The Marine Corps will deploy approximately 3,200 Marines and sailors to Afghanistan in response to a specific request for additional forces from the NATO-International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) commander in Afghanistan.
These seven-month deployments are scheduled to begin this spring and will enable commanders in Afghanistan to maintain the initiative against the Taliban and reinforce NATO-ISAF.
The bulk of the additional forces will come from the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) based at Camp Lejeune, N.C. Comprised of about 2,200 Marines and sailors, the MEU is scheduled to deploy aboard amphibious shipping. It will join Regional Command South and conduct full-spectrum operations.
Approximately 1,000 Marines will come from 2nd Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, from Twentynine Palms, Calif. The battalion will deploy by air and assist in the training and development of the Afghan National Security Forces.
These Marines will bring the total number of Marines deployed to Afghanistan to approximately 3,600. In addition, the Marine Corps is expected to maintain its presence in Iraq, currently with 23,000 Marines.
For more information, call the HQMC Media Branch at (703) 614-4309.