Shawn Snow
Early Bird Editor
Shawn Snow is the senior reporter for Marine Corps Times and a Marine Corps veteran.
All Stories By Shawn
Tensions with Iran and its proxies led to accelerated transfer of bases housing coalition troops to Iraqi forces
"This base transfer occurred amid force protection concerns sparked by escalating tensions between the United States and Iran and its proxy militias, which CJTF-OIR said led to an acceleration of the long-term transfer plan."
Gym aboard D.C. Marine barracks remains open despite COVID-19 pandemic
The Marine barracks gym remains open despite an order from Washington D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser to close gyms across the city to help stymie the spread of the virus. The governors of Maryland and Virginia have also ordered the closure of gyms across the two states.
Marine Forces Japan restricts off-base liberty over COVID-19
Marines, dependents, personnel and contractors are prohibited from visiting off-base bars, nightclubs, cafes, clothing stores, nail salons and gyms.
It’s not the Waffle House index, but a Marine barbershop has closed over COVID-19
“As conditions change, installations within the command may consider closing the barbershops based on the recommendations from the Public Health Emergency Officers."
Okinawa-based CH-53 squadron commander sacked
HMH-466 is currently based out of Marine Corps Air Station Futenma in Okinawa on a Unit Deployment Program.
The Marines want to get rid of their tanks. Here’s why.
“We have sufficient evidence to conclude that this capability [tanks], despite its long and honorable history in the wars of the past, is operationally unsuitable for our highest-priority challenges in the future,” the report said about the divestment of Marine tanks.
Training scaled back at Twentynine Palms, elsewhere over COVID-19 concerns as top Marine says Corps needs to remain ready to fight
The Corps “has to be ready to respond to a problem around the world. We’ve never been given advanced notice when that will happen” so Marines “need to conduct training that is necessary” to be ready when the nation needs it to act. Gen. David Berger said.
US transfers Q-West airfield to Iraqi forces citing progress in fight against ISIS
“The Qayyarah base served as a strategic launching point for the ISF [Iraqi Security Forces] and Coalition during the Battle of Mosul. In particular, the base serves as a hub for the Iraqi air force, who continue to deliver lethal strikes on Daesh bed-down locations."
Marine recruiting stations are going virtual as COVID-19 continues to disrupt the US military
“With that in mind, we will immediately transition to prospecting exclusively via digital and telephonic means, and no longer initiate in-person interviews. We remain committed to recruiting the highly-qualified men and women our Nation needs for its Marine Corps."
A Marine crisis response task force covering Africa is stuck in Italy and Spain over COVID-19 concerns
“In compliance with DOD guidance, the scheduled redeployment of the current rotation of SPMAGTF-CR-AF has been delayed in order to minimize the risk of COVID-19 exposure to our forces and to stateside communities.”
