Hawaii / Pacific
6 November 2004: Marine Corps Birthday Ball
“Marines attended the Regimental Birthday Ball.” – Source: 3/3 Command Chronology for the Period 01 July to 31 December 2004
1 – 11 November 2004: Departure for Afghanistan
Marines and Sailors at Marine Corps Base Hawaii, November 8, 2004. © Honolulu Star-Bulletin
“On 1 November, the ADVON departed for Afghanistan where they dispersed to stage at Bagram Air Field (BAF) and the Forward Operating Bases at Khowst, Gardez, Jalal Abad, Asad Abad, and Nangalam to receive the main body echelon. Between 8 and 11 November, the Main Body Echelon departed Hawaii in waves as Companies (reinforced). The companies took various routes, eventually all making their way through Manas International Airport, Kyrgyzstan, BAF, and then out to their respective FOBs.” — Source: 3/3 Command Chronology for the Period 01 July to 31 December 2004
13 – 26 October 2004: Pre-Deployment Leave Block
“3/3 Main Body commenced family readiness leave block.” – Source: 3/3 Command Chronology for the Period 01 July to 31 December 2004
9/11
“Because of the time difference, we were all asleep when the attacks occurred, we found out later,” he recalled. “That’s when I realized, this isn’t just about travel, all that training we have been doing is for something far more important.”After that dark day, the battalion set its focus on continued training. The Marines had new motivation, and Arballo said the Marines took their jobs a lot more seriously.