The Potomac Institute for Policy Studies will host a program presented by the USMC Returning Commander speaker series on Wednesday, January 16, from 3-4:30 pm at the Institute, by the commanders of the USS Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group (IWO JIMA ARG) and the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU). During a nine-month deployment, CAPT Art Garcia, USN, and Col Frank Donovan, USMC, led a Navy-Marine Corps team that completed missions across the Middle East, the Persian Gulf, Africa and Southwest Asia. Registration is required: please see below for details.

The IWO JIMA ARG/24 MEU includes the amphibious assault ship USS Iwo Jima, the amphibious transport dock USS New York, and the amphibious dock landing ship USS Gunston Hall. More than 4,000 Sailors and Marines embarked in March 2012 on the deployment, which was extended in November amid ongoing turmoil in the Middle East.

During its deployment, the IWO ARG/24 MEU supported a variety of maritime security operations, provided crisis response capability, promoted increased theater security cooperation, and provided forward naval presence in the 5th and the 6th Fleet areas of operation.
This briefing promises to be another great opportunity to hear about US missions in current world hot spots. Refreshments will follow the presentation.
To register, please provide name and affiliation to Dominique Hammonds at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or 703-525-0770.