Latest News from II MEF Units
Marines refresh warfighter skills at training exercises in Djibouti
LCpl. David Beall, 24th MEU
DJIBOUTI, Africa – After spending several weeks cramped on ships transiting the Atlantic Ocean, Mediterranean Sea, Suez Canal, and Red Sea, Marines of the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit were anxious to get on dry land and start training to refresh their warfighting skills they worked on so hard to develop prior to deploying.
The 24th MEU is planned to conduct a series of training exercises here throughout the month of March to maintain proficiency in these warfighting skills to stay prepared as a deployed force in readiness.
As the theater reserve for Central Command they could be called on to perform the full spectrum of military operations at a moment’s notice. [more]
Marines Awarded for Actions During Haiti Response
Cpl. Michele L. Watson, Security Cooperation Marine Air Ground Task Force - APS
ABOARD USS GUNSTON HALL – During a humanitarian food distribution mission in Haiti last month, four Marines standing as security for U.N. workers provided first aid to an injured civilian and detained two locals posing a threat to U.S. forces as well as innocent Haitian people who had lined up to receive aid.
Sgt. Robert T. Bass, Cpl. Julian M. Guzman, Lance Cpl. David L. Annis, and Lance Cpl. Jacob L. Swanson, infantrymen with the Ground Combat Element, Security Cooperation Marine Air Ground Task Force, Africa Partnership Station 10, were awarded the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, Feb. 27, for their actions in Haiti.
While Marines were passing out 600 boxes of food to more than 4,000 Haitians in January, they were approached by a woman with a deep laceration. She was seeking medical attention. Guzman and Annis immediately provided aid, as a Navy Corpsman was not readily available. [more]