The Most Vigorous Marine Unit

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The Most Vigorous Marine Unit
Marine Corps News | January 11, 2008

CAMP COURTNEY, OKINAWA, Japan - The Marines and Sailors of "The Fighting Third" finished 2007 as one of the most heavily engaged units in the Marine Corps, with deployments in support of the Global War on Terror, training exercises throughout the Pacific, and rigorous training in Okinawa, Hawaii, and California.

"We are the only permanently forward-deployed division in the Corps and the commitment of our Marines, Sailors and their families to support our mission has been incredible," said Maj. Gen. Robert B. Neller, the commanding general of the 3rd Marine Division.

Neller, who served previously as 1st Marine Division's assistant commander, took charge June 11, replacing Brig. Gen. Joseph V. Medina as the division's commanding general. Neller assumed command of a division whose units were deployed throughout the Western Pacific and the Middle East supporting regional security and combating terrorism.

Like the 1st and 2nd Marine Divisions based in the continental United States, 3rd Marine Division units deploy regularly in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom. This year alone, the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Battalions of the 3rd Marine Regiment deployed to Iraq's Al Anbar province to combat Al Qaeda and bolster security in the region. Marines and Sailors from 1st Bn., 12th Marines and augments from Okinawa manned Task Force MP, conducting a variety of missions ranging from convoy escorts to vehicle checkpoint operations.

Marines and Sailors from throughout the division also deployed four Military Transition Teams that trained Iraqi soldiers to assume responsibility for their country's security. Additionally, counter-battery radar detachments from 12th Marine Regiment, Truck Company, Headquarters Battalion and numerous individual Marine augments also deployed to Iraq in 2007.


Rest of article at: http://www.military.com/features/0,15240,159847,00.html