Marines

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11th Marine Expeditionary Unit

I Marine Expeditionary Force

Ingenuity, training key to 11th MEU (SOC)'s success

Fumbling around in the dark, the Marine frantically searches. Moving objects around, he hopes to feel the familiar texture of the object he is looking for. With all hope lost, as well as the boot band he is looking for, the Marine decides to try an alternative. Removing the rubber band used to keep items organized in his green notebook, he

11th MEU training lifts cargo, spirits

Standing in the eye of a man-made tornado, sand, pebbles and debris whirl around the Marines concentrating on their task. The thundering clap of rotor blades from a 16,500-pound helicopter hovering overhead reduces communication to hand and arm signals. The 100 mph downwash of a CH-46E Sea Knight helicopter isn't enough to prevent the members of

Lima Warriors roll in to assault objective

The Marines sit silently, anticipating the unknown battle situation they are about to encounter. Packed like sardines in a tin, they don't move for fear of disrupting the tolerable level of discomfort they have attained from being squished against each other. Sweat drips off of their faces and the musky smell of sweat-soaked uniforms and equipment

9/11 - Roll On

More than 500 Marines and Sailors with the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable) and USS Belleau Wood (LHA 3) commemorated the one-year anniversary of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks Sept. 6 by spelling out the now famous quote from Todd Beamer, "Let's roll," on the flight deck of the ship. Beamer was one of the heroic

Breaking out the big guns

"Firing mission! Grid coordinates one-five-niner!" crackles over the radio. The words, repeated an instant later, are now yelled by Marines sitting under camouflage netting in the vast landscape of the desert surrounding them. The Marines instinctively leap from their shade covered seats and position themselves at their appointed location. As the

Like father, like son: serving their country together

For Chief Warrent Officer 2 Armando Garcia, Battalion Landing Team 3/1 Gunner, taking his son on a six-month deployment with him never crossed his mind. At least not until the Marine Corps sent both his son, Cpl. Armando Garcia, and him to BLT 3/1, 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable). Now the father and son team are

Building on the blue-green team

A month into deployment and transiting across the Pacific Ocean, one would think it would be hard for the Marines and Sailors of the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable) to get a specially manufactured part. Think again. Deep inside the gray skin of the USS Belleau Wood, hidden behind huge steel doors working amongst

State Department Salutes MEB

The last time these Marines and sailors saw Ryan Crocker, they were all half a world from home and hip deep in problems. July 26 at Camp Lejeune marked a different set of circumstances for members of the 4th Marine Expeditionary Brigade and Crocker, who served as U.S. ambassador to Afghanistan when the embassy was reopened in Kabul in January.

Strung out: BLT 3/1 Marines test their roping skills

They stand huddled together, checking one another's harness, focusing on the task ahead of them. Tying the rope around their waists, ensuring everything fits and is properly working, Marines with Company I, Battalion Landing Team 3/1, 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable), toss away any thoughts of fear. For them, it's just

Above, Beyond: Marines save girl's life

Marines train everyday for situations they could encounter whether in the field or in everyday life. During a recent port visit in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, June 21-25, two members of Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 166 (rein), 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable), came upon a situation where they had to put some training to

11th Marine Expeditionary Unit