22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit Home

Mission

The 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit is a Marine Air-Ground Task Force that provides strategic speed and agility, ensuring our Marines are forward deployed and prepared to respond and protect U.S. national security interests around the globe. The Marine Expeditionary Unit can respond faster from longer ranges with greater capabilities across the range of military operations.

Featured News

USS Kearsarge (LHD 3) arrives in Tallinn, concludes Hedgehog 22

TALLINN, Estonia — The Wasp-class amphibious assault ship USS Kearsarge (LHD 3), flagship of the Kearsarge Amphibious Ready Group (ARG) and 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), arrived in Tallinn, Estonia for a scheduled port visit, May 27, 2022.

USS Arlington (LPD 24), 22 MEU Arrives in Alexandroupoli, Concluding ATG22

The San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock ship USS Arlington (LPD 24), attached to the Kearsarge Amphibious Ready Group (ARG), arrived in Alexandroupoli, Greece for a scheduled port visit, May 21, 2022.

22nd MEU, IDF complete Noble Shirley 16

About 350 Marines and Sailors from 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) and about 150 soldiers from

Marines and Sailors Help Restore a School for Underprivileged Children in Sicily

The Marines and Sailors volunteered more than six hours, assembling a fence, landscaping, painting

22nd MEU Marines, Wasp Sailors Train with Moroccans for Exercise African Sea Lion

Breaking down language barriers is what happened when U.S. Marines and Sailors worked with their

Royal Marines Visit the USS Whidbey Island

United Kingdom Royal Marines from 42 Commando Royal Marine Unit, Juliet Company, boarded the

Explore Photos

U.S. Marine Corps Maj. Gen. Francis Donovan, commanding general of 2d Marine Division, addresses Marines assigned to Ground Combat Element, 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit, during Exercise EFES 2022 (EFES 22), near Izmir, Turkey, June 9, 2022. EFES22 is an international combined joint live-fire exercise focused on increasing force readiness, promoting stability and prosperity in the region, and interoperability between the U.S., Turkey, and allied nations. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Kyle Jia)

22nd MEU EFES22 DV Day

A U.S. Marine assigned to the Aviation Combat Element, 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit, mans a fire extinguisher during engine start-ups aboard the Wasp-class amphibious assault ship USS Kearsarge (LHD 3), June 8, 2022. BALTOPS 22 is the premier maritime-focused exercise in the Baltic Region. The exercise, led by U.S. Naval forces Europe-Africa, and executed by Naval Striking and Support Forces NATO, provides a unique training opportunity to strengthen combined response capabilities critical to preserving freedom of navigation and security in the Baltic Sea. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Staff Sgt. Brittney Vella)

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2022. BALTOPS 22 is the premier maritime-focused exercise in the Baltic Region. The exercise, led by U.S. Naval forces Europe-Africa, and executed by Naval Striking and Support Forces NATO, provides a unique training opportunity to strengthen combined response capabilities critical to preserving freedom of navigation and security in the Baltic Sea. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Staff Sgt. Brittney Vella)

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U.S. Marines and Sailors with the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit commemorate the 245th Birthday of the United States Marine Corps with a cake cutting ceremony and reading of General John A. Lejeune's birthday message aboard Camp Lejeune, N.C., Nov. 20, 2020. (U.S. Marine Corps photos by Cpl. Tawanya Norwood)

22nd MEU Cake Cutting Ceremony

U.S. Marine Corps Col. Paul C. Merida, right, the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit commanding officer, passes a piece of cake to the youngest Marine in attendance during a cake cutting ceremony commemorating the 245th Birthday of the United States Marine Corps aboard Camp Lejeune, N.C., Nov. 20, 2020. (U.S. Marine Corps photos by Cpl. Tawanya Norwood)

22nd MEU Cake Cutting Ceremony

U.S. Marines with the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit escort a birthday cake commemorating the 245th Birthday of the United States Marine Corps during a ceremony aboard Camp Lejeune, N.C., Nov. 20, 2020. (U.S. Marine Corps photos by Cpl. Tawanya Norwood)

22nd MEU Cake Cutting Ceremony

22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit 2022 Deployment

22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit

Nov. 7, 2022 | 2:42

22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit 2022 Deployment

22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit

Nov. 7, 2022 | 2:42

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Leaders

Colonel Paul C. Merida

COMMANDING OFFICER, 22ND MARINE EXPEDITIONARY UNIT

Colonel Paul Merida is a native of Oakland, California and graduated from the University of California at Davis in 1994. In 1995, he was commissioned and upon completion of TBS and IOC he served from 1996 to 1999 with 3rd Battalion, 8th Marines.

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Sergeant Major Christian Charkowski

SERGEANT MAJOR, 22ND MARINE EXPEDITIONARY UNIT

Sergeant Major Charkowski was born in Madison, Wisconsin. Upon graduating from high school in 1993 he enlisted in the Marine Corps. After graduation from Boot Camp and Marine Combat Training he attended Military Police Occupational Specialty School at Fort McClellan, Alabama.

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