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26 MEUEX in Djibouti

USMC News

Submitted by: Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa
Story Identification Number: 2003710122154
Story by Staff

CAMP LEMONIER, DJIBOUTI(July 10, 2003) -- Marines and Sailors of the North Carolina-based 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable) came ashore here today to conduct a wide variety of training exercises and civil-military operations over the coming days.

Joining the Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa's pool of available assets in the Global War on Terrorism, the 2,300-strong military force will conduct numerous live-fire training events, exercising the full gamut of combined arms team capabilities including tanks, artillery, light infantry, combat service support, helicopter and fixed-wing aircraft.

"Djibouti is an excellent training opportunity for the Marines and Sailors of the 26th MEU (SOC)," said Col. Andrew P. Frick, the unit's commanding officer. "The climate is hot, the ground is rugged and there's significant elevation to contend with. By training here, the troops can become familiar with the kinds of environments where they may be asked later to prosecute the will of the National Command Authority."

In addition to combat training, 26th MEU forces will also participate in civil-military operations. Arrangements have been made for a clothing donation through the local non-governmental organization Caritas. Also, along with forces from CJTF-HOA Civil Affairs, the MEU intends to conduct a Medical Civic Action Program (MEDCAP) in Djibouti.

The CJTF has found that MEDCAPs are both an efficient and effective means of providing needed services and improving life for people in rural communities across the Horn of Africa region. With the combined 26th MEU and CJTF effort here, both commands expect to treat and provide much needed aid to several hundred locals.

Medical education in the control and prevention of infections and diseases is a vital part of preventive medicine programs within the overall humanitarian activities plan for both 26th MEU and CJTF forces. MEU personnel will also participate in a refurbishment project at the clinic in Tadjoura, providing a lasting means for future quality medical care for locals.

Supporting MEU training ashore are elements of the USS Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group (ARG). The ARG consists of more than 2,500 Sailors aboard the USS Iwo Jima (LHD-7), USS Nashville (LPD-13) and USS Carter Hall (LSD-50), all from the Norfolk, Va. area.

The 26th MEU (SOC) has been operating in and around the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility for several months, having previously supported Operation Iraqi Freedom, seeing action in Northern Iraq near the town of Mosul. This is the second trip into the Gulf of Aden for the Iwo Jima ARG, which is coming from duty in the Arabian Gulf after operations in the Horn of Africa region in early June and participation in exercises in Albania in May.

The 26th MEU (SOC) also participated in Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan from November 2001 to February 2002 and follows both the 22d and 24th Marine Expeditionary Units who previously trained and supported counter-terrorism operations in the Horn of Africa region.

CJTF-HOA, headquartered here at Camp Lemonier, arrived in the region in December 2002 and was formed specifically to oversee operations in the Horn of Africa for U.S. Central Command in support of the Global War on Terrorism. The CJTF mission is to detect, disrupt and defeat transnational terrorist groups in the region and support Coalition partner efforts to deny the opportunity for reemergence of terrorist networks in the Horn of Africa.

For its counter-terrorism mission, CJTF-HOA defines the Horn of Africa region as the total airspace, land areas and coastal waters of Kenya, Somalia, Sudan, Djibouti, Ethiopia, Eritrea and Yemen.

With a fully function headquarters command and control element, an infantry-based battalion landing team, a composite aircraft squadron with both helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft and a combat service support group providing an organic logistics capability, the 26th MEU is fully capable of engaging across the full spectrum of CJTF-HOA counter-terrorism missions, as well as other missions that may be assigned by the National Command Authority.