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2nd MEB returns from deployment in support of OIF

Marine Corps News

Release Date: 6/24/2003

Story by 2nd MEB PAO

CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. (June 13, 2003) -- The 2nd Marine Expeditionary Brigade is returning home Sunday June 22.

The 2nd MEB left the East Coast of the United States Jan. 15, on seven amphibious ships from the Navy's Amphibious Group 2. Those same ships, minus USS Portland, will be returning the force to North Carolina.

Upon arrival in Kuwait Feb. 15, the 2nd MEB gave its aviation combat element, Marine Aircraft Group 29, to I Marine Expeditionary Force to augment the MEF's aviation combat element, the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing.

The 2nd MEB gave its combat service support element, Combat Service Support Battalion 22, to I MEF to augment the MEF's combat service support element, 1st Force Service Support Group. CSSB-22 remained in direct support through out the war.

The ground combat element, Regimental Combat Team 2, along with the command element of the 2nd MEB and with CSSB-22 in direct support formed Task Force Tarawa and became one of the ground combat units of I MEF.

May 4, MAG-29 and CSSB-22 re-joined the ground combat element under the command element to reform 2nd MEB.

Task Force Tarawa is most noted for securing the bridges through An Nasiriyah facilitating the forward movement of forces to Baghdad and supporting the rescue of Army Pfc. Jessica Lynch.

RCT-2, before securing the bridges, rescued the survivors of the Army's 507th Maintenance Company. The regiment defeated the Iraqi 11th Infantry Division, remnants of the Iraqi 51st Mechanized Infantry Division, paramilitary troops, and Al Quds. RCT-2 liberated four of Iraq's largest cities: An Nasiriyah, Al Amarah, Ad Diwaniyah, and Al Kut; and 16 smaller cities having populations larger than 10,000.

CSSB-22 was in direct support of Task Force Tarawa. Their ability to keep Task Force Tarawa supplied across long distances and under adverse conditions was key to the success of the force.

MAG-29 was among the first Marine units sounding the opening volleys of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Assigned two key missions-the takedown of Safwan Hill, and destruction of the eastern Iraq-Kuwait border posts, MAG-29 staged assets ashore early in the operation.

As Marine forces continued north, MAG-29 moved ashore and established a forward operating base at Jalibah, Iraq. From here, they supported the seizure of the Al Rumaylah oil fields, the battle of An Nasiriyah, deep force reconnaissance team insertions, rotary wing CAS missions, and a host of casualty evacuation missions and logistics support. As I MEF moved on Baghdad and then later north toward Tikrit, MAG-29 again moved their forces to Salmon Pak, a small airfield 13 miles east of Baghdad, in order to continue supporting the Marine forces.

The MAG also moved to Al Kut, where they operated in support of Task Force Tarawa until embarking back aboard ATF shipping. At the height of combat operations, MAG-29 was simultaneously deployed at three separate locations across 450 NM of Iraq.

"These Marines and Sailors have worked nonstop since the new year. Their dedication, performance, and professionalism have earned them praise and special recognition at all levels within the chain of command. I know that every Marine and Sailor is proud to have had the opportunity to serve during Operation Iraqi Freedom, and it has been my honor to have been their commander," said Brig. Gen. Richard F. Natonski, Commanding General, 2nd Marine Expeditionary Brigade.