24th Marine Expeditionary Unit
| 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit | |
|---|---|
The 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit's logo
|
|
| Active | May 1982 – present |
| Country |
 United States of America
|
| Branch |
 United States Marine Corps
|
| Type | Marine Air Ground Task Force |
| Role | Forward-deployed, rapid-response force |
| Size | 2,200 |
| Part of | II Marine Expeditionary Force |
| Garrison/HQ | MCB Camp Lejeune, North Carolina |
| Nickname(s) | 24th MEU |
| Engagements | |
| Commanders | |
| Current commander |
Colonel Ryan S Rideout |
Multinational Force in Lebanon
The 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit (24th MEU) is one of seven Marine Expeditionary Units currently in existence in the United States Marine Corps. The Marine Expeditionary Unit is a Marine Air Ground Task Force (MAGTF) with a strength of about 2,200 personnel. The MEU consists of a Command Element, a Ground Combat Element based on a reinforced infantry battalion, an Aviation Combat Element based on a reinforced tiltrotor squadron, and a Logistics Command Element based on a Combat Logistics Battalion. The 24th MEU is currently based out of Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, North Carolina.
Its stated mission is to provide geographic combatant commanders with a forward-deployed, rapid-response force capable of conducting conventional amphibious and selected maritime special operations at night or under adverse weather conditions from the sea, by surface and/or by air while under communications and electronics restrictions.
What is today the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) was activated at various times as the 32nd Marine Amphibious Unit (MAU)in the 1960s and 1970s to participate in exercises and operations in the North Atlantic, Mediterranean and Caribbean.
In May 1982, it was redesignated the 24th MAU and served twice as part of the multinational peace-keeping force in Lebanon (October 1982 through February 1983, and May through November 1983). The 24th MAU lost 220 in the 1983 Beirut barracks bombing.
It continued to make routine six-month deployments to the Mediterranean during the next six years while also providing forces for operations in the Persian Gulf.
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Wikipedia