Stories - Tag DOD

Col. Charles Moses, the commanding officer of Marine Air Group 41, 4th Marine Aircraft Wing lands a C-130 onto the newly extended runway for the first time during Innovative Readiness Training Old Harbor, Alaska, Aug. 7, 2018. This year marks the completion of the 2,000-foot extension of Old Harbor’s runway. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Tessa D. Watts) - Col. Charles Moses, the commanding officer of Marine Air Group 41, 4th Marine Aircraft Wing lands a C-130 onto the newly extended runway for the first time during Innovative Readiness Training Old Harbor, Alaska, Aug. 7, 2018. This year marks the completion of the 2,000-foot extension of Old Harbor’s runway. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Tessa D. Watts)

IRT Old Harbor’s runway extension completed after six years

On a warm summer morning in Old Harbor, Alaska, on Aug. 7, 2018, six years of devotion from hundreds of Marines’ construction of a new 2,000-foot runway extension was unveiled to distinguished visitors and community members.

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Lt. Col. Sean Zukowsky (left), commanding officer of 4th Assault Amphibian Battalion, 4th Marine Division, Marine Forces Reserve, and Dale Hoffman (right), volunteer at the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve, present officer Mark Delage (center) with a letter of appreciation for his support to the Reserve Force members on March 2, 2018, in Tampa Fla. - Lt. Col. Sean Zukowsky (left), commanding officer of 4th Assault Amphibian Battalion, 4th Marine Division, Marine Forces Reserve, and Dale Hoffman (right), volunteer at the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve, present officer Mark Delage (center) with a letter of appreciation for his support to the Reserve Force members on March 2, 2018, in Tampa Fla. Marines from 4th AAVs spent the day with members of the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve foundation demonstrating their capabilities as a Battalion and teaching basic weapons system operations, basic combat lifesaving skills and showing how the Amphibious Assault Vehicle operates.

ESGR: education, mediation and recognition for Reserve service members

Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve is a Department of Defense program that educates, mediates and recognizes employers and the Reserve service members working for them. The program creates a supportive environment for both the employer and employee to be successful.

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Brig. Gen. Helen G. Pratt, commanding general of 4th Marine Logistics Group, talks with a child from Noatak, Alaska, during Innovative Readiness Training Arctic Care 2018, Noatak, April 21, 2018. - Brig. Gen. Helen G. Pratt, commanding general of 4th Marine Logistics Group, talks with a child from Noatak, Alaska, during Innovative Readiness Training Arctic Care 2018, Noatak, April 21, 2018. IRT Arctic Care 2018 is comprised of a joint and multi-national force providing medical, dental, optometry and veterinary care for underserved villages in the Maniilaq Service Area, April 16-24. Distinguished visitors from different military branches visited service members to thank them for their hard work and to tour the training areas in different villages. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Melissa Martens)

Leaving a warm touch on the Arctic Circle

As the snow and ice continue to slowly disappear from the streets and local residents begin to shed their layers with the warmer weather approaching, service members with Innovative Readiness Training Arctic Care 2018 wrap up their training and prepare to head back to their home units, Kotzebue, Alaska, April 25, 2018.

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Lance Cpl. Vicente C. Spence, a motor transportation operator with 4th Medical Battalion, 4th Marine Logistics Group, is currently 26 miles above the Arctic Circle participating with his unit at Innovative Readiness Training Arctic Care 2018 in the Northwest Arctic Borough of the state of Alaska, April 13-27, 2018. - Lance Cpl. Vicente C. Spence, a motor transportation operator with 4th Medical Battalion, 4th Marine Logistics Group, is currently 26 miles above the Arctic Circle participating with his unit at Innovative Readiness Training Arctic Care 2018 in the Northwest Arctic Borough of the state of Alaska, April 13-27, 2018. Arctic Care 2018 is a joint and multi-national force providing medical, dental, optometry and veterinary care for underserved villages in the Maniillaq Service Area April 16-24. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Melissa Martens)

Hometown Heroes of IRT Arctic Care 2018

Stepping outside of your comfort zone and embracing flexibility are crucial to the success of every mission. Lance Cpl. Vicente C. Spence is a Hemet, California, native and Reserve Marine who is not afraid to take on new challenges and opportunities any chance he gets.

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Air Force Maj. Courtland Pitt, left, a Chaplin with 110th Medical Group, introduces Marine Corps Cpl. Chandarong Ouk, right, an embarkation specialist with 4th Medical Battalion, 4th Marine Logistics Group, to a classroom of students during a career day at the Kotzebue Elementary School, Kotzebue, Alaska, April 19, 2018. - Air Force Maj. Courtland Pitt, left, a chaplain with 110th Medical Group, introduces Marine Corps Cpl. Chandarong Ouk, right, an embarkation specialist with 4th Medical Battalion, 4th Marine Logistics Group, to a classroom of students during a career day at the Kotzebue Elementary School, Kotzebue, Alaska, April 19, 2018. Service members supporting IRT Arctic Care had the opportunity to speak with students about their military and civilian careers, as well as answer questions and get to know the children of the community. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Melissa Martens)

Strengthening Ties around the Land of the Midnight Sun

Buried beneath layers of clothing, taking caution with each passing step on the slick ice, and working hard to take cover from the numbing wind, I walk the streets of Kotzebue, Alaska, better known as the “Gateway to the Arctic.”

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Lt. Cmdr. Joseph Villaluz, the dental officer in charge of Innovative Readiness Training Arctic Care 2018, 4th Medical Battalion, 4th Marine Logistics Group, is participating with his unit at IRT Arctic Care in the Northwest Arctic Borough of the state of Alaska, April 13-27, 2018. - Lt. Cmdr. Joseph Villaluz, the dental officer in charge of Innovative Readiness Training Arctic Care 2018, 4th Medical Battalion, 4th Marine Logistics Group, is participating with his unit at IRT Arctic Care in the Northwest Arctic Borough of the state of Alaska, April 13-27, 2018. Arctic Care 2018 is comprised of a joint and multi-national force providing medical, dental, optometry and veterinary care for underserved villages in the Maniillaq Service Area. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Melissa Martens)

Hometown Heroes of IRT Arctic Care 2018

Strengthening and building new partnerships with culturally complex populations in remote areas of the United States is a key goal of the Innovative Readiness Training Program. Lt. Cmdr. Joseph Villaluz is a Vancouver, Washington, native and Reserve Sailor who plays a key role in developing and maintaining those lasting bonds.

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Petty Officer 3rd Class Victor A. Gonzalez, a dental technician with 4th Dental Battalion, 4th Marine Logistics Group, is participating with his unit at Innovative Readiness Training Arctic Care 2018 in the Northwest Arctic Borough of the state of Alaska, April 13-27, 2018. - Petty Officer 3rd Class Victor A. Gonzalez, a dental technician with 4th Dental Battalion, 4th Marine Logistics Group, is participating with his unit at Innovative Readiness Training Arctic Care 2018 in the Northwest Arctic Borough of the state of Alaska, April 13-27, 2018. Arctic Care 2018 is comprised of a joint and multi-national force providing medical, dental, optometry and veterinary care for underserved villages in the Maniillaq Service Area. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Melissa Martens)

Hometown Heroes of IRT Arctic Care 2018

Discipline. The foundation of every successful Marine and Sailor. Petty Officer 3rd Class Victor A. Gonzalez is a Plano, Texas, native and Reserve Sailor who through the Marine Corps Martial Arts Program, instills a number of mental and character discipline requirements in his students to develop their Warrior Ethos.

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Maj. Lisbeth M. Andriessen, the Innovative Readiness Training program manager for Marine Forces Reserve, embraces the elements 26 miles above the Arcitc Circle in Kotzebue, Alaska, where she is overseeing the execution of IRT Arctic Care 2018 in the Northwest Arctic Borough, April 13-27, 2018. - Maj. Lisbeth M. Andriessen, the Innovative Readiness Training program manager for Marine Forces Reserve, embraces the elements 26 miles above the Arcitc Circle in Kotzebue, Alaska, where she is overseeing the execution of IRT Arctic Care 2018 in the Northwest Arctic Borough, April 13-27, 2018. IRT Arctic Care 2018 is a joint and multi-national force providing medical, dental, optometry and veterinary care for underserved villages in the Maniillaq Service Area April 16-24. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Melissa Martens)

Hometown Heroes of IRT Arctic Care 2018

Reserve Marines typically spend two weeks each year building their capabilities at an Annual Training exercise and one weekend each month supporting their active duty counterparts. Maj. Lisbeth M. Andriessen is a Portland, Indiana, native and Reserve Marine who knew she wanted to serve more.

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Sgt. Veronica J. Rios, a warehouse clerk with 4th Medical Battalion, 4th Marine Logistics Group, is currently 26 miles above the Arctic Circle participating with her unit at Innovative Readiness Training Arctic Care 2018 in the Northwest Arctic Borough of the state of Alaska, April 13-27, 2018. - Sgt. Veronica J. Rios, a warehouse clerk with 4th Medical Battalion, 4th Marine Logistics Group, is currently 26 miles above the Arctic Circle participating with her unit at Innovative Readiness Training Arctic Care 2018 in the Northwest Arctic Borough of the state of Alaska, April 13-27, 2018. Arctic Care 2018 is a joint and multi-national force providing medical, dental, optometry and veterinary care for underserved villages in the Maniillaq Service Area April 16-24. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Melissa Martens)

Hometown Heroes of IRT Arctic Care 2018

Leading by example, serving with pride and striving for success are fundamental traits of United States Marines. Sgt. Veronica J. Rios is a Sunnyside, Washington native and Reserve Marine who truly embodies the Marine Corps ethos.

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Lt. Gen. Rex C. McMillian (right), commander of Marine Forces Reserve and Marine Forces North, poses with Marines with Combat Logistics Battalion 451, 4th Marine Logistics Group, Marine Forces Reserve, after they receive the 2017 Department of Defense Family Readiness Award, at the Pentagon's Hall of Heroes, Arlington, Virginia, March 23, 2018. Established in 2000, the DoD Reserve Family Readiness Award recognizes the top unit in each of the seven Reserve components, which are a vital link in the support networks for Reserve component families. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Dallas Johnson) - Lt. Gen. Rex C. McMillian (right), commander of Marine Forces Reserve and Marine Forces North, poses with Marines with Combat Logistics Battalion 451, 4th Marine Logistics Group, Marine Forces Reserve, after they receive the 2017 Department of Defense Family Readiness Award, at the Pentagon's Hall of Heroes, Arlington, Virginia, March 23, 2018. Established in 2000, the DoD Reserve Family Readiness Award recognizes the top unit in each of the seven Reserve components, which are a vital link in the support networks for Reserve component families. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Dallas Johnson)

Marines with CLB-451 receive 2017 Reserve Family Readiness Award

The Family Readiness Program serves a vital role in ensuring Marines and families across the Reserve are prepared to answer the Nation’s call. The program provides resource information and training in addition to support services to enhance a Marine's personal and family readiness so that he or she can remain fully focused on the mission.

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