22d MEU (SOC) pushes deeper into Afghanistan

Marine Link ^ | May 7, 2004 | Capt. Eric Dent

[Ragtime Cowgirl]

22d MEU (SOC) pushes deeper into Afghanistan
Submitted by: 22nd MEU
Story Identification Number: 200456132749
Story by Capt. Eric Dent



FORWARD OPERATING BASE RIPLEY, Afghanistan (May 6, 2004 ) -- Marine helicopters swooped into the central Afghanistan valley and dropped off Marines from the 22d Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable), marking the MEU's second major push into Afghanistan earlier this week.

The Marines arrived in Afghanistan last month and have now moved deeper into the country to establish a Forward Operating Base (FOB) to support combat and civil-military operations primarily in the Oruzgan province. The MEU was brought into Afghanistan to offer security and stability at a critical time.

"We are here to help with the future of Afghanistan," offered Col. Kenneth F. McKenzie, Jr., 22d MEU (SOC) commanding officer.

"We are here to capture or kill anti-coalition military forces, but we realize that the long-term stability requires much more than that," stated McKenzie. He views the MEU's role as a major step towards developing a responsible civil infrastructure within Afghanistan.

The FOB, named FOB Ripley, will be the future home of a Provincial Reconstruction Team. PRTs are the primary means of establishing long-term stability in a country long immersed in turmoil.

In the past weeks, MEU Marines have been operating throughout the region conducting patrols and village assessments. The focus of the MEU's efforts has been on disrupting the Taliban and anti-coalition military activity in the area.

Marines located and destroyed numerous weapons caches as they moved over some of the most rugged terrain in the country. Keeping weapons out of enemy hands is key to providing security for the region. Rifles, mortar rounds, grenades, machine guns and rocket propelled grendades were among the most common items uncovered.

Marines and Army engineers attached to the MEU also improved a dusty strip of land adjacent to FOB Ripley into a functioning field landing site capable of handling aircraft as large as C-130s. Marine KC-130Rs first landed on the strip May 4, conducting both day and night landings.

The 22d MEU (SOC) is in Afghanistan supporting Operation ENDURING FREEDOM and is operating with Combined Joint Task Force 180. In addition to its Command Eelement, the MEU consists of Battalion Landing Team 1st Bn., 6th Marines, Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 266 (Rein) and MEU Service Support Group 22.

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Photos included with story:

	Marines from A Co., BLT 1/6, prepare to patrol after a helicopter insert into central Afghanistan. The Marines are part of the 22d MEU (SOC) operating in Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom and Combined Joint Task Force 180. Photo by: Cpl. Jemssy Alvarez

[Ragtime Cowgirl]

FORWARD OPERATING BASE RIPLEY, Afghanistan -- Marine helicopters swooped into the central Afghanistan valley and dropped off Marines from the 22d Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable), marking the MEU's second major push into Afghanistan earlier this week.

"We are here to help with the future of Afghanistan," offered Col. Kenneth F. McKenzie, Jr., 22d MEU (SOC) commanding officer. "We are here to capture or kill anti-coalition military forces, but we realize that the long-term stability requires much more than that.."

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AFGHANISTAN PHOTO GALLERIES Click on the logo to see images of that unit's Marines and Sailors.
Command Element	BLT 1/6	HMM-266 (Rein)	MSSG-22	Operations & Missions

22d Marine Expeditionary Unit
~ Special Operations Capable ~ 

                                    
Godspeed!

[Ragtime Cowgirl]

Parwan Provincial Reconstruction Team at Work ~ 9 More Photos
Staff Sgt. Christopher Rowell with the Parwan Provincial Reconstruction Team hands out toys to students in Gulbahar, Afghanistan, May 4, 2004. U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Vernell Hall

More from Afghanistan: 8 Security forces provide protection on, off Bagram (+ Afghanistan Update) ~ 5/06/04

[SAMWolf]

Marine Corps Bump

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

Here is a nice map

Looks like they are in the area where Omar calls home , Just north of Kandahar.

[Alamo-Girl]

Bump!

[F14 Pilot]

Thank You!

[windchime]

Bump!

[blackie]

We are winning ~ the bad guys are losing ~ trolls, terrorists, democrats and the mainstream media are sad ~ very sad!

~~ Bush/Cheney 2004 ~~

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

condi2008 has a friend with this unit!

[SandRat]

Ernest_at_the_Beach says you have a friend in this unit. Maybe your not officially authorized to put this in your window but here it is for your heart and worries.

The Blue Star Pennet for someone from that family serving in the military.

May your friend be safe.

[Soaring Feather]

Thank You.. bump

[condi2008]

Thank you for the Blue Star Banner! Not I, but D's mother has one of these banners displayed at her home among the yellow ribbons and American flags; and we have his photo on our "wall of fame" which includes friends serving in the Army, Air Force, and now Marines.

All making sacrifices and bravely doing their duty for the folks at home.

[SandRat]

I pray that the banner never changes to a Gold Star Mother's banner.

May your friend stay safe in Gods hands and return home safely.