22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit - Stories

Children of Marines and sailors with the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit enjoy an inflatable obstacle course with a slide during the 22nd MEU Family Day at W.P.T. Hill Field aboard Camp Lejeune, N.C. April 4, 2009. The MEU hosted the free event to get Marines, sailors and families together for an opportunity to socialize prior to deployment. The MEU is scheduled to deploy this spring. (Official Marine Photo by Cpl. Theodore W. Ritchie) - Children of Marines and sailors with the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit enjoy an inflatable obstacle course with a slide during the 22nd MEU Family Day at W.P.T. Hill Field aboard Camp Lejeune, N.C. April 4, 2009. The MEU hosted the free event to get Marines, sailors and families together for an opportunity to socialize prior to deployment. The MEU is scheduled to deploy this spring. (Official Marine Photo by Cpl. Theodore W. Ritchie)

Fun, family and friends; 22nd MEU hosts family day

Camp Lejeune's W.P.T. Hill Field took on a carnival atmosphere with brightly colored inflatable jungle-gyms, aircraft and vehicle static displays April 4, 2009, all for the Marines and sailors of the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit and their families. There were free activities for everyone who attended, including food, games and even music. "The

Read More

Lance Cpl. Matthew A. Latham, a native of Greenville, Ky., applies the head-tilt, chin-lift maneuver to Lance Cpl. Michael J. Edes, a native of Chicago, April 1, 2009, as part of practical application training during the Combat Life Saver Course aboard Camp Lejeune, N.C. Both Marines are data network specialists with the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit. CLS taught Marines how to assist corpsmen in dealing with mass casualty scenarios and render aid in the absence of a corpsman. The 22nd MEU is scheduled to deploy this spring. (Official Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Justin M. Martinez) - Lance Cpl. Matthew A. Latham, a native of Greenville, Ky., applies the head-tilt, chin-lift maneuver to Lance Cpl. Michael J. Edes, a native of Chicago, April 1, 2009, as part of practical application training during the Combat Life Saver Course aboard Camp Lejeune, N.C. Both Marines are data network specialists with the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit. CLS taught Marines how to assist corpsmen in dealing with mass casualty scenarios and render aid in the absence of a corpsman. The 22nd MEU is scheduled to deploy this spring. (Official Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Justin M. Martinez)

Medical training is a real life-saver for 22nd MEU

When a Marine is injured in combat, you would normally hear the words "corpsman up." But when there isn't a Corpsman around, Combat Life Savers step up to fill the void. Twenty seven Marines with the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit attended Combat Life Saver training, Mar. 31 to April 2, 2009. The group included Marines from the MEU's Command

Read More

An MV-22B Osprey lands on the flight deck of USS Bataan during flight operations, Mar. 19, 2009, as part of the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit's Certification Exercise. CERTEX is the last training hurdle before the MEU's upcoming deployment this spring. (Official Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Justin M. Martinez) - An MV-22B Osprey lands on the flight deck of USS Bataan during flight operations, Mar. 19, 2009, as part of the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit's Certification Exercise. CERTEX is the last training hurdle before the MEU's upcoming deployment this spring. (Official Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Justin M. Martinez)

Last but not least: 22nd MEU establishes combat readiness during CERTEX

In 1917, Winston Churchill said of the U.S. Marines, "I am convinced there is no smarter, handier or more adaptable body of troops in the world... always spick and span, ready at an instant's notice for duty; the nation owes them a great debt."After nearly six months of rigorous pre-deployment training, the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit has

Read More

President Barack Obama speaks to Marines and sailors aboard Camp Lejeune, N.C., Feb. 27, 2009. On the stage behind him are, from right to left, the commanding officer of II Marine Expeditionary Force, Lt. Gen. Dennis J. Hejlik; Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff, Adm. Mike Mullen; Secretary of Defense, Robert M. Gates; and National Security Advisor and former Commandant of the Marine Corps, Gen. James L. Jones. (Official Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Alicia R. Johnson) - President Barack Obama speaks to Marines and sailors aboard Camp Lejeune, N.C., Feb. 27, 2009. On the stage behind him are, from right to left, the commanding officer of II Marine Expeditionary Force, Lt. Gen. Dennis J. Hejlik; Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff, Adm. Mike Mullen; Secretary of Defense, Robert M. Gates; and National Security Advisor and former Commandant of the Marine Corps, Gen. James L. Jones. (Official Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Alicia R. Johnson)

President Barack Obama speaks to Marines and sailors aboard Camp Lejeune

President Barack Obama speaks to Marines and sailors aboard Camp Lejeune, N.C., Feb. 27, 2009. On the stage behind him are, from right to left, the commanding officer of II Marine Expeditionary Force, Lt. Gen. Dennis J. Hejlik; Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff, Adm. Mike Mullen; Secretary of Defense, Robert M. Gates; and National Security Advisor and

Read More

An MV-22B Osprey with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 263 (Reinforced), 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit, takes off after extracting Marines from Fork Union Military Academy in Fork Union, Va., Jan. 14, 2009, during a night training exercise. The training is part of the 22nd MEU's Realistic Urban Training exercise. The 22nd MEU is scheduled to deploy this spring. ::r::::n::(Official Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Alicia R. Giron) - An MV-22B Osprey with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 263 (Reinforced), 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit, takes off after extracting Marines from Fork Union Military Academy in Fork Union, Va., Jan. 14, 2009, during a night training exercise. The training is part of the 22nd MEU's Realistic Urban Training exercise. The 22nd MEU is scheduled to deploy this spring. ::r::::n::(Official Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Alicia R. Giron)

Ospreys extract Marines from FUMA

MV-22B Ospreys with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 263 (Reinforced), 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit, extracted a Marine reconnaissance team with Battalion Landing Team, 3rd Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, 22nd MEU, from Fork Union Military Academy, Jan. 14, 2009, as part of the 22nd MEU's Realistic Urban Training.

Read More

Cpl. Daniel A. Sanabria-Morales, a supply clerk with the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable) Command Element, prepares a surface for a fresh coat of paint at a community relations project on a Middle Eastern port visit, Dec. 13, 2007. The 22nd MEU (SOC) is currently acting as the theater reserve force for Central Command's area of operations. (CENTCOM) (Official U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Peter R. Miller) - Cpl. Daniel A. Sanabria-Morales, a supply clerk with the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable) Command Element, prepares a surface for a fresh coat of paint at a community relations project on a Middle Eastern port visit, Dec. 13, 2007. The 22nd MEU (SOC) is currently acting as the theater reserve force for Central Command's area of operations. (CENTCOM) (Official U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Peter R. Miller)

‘Tis season for jolly MEU Leathernecks

During a recent port call, a troop of seven 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable) Marines - and one civilian - stormed the aisles of a Middle Eastern Christian church to deck its halls with boughs of holly – fa, la, la, la, la. The Marines and former-Marine gunnery sergeant, Mr. Delroy D. Tingley, sacrificed a day of liberty

Read More

Marines and sailors with the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable) and crewmembers from the USS Gunston Hall (LSD-44) work side-by-side on a community relations project during a recent visit to Djibouti, Dec. 7, 2007. The 22nd MEU (SOC) is currently acting as the theater reserve force for Central Command's area of operations (CENTCOM). (Official U.S. Marine Corps photo) - Marines and sailors with the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable) and crewmembers from the USS Gunston Hall (LSD-44) work side-by-side on a community relations project during a recent visit to Djibouti, Dec. 7, 2007. The 22nd MEU (SOC) is currently acting as the theater reserve force for Central Command's area of operations (CENTCOM). (Official U.S. Marine Corps photo)

Gunston Hall Performs Community Relations in Djibouti

Marines from the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) Special Operations Capable (SOC), along with Sailors onboard amphibious transport dock USS Gunston Hall (LSD 44), provided fresh water and painted schools in several Djiboutian villages in support of community relations projects during a recent visit. Also during the visit, the ship hosted

Read More

Video teleconferencing motivates 22nd MEU Marines and sailors

Cpl. Sherril E. Bilky III, a Yuma, Ariz., native and Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 261 (Reinforced) CH-46E Sea Knight crew chief, talks to his wife and child in North Carolina via video teleconference from the USS Kearsarge (LHD 3), Dec. 8, 2007. The Marines and sailors of the 22nd MEU have been at sea for more than 50 days and a VTC with

Read More

The 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable) color guard stands at attention as the unit celebrated its 25th anniversary aboard USS Kearsarge Dec. 8, 2007. Three streamers representing the Afghanistan Campaign Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal and the Iraq Campaign Medal were added to the unit colors. (Official Marine Corps Photo by Cpl. Peter R. Miller) - The 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable) color guard stands at attention as the unit celebrated its 25th anniversary aboard USS Kearsarge Dec. 8, 2007. Three streamers representing the Afghanistan Campaign Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal and the Iraq Campaign Medal were added to the unit colors. (Official Marine Corps Photo by Cpl. Peter R. Miller)

Most decorated MEU adds OEF, OIF Streamers on 25th anniversary

The 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable) added three battle streamers to its unit flag during a sun-soaked 25th anniversary ceremony on the flight deck of USS Kearsarge (LHD 3), Dec. 8. First, Commanding Officer Col. Douglas M. Stilwell added the Afghanistan Campaign Medal for service in Afghanistan during the unit’s 2004

Read More

071029-M-0000A-003.jpg -

Marines rock the boat

While it doesn't quite hold the drama of your typical "bands break up and reforms years later to make super-group" music story, the story of the Marine band on the USS Ponce is still just as exciting. After all, how many of those super-groups can say they were formed in dank, lower decks of a warship in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean? Such is the

Read More