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Taranto,
Italy (Feb, 27
2001) –
The 2,200 Marines and Sailors of the 22nd Marine
Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable), after a
three-day transit, are pulling in for their sixth liberty
port this deployment.
From
February 28th through March 6th
the Nassau Amphibious Ready Group and the Marines and
sailors of the 22d MEU (SOC) will enjoy many historic sites
at their respective liberty ports.
The USS Nassau will moor pier-side in Taranto, Italy.
The USS Portland will dock in Kotor, Slovenia while
the USS Nashville will pull into Dubrovnick, Croatia.
The 22d MEU
(SOC) is currently deployed on a routine six-month
deployment in the Mediterranean.
Including
the command element, there are four elements that make up
the 22d MEU (SOC). The ground combat element is Battalion
Landing Team, 1st Battalion, 8th Marines.
The air assets come from Marine Medium Helicopter
Squadron 162 (Reinforced) and MEU Service Support Group 22
supplies the beans and bullets.
The 22nd
MEU (SOC), led by Col. Paul E. Lefebvre, conducted bilateral
training with the Tercio de la Armada during Spanish PHIBLEX
in December of 2000 and the Italian 1st Armored
Regiment during Capo Teulada FTEX
1-01, February 2001
In
previous deployments, The 22nd MEU warriors were
called upon to conduct operations in Sierra Leone, Albania
and Central America.
For
additional information regarding the 22nd Marine
Expeditionary Unit, please contact one of the following
Marines: 1stLt.
Mikal Rasheed, 22nd MEU Public Affairs Officer,
at rasheedma@22meu.usmc.mil
or rasheedma@nassau.usmc.mil.
, SSgt. Timothy
A. Streaty, 22d MEU, Public Affair Chief, streatyta@nassau.usmc.mil.
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