More than 4,000 Sailors and Marines from the Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group (IWO ARG) and 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit (24 MEU) will deploy from Norfolk and Camp Lejeune, N.C., March 27.
The deployment is part of a regular rotation of forces to support maritime security operations, provide crisis response capability, and increase theater security cooperation and forward naval presence in the 5th and 6th Fleet areas of operation.
The IWO ARG is commanded by Capt. Mark H. Scovill , Commodore, Amphibious Squadron (PHIBRON) 8, and is comprised of multipurpose amphibious assault ship USS Iwo Jima (LHD 7) and amphibious transport dock USS New York (LPD 21), both homeported at Naval Station Norfolk, and amphibious dock landing ship USS Gunston Hall (LSD 44) homeported at Naval Amphibious Base Little Creek, Va.
The 24th MEU is commanded by Col. Francis L. Donovan and is comprised of the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, which includes a Ground Combat Element, Battalion Landing Team, 1st Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment; Aviation Combat Element, Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 261 (Reinforced); Logistics Combat Element, Combat Logistics Battalion 24; and its Command Element.
[mappress] Naval Today Staff , March 23, 2012;