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22nd MEU Afghanistan Recap: Operation ULYSSES IV

5 Aug 2004 | Gunnery Sgt. Keith A. Milks 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit

Operation ULYSSES IV, the second mission undertaken by the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable) in Afghanistan, lasted from April 15-19, and was designed to provide a detailed reconnaissance of the routes between Kandahar Air Field and Tarin Kowt, site of the MEU's future forward operating base.While the Afghans who lined the roadside to watch the convoy were accustomed to seeing Humvees and seven-ton trucks, they took a double take on the Light Armored Vehicle 25s (LAV-25s). The 22nd MEU (SOC)'s deployment of these vehicles was the first time since Operation ENDURING FREEDOM began in late 2001 that the eight-wheeled fighting vehicles were employed in the southwest Asian country.Not only did the task force survey routes future ground assault convoys, but Army civil affairs troops conducted assessments of rural villages for proposed civil affairs projects and humanitarian visits. A rifle platoon from Charlie Co., Battalion Landing Team 1st Bn., 6th Marines joined the LAV platoon in beefing up the task force's combat power. This, and all the ULYSSES-themed operations was named after the ancient king of Ithaca, Ulysses (also known as Odysseus) who, according to Greek mythology, fought in the Trojan War and was the hero in Homer's "Odyssey."This is the second in a 12-part series recapping the 22nd MEU (SOC)'s operations and missions in Afghanistan. The unit consists of its Command Element, Battalion Landing Team 1st Bn., 6th Marines, Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 266 (Reinforced), and MEU Service Support Group 22.For more information on the 22nd MEU (SOC)'s role in Operation ENDURING FREEDOM, visit the unit's web site at http://www.22meu.usmc.mil.