• Military

• WMD Menu                           

• Introduction
• Systems
• Facilities
• Agencies
• Operations
• Countries
• Hot Documents
• News
• Reports
• Policy
• Budget
• Congress
• Links

• Intelligence
• Homeland Security
• Space

Just Passing Through: 24th MEU Offloads at Camp Patriot

Navy NewStand

Story Number: NNS030401-05
Release Date: 4/1/2003 8:36:00 AM

By Journalist 1st Class Joseph Krypel, Commander, Camp Patriot Public Affairs

CAMP PATRIOT, Kuwait (NNS) -- Following nearly eight months of deployment in support of Operation Enduring Freedom, 2,300 Marines from the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) pounded the grounds of Camp Patriot, Kuwait, on their way to Operation Iraqi Freedom.

The men and women of the 24th MEU were transported ashore from their homes at sea aboard USS Nassau (LHA 4), USS Tortuga (LSD 46) and USS Austin (LPD 4) - known as the Nassau Amphibious Readiness Group (ARG).

After coming ashore aboard U.S. Navy landing craft utility and landing craft air cushion vessels, the 24th MEU started their move forward on land and in the air.

Manning high-mobility, multipurpose wheeled vehicles armed with tube-launched, optically-tracked, wire-guided missile systems, amphibious assault vehicles, M-1 Abrams battle tanks and large flat-bed trailers, internal and support personnel expediently and efficiently carried-out the mission assigned.

By air, multiple CH-46 Sea Knight and CH-53 Super Stallion runs provided the ground-troops of 24 MEU further transportation to their destination.

In keeping with the Blue-Green team concept employed by the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps, and following nearly five days of offload activities, the Marines and naval support elements from the ARG, in conjunction with the joint-service assistance from the members of Camp Patriot, completed the offload and forward movement of over 1,000 pieces of general equipment, ammunition pallets and wheeled stock meant to join the fight in Iraq.

Camp Patriot is the joint-service home of nearly 3,000 Soldiers, Sailors, Marines, Airmen and Coast Guardsman deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Camp Patriot and its personnel have been responsible for offloading a majority of the equipment and some of the personnel used in the U.S. efforts to bring the Marine Corps to the fight.