SOUTHERN IRAQ(April 5, 2003) -- After departing Camp Lejeuene, N.C. in August of last year, the Marines and Sailors of the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable) have faced many challenges this deployment. Whether it was conducting peace support operations in Kosovo, or humanitarian assistance operations in Djibouti and Kenya, the 24th MEU has always risen to the challenge. Now, the MEU faces its biggest challenge yet -- Operation Iraqi Freedom. After receiving word that the MEU's deployment was extended indefinitely to support Iraqi Freedom, the MEU began to send troops ashore. Over a period of three days, the...