11th MEU, Bonhomme Richard ARG to deploy Friday - Marine Corps News | News from Afghanistan & Iraq - Marine Corps Times

11th MEU, Bonhomme Richard ARG to deploy Friday

OCEANSIDE, Calif. — About 4,500 Marines and sailors will deploy Friday from San Diego on a scheduled deployment to the Western Pacific and Persian Gulf regions, Navy officials said Tuesday.

The Camp Pendleton, Calif.-based 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit will head out with the Bonhomme Richard Amphibious Ready Group, comprised of amphibious ship Bonhomme Richard, transport dock ship Cleveland and dock landing ship Rushmore, U.S. Third Fleet officials in San Diego said in a news release.

Leading the ready group is Navy Capt. Rodney Clark, who commands San Diego-based Amphibious Squadron 7. The ready group includes Tactical Air Control Squadron 12’s Detachment 1; Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron 23’s Detachment 3; Assault Craft Unit 1’s Detachment B; ACU-5’s Detachment F; Beachmaster Unit 1’s Detachment B; and Fleet Surgical Team 9.

The 2,100-member 11th MEU, commanded by Col. Gregg Olson, includes Battalion Landing Team 2/4, Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 166 (Reinforced) and Combat Logistics Battalion 11.