Major Frank Tejeda Award
RECIPIENT for 2013:
The Honorable Representative Adam Smith
Adam Smith serves Washington's 9th District. He is now in his 9th term, Adam serves as Ranking Member of the House Armed Services Committee, where he is a strong advocate for our military personnel and their families. Adam is also committed to providing our military personnel with the best equipment available to carry out their current and future missions while ensuring that the Pentagon spends taxpayer dollars in the most efficient and effective manner. The date for the presentation will be 26 June. For full bio CLICK HERE.
MV-22B Ospreys Make Historic Flight
MORON DE LA FRONTERA, Spain -- Six MV-22B Ospreys and two KC-130J’s flew from Marine Corps Air Station, New River, N.C., to Moron De La Frontera, Spain, April 27, completing the longest and largest transatlantic flight of any Osprey squadron to date. Their mission; crisis response. Major Anthony Krockel, the executive officer assigned to Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 365, said it took a lot of planning and preparation and approximately 15 hours to cross the Atlantic. “It was pretty historic. We are here now to support the task force.” The MV-22B Ospreys, along with two KC-130J aircraft from Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron 252 and other command-and-control assets and support staff make up the aviation command element (ACE) for Special-Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force, Crisis Response (SP-MAGTF CR). SP-MAGTF CR is a new, rotational contingent of approximately 500 Marines, sailors and support elements sourced from a variety of Marine Corps units to include II Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Lejeune, N.C. The SP-MAGTF CR provides U. S. Africa Command the capability to respond to crises in U.S. Africa Command’s area of responsibility. The unit is capable of responding across a broad range of military operations and will provide limited defense crisis response in support of U.S. Embassies in the region, to support non-combatant evacuation operations, humanitarian assistance, disaster relief operations, search and rescue, and other missions as directed. The MV-22B Ospreys are a key component to this mission, capable of completing a 325-nautical mile flight with 20-24 combat equipped personnel without an aerial refuel or auxiliary fuel tanks. This equates to about four times the range with the same personnel load of a Marine Corps, legacy medium lift helicopter. It can also carry twice as much; moving three times faster, than the legacy aircraft it replaced. The effectiveness and survivability of the Ospreys provide commanders with agility and operational reach, unlike other aviation platforms.
STATEMENT OF LIEUTENANT GENERAL STEVEN A. HUMMER COMMANDER, U.S. MARINE CORPS FORCES RESERVE UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS BEFORE THE SUBCOMMITTEE ON DEFENSE OF THE SENATE APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE CONCERNING GUARD AND RESERVE OVERVIEW ON APRIL 17, 2013
Chairman Durbin, Ranking Member Cochran, and distinguished Members of the Subcommittee, it is my honor to report to you on the state of the Nation’s Marine Corps Reserve and our Reservists, who enthusiastically and professionally contribute to the balanced airground-logistics team that underscores the Nation’s Expeditionary Force in Readiness – the U.S. Marine Corps. Although the present times are difficult due to fiscal impacts on the Marine Corps, I am extremely grateful for your continued support of our Corps. FOR THE FULL TESTIMONY CLICK HERE.
Important Bill to Expand Caregiver Services for All Severely Disabled Veterans
On April 25, 2013, Chairman of the Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee Bernie Sanders introduced S. 851, the Caregivers Expansion and Improvement Act of 2013. This bill would expand eligibility for comprehensive benefits and services to family caregivers of all veterans who were severely injured in the line of duty while serving in the armed forces. Currently, only family caregivers of veterans severely injured on or after September 11, 2001, are eligible for these benefits and services such as:
- caregiver training
- support groups
- counseling
- other support services
- a monthly stipend
- health coverage through CHAMPVA
- respite care
- mental health services
- counseling related to the caregiver role and burden
A survey by the National Alliance for Caregiving (NAC) of caregivers who are caring for veterans from combat eras dating from World War II to the more recent wars in Iraq and Afghanistan showed that the overwhelming majority of veteran caregivers are women. Twice as many veterans' caregivers said they have been caregiving for 10 or more years compared to national statistics, three times as many caregivers reported spending 40 hours a week or more providing care compared to the national total, and six out of ten caregivers of veterans surveyed are at least 50 years of age including one in eight who is 65 or older.
Please use the prepared e-mail or draft your own personal e-mail to request that your Senators support this important bill and ask that it be brought to the floor for a vote and enacted as soon as possible.
Thank you for all you do for veterans and their families, and for your active participation in DAV CAN. Take Action! Visit this page:
http://capwiz.com/dav/utr/1/LIXYTARYAS/KLSCTARYEQ/9547160436]
To view the impact of SEQUESTRATION to the Marine Corps click here.
FINAL TAPS
The MCRA wishes to extend condolences to the following MCRA members who have passed:
Col John Urmston USMCR (Ret.)
