Marines return home after nine-month deployment

Ninety Marines from Marine Attack Squadron 311 and Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 13 returned home to Yuma Wednesday evening. On Tuesday, six Harriers and six pilots returned to MCAS Yuma.

Bused in San Diego, the Marines were met by anxious and excited family members at the VMA-311 hangar.

The Marines just completed an approximate nine-month deployment with the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit, in which they were stationed aboard the USS Boxer.

The 15th MEU departed San Diego Naval Station on Sept. 13 and deployed to the Western Pacific, Indian Ocean and Persian Gulf.

During its deployment, the unit conducted bilateral training in the Maldives and India before landing in Kuwait and subsequently going into Iraq in November to support counterinsurgency operations.

While in Iraq, the 15th MEU conducted combat operations throughout the Anbar Province and contributed to increased security and the establishment of municipal governance and local police forces.

The 15th MEU completed its assignment in Iraq during mid-April. The Marines returned to Kuwait to re-embark on their ships.

On its return trip to Southern California, the 15th MEU briefly stopped in Australia and Hawaii for routine port visits.