Petty Officer Third Class Marc Kleihauer, a coprsman with the Regimental Combat Team 6, waits with his wife Norene, and his two children across the street from the 6th RCT headquarters building, Jan. 5, while the first large wave of Marines and sailiors leave for Iraq. The RCT is scheduled for a 13 month deployment to Iraq in support of Opperation Iraqi Freedom.

Photo by Cpl. Thomas J. Hermesman

Regimental Combat Team moves out to support

14 Jan 2009 | Cpl. Thomas J. Hermesman 2nd Marine Division

MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. -- Regimental Combat Team 6, II Marine Expeditionary Force (Forward), departed Jan. 5 for a deployment in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.

“We are going to help and support (Iraq) and I am honored to be a part of it,” said Maj. Patrick McCuen, the incoming forward operating base coordinator at Camp Baharia, Fallujah.

The unit’s deployments began in 2004 when they deployed to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. Their first OIF deployment came three years later.

The unit is comprised of experienced Marines and those who are on their first tour. Among those, Pvt. Joshua Jones, a radio operator, expressed his opinions on his first deployment.

“I am ready to go,” Jones said. “The only thing I am worried about is being gone so long.”

Regimental Combat Team 6 is scheduled for a one-year deployment. They will be supporting Iraqi civilians and Iraqi Forces.