Elements of 13th MEU training on Guam - Marine Corps News | News from Afghanistan & Iraq - Marine Corps Times

Elements of 13th MEU training on Guam

More than 300 Marines with the 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit landed on Guam on Sunday to conduct sustainment training, according to a Marine news release.

The Marines, based at Camp Pendleton, Calif., will practice landing support, patrolling and marksmanship in addition to a simulated helicopter raid and parachute exercise, said 1st Lt. Jaymie Sicking, a spokeswoman for the MEU.

“We’re using the whole island and all the training areas that we can. It’s just a great place to utilize the jungle training that we don’t get back at home,” she said. “It’s always important for us to train and do something unfamiliar.”

On Feb. 1, the MEU, traveling aboard the amphibious assault ship Boxer, offloaded personnel, vehicles and equipment at Reserve Craft Beach. “We’re setting up a little base camp to show how long it takes and what’s required to do our job,” said Lance Cpl. Justin Sansoucie.

Once the off-loading was complete, the vehicles formed a convoy and drove to Naval Base Guam where they employed their CH-53 helicopters to conduct an “external lift” of two 155mm Howitzers.

The MEU will train until Thursday, after which they will be given on-shore liberty. Sicking said the Marines will be given three or four days to rest and see the island.

By 2014, 8,000 Marines and their dependents will relocate from Okinawa to Guam.