Mideast Unrest Keeps Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group in the Med
November 22nd, 2012Via: Navy Times:
More than 4,000 Marines and sailors deployed in the Mediterranean were ordered to remain in the region amid continued unrest in the Middle East, officials announced Monday.
The 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, embarked on the three-ship Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group, was ordered late last week to “stay in theater until otherwise directed,” the 24th MEU said Monday in a statement posted on its official Facebook page.
The announcement came just weeks before the 24th MEU, which left North Carolina on March 29, and its three Norfolk, Va.-based ships were expected home from its eight-month deployment.
However, the past week has seen deadly airstrikes in the Gaza Strip, where Israeli forces are battling Hamas militants in cross-border attacks some fear will result in an Israeli ground invasion. Israel is amassing tanks and armored vehicles along the border.
It’s unclear what missions the 24th MEU and Iwo Jima ARG will be asked to do while extended in the 6th Fleet region.
“There are no specific plans for the 24th MEU or Iwo ARG to be employed but their continued presence in the region is a prudent measure to allow the Navy/Marine Corps team to respond to any crisis or contingency, if directed,” officials said in the release.
