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24th MEU begins setting up in Afghanistan

A majority of the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit has arrived in Afghanistan and begun setting up its base in Kandahar province, Marine Corps officials said.

More than 2,300 Marines are building a new tent city with living and logistics facilities. The unit will fall under the NATO command in the region known as Regimental Command South, Capt. Kelly Frushour, a MEU spokeswoman, said in an e-mail.

The MEU, including 1st Battalion, 6th Marines, is the first Marine expeditionary unit deployed to Afghanistan since 2004. It will conduct “full-spectrum operations” in the region, where former elements of the Taliban regime and other insurgents continue to mount attacks.

Col. Peter Petronzio, the MEU’s commander, and other top officers have begun meeting with adjacent commands in the region, Frushour said.

The unit recently brought in helicopters belonging to its aviation combat element, Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 365, Frushour said.

Later this year, an additional 1,000 leathernecks will deploy to Afghanistan from Twentynine Palms, Calif.-based 2nd Battalion, 7th Marines. The battalion will focus on training Afghan troops, officials said.