Subscribe
NEW YORK — Special Purpose Marine Air Ground Task Force — New York led by the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit arrived in the Big Apple on May 21 as the city commences the 20th Fleet Week.
Since 1984, Marines, sailors, and guardsman have visited the city to participate in New York's celebration of the U.S. sea services.
With the naval forces of SPMAGTF-NY arriving aboard USS Iwo Jima, the city sets the stage for Marines to share the nation's expeditionary fighting forces with the citizens of New York City.
"I think it's important for a nation to know its military, to know the people who comprise it and what they do," said Col. Pete Patronzio, commanding officer, 24th MEU and SPMAGTF-NY. "Fleet week is a great platform for the people of New York City to meet Marines of their Marine Corps and to see our capabilities."
The Marines will showcase their latest and greatest equipment manned by more than 900 Marines, the largest group yet to deploy to New York's Fleet Week.
"As a MEU, and particularly the Marine Corps, we take tremendous pride at being the force of choice when it comes to providing a highly capable and flexible unit," said Capt. Timothy J. Humphreys, action officer, SPMAGTF-NY. "This year we will be extensively showcasing new technologies and capabilities that the Marine Corps are presently introducing to operational forces."
For the first time, the MV-22 Osprey will take flight across New York's skylines. Also planned during the 20th installment of Fleet Week are an assortment of events, some of which are new to the city such as heliborne raids at Coney Island and Corona Park/Flushing Meadows.
More than one dozen units from ground troops to amphibian forces to air support will have the chance to exhibit state-of-the-art technology and spend time with the people of New York.
"I am sure we will leave a positive impression on the people we encounter and from their experience they will be a little more knowledgeable about what the Marine Corps is and more importantly about the fine young men and women who comprise it," said Petronzio. "When Fleet Week is over I hope the people of New York will have had as good a time as I know the Marines will."
| Date Taken: | 05.21.2009 |
| Date Posted: | 05.21.2009 16:48 |
| Story ID: | 33919 |
| Location: | NEW YORK, NY, US |
| Web Views: | 453 |
| Downloads: | 439 |
This work, Osprey Makes Big Apple debut, by Cpl Alex Guerra, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
LEAVE A COMMENT