Afghan Tour Extended for 24th MEU

The contingent of 2,200 Marines from the 24^th Marine Expeditionary Unit will remain in Afghanistan through November, a month longer than planned. The extension, approved July 3 by Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates, comes at the request of the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force. During its tour, the 24^th MEU has seen extensive combat in the country’s volatile southern region. Twelve Marines have been killed in combat with Taliban and al-Qaida elements since the unit deployed from Camp Lejeune in March.