Photo Information

MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. (May 11, 2007)--Marines from Battery I, 3rd Battalion, 12th Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division, participated in a transfer ceremony at the 10th Marines landing zone here, May 11. Capt. Andrew J. Brasosky and 1st Sgt. Samuel Heyward stand in front of the departing battery during the ceremony. The battery was attached to 3rd Battalion, 10th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, for more than a year prior to the ceremony.

Photo by Lance Cpl. Zachary W. Lester

India Battery stands down

17 May 2007 | Lance Cpl. Zachary W. Lester 2nd Marine Division

Marines from Battery I, 3rd Battalion, 12th Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division, participated in a transfer ceremony at the 10th Marines landing zone here, May 11.

During the ceremony, the battery guidon was furled as the official stand down for this unit on the east coast.  The battery was attached to 3rd Battalion, 10th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, for more than a year prior to the ceremony.  The battery is being sent over to the west coast in order to even out the number of firing batteries on each coast.

“You are part of a bigger change in Marine Corps artillery,” said Col. Glenn T. Starnes, commanding officer, 10th Marine Regiment.  “The west coast needed assistance to support the number of grunt battalions that are out there under 1st Marine Division.” 

“The battery guidon will be sent to Camp Pendleton, Calif. and reactivated there,” said 1st Lt. Jeremy Best, battalion adjutant, 3rd Battalion, 10th Marines.  “All of the Marines will be transferred throughout 10th Marine Regiment as part of this alignment process.”

Starnes spoke with optimism about sending the unit to a new location.

“Your sister batteries are out at Camp Pendleton and part of 11th Marines.  That is where we are sending India 12 now,” Starnes said.“With you being sent out, they now will have 12 firing batteries and we will have 12 out here.” 

The Marines of the battery recently returned from a seven-month deployment to Iraq where they conducted multiple missions.

“I think it’s proper that your last mission as a firing battery, your last deployment, was actually to be firing rounds in combat,” Starnes said. 

Starnes finished his remarks by directly addressing the Marines that were a part of the departing battery.

“You should be proud of your accomplishments,” Starnes said.  “You held high the flag of India, continue to hold high the flag of the Marine Corps.”