USS Boxer Amphibious Ready Group and 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit are preparing to deploy on February 12.
Over 4,500 sailors and Marines will depart San Diego for the 3rd, 5th and 7th areas of operation.
"The Boxer ARG, 13th MEU team has truly excelled in their preparation for deployment," said Capt. Keith Moore, Commander, Amphibious Squadron One. "The Sailors and Marines of the ARG/MEU team are well trained and ready to deploy in support of all missions."
The ARG and MEU teams were required to complete and pass training that tested their capabilities during real world scenarios they may face while deployed.
The 13th MEU is comprised of a ground combat element, Battalion Landing Team 2nd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment; an aviation combat element, Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 166 (Reinforced); a logistics combat element, Combat Logistics Battalion 13; and a command element.
"I echo the Commodore's statements," stated Col. Anthony Henderson, Commanding Officer, 13th MEU. " Whether a humanitarian assistance mission or combat operations, we are ready. An equally critical contribution to our nation's security is the presence and interaction of America's sons and daughters of this Navy-Marine Corps team around the world as representatives of freedom, liberty, and hope."
The ARG/MEU teams serve as a sea-based crisis response force capable of conducting missions across a full range of military operations.
Local
The USS Boxer’s mission while deployed is to ‘help provide deterrence, promote peace and security, preserve freedom of the seas and provide humanitarian assistance/disaster response as well as support the Navy's Maritime Strategy.’
