Quantico Marine Corps Base Archives - Page 2 of 5

Officials Unveil Expanded Quantico Train Station

Published November 5, 2024 at 7:07AM

Key enhancements include a 550-foot platform extension, a new 840-foot island platform, and three elevator towers connected by pedestrian bridges. STV designed the necessary track improvements and a 714-foot retaining wall to support a third track, minimizing disruptions to MCBQ. This project, part of a long-standing partnership between STV and VRE, reflects collaboration with multiple stakeholders, including the Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation, Amtrak, and CSX Transportation.

Press release:

Fredericksburg

VRE Ridership Increases Slightly as System Adjusts to the ‘New Normal’

By Uriah Kiser

Published October 22, 2024 at 8:00AM | Updated October 22, 2024 at 8:34AM

As the Virginia Railway Express (VRE) heads into 2025, its proposed budget reflects its challenges and opportunities in a post-COVID world. The budget discussed at the October 18, 2024, Operations Board meeting outlines plans to support ridership recovery, maintain reliable service, and position VRE for future growth as a regional rail provider.

VRE, like many public transit systems, saw a significant decline in ridership during the pandemic. However, the 2025 budget aims to address passengers’ slow but steady recovery by investing in enhanced service offerings and critical infrastructure projects. These efforts are intended to transform VRE from a commuter-focused system to a broader regional transportation network.

News

Quantico Station to Celebrate Major Upgrades with November Ribbon Cutting

By Uriah Kiser

Published October 21, 2024 at 9:00AM

A Virginia Railway Express train pulls into the Fredericksburg train station. [Photo: Uriah Kiser/PLN]

During the October 18, 2024, VRE Operations Board meeting, it was announced that invitations have been sent out for the event, with all necessary travel details, including train schedules, provided to ensure smooth participation. The excitement surrounding the completion of these upgrades was evident, with board members and VRE staff expressing their enthusiasm for what the improvements will mean for the station and the surrounding community.

“I’m very excited about the upcoming ribbon-cutting at Quantico. This project has been in the works for quite some time, and we’re thrilled to see it finally come to fruition,” said Prince William County Supervisor Andrea Bailey, who sits on the VRE Operations Board.

News

Marine Corps Museum Unveils Two Galleries to Public

By Caitlyn Meisner

Published October 10, 2024 at 1:00PM | Updated October 26, 2024 at 4:40PM

U.S. Marine Corps Lt. Gen. Benjamin T. Watson, the Commanding General of Training and Education Command and Sgt. Maj. Stephen Griffin, the Command Sgt. Maj. of Training and Education Command, cut a ribbon at the National Museum of the Marine Corps in Triangle on Sunday. [U.S. Marine Corps Photo by Lance Cpl. Juaquin Greaves]

The National Museum of the Marine Corps unveiled two new galleries to the public on Sunday, commemorating the exhibits with a ribbon-cutting ceremony.

The galleries feature hundreds of artifacts from all major United States Marine Corps operations from 1976 to 2021, including Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom. As the 250th anniversary of the Corps approaches, this new exhibit will showcase the most recent 50 years.

News

Bravery Under Fire: U.S. Marine Staff Sgt. Meil Shields Trainee from Grenade Blast, Receives Top Honor

By Aya Karouane

Published October 7, 2024 at 10:25AM

U.S. Marine Corps Staff Sgt. Brett D. Meil received the Navy and Marine Corps Medal for his actions during a training incident involving a live grenade on June 13, 2023. He calmly instructed a trainee in a dangerous situation, ultimately shielding the Marine from an explosion, resulting in injuries to himself but saving the trainee’s life.

Press Release:

News

No Tornadoes, But Plenty of Trouble: Northern Virginia’s Dark and Stormy Night Explained

By Uriah Kiser

Published August 30, 2024 at 10:30AM | Updated October 26, 2024 at 4:41PM

A downed tree on Spotted Tavern Road in Stafford County. [Photo: Stafford County Sheriff's Office]

Chris Strong from the National Weather Service Baltimore-Washington office noted the unusual nature of the storm, highlighting that “one of the biggest things that was more uncommon about that event was just how little wind there was in the general atmosphere for these storms to move around.” This lack of atmospheric movement allowed the storms to “evolve and develop in place,” leading to prolonged periods of heavy rain and persistent lightning across several areas.

Despite the severity, the region did not experience any tornadic activity. Strong explained that tornadoes generally require wind shear—an increase in wind speed and a change in direction at different altitudes—which was absent during this event. This contributed to the storm’s stationary behavior, causing extended weather disturbances over the same locations.

Quantico

Names of Suspects Revealed in Attempted Trespassing at MCB Quantico

By Kelly Sienkowski

Published July 31, 2024 at 11:30AM

Almost three months after two men in a box truck attempted to illegally access Marine Corps Base Quantico, the names of the two suspects have been obtained.

Hasan Y. Hamdan and Mohammad K. Dabous attended their first hearing July 22 at the Alexandria courthouse. Both men, accompanied by an Arabic translator, were charged with Class B misdemeanors for allegedly trespassing on a military facility on May 3, charges which carry up to six months in prison and a $5,000 fine. The judge supported conditions for release, and both men have been released with their next hearings in September. They both requested a court-appointed attorney.

Quantico

2 Months Later and Still No Response on Quantico Attack

By Kelly Sienkowski

Published July 5, 2024 at 2:30PM

An anonymous tipster sent Vince Compaglianese a photograph of the box truck stopped at the gates of Maine Corps Base Quantico. (Source: https://twitter.com/vincecoglianese?lang=en)

It has been over 2 months since two Jordanian nationals attempted to breach the gates of Marine Corps Base Quantico, and officials still have not released the identity of the two men arrested.

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Politics

Republican Senators Demand Answers After Terror Suspects Breach Security at Quantico

By Local News

Published June 25, 2024 at 1:57PM

An anonymous tipster sent Vince Compaglianese a photograph of the box truck stopped at the gates of Maine Corps Base Quantico. (Source: https://twitter.com/vincecoglianese?lang=en)

By Bethany Blankley

(The Center Square) – A group of 21 Republican U.S. senators, led by Sen. Ted Budd, R-NC, is demanding answers from Department of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas about federal agents releasing illegal border crossers into the U.S. who weren’t properly vetted and were later discovered to have alleged terrorist connections.

Quantico

Jordanian Nationals Involved in Quantico Security Breach Were Known to U.S. Authorities

By Uriah Kiser

Published May 24, 2024 at 9:11AM | Updated May 24, 2024 at 10:14AM

Two Jordanian nationals were known to federal authorities before they attempted to breach security at Quantico Marine Corps Base.

The first unidentified man was admitted into the U.S. on a student visa on September 11, 2022, which expired 18 weeks later, on January 14, 2023. The second man crossed the U.S. from Mexico to California six weeks ago, on April 8, 2024. The next day, the U.S. Border Patrol issued a notice to appear before an immigration judge and, later that day, released the man into the U.S.