The Bataan Amphibious Ready Group, with members of the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit embarked, transited the Suez Canal into the Mediterranean Sea and 6th Fleet on Oct. 2 — the first step in the ARG's journey home.
When they arrive in Norfolk, Va., late this month, the 4,000 or so sailors and Marines aboard the amphibious assault ship Bataan, amphibious transport dock Mesa Verde and amphibious dock landing ship Gunston Hall — who deployed Feb. 8 — will be the first to collect the new deployment pay, which provides extra money for sailors and Marines who deploy for more than 220 days.
Each member of the MEU/ARG will collect $16.50 for every day afloat past Sept. 17, the day the pay was approved and the day the group reached the 221-day benchmark. If, for example, the ships arrived back in Norfolk on Oct. 30, each sailor and Marine would collect about $700.
Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel on Aug. 30 ordered the Bataan ARG and 22nd MEU to remain in the 5th Fleet 21 days longer than planned, until the beginning of October. It was relieved by the Makin Island ARG and 11th MEU.
In 5th Fleet, the 22nd MEU's air combat element executed strike missions against Islamic State group targets in Iraq, and conducted surveillance flights over Iraq and Syria, according to a Navy news release. The Bataan ARG/MEU also completed two rescues at sea, a number of support operations and participated in the first days of exercise Eager Lion.
Before leaving 6th Fleet and heading across the Atlantic Ocean, the Bataan ARG/MEU will continue to be a forward presence, capable of contingency operations, crisis response, humanitarian assistance, and disaster relief.
