24th Marine Expeditionary Unit Public Affairs Office Camp Lejeune, N.C.

Contact: 1stLt Adam Flores

Office: 910-451-0615

Cell: 910-358-5272

Email: [email protected]

Release #1-14 July 14, 2014

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

24th Marine Expeditionary Unit conducts training in Natural Bridge, Va.

CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. – Marines and Sailors of the Camp Lejeune, N.C.-based 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit will conduct training near the towns of Natural Bridge, Lynchburg, Dinwiddie, and Creeds, Virginia, in the coming days to help them prepare for their pending deployment later this year.

The Marines from Camp Lejeune will conduct this training from July 21-30, with exercises planned off base for July 23, in Natural Bridge, July 24, in Dinwiddie, and July 29, in Creeds, Virginia, as part of their Realistic Urban Training Exercise, or RUT, which allows the Marines to train in completely new areas that are unique from the standard training facilities they use on bases.

Marines will also utilize the Falwell Airport in Lynchburg as a staging area for military aircraft in preparation for the Natural Bridge training exercise.

Much of the training will center on what the Marines call situational training exercises. The MEU will be issued a series of mock orders, designed to replicate the types of missions they’re likely to face during their deployment, then plan the missions in detail and execute them in pre- designated locations that have already been coordinated with community officials and law enforcement.

Residents of Natural Bridge, Dinwiddie, Creeds, and surrounding communities, may see Marines and role players periodically throughout the exercise and are likely to notice more military aircraft and ground vehicles than usual operating in the area.

The 24th MEU is slated to be the landing force for the Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group, which currently consists of the amphibious assault ships USS Iwo Jima, USS New York and USS Fort McHenry. The ships are based out of Norfolk, Va., and Mayport, Fla.

Since 1985, the three Camp Lejeune-based MEUs have used numerous cities throughout the United States to simulate the kinds of hotspots to which MEUs are often called to in a crisis. In 2009, the 24th MEU conducted RUT in Indiana and Kentucky and in 2012 they trained near the towns of Farmville and Creeds, Virginia.

The 24th MEU is composed of its Command Element, which consists of the commander and his staff; a from Landing Team 3rd Battalion, ; an Aviation Command Element from Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 365 (Reinforced); and a Logistics Combat Element from Combat Logistics Battalion 24.

The Marines and Sailors began their pre-deployment training program in June with a series of land-based exercises. RUT is the first of several major exercises for the 24th MEU that will culminate with the MEU's participation in Exercise Bold Alligator 14 throughout October and November.

The 24th MEU is scheduled to deploy at the end of the year to the European, Africa and Central Command theaters of operations.

If locals have concerns about the training or questions about the noise of the aircraft the following number is provided as a “hotline” – 910-467-8693

If media would like more information about this training or wish to attend any of the training events contact the following: POC: 1stLt Adam Flores 910-358-5272 [email protected]

-USMC-

Information about the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit -

A MEU is considered America’s 911 Force - always forward deployed, ready to respond to a variety of crises from full-scale combat to humanitarian assistance. A MEU consists of a Command Element, Ground Combat Element, , and Combat Logistics Element. The 24th MEU will be made up of the following units: Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 365 (based out of New River Air Station, N.C. with AV-8B Harrier attachments from Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point); Battalion Landing Team 3rd Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment (based out of Camp Lejeune, N.C., which include various attachments of , reconnaissance, assault amphibious vehicles, and other support units), and Combat Logistics Battalion 24 (based out of Camp Lejeune, N.C.). They will deploy on ships of Amphibious Squadron 8 (PHIBRON 8): the multipurpose USS Iwo Jima (LHD 7); the amphibious transport dock ship USS New York (LPD 21); and the amphibious dock landing ship USS Fort McHenry (LSD 43). There are three MEUs on the East Coast (22nd, 24th, and 26th) and three on the West Coast (11th, 13th, and 15th), with a seventh based out of Okinawa (31st MEU.) The 22nd MEU is currently deployed from Camp Lejeune.

For more information or for imagery and video of the 24th MEU, visit the unit's websites: http://www.marines.mil/unit/24thmeu http://www.facebook.com/24thmeu http://www.flickr.com/24meu http://www.dvidshub.net/units/24thmeu http://www.twitter.com/24thmeu