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CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. - The 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit inherited its necessary major subordinate elements required to composite into a complete Marine Air-Ground Task Force, here, Feb. 20.
The 15th MEU, commanded by Col. Scott D. Campbell, is comprised of about 2,200 Marines and sailors and is built around a command element that retains operational control of a ground combat element, an aviation combat element and a logistics combat element.
The MEU's major subordinate elements are Battalion Landing Team 3/5, Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 364 (Reinforced) and Combat Logistics Battalion 15. This team, along with the unit's command element, look forward to beginning their rigorous training cycle and is scheduled to deploy as a MAGTF later this year.
“The 15th MEU is now a full team,” said Sgt. Maj. John W. Scott, 15th MEU sergeant major. “We can now come together as a team to plan and prepare for this upcoming deployment. The training program we have ahead of us involves exercises to develop core competencies. As we increase the repetitions in the training, we will build confidence in our Marines and sailors. There is nothing more dangerous than a competent and confident Marine,” added the 41-year-old native of Carson, Calif.
The 15th MEU is partnered with the Navy’s Amphibious Squadron Three, or PHIBRON 3, and the team is designated as an Amphibious Ready Group. Embarked aboard the USS Peleliu (LHA 5), USS Green Bay (LPD 20), and USS Rushmore (LSD 47), the “blue-side” sailors and the “green-side” Marines and sailors of the 15th MEU stand ready to answer the Nation’s call.
“The blue-green partnership is an integral piece to ensuring a successful deployment," said Campbell. “Serving together as our nation’s rapid response, forward deployed force, our (Amphibious Squadron 3) and (Marine Air-Ground Task Force) team provides our leadership options and decision space as we remain ready to respond to any crisis.”
“From this point forward, the MEU will work as one with the PHIBRON throughout a pre-deployment training program that is designed to prepare us for any situation that may arise,” added Campbell.
Originally activated as a Marine Amphibious Unit July 1, 1987, the 15th MAU’s designation was further changed in February 1988 to the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit to more accurately reflect the operational and expeditionary nature of the MAGTF.
Since its activation, the 15th MEU has trained to meet its mission in the rotation with the 11th and 13th MEUs to provide a continuous presence in the Western Pacific, Indian Ocean, and Persian Gulf as a formidable and accomplished Marine Corps asset. From providing relief efforts following the San Francisco earthquakes in 1989, to conducting combat operations in Afghanistan immediately following the 9/11 attacks, to providing humanitarian aid/disaster relief to ravaged areas of Pakistan following the 2010 flooding, the 15th MEU brings with its capability an impressive and accurate depiction of what a flexible, seagoing force is capable of providing to our nation and her allies.
“It is my privilege to command the 15th MEU as we move forward into our pre-deployment training cycle”, added Campbell. “Our training will be purposeful, relevant and quite frankly, very demanding as we prepare to move forward to do our nation’s bidding. As a forward deployed MAGTF, we play the away game. Often times, we don’t know even know what game we will be playing. Despite all this, and with confidence, we as Marines know how to win.”
| Date Taken: | 02.21.2012 |
| Date Posted: | 02.21.2012 17:55 |
| Story ID: | 84134 |
| Location: | CAMP PENDLETON, CALIFORNIA, US |
| Web Views: | 302 |
| Downloads: | 6 |
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