Essex ARG, 15th MEU Arrive in 7th Fleet Area of Operations

From Commander, Amphibious Squadron 3 Public Affairs

PACIFIC OCEAN (NNS) -- More than 4,500 Sailors and Marines with the Essex Amphibious Ready Group (ARG) and the embarked 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) arrived in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of responsibility (AOR) May 25, after departing San Diego May 11.

The ARG and MEU arrived following an amphibious sustainment training exercise in Hawaii with the amphibious assault ship USS Essex (LHD 2), the amphibious transport dock ship USS Anchorage (LPD 23), and the amphibious dock landing ship USS Rushmore (LSD 47).

While in the Hawaii operating area, the Essex ARG and 15th MEU participated in Culebra Koa 2015, an amphibious force and joint seabasing exercise that introduced new technology to decrease reliance on infrastructure ashore.

The ARG and MEU also hosted flag and general officers from more than 20 nations during the inaugural Pacific Command Amphibious Leaders Symposium (PALS) aboard USS Essex for a day-long tour and amphibious raid demonstration.

The Navy and Marine Corps team also brings MV-22B Ospreys, AV-8B Harrier jets, landing craft air cushion vehicles, CH-53E Super Stallion and AH-1Z Viper helicopters, UH-1Y Venom helicopters, MH-60S Sea Hawk helicopters and other assets.

"The Essex Amphibious Ready Group offers combatant commanders mobility of force and flexibility of mission that make the ARG-MEU team a critical asset no matter where or in what capacity these Sailors and Marines are called to serve," said Commodore Clint Carroll, commander of the Essex Amphibious Ready Group. "The force brings a wide range of capabilities to each area of operations from humanitarian assistance and disaster relief to full-scale military operations, and everything in between."

Other ARG elements include Commander, Amphibious Squadron 3, Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron 21, Fleet Surgical Team 1, Tactical Air Control Squadron 11, Assault Craft Unit 5 and Beach Master Unit 1.

"The 15th MEU brings a host of flexible, responsive options across the spectrum of military operations in support of the interagency and combatant commanders' objectives," said Marine Col. Vance L. Cryer, commanding officer, 15th MEU. "The distinct ability of amphibious forces to gain access to critical areas anywhere in the world with ground, air, and logistics forces enables the Navy-Marine Corps team to resolve conflicts, conduct humanitarian assistance, and if needed, combat the enemy in remote, austere environments."

The 15th MEU consists of the 15th MEU command element; an aviation combat element, Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 161 (Reinforced); a ground combat element, Battalion Landing Team 3rd Battalion, 1st Marines; and a logistics combat element, Combat Logistics Battalion 15.

The U.S. 7th Fleet AOR spans more than 48 million square miles from the Kurile Islands north of Japan to the Antarctic in the south and from the International Date Line to the 68th meridian east, which runs down the India-Pakistan border.

National Guard Responds to Floods in Texas, Oklahoma

By Army Capt. Martha Nigrelle

Texas National Guard

GRANBURY, Texas, May 28, 2015 – Texas National Guard engineers rescued three people here May 26, and searchers continue hunting for survivors and victims of raging flood waters.

Working with local and state first responders, Texas Guard members spent the Memorial Day weekend responding to calls for help all over Texas as heavy rain pounded the region.

“We got a call around midnight from the local sheriff’s department,” said 1st Lt. Max Perez of the Texas Army National Guard’s 236th Engineer Company, 111th Engineer Battalion. “They asked us to check a neighborhood near the Brazos River for flooded homes and anyone in need.”

Perez took his team of engineers and split into two groups to better search the neighborhood for citizens in need.

“The soldiers responded very quickly. They only took 10 or 15 minutes to get ready to go,” Perez said. “They were pretty motivated about the mission –- eager to save lives.”

With the help of a police officer and a firefighter, the engineers combed through the neighborhood, checking on residents.

Stranded Car

“We found a stranded car that couldn’t move,” Perez said. “There was water up to the window of the car.”

The engineers immediately stopped and got out to help, being sure to first secure themselves to a safety line attached to their military vehicle or another stationary object, Perez said. “We saw a family –- a woman, her daughter, about 3 or 4, and a man -- stuck in the car,” he added.

Army Staff Sgt. Thomas Kennington, 111th Forward Support Company, 111th Engineer Battalion, along with several other soldiers, pulled the girl and her mother from the car and brought them to safety, then returned for the man. Once all three people were safe, the team pulled the vehicle to dry land to ensure that it wouldn’t wash away, Perez said.

“This is the first time I’ve ever done anything like this,” Kennington said. “When you’re in that moment with lights flashing, water rushing and soldiers around you whose safety you are concerned for, it’s an adrenaline flow.”

Grateful to Help

The engineers said they were grateful to have been able to help their fellow citizens in need that day.

“The little girl thanked me over and over for saving her and her mama,” Kennington said. “That’s what this is all about.”

Perez said he was just thankful to have been asked to help and that he was proud of his soldiers.

“They showed me the reason why they put on the uniform that night,” said Perez. “Their bravery and dedication was amazing.”

Texas Guard members have rescued more than 100 Texans in need during flooding across the state, since mid-May. Figures from the National Guard Bureau indicate that about 240 personnel are on duty in Texas during this emergency.

In Oklahoma, about 10 National Guard personnel were on duty during that state’s flooding emergency. Guard units in both states conducted helicopter rescues, and in Oklahoma, a helicopter crew provided feed to stranded cattle.

Face of Defense: Lieutenant Pursues Dream of Playing in NFL

By Air Force Senior Airman Vernon L. Fowler Jr.

6th Air Mobility Wing

MACDILL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla., May 28, 2015 – Achieving excellence is a core value for all airmen.

Air Force 1st Lt. Connor Dietz applies his quest for excellence not only to his duties as 6th Logistics Readiness Squadron material management flight commander here, but also to continuing to work hard and push toward his dream of competing in the National Football League.

Dietz laughed as he recalled that the word "ball" was his first word as a child in Columbus, Ohio. Football has been an important part of his life since third grade, he said, and he credited his father and brother, who both played, for teaching him the game.

In high school, Dietz lettered in football three times, establishing himself as one of the top players in his district and helping his team to win the 2006 Ohio Division 1 state championship. His quest for excellence didn't end there, however. He also served as a captain on his football and basketball teams, was selected to all-star games in football and lacrosse, and was a member of the National Honor Society.

"I'm a very competitive person," he said. "God has blessed me with a lot, and I try to do my best with what he's given me."

Air Force Academy

In 2008, Dietz signed a national letter of intent to play for the U.S. Air Force Academy Falcons football team. He would compete as a Division 1 college athlete against some of the top programs in the country while attending one of the nation's most prestigious institutions.

During his four years at the academy, he would have to balance a demanding academic curriculum, cadet life and staying in top condition for football, he said, and his fellow cadets helped him succeed.

Dietz played in meaningful games for the Falcons, including the Armed Forces Bowl in his senior season and the annual rivalry games against the other service academies. Along the way, he said, he gained valuable experience that prepared him to lead in the operational Air Force, to have a potential football career, and ultimately for life after the academy.

"I not only learned how to lead others, but also myself," he said. "The support from all the guys in the locker room, coaches, faculty, staff and just everything around there made it an unbelievable experience."

Overwhelming Support

Following graduation and his commissioning as a second lieutenant, Dietz was assigned here in March 2013. As he has continued pursuit of his dream to play in the NFL, he said, he has received support from all over the installation as well as from his family and friends.

"The support I have received here has been overwhelming," Dietz said. "I wouldn't be able to pursue my dream without it."

Dietz has two trainers -- one for diet conditioning and the other for football -- with whom he trains five or six days each week. Despite his dedication and rigorous training, however, he doesn't allow football to interfere with his duties at work and to his country.

"I work normal hours, and then after it's straight to football," he said. "I always try and not let football interfere with my duty, because that comes first."

Dietz has participated in a pro day for various NFL scouts and also has worked out with a few teams. His goal, he said, is to get into training camp with a team and eventually make it onto a roster. "I'm just trying to do my best, make it into the league, and be the best I can be," he said.

At the end of the day, Dietz said, his faith is strong and the love for football is in his blood.

"When you're out there on the field, there's no other feeling like it in the world," he said. “It just feels right. … I feel at home."