24th MEU Begins Flow to Iraq

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Press Release
Public Affairs Office
24th Marine Expeditionary Unit
Capt. David Nevers

Contact: neversde@24meu.usmc.mil

Release # 0609-04-0914

24th MEU Begins Flow to Iraq

June 8, 2004

CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. -- CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. - About 250 Marines from the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit will set sail for Iraq this week aboard the USS Kearsarge, beginning a monthlong flow of MEU forces that should have the entire unit in Iraq by mid-July.

Most of the Marines in the initial wave are assigned to the MEU’s aviation squadron, which is sending 175 leathernecks and its full complement of 12 CH-46E helicopters. Others deploying aboard the ship include ground-combat Marines and a handful each from the MEU’s command and combat service support elements.

The Marines will board the Kearsarge Wednesday, most either flying on aboard the helicopters from Marine Corps Air Station New River, N.C., or riding from Onslow Beach here aboard Landing Craft Air-Cushioned, launched from the ship stationed off shore here. The ship is scheduled to depart the area by Friday.

Also on Wednesday, roughly 200 of the MEU’s tactical vehicles - mostly large trucks and humvees -- will move to Wilmington, N.C., where they and much of the unit’s cargo will be loaded aboard a chartered commercial ship due to depart for the Arabian Gulf over the weekend.

Over the next few weeks, the rest of the MEU’s 2,200 Marines and sailors will make their way to Iraq through a combination of military and chartered commercial aircraft.

While most of the MEU will head directly for the Central Command theater, the Battalion Landing Team - 1st Battalion, 2nd Marines - will stop first at March Air Force Base, Calif., to train in security and stability operations.

Approximately 850 Marines will test their skills in patrolling and operating vehicle checkpoints -- two key tools for providing security and stability in an urban environment.