MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. -- The 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit joined together as a Marine air-ground task force today during a ceremony aboard Camp Pendleton, Calif.
The 15th MEU command element composited with 3rd Battalion, 1st Marines, Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 161 (Reinforced), and Combat Logistics Battalion 15 for their upcoming deployment next spring.
The ceremony featured remarks by Col. Vance L. Cryer, the commanding officer of the 15th MEU, about the importance and power of teamwork during their upcoming deployment.
“That integration is what it’s all about. It’s not about the individual capabilities, it’s about the integration that is required for success,” Cryer said.
Now composited, the 15th MEU provides a forward deployed, flexible sea-based Marine air-ground task force capable of conducting amphibious operations, crisis response and limited contingency operations, to include enabling the introduction of follow-on forces, and designed special operations, in order to support the theater requirements of geographic combatant commanders. The 15th MEU most recently deployed aboard the ships of Amphibious Squadron Three from September 2012 to May 2013.
Following the ceremony, Marines and sailors along with their families enjoyed static displays of aircraft that will be used on the deployment, including an MV-22B Osprey, a CH-53E Super Stallion, AH-1Z Viper, and UH-1Y Venom. The static display also included weapons and vehicles used by the MEU.