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BLT 2/2, CLB Marines Train With Greek Soldiers

7 Jun 2011 | Sgt. Amber Blanchard 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit

Marines and sailors with Battalion Landing Team, 2nd Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, and Combat Logistics Battalion 22, both with 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit, conducted a bilateral training evolution alongside soldiers with Greece’s Hellenic Army at Maleme Training Center, June 7-9, 2011.

The three day exercise consisted of live and dry fire drills on the range, combat lifesaving, and guided discussions on lessons learned from Operation Enduring Freedom.  The exercise also afforded Marines the opportunity to interact with military personnel from the host nation.

“It’s been a great learning experience,” said Cpl. Ryan Norton, a rifleman with the BLT. “It’s cool to see how similar we are, and what differences we have.”

Overall the training benefited both sides tactically and diplomatically.

“It was a great experience not many of us get to have,” said Soldier Nick Moras, a rifleman with the Hellenic Army, “we have personnel who served more than 20 years and never had the opportunity to train with U.S. Marines.”

The Marines and sailors of the 22nd MEU are currently deployed with Amphibious Squadron 6 aboard the USS Bataan Amphibious Ready Group serving as a flexible, formidable and potent force who continues to train and improve their capability to operate as a cohesive and effective Marine Air Ground Task Force.

The 22nd MEU is a multi-mission, capable force, commanded by Col. Eric Steidl and comprised of an Aviation Combat Element, Marine Tilt Rotor Squadron 263 (Reinforced); a Logistics Combat Element, Combat Logistics Battalion 22; a Ground Combat Element, Battalion Landing Team, 2nd Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment; and its Command Element.

Marine Expeditionary Units are the Marine Corps’ smallest permanent Marine Air-Ground Task Force, and is comprised of approximately 2,200 Marines and sailors ready to provide immediate response to a hostile environment or crisis.


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