Last month I told you Maintenance Company was the best

company in the Regiment and June has left little doubt in

my mind this still holds true. This month we had nine

regular promotions, five meritorious promotions, eight

Good Conduct Medals, four Navy and Marine Corps

Achievement Medals and two Outstanding Volunteer Ser-

vice Medals awarded to Marines within Maintenance Com-

pany. Maintenance Company is without a doubt the com-

pany with the most promotions and awards; of course we

are the biggest company in the Regiment. The Marines

from Maintenance Company continue to impress me each

and every day. Hardwork, dedication and innovation are

the hallmark of their character. For instance, we have a Marine that discovered a

way to reduce the repair time on certain vehicles from 40 hours to 20 hours – an un-

believable contribution to the fight. Your Marines continue to do great things each

and every day. As we celebrate Independence day together, the mission still per-

sists. I could not be more proud of each and every Marine under my charge. As al-

ways, thank you for your continued support of your Marines. We could not accom-

plish our mission without you.

Major J. R. Copley

Major Copley, Company Commander

MAINTENANCE COMPANY

C O M B A T L O G I S T I C S R E G I M E N T — 1 5 ( F O R W A R D )

First Sergeant Monroe, Company First Sergeant

July 2010

Headquarters 2

Repairable Issue Point 3

Communications

Electronics

4

Engineers 5 ,6

Ordnance and General

Support

7

Motor Transport 8

Forward Detachments,

SEI

9

Sections:

Greetings families and friends. I am happy to say that we have passed

the halfway point and the Marines of Maintenance Company continue

to set the precedence for I MEF. Over the past month I have watched

them perform at a level well beyond what is expected without missing a

beat. You would be very proud to know that their hard work is a very valuable asset to the

mission that stands before our country. The Marines stand proudly side by side, through

the ups and downs to ensure that their families can rest safely and we will continue to

hold that honor until we are properly relieved. Take comfort in knowing that your Marine

is on guard. Continue to pray for us as we pray for you. This weekend marks Independ-

ence Day, I ask that you take a moment and remember those that have served our country

and the many that continue to serve. God Bless you and your families.

First Sergeant J. E. Monroe

Headquarters

Another month has gone by and the Marines of Headquarters

(HQs) Platoon (Plt) continue to impress. It’s amazing the inge-

nuity and work ethic of Marines as they are continually tested

mentally and physically away from home. The long hours and

exhausting climate have taken their toll on everyone, but the

equipment parts are still getting ordered and getting brought

in. The paperwork is still getting filed and the reporting is still

getting accomplished. All of this while moving into our new

homes, the Maintenance Company Office and the Maintenance

Management Office buildings. The compliments are also pour-

ing in. CLR-15 (FWD) is definitely being touted as the tip of the

logistical spear. The Marines here are changing the pace of

operations and leading the Marine Logistics Group (MLG) to

accomplish the mission. The support that the Marines in HQs Plt are giving

is able to directly affect the ability for CLR-15 Maintenance Company to sup-

port the MEF. I am proud of the efforts and determination of each and every

one of the Marines in HQs Plt for persevering through these tough times and

know that the support they receive from their friends and family are not going

unnoticed. It puts a hop in their step every time mail call is done and the

letters, postcards and packages are received. I would like to take this oppor-

tunity to place a special congratulations to Cpl Clark on his meritorious pro-

motion to Corporal this month and SSgt Hunter for his selection to Gunnery

Sergeant. These Marine’s efforts and professionalism have not gone unno-

Awards and Promotions

Page 2

Combat Meritorious Promotions

Raymond Sullivan Jr

Patrick Clark

Aaron Lungmus

Diana Valdez

Nikolas Rivera

Joshua Cook

Jorge Carrillo

Dominick Chiurco

Jorge Floresgutierrez

Ian Jones

Adam Luttio

Bradley McDonald

Carlos Ramos

Joseph Teague

LCpl Keith Medlin

Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal

LCpl Felisha Franklin

Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal

LCpl Taylor Smith

Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal

United States Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal

MSgt Charles Baker III

Sgt Joshua Cook

Sgt Victoria Wellman

Cpl Antony Oliveira

Cpl Kelcey Smith

Cpl Sergio Miranda

LCpl Tyler Erickson

LCpl Zachary Douglas

Sgt Ryan Albright

Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal

Cpl Stephen Jensen

Military Outstanding Volunteer Service

Cpl Brandon Diggins

Military Outstanding Volunteer Service

LCpl Rodriguez arms himself for a

SMU run

The Reparable Issue Point had a month to remember. On the 16th of

May the lot which we shared with the Supply Management Unit was

destroyed by fire. However, due to heroic efforts of RIP Marines over

80% of our inventory was saved. I would like to take time to thank all of those family and

friends who wished us well during this period. The Marines of the RIP performed their duties

admirably and continued the mission without a building, warehouse, or usual day to day of-

fice equipment. A testament to their determination was evident as we did our first transaction

the morning following the fire. Never has my pride in a group been more than it was that day.

As this current month roles on and we are now comfortably moved into our new facility we

continue to support the MEFs effort in Afghanistan. Until next month…

-CWO Nemiah Johnson

Page 3

Repairable Issue Point

Left, Clockwise: Cpl Carillo discov-

ers art among the destruction.

The SMU is burning.

LCpl Jones and LCpl Valdez work-

ing hard.

LCpl Staritz skillfully operating

the tram.

The Gator got too close.

CWO Johnson, Maj Copley and

SSgt Alcorn assess the damage.

Page 4

Greetings Family and Friends,

Another month has passed and we are quickly approaching the half way point of the deployment. The Ma-rines in the Platoon have settled into their daily routines and continue to impress. We would like to start out this month by congratulating Sergeant Albright for winning the Non-Commissioned Officer of the quarter

board. Competition was keen, but Sergeant Albright came out on top. Well Done!

This month’s spot light is not one Marine, but the four man team that Communication Electronics Mainte-nance has stationed at Camp Dwyer. This team is responsible for augmenting Combat Logistics Battalion-5 (CLB-5) and providing an Intermediate Maintenance Activity (IMA) capability further forward. When we stepped on deck CLC-252 had eight Marines performing this mission. Due to changing mission requirements, we were only able to send out four Marines. Sgt Rosamilia, Cpl Alvarado, LCpl Loeck and LCpl Springer took the place of the eight Marines and have been able to provide the same level of service with half the man-power. LCpl Spencer Loeck is a reservist who volunteered for the deployment from Wichita Kansas and serves as the sections shipping and receiving NCO. He has learned a lot since deploying and is becoming a great computer technician. LCpl Christopher Springer is another reservist is from Indianapolis who also volun-teered to deploy. He has deployed before and used his vast knowledge and previous experience to provide in-put on how to restructure and configure the Maintenance shop to better support Intermediate Mainte-nance. Cpl Franklin Alvarado is an active duty Marine stationed at Camp Pendleton and hails from Los Ange-les, CA. A radio repairman by MOS, Cpl Alvarado has cross trained as a computer technician while in Dwyer to better support the needs of the shop. He and his wife Suzi are expecting their second child sometime in the middle of June…any day now. Sgt Rosamilia is serving as the IMA Comm/Elect Maintenance Site Chief and is

directly responsible for the other Comm/Elect Marines at Dwyer. He issues out daily tasks and responsibili-ties, and looks after the morale and welfare of the Marines. Sgt Rosamilia and his wife Toni have two children, Jalees (10) and Jaden (who turns 8 in June-Happy Birthday!), and live on San Marcos, California. These Ma-rines are doing great things while down at Camp Dwyer and have recently combined tech shops with CLB-5 to

better support the war fighters in the area of operation.

We would like to again thank all of you for your love and support!

Communications Electronics Maintenance

The Fantastic 4

From left to right: LCpl Springer,

Sgt Rosamilia, LCpl Loeck and

Cpl Alvarado

Friends and family of Engineer Maintenance Platoon, Another month has passed by and your Marines continue to excel beyond my expectations. Also, the weather is reach-ing extreme summer temperatures as we encounter each new day. Nearing the halfway point in our deployment to Afghanistan, the Marines of Engineer Maintenance Platoon push on and are continuing their mission, repairing all equipment that comes their way. I must say, they are doing an outstanding job. Though the work has not slowed down, we were able to take a few hours out of a Sunday afternoon and have a barbe-que, play volleyball, horse shoes, cards and just relax for a bit. The Marines of the Metal Shop have been doing an outstanding job. The Metal Shop has fabricated numerous protec-tive barriers to enhance security for Marines manning Entry Control Points throughout our base. The Metal Shop has also fabricated racks, ladders, and steps for many Marine Corps tactical vehicles. They have also made bolts and plugs for many different types of vehicles and equipment. To date, our Metal Shop Marines have fabricated and com-pleted repairs on over 200 pieces of equipment which is about three times as much work normally completed by the same Marines at Camp Pendleton. Our platoon’s Maintenance Management Section is run by a single Marine; Corporal Manuel Montelongo Jr. He proc-esses all equipment repair orders and parts requisition for Engineer Equipment Platoon. So far, Cpl Montelongo has opened and closed over 1,200 Equipment Repair Orders for our platoon. The Tool Room and Calibrations Marines continue to be busy as always conducting inventories, re-arranging the Tool Room and trying to provide the best tools for the hard working Marines that are on the lot fixing the gear. This is the reason we recently re-located our Common #30 Tool Kit. It was placed in a more accessible spot and now the Marines will be able to use the Material Handling Crane to lift generators, engines and other heavy components when needed. It’s been another busy month for the Marines of the Utilities section. Our refrigeration mechanics continue to do great work despite the seemingly endless flow of request for air conditioner repairs; they continue to keep their customers comfortable and cool. The generator section is staying busy as well remaining on call 24/7, completing repairs as complex as replacing engines and as simple as instructing someone to add fuel to their generator. Equipment issues have plagued us since our arrival in Afghanistan but the Marines in Heavy Equipment section have continued to do great work. They have repaired roughly 50 heavy equipment items so far and as fast as they fix them…more broken ones roll in. There’s no shortage of work for this section either. We have a number of acknowledgements for the month of June. Sergeant James McCormick and his wife Amanda welcomed their baby girl, Arianna Elizabeth, into the world on 16 May, 2010. Aaron Lungmus was meritoriously pro-moted to the rank of Corporal. Lance Corporals Felisha Franklin and Taylor Smith were each awarded the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal and Lance Corporal Justin Grizzle received the Good Conduct Medal. We would like to send a sincere Happy Father’s Day to all the parents, spouses, friends, and families of the Marines of Engineer Maintenance Platoon. Semper Fidelis, CWO3 Keith Earhart

Page 5

Maintenance

Engineer

Utilities Section replacing an engine Cpl Thompson wiring up a generator

Machinists hard at work

The phrase, ―A picture is worth a thousand words,‖ may mean more to some

than it does to others. To a Metal Worker, it means pouring your heart mind and soul

into a raw piece of metal. As he applies fire and force with acute precision, he creates

inspirations that serve both as art and useful products. In some cases his labor becomes

an incredible contribution to history—as are bridges, statues, currencies, and many

other fabrications created by past Metalworkers.

Page 6

Maintenance

Engineer

Lance Corporal Phan, Quyen joined the Marine Corp in October 2007. He was born in Saigon Vietnam,

and is currently serving as a metal worker, with 1st Maintenance Battalion, Combat Logistics Regiment-

15, currently deployed to Camp Leatherneck, Afghanistan.

―It is very rewarding to create such art work during a major part of history‖, said LCpl Phan.

―The public needs to know what we are doing. Our job is to document and provide a personal and emo-

tional medium for the public and family to understand what

Marines do. I am able to see what my family couldn’t, and I

showed them what life is like in a different environment

through our history and traditions.‖

―It’s almost incalculable what he is able to do with any type

of metal,‖ said Cpl Fugate, LCpl Phan’s Non-Commissioned

Officer and his senior Metal worker. ―Metal work paints a

broader perspective then what pictures do‖ he opines.

LCpl Phan’s inspiration was born from his mother’s recent

purchase of a new home. His work, which will be sent out

this month as a house warming gift; and to wish his family a wonderful new beginning in their new

home, is derived from a combination of ancient Asian facts and myths surrounding the power of drag-

ons and spirits, and their influence on life. In the Chinese tradition, the dragon has a place of very high

esteem and differs dramatically from those that appear in Western-world stories and sagas. Unlike its

Western counterpart, a symbol of evil, a malevolent force to be vanquished and slain, the Chinese

dragon is a benevolent creature exemplifying the life force and signifying good fortune.

LCpl Phan reflects on how he feels that it is only right to return the gratitude and encouragement that

has been provided to him by his family. ―Even as a Marine you always appreciate the never ending love and the support that is provided by your parents‖. He con-

tinues on to say ―And even miles away a piece of home is

what brings comfort and serenity to a young Marines mind

and heart‖. His dedication keeps his welders and fellow Ma-

rines inspired as they admire his artistic and professional

metal work. LCpl Phan enjoys working with his fellow metal workers and says he will continue to dream and create his

one of a kind metal work on his spare time. He will always

focus on fulfilling his family’s traditions, heritage as well as

his new found Marine Corps duties as a Metal worker.

rdnance and General Support

Page 7

GENERAL SUPPORT SECTION

Finally! After three months of repairing engines and starters in the open, followed by a mended tent, we now have our

new maintenance facility, and have successfully made a home for the fuel test machine (AVM2PC) adjacent to our

facility. This was accomplished by the direct leadership of the Non-

Commission Officers and the dedication and ingenuity of the Lance Cor-

porals.

The section has been working hard to set up shop in the new mainte-

nance facility. Their enthusiasm and dedication continues to show, even

during the hottest times of the day. By choice the section would rather

work in the heat to get the shop up and ready, instead of waiting for the

heat to decrease later in the day. Yes! with plenty of water and some

shade they have endure some of the intense hot weather that Afghanistan

has to offer thus far, but we are still waiting for those 130 degree days

we hear so much about.

M88 RECOVERY SECTION

This month we are proud to announce two promotions within the recovery crew, Cpl Cook was promoted to

Sgt and LCpl Chiurco was promoted to Cpl. Also, the M88A2 Recovery team has been hard at work preparing several

M88’s for return to the States and providing the technical expertise to

other units to accomplish repairs. Specifically Cpl Avila and Cpl

Chiurco have been of immeasurable assistance to CLB 6, saving them

several days of labor in repairing their own M88A2 Tank Recovery

Vehicle.

OPTICS SECTION

Following an urgent request for support from a forward unit, LCpl Ja-

red B. Murrill jumped on the next convoy to Marjeh, taking with him

only a handful of tools and a container full of repair parts. Upon arri-

val, LCpl Murrill got to work on more than 50 night vision devices that

required repair. By the time he left, he had traveled to multiple loca-

tions and fixed or collected more items than the original request re-

quired. His performance speaks volumes of his character.

Cpl Desplinter setting the valves

on an LAV engine

SSgt Ray and the M88 crew

LCpl Murrill adjusts a mortar sight

We have come a long way since arriving in country over 3 months ago, yes it has

been 3 months already and we are at the half way point of our deployment. When we

reflect on the last three months and all that we have accomplished, it’s easy to forget some of

our accomplishments since there’ve been so many. During the month of June we rotated 1/3 of

each of our sections ,mechanics in the IMA lot between the MRAP, MRAP-ATV and legacy equip-

ment, in order to ensure that all mechanics are trained and experienced on all of the Motor

Transport equipment used in support of I MEF operational forces. Also, since half of our broth-

ers and sisters are Reservist, this will improve their technical proficiency in their MOS and in

the Marine Forces Reserve.

The GSMT Marines are well into the deployment and with the platoon’s conducting non-stop

Combat Logistics Patrols (CLP’s) in the Area of Operations (AO), the Marines at GSMT are in

high demand. The mechanics at GSMT have risen to the occasion and assisted in over 20 con-

voys providing pre-operational and post operational checks on all the vehicles allowing the op-

erators to shift their focus on the safety of the loads, the equipment they are hauling and allow-

ing them to get the much needed rest to return to base in a safe and efficient manner.

While at Camp Leatherneck, the Marines of GSMT continue maintenance support for Supply Company, Security Company and

General Support Motor Transport Company in a timely manner and allowing them to complete their mission of supporting other

units here in the Helmand province. To date the Marines have completed 320 different repairs to the over 250 vehicles that are mov-

ing supplies and equipment down the road.

The IIP maintenance team continues to work to identify defects, once I MEF assets arrive into Afghanistan, in a timely manner.

Once all defects have been identified, repairs are conducted to the equipment to ensure it is operational and combat ready. All mo-

tor transport assets are sent to the Joint Projects Office lot to get their additional equipment installed onto them. From there, vehi-

cles requiring gunner turrets are sent to IMA where the modifications are applied.

During the last month we’ve had several mechanics being interviewed and a public affairs article being published, about our ability

to rebuild/repair I MEF’s Mine Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicles in order to protect the Marines on the front lines and

help them accomplish their mission in a relatively safe vehicle. Also, SSgt Cooke (MTM Recovery Chief) conducted a live interview for

NBC San Diego. He was chosen due to the outstanding recovery support that his team provides to I MEF operational forces. The

links below will take you to the website.

http://www.dvidshub.net/?script=news/news_show.php&id=51039

http://www.dvidshub.net/popups/theater-tveyes.php?vid=17712

Motor Transport Page 8

Left: LCpl Brewer and

LCpl Leija repair an

MRAP

Above: Sgt Losh shows LCpl Dalessandro

the benefits of facial hair

Left: LCpl Erickson repairing an MRAP

Maintenance Company Forward Detachments

Since the merger of CLB-5 and CLR-15, Maintenance Company has set forth a new standard for units to come. The de-

tachment has been on deck for almost three months now and the strength of this company is well known. We maintain,

issue, inspect, repair and replace Heavy Equipment, Motor Transport, Artillery, Optics, Utilities, and Communication

assets. To these Marines, failure to support the warfighter is not an option. The work ethic and man hours they dedicate

to the surrounding units is inspiring. Keeping product quality in

mind, Maintenance Company has also increased its productivity

and while forward units are more satisfied with the results pro-

duced from our IMA lot. The brotherhood that has been estab-

lished here has allowed us to become more efficient in the task at

hand. Our Marines aren’t just turning wrenches, they are grow-

ing as Marines. This past holiday we took time out to reflect dur-

ing the Memorial Day weekend and shared a BBQ with CLB-5.

The Marines here are tasked with many difficult situations and

through hard work and challenges, these Marines are beginning

to see their true potential. This experience is not only an eye

opener but a true test for a Marine. All the hours spent repairing,

cross training on numerous MOS’s, and the leadership and dedi-

cation of our NCO’s has established an Esprit de Corps that

serves as powerful reminder of our values as Marines.

Special Equipment Issue (SEI)

Counter Suicide Bomber Capability (CSBC) or better known as Dragon Vision is

made up of two Field Service Representatives (FSR) . On the right is Mike (aka

Peter) and the left is Dan (aka Jesus). Yes these two former Marines are charac-

ters but have a very serious job to perform. The CSBC allows Marines to deter-

mine if a person has a suicide vest or other harmful items on their person. The

standoff distance the CSBS system provides keeps the Marines at a safe distance

to counter this threat.

Besides it’s force protection capa-

bilities, Peter and Jesus utilize

Dragon Vision to peer underneath

the clothing of unsuspecting

bystanders

Page 9