MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP PENDLETON, Calif.- The I Marine Expeditionary Force (Forward) reactivated during a ceremony aboard Camp Pendleton, Calif., Oct. 23, in preparation for an upcoming deployment to Afghanistan during early 2014.
I MEF (Fwd) will assume command of Regional Command (Southwest), which is comprised of Helmand and Nimroz provinces.
Brigadier Gen. Daniel D. Yoo, commanding general of I MEF (Fwd), and Sgt. Maj. Douglas E. Berry, sergeant major, I MEF (Fwd), uncased the unit’s battle colors during the ceremony representing the official reactivation.
“This is the most important thing I MEF will do,” said Lt. Gen. John A. Toolan, commanding general, I MEF. “It’s a great team. You have my full support, but it’s going be a tough job.”
The significance of the upcoming deployment was echoed by Brig. Gen. Yoo as he spoke of the enduring commitment of those who have served in the past.
“I think we all understand that we are about to embark on a historic deployment,” said Brig. Gen. Yoo. “There are many challenges and opportunities that lie ahead of us, but we are very mindful as mentioned earlier today about all the sacrifices of those who have gone before us.”
The Marines and sailors of I MEF (Fwd) will replace II MEF (Fwd), who are currently deployed from Camp Lejeune, N.C. I MEF had previously transferred authority of RC (SW) to II MEF (Fwd), February 28, 2013.