22nd MEU loads ships, prepares to deploy - Marine Corps News | News from Afghanistan & Iraq - Marine Corps Times

22nd MEU loads ships, prepares to deploy

NORFOLK, Va. — The Bataan Amphibious Ready Group left Norfolk, Va., on Wednesday for a scheduled deployment to the Mediterranean and the Persian Gulf.

The group is made up of three ships, 4,000 sailors and 2,200 Marines.

The lead ship is the amphibious assault ship Bataan, and is accompanied by the amphibious transport dock Ponce and the dock landing ship Fort McHenry.

The guided-missile cruiser Anzio also left Wednesday for a regular deployment to the Mediterranean, separate from Bataan, according to 2nd Fleet.

The Bataan ARG will first make its way to Camp Lejeune, N.C., where the major on-load of the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit will begin Thursday, according to Capt. Clark Carpenter, spokesman for the 22nd MEU.

“We’ve been sending things up to the ships since May 1,” he said. “The main load out will commence once the ships arrive here.”

The 22nd MEU consists of 3rd Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 263 (Reinforced) and Combat Logistics Battalion 22.

Embarked on the ships will be a mix of conventional landing craft, air-cushioned, and utility landing craft.

“Bataan Amphibious Ready Group will have four LCACs and two LCUs operating with the ARG during its deployment,” said Lt. Courtney Hillson, spokeswoman for the Navy’s 2nd Fleet in Norfolk. “The LCACs and LCUs will rotate between the Bataan, Ponce and Fort McHenry, as needed based on operations and missions.

Bataan and Ponce are based at the Norfolk Naval Base while Fort McHenry and the assault craft sailors call Naval Amphibious Base Little Creek their home.