2^nd Battalion, 7^th Marine Regiment

Martial Arts instructors with the Republic of the Philippines Marine Corps Martial Arts Program jabbed, hooked and stabbed their way through a class on Pekithtirsia training with U.S. Marines with the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU).

Philippine Marines with 1st Ready Force, Philippine Marine Corps and U.S. Marines with Battalion Landing Team 2nd Battalion, 7th Marines (BLT 2/7), 31st MEU, took a break from their live-fire range to conduct the training.

Republic of the Philippines Marines and U.S. Marines with Battalion Landing Team 2nd Battalion, 7th Marines (BLT 2/7), 31st Marine Expeditionary (MEU), trained alongside each other during a live- fire range, March 13.

More than 90 Marines from both nations conducted training consisting of buddy rushes and individual movement using M-16 A4 service rifles, M-4 carbine rifles and M-249 squad automatic weapons (SAW). However, before the practical application could begin, U.S. Marines hosted classes and demonstrated proper and safe techniques to their Filipino counterparts.

With a wrench, welding gun and well-rounded Marines, a wrecked gate was an easy fix, March 11.

Seven Marines with Combat Logistics Battalion 31 (CLB-31), 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), used skills outside their military occupational specialty (MOS) to repair a military base entrance.

The Marines were participating in bilateral training in Crow Valley when called upon for the mission. With a vast array of tools and experience in vehicle maintenance to small-arms repair, coupled with diverse personal experiences and knowledge they worked outside of their comfort zone to complete the mission.

More than 50 Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear (CBRN) service members from the Royal Thai Navy, Marines, Airforce and 19 U.S. Marines with the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) reunited and exchanged CBRN knowledge and tactics, Feb. 3-10, as part of Cobra Gold 2010 (CG ’10).

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and U.S. Forces came together aboard the forward-deployed amphibious assault ship USS Essex (LHD 2) for the final planning phase of exercise Balikatan 2010 (BK’10), Feb. 27 – March 3.

Twelve Republic of the Philippines Marine and Navy officers worked side-by-side with their U.S. counterparts from the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), Amphibious Squadron 11 (PHIBRON 11) and USS Essex to coordinate the details for joint helicopter, mechanized, and boat raids for the exercise.

More than 50 Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear (CBRN) service members from the Royal Thai Navy, Marines, Airforce and 19 U.S. Marines with the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) reunited and exchanged CBRN knowledge and tactics, Feb. 3-10, as part of Cobra Gold 2010 (CG ’10).

More than 500 Marine and Naval forces from the Kingdom of Thailand, the Republic of South Korea and the U.S. stormed the beach during a mock amphibious assault as part of Exercise Cobra Gold 2010, Feb. 4. The purpose of the mock amphibious assault was to orchestrate a forcible entry and get troops ashore in a simulated hostile situation while collaborating with different militaries, said Lt. Col. Stuart Lockhart, executive officer, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), III Marine Expeditionary Force (MEF).

Though Marines have been deploying alongside their Navy brethren for more than 234 years, there is still room for new adventure and first-time experience within the Corps’ ranks. The Marines and sailors of 2nd Battalion, 7th Marines (BLT 2/7) can testify to that fact as they prepare to embark on the unit’s inaugural deployment with the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU).

Hundreds of Marines and sailors from 2nd Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment and their augments said goodbye to families and friends this week as they boarded buses, to begin a journey which will take them through the South Pacific as part of the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit.

Also deploying from the Combat Center as supporting elements of the MEU are Kilo Battery, 3rd Bn., 11 Marines; 1st Platoon, Company D, 3rd Assault Amphibian Battalion; and 1st Platoon, Co. A, 3rd Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion.

Launching from the flight line here, a platoon of infantry Marines specializing in helicopter raids completed its first exercise from an MV-22 Osprey on Oct. 10, 2009.

Taking advantage of the helicopter training in Yuma’s current Weapons and Tactics Instructors course, E Company, 2nd Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, is using the robust training opportunities here to sharpen its skills for an upcoming deployment.

Famous French emperor Napoleon Bonaparte once said, “Valor is a gift. Those having it never know for sure whether they have it till the test comes.”

In a ceremony at Lance Cpl. Torrey L. Gray Field Thursday, a Marine who was tested in the heat of battle received the highest award for valor given by the Department of the Navy, the Navy Cross Medal, and was meritoriously promoted to the rank of corporal.

Cpl. Richard S. Weinmaster, a Squad Automatic Weapon gunner with 3rd Platoon, Company E, 2nd Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, received the award for his actions as a private first class in Afghanistan’s Helmand Province on July 8, 2008 in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.

Lance Cpl. Brady Gustafson’s parents describe him as “reserved, loyal, stubborn and determined.”

This was proven in action July 21, 2008.

His loyalty to his fellow Marines, his stubborn nature when he refused medical treatment and his determination under enemy fire as a machine gunner with Golf Company, 2nd Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment earned him the Navy Cross, and a place among the ranks of such Marine Corps legends as Lewis ‘Chesty’ Puller, Daniel ‘Dan’ Daly and John Basilone.