24th MARINE EXPEDITIONARY UNIT (MEU)

During the 1960s and 1970s, what is today the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) was activated at various times as the 34th Marine Amphibious Unit (MAU) 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).

It continued to make routine six-month deployments to the Mediterranean during the next six years while also providing forces for operations in the Arabian Gulf.

The 24th MAU was redesignated the 24th MEU in February 1988.

On April 16, 1991, following Operation Desert Storm, elements of the 24th MEU, along with other U.S. and allied forces, were mobilized to complete a mission of mercy on behalf of the Kurdish people in Turkey and northern Iraq. During Operation Provide Comfort, the MEU delivered food, supplies and medicine and transported Kurds to “safe havens” and temporary tent cities.

The 24th MEU took part in Operations Restore Hope and Continue Hope, keeping Somali warlords at bay during March and April 1993. The MEU furthered its mission by providing humanitarian aid to the Somalis by transporting much needed food and aid to many remote areas of the country.

Between January and March 1994, the 24th MEU returned to the shores of Somalia in support of Operation Continue Hope.

The MEU then turned eastward, entering the Adriatic Sea, where from May to June 1994, it served in support of Operations Provide Promise and Deny Flight in Bosnia-Herzegovina.

Immediately upon returning from its six-month deployment, the 24th MEU, always vigilant, redeployed to the waters of the Caribbean, off the coast of Haiti. The MEU served there from July to August 1994 as part of Operation Support Democracy.

In June 1995, elements of the 24th MEU launched a daring, daylight Tactical Recovery of Aircraft and Personnel mission to rescue Air Force Captain Scott O’Grady, who had been shot down over Bosnia-Herzegovina six days earlier.

In 1996, the MEU served as a contingency force in the Adriatic Sea in support of Operation Decisive Endeavor. Near the end of October 1996, units from the MEU assisted U.S. Army and allied engineers with the construction of a bridge across the Drina River in Bosnia.

During 1998, the MEU was diverted from its regular deployment schedule to provide a forward presence in the Arabian Gulf as the U.S. Fifth Fleet landing force in support of Operation Desert Thunder. In addition, the MEU used its aviation assets to enforce the Iraqi no-fly-zone in support of Operation Southern Watch.

During November and December 1998, Marines from the 24th MEU were called upon to provide security for the American embassy in Tirana, Albania.

In March 1998, the MEU conducted 34 battlefield air interdiction missions as part of the NATO air campaign against Yugoslavia, attacking with its AV-8B Harriers from the Adriatic Sea.

From 1999 to 2001, the 24th MEU participated in numerous multinational military exercises and conducted peace support operations in Kosovo.

In August 2002, the 24th MEU departed with the Nassau Amphibious Ready Group. During its nine-month deployment, the MEU participated in Operation Dynamic Response in Kosovo and Operation Iraqi Freedom before returning home in May 2003.

In July 2004, the MEU departed for Iraq again. The deployment marked the first time in recent history that a MEU did not deploy as part of an ARG. Arriving in Iraq by plane and cargo ships, the MEU served as part of the 1st Marine Division during Operation Iraqi Freedom II. The MEU was responsible for stability and security in northern Babil and southern Baghdad provinces, reported safe havens for anti-Iraqi insurgents.

The 24th MEU’s decorations include the Joint Meritorious Unit Commendation Streamer with one Bronze Star; Navy Unit Commendation Streamer with one Bronze Star; Meritorious Unit Commendation Streamer; Marine Corps Expeditionary Streamer; National Defense Service Streamer; Armed Forces Service Streamer with one bronze star; Armed Forces Expeditionary Streamer with two Bronze Stars; and the Southwest Asia Service Streamer.

External links

• Unit website