Marines to provide security, stability in Iraq
BAGHDAD, Iraq -- The Marine Corps is answering the call to duty overseas as part of Operation Iraqi Freedom II. From now until March 2005, Marines and sailors will conduct security and stability operations in western Iraq to help the people establish a stable and unified Iraq that is at peace with itself and its neighbors.
“We will deploy approximately 25,000 Marines and sailors to Iraq,” said Col Doug Stilwell, Deputy Director of Operations Division, Plans, Policies and Operations, Headquarters Marine Corps. “We’re talking about nine maneuver battalions and required combat support and combat service support.”
As usual, the Marines will operate in an organic Marine Air Ground Task Force (MAGTF). The Corps contribution to OIF II will occur in two seven-month rotations. The first rotation is expected to be from March to September. The second rotation is expected to be from September to March 2005. The Corps will send a division-sized Marine Air Ground Task Force to Iraq. The Marines will primarily relieve the Army’s 3d Armored Cavalry Regiment and 82nd Airborne Division.
Before returning to Iraq, units conducted SASO training in a vacant family housing area near March Air Reserve Base in Southern California. The one-week training was focused on preparing Marines for contingencies they may encounter in Iraq. The training began at the small unit, or squad and platoon level, to gradually sharpen unit cohesion and build skills. The training concluded with a battalion-sized field exercise that enabled the units to practice and test their capabilities to conduct typical missions associated with operations in an urban environment.
In addition to SASO training, Marines are receiving Arabic language immersion training, and all deploying Marines and sailors are receiving cultural education.
Although the preponderance of units will come from I Marine Expeditionary Force, based at Camp Pendleton, CA, Marines and sailors from across the globe will be participating.