22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit
Military Unit
unit_name= 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit | image= | caption= 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit insignia | dates= December 1, 1982 | country= United States | allegiance= | branch= USMC | type= | role= | size= ~ 2,200 | command_structure= | current_commander= Col Kenneth F. McKenzie, Jr. | garrison= | ceremonial_chief= | colonel_of_the_regiment= | nickname= 2nd MEU | patron= | motto= | colors= | march= | mascot= | battles= | notable_commanders= | anniversaries=
The 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit or 22nd MEU was activated December 1, 1982, as the 22nd Marine Amphibious Unit or MAU. This original activation was actually a redesignation of the 32nd MAU, which had been deployed regularly throughout the Caribbean and Mediterranean regions for some twenty years. Additionally, the 32nd MAU had operated within Lebanon."Provide the United States with a forward-deployed, amphibious force-in-readiness capable of executing mission across the full spectrum of combat and military operations other than war."During Operation Urgent Fury, the MAU participated with a number of helicopter and surface landings on the island of Grenada, eventually occupying over 75% of the island.
Redesignated the 22nd MAU, it deployed with the 24th and 26th MAUs in numerous operations and exercises throughout the 1980s, with the "Amphibious" moniker being dropped in favor of "Expeditionary" on February 5, 1988. Additionally, in 1986, the MAU was the third MAU designated Special Operations-Capable ("SOC").
In the 1990s, the 22nd MEU participated in operations in Liberia, Zaire, the Central African Republic, the Republic of Congo, and Sierra Leone. Additionally, the MEU participated in peacekeeping missions in the Balkans region.
The 22nd MEU gained particular distinction during Operation Enduring Freedom, operating from Forward Operating Base Ripley in Afghanistan's Oruzgan Province. During four months of operations, it earned the distinction of "the most successful campaign in the history of Operation Enduring Freedom" [1].
* List of Marine Expeditionary Units
* List of United States Marine Corps battalions
* List of United States Marine Corps aircraft squadrons
* List of United States Marine Corps logistics groups* 22nd MEU Official Website
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