Photo By Sgt. Austin Long | Marines with the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit returned to Marine Corps Base Camp...... read more read more
Subscribe
Marines and Sailors of the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit returned to Camp Lejeune and Marine Corps Air Stations Cherry Point and New River, April 28 through May 2, 2016, following a seven-month deployment to the 5th and 6th Fleet areas of operations.
“The Marines and Sailors of the 26th MEU are proud of their contributions to global security and stability over the last seven months during our deployment to the 5th and 6th Fleet areas of operations,” said Col. Robert Fulford, the commanding officer of the 26th MEU. “We were actively employed in sustained, distributed operations both at sea and ashore. Our collaboration with NATO partners and the Gulf Cooperation Council demonstrated the United States’ resolve to maintain security and stability in Europe and the Middle East.”
While deployed, the MEU conducted theater security cooperation exercises in Portugal, Turkey, and several countries in the Arabian Gulf. The military exercises allowed the MEU to work alongside partnered nations in an effort to improve interoperability and demonstrated a continuous commitment to the security within the region.
In total, Marines of the 26th MEU participated in five theater security cooperation exercises, eleven subject matter expert exchanges with partner nations, and sustainment training throughout the region.
AV-8B Harriers from VMM 162(REIN) flew over 200 missions in support of Operation Inherent Resolve and a detachment of Marines deployed to Iraq to provide counterbattery fire support to the Iraqi military. Marines supporting OIR continue to operate in Iraq and will redeploy once they are relieved by an Army unit. Their exact return date is yet to be officially determined.
According to Sgt. Maj. Brett Scheuer, the sergeant major of the 26th MEU, conducting joint exercises helped build and maintain relations between the U.S. and allied countries, but also strengthened the relationship between the Navy and Marine Corps.
“The exceptional team relationship between the Navy and Marine Corps was established from the beginning of our deployment and was strong, and continued to be built upon throughout the entire deployment,” said Scheuer. “There was never a doubt in my mind that when and if we were called upon to execute a real world mission as an [Amphibious Ready Group], that we would without question be successful, regardless of the difficulty and challenges that we could possibly face. This was mainly due to the strong work ethic, teamwork, and dedication of the entire team to succeed, which heightened the level of performance in everything we accomplished.”
Fulford said one of the reasons for the unit’s success was the support the families provided to the service members while they were deployed.
“The love and support of our families has been a true blessing,” said Fulford. “Their resilience, dedication, and sacrifice, allowed us to remain focused on our mission in service to our nation. We are exceedingly grateful for the strength and endurance our families displayed over this dynamic deployment. Everyone is excited to be reunited.”
The 26th MEU consists of Battalion Landing Team 2/6, Combat Logistics Battalion 26, and Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM) 162 (reinforced).
Following the return of the 26th MEU, the 22nd MEU will deploy later this summer, in order to maintain regional securities in the 5th and 6th Fleet areas of responsibility.
| Date Taken: | 05.02.2016 |
| Date Posted: | 05.05.2016 09:21 |
| Story ID: | 197060 |
| Location: | CAMP LEJEUNE, NORTH CAROLINA, US |
| Web Views: | 161 |
| Downloads: | 2 |
This work, Marines and Sailors of the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit return home, by Sgt Austin Long, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
No keywords found.
