News

9th Marine Corps District - 9th Marine Corps District

Command Element Marines aim for excellence

Looking back on lessons learned in previous deployments, the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit Command Element realized they improve combat capabilities by stepping up their pre-deployment training. The training section of the 24th MEU was tasked with the responsibility of readying Marines whose primary occupational field is anything other than

Read More

Pfc. Nathanael Eichorn, a squad automatic weapon gunner with Charlie Company, Battalion Landing Team 1st Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, grimaces in the ship’s chow hall while watching the Super Bowl, as the New England Patriots drop the ball during the last 50 seconds of the game, Feb. 5. Marines and Sailors aboard the USS Gunston Hall crammed into office spaces, lounge areas, gyms, the chow hall and anywhere else with a television to watch the Super Bowl while at sea. The 24th MEU is conducting their Certification Exercise (CERTEX) with Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group, scheduled Jan. 27 to Feb. 17, which includes a series of missions intended to evaluate and certify the unit for their upcoming deployment. - Pfc. Nathanael Eichorn, a squad automatic weapon gunner with Charlie Company, Battalion Landing Team 1st Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, grimaces in the ship’s chow hall while watching the Super Bowl, as the New England Patriots drop the ball during the last 50 seconds of the game, Feb. 5. Marines and Sailors aboard the USS Gunston Hall crammed into office spaces, lounge areas, gyms, the chow hall and anywhere else with a television to watch the Super Bowl while at sea. The 24th MEU is conducting their Certification Exercise (CERTEX) with Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group, scheduled Jan. 27 to Feb. 17, which includes a series of missions intended to evaluate and certify the unit for their upcoming deployment.

Super Bowl XLVI at sea

Its Super Bowl Sunday, Marines and Sailors aboard the ship are crammed into offices, gyms, living areas, the chow hall … basically anywhere with a television so they can watch the game. The weather outside is stormy; waves push the ship to and fro. Objects slide on desks, and troops walking through the ship’s passage ways often must brace

Read More

091202-M-0000A-013.gif -

MSSG-24 carries food for charity

Long before the sun was rising, Marines from Marine Expeditionary Unit Service Support Group 24 were busy preparing their packs for the morning’s 8-mile conditioning hike. Missing from their packs were all of the usual contents. Ponchos, sleeping bags and other gear were replaced with canned food and other non-perishable food. The Marines were

Read More

Lance Cpl. John E. Sabia, computer and data network specialist, tapes down local-area network cables after wiring the training site with secured and non-secured internet protocol lines. The command post exercise helped the Marines of the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit command element gain greater proficiency in coordinating and operating a forward command operations center. - Lance Cpl. John E. Sabia, computer and data network specialist, tapes down local-area network cables after wiring the training site with secured and non-secured internet protocol lines. The command post exercise helped the Marines of the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit command element gain greater proficiency in coordinating and operating a forward command operations center.

Lessons learned, prior experience guide 24 MEU work-ups

From Operation Iraqi Freedom to a special purpose Marine Air Ground Task Force in the Gulf Coast, the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit continues to validate the Marine Corps expeditionary warfighting doctrine. As the 24th MEU and its slated battalion landing team, 1st Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, begin their training for an upcoming deployment,

Read More

051027-m-0884d-001.jpg -

Marines begin long walk to reactivation

Marines from the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit command element march down the streets of Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, N.C. during a conditioning hike. The hike is one of the many work-ups the unit will accomplish before the units reactivate as a MEU.

Read More

Marines sharpen skills at CPX

As the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit Command Element begins training for its deployment next spring, the Marines and sailors built on the real-world experience gained from supporting humanitarian efforts in the wake of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. During the MEU’s command post exercise Oct. 24-27, the Marines used lessons learned during their

Read More

091202-M-0000A-006.gif -

Helo ditching is no SWET for Marines

Loaded in the back of a helicopter, Marines have their minds on many things. Many probably wonder what they would do if the aircraft they were in had to ditch, or crash, into the ocean. Marines from the 24th MEU’s command element recently spent the day thinking about just that while they completed courses in both the Intermediate Passenger

Read More

ST. BERNARD PARISH, La. (Sep. 10, 2005) - An amphibious assault vehicle from 4th Amphibious Assault Battalion climbs out of the water as they arrive at a remote community in St. Bernard Parish to conduct search and rescue operations. The coastal community was isolated from other search and rescue efforts when the only bridge connecting them to the main land was damaged in the storm. ::n:: - ST. BERNARD PARISH, La. (Sep. 10, 2005) - An amphibious assault vehicle from 4th Amphibious Assault Battalion climbs out of the water as they arrive at a remote community in St. Bernard Parish to conduct search and rescue operations. The coastal community was isolated from other search and rescue efforts when the only bridge connecting them to the main land was damaged in the storm. ::n::

Marines head home after hurricane hitch

On Aug. 29, Hurricane Katrina made landfall and left a path of destruction along the Gulf Coast from the panhandle of Florida to the Mississippi Delta. As the nation realized the scale of the disaster, the Marines of Special Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force St. Bernard, named for the Louisiana parish that would become the focus of efforts,

Read More

NEW ORLEANS--Marines from the Special Purpose Marine Air/Ground Task Force St. Bernard load a trailer with supplies Sept. 19 in preparation for a second hurricane to hit the New Orleans area. The Marines have opted to wait out the storm at Naval Air Station Belle Chasse to be ready to provide immediate assistance. - NEW ORLEANS--Marines from the Special Purpose Marine Air/Ground Task Force St. Bernard load a trailer with supplies Sept. 19 in preparation for a second hurricane to hit the New Orleans area. The Marines have opted to wait out the storm at Naval Air Station Belle Chasse to be ready to provide immediate assistance.

Marines gear up to take on Rita

Marines from the Special Purpose Marine Air/Ground Task Force St. Bernard had a change of plans this week as Hurricane Rita aimed in on the Gulf Coast. Only a few days ago, the SPMAGTF was getting ready to say goodbye to the storm-ravaged New Orleans area to leave continuing relief efforts in the hands of capable professionals. Now, the task

Read More

050919-m-6958j-002.jpg -

SPMAGTF St. Bernard, city officials garner divine inspiration

Key names from Joint Task Force Katrina met with St. Bernard Parish officials Sept. 19 to give spiritual encouragement to those tasked to resettle the city after the massive destruction left by Hurricane Katrina. The ceremony was held aboard the Scotia Prince, which has become home to members of the Parish who were displaced by the category four

Read More