NORFOLK, VA. (WITN) - Sailors and Marines that are part of the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit at Camp Lejeune departed for a regularly scheduled deployment on Thursday, following 9 months of pre-deployment training.

Specifically, the troops are assigned to the Iwo Jima (IWO) Amphibious Ready Group (ARG) - 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) Special Operations Capable (SOC)

Their primary mission is to conduct presence operations and safely embark Marines ashore to conduct a wide variety of contingency missions worldwide.

More than 4,500 Sailors and Marines from the 22nd MEU comprise the force aboard the ARG’s three amphibious ships.

Col. Tom Trimble, commanding officer of the 22nd MEU said the Marines and sailors are ready to serve as the nation’s force of choice, prepared to decisivel

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