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MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. (Jan. 28, 2008) -- Sgt. Jeremy F. Boutwell, a 23-year-old Marine, knows a thing or two about “honor, courage and commitment.” Boutwell, an intelligence specialist with Headquarters and Service Company, 1st Battalion, 9th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force, is planning for an upcoming deployment to Iraq after sustaining severe injuries during an attack in Al Anbar Province, March 14, 2004. Boutwell was an MK-19 machine gunner with Weapons Company, 3rd Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force (forward), when the attack occurred during a motorized routine...

Marine Battalion, Afghan Police Team UpSubmitted by: Combined Joint Task Force - 180Story Identification #: 200451121041Story by Lance Cpl. John E. Lawson Jr. SUROBI, Afghanistan (May 8, 2004) -- The Marines of 2nd Battalion, 8th Marines, have found a new partner in the war on terror. The battalion has joined forces with the Surobi police in both security and civil affairs operations throughout the Surobi District. “America’s Battalion” deployed to Afghanistan late last year, and has spent the past two months operating in the Tagab Valley. The area was once home to numerous Anti-Coalition Militia members. The Afghan Ministry...

Sunday, February 22, 2004 Navy deposits Marines, gear in Kuwait By Scott Schonauer, Stars and StripesEuropean edition, Saturday, February 21, 2004 Scott Schonauer / S&S Marines from the II Marine Expeditionary Force prepare to get on a CH-46 helicopter from the USS Bataan on Friday. Two amphibious assault ships unloaded Marines and gear in Kuwait as part of a huge rotation of forces into Iraq. Scott Schonauer / S&S Navy Seaman Henry Gonzalez moves a cart of Hellfire missiles out of the USS Bataan's magazine Thursday in the Persian Gulf. The Bataan dropped off Iraq-bound Marines and equipment in Kuwait...

Monday, February 9, 2004 Vert reps: Routine, dangerous By Scott Schonauer, Stars and StripesEuropean edition, Monday, February 9, 2004 Scott Schonauer/ S&S Navy aircraft directors guide a helicopter during a vertical replenishment operation aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Bataan on Thursday in the Mediterranean Sea. ABOARD THE USS BATAAN — The helicopter drifted above the ship’s flight deck and hovered within feet of Pvt. John Purcell’s helmet.His mission: Latch a piece of cargo to the belly of the MH-60 Night Hawk and get out of the way quickly — without getting killed, of course. Fighting off hurricane-strength winds, Purcell...

Official U.S. Navy file photo of USS Bataan (LHD 5). View Larger Download HiRes   USS Bataan to Deploy in Support of OIF Force RotationStory Number: NNS040113-06Release Date: 1/13/2004 4:16:00 PM   From U.S. 2nd Fleet Public AffairsNORFOLK, Va. (NNS) -- The multi-purpose amphibious assault ship USS Bataan (LHD 5), will deploy Jan. 19 from Norfolk to the Central Command (CENTCOM) area of responsibility (AOR) in support of the Operation Iraqi Freedom II (OIF II) force rotation. Bataan will provide amphibious lift support for Marines from the Second Marine Expeditionary Force (II MEF) headquartered at Camp Lejeune, N.C. II...

So, with all the yap coming up on Syria's need for attitude adjustment, does anyone know the whereabouts of the II Marine Expeditionary Force, with up to 45,000 troops reported to be floating somewhere in the Northwest Iraqi desert regions...doing...??????

Sky News just said that in the field there have been rumours that the II Marine Expeditionary (14,000- 42,000 strong) is coming from the Northwest to launch a killing blow on Baghdad after wire reports noted that the Baghdad Government may fall in days, not weeks.The suprise force has been laying in wait for weeks in the deserts outside of Jordan.