24th MEU (SOC) leaves Camp Lemonier in high spirits
Story Identification Number: 20033139534
Story by Cpl. Paula M. Fitzgerald
CAMP LEMONIER, Djibouti(March 13, 2003) -- Elements from the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable), who have maintained a presence here supporting the Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa for nearly four months, are departing.
They have been replaced by Marines from Command Logistics Element, Marine Central Command.
Beginning in November, components from the first of three companies from the 24th MEU (SOC) arrived here prepared to handle any challenges dealt to them by the task force that is here in the region aiding in the war against terrorism.
Maj. Scott W. Pierce, the Battalion Landing Team 2/2, 24th MEU (SOC) executive officer, said, "Since we've been here, the Marines have been providing security, and they've also spent a lot of time training."
Each company spent a little more than a month here and participated in live-fire ranges, helicopter operations and various kinds of combat training.
"Djibouti has been a great place to train because the ranges are ideal. We had the space to practice platoon-size attacks and to work with rockets and grenades," said Pierce, of Idaho Falls, Idaho.
Before arriving here, most of the Marines weren't sure what to expect. This was not the first time the 24th MEU (SOC) had spent time in Djibouti during this deployment.
"A few months ago, we did some live-fire training in the northern part of the country," explained Sgt. Francis A. Bargardo, a squad leader from G Company. "The range was, literally, in the middle of nowhere. Going from there to Camp Lemonier was like night and day."
Bargardo went on to say that when he was told he'd be going back to Djibouti for a month or longer, he was dreading the stay. However, conditions at Camp Lemonier have changed for the better since their first visit.
"When we got to the camp and saw how developed it was, we were shocked. The food was good, and we had access to phones and the Internet," the Nashua, N.H., native added.
Still, due to the many uncertainties facing service members in the current world situation, this deployment has been trying for most of the troops of the 24the MEU (SOC). Not only was the "float," or deployment, extended past its six-month rotation date, but the Marines and sailors have been allotted very little time off.
1st Lt. Karl Nordeen, a platoon commander for G Co., said, "Since we left in August, the Marines have been told they wouldn't be home on time, have not had much time to themselves and some have been told they can't get out of the Marine Corps even after they reach their EAS (end of active service) due to stop loss."
Yet, according to Nordeen, who hails from Fairbanks, Alaska., keeping morale high has not been much of a challenge.
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