thedrifter
08-27-07, 06:50 AM
Press Release
Public Affairs Office
22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable);
Capt. Clark D. Carpenter
22 MEU DET A
CE/PAO
UNIT 74042
FPO AE 09509-4042
Contact: clark.carpenter@kearsarge.usmc.mil
Release # 0827-07-0253
22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable) completes first month of deployment
Aug. 27, 2007
ABOARD USS KEARSARGE -- Since leaving the familiar waters of Onslow Bay July 31, the Marines and sailors of the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable) and Kearsarge Strike Group have completed a transatlantic voyage into the Mediterranean Sea, made several port calls, and have provided assistance with community relations projects meant to help those less fortunate in the region.
After loading vehicles, equipment and personnel aboard USS Kearsarge (LHD 3), USS Ponce (LPD 15), and USS Gunston Hall (LSD 44), the 22nd MEU(SOC) made an approximately two-week journey across the Atlantic Ocean, passing through the Strait of Gibraltar Aug. 13. USS Kearsarge, the flagship of the Kearsarge Strike Group and 22nd MEU(SOC), made its first stop in Grand Harbour, Malta Aug. 15. The ship also made stops in Souda Bay, Crete, and Marmaris, Turkey. USS Gunston Hall made a port visit in Split, Croatia, and Souda Bay, Crete; and USS Ponce made stops in Toulon, France, and Rhodes, Greece.
The Marines and sailors of the 22nd MEU(SOC) and Kearsarge Strike Group participated in four community relations events in different cities on the island country of Malta Aug. 16. They helped paint and clean a medical center for the elderly, two centers for special needs people, and a center for socially disadvantaged youth. Marines and sailors also participated in a friendly but competitive soccer match with a team from the Armed Forces of Malta on the same day.
"Sometimes we need to cut down on the things we need to do, like maintenance," said Mariella Schembri, a volunteer coordinator at Park of Friendship, a non-profit leisure center for special needs people in Malta. Schembri pointed out that things like painting and cleaning of drainage ditches often get put aside for the more important mission of helping those less fortunate. She also cited lack of personnel and funds for such projects.
"The [Marines and sailors] rendered a very good service by helping us out first hand," said Schembri.
Marines and sailors from the 22nd MEU(SOC) and Kearsarge Strike Group also supported several tours for distinguished Maltese and Turkish visitors, Maltese and Tunisian Boy Scouts, and young Maltese leaders.
In Turkey, Marines and sailors from the 22nd MEU(SOC) and USS Kearsarge participated in a tree planting project recently. The project was designed to help rebuild Turkish forests recently destroyed by fires. This was the first tree planting by Marines and sailors and it is expected to kick off an ongoing project, where personnel from each visiting U.S. Navy ship will plant trees as a sign of friendship and support to the Turkish people.
"I think this was a wonderful opportunity for Marines and sailors," said Sgt. Maj. Thomas Hall, sergeant major for the 22nd MEU(SOC). "This shows that we're not only service members, we're also people who care about the world."
The 22nd MEU(SOC), commanded by Col. Doug Stilwell, is a Marine Air Ground Task Force comprised of its Ground Combat Element, Battalion Landing Team, 3rd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment; Aviation Combat Element, Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 261 (Reinforced); Logistics Combat Element, Combat Logistics Battalion 22; and its Command Element. The Marines and sailors of the 22nd MEU(SOC) are currently on a scheduled six-month deployment aboard the ships of the Kearsarge Strike Group.
For more complete stories, photos and videos of the events listed above, visit the 22nd MEU(SOC) Website at www.22meu.usmc.mil.
Ellie
Public Affairs Office
22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable);
Capt. Clark D. Carpenter
22 MEU DET A
CE/PAO
UNIT 74042
FPO AE 09509-4042
Contact: clark.carpenter@kearsarge.usmc.mil
Release # 0827-07-0253
22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable) completes first month of deployment
Aug. 27, 2007
ABOARD USS KEARSARGE -- Since leaving the familiar waters of Onslow Bay July 31, the Marines and sailors of the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable) and Kearsarge Strike Group have completed a transatlantic voyage into the Mediterranean Sea, made several port calls, and have provided assistance with community relations projects meant to help those less fortunate in the region.
After loading vehicles, equipment and personnel aboard USS Kearsarge (LHD 3), USS Ponce (LPD 15), and USS Gunston Hall (LSD 44), the 22nd MEU(SOC) made an approximately two-week journey across the Atlantic Ocean, passing through the Strait of Gibraltar Aug. 13. USS Kearsarge, the flagship of the Kearsarge Strike Group and 22nd MEU(SOC), made its first stop in Grand Harbour, Malta Aug. 15. The ship also made stops in Souda Bay, Crete, and Marmaris, Turkey. USS Gunston Hall made a port visit in Split, Croatia, and Souda Bay, Crete; and USS Ponce made stops in Toulon, France, and Rhodes, Greece.
The Marines and sailors of the 22nd MEU(SOC) and Kearsarge Strike Group participated in four community relations events in different cities on the island country of Malta Aug. 16. They helped paint and clean a medical center for the elderly, two centers for special needs people, and a center for socially disadvantaged youth. Marines and sailors also participated in a friendly but competitive soccer match with a team from the Armed Forces of Malta on the same day.
"Sometimes we need to cut down on the things we need to do, like maintenance," said Mariella Schembri, a volunteer coordinator at Park of Friendship, a non-profit leisure center for special needs people in Malta. Schembri pointed out that things like painting and cleaning of drainage ditches often get put aside for the more important mission of helping those less fortunate. She also cited lack of personnel and funds for such projects.
"The [Marines and sailors] rendered a very good service by helping us out first hand," said Schembri.
Marines and sailors from the 22nd MEU(SOC) and Kearsarge Strike Group also supported several tours for distinguished Maltese and Turkish visitors, Maltese and Tunisian Boy Scouts, and young Maltese leaders.
In Turkey, Marines and sailors from the 22nd MEU(SOC) and USS Kearsarge participated in a tree planting project recently. The project was designed to help rebuild Turkish forests recently destroyed by fires. This was the first tree planting by Marines and sailors and it is expected to kick off an ongoing project, where personnel from each visiting U.S. Navy ship will plant trees as a sign of friendship and support to the Turkish people.
"I think this was a wonderful opportunity for Marines and sailors," said Sgt. Maj. Thomas Hall, sergeant major for the 22nd MEU(SOC). "This shows that we're not only service members, we're also people who care about the world."
The 22nd MEU(SOC), commanded by Col. Doug Stilwell, is a Marine Air Ground Task Force comprised of its Ground Combat Element, Battalion Landing Team, 3rd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment; Aviation Combat Element, Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 261 (Reinforced); Logistics Combat Element, Combat Logistics Battalion 22; and its Command Element. The Marines and sailors of the 22nd MEU(SOC) are currently on a scheduled six-month deployment aboard the ships of the Kearsarge Strike Group.
For more complete stories, photos and videos of the events listed above, visit the 22nd MEU(SOC) Website at www.22meu.usmc.mil.
Ellie