10th Marine Regiment

FA Journal, Nov-Dec, 2004

As the 2d Marine Division's Arm of Decision, the 10th Marine Regiment, Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, has supported many operational deployments and exercises during the last two years.

Throughout this period, firing batteries deployed in support of the 22d, 24th and 26th Marine Expeditionary Units (MEUs) and contributed to Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF), Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) and many exercises around the world in support of the Global War on Terrorism.

10th Marines also continuously supported the Marine Corps' unit deployment program (UDP) to the 3d Marine Division in Okinawa, Japan.

From January to June 2003, 1st Battalion, 10th Marines (Reinforced) deployed with Regimental Combat Team (RCT)-2, the ground combat element for Task Force Tarawa, in support of OIF. The battalion fired more than 2,000 rounds during the Battle of An Nasiriyah, which lasted from 23 March until 2 April 2003.

Battery I, 3d Battalion; Battery R, 5th Battalion; and radar teams from the regiment were attached to 1st Marine Division units for OIF and supported combat actions throughout Iraq, to include the areas in and around Baghdad.

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Elements of the regiment also supported 8th Marines in Haiti, 6th Marines in Afghanistan, the Pan Sahel Initiative and operations in the Horn of Africa and the Republic of Georgia.

The 2d Battalion transformed itself into a provisional rifle battalion and, along with Battery S, 5th Battalion, deployed in September 2004 in support of OIF II.

In addition to operational commitments and a new focus on provisional infantry readiness, 10th Marines ensured artillery proficiency with its semi-annual deployments to Fort Bragg, North Carolina, for exercise Rolling Thunder. The regiment supported a multitude of exercises on Camp Lejeune and served as the Marine air-ground task force (MAGTF) headquarters for type commander's amphibious training (TCAT) in December 2003 and Fleet Week 2004. Additionally, the 10th Marines provided teams to test new equipment, such as the arctic phase testing of the M777 lightweight 155-mm howitzer.

The 10th Marine Regiment continues to prepare units for deployment to OIF III and stands ready to provide timely and accurate fires as the 2d Marine Division's Arm of Decision!