11th MEU lands at Camp Pendleton, completes 2019 deployment

Photo By Lance Cpl. John Hall | U.S. Marines attached to 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) return home and are welcomed by friends and family on Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) Yuma, Ariz., Nov 24, 2019. The 11th MEU is a foward-deployed, sea-based Marine air-ground task force, with the inclusion of multiple tenant squadrons aboard MCAS Yuma. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl John Hall)  

CAMP PENDLETON, CA, UNITED STATES

11.25.2019

Courtesy Story

11th Marine Expeditionary Unit   

CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. – The Marines and Sailors of the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit are concluding their 2019 deployment this week, just in time for Thanksgiving.

Departing in waves from the three ships of the Boxer Amphibious Ready Group, the 11th MEU conducted an amphibious landing aboard Camp Pendleton, California, and aircraft landings at Miramar, California, and Yuma, Arizona.

At each site, Marines and Sailors were greeted by family members and welcomed home after seven months away.

"I am very proud of the 11th MEU, and the entire I MEF family is happy to welcome them home," said Lt. Gen. Joseph L. Osterman, commanding general of I Marine Expeditionary Force. "The 11th MEU and the Boxer ARG embodied naval integration daily throughout their deployment around the globe and truly demonstrated the capability of our Navy-Marine Corps team to operate in today's complex maritime environment."

During the deployment, the Boxer ARG and 11th MEU spent time in the U.S. 7th Fleet and U.S. 5th Fleet areas of operations, and conducted training in Kuwait, Jordan, Djibouti, Brunei, the Philippines, and Malaysia.

"We have traveled a long way and the Marines and Sailors of the 11th MEU have risen to every challenge. They have built important partnerships and have been ready to help, ready to respond, and ready to fight if necessary," said Col. Fridrik Fridriksson, commanding officer of the 11th MEU. "I am incredibly proud of each and every Marine and Sailor in the ARG/MEU team."

11th MEU consists of the command element; the aviation combat element comprised of Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM) 163 (Reinforced); the ground combat element comprised of Battalion Landing Team 3/5; and the logistics combat element comprised of Combat Logistics Battalion 11.

Boxer ARG is comprised of amphibious assault ship USS Boxer (LHD 4), San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock USS John P Murtha (LPD 26), and Harpers Ferry-class amphibious dock landing ship USS Harpers Ferry (LSD 49).

The ARG/MEU departed their home port of San Diego and began their deployment May 1.

For additional information, contact the 11th MEU Communication Strategy and Operations Officer, Capt. Jim Stenger at [e-mail].

• Date Taken: 11.25.2019
• Date Posted: 11.25.2019 17:47
• Story ID: 353343
• Location: CAMP PENDLETON, CA, US