9/11 - Roll On

6 Sep 2002 | 11th MEU Public Affairs Office 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit

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 passengers on United Flight 93, which crashed in a western Pennsylvania field after he and several other passengers attempted to regain control of the plane from terrorist hijackers. "Let's roll," an expression often used by Beamer, was the last statement heard from him by the GTE Airfone operator before the crash. Currently deployed in the U.S. Central Command area of operations in support of Operation Enduring Freedom, the 11th MEU (SOC) and USS Belleau Wood Amphibious Ready Group stand ready as the nation's premier forward-deployed, rapid-response force. Comprised of approximately 4,200 personnel, the MEU/ARG team is prepared to respond to any contingency or crisis that may involve the interests of the United States. Commanded by Col. Anthony M. Haslam, the 11th MEU (SOC) is the third Camp Pendleton-based MEU to deploy since the war on terrorism began after Sept. 11.

Marine Corps News

Colonel Thomas M. Siverts
Commanding Officer

Colonel Tom Siverts is a native of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He enlisted in the Marine Corps in August 1989. He achieved a commission as a Second Lieutenant through the Marine Corps Enlisted Commissioning Education Program following his graduation from the University of Virginia in May 1999. Colonel Siverts has deployed in support of Operations DESERT SHIELD, DESERT STORM, IRAQI FREEDOM, and ENDURING FREEDOM. His other operational deployments include serving with Battalion Landing Team (BLT) 2/8, 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU); BLT 3/8, 22d MEU; BLT 2/8, 26th MEU, and Task Force 61/2.

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Lieutenant Col. Steven M. Sprigg
Executive Officer

LtCol Sprigg was born in Parkersburg, WV. LtCol Sprigg enlisted in the United States Marine Corps in September 2004 and recruit training at Marine Corps Recruit Depot, Parris Island, SC. LtCol Sprigg was selected for the Enlisted Commissioning Program and commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in March 2008. He was designated a Naval Aviator in February 2011 and reported to HMLAT-303 for training as an AH-1W pilot. LtCol Sprigg is currently serving as the Executive Officer for the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit in Camp Pendleton, California.

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Sergeant Major Travis L. DeBarr
Sergeant Major

Sergeant Major DeBarrĀ enlisted in the Marine Corps and reported to MCRD San Diego, CA, for recruit training in October 1994.Staff Sergeant DeBarr completed two combat tours in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom from September 2005 to April 2006 and again form March 2007 to September 2007. While serving with 3rd Battalion, 9th Marines, First Sergeant DeBarr completed one combat deployment in support of Operation Enduring Freedom to Helmand Province, Afghanistan, from October 2012 to May 2013. Sergeant Major DeBarr currently serves as the Sergeant Major for the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit.

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11th Marine Expeditionary Unit