PORTLAND—
Governor Paul LePage welcomed home approximately 130 Marines and Sailors late in the afternoon on Wednesday, February 22, at the Portland International Jetport. The service men and women were assigned to Company A, 1st Battalion, 25th Marine Regiment, 4th Marine Division, Marine Corps Forces Reserve. These Marines and Sailors returned home from a ten-month deployment in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.
“It was an honor to welcome our men and women in uniform home from Afghanistan,” said Governor LePage. “It is important we recognize our service men and women, remembering that some make the ultimate sacrifice to keep us safe at home. On behalf of all Mainers, I extend my sincerest thank you to these courageous service members, and their families for the sacrifice and commitment they have shown to our great state and nation.”
The Marines spent three months in California, where they underwent extensive pre-deployment cultural and counterinsurgency training. After the training, the Marines deployed to Afghanistan for seven months. They were assigned to NATO Training Mission-Afghanistan. The mission was focused on training Afghan Security Forces for the transition of security responsibilities from NATO to the government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan.
This was the unit’s second deployment in support of Operation Enduring Freedom; however it was their first deployment to Afghanistan. In 2003, 1st Battalion, 25th Marines deployed in support of Operations Enduring Freedom and Noble Eagle. In 2006, the unit also deployed to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Photo Caption: Governor LePage welcomes home one of nearly 130 Marines and Sailors at the Portland Int. Airport on Wednesday, February 22. (Courtesy Photo)
