About this Unit
The 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) is a rapid-response, air-ground task force of the United States Marine Corps, established in 1982. Headquartered at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, it has participated in major operations including peacekeeping in Lebanon during the early 1980s, combat and humanitarian missions in Somalia and Bosnia in the 1990s, and multiple deployments in support of Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom. The 24th MEU specializes in crisis response, often embarking aboard U.S. Navy amphibious ships as part of an Amphibious Ready Group. Its flexible composition allows the unit to conduct a wide range of missions, from combat operations to disaster relief around the globe.
Historical Facts
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Origins: The 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) traces its lineage to World War II, but the current unit was officially activated in 1982 as the 24th Marine Amphibious Unit (MAU).
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Operation Urgent Fury: The 24th MEU participated in the 1983 invasion of Grenada, providing rapid-response forces to secure American citizens and restore order.
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Beirut Bombing: On October 23, 1983, the 24th MAU's headquarters was struck by a suicide truck bomb in Beirut, Lebanon, resulting in the loss of 241 service members—the deadliest single-day loss for the Marine Corps since Iwo Jima.
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Name Change: In 1988, the unit’s designation changed from "Amphibious Unit" (MAU) to "Expeditionary Unit" (MEU), reflecting a broader mission set.
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Balkans Operations: The 24th MEU participated in peacekeeping and combat operations in Bosnia and Kosovo during the 1990s, including Operation Deny Flight and Operation Joint Endeavor.
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Humanitarian Assistance: The unit played a key role in humanitarian relief operations after the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami, providing aid and disaster relief in Sri Lanka and Indonesia.
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Global War on Terror: The 24th MEU has deployed multiple times to Iraq and Afghanistan, including the 2008 deployment to Garmsir, Helmand Province, Afghanistan, where it fought intense battles with Taliban insurgents.
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Special Capabilities: The 24th MEU is a Marine Air-Ground Task Force (MAGTF), capable of rapid deployment by sea, air, and land, and includes its own aviation, logistics, and ground combat elements.
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First Use of MV-22 Osprey: The 24th MEU was among the first MEUs to deploy with the MV-22 Osprey tilt-rotor aircraft, enhancing its operational reach and flexibility.
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Recent Deployments: The 24th MEU has continued to serve on the frontlines of crisis response, including evacuating U.S. personnel from embassies during unrest in Yemen (2015) and providing security and humanitarian aid across the globe.
