Past Events

ICTS Seminar - Post-Attempted Coup in Turkey: Quo Vadis? - Aug. 3, 2016
ICTS Seminar - Post-Attempted Coup in Turkey: Quo Vadis? - Aug. 3, 2016
Potomac Institute for Policy Studies August 3, 2016 Place: The International Law Institute In the wake of the failed coup in July, many questions have arisen both domestically and internationally regarding Turkey’s future political, social, economic, and strategic direction. Interdisciplinary ac...
ICTS Event -The Lone Wolf Terrorist: Past Lessons, Future Outlook, and Response Strategies
ICTS Event -The Lone Wolf Terrorist: Past Lessons, Future Outlook, and Response Strategies
Potomac Institute for Policy Studies July 27, 2016 The latest terrorist incidents in Nice, Baton Rouge, Dallas, Orlando and elsewhere, are once again a grim reminder of the expanding operational roles of "lone wolves." Whether they are self-radicalized or linked to home-grown or foreign groups, the...
ICTS Seminar -“Aviation Security: Past Lessons, Future Outlook, and ‘Best Practices’ Responses”
ICTS Seminar -“Aviation Security: Past Lessons, Future Outlook, and ‘Best Practices’ Responses”
Potomac Institute for Policy Studies June 28, 2016 From aircraft hijackings in the 1970s to 9/11 and the mystery of the Malaysia Airlines Flight 370 in 2014 to the latest destruction of EgyptAir Flight 804 in 2016, critical questions regarding the future outlook for aviation security continue to ch...
ICTS Seminar - Latin American Security Challenges: From the Olympics to Zika - June 23, 2016
ICTS Seminar - Latin American Security Challenges: From the Olympics to Zika - June 23, 2016
International Center for Terrorism Studies at The Potomac Institute for Policy Studies, Inter-University Center for Terrorism Studies, Inter-University Center for Legal Studies at the International Law Institute, Center for National Security Law-University of Virginia School of Law Latin America i...
ICTS Seminar - Maritime Security: Quo Vadis? - May 23, 2016
ICTS Seminar - Maritime Security: Quo Vadis? - May 23, 2016
International Center for Terrorism Studies at the Potomac Institute for Policy Studies, Inter-University Center for Terrorism Studies, Inter-University Center for Legal Studies at the International Law Institute, Center for National Security Law at University of Virginia School of Law The latest t...
ICTS Seminar  - Populist Politics: From Protests to Violence - May 10, 2016
ICTS Seminar - Populist Politics: From Protests to Violence - May 10, 2016
Potomac Institute for Policy Studies International Center for Terrorism Studies, at the Potomac Institute for Policy Studies May 10, 2016 The current election campaigns in the United States and abroad have once again refocused the world’s attention on “populist politics.” Single-issue concern...

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(Photo by Cpl. Ryan Coleman) U.S. Marines and Sailors with the Marine Medium Tiltrotor squadron 264 (REIN), 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) perform flight operations aboard the USS Wasp (LHD-1).

 

On 2 March 2017, the Center for Adaptation and Innovation (CAI) hosted the WASP Amphibious Ready Group (ARG) and the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), as part of its Returning Commander Speaker Series. A MEU is uniquely equipped to be able to handle any crisis that arises while forward deployed. The MEU consists of four key elements, a command element, a ground combat element, an aviation combat element, and a logistics combat element. In total a MEU is comprised of roughly 2,200 Marines and Sailors.

Captain F. Byron Ogden (USN) and Colonel Todd P. Simmons (USMC) led the presentation of the WASP ARG and the 22 MEU. The combined units deployed from 25 June 2016 through 24 December 2016 to the European Command (EUCOM), Africa Command (AFRICOM), and Central Command’s (CENTCOM) Areas-of-Responsibility (AOR). The ARG/MEU provided a forward presence as the Global Response Force, AFRICOM Rapid Response Force, and CENTCOM Theater Reserve. The ARG/MEU also conducted Theater Security Cooperation exercises with 5 different partner nation militaries throughout their deployment.

While deployed, the ARG/MEU took part in Operation ODYSSEY LIGHTNING (OLL). OLL was an effort to counter Daesh in support of host nation forces in Libya. Marine V-22’s were critical in the logistical effort to ensure that all aircraft had proper munitions for the operation. The ARG/ MEU team was able to establish reusable tactics to gather intelligence from the air despite not having direct contact with militia fighters on the ground. Ultimately, the ARG/MEU proved successful in OLL. Their logistical tactics, unique communications strategies, and air power allowed Libya to take back Sirte, a major ISIS stronghold in Libya.