Final day here in the states, as the 26th MEU gets ready to set sail tomorrow.  Though we have a few things to do before we leave, its my last day here in Camp LeJeune.  To make sure I enjoyed my last day here, Firefighters Ryan Dougherty and Tim Mullin drove the 8+ hours down here to see me off.  A special thanks to those two who took their weekend to come down and see me.

Cant wait to see everyone in a few months.  Good times should be had in a time to come.

After a long deployment training workup, the 26th MEU has finally received a real break.  The BLT 2/6 in particular has been granted 15 days of leave, getting to go home and visit families for one last time before setting sail.

My time here in PA has been busy so far, going on a family vacation, hanging out with friends, and of course volunteering what time I can at the firehouse.  Ensuring the ambulance gets on the street is still a top priority, even on my vacation.  I guess its just a love for the job here.

The 26th MEU will be setting sail at the end of the month and expects to make its planed stops around Europe.  We still stand on alert and wait for that call to help those around the world at a moments notice.  Being the world's 911 is a huge responibility, but we are ready for the task.

I cant wait to come back in the spring and continue to give what time I can to the community here in Havertown.  To the ...

I would like to wish Firefighter TJ Boran best of luck as he jumps into the biggest challenge of his life.  Recently he left for Parris Island, the Marine Corps Recruit Training Depot for the east coast.  TJ will spend 13 weeks on the island learning a number of different skills that are crucial to being a part of Marine Corps.  After his time on the island he will come home for a much deserved 10 days of leave so that he can relax and readjust a little.
Boot Camp training is very demanding, taking the recruits as they come in and changing their daily lives almost completely.  Of course every change is for the better, making Marines out of any young man or woman.
I hope the best for TJ and can't wait to see him when I get back from my deployment.

Throughout the first 3 weeks of June, the 26th MEU spent its time training in southern Indiana at one of the local National Guard bases. Shortly before our arrival we found out that a tornado had ripped through a portion of the base, destroying a few of the buildings and cars. But no tornado is going to stop the Marines from training. We pushed on and as the days went by, 3-4 different tornado's touched down on different days around the area. Still, non of this will stop a Marine. A mere 2 days after arriving, a flood passed through the exact area we were camping at, ruining some of our sister company's gear. Though it slowed down their training, we kept on pushing. As some of you may know from watching the news, there has been some massive flooding in the mid-western states, to include Indiana. The national guard had been activated to help rescue civilians and sand bag areas that needed it most. Seeing how the Marines were in the area, the NG called upon us for assistan...

The past weeks have proved to be extremely busy for Golf Company, with even more to come. Starting with Non-Lethal Tactics Course, things went smoothly for the Marines. All those who attended are now spun up on the gear which we have at our disposal during deployment, and how to use it all properly. We all are also now qualified to use Non-Lethal Munitions and OC Pepper Spray. In order to be qualified to use OC Pepper Spray, you must get sprayed yourself and then complete a six station course. Most of the guys say it was pretty rough, but we all made it in the end. With that week over, we hit the sea last week for 48 hours. Ship life is tight, and we had to make sure we had enough room for the entire Battalion on ship. We also had to get a short idea of what its like to be on ship. Due to Operational Security (OpSec), I cant tell you what ship we will be on just yet, or where we went out to sea. Tis the life in the military! This past week we spent in the field train...

After returning back from training in Virginia, things havent slowed down one bit. We hit the field for 2 days this past week, working hard to perfect our truck operations. It kinda makes sense, since Golf Company's main job on the MEU is "Truck Company". More specificly we worked hard to get our turet gunners spun up on how to operate from the turet during battle. This range proved to be one of the best operations we have done yet, showing drastic progress from the new guys. This week half the company will be attending Non-Lethal Course, where we will learn just that; non-lethal tactics. The course is designed to teach us how to do riot and crowd control during peace keeping operations and humanitarian operations. As usual with the military, I would love to get into detail but I dont wanna tell the world about too many of our tactics and training. In May we will be hitting the sea for a few weeks, and while out there we will practice a beach landing with a raid. Being...

On March 26th the entire BLT 26 will be leaving for Fort Pickett, VA for a 17-22 day training event. While up there Golf Company will be conducting multiple live fire ranges, MOUT ranges (Military Operations in Urban Terrain), and HMMWV operations. Upon our return to Camp Lejeune (projected for April 11th) we will be getting prepaired for more training, and some Marines will be attending Non-Leathal Combat School. There those Marines will be taught how to utilize hand to hand combat, beanbag shotgun rounds, and OC spray. I will be one of those Marines attending this week long course from April 25th to May 2nd. Wish us luck during our training. This is where the unit leaders will decide what part each company will play during the MEU if we are to be called into action. As warriors, we can only hope they give us the job we signed up for. Semper Fi, LCPL Smith JR, Kevin

On February 14th the 26th MEU was officially stood up for deployment upcoming at the end of summer 2008. As described briefly before, the MEU is made up of more than just us Grunts. In addition to Battalion Landing Team (BLT) 2/6 we will have a Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron and a Combat Logistics Battalion (CLB). Within the CLB is command personel, along with support elements such as Tanks. All these Marines will be spread between the 3 ships which we will be sailing the Atlantic on. In addition to the Atlantic Ocean, we also expect to make a few Liberty Ports throughout southern Europe and the 'Peaceful' parts of the Middle East. Some of these ports could include Spain, Itialy, Israel, or Kuwait. Again keep posted up on the site for more updates. I will be sure to tell you more as it comes down the pipes.

My unit, 2nd Battalion/6th Marines, has started yet another deployment workup. There are a few things different this year, such as the fact I am no longer the "boot" (new guy) and now I have to help these new "boots" learn how to do the job right and come home safe to their family and friends. Its a big responsiblity now, especially being a Team Leader (until further notice do to multiple Marines off at speciality schools). I have a whole new view on training now. We also have a new Chain of Command. With all new "boot-tenants" (Platoon Commanders), Company Gunny and Company First Sergent, a future new Company Commander, and a new Battalion commander....well lets just say there have been a few changes. Of course having new Marines and now a new Chain of Command isnt enough of a change. We as a unit have recently learned we are not going back to Fallujah, nor are we going to Iraq at all. As for Afganistan, no we are not one of the many Marine units who have been selected...

I said months ago I would get some pictures up on the site, but due to some technical problems with my old lap top (Iraq kills just about every electronic device) I had some trouble getting all my pictures. I still dont have them all, but I have enough that I thought I should add these. As an update on my future deployment, 2/6 is looking to deploy again in the next 9 months. We dont know where or exactly when but when I find out more I will be sure to let you know. Again, thanks for all the support everyone.

I have arrived safely in North Carolina, landing in Cherry Point Marine Corps Air Base. Back in Camp LeJeune now, safe and sound. 2nd Battalion 6th Marines made HUGE head way in the city of Fallujah, taking it from 1st Battalion 24th Marines (Reserve) back in April as the most dangerous city in Iraq. When we turned it over to 3rd Battalion 5th Marines here in October the city is now the safest place in Iraq. Doing such a job didnt come without sacrifices. I would like to send my regards to the family of LCpl O'Haire of Boston, Mass. LCpl O'Haire (Golf Company) was killed in action early during the deployment. Also two Combat Engineers attached to 2/6 were killed early in the deployment. I hope that everyone will realize that we as U.S. troops makes many sacrifices, and sometimes we have to make the ultimate sacrifice for this country. In the next few days I will be adding a few pictures from the deployment. I cant send enough thanks to the fire house for their suppo...

Its early August under the blistering Iraq sun. On really hot days, I could swear I am back home dragging an inch&3/4 through a blazing house fire. The worst part is, I am not kidding. Heat index has peaked at 140degrees on the hottest of days, making it hard to work. But we as grunts stull go out and do our multiple hour patrols to keep the streets safe. With about 2 months left here in Iraq, everyone is starting to get excited. We all cant wait for that first beer (no hidding that fact). I want to thank Asst Chief Mike Norman for the safety glasses which he sent over. About half the platoon is wearing them, saying they like them better than the issued gear. We have also all enjoyed the babywipes, sun screen, and chap stick. Cant forget those Cheese Balls either! Though I cant give details, I am at an area with some good photo opertunities. As soon as Golf Company returns to the states in Oct I will be sure to give my final update of the page with plenty of pictu...

In early June my unit hit the 2 month mark of our half year plus deployment. All is well for the Marines here, with only a few minor complaints in the last month or so. Having nothing but Special K for breakfast and mail just not fast enough are common complaints (on top of the more serious ones which we dont express freely). Our deployment itself is going well, and it seems that our mission itself to train and eventually turn the city over to Iraqi Forces is going well also. We work very closely with them when we can, teaching them as much as possible. I hope to be able to update this more often now that my base finally got its internet up and I received my log in information again. Keep watching the Manoa Web Site for new news about our deployment in Iraq.

3-25-2007 Lance Corporal Smith here, wanted to update the firehouse, local community, and fire houses far and wide that my unit is beginning its flights over to Iraq this week. My company (Golf Company, or 'God's Company') should be leaving sometime in the next 8 days. We will be making a stop in Europe for a few hours, then heading out to Kuwait for about 4-8 days. From there its off to our FOB (Forward Operating Base) where we will be living until we come home in the fall. I will have internet access while over there, so I hope to update my page once a week. The Manoa Fire Company asked that I give a little background on the guys I will be working with. Since most people know me well enough, I will start of with my Squad Leader, Corporal David Tupper. Corporal Tupper is from Connecticut, and joined the Marine Corps about 3 years ago. Before the Coprs Dave was a trash truck driver and an EMT. This will be his second deployment to Iraq, first deployment in a lea...