The last major US Marine Corps deployment to Afghanistan is underway.On Saturday 4 January,about half of I Marine Expeditionary Force(Forward) command element said goodbye to their families and boarded buses at Camp Pendleton,California to begin their journey.This contingent has around 300 Marines and Sailors and will operate out of Camps Leatherneck and Bastion upon arrival in country,according to Sgt.Jessica Ostroska.The next group of the command element plans to deploy on 12 January.The unit is under the command of Brigadier General Daniel D. Yoo.*
The I MEF(Forward) will assume command of Regional Command(Southwest),comprised of Helmand and Nimroz Provinces.They are replacing Marines and Sailors of II MEF(Forward).Following the command element,other units will join I MEF,including elements of 1st Marine Division;1st Marine Logistics Group;and 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing,for a total of more than 4,000 Marines and Sailors in Operation Enduring Freedom.I MEF is slated to return at the end of 2014.*
The Afghan president,Hamid Karzai,has been given a matter of weeks to sign an agreement to keep US forces in Afghanistan for advice and assistance beyond 2014.The agreement has already been approved by the Afghan national council,the Loya Jirga.The mercurial leader is apparently putting on a display of national pride,when the rest of the country has moved beyond that point to the practical reality of the situation.
Labels:Afghan War,US Marine Corps,Camp Pendleton,I Marine Expeditionary Force,US Navy,President Hamid Karzai,Helmand Province,Nimroz Province,California,Afghanistan
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