Criteria The Meritorious Unit Commendation may be awarded by the Secretary of the Navy to any unit of the Navy or Marine Corps that distinguishes itself under combat or noncombat conditions by either valorous ... The Meritorious Unit Commendation may be awarded by the Secretary of the Navy to any unit of the Navy or Marine Corps that distinguishes itself under combat or noncombat conditions by either valorous or meritorious achievement which renders that unit outstanding compared to other units performing similar service, but not sufficient to justify the award of the Navy Unit Commendation. MoreHide
Description Battle Griffin is a triennial joint allied field exercise (FTX), that exercises the Norway Air-Landed Marine Ground Task Force (NALMAGTF) concept to reinforce Norway and Norwegian National Forces in cBattle Griffin is a triennial joint allied field exercise (FTX), that exercises the Norway Air-Landed Marine Ground Task Force (NALMAGTF) concept to reinforce Norway and Norwegian National Forces in cooperation with North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), National Headquarters, and other designated NATO forces.
The Norway Air-Landed Marine Expeditionary Brigade (NALMEB), also called the Norway Air Landed Marine Air Ground Task Force (NALMAGTAF), is the Marine Corps' only land-based prepositioned stock. The expeditionary force flies into Norway using a minimum amount of strategic airlift, marries up with the equipment and supplies, and redeploys throughout Norway as needed.
The Battle Griffin exercise is designed to test all aspects of NALMEB (deployment of forces from CONUS, withdrawal of equipment and supplies from cave sites, redeployment of equipment and supplies, integration of U.S. and Norwegian forces, etc.).
Criteria The Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal is awarded on a selective basis to enlisted members in the Regular Marine Corps or Marine Corps Reserve to recognize good behavior and faithful service in the U.S. ... The Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal is awarded on a selective basis to enlisted members in the Regular Marine Corps or Marine Corps Reserve to recognize good behavior and faithful service in the U.S. Marine Corps while on active duty for a specified period of time. MoreHide
Other Memories
Finally got to drink the Vodka purchased at the Embassy in Tblisi, Georgia (1998) 10 years later (2008). The best vodka I've had to date.
Criteria The Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal may be awarded to service members who, while serving in any capacity with the Navy or Marine Corps, distinguish themselves by heroism, outstanding achievem... The Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal may be awarded to service members who, while serving in any capacity with the Navy or Marine Corps, distinguish themselves by heroism, outstanding achievement or meritorious service (but not of sufficient nature to warrant a higher decoration). MoreHide
Criteria The Meritorious Unit Commendation may be awarded by the Secretary of the Navy to any unit of the Navy or Marine Corps that distinguishes itself under combat or noncombat conditions by either valorous ... The Meritorious Unit Commendation may be awarded by the Secretary of the Navy to any unit of the Navy or Marine Corps that distinguishes itself under combat or noncombat conditions by either valorous or meritorious achievement which renders that unit outstanding compared to other units performing similar service, but not sufficient to justify the award of the Navy Unit Commendation. MoreHide
Criteria The Sea Service Deployment Ribbon is awarded to members of the Navy and Marine Corps assigned to U.S. homeported (including Hawaii and Alaska) ships, deploying units, or Fleet Marine Force commands, f... The Sea Service Deployment Ribbon is awarded to members of the Navy and Marine Corps assigned to U.S. homeported (including Hawaii and Alaska) ships, deploying units, or Fleet Marine Force commands, for 12 months accumulated sea duty, or for duty with the Fleet Marine Force that includes at least one deployment of 90 consecutive days. MoreHide
Tandem Thrust 97 was held in and around the Shoalwater Bay Training Area in central Queensland during the period 10-22 March 1997. It was the first of it's biennial series to be exercised with Austral
Tandem Thrust 97 was held in and around the Shoalwater Bay Training Area in central Queensland during the period 10-22 March 1997. It was the first of it's biennial series to be exercised with Australia. The Exercise demonstrated the closeness of the military-to-military relationship between the U.S. and Australian Defence Forces by combining efforts to strengthen the alliance between the two countries to pursue common regional and international security objectives and contribute to the preservation of security and strategic stability in the region. The exercise demonstrated a variety of ADF and US military capabilities in a combined arms environment and test the capability of Australian and United States command and control procedures.
The exercise included airborne, air-mobile and amphibious assault, maritime, land and air manoeuvre, and significant maritime, ground and air activities. Approximately 21,500 U.S. personnel took part, of which several thousand came ashore into the Shoalwater Bay Training Area. Most remained at sea as part of the Carrier Battle Group and Amphibious Ready Group. As part of a Combined Task Force (CTF) headed by Commander Seventh Fleet, forces from Independence (CV 62) Carrier Battle Group, an Amphibious Ready Group built around the New Orleans (LPH 11), III MEF, and the 11th MEU(SOC) worked with other US and Australian forces on a short-warning crisis-action scenario. The exercise implemented USCINCPAC's cooperative engagement strategy and demonstrated U.S.-Australian cooperation. Approximately 5,700 Australian Defence Force members participated from all of the Defence Army, Navy and Air Force Commands.
The local communities benefited from the income generated by the influx of military and non-military personnel concerned with participating in and covering the event. The ADF sourced supplies from the local communities to facilitate the exercise and maintain good commercial and community relations. It is difficult to estimate how much money will be spent; during the 1997 Tandem Thrust exercise in Australia, estimated expenditures were more than 10.5 million U.S. dollars for goods and services by U.S. ships alone during their port calls.
Description Eight United States Army forces from across the Korean peninsula were engaged in exercise FOAL EAGLE 97, an annual United States/Republic of Korea Combined Forces Command force-on-force training exercEight United States Army forces from across the Korean peninsula were engaged in exercise FOAL EAGLE 97, an annual United States/Republic of Korea Combined Forces Command force-on-force training exercise. As the largest allied force-on-force exercise in the world, FOAL EAGLE 97 included more than one million Republic of Korea forces and about 35,000 U.S. forces assigned in Korea, as well as U.S. forces deployed from throughout the Pacific region and the Continental United States. Supporting exercise FOAL EAGLE, armored vehicles from the 1st Cavalry Division were loaded onto rail cars after off loading them from the USNS Regulas in Pusan, South Korea.
The exercise began Oct. 27, and ends on Nov. 6, 1997. The Eighth U.S. Army, the Army component to United States Forces Korea (USFK), role in this year's FOAL EAGLE exercise includes a non-combatant evacuation operation; reception, staging, onward movement and integration (RSOI); combat operations; and anti-infiltration activities. The exercise presents many realistic training opportunities for the combined Republic of Korea/United States defense team.Exercise objectives demonstrate U.S. and ROK resolve for the combined defense of Korea while affording joint and combined training opportunities from the individual through operational level. While singular in title, FOAL EAGLE 97 represented an orchestrated array of challenging training to enhance interoperability to safeguard the Korean peninsula and U.S. national interests.
PACAREA Coast Guardsmen from PSU 311, PSU 302 (battle-rostered" unit), HDC 111, and CGC Hamilton participated in the field exercise Foal Eagle 97. Specifically for PSU 311, of San Pedro, Calif., the exercise was designed to test the capabilities of the equipment and men and women of the PSU and their water and shore side defensive tactics. It also tested the logistics of getting back and forth from South Korea with the aide of the U.S. Air Force. A wide variety of duties and training opportunities awaited PSU 311. This included providing security zones around high value assets, making buoy drops for the Navy, and escorting the USS Bunker Hill, USS Mobile Bay, CGC Hamilton, and USNS Regulus in and out of port. Meanwhile, CGC Hamilton, homeported in San Pedro, Calif., was part of a combined Navy-Coast Guard defense ring around the harbor of Pusan. The cutter was deployed in the Sea of Japan with the USS Independence battle group, which included 79 aircraft and 10,000 people.... More
Description Cobra Gold is an Asia-Pacific military exercise held in Thailand every year. It is the largest Asia-Pacific military exercise held each year, and is among the largest multinational military exercise iCobra Gold is an Asia-Pacific military exercise held in Thailand every year. It is the largest Asia-Pacific military exercise held each year, and is among the largest multinational military exercise in which the United States participates.
Cobra Gold was first held in 1982. It served as military training exercise to improve coordination between the armed forces of the United States and Thailand in both hostile military and humanitarian efforts. It also had the goal of strengthening ties between the U.S. and Thailand, the oldest ally of the United States in the South Asia region. More recently, Cobra Gold has served a humanitarian mission, as military personnel deliver health care to the local Thai population, and as a testing ground for new battlefield technologies such as solar powered weaponry.
The United States has engaged in only a single, very minor military intervention in the Pacific area since the end of the Vietnam War, making it difficult to judge Cobra Gold's effectiveness in improving warfighting capabilities and coordination. Cobra Gold has, however, proven effective in improving coordinated military response to natural disasters.... More
Criteria The Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal may be awarded to members of the Armed Forces in the grades of lieutenant commander (or major) and below. It is awarded for meritorious service or achieveme... The Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal may be awarded to members of the Armed Forces in the grades of lieutenant commander (or major) and below. It is awarded for meritorious service or achievement in either combat or noncombat based on sustained performance or specific achievement of a superlative nature but which does not warrant a Navy Commendation Medal or higher. It may not be awarded for service involving participation in aerial flight after January 1, 1969. MoreHide
Criteria The Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal may be awarded to members of the Armed Forces in the grades of lieutenant commander (or major) and below. It is awarded for meritorious service or achieveme... The Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal may be awarded to members of the Armed Forces in the grades of lieutenant commander (or major) and below. It is awarded for meritorious service or achievement in either combat or noncombat based on sustained performance or specific achievement of a superlative nature but which does not warrant a Navy Commendation Medal or higher. It may not be awarded for service involving participation in aerial flight after January 1, 1969. MoreHide
Criteria The Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal is awarded on a selective basis to enlisted members in the Regular Marine Corps or Marine Corps Reserve to recognize good behavior and faithful service in the U.S. ... The Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal is awarded on a selective basis to enlisted members in the Regular Marine Corps or Marine Corps Reserve to recognize good behavior and faithful service in the U.S. Marine Corps while on active duty for a specified period of time. MoreHide
Description Kernel Blitz [frequently mis-spelled "Kernal Blitz"] is a bi-annual Commander-in-Chief Pacific (CINCPAC) fleet training exercise (FLEETEX) focused on operational/tactical training of Commander, Third Kernel Blitz [frequently mis-spelled "Kernal Blitz"] is a bi-annual Commander-in-Chief Pacific (CINCPAC) fleet training exercise (FLEETEX) focused on operational/tactical training of Commander, Third Fleet (C3F)/I Marine Expeditionary Forces (MEF) and Commander, Amphibious Group 3 (CPG-3) / 1st Marine Division (MARDIV). KERNEL BLITZ is designed to enhance the training of Sailors and Marines in the complexities of brigade-size amphibious assault operations. Kernel Blitz tests the ability of Navy and Marine Corps forces to plan and conduct a brigade-size amphibious landing operation; it is the only regularly scheduled exercise of its kind in the Pacific.
Amphibious landing operations are considered among the most complex of all naval maneuvers. The United States is the only nation currently maintaining a brigade-level amphibious assault capability. Most of the world's population lives along the littorals, within a hundred or so miles of the coast. The Navy and Marine Corps are extending their ability to operate from ships over the horizon all the way to two hundred miles inland. The United States Navy and Marine Corps are an expeditionary team. Thus they operate in the littorals-in the sea and on the land along the coastline. Expeditionary work takes a very different set of operational capabilities from those needed in blue-water fleet operations. The Navy must bring in the Marines and support them ashore to accomplish missions that range from humanitarian operations to forced entry high-intensity warfare. ... More
Description Native Fury 94," a U.S.-Kuwaiti maritime prepositioning exercise in the northern Persian Gulf and Kuwait, commenced 04 April 1994 and continued through April 25. The annual military exercise was conduNative Fury 94," a U.S.-Kuwaiti maritime prepositioning exercise in the northern Persian Gulf and Kuwait, commenced 04 April 1994 and continued through April 25. The annual military exercise was conducted under the framework of the Defense Cooperation Agreement between the two countries. Elements of the exercise include off-loading a maritime prepositioning ship, transporting equipment to a field training area, and navigation and aerial strike drills. Some of USCENTCOM's largest readiness exercises in 1994 were NATIVE FURY, which involved the employment of afloat prepositioned equipment demonstrated readiness and mobility.... More
Criteria The National Defense Service Medal is awarded for honorable active service as a member of the Armed Forces during the Korean War, Vietnam War, the war against Iraq in the Persian Gulf, and for service... The National Defense Service Medal is awarded for honorable active service as a member of the Armed Forces during the Korean War, Vietnam War, the war against Iraq in the Persian Gulf, and for service during the current War on Terrorism. In addition, all members of the National Guard and Reserve who were part of the Selected Reserve in good standing between August 2, 1990, to November 30, 1995, are eligible for the National Defense Service Medal. In the case of Navy personnel, Midshipment attending the Naval Academy during the qualifying periods are eligible for this award, and Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps (NROTC) Midshipmen ae only eligible if they participated in a summer cruise that was in an area which qualified for a campaign medal. MoreHide
Mark Barnum
Cory Jackson
John Ackerman
Jeff Young
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