Approximately 5,000 Marines and Sailors from 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit embarked upon the Bataan Amphibious Ready Group and departed Naval Station Norfolk for a scheduled deployment March 1.

The 24th MEU will serve aboard amphibious assault ship USS Bataan (LHD 5), amphibious transport dock USS Mesa Verde (LPD 19), and amphibious dock landing ship USS Carter Hall (LSD 50).  The Marines and Sailors will operate in Europe and the Middle East in the coming months, providing crisis response and contingency support for combatant commanders, including maritime security operations, humanitarian assistance and advance force operations.

The 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit consists of four main elements consisting of a command element, the ground combat element provided by 3rd Battalion, 6th Marines, the air combat element provided by Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 365 (Reinforced) and the logistics combat element, provided by Combat Logistics Battalion 24.

"I couldn't be more proud of our team and what we have accomplished over the past year, leading up to this deployment.  The Marines and Sailors are ready to go," said Col. Ryan S. Rideout, commanding officer of the 24th MEU.