U.S. FIFTH FLEET AREA OF OPERATIONS – Gen. Robert Neller, the 37th Commandant of the Marine Corps, and Sgt. Maj. of the Marine Corps Ronald Green visited Marines and Sailors of the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit deployed aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Kearsarge (LHD 3) Dec. 23, 2015.
The Commandant and Sergeant Major spoke to Marines and Sailors as part of a holiday tour to visit troops stationed overseas and forward deployed. The visit is Neller’s first visit to a MEU since assuming his current position.
Neller reminded Marines and Sailors that while they are away from home this holiday season, their fellow Marines and Sailors are their family.
He also stated that training and equipping Marines are one of his main priorities.
Marines need the best equipment and training to win wars, which includes retaining the best individuals and modernizing our equipment as the warfare environment changes.
During his visit, Neller received a current operations brief from Col. Robert Fulford, Commanding Officer of the 26th MEU, Navy Capt. Augustus Bennett, Commodore of Amphibious Squadron FOUR, and Navy Capt. Lawrence Getz, Commanding Officer of the Kearsarge.
The 26th MEU is embarked on the Kearsarge Amphibious Ready Group and is deployed to maintain regional security in 5th Fleet area of operations.