Task force sailing after tearful goodbyes
9/24/2009
By
Cpl. Jeffrey Belovarac and Gunnery Sgt. Scott Dunn
,
11th MEU
SAN DIEGO
After a six-day delay for repairs, the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit deployed more than 1,200 Marines and sailors aboard the amphibious assault ship Bonhomme Richard here Sept. 24.
The MEU, a quick-reaction task force, consists of 2,200 Marines and sailors deployed aboard three ships. The Navy and Marine Corps team makes up the Bonhomme Richard Amphibious Ready Group.
USS Cleveland and USS Rushmore, the other two ships, sailed Sept. 18 from San Diego with the bulk of the MEU’s ground combat and combat logistics elements.
After pierside goodbyes to friends and family members, the service members left San Diego Bay and sailed westward.
USS Bonhomme Richard will join Cleveland and Rushmore for missions in the Western Pacific and elsewhere.
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SAN DIEGO-Gunnery Sgt. Diana Pardo tells daughter Isabella, 8, goodbye Sept. 24 before deploying aboard USS Bonhomme Richard with the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit on a voyage to the Western Pacific and elsewhere. , Gunnery Sgt. Scott Dunn, 9/24/2009 4:42 AM
SAN DIEGO-Gunnery Sgt. Michael A. Zangare, 36, from Cleveland, walks with his family to USS Bonhomme Richard as the ship readies for deployment Sept. 24. Some Marines brought guests on board to tour the ship before saying their goodbyes. Marines with the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit deployed after eight months of training as a quick-reaction task force. , Cpl. Jeffrey Belovarac, 9/23/2009 8:00 PM
SAN DIEGO-Petty Officer 1st Class Juan R. Bejarano, 29, from Tucson, Ariz., right, photographs members of the Roybal family before two brothers of the family deploy with the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit Sept. 24. Members of the 11th MEU deployed on board the USS Bonhomme Richard nearly one week after other MEU elements deployed to the Pacific Ocean aboard USS Cleveland and USS Rushmore. , Cpl. Jeffrey Belovarac, 9/23/2009 8:00 PM
SAN DIEGO-Marines on the flight deck of USS Bonhomme Richard make phone calls moments before deploying with the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit Sept. 24. , Cpl. Jeffrey Belovarac, 9/23/2009 8:00 PM
SAN DIEGO-Paige Deaton watches USS Cleveland leave San Diego Bay Sept. 18 on its voyage to the Western Pacific and elsewhere. Her husband, Petty Officer 3rd Class David Deaton, is a gunner's mate aboard the transport dock ship. The deployment marks their second period apart, and their first since being married. They hail from Canyonville, Ore. , Gunnery Sgt. Scott Dunn, 9/18/2009 4:49 AM
SAN DIEGO -Lance Cpl. Chris Hess sits with wife Yesenia before he deploys Sept. 24 with the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit aboard amphibious assault ship Bonhomme Richard. , Gunnery Sgt. Scott Dunn, 9/24/2009 4:38 AM
SAN DIEGO-Yesenia Hess wipes a tear as husband Lance Cpl. Chris Hess deploys with the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit Sept. 24 aboard amphibious assault ship Bonhomme Richard. , Gunnery Sgt. Scott Dunn, 9/24/2009 5:14 AM
A Marine with the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit spends his final moments with his family before deploying on the USS Bonhommen Richard Sept. 24. Service members with the 11th MEU had the opportunity to bring their families and loved ones on board the amphibious assault ship before it left San Diego Bay. , Cpl. Jeffrey Belovarac, 9/24/2009 7:57 PM
SAN DIEGO -Gunnery Sgt. Joshua Paddock, sits pierside with daughter Cristina, 14, left; step-son Marc, 6; wife Marianne, and step-son Antonio before deploying with the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit Sept. 24 aboard USS Bonhomme Richard. Paddock is the staff noncommissioned officer in charge of the MEU command element's 1st Radio Battalion detachment. , Gunnery Sgt. Scott Dunn, 9/24/2009 5:07 AM
SAN DIEGO-A Navy family walks off the pier before USS Bonhomme Richard leaves San Diego Bay Sept. 24 on a voyage to the Western Pacific and elsewhere, taking with it the 2,200 Marines and sailors of the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit. , Gunnery Sgt. Scott Dunn, 9/24/2009 3:41 AM
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