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Lance Cpl. Ewen DeWitt, a machine gunner with Weapons Company, Battalion Landing Team 1st Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, mounts a M-2 .50-caliber machine gun on top of an Internally Transportable Vehicle during the Defense of the Amphibious Task Force Naval qualification exercise aboard the USS Iwo Jima (LHD 7) Dec. 3, 2011. DATF is one of many qualifications that make up Composite Training Unit Exercise (COMPTUEX), scheduled to take place Nov. 28 to Dec. 21. The DATF drill allowed the Marines to integrate with their Navy counterparts to rehearse how they would protect the ships of the amphibious ready group while traveling through high threat areas at sea. - Lance Cpl. Ewen DeWitt, a machine gunner with Weapons Company, Battalion Landing Team 1st Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, mounts a M-2 .50-caliber machine gun on top of an Internally Transportable Vehicle during the Defense of the Amphibious Task Force Naval qualification exercise aboard the USS Iwo Jima (LHD 7) Dec. 3, 2011. DATF is one of many qualifications that make up Composite Training Unit Exercise (COMPTUEX), scheduled to take place Nov. 28 to Dec. 21. The DATF drill allowed the Marines to integrate with their Navy counterparts to rehearse how they would protect the ships of the amphibious ready group while traveling through high threat areas at sea.

Marine Corps acronyms spell a wide range of capabilities

Pick up any random military correspondence, publication, or journal entry and it’s sure to resemble an alphabet soup of acronyms and tongue-twisters undecipherable to all but a select few civilians. Indeed, even some of the most hard-charging Marines would be hard-pressed to decode the acronyms they themselves use every day. These same mind-bending

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From the Sands of Iwo Jima to Life on the Seven Seas

Experiencing things for the first time can be a scary or exciting moment in the lives of most people. Whether it is your first day of school, starting a new job, driving a car or for military members going on deployment; these firsts can at times be hectic. As with most life-changing events, people learn how to adapt and hone the skills needed to

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A CH-53E Super Stallion lands on the USNS Arctic during a simulated Expanded, Visit, Board, Search and Seizure, Dec. 7, 2011 The 24th MEU is currently taking part in Composite Training Unit Exercise (COMPTUEX), scheduled to take place Nov. 28 to Dec. 21. The training is meant to develop cohesion between the 24th MEU and Amphibious Squadron 8 (PHIBRON-8) in conducting amphibious operations, crisis response, and limited contingency operations while operating from the sea. The CH-53E helicopters are a detachment from HMH-464 based at Marine Corps Air Station New River, N.C., and comprise part of Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron VMM-261 (Rein), which is the Aviation Combat Element for the 24th MEU. - A CH-53E Super Stallion lands on the USNS Arctic during a simulated Expanded, Visit, Board, Search and Seizure, Dec. 7, 2011 The 24th MEU is currently taking part in Composite Training Unit Exercise (COMPTUEX), scheduled to take place Nov. 28 to Dec. 21. The training is meant to develop cohesion between the 24th MEU and Amphibious Squadron 8 (PHIBRON-8) in conducting amphibious operations, crisis response, and limited contingency operations while operating from the sea. The CH-53E helicopters are a detachment from HMH-464 based at Marine Corps Air Station New River, N.C., and comprise part of Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron VMM-261 (Rein), which is the Aviation Combat Element for the 24th MEU.

Marines train to capture vessels at sea

In September 2010, Marines from the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit boarded the cargo vessel Magellan Star to reclaim it from pirates in the Gulf of Aden – the mission was a success. In order to handle similar threats, Marines with the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit spent Dec. 4-7 training to capture vessels from enemy forces during three simulated

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Private First Class Robert Roessler, a rifleman with Bravo Company, Battalion Landing Team 1st Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, sights in on his M-16 A4 service rifle during training drills aboard the USS Iwo Jima (LHD 7) Dec. 6, 2011. The 24th MEU is currently taking part in Composite Training Unit Exercise (COMPTUEX), scheduled to take place Nov. 28 to Dec. 21. The training is meant to develop cohesion between the 24th MEU and Amphibious Squadron 8 (PHIBRON 8) in conducting amphibious operations, crisis response, and limited contingency operations while operating from the sea. - Private First Class Robert Roessler, a rifleman with Bravo Company, Battalion Landing Team 1st Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, sights in on his M-16 A4 service rifle during training drills aboard the USS Iwo Jima (LHD 7) Dec. 6, 2011. The 24th MEU is currently taking part in Composite Training Unit Exercise (COMPTUEX), scheduled to take place Nov. 28 to Dec. 21. The training is meant to develop cohesion between the 24th MEU and Amphibious Squadron 8 (PHIBRON 8) in conducting amphibious operations, crisis response, and limited contingency operations while operating from the sea.

24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, Amphibious Squadron 8 conduct training off Florida coast

The 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit and Amphibious Squadron 8 sailed down the Eastern seaboard from their home stations of Camp Lejeune, N.C., and Norfolk, Va., to conduct training exercises off the coast of Florida in preparation for their deployment scheduled for early next year. The Marines plan to operate around the Mayport, Fla. area in the

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Cpl. Steven Escobar, a rifleman with Alpha Company, 1st Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, communicates with his platoon commander after setting into position during the Mechanized Raid Course Nov. 9, at the Military Operations in Urban Terrain training facility aboard Camp Lejeune. The course took place Nov. 7-18 to prepare the company to serve as the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit's mechanized raid force. - Cpl. Steven Escobar, a rifleman with Alpha Company, 1st Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, communicates with his platoon commander after setting into position during the Mechanized Raid Course Nov. 9, at the Military Operations in Urban Terrain training facility aboard Camp Lejeune. The course took place Nov. 7-18 to prepare the company to serve as the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit's mechanized raid force.

Raids, from ship to shore

The mission is received: terrorist forces and a large amount of weapons have been identified in a town neighboring a previous objective. Six hours later, the Marines are ready. Their gear has been checked and rechecked. All personnel for the mission have been identified and accounted for. Their roles, responsibilities and the scheme of maneuver

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Cpl. Darrell Kincaid, a rifleman with Charlie Company, 1st Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, eats a vegetarian Meal Ready to Eat during the Motorized Raid Course Oct. 26, at Stone Bay's Home Station Lane Training complex here. The course took place Oct. 24 to Nov. 4 to prepare the company to serve as the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit's motorized raid force. Kincaid, a native of Victor, W. Va., prides himself on being a vegetarian and still maintaining a high level of physical fitness. (USMC Photo by: Sgt. Richard Blumenstein/ Released) - Cpl. Darrell Kincaid, a rifleman with Charlie Company, 1st Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, eats a vegetarian Meal Ready to Eat during the Motorized Raid Course Oct. 26, at Stone Bay's Home Station Lane Training complex here. The course took place Oct. 24 to Nov. 4 to prepare the company to serve as the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit's motorized raid force. Kincaid, a native of Victor, W. Va., prides himself on being a vegetarian and still maintaining a high level of physical fitness. (USMC Photo by: Sgt. Richard Blumenstein/ Released)

Faces of the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit

Corporal Darrell Kincaid does not eat meat. Kincaid, a rifleman with Charlie Company, 1st Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment stands 5’10” and weighs around 155 pounds. Three years ago, before he joined the Marine Corps he said he weighed more than 230 pounds. The Victor, W. Va., native said he joined the Marine Corps after stopping by the recruiting

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Marines with Charlie Company, 1st Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, prepare to conduct a simulated raid during the Motorized Raid Course Nov. 3, at the Military Operations in Urban Terrain Training facility aboard Camp Lejeune. The course took place Oct. 24 to Nov. 4 to prepare the company to serve as the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit's motorized raid force. (USMC Photo by: Sgt. Richard Blumenstein/ Released) - Marines with Charlie Company, 1st Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, prepare to conduct a simulated raid during the Motorized Raid Course Nov. 3, at the Military Operations in Urban Terrain Training facility aboard Camp Lejeune. The course took place Oct. 24 to Nov. 4 to prepare the company to serve as the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit's motorized raid force. (USMC Photo by: Sgt. Richard Blumenstein/ Released)

Marines smash, grab in motorized raid course

“Landing in a hostile country, moving into an (enemy’s) backyard, punching them in the face, taking something from them, and then turning around and leaving back on the ship.” That is how Capt. Thomas Carey, the commanding officer of Charlie Company, 1st Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, explained the concept of a motorized raid to the Marines of his

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An AV-8B Harrier commences a vertical landing on the flight deck off the USS Iwo Jima during deck landing qualifications as part of the Amphibious Squadron 8 (PHIBRON 8) / 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit Integration Training (PMINT) Oct. 24, 2011. PMINT will take place Oct. 24 to Nov. 3 and is focused on building the Navy-Marine Team and establish the working relationships and practices necessary to conduct operations from the sea. The AV-8B Harriers are a detachment from VMA-542 based at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, N.C., and comprise part of Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron VMM-261 (Rein), which is the Aviation Combat Element for the 24th MEU.::r::::n::::r::::n::::r::::n:: - An AV-8B Harrier commences a vertical landing on the flight deck off the USS Iwo Jima during deck landing qualifications as part of the Amphibious Squadron 8 (PHIBRON 8) / 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit Integration Training (PMINT) Oct. 24, 2011. PMINT will take place Oct. 24 to Nov. 3 and is focused on building the Navy-Marine Team and establish the working relationships and practices necessary to conduct operations from the sea. The AV-8B Harriers are a detachment from VMA-542 based at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, N.C., and comprise part of Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron VMM-261 (Rein), which is the Aviation Combat Element for the 24th MEU.::r::::n::::r::::n::::r::::n::

Marines, Navy Come Together for “At-Sea” Integration Exercise

The 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit and Amphibious Squadron 8 (PHIBRON 8) have begun their first of a series of at-sea training exercises where they will work on refining their ability to conduct amphibious operations to prepare for a deployment scheduled for early next year. The current exercise is called PHIBRON / MEU Integration Training,

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Col. Frank Donovan, the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit's commanding officer, speaks to all in attendance during the MEU's activation ceremony at W.P.T. Hill Field, Camp Lejeune, N.C., Sept. 29. The ceremony served as an opportunity for Donovan to address the Marines and sailors of his command and their families. The ceremony was held to officially composite the 24th MEU with its subordinate units Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 261, Battalion Landing Team 1st Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, and Combat Logistics Battalion 24. - Col. Frank Donovan, the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit's commanding officer, speaks to all in attendance during the MEU's activation ceremony at W.P.T. Hill Field, Camp Lejeune, N.C., Sept. 29. The ceremony served as an opportunity for Donovan to address the Marines and sailors of his command and their families. The ceremony was held to officially composite the 24th MEU with its subordinate units Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 261, Battalion Landing Team 1st Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, and Combat Logistics Battalion 24.

24th Marine Expeditionary Unit forms for training, deployment

The 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit held an activation ceremony today at Camp Lejeune’s W.P.T. Hill Field officially signaling the unit’s preparation for deployment as the unit grew from its standing headquarters of approximately 100 Marines and sailors to a Marine Air-Ground Task Force of 2,200 as the MEU took charge of its three major subordinate

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Sgt. Maj. John McGovern passes his sword to Col. Francis Donovan, the commanding officer of the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, during a relief and appointment ceremony Sept. 28, at the II Marine Expeditionary Force Headquarters Building. During the ceremony McGovern relinquished his position as the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit’s sergeant major to Sgt. Maj. Octaviano Gallegos. - Sgt. Maj. John McGovern passes his sword to Col. Francis Donovan, the commanding officer of the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, during a relief and appointment ceremony Sept. 28, at the II Marine Expeditionary Force Headquarters Building. During the ceremony McGovern relinquished his position as the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit’s sergeant major to Sgt. Maj. Octaviano Gallegos.

24th MEU bids farewell to Sgt. Maj. John McGovern

Sgt. Maj. John McGovern relinquished his duties as the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit’s sergeant major to Sgt. Maj. Octaviano Gallegos during a relief and appointment ceremony Sept. 28, at the II Marine Expeditionary Force Headquarters Building. McGovern, a Daytona Beach, Fla., native, took up the position as the 24th MEU sergeant major in July

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