Marines from our local Twentynine Palms Base, along with those from Camp Pendleton, and Miramar air station, are deploying to the Middle East as part of the military’s “crisis response capability.” The Marine Corps said yesterday that the 2,300 Marine force will be spread throughout the U.S. Central Command area. The force will support security “cooperation events, such as exercises, as well as respond to contingencies.” The force will be headquartered in Kuwait. Called a Special Purpose Marine Air Ground Task Force, the force will include infantry Marines, fixed-wing and rotary aircraft, and headquarters and logistics personnel. The largest number of Marines will be the 2nd Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment from Twentynine Palms Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center. Deploying from Camp Pendleton are Marines from the 5th Marine Regiment headquarters group and a combat logistics group. Aircraft, and supporting Marines, are from Marine Corps Air Station Miramar. Most of the Marines have already deployed. Initial plans are for the Marines to spend a seven-month deployment before being replaced by other units.
