Article published August 24, 2007

Local Marines to deploy to Iraq with sister battalion
Weapons Company 1st Battalion 24th Marine Regiment

BLADE STAFF

Approximately 18 Reserve Marines from the Weapons Company 1st Battalion, 24th Marine regiment, headquartered in Perrysburg, will join the 2nd Battalion, 24th Marine Regiment on Sept. 1 st as the prepare for a fall deployment to Iraq.

The 18 Perrysburg-headquartered Marines have not deployed previously to Iraq.

The unit that the Perrysburg Marines will augment, 2nd Battalion, 24th Marine Regiment, has previously deployed to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2005.

"All three battalions within the 24th Marine Regiment consistently help one another as a means to best utilize our resources," said Weapons Company's First Sergeant, James Betancourt.

The Marines are reservists who hold civilian jobs and leave their families and friends to participate in training and deployments like Operation Iraqi Freedom

Ellie