Courtesy Photo | United States Marines with the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit board an Air Force C-17...... read more read more
By Lt. Col. Adriane Craig
376th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs
MANAS AIR BASE, Kyrgyzstan - Marines are being added to the fight in Afghanistan, moved into place through Manas Air Base in Kyrgyzstan.
The 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, from Camp Lejeune, N.C., reconstituted back in August to begin training for worldwide operations and a February deployment.
In January, the President of the United States announced additional troops - Marines - would be sent to Afghanistan. Shortly thereafter, the 24th MEU was notified they were more than half of the Marines selected for the task.
The unit will operate in Afghanistan as part of the NATO-International Security Assistance Force. The Marines will be conducting operations to extend the authority of the government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan.
The Marines are just the latest in the movement of personnel to and from Afghanistan, said Col. Harrison Smith, commander of the 376th Air Expeditionary Wing, the host unit at Manas Air Base.
"We've managed a high volume of personnel throughout March," he said "Specifically, we supported not only the introduction of the Marines into theater, but also the Army personnel rotation and numerous coalition changeovers."
With last year's operations in Afghanistan among the highest since they began in 2001, Smith said Airmen at the base are acutely aware of the mission importance to refuel aircraft supporting those operations, as well as provide world-class service and care to transiting passengers.
The wing's attention to detail in the latter of those tasks was not lost on the Marines moving through this week and last.
"Deploying to this theater is never an easy task, but the ability to conduct a portion of our deployment through a base like Manas makes it much easier," said Marine Col. Peter Petronzio, commanding officer of the 24th MEU.
Service is the hallmark of the wing's "Warrior Care" program, which ensures the smooth ingress and egress of U.S. and coalition service members in and out of Afghanistan.
A total review of passenger and cargo processes by the 376th Expeditionary Logistics Squadron and morale and welfare processes such as providing lodging and meals has paid huge dividends. Fitness and morale activities designed specifically for transient personnel are among the 376th Expeditionary Services Squadron initiatives that have enhanced the base's ability to provide quality care for a widely fluctuating base populace. That translates to mission success for the wing, and the units it supports.
"The services and support Manas provides eases our entrance into Afghanistan," said Petronzio.
| Date Taken: | 03.20.2008 |
| Date Posted: | 03.20.2008 12:37 |
| Story ID: | 17584 |
| Location: | US |
| Web Views: | 356 |
| Downloads: | 272 |
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