The White Falcon - 05.11.1993, Blaðsíða 2

from the top
By lstLL Robert Aeschbach,
Executive Officer, MCSFC
On the 10th of November 1993, the United
States Marine Corps celebrates 218 years of
service. The United States Marines in Ice-
land are proud to serve, as the Marines’
Hymn says, “in every clime and place.” The
Marine Corps Security Force Company
(MCSFCo) Keflavik is part of MCSF Battal-
ion which is based in Norfolk, Va. MCSF
Companies are stationed around the world in
places such as Diego Garcia, London, Naples,
Roosevelt Roads and Panama. Other compa-
nies in the United States include Kings Bay,
Ga.; Colts Neck, N.J.; and North Island, Ca.
The mission of MCSFCo Keflavik is to pro-
vide security for specific restricted areas of
the Naval Air Station, and to act as a core for
the Ground Defense Force. Marines serving
as training cadre at NAS Security are also
administratively attached to the MCSFCo.
Marines of the 2nd Marine Division were
the first American forces to serve in Iceland.
The 1 st Marine Brigade landed near Reykjavik
in July 1941 to defend the shores of Iceland
from attack by the Germans. Iceland’s stra-
218 years of providing freedom
tegic position in the North Atlantic would
have been a good base for German subma-
rines to use and threaten the allied convoys.
The British soldiers in Iceland were needed
to fight in Europe, so the United States agreed
to send the Marines to relieve them. The
British soldiers wore a black and white polar
bear patch for their uniform as a unit insignia.
The Marines adopted the patch for their uni-
form, and today it is a very visible symbol of
the Marines in Iceland, despite the lack of
polar bears on the island.
By March of 1942, America was deeply
involved in the war, and the Marines were
relieved by the U.S. Army troops. Most of
the Iceland Marines went to the Pacific Thea-
ter to fight in battles such as Tarawa. In
February 1942, the U.S. Marine Detachment,
Naval Operating Base, Iceland, was acti-
vated. In April 1943, it was redesignated as
a Marine barracks, but after the war it was
deactivated. The barracks was reactivated on
1 July 1961 to provide security for the Naval
Air Station at Keflavik during the Cold War.
Because of its remote location, the Comman-
dant of the Marine Corps authorized the
barracks to open an enlisted club in 1972.
The Marine Klub is still open today and
serves all members of the NAS community.
In 1987, the barracks was redesignated as
Marine Corps Security Force Comp;
Keflavik, Iceland, and assumed the groi
defense mission for the NAS.
The MCSFCo is manned by two officei
and 77 Marines. Lance Corporals (E-3) and
below of the guard all have the military occu-
pational speciality (MOS) of infantryman.
The NCO’s of the Guard (E-4 and E-5) have
Infantry or other combat arms MOSs such as
field artillery, combat engineers, or amphibi-
ous assault vehicles.
The headquarters section of the company
provides vital support to the company and the
Ground Defense Battalion, in the areas of
administration, supply, and training. They
also provide administrative support for the
Marine Cadre attached to NAS Security.
Marines from the Comapny recently re-
turned from Greenland where they learned
valuable skills in cold weather survival. The
company also plays a key role in Ground
Defense exercises such as Northern Viking
and Viking Thunder, and the Commanding
Officer, MFSFCo is designated by Com-
mander Icelandic Defense Force as the
Ground Defense Battalion Commander.
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Happy 218th birthday, Marines
From RADM Michael D. Haskins,
Commander Iceland Defense Force
As the United States Marine Corps prepares to celebrate its 218th Birthday, it is
appropriate that we all pause to remember what the Marine Corps has meant to our
nation and the cause of freedom. Since the dawn of this nation, and in virtually eveiy
conflict we have endured, U.S. Marines have distinguished themselves with honor,
valor, and the finest sense of professionalism. Whether they were the first to fight or
the last to leave, the U.S. Marines have never failed the Coips or our nation.
We, as the members of the Iceland Defense Force, are proud to serve along side our
Marines here in Iceland, as we all strive to preserve peace in our time. Should conflict
come, we all can rest assured in the fact that the U.S. Marine Corps will be the first on
the firing line and at the point of victory once more. We salute you and wish you Happy
Birthday. Semper Fi!
Thank you
We wish to express our gratitude for the
overwhelming outpouring of support given us
sister, Amy Christine Martin.
Words will never adequately depict the ap-
preciation we feel over every prayer, flower,
card and phone call received. The depth and
sincerity of the sympathy and compassion
shown were truly a source of strength for us.
Finally, we want to specifically express our

God Bles Billy and Jet 5, ini The ifer. M irtins: R indy, Donna,

The White Falcon
Commander, Iceland Defense Force
RADM Michael D. Haskins
Public Affairs Officer
LT Joseph L. Quimby
Deputy Public Affairs Officer
rridthdr Kr. Eydal
Public Affairs LPO
JOl David W. Crenshaw
Editor
J02 Carlos Bongioanni
Journalist
J02 (AW) Natalie Dias
J03 (SW) Andreas Walter
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The White Falcon