22ND MEU Completes Mission with Operation Unified Response

 24 MAR 2010 | 22nd MEU Public Affairs 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit

https://www.22ndmeu.marines.mil/News/Article-View/Article/510281/22nd-meu-completes-mission-with-operation-unified-response/

ABOARD USS BATAAN --Marines and sailors of the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit embarked aboard USS Bataan are scheduled to return to their home base of Camp Lejeune, N.C., during the first week of April after supporting Operation Unified Response in Haiti since Jan. 18.

United States Southern Command released the 22nd MEU and USS Bataan following the transition of relief efforts in the Caribbean nation from urgent life-saving actions to longer-term recovery.

Marines and Sailors of the Bataan Amphibious Ready Group, were the first large-scale Navy and Marine Corps team to arrive to the call of the Haitian people, immediately focusing on providing medical support, supplies, food and water ashore to those in need after 7.0 magnitude earthquake devastated the country.

On Jan. 13, the MEU received deployment orders to Haiti in order to provide immediate aide and direct relief to the earthquake stricken country five weeks after returning from a seven-month deployment in support of theater security operations in the U.S. Central and U.S. European commands' area of responsibility.

Throughout February and March, the 22nd MEU further enabled relief efforts by working with local and national government leaders, the United Nations, and non-governmental organizations who took over primary responsibilities of humanitarian assistance and disaster relief operations within the MEU's area of responsibility.

While supporting relief operations, the Marines and Sailors of the 22nd MEU combined a network of sea-based logistics and land-based support with as many as 1,100 Marines and Sailors ashore to conduct immediate aid efforts. The Marines focused on a 60-kilometer area west of Port-Au-Prince, from Carrefour to Leogane, through Grand Goave to Petit Goave. In order to move and distribute supplies in these areas, Marines and Sailors partnered with the United Nations, United States Agency for International Development, non-governmental organizations, and Canadian and Spanish military forces.

"The Marines and Sailors of the MEU are true professional ambassadors of our great nation and I am extremely proud of their dedication and the professionalism they exhibited answering the call to assist in the relief efforts in Haiti," said Col. Gareth F. Brandl, 22nd MEU commanding officer. "We are honored to be able to make a difference."

Marines from the 22nd MEU assisted the World Food Program with the delivery of more than 3.2 million pounds of bulk foods, such as rice, for earthquake survivors at distribution points in and around Carrefour. According to the WFP, each bag of rice delivered can feed a family of five for two weeks — more than 55,000 families. During their relief assistance to Haiti, the Marines and Sailors conducted and assisted more than 1500 humanitarian relief missions.

"As we close our time in support of Operation Unified Response-Haiti, I look back with great pride on the contributions the Navy and Marine Corps team made to the people of Haiti," said Lt. Col. Robert Fulford, the commanding officer for Battalion Landing Team, 3rd Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment. "We represented the heart and compassion of the United States, directly translating into tangible impacts in the lives we touched — from Petit Goave, Grand Goave, Leogane and Carrefour."

Fulford explained that the resilience and goodness of the Haitian people withstood the devastating quake, serving as motivation and inspiration for his Marines and sailors from the moment they landed in Leogane on Jan. 19. He continued that the people of Haiti have a bright future based on these foundations. "We served as enablers to bring this future into reality and I couldn't be more proud to have been a small part of this effort," Fulford said.

The 22nd MEU independently delivered nearly 560,000 liters of bottled water and nearly 195,000 gallons of bulk water; more than 1.6 million pounds of rations and approximately 15,000 pounds of medical supplies, while rotary wing aircraft from the 22nd MEU flew more than 610 flight hours and 618 missions in direct support of Operation Unified Response to aid those affected by the earthquake.

Medical and dental personnel from the MEU worked alongside Navy Corpsmen to treat earthquake survivors and evacuated numerous Haitian citizens to USS Bataan for additional medical care.

Units that previously returned to Camp Lejeune, N.C., include the majority of Combat Logistics Battalion 22, the Light Armored Reconnaissance Platoon, and elements of Kilo Company, BLT 3/2, all embarked aboard USS Carter Hall. A small detachment from HMH-461(Reinforced) also returned to New River Air Station earlier this month. On March 11, the MEU redeployed elements of BLT 3/2, specifically assault amphibian vehicles and India Company, embarked aboard USS Fort McHenry, from the U.S. Southern Command Theater of Operations to Camp Lejeune, N.C. This was part of a phased return of the MEU to Camp Lejeune as conditions within Haiti continued to progress and immediate military assistance was no longer required.

The MEU is comprised of heavy-lift and utility helicopters, trucks and humvees, assault amphibian vehicles and logistics capabilities to include water purification and limited medical support. The unit reconstituted all of its forces at sea upon completion of the humanitarian relief missions ashore.

The 22nd MEU is a multi-mission-capable force comprised of Aviation Combat Element, Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 461 (Reinforced); Logistics Combat Element, Combat Logistics Battalion 22; Ground Combat Element, Battalion Landing Team, 3rd Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment; and its command element.

In addition to Bataan, the ARG also included USS Carter Hall (LSD 50), USS Fort McHenry (LSD 43), USS Gunston Hall (LSD 44) and detachments from Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron 22 (HSC 22), Helicopter Mine Countermeasure Squadron (HM) 14, Tactical Air Control Squadron 21 (TACRON 21), Fleet Surgical Team 8 (FST 8), Assault Craft Unit 4 (ACU 4) and Beachmaster Unit 2 (BMU 2). Together with 2,200 Marines and 1,200 sailors and 21 rotary-wing aircraft, they make up the Bataan ARG and 22nd MEU.

Alumnus Thomas Jasper selected for Younger Federal Lawyers Award

 Written by UIC Law | June 16, 2014

https://news.law.uic.edu/alumni-news/alumnus-thomas-jasper-selected-for-younger-federal-lawyers-award/

Marine Capt. Thomas Jasper (J.D. ’97) has been selected the Younger Federal Lawyers Award recipient by the Federal Bar Association. He is serving as senior defense counsel for Legal Services Support Section Echo.

22ND MEU Delivers Aid to Haiti's Southern Coast

 22 JAN 2010 | Staff Sgt. Wayne Campbell 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit

https://www.22ndmeu.marines.mil/News/Article-View/Article/510274/22nd-meu-delivers-aid-to-haitis-southern-coast/

COTES DE FER, Haiti --

As the roar of the CH-53E Super Stallion came closer to shore, scores of men, women and children began looking to the sky in hope of relief.

As the aircraft from Marine Helicopter Squadron 461 (Reinforced) touched down, crowds ran to gather family members and friends. Within minutes, approximately 300 Haitians formed a crowd around Marines who lined the perimeter of the landing zone.

The 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit provided relief on Haiti's southern coast Jan. 21 to supply aid to a village devastated by the earthquake that rocked the country more than a week ago. This was the first significant aid many residents had seen since the earthquake occurred.

"It's about getting the supplies to the people that need them," said 1st Lt. Kevin Stuart executive officer for Weapons Company, Battalion Landing Team 3rd Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, 22nd MEU. "Some people can't come and get it and some are not in the big cities where the aid centers are. The challenging part is getting the food and water to the people who really need it the most."

Stuart explains that the local Ministry of the Interior workers who joined the distribution contributed to the crowd being calm and understanding.

"We have some people who speak their language, and they help us liaison between us and the locals," Stuart said. "These [Ministry of the Interior workers] are here day in and day out, so having them here working with us is huge because it allows the locals to see that cooperation."

The village was without water and food since the earthquake, Roudy Devil, director of ACDI VOCA, a non-profit aid organization said.

"Before the earthquake happened we were preparing for a hurricane," the Cotes De Fer native explained. "Now we are using those resources to help the people affected by the earthquake."

The Marines brought with them approximately 80 cases of nutritional biscuits and approximately 100 cases of water, some of which went straight to injured earthquake victims who where unable to make it to the distribution point.

According to the only doctor in the village of 3,000 residents, Dr. Marie Michelle Dorceus Rock, there where 23 injuries during the earthquake. With no clinic or hospital, Rock is forced to treat victims at the local elementary school.

"They are happy we are here," said Lance Cpl. John Hercules, translator for the 22nd MEU and native of Port-au-Prince, Haiti. "Some of them haven't eaten since yesterday or three days ago. They appreciate the U.S. Marines coming and trying to help them."

The distribution point in Cotes de Fer was established for the day and the Marines from Weapons Company were extracted back to USS Bataan in the afternoon. Cotes de Fer is the second distribution point opened by the Marines from the 22nd MEU in three days. The first location in Leogane, Haiti, west of the capitol of Port-au-Prince, was opened Jan. 19, just four days after the 22nd MEU and the Bataan Amphibious Assault Group deployed to join the relief.

The ships of the Bataan Amphibious Ready Group and embarked elements of the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit arrived off the coast of Haiti Monday to provide humanitarian assistance and disaster relief for earthquake survivors and bolster relief operations already underway in support of Operation Unified Response.

This sea-based force will bring added capabilities to aid the relief efforts without taxing the already strained infrastructure ashore. Comprised of heavy-lift and utility helicopters, trucks and Humvees, assault amphibian vehicles, and logistics capabilities to include water purification and limited medical support, the 22nd MEU will further enhance the humanitarian relief efforts ashore.

The 22nd MEU is a multi-mission capable force comprised of Aviation Combat Element, Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 461 (Reinforced); Logistics Combat Element, Combat Logistics Battalion 22; Ground Combat Element, Battalion Landing Team, 3rd Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment; and its command element.

In addition to Bataan, the Amphibious Ready Group consists of USS Carter Hall (LSD 50), USS Fort McHenry (LSD 43), USS Gunston Hall (LSD 44) and detachments from Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 22, Helicopter Mine Countermeasure Squadron (HM) 15, Tactical Air Control Squadron (TACRON) 21, Fleet Surgical Team (FST) 8, Assault Craft Unit (ACU) 4 and Beachmaster Unit (BMU) 2.

Federal Bar Association selects Marine Corps Captain Thomas Jasper as recipient for Younger Federal Lawyers Award

 https://www.1888pressrelease.com/federal-bar-association-selects-marine-corps-captain-thomas-pr-530675.html

San Diego, CA (1888PressRelease) June 15, 2014 - The Younger Lawyers Division of the Federal Bar Association selected Captain Thomas Jasper of the United States Marine Corps (USMC) as a recipient of the Younger Federal Lawyers Award. The award program is designed to recognize outstanding young federal attorneys selected from among those nominated by agency heads, general counsels, and fellow attorneys throughout the country and overseas. Captain Jasper was presented the award during the Younger Federal Lawyers Award luncheon held in Arlington, VA.

Captain Thomas Jasper graduated from the University of Wisconsin (Madison) in May 1993 with Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) degrees in Political Science and History, he attended The John Marshall Law School and earned a Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree in June 1997. He was admitted to the Illinois State Bar in November 1997.

In January 1998, Captain Jasper was accepted to Officer Candidates School (OCS) (OCC Law) where he earned a commission as Second Lieutenant in April 1998. Captain Jasper then graduated from The Basic School in October 1998 and Naval Justice School in December 1998.

Captain Jasper served as Legal Assistance Officer In Charge (OIC) and Defense Counsel at Cherry Point, NC. He then received orders to 1FSSG, Legal Services Support Section (LSSS), at Camp Pendleton in July 2001. At Camp Pendleton, Captain Jasper worked as trial counsel on MAG-39 cases from July 2001 to December 2002. He then deployed to Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) I from December 2002 to July 2003 as both Operations Officer with CCSG-151 and then Battalion Judge Advocate for 1st Bn 4th Marines performing civil military legal operations in Al Hillah, Iraq. Upon his return from OIF I in July 2003, Captain Jasper was assigned as Senior Defense Counsel for LSSS Echo.

Okinawa dental technician sentenced to 60 years for murder of fellow Sailor

 Read more at: https://www.stripes.com/migration/third-sailor-accused-in-grisly-okinawa-murder-pleads-guilty-1.38079

Source - Stars and Stripes

CAMP FOSTER, Okinawa — Seaman Audley G. Evans II, chin resting on clasped hands, on Friday watched a video of himself showing military police how he cut another sailor’s throat on Camp Hansen in February. He didn’t cry but appeared distressed as he sat in the Keystone Judicial Circuit Court, knowing that according to his pre-trial agreement, he faced a maximum of life in prison without parole and a minimum of life with parole. Evans, 20, of Royal Palm Beach, Fla., pleaded guilty to charges of murder, conspiracy to commit murder, obstructing justice and three counts of grand larceny. Without a pre-trial agreement, his maximum sentence could have been death for brutally killing fellow dental technician Seaman Adam J. Palecco, 21. According to evidence presented during his court-martial Friday and at two co-defendants’ trials, Evans was in a shoplifting ring responsible for stealing more than $10,000 of items from Okinawa base exchanges from August 2004 to Feb. 2, 2005, the day he stole the three knives and two sets of gloves from the Hansen exchange used in killing Palecco later that night. Evans had heard that Palecco, facing a Feb. 4 court-martial for shoplifting, had agreed to tell military police all he knew of Evans’ ring, co-defendants Seamen Robert L. Person Jr., 19, and Tiffany Marie Brooks, 21, have stated. “Evans said Palecco had to go,” said Person, of Turrell, Ark. “We had to kill him for snitching.” Person and Brooks were tried in June. Person was sentenced to life in prison with all but 60 years suspended; Brooks, of Carthage, Miss., to life with all but 65 years suspended. She and Person received dishonorable discharges. Evans had been arrested on Christmas Eve for trying to steal a printer, 10 CDs, 32 DVDs and a pack of gum. Brooks and Person had not been charged in connection with Evans’ ring. “We all thought we was all going to jail because of what Palecco had told his lawyer,” Brooks said in her video. “I was afraid of going to jail.”

Person, Evans, Brooks and Palecco worked in the base dental clinic. Testimony at previous trials said Palecco was not a ring member but was caught trying to emulate them. Others at the clinic described him as a “lively kid” with a huge appetite for food and fun. “He could always make you laugh,” Petty Officer 3rd Class Daniel Cortes testified Friday. “He was a funny guy.” In a video recreation of the crime, Evans neither displayed remorse nor hesitated to speak of the murder, correcting himself repeatedly to get another fact right. He spoke of how Person lured Palecco behind the dental clinic, where he and Brooks waited. As they all walked, Evans slipped behind Palecco. “I held the knife in my left hand, behind my leg, and followed,” Evans said in his video, grabbing a mannequin to demonstrate. “I swooped to his left side. I grabbed his forehead, tilted his head back and cut his throat.” He said he stabbed Palecco three more times, then Person and Brooks joined in. An autopsy showed Palecco was stabbed 17 times and almost decapitated. Evans said he and Person hid the body in a storm drain tunnel. A Marine discovered it two days later. On the video, a Naval Criminal Investigative Service agent asked Evans why he killed Palecco. “I was afraid to get into trouble any more than I was,” Evans said, the video image seeming to look straight at the man slumped at the defense table. “We had to do what we had to do.” The court-martial is to continue Monday, when Evans’ father and members of Palecco’s family are expected to testify.

Okinawa Marine drug case goes to jury

 https://www.stripes.com/migration/okinawa-marine-drug-case-goes-to-jury-1.32607

CAMP FOSTER, Okinawa — The fate of a Marine accused of leading a Camp Hansen drug ring was sent to the jury Thursday during the second day of the Marine’s court-martial. The jury began deliberating about 5 p.m., retired for the night at almost 8 p.m. and was to resume at 8 a.m. Friday. Thursday’s proceedings began with prosecutors playing an audiotape. They said it was of NCIS informant Cpl. John Bennett, III Marine Expeditionary Force Headquarters Group (III MHG), buying 2 grams of cocaine and one Ecstasy pill from the accused, Cpl. Byron Lewis, also from III MHG. Lewis is charged with conspiracy to distribute cocaine, Ecstasy and marijuana and illegal possession and distribution of all three drugs. On Oct. 29, Naval Criminal Investigative Service agents secreted a tape recorder on Bennett and drove him to visit Lewis at Barracks 2725 on Camp Hansen. According to the tape, Bennett and Lewis entered Lewis’ room, where Bennett said, “Damn. Cool, that’s some nice [expletive].” “He only gave me 5 grams though,” Lewis replied. “That’s it?” Bennett said. “Yeah,” Lewis said. “That’s cool, though,” Bennett said. A short time later, Bennett said “Let me get this,” and “a pill.” Prosecutors contend he was referring to a 2-gram bag of cocaine and an Ecstasy pill. The tape indicates Lewis told him the cost was “$290” and that Bennett paid him $300 and asked for change. Bennett also could be heard asking when he could get drugs. Lewis replied, “Anytime, I can call him and he can shoot up here.” Bennett testified Wednesday he believed Lewis’ supplier was from Naha.

After the audiotape, Pvt. Julio Martinez, 3rd Medical Battalion, was recalled to testify. On Wednesday, Martinez, originally a prosecution witness, said Lewis never gave him drugs and he never conspired with Lewis to sell drugs. That testimony contradicted Martinez’s testimony in a related court-martial and statements he signed naming Lewis. Martinez said Wednesday he actually bought drugs from then-Sgt. Lee Risner, now an incarcerated private, and that threats from Risner, plus NCIS pressure, made him name Lewis as the supplier. On Thursday, Martinez altered his testimony again, saying he did buy drugs from Lewis and conspired with him to sell drugs. “I did not tell the truth because of intimidation in the brig,” Martinez said. He said Lewis threatened him indirectly through Pfc. Eddie Few, also of III MHG, a Lewis friend. He quoted Few assaying, “No one better snitch on my boy or I’m going to get you.” Martinez testified he took “my boy” to mean Lewis. Lewis’ attorney, Capt. Tom Jasper, asked Martinez if, after Wednesday’s testimony, prosecutors had told him he’d lose his pre-trial agreement to knock three years off his seven-year sentence if he didn’t revert to his original account. Martinez said that did happen but it wasn’t why he again changed his testimony. Jasper then asked Martinez if he’d told a brig-mate he was worried he’d lose his pre-trial agreement. Martinez answered, “Yes.” Next was the first defense witness, the brig-mate Martinez talked to, Pvt. Paul Woodman, Marine Corps Base Headquarters and Service Battalion. Woodman, jailed on unrelated charges, testified many of the those involved in the drug case said they didn’t buy drugs from Lewis. The last witness was Few, who said he never saw Lewis smoke marijuana or deal drugs. Few said he was in the room the night the Bennett’s audiotaped drug purchase reportedly took place. He said he was drinking liquor and watching a pornographic movie to celebrate being released from the brig that day. He said he saw no drugs exchanged but did see Bennett pay Lewis $300, which he thought was to repay a loan. Few was the last witness. After a several-hour break, Maj. Anthony Williams, who presided at the court-martial, gave his instructions to the jury panel. Williams told jurors he had found Lewis not guilty of one charge, making false official statements. If Lewis is found guilty of all charges, he faces a possible dishonorable discharge, reduction in rank, forfeiture of all pay and allowances and a maximum of 152 years of confinement.

Court-martial opens for Marine corporal accused of leading Okinawa drug ring

 https://www.stripes.com/migration/court-martial-opens-for-marine-corporal-accused-of-leading-okinawa-drug-ring-1.32559

CAMP FOSTER, Okinawa — The court-martial of the accused leader of a Camp Hansen drug ring began Wednesday with the prosecutor characterizing defendant Marine Cpl. Byron Lewis as a “drug pusher disguised as a U.S. Marine” and the defense attorney countering that “small-time Marine drug pushers” were trying to foist the blame on his client. The trial is the eighth in a string of drug-related courts-martial. Lewis, of III Marine Expeditionary Force Headquarters Group, is accused of drug use and of conspiring to distribute cocaine, marijuana and Ecstasy, and distributing and possessing the illegal substances. During a preliminary hearing Tuesday, he pleaded not guilty to all but wrongful use of a controlled substance. Lewis said he did use marijuana once a week for two months in his Camp Hansen barracks room. Capt. Josh Rosen, trial counsel, said Wednesday during his opening statement in Lewis’ trial, in the Legal Services Support Center on Camp Foster, that Lewis did much more than just smoke marijuana. Rosen said he would show that Lewis was integral to a “drug ring in the barracks … Barracks 2725.” Capt. Tom Jasper, Lewis’ attorney, said that although Naval Criminal Investigative Service investigators all “drove home” that Lewis was behind the ring, the real supplier was then-Sgt. Lee Risner from 3rd Medical Battalion. Risner, since court-martialed, has been reduced in rank to private and is imprisoned, court officials said. Jasper said his client has “acknowledged what he’s done. He’s a user, not a distributor.” Buttressing that contention were Julio Martinez and Brandon Kelley, both Marine privates, two of the eight prosecution witnesses called to testify Wednesday. They departed from their previous statements, suggesting Wednesday that Lewis played a far less central role in the drug ring. Neither identified Risner as the supplier, but Martinez and others said they’d felt intimidated by him. Martinez, from 3rd Medical Battalion, pleaded guilty to several charges when he was court-martialed in February, including conspiracy to distribute and use of an illegal substance. He was sentenced to seven years confinement, but he confirmed in court Wednesday that his sentence was reduced to four years after he agreed to testify against Lewis. Jasper asked why Martinez is changing his testimony now, knowing he could have years added to his sentence for breaking his plea-bargain agreement. “Because I have to tell the truth,” Martinez said. “I can’t come here and blame someone else for something they didn’t do.”

Martinez said he implicated Lewis because Risner had threatened him and his family. Several witnesses testified they had bought drugs from Lewis. But others told the court they felt forced by Naval Criminal Investigative Service agents to name Lewis as the kingpin. “If ‘Lewis’ wasn’t in the sentence, they didn’t want to hear it,” said Kelley, 3rd Medical Battalion, who said he knew nothing about Lewis but “I didn’t have any other choice than to lie.” Lewis’ jury trial, presided over by Maj. Anthony Williams of Camp Foster, was to continue Thursday and possibly Friday. If found guilty on all charges, he could face the maximum penalty of dishonorable discharge, reduction in rank, forfeiture of all pay and allowances and a maximum of 152 years confinement.

Marine Corps birthday ceremony

 https://www.marines.mil/Photos.aspx?igphoto=4130

NOV 10, 2008

Cpl. Jeremy Andrews, left, and Maj. Tom Jasper, both with the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit, stand next to a retired Marine as Andrews cuts a piece of cake during a small Marine Corps Birthday ceremony held Nov. 10, 2008, at P.J. Clarkes in New York. The Marines had just attended a concert by the Quantico Marine Corps Band in Battery Park. The Marines were in New York to support Veterans Day and the reopening of the Intrepid Sea, Air and Space Museum after a two-year renovation project. ::r::::n::(Official U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Brian Lewis.)::r::::n::

Marine reunites with family in earthquake ravaged Haiti

 https://www.dvidshub.net/news/44876/marine-reunites-with-family-earthquake-ravaged-haiti#.VVs97PlVj-6

PETIT GOAVE, Haiti — When a devastating earthquake rocked Haiti, Jan. 12, Lance Cpl. Malarky Gene could only think of one thing — was his wife and son still alive?

For Gene, a food service specialist with Combat Logistics Battalion 22, 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit, the 11 day span from Jan.12-23 was a stressful time of uncertainty. His home country had been ravaged by the earthquake, and the status of his family and friends was unknown. To make matters worse, he was unable to get in contact with anybody who could give him information about his wife, Guerline, and son, Bellot.

On Jan. 13, Gene's unit received orders to embark aboard the ships of the Bataan Amphibious Ready Group, make best speed to Haiti, and assist in the relief effort. The ships arrived pier side in Morehead City, N.C., Jan. 15, and the 2,000 Marines and sailors of the 22nd MEU were underway the next day. By working around the clock, the unit speedily loaded their gear, prepared for their mission and said goodbye to their families. Gene was aboard the USS Carter Hall as the amphibious ready group steamed southward.

"Every day, I prayed for my wife and son," said Gene. "I was worried about my wife and son, but I was happy to be coming to Haiti to help everybody."

His family was in their house in Carrefour, Haiti, when the earthquake struck, leveling the building. While they escaped unharmed from the massive quake, they were left without power, shelter, food or money. With no assistance coming soon, they headed toward the port of Petit Goave where they knew help had arrived offshore in the form of 2,000 Marines from the 22nd MEU. Gene was there on the ground, already helping those in need, but his thoughts focused on his family. Their 31-mile journey was made by bus and foot through the devastated country.

Leaders from the MEU were well aware of Gene's situation and did everything they could to help.

"Even though we knew it would be a difficult process, it was an easy decision to make," said Lt. Col. Gary Keim, commanding officer of CLB-22, regarding the focus on helping Gene and his family. "That's what Marines expect of their leaders — this is about Marines taking care of Marines."

On Jan. 23, it was arranged that the family would be picked up away from the front of the Marines humanitarian assistance camp where crowds of locals gather during the day. A humvee was dispatched and the family was happily reunited on the streets of Petit Goave. The family was brought inside the Marine camp, formerly a school surrounded by mango trees, lush grass and a lone baobab, but now converted to a humanitarian assistance hub by the sea.

While the family was safely reunited, in reality, the work had just begun to ensure Gene's family would find refuge.

Behind the scenes, strings of emails, hours of phone calls and several meetings were held to find relief for the family. Gene's immediate family lives in New York — his father, brother and two sisters. He had started the paperwork to move his wife and son from Haiti to New York where they could become U.S. Citizens, but the earthquake brought the process to a halt.

"This was a consummate team effort amongst staff judge advocate offices extending from Marine Forces South, Joint Task Force Haiti, and the 22nd MEU," said Maj. Tom Jasper, a Elgin, Ill., native and staff judge advocate for the 22nd MEU. "There was extraordinary coordination between the Department of State, Department of Homeland Security and the Department of Defense to do the right thing and take care of this Marine's family so he can solely focus on helping those in need. That's what this is all about."

On Jan. 25, Jasper and Gene's family members were at the U.S. Embassy Consular's Office in Haiti. With passports, marriage and birth certificates, and other critical information, Jasper and a team of Marine and Army lawyers were able to help expedite the immigration process to grant Humanitarian Parole to Gene's family. Over the course of three days, a process that usually takes months was completed. Gene's family had been granted Humanitarian Parole and would be allowed entrance into the United States.

"We were lucky because they had all the information necessary for the lawyers," said Keim. "Once I contacted my executive officer and the SJA, they took it from there."

Gene's wife and son left Haiti, Feb. 2 to New York. The family will stay with relatives until Gene returns. Gene's wife, Guerline, expressed through an interpreter her great appreciation for the efforts of the United States.

"It was a blessing that God sent the Americans here to help," she said.

The 22nd MEU is a multi-mission capable force comprised of Aviation Combat Element, Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 461 (Reinforced); Logistics Combat Element, Combat Logistics Battalion 22; Ground Combat Element, Battalion Landing Team, 3rd Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment; and its command element.

All charges are dropped in case of friendly fire

 https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424052970204062704577221463254929598

Defense says Guantanamo detainee is soldier, exempt from war crimes

 https://www.reuters.com/article/2014/11/17/us-usa-guantanamo-idUSKCN0J12C120141117/

FORT MEADE Md. (Reuters) - A U.S. military lawyer for a Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, detainee described as an al-Qaeda commander said on Monday he may be classified as a soldier under international war rules - and therefore exempt from prosecution - so charges against him should be dropped.

Marine Lieutenant Colonel Tom Jasper asked a judge to dismiss multiple charges against Abd al Hadi al-Iraqi, accused of commanding attacks on coalition forces in Afghanistan, killing civilians and conspiring to assassinate Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf.

Jasper said Article 5 of the Third Geneva Conventions of 1949 might classify Hadi al-Iraqi as a "lawful combatant" and, as a prisoner of war, grant him immunity from prosecution for lawful acts of war.

“The bottom line, sir, is that at this point Hadi al-Iraqi could not be tried by this tribunal,” Jasper told the judge during the hearing at the Guantanamo Bay prison that was shown over closed-circuit television at Fort Meade, Maryland, media center.

More evidence and hearings are needed to define Hadi al-Iraqi’s status, Jasper said.

But Justice Department attorney Mikeal Clayton argued Hadi al-Iraqi should be classified not as a soldier but as a terrorist. He faces the possibility of life in prison on the charges.

State Department officials said Hadi al-Iraqi was chosen by Osama bin Laden to oversee al-Qaeda’s operations in Iraq, including commanding terrorist training camps.

Clayton said al-Qaeda propaganda videos describe him as “a hero to al-Qaeda’s cause."

The Supreme Court, ruling in 2006 in the case of Hamdan v. Rumsfeld, found al-Qaeda members were not Article 5 “lawful combatants” exempt from criminal prosecution. In addition, Congress authorized the trials of al-Qaeda agents under the 2009 Military Commissions Act.

Hadi al-Iraqi, 53, was captured in 2007 and has been held at the U.S. military prison at Guantanamo Bay as a "high-value detainee."

In a separate issue, Hadi al-Iraqi’s attorney in a court filing asked the judge to order the military to cease using female guards to shackle him. The request came after he resisted a female guard's attempt to shackle him after he met with his legal team, prompting four male guards to forcibly restrain him.

“Mr. Hadi al-Iraqi’s Muslim faith requires him to avoid physical contact with any females to whom he is not married or related,” his lawyer said in the documents.

Accused Al-Qaida leader in court at Guantanamo

 https://www.usnews.com/news/articles/2014/11/17/accused-al-qaida-leader-in-court-at-guantanamo

GUANTANAMO BAY, Cuba – Accused senior al-Qaida leader Abd al-Hadi al-Iraqi got another day in court Monday during a pretrial hearing in the case against him.

Sitting in a courtroom 1,393 miles north of the equator, the alleged adviser to Osama bin Laden – garbed in a white, ankle-length robe and turban – sat and stroked his beard while listening to members of both the prosecution and defense teams debate two defense motions: a motion to dismiss for lack of subject-matter jurisdiction, and a motion to strike common allegations. 

Al-Hadi was captured in Turkey and arrived at Guantánamo Bay in April 2007, said Marine Lt. Col. Tom Jasper, one of his defense attorneys. He faces war crimes charges related to the use of explosives and suicide bombers against U.S. and allied troops in Afghanistan.

Al-Hadi’s charges are based on the theory that he was not a legitimate soldier, according to The Associated Press. If deemed one, Jasper said he could be granted immunity for acts of war, according to Reuters.

For the motion to dismiss for lack of jurisdiction, Jasper argued the U.S. government is responsible for determining what type of prisoner al-Hadi actually is: a prisoner of war or a person who was captured during an armed conflict.

The defense claims that al-Hadi did not receive a fair hearing to establish his status after his capture. His lawyers asked that all proceedings related to his case be suspended until such a hearing can take place.

It is up to the judge – Navy Capt. J. Kirk Waits – to determine whether a hearing should take place.

In order to be labeled a POW, individuals must meet conditions such as the following under the Geneva Conventions:

• Membership and armed force status in a party fighting in a conflict

• Membership in a militia that has volunteered to fight for a party engaged in conflict as long as they are under the command of someone responsible for his subordinates, have a distinctive insignia of said party recognizable at a distance, carry arms openly and conduct operations in accordance with the laws and customs of war.

• Have a relationship to a combatant party, such as a crew member, war correspondent or contractor.

If such a hearing is ordered to take place and al-Hadi is indeed found to be a POW, the defense argues that he should “be released and repatriated.” The prosecution contends al-Hadi is not entitled to such a hearing. 

The second motion initiated by the defense asked that 63 allegations listed on al-Hadi’s charge sheet in addition to the original five charges be stricken because they “are extremely prejudicial to the accused.”

“The charges are perfectly clear,” said Air Force Maj. Ben Stirk, another of al-Hadi's defense attorneys. “There is no need for the allegations … they are a cheat sheet for the government … They’re inflammatory."

Stirk said if the added allegations are allowed to remain on al-Hadi's charge sheet, they could serve as bullet points outlining the prosecution’s argument and would be readily accessible to members of the jury.

The prosecution argued the allegations were succinct and allowed for a “plain, concise and definite” charge sheet.

If the judge sides with the prosecution and allows the allegations to remain, the question of whether the prosecution must prove all 63 allegations or just one as normally required would still remain.

Al-Hadi's case is considered by some to be unique because it deals with accusations related to over a decade’s worth of alleged transnational terrorism.