept the Marines motivated. This

is readily apparent by the sudden swarm that develops every time the mail truck pulls in. Thank you

for what you do and please continue to support the Marines while we finish up our remaining time

here.

The halfway point has already come and gone and the Marines are now able to see the light at

the end of the tunnel. Time is flying here and before we know it it’s going to be time to pack up and

prepare to head home.

-2ndLt Jeremy J. Taylor

[email protected]


Second Platoon “Too busy for words.”

Top down, left to right:

2ndPlt in their natural habitat.

Cpl Banky: Load Master.

LCpl Marchand and SSgt Gray.

LCpl Oliveira, LCpl Barbera, Cpl Henson,

LCpl Hays, Cpl Soriano, Cpl Savoie awards

ceremony.

Gen Conway (Commandant), Mrs. and LCpl

Curran, and SgtMaj Kent (SgtMaj of the

Marine Corps).


Top down (L-R): LCpl Depina, Cpl Woodworth and

LCpl Dodge; LCpl Foley chuckin’ the deuces and

working the hose; Sgt Brideau talking to the gods;

LCpl Peckham and his girl; LCpl Adamonis rockin’

the bling; LCpl Ellis mad as hell and not taking it

anymore.


Third Platoon


Above: LCpl Harris taking a little nap.

Below: LCpl Mejia

Above: Cpl Pino and Cpl Salerno out in the heat.

Above: LCpl Boosey watching Cpl Eihardt.


Fourth Platoon “We Hit That?”

Left: “Foxy” Fourth’s

Base Ops sign and flag

Top Center: Some of the Platoon members gather around LCpl Ryder after she received a Letter of Ap-

preciation for being nominated Warrior of the Month.

Bottom Left: Making sure LCpl Ryder doesn’t get a big head after she received her award. LCpl Odell

was caught in the cross fire.

Bottom Right; LCpl St Jean, LCpl Adamonis, PFC Nichols and Cpl Jones on a convoy.

The Gunny’s Corner


June seems to be flying past us. We are

continuing to work hard everyday with base

runs and filling in the short falls for the other

platoons. We are also getting ready for a Field

Supply Maintenance Analysis Office (FSMAO)

inspection. We are working hard to pass with

flying colors.

We have changed some personal around. We

would like to welcome Cpl Flores, LCpl Cald-

well, and LCpl Tisdale to our company and our

Platoon.

Congratulations to LCpl Ryder, she was our

nominee for Warrior of the Month. Cpl Jones

our nominee for NCO of the Quarter, and LCpl

Peyrucain our nominee for Marine of the

Quarter.

We would like to thank everyone who has

mailed us care packages. Please remember to

keep us in your thoughts and prayers.

Semper FI

-GySgt Guererro, AM

A quick look at the platoon’s activities for June. Yes that’s a sand storm.

Sgt Drainville needs to be a little more careful when he shaves!

Above The gang gets a break to celebrate LCpl Daniel Brand’s 20th birthday by having some pizza.


Cpl Marchese, Cpl

Browne and LCpl May

moving a TRAM with

the MAC 50 Crane

Heavy Equipment

“LCpl May … the mechanics worst enemy!”

Another day

has come to

an end

Family and Friends of Heavy Equipment,

We are still going strong! We are now about half way through our deployment and everyone

has gained valuable experience. Everyone is doing an outstanding job and two of the Marines

from our HE family received awards for their efforts in stopping the fire that occurred last

month. Corporals Eggleston and Oldaker were the recipients of Navy and Marine Corps

Achievement Medals, well done. Everyone is making the most of their time here. We have

found time to work out and also participate in martial arts classes, furthering our skills in the

MCMAP program. Several of the HE Marines have also assisted the Motor Transport platoons in

their convoys to deliver supplies to the Marines at the outlying bases. Their assistance has been

greatly appreciated. It is now about 110 degrees everyday , everyone has gotten “used” to the

conditions but we can’t wait to be home where the weather will be a little cooler. For now it’s

business as usual, with everyone doing their part to ensure everyone receives the supplies that

they need so everyone can come home safely. Thank you for your continued support, until next

month...

GySgt Brad Molina

[email protected]

HE Chief’s Corner


LCpl Gongwer and LCpl Odell “workin’ out”

Cpl Oldaker and Cpl Eggleston with their awards.

LCpl Haller taking a

little break


Motor T Maintenance

“The Croffitt/Prow Team”

Sergeant Crow

Quality Control NCO

It only took me three months to figure out that this place doesn’t look like the

brochure. That’s because I was actually looking at a brochure for Australia…

that’s what I get for planning vacations after I’ve had too many malt beverages,

I guess. The Marines are doing a fantastic job on the road. I mean, just really

breaking in these newer trucks…really burning rubber and grinding gears

and just lighting a fire across the whole Area of Operations. I can really

sense the feeling of reward and see the satisfaction all over the tired faces of

our maintenance Marines after a 14 hour day in the blistering sun, rolling

around in the dirt under the trucks and getting intimate with the grease and oil

saturated components of these vehicles. There’s no feeling quite like that of

completing a tedious and complex repair on a mission critical piece of gear and

sending it on its way…just to see it come back the next day with something

else wrong with it. Day after day… Is it time to leave yet? I’m just kidding,

haha. No, really.

–Sgt Crow USMCR

Sergeant Proffitt

Shop Chief

I would tell everyone that the weather here in Afghanistan resembles that of Southern Califor-nia but I couldn’t be any farther from the truth. It’s getting pretty hot here during the daylight hours sometimes reaching 115+ in the sun. The vehicles seem to be in better working order since our arrival some 100 days ago but there is still maintenance that is required of us so out in the heat we go. The truck platoons also endure the heat inside the vehicle which have little to no air flow inside the cab except for the air conditioning. Thanks to the generosity of the Ops Chief at Mo-tor Transport Company we have a nice cooler to keep our water much colder than in the past which makes the heat more tolerable. All the Marines are pushing through the heat to accom-plish all missions safely and expeditiously. Please keep all the Marines in your thoughts and prayers. Until next time….

-Sgt Proffitt USMCR

Above: Sergeant Proffitt is SUPER excited!

Above: Sergeant Crow demonstrates his

maintenance administration prowess.


Initial Issue Provisioning (IIP)

Above: Cpl Marchese doing what he does best

(besides lift heavy weights himself), unload

heavy equipment utilizing the MAC-50 crane

Below: A new shipment of Mine Resistant Ambush

Protected All Terrain Vehicles (M-ATV)

During the past 30 days, while continuing to provide support throughout Operation Enduring Freedom, the IIP lot, has

undergone a few minor personnel changes. Some Marines working on the lot have been rotated back to their original units

allowing new faces to continue the many daily and nightly functions of the IIP. The Marines that have the opportunity to come

to the IIP have an opportunity to broaden their knowledge of their MOS allowing them to see things from the supply account-

ability point of view. This also allows Marines who are constantly on the road to be able to avoid complacency by learning

new tasks around their MOS. While providing Heavy Equipment and Motor Transportation support throughout Camp Leather-

neck. The Marines have been able to continue their mission in providing the proper equipment to other commands. Continu-

ous and hard working efforts by all have allowed for smooth and reliable support for all forces within the Marine Expeditionary

Force (MEF), to include Army and Air Force commands. Marines have been working around the clock to assist the IIP in

preparation for Field Supply Maintenance Analysis Office (FSMAO), inspection coming during the month of July. The

FSMAO inspection consists of inspection of supply accountable records, maintainability of the equipment, and equipment re-

cords The Marines have and continue to work diligently day and night in order to maintain the high standard required of all

Marines. The IIP has continued to improve not only its appearance, but its efficiency and supportive efforts throughout Af-

ghanistan. The motor transport, heavy equipment, and IIP Marines have worked diligently together to improve upon the IIP

process and to achieve proper accountability of MEF assets. While continuing to grow and overcome obstacles daily, the Ma-

rines have been able to learn quickly and work as a team to accomplish all tasks and missions assigned to them. This has

allowed for continuous and smooth productivity that is expected of the IIP. With hard work and determination, the Marines

continue to improve and push forward in order to accomplish the mission.

The motor transportation team consist of Sgt Gonzalez, Cpl Avery, Cpl Darcy, Cpl Nizeul, Cpl Nguyen, LCpl Allen,

LCpl Houghton, LCpl Patterson and LCpl Segoviarodriguez. Heavy Equipment team consists of Cpl Marchese, Cpl Plaza, and

LCpl Tipton.


Special Thanks!

Shannon Zutz and Dominion VA Power

The Howell Family

Marine Corps League– High Street, MA

Ms. Deb Newberry


June Promotions:

Staff Sergeant

Timothy Blodgett

Combat Meritorious Corporal

Lionel Smith Jr.

Corporal

Wesley Capps

Lance Corporal

Jefrey Mejia


New Arrivals to the GSMT Company Family

Benjamin Clark Reed

LCpl Daniel and Kathrine Reed

Alex Michael Joseph Seawood

LCpl Gordon Seawood and Joycelyn Allen

CONGRATULATIONS!!

Left (L-R):

Lt Robinson, Cpl Figueroa and SSgt Cunanan after Cpl Figueroa’s graduation from Corporal’s Course.

Right:

LCpl Marchand receives a Letter of Appreciation from the Company Commander after a recent combat logistics patrol.


Parting Shots

Left:

1stLt Charles Robinson shows us all his “Smoke Face” at the SNCO and Officer BBQ. It’s OK Chuck, everyone knows that smoke follows beauty. Be advised...your wife now knows that in addition to running a superb convoy, you’re bringing home some skills on the grill…

Right:

The Ultimate Jingle Truck.


Parting Shots

Left (L-R): LCpl Diaz, 1stSgt Miller, LCpl Dodge and Sgt Drainville.

Right: Tightening straps in the desert.

Left: The scenic route courtesy of 1st Platoon.


Parting Shots

Left: LCpl Stobbe refueling the forklift after a convoy to Delaram.

Right: LCpl Stone and our linguist engage a local merchant at one of the many bazaars.

Left: Our maintenance brethren.

gsmt family readiness newsletter june edition final

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