Photo By Sgt. Jessica Ostroska | Marines and sailors with I Marine Expeditionary Force (Forward) get ready to board buses at Camp Pendleton, Calif., Jan. 4, 2014, as they prepare to deploy to Afghanistan. The unit, which is commanded by Brigadier Gen. Daniel D. Yoo, will be the last major Marine Corps unit to deploy to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom and will be operating out of Camp Leatherneck and Camp Bastion. The unit is scheduled to return at the end of 2014. see less
| View Image Page
CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. - Marines and sailors of the I Marine Expeditionary Force (Forward) command element began their deployment to Afghanistan as approximately half of the unit said good-bye to their families and friends Saturday, Jan. 4. The next group is expected to leave Jan. 12.
The I MEF (Fwd) command element is comprised of approximately 300 Marines and sailors and will operate out of Camp Leatherneck and Camp Bastion. The unit is commanded by Brigadier Gen. Daniel D. Yoo.
Upon arrival in Afghanistan, I MEF (Fwd) will assume command of Regional Command (Southwest), which is comprised of both Helmand and Nimroz provinces, and will replace the Marines and sailors of II MEF (Fwd) from Camp Lejeune, N.C. I MEF (Fwd) will be the last major Marine Corps command to deploy to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom and is scheduled to return at the end of 2014.
I MEF (Fwd) will also include elements of 1st Marine Division, 1st Marine Logistics Group and 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, and will have more than 4,000 Marines and sailors.
Video footage and photos of the deployment will be posted daily for download at I MEF (FWD) Marines.mil and the I MEF (FWD) DVIDs Page as well as the RC(SW) DVIDs Page.
Subscribe
