The Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group (ARG) and the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) returned home to installations based in the Hampton Roads, Va., area Dec. 20, after completing an eight-and-a-half-month deployment to the Red Sea and Mediterranean in support of U.S. 5th Fleet and 6th Fleet operations. Returning to Norfolk Naval Station, Va., were the amphibious assault ship Iwo Jima, the amphibious dock-landing ship Gunston Hall, the amphibious transport dock ship New York, Amphibious Squadron 8, Tactical Air Control Squadron 21, Fleet Surgical Team 4, Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron 22, and Naval Beach Group, including Assault Craft Unit (ACU) 2, ACU 4, and Beachmaster Unit 2. The Marine contingent includes: Battalion Landing Team, 1st Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment; Aviation Combat Element, Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 261 (Reinforced) and Logistics Combat Element, Combat Logistics Battalion 24. Peleliu ARG and 15th MEU relieved Iwo Jima ARG and 24th MEU in November.
