15th MEU News
Photo Information

A UH-1N Huey with Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron, 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), flies past the USS Rushmore, March 29, 2013. The 15th MEU is deployed as part of the Peleliu Amphibious Ready Group as a U.S. Central Command theatre reserve force, providing support for maritime security operations and theatre security cooperation efforts in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Bobby J. Gonzalez/Released)

Photo by Cpl. Bobby J. Gonzalez

Peleliu Amphibious Ready Group departs 5th Fleet

5 Apr 2013 | Capt. Justin Smith 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit

The Peleliu Amphibious Ready Group relinquished its duties in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility to the Kearsarge ARG, April 4.

The Peleliu ARG is comprised of the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit and Amphibious Squadron Three, which served as a U.S. Central Command theater reserve force, providing support for maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility for more than five months.

The Peleliu ARG deployed Sept. 17, 2012, from Naval Base San Diego, Calif., and conducted several exercises with Gulf Coast countries designed to strengthen partnerships, lay a framework for regional security and build upon skill sets that led to successful interoperability and a secure future for the region. This training also kept the unit prepared to serve as a theater reserve and crisis response force throughout the region.

“It has been my privilege to command the 15th MEU as we served as America’s away team in the U.S. 5th Fleet AOR,” said Col. Scott D. Campbell, commanding officer, 15th MEU. “Our Marines and Sailors demonstrated their tenacity and resiliency during the fast-paced work-up that began more than a year ago. During our time in the AOR, our maritime warriors stood ready to support any number of missions across the range of military operations to resolve conflict, conduct humanitarian assistance or combat the enemy in remote, austere environments that would otherwise be inaccessible.”

Following the turnover, the Peleliu ARG will depart the U.S. 5th Fleet AOR and return to Camp Pendleton and Naval Base San Diego, respectively.

“We had many successes,” said Capt. Shawn Lobree, commander, Amphibious Squadron Three. “We conducted a lot of very valuable unit level training but more importantly we supported a lot of real world missions and operations such as counter-weapons proliferation, special forces mission support, and contingency security reinforcement for several embassies and consulates, to name a few.”

The 15th MEU is a rapid-response, sea-based, Marine Air Ground Task Force is made up of a ground combat element, aviation combat element and logistics combat element. Battalion Landing Team 3/5 serves as the ground combat element and is comprised of approximately 1,200 Marines and Sailors built around an infantry battalion reinforced with an artillery battery, amphibious assault vehicles, combat engineers, reconnaissance, tanks and light-armored reconnaissance vehicles.

Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 364 (Rein.), is a helicopter squadron comprised of approximately 500 Marines and Sailors with CH-46E Sea Knights, CH-53E Super Stallions, UH-1Y Hueys, AH-1Z Super Cobras, AV-8B Harrier jets, and KC-130 transport planes. To operate, maintain and defend these assets, the ACE has Marines who conduct air-traffic control, air defense, aircraft maintenance and supply.

Combat Logistics Battalion 15 is comprised of approximately 300 Marines and Sailors who provide combat support such as supply, maintenance, transportation, explosive ordnance disposal, military police, water production and distribution, engineering, medical and dental services, fuel storage and distribution and other services to the deployed MEU.

The Peleliu Amphibious Ready Group is comprised of the amphibious assault ship USS Peleliu (LHA 5), the amphibious transport dock ship USS Green Bay (LPD 20) and the amphibious dock landing ship USS Rushmore (LSD 47) .

Relieved by the Kearsarge ARG and the 26th MEU, the Peleliu ARG continues its deployment into the 7th Fleet area of responsibility. The Peleliu ARG and embarked 15th MEU provide a combat ready force for maritime interest of the U.S. and its allies in the Asian-Pacific region.

For more information, contact the 15th MEU Public Affairs Officer, Capt. Justin E. Smith, at 619-545-4428 (ext. 7762) or justin.smith@peleliu.usmc.mil.


15th Marine Expeditionary Unit