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II MHG deploys in full, first time

US Marine Corps News

1/27/2011
By Lance Cpl. Daniel A. Wulz, II MEF (FWD)

MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. -- For the first time since 2001 all of II Marine Expeditionary Force Headquarters Group, II Marine Expeditionary Force command element and its subordinate units will be deployed at the same time.

“Second Intelligence Battalion, 8th Communications Battalion, 2nd Radio Battalion, 2nd Air-Naval Gunfire Liaison Company and Military Police Support Company will all be going forward to support the MEF,” said Sgt. Maj. Craig D. Cressman, the sergeant major of II MHG. “Marines from II MHG will all be essential in supporting the II MEF command element in their mission as well as supporting II MHG in its mission.”

The primary mission of the unit, which will be called “Task Force Belleau Wood” upon arrival in theater, is to provide logistical and administrative support to the command element while deployed, allowing the commanding general to better control and command his forces. In addition, II MHG has been tasked with the missions of conducting counterinsurgency (COIN) operations within its assigned battle-space, conducting security for, and handling the base operations, support and integration (BOSI) of Camp Leatherneck, Helmand Province, Islamic Republic of Afghanistan.

“Essentially we will be doing for II MEF, as well as all of Camp Leatherneck, what Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune does for us on a daily basis,” said Col. Michael M. Sweeney, the commanding officer of II MHG. The goal is to integrate a base control group into the infrastructure, in order to start taking more ownership of the requirements to run Camp Leatherneck.

Operating the base of Camp Leatherneck, hosting nearly 15,000 coalition forces, will require many complex logistical and administrative tasks that include running the base Provost Marshall’s Office, chow halls, housing and security, as well as coordinating the construction of roads and buildings on base.

“It’s a huge mission,” said Maj. Lisa J. Reuter, the logistics officer of II MHG. “MHG’s mission is unique in the sense that we have to support ourselves in the forward and the rear, the units underneath us, and II MEF command element. By utilizing a very small staff we do what multiple types of battalion staffs do.”

II MHG has a long road ahead of itself as the entire unit continues to prepare and train for its year-long deployment.

“We have a lot of Marines who have been deployed and Marines who haven’t,” Cressman said. “Their commitment to mission, dedication to our ‘Corps and country is breath taking. These are the Marines who volunteered to serve during a time of war. I cannot be more humbled to be their sergeant major.”