Kearsarge ARG, 26th MEU Return to East Coast; Artillery Detachment Remains in Iraq

April 28, 2016 1:40 PM - Updated: April 29, 2016 9:40 AM
 U.S. Marines with Task Force Spartan, 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), on Fire Base Bell, Iraq, fire an M777A2 Howitzer at an ISIS infiltration route March 18, 2016. US Marine Corps Photo
U.S. Marines with Task Force Spartan, 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), on Fire Base Bell, Iraq, fire an M777A2 Howitzer at an ISIS infiltration route March 18, 2016. US Marine Corps Photo

THE PENTAGON — Sailors and Marines assigned to the Kearsarge Amphibious Ready Group and the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit will begin returning from a seven-month deployment to the Middle East starting today, according to a statement from the 26th MEU.

However, an artillery detachment from the 26th MEU assigned to a collation fire support base in Iraq will remain until an unnamed Army unit relieves them, the service said.

A member the MEU detachment, Staff Sgt. Louis F. Cardin, of Temecula, Calif., assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment, was killed at Fire Base Bell last month in an Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS) rocket attack.

“Cardin was providing force protection fire support at a recently established coalition fire base near Makhmour, southeast of Iraq’s second largest city, Mosul, when he was killed,” reported Stars and Stripes.

Anti-ISIS coalition spokesman, U.S. Army Col. Steve Warren, told reporters on Wednesday that the MEU detachment — Task Force Spartan — could remain in Iraq for up to four more months in support of Operation Inherent Resolve (OIR) until their replacements arrive.

In addition to the artillery detachment, the MEU’s AV-8B Harriers also conducted strikes against ISIS targets operating from USS Kearsarge (LHD-3) in November.

The three-ship ARG/MEU – which included Kearsarge, amphibious transport dock ship USS Arlington (LPD-24), amphibious dock landing ship USS Oak Hill (LSD-51), left the East Coast in October for the deployment.

USS Kearsarge (LHD-3) (right) and the amphibious dock landing ship USS Oak Hill (LSD-51) (left) transit alongside the Military Sealift Command fleet replenishment oiler USNS Kanawha (T-AO-196) on April 7, 2016. US Navy Photo
USS Kearsarge (LHD-3) (right) and the amphibious dock landing ship USS Oak Hill (LSD-51) (left) transit alongside the Military Sealift Command fleet replenishment oiler USNS Kanawha (T-AO-196) on April 7, 2016. US Navy Photo

The following is the Thursday statement from the 26th MEU.

MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. –Marines and Sailors of the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit, deployed aboard Amphibious Ready Group shipping, are scheduled to return to Camp Lejeune and Marine Corps Air Stations Cherry Point and New River, April 28 through May 2, 2016, after a 7-month deployment to the 5th and 6th Fleet areas of operations.

The 26th MEU consists of Battalion Landing Team 2/6, Combat Logistics Battalion 26, and Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM) 162 (reinforced).

During their deployment, Marines of the 26th MEU participated in five theater security cooperation exercises, eleven subject matter expert exchanges with partner nations, and sustainment training throughout the region. AV-8B Harriers from VMM-162(REIN) flew missions in support of Operation INHERENT RESOLVE and a detachment of Marines deployed to Iraq to provide counterbattery fire support. Marines supporting OIR continue to operate in Iraq and will redeploy once they are relieved by an Army unit. Their exact return date is yet to be officially determined.

Press are invited to view the homecoming of Marines from the Command Element Saturday, April 30 from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.

Sam LaGrone

Sam LaGrone

Sam LaGrone is the editor of USNI News. He has covered legislation, acquisition and operations for the Sea Services since 2009 and spent time underway with the U.S. Navy, U.S. Marine Corps and the Canadian Navy.
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