USS NASSAU -- Marine General James L. Jones recently paid a visit to the Marines and Sailors of the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable) embarked aboard the USS Nassau during the ship's port visit to Palma de Mallorca, Spain, April 13, 2006.
Jones is currently the Supreme Allied Commander, Europe, and the Commander of the United States European Command, posts he assumed after a four-year stint as the 32nd Commandant of the Marine Corps. During his visit, Jones addressed an all hands formation on the flight deck of the Nassau, and participated in a reception in the ship’s hangar bay immediately following. He praised the Marines and Sailors of the 22nd MEU (SOC) for a successful deployment.
“You Warriors made your mark in history,” said Jones, referring to the 22nd MEU (SOC)'s Marines and Sailors recent deployment into the Central Command theater that included service in Iraq, the Horn of Africa, and as CentCom's theater reserve.
“It was great to be visited and appreciated by a former Commandant of the Marine Corps,” said Cpl. Manuel Amoguis, an administrative clerk from Kalihi Honolulu, HI.
The 22nd MEU (SOC), embarked on the ships of Nassau Strike Group, are conducting a series of port visits throughout the European Command before its scheduled return to the United States in early May.
In addition to the Command Element, the MEU consists of Battalion Landing Team 1st Battalion, 2nd Marines, MEU Service Support Group 22 and Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 261 (Reinforced). The MEU was conducting counterinsurgency operations in Iraq’s Al Anbar province, but has since moved out of country and boarded ships of the Nassau Strike Group.