Marines with the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit's Battalion Landing Team 3/1 splash off the amphibious transport dock New Orleans in amphibious assault vehicles to conduct a simulated raid on Camp Pendleton, Calif., here Oct. 4. The battalion serves as the ground combat element for the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit, which embarked the amphibious assault ship Makin Island, the amphibious transport dock New Orleans and the dock landing ship Pearl Harbor in San Diego Sept. 28 and is participating in its final exercise before deploying in November.

Photo by Cpl. Chad J. Pulliam

Lima takes down town

4 Oct 2011 | Lance Cpl. Ryan Carpenter 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit

CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. -- A rifle company with the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit eliminated mock enemy forces here Oct. 4 during the unit’s final exercise before deploying in November.

Company L launched in amphibious assault vehicles from the well deck of the amphibious transport dock USS New Orleans and engaged enemy role-players positioned inside of a combat training town.

Sgt. Alex M. Piasecki, a section leader with the company said the training displayed the flexibility and quick reaction of the unit.

“We showed what a Marine expeditionary unit is capable of,” said the 26-year-old Tomball, Texas, native. “From receiving the order, to the time it took to execute the mission, we proved that we could be ready to take the fight to our enemy at a moment's notice.”

The company secured the town building by building, seized weapons and apprehended simulated hostiles.

“The raid went very well,” said Sgt. Jonathan Parker, a 24-year-old Lake Havasu, Ariz., native and squad leader with the company. “The Marines’ quick and deliberate actions enabled us to effectively accomplish our mission.”

Company L is one of three rifle companies with Battalion Landing Team 3/1, the ground combat element for the unit.

A platoon of tracked vehicles from 3rd Assault Amphibian Battalion, Camp Pendleton, Calif., reinforces the Pendleton-based 3rd Battalion, 1st Marines. The platoon provides the go-to means of maneuver for Company L.

All Entries

Marine Corps News

Colonel Caleb Hyatt

Commanding Officer

Colonel Caleb Hyatt is a native of Tamarac, Florida. He was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant following graduation with merit from the United States Naval Academy in May 2001. Colonel Hyatt’s command positions include Guns Platoon Commander, Battery S, 5th Battalion, 10th Marines; Headquarters Battery Commander, 5th Battalion, 11th Marines; Battery R Commander, 5th Battalion, 11th Marines; and Commanding Officer, 2d Battalion, 11th Marines. Colonel Hyatt has deployed in support of Operations IRAQI FREEDOM and ENDURING FREEDOM with artillery, light armored reconnaissance, and logistics units. Colonel Hyatt holds a BS in Computer Science, MA in Management, MMAS in Theater Operations, and an MS in National Security Strategy. Colonel Hyatt is also a 2023 distinguished graduate from the National War College.

Read Biography

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.

Read Biography

Sergeant Major Geronimo Guzman

Sergeant Major

Sergeant Major Guzman enlisted in the Marine Corps in November of 1998. He attended recruit training aboard Marine Corps Recruit Depot, San Diego, California. In April of 1999, Private First Class Guzman transferred to the Material Readiness Battalion, 3rd Force Service Support Group, Okinawa, Japan. In July of 2005, Sergeant Guzman reported to Drill Instructor School, Marine Corps Recruit Depot, San Diego, California. In May of 2011, Staff Sergeant Guzman reported to the Officers Candidate School, Quantico, Virginia. In November of 2019, Sergeant Major Guzman was promoted to his current rank and reported to Recruiting Station Sacramento. In July 2022, Sergeant Major Guzman reported to 1st Maintenance Battalion, where he previously served as the Battalion Sergeant Major.

Read Biography