Marines and Sailors from the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit will be training at several locations in downtown and metro Los Angeles from Dec. 5-16 to prepare the unit for its deployment to the Western Pacific and Middle East next spring.

Additionally, the MEU will train at numerous training locations throughout California, Nevada, and Arizona. The combination of these locations supports mission-essential training and brings a dimension of urban realism not found on a singular military base. For safety and security reasons, specific locations within Los Angeles will be withheld until after the training occurs.

All aspects of this training have been coordinated with federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies. Additionally, measures have been taken to reduce the amount of aircraft noise during the training, but nearby residents may hear the sound of helicopters or other aircraft.

The Marines respectfully request that local citizens near the training venues keep a distance from the training for their own safety and that of the service members.

The mission of the MEU is to provide a rapid-response force capable of conducting conventional amphibious and selected maritime operations from the sea, surface or air.

“Realistic urban training allows the Marines and sailors of the 15th MEU to exercise vital skills to better prepare them for what they may face while forward deployed,” said Col. Vance L. Cryer, the 15th MEU’s commanding officer. “Bringing together the entire Marine Air-Ground Task Force in an exercise such as this one allows us quality, realistic training that is essential for unit readiness.”

The MEU is composed of a command element and three major subordinate elements. They are Battalion Landing Team 3/1, Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 161 (Reinforced) and Combat Logistics Battalion 15, the ground, aviation and logistics elements respectively.