Marines drop in on Fort Pickett out of the blue 

Marines from Battalion Landing Team, 3rd Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit, participated in a parachute drop Jan. 10, 2009, at Blackstone Army Airfield aboard Fort Pickett, Va., a Virginia Army National Guard Maneuver Training Center.

The drop was executed in addition to the 22nd MEU's Realistic Urban Training, which it is conducting aboard Fort Pickett and in surrounding communities.

The purpose of RUT is to enhance the 22nd MEU's capability to conduct operations in a realistic urban environment prior to an overseas deployment.

The Marines are taking advantage of many diverse training venues available aboard Fort Pickett to include live-fire convoy courses, urban villages, tank ranges, artillery firing positions and several small-arms ranges.

Marines from the Camp Lejeune-based MEU began arriving at Fort Pickett Jan. 4, and will be training aboard the base until Jan. 24.

The 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit is a scalable, multipurpose force of more than 2,200 Marines and sailors. Commanded by Col. Gareth F. Brandl, it consists of its Ground Combat Element, BLT 3/2; Aviation Combat Element, Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 263 (Reinforced); Logistics Combat Element, Combat Logistics Battalion 22; and its Command Element.

The 22nd MEU is currently conducting pre-deployment training and is scheduled to deploy this spring. For more information about the 22nd MEU, visit the unit's website at www.22meu.usmc.mil.
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