22d MEU begins latest pre-deployment exercise
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  1. #1

    Cool 22d MEU begins latest pre-deployment exercise

    22d MEU begins latest pre-deployment exercise
    Submitted by: 22nd MEU
    Story Identification Number: 20031151380
    Story by Gunnery Sgt. Keith A. Milks



    COLUMBIA, S.C. (Nov. 5, 2003) -- The residents of Columbia, S.C. and surrounding communities have grown accustomed to the dark green helicopters and 'hoo-ahs' originating from the Army's nearby Fort Jackson.

    However, for several weeks in November, they will observe gray Marine helicopters flying overheard, see the Corps' new digital camouflage uniforms, and hear the 'ooh rahs' of the 22d Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) as the unit conducts its Training in an Urban Environment Exercise (TRUEX).

    Approximately 750 Marines and Sailors from the MEU Command Element and its three major subordinate elements will participate in the 16-day training exercise that is designed to prepare the unit to operate in urban terrain during its upcoming deployment.

    During TRUEX, the MEU will conduct a variety of missions, with special emphasis on perfecting the skills of the unit's Maritime Special Purpose Force (MSPF) during several precision raids on sites throughout the Columbia area.

    "TRUEX is one of the greatest training opportunities in the Marine Corps," said Col. Kenneth F. McKenzie, Jr., the 22d MEU's commanding officer, addressing the exercise's participants in the opening days of TRUEX. "We have good SOPs [Standard Operating Procedures], good plans, and I have every confidence in your abilities."

    In addition to three raid-based scenario training exercises (STXs), the MEU will conduct extensive fast-rope training, a Tactical Recovery of Aircraft and Personnel (TRAP) mission, helicopter escort of ground convoys, and a host of other missions tied to operating in urban terrain.

    Col. Victor J. Riley, the officer-in-charge of the II Marine Expeditionary Force's Special Operations Training Group (SOTG) who oversees all East Coast MEUs pre-deployment training exercises, reminded the 22d MEU's Marines and Sailors of the importance of the training.

    "This is your last chance to cross the "t's" and dot the "i's" before your remaining exercises [the Expeditionary Strike Group and Special Operations Capable Exercises]," said Riley. "You can get your SOPs and planning tightened because there are not many more opportunities left [before the unit undertakes its final certification exercise]."

    The Marine Corps has been conducting TRUEXs throughout the United States since 1985, and the 22d MEU specifically has undertaken the exercise in Atlanta, Savannah, Miami, and Philadelphia, among other locations. Columbia was the site of the 24th MEU's TRUEX in 1999.

    In addition to its Command Element, the 22d MEU consists of Battalion Landing Team 1st Bn., 6th Marines, Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 266 (Reinforced), and MEU Service Support Group 22. The unit is scheduled to deploy early next year aboard the amphibious assault ships WASP, WHIDBEY ISLAND, and SHREVEPORT as part of the WASP ESG/22d MEU.

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



    Two CH-46E Sea Knight helicopters from Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 266 (Reinforced), the aviation combat element of the 22d Marine Expeditionary Unit, arrive at Fort Jackson's McEntire Airfield. The 22d MEU is in Columbia, S.C. conducting its Training in an Urban Environment Exercise (TRUEX). Photo by: Lance Cpl. Jemssy Alvarez

    http://www.usmc.mil/marinelink/mcn20...1?opendocument


    Sempers,

    Roger



  2. #2

    Cool

    Submitted by: 22nd MEU
    Story Identification Number: 2003112182353
    Story by Gunnery Sgt. Keith A. Milks



    CAMP LEJEUNE, NC (Nov. 2, 2003) -- The Secretary of the Navy, the Honorable Gordon R. England, has awarded the Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation to the 22d Marine Expeditionary Unit for its service in the Global War on Terrorism during its 2002 deployment.

    The 22d MEU (then designated as 'Special Operations Capable') deployed from Camp Lejeune, N.C. on Feb. 22, 2002 aboard the amphibious assault ships WASP, TRENTON, and OAK HILL, and consisted of its Command Element, Battalion Landing Team 2d Bn., 6th Marines, Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 261 (Reinforced), and MEU Service Support Group 22.

    During its six-month deployment, the MEU spent 143 days in the Central Command Theater, supporting a wide range of counter-/anti-terrorist operations and exercises. Most of these missions remain classified, but the MEU did conduct operations in Afghanistan, a bi-lateral training exercise in Jordan, and training and humanitarian civil affairs projects in Djibouti.

    Marines and Sailors directly assigned to the 22d MEU or Amphibious Squadron Four at any time between Feb. 22, 2002 and Aug. 30, 2002 are authorized the MUC.

    The MUC award citation specifically mentioned the MEU's rapid reinforcement of the U.S. Consulate, Karachi, Pakistan in the wake of a terrorist bombing there and the unit's execution of simultaneous, complex missions that required the MEU to conduct split-amphibious ready group (ARG) operations.

    This marks this sixth award of the MUC to the 22d MEU since its activation as the 22d Marine Amphibious Unit (MAU) on Dec. 1, 1982. Prior awards of the MUC were for the MEU's deployments in the mid to late 1980s, service in Albania during Operation SILVER WAKE, its 1997 deployment to west Africa and the Adriatic Sea, and deployments with the Sixth and Fifth Fleets in 1998 and 2000, respectively.

    Then-Secretary of the Navy John T. McNaughton established the MUC on July 17, 1967 as a means to recognize units that have distinguished themselves under combat or non-combat circumstances. The valorous or meritorious service justifying the award is comparable to that of the Bronze Star Medal.

    In order of precedence on the Marine Corps uniform, the MUC is worn after the Navy Unit Commendation and before the Navy 'E' Ribbon.

    The message authorizing the award has yet to be released via MARADMIN or ALMAR, but the letter of authorization and citation for this, and all the other unit awards bestowed upon the 22d MEU, can be found at www.22meu.usmc.mil/awards.

    http://www.usmc.mil/marinelink/mcn20...F?opendocument


    Sempers,

    Roger



  3. #3
    Maritime In-port Group Exercise strengthens WASP ESG/22d MEU team
    Submitted by: 22nd MEU
    Story Identification Number: 2003112181458
    Story by Gunnery Sgt. Keith A. Milks



    CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. (Nov. 2, 2003) -- "The essential piece of the Expeditionary Strike Group is the relationship between the ARG [amphibious ready group] and MEU [Marine Expeditionary Group]."

    The preceding quote by Lt. Col. Michael Killion, operations officer for the 22d MEU, sums up the rationale behind the latest in a string of planning and coordination exercises undertaken by the MEU and its Navy brethren.

    That training was Maritime In-port Group Training, or MGIT, and was conducted at Tactical Training Group, Atlantic aboard Fleet Combat Training Center, Atlantic, Dam Neck, Virginia. The five-day exercise involved the key staff of the 22d MEU and the seven ships with which the MEU will deploy as part of the WASP Expeditionary Strike Group/22d MEU.

    "This [MGIT] was a magnificent training opportunity to weld the Navy-Marine Corps team together," said Col. Kenneth F. McKenzie, Jr., commanding officer of the 22d MEU.

    In addition to its Command Element, the 22d MEU consists of Battalion Landing Team 1st Bn., 6th Marines, Marine Medium Helicopter 266 (Reinforced), and MEU Service Support Group 22. The Navy contingent of the WASP ESG/22d MEU consists of the amphibious assault ships WASP, WHIDBEY ISLAND, and SHREVEPORT, cruisers YORKTOWN and LEYTE GULF, destroyer McFAUL, and attack submarine CONNECTICUT.

    When the WASP ESG/22d MEU deploys early next year, it will be the second time such a unit has deployed. Earlier this year, the California-based Expeditionary Strike Group 1 (of which the 13th MEU is part) deployed and has since gone ashore in Iraq where it is conducting anti-smuggling operations while maritime interception operations are underway in the Persian Gulf.

    Although ESG 1 and the WASP ESG/22d MEU have essentially the same warfighting organization, the fundamental difference lies in their respective command structures. ESG 1 is commanded by a Navy admiral who maintains operational control over all the Navy and Marine forces, while the WASP ESG/22d MEU maintains the traditional supported/supporting relationship with which MEUs have deployed for years.

    Because of the additional firepower brought to the organization by the four combatant ships, the WASP ESG/22d MEU has busied itself with more planning exercises than have been seen in the past so as to streamline and

    MGIT focused on a real-world-based scenario training exercise that involved all elements of the seven-ship, 2,000-Marine, and 3,500-Sailor strong force.

    "The training gave us a chance to look at the procedures we will execute in the future and identify and correct any seams," said Killion, who served with the MEU during its 2002 deployment. "We've had more 'green side' [Marine] play than usual, and this was the first time we've conducted an exercise simultaneously at three different sites."

    While the senior staff of the WASP ESG/22d MEU conducted their part of the training at Dam Neck, other elements participated at sites aboard Camp Lejeune and at the Expeditionary Warfare Training Group, Atlantic, Naval Amphibious Base Little Creek, Virginia. MGIT allowed to MEU to war game raids, landing operations, and a wide assortment of the missions it may be required to undertake when abroad.

    "MGIT and exercises like it give us the chance to test stressful scenarios we may face without putting Marines and Sailors in harm's way," said McKenzie.

    The 'test' for the extensive training conducted thus far will be in December when the WASP ESG/22d MEU conducts its ESG/MEU Exercise (ESG/MEUEX) aboard Eglin Air Force, Florida, and during the MEU's Special Operations Capable Exercise (SOCEX) in January.

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



    Capt. Eric R. Dent, 22d Marine Expeditionary Unit Public Affairs Officer, lays down ground rules to 'media' during the recent Maritime Group In-port Training (MGIT) undertaken by the WASP Expeditionary Strike Group/22d MEU. Behind Dent is Lt. Col. Michael Killion, the MEU's Operations Officer, who was preparing to brief the media (in fact, off-duty public affairs officers) on an ongoing warfighting exercise. Photo by: Gunnery Sgt. Keith A. Milks

    http://www.usmc.mil/marinelink/mcn20...1?opendocument

    Sempers,

    Roger



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