22d MEU (SOC) sets sail for European and Central Command Theaters

Marine Link ^ | Feb. 23, 2004 | Gunnery Sgt. Keith A. Milks

[Ragtime Cowgirl]

22d MEU (SOC) sets sail for European and Central Command Theaters
Submitted by: 22nd MEU
Story Identification Number: 200422314916
Story by Gunnery Sgt. Keith A. Milks



ABOARD THE USS WASP (Feb. 21, 2004) -- Assaulted by a biting Atlantic wind, a group of young Marine infantrymen, mostly teenagers on their first deployment, crowded the fantail of the USS WASP to catch a final glimpse of the North Carolina coastline before it disappeared beneath the horizon.

As the sandy beaches slipped from view, the Marines filtered away one by one into the gray hull of the amphibious assault ship, their new home for at least the next six months.

The February 19 departure of the 22d Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable) from the eastern U.S. seaboard marks the 19th time the unit has sailed forth into harm's way. In addition to the WASP, the MEU is embarked aboard the SHREVEPORT and WHIDBEY ISLAND as part of Expeditionary Strike Group 2 that also includes the cruisers LEYTE GULF and YORKTOWN, destroyer MCFAUL, and attack submarine CONNECTICUT.

The 22d MEU (SOC)'s long and difficult journey to reach this point began in August 2003 when the unit assumed operational control of its major subordinate elements; Battalion Landing Team 1st Bn., 6th Marines, Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 266 (Reinforced), and MEU Service Support Group 22.

"This is as good a MEU as has ever pushed off the coast of North Carolina and headed east," said Col. Kenneth F. McKenzie Jr., commanding officer of the 22d MEU (SOC). "We're poised and ready to go out and strike at the enemy's heart."

Most of the Marines boarded their three amphibious ships at Norfolk, Virginia, while rolling stock and equipment were loaded via the port at Morehead City, N.C. and across Camp Lejeune's Onslow Beach. Prior to its Marines leaving, BLT 1/6 and the MEU's other elements hosted departure briefs for the Marines and Sailors' families.

"It's with great honor and humility that I deploy with these men," said Lt. Col. Asad A. Khan, commanding officer of BLT 1/6, speaking to a group of Marines and their families. "No unit is better trained and ready to go, so take this brief time and spend it with each other."

Also attending many of the departure events was Sgt. Maj. John L. Estrada, Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps, who set aside the time to bid farewell to the MEU.

"In many ways I envy you as you go out," said Estrada, who deployed as the 3d Marine Aircraft Wing's Sergeant Major during Operation IRAQI FREEDOM prior to assuming his current position. "Everyone in the Washington, D.C. area are glad the Marines are on watch."

The 22d MEU (SOC)'s deployment is expected to last until at least August and will take the unit to the Mediterranean region and Central Command area of operations.

For more information on the organization, mission and status of the 22d MEU, visit the unit's website at www.22meu.usmc.mil.

-30-

A Navy loadmaster from Assault Craft Unit 4 watches as another Landing Craft Air Cushioned (LCAC) speeds off Camp Lejeune's Onslow Beach with a load of personnel and equipment bound for the USS WASP laying off shore. The 22d Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable) boarded the amphibious ships WASP, WHIDBEY ISLAND, and SHREVEPORT for a deployment to the Mediterranean and Persian Gulf regions. Photo by: Gunnery Sgt. Keith A. Milk

[Ragtime Cowgirl]

ABOARD THE USS WASP  -- Assaulted by a biting Atlantic wind, a group of young Marine infantrymen, mostly teenagers on their first deployment, crowded the fantail of the USS WASP to catch a final glimpse of the North Carolina coastline before it disappeared beneath the horizon.

The February 19 departure of the 22d Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable) from the eastern U.S. seaboard marks the 19th time the unit has sailed forth into harm's way. In addition to the WASP, the MEU is embarked aboard the SHREVEPORT and WHIDBEY ISLAND as part of Expeditionary Strike Group 2 that also includes the cruisers LEYTE GULF and YORKTOWN, destroyer MCFAUL, and attack submarine CONNECTICUT..

 

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22d Marine Expeditionary Unit

Special Operations Capable

                          

Godspeed, Marines!
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Related:

8 22nd MEU better trained, equipped 

      ~ The Daily News | 2/19/04 | Eric Steinkopff

8 USS Yorktown Deploys as Part of Expeditionary Strike Group 

      ~ Navy News Stand | 2/18/04 | Stacey Byington

[NormsRevenge]

Godspeed, Marines Bump!

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USMC Bump

[blackie]

We are winning ~ the bad guys are losing ~ terrorists and the democrats are sad ~ very sad!

~~ Bush/Cheney 2004 ~~

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Bump!

[Ragtime Cowgirl]

Marines part of spring offensive

February 21,2004
ERIC STEINKOPFF, DAILY NEWS STAFF

The 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit, which left Camp Lejeune this week, will head to Afghanistan for a spring military operation, the commander of II Marine Expeditionary Force said Friday.

Lt. Gen. Henry P. "Pete" Osman said the MEU is headed to Afghanistan. Members of Camp Lejeune's 2nd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment are already there.

"The 22nd MEU left (Thursday) and they are going directly into (the Central Command) theater," Osman said at a ceremony activating the 24th MEU. "They are going into harm's way as part of an offensive support effort this spring. They're looking at Afghanistan."

The 2,200-member MEU left on the amphibious assault ships USS Wasp, USS Shreveport and USS Whidbey Island amid speculation over what its mission might be. There was talk the Marines and sailors might be sent to help out with civil unrest in Haiti, head to the Persian Gulf to help keep Iraq stable or help hunt for terrorist leader Osama Bin Laden in Afghanistan.

The 22nd MEU includes reinforced versions of the 1st Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment and Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 266, a command element led by Col. Kenneth Frank McKenzie Jr. and MEU Service Support Group 22.

In addition to the three ships the MEU will call home, it has joined forces with two Ticonderoga class guided missile cruisers USS Yorktown and USS Leyte Gulf, Arleigh Burke class guided missile destroyer USS McFaul and Seawolf class nuclear powered attack submarine USS Connecticut. It's a concept called an Expeditionary Strike Group.

The MEU could be in the Gulf of Arabia off the coast of Pakistan in about three to four weeks.

Contact Eric Steinkopff at esteinkopff@jdnews.com or at 353-1171, Ext. 236.

http://www.jacksonvilledailynews.com/SiteProcessor.cfm?Template=/GlobalTemplates/Details.cfm&StoryID=20394&Section=News

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Bump!