thedrifter
01-06-07, 07:49 AM
Yuma Marines joining Southeast Asia float
BY JAMES GILBERT, SUN STAFF WRITER
Jan 5, 2007, 11:49 pm
About 40 Yuma Marines from Marine Attack Squadron 214 will be deploying to join the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit based in Okinawa, Japan.
The remainder of the squadron will leave for the seven-month deployment sometime next week, according to Yuma Marine Corps Air Station Yuma officials.
The first group of 20 Marines was to leave by charter jet at 10 a.m. Saturday from the squadron's hangar.
"We always send an advance party to get ready and make preparations for the rest of the squadron," said Cpl. Robert Smith, community relations media chief. "The 31st MEU is an Okinawa unit so they are going on a float with them."
A second group of 20 Marines and the eight Harrier jets assigned to the squadron are scheduled to deploy at 10 a.m. Sunday.
Smith said the Marines will be attached to the Essex Amphibious Ready Group and will probably spend the majority of their time in the Southeast Asia area.
According to the Marine Corps Web site, the 31st MEU is one of seven such combined-arms, Marine air-ground task forces and is the only one that is permanently forward-deployed.
Amphibious in nature and designed for joint operations, Marine expeditionary units are capable of performing numerous ship-to-shore missions, crisis responses and humanitarian assistance operations.
The deployment, Smith said, is part of the Marine Corps' commitment to security and stability around the world.
"It all depends on the needs of the Corps, but it's part of the commitment to being able to be anywhere in the world within 24 hours," Smith said.
James Gilbert can be reached at jgilbert@yumasun.com or 539-6854.
Ellie
BY JAMES GILBERT, SUN STAFF WRITER
Jan 5, 2007, 11:49 pm
About 40 Yuma Marines from Marine Attack Squadron 214 will be deploying to join the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit based in Okinawa, Japan.
The remainder of the squadron will leave for the seven-month deployment sometime next week, according to Yuma Marine Corps Air Station Yuma officials.
The first group of 20 Marines was to leave by charter jet at 10 a.m. Saturday from the squadron's hangar.
"We always send an advance party to get ready and make preparations for the rest of the squadron," said Cpl. Robert Smith, community relations media chief. "The 31st MEU is an Okinawa unit so they are going on a float with them."
A second group of 20 Marines and the eight Harrier jets assigned to the squadron are scheduled to deploy at 10 a.m. Sunday.
Smith said the Marines will be attached to the Essex Amphibious Ready Group and will probably spend the majority of their time in the Southeast Asia area.
According to the Marine Corps Web site, the 31st MEU is one of seven such combined-arms, Marine air-ground task forces and is the only one that is permanently forward-deployed.
Amphibious in nature and designed for joint operations, Marine expeditionary units are capable of performing numerous ship-to-shore missions, crisis responses and humanitarian assistance operations.
The deployment, Smith said, is part of the Marine Corps' commitment to security and stability around the world.
"It all depends on the needs of the Corps, but it's part of the commitment to being able to be anywhere in the world within 24 hours," Smith said.
James Gilbert can be reached at jgilbert@yumasun.com or 539-6854.
Ellie