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22nd MEU Marines return from Special-Purpose MAGTF Crisis Response deployment

US Marine Corps News

By Sgt. Austin Hazard | 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit | August 02, 2013

MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. -- More than 40 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit command element Marines reunited with their friends and family at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, N.C., July 30, 2013, after a three-month deployment to Spain.

"It feels just as good to come home every time," said Capt. John Schreiner, 22nd MEU assistant communications officer who has deployed three times.

The Marines, with subordinate elements, formed Special-Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force Crisis Response, which was tasked with providing embassy reinforcement, noncombatant evacuation operations, humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, and tactical recovery of aircraft and personnel capabilities to U.S. Africa Command's area of responsibility.

"This was the first iteration of the whole concept that I'm hearing the Corps will execute in other areas around the world," said Sgt. Maj. Joel Collins, 22nd MEU sergeant major and sergeant major of the task force during the deployment. "We set the baseline for that."

Collins believes the deployment will better prepare the MEU for its deployment early next year.

"Anytime you can go forward and practice your trade, it's going to greatly improve your skill sets," said Collins, a native of O'Fallon, Ill. "You try to prepare as much as possible before going forward, but it's in the title: 'crisis response.' Few things will prepare you for the unexpected more than that."

While deployed, members of the task force prepared for contingency operations, conducted training with their Spanish counterparts and reinforced the U.S. Embassy in Tripoli, Libya.

"The Marines and sailors were great ambassadors of our country and the resiliency and support that we received from our families back home was extremely helpful," said Collins.

During the 22nd MEU's upcoming deployment, the unit will act as a sea-based crisis response force, providing humanitarian aid, disaster relief, noncombatant evacuations and support to other military operations as needed.