2nd MAW News

Archive: December, 2005

Sergeant Andre G. Joseph, a personnel administration chief with Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 26, gained his U.S. citizenship, Dec. 18, during a ceremony in Baghdad, Iraq. Joseph, a Flushing, N.Y. native, immigrated to the United States from Trinidad when he was a teenager and joined the Marine Corps after graduating from Francis Lewis High School. He is currently deployed with the Patriots of MALS-26 to Al Asad, Iraq. - Sergeant Andre G. Joseph, a personnel administration chief with Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 26, gained his U.S. citizenship, Dec. 18, during a ceremony in Baghdad, Iraq. Joseph, a Flushing, N.Y. native, immigrated to the United States from Trinidad when he was a teenager and joined the Marine Corps after graduating from Francis Lewis High School. He is currently deployed with the Patriots of MALS-26 to Al Asad, Iraq.

'Patriot' gains U.S. citizenship in Iraq

On Sept. 11, 2001, a young Trinidad native who relocated to New York with his family three years earlier was sitting in a U.S. Military Entrance Processing Station, waiting to take his first steps toward his future as a Marine. The terrorist attacks that day delayed his trip to Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island, S.C., but steeled his resolve

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A choir, composed of U.S. service members, sings ?Silent Night? during the candlelight worship on Christmas Eve at Al Asad, Iraq. - A choir, composed of U.S. service members, sings ?Silent Night? during the candlelight worship on Christmas Eve at Al Asad, Iraq.

U.S. service members in Iraq focus on true meaning of Christmas

“Here we are, living in a combat zone in a far away land, where Christmas is certainly not celebrated. We have not been hearing Christmas carols in the streets or stores, we have not seen the excitement of small children or even attended a Christmas program. Many of our Marines, sailors, soldiers and maybe even some of you here tonight may feel as

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Exchange Marines expand service in Iraq

The Marine Corps Exchange and the Army and Air Force Exchange Service joined efforts to open the Camp Ripper Exchange, Dec. 23, at Al Asad, Iraq. The Camp Ripper Exchange was built by MCX Marines in a continuing effort to better serve the Marines, Soldiers, Sailors and civilian contractors in Iraq. Staff Sgt. Darin Presley, an exchange assistant

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Operation Liberty Express ensures successful Iraqi election

As Iraqis took to the polls for the third time this year, Marines from the 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing and other units stationed in Iraq, supported Operation Liberty Express, filling vital roles in the security, transportation and livelihood of Iraqi poll workers. At Camp Liberty, Iraq, a makeshift city that housed nearly 700 election workers and

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Lieutenant Col. Leo Kilgore, a Yukon, Okla., native, and Lt. Col. John G. McGonagle, a Simsbury, Conn., native, stand at attention during a change of command ceremony, Dec. 18, at Al Asad, Iraq. After two years as the commanding officer of Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 774, McGonagle passed the colors and command of the squadron to Kilgore, during the ceremony. - Lieutenant Col. Leo Kilgore, a Yukon, Okla., native, and Lt. Col. John G. McGonagle, a Simsbury, Conn., native, stand at attention during a change of command ceremony, Dec. 18, at Al Asad, Iraq. After two years as the commanding officer of Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 774, McGonagle passed the colors and command of the squadron to Kilgore, during the ceremony.

Corporal Marcella Hain, a Marine with Marine Wing Support Squadron 272?s mine clearing detachment, works to find artificial mines during a training exercise at Al Asad, Iraq. - Corporal Marcella Hain, a Marine with Marine Wing Support Squadron 272?s mine clearing detachment, works to find artificial mines during a training exercise at Al Asad, Iraq.

EOD, Engineers stay ‘Untouchable’ in Iraq

In the air Wing, combat engineers don’t normally work a great deal with explosives. But, in Marine Wing Support Squadron 272, a detachment of combat engineers is working with the Untouchables’ explosive ordnance disposal Marines to change that. “Basically what we do is search for mines with a two-man sweep team (using metal detectors),” said Staff

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Sergeant 1st Class Eldon Casner, and his son, Army Pfc. Michael Casner, celebrate Thanksgiving with a special dinner in a security guard tent at Al Asad, Iraq, Nov. 24. - Sergeant 1st Class Eldon Casner, and his son, Army Pfc. Michael Casner, celebrate Thanksgiving with a special dinner in a security guard tent at Al Asad, Iraq, Nov. 24.