CAMP LEJEUNE, NC -- Using both land and sea-based forces, the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) recently launched raids against ‘terrorist’ strongholds aboard and near Camp Lejeune.
Simultaneous raids were the culminating event of the MEU’s final pre-deployment training exercise, and the last hurdle standing between the MEU and its designation as ‘Special Operations Capable.’
The MEU kicked off its Certification Exercise (CERTEX) on Sept. 21, an evolution the unit’s commanding officer described to a Navy journalist as a graduation exercise for both his Marines and the Sailors manning the ships with which the MEU will deploy.
“This is a great opportunity for us and our Navy partners to bring it all together,” said Col. Kenneth F. McKenzie Jr. shortly after CERTEX began. “We’ll put the finishing touches on our training and prepare to deploy.
During the exercise’s two-plus weeks, the 2,200 Marines and Sailors of the 22nd MEU executed a series of missions they may be required to undertake during the unit’s upcoming deployment.
Among these tasks were an embassy reinforcement, response to a mass casualty situation, a noncombatant evacuation operation, and helicopter, mechanized, and motorized raids, among other missions.
The MEU’s combat service support element, MEU Service Support Group 22, established a forward operating base (FOB) aboard Camp Lejeune early in CERTEX, and forces were continually pushed ashore to strengthen the MEU’s presence there. Meanwhile, the MEU Command Element and its aviation combat element, Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 261 (Reinforced) remained aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Nassau to use it as a command and control hub and sea-based airfield.
Marines from II Marine Expeditionary Force (MEF) and Expeditionary Warfare Training Group Atlantic (EWTGL) were on hand throughout the exercise to evaluate the MEU’s performance and forward their observations on to the II MEF commanding general, Lt. Gen. James F. Amos. It would be up to Amos to determine whether or not the MEU rates the ‘SOC’ designation.
“I’m glad this is our last raid,” said Pfc. Christopher Powell, of Tampa Fla., an infantryman with Alpha Co., Battalion Landing Team 1st Bn., 2nd Marines, the MEU’s ground combat element during the ‘raid’ that drew the exercise to a close. “This will be my first deployment and I’m excited to use the training I’ve received.”
The 22nd MEU is scheduled deploy soon aboard the amphibious assault ships USS Nassau, Carter Hall, and Austin as the landing force for Expeditionary Strike Group 8.
For more information on the 22nd MEU, visit the unit’s web site at http://www.22meu.usmc.mil.