11th Marine Expeditionary Unit conducts long-range insert

11th Marine Expeditionary Unit
Courtesy Story

Date: 07.31.2014
Posted: 07.31.2014 03:06
News ID: 137810
VMM-163, Osprey aerial refuel

USS MAKIN ISLAND, Pacific Ocean – Marines from the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit, supported by sailors from Amphibious Squadron 5 and the Makin Island Amphibious Ready Group, conducted a long range insertion of more than 800 nautical miles into Bellows Training Area, Hawaii, July 31, 2014.

Four MV-22B Ospreys, refueled en route by a KC-130J Super Hercules, departed the USS Makin Island and arrived at their destination several hours later.

“Missions such as these highlight the extensive reach of the MEU, as well as our ability to arrive swiftly where our forces may be needed and with the capability to have immediate impacts,” said Col. Matthew Trollinger, the 11th MEU’s commanding officer.

Predeployment training began for the 11th MEU in January, when the unit grew from a staff of fewer than 100 to a flexible, combined-arms, seagoing force of more than 2,500 Marines and sailors.

The MEU's major subordinate elements are Battalion Landing Team 2/1, Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 163 (Reinforced), and Combat Logistics Battalion 11. The MEU departed San Diego on July 25 and is currently deployed as part of WESTPAC 14-2.

For more information, contact the unit's public affairs officer, Capt. Josh Diddams at joshua.diddams@makin-island.usmc.mil or visit the MEU website at www.11thmeu.marines.mil or follow us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/11thmeu.