MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. -- Family members and friends anxiously lined the road in front of the Goettge Memorial Field House hoping to catch a glimpse of buses off in the distance. As the buses finally pulled up, they intensely scanned the windows hoping to catch the first glance of their loved ones.
The last of the II Marine Expeditionary Force (Forward) returned here from Iraq after supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom, Feb. 10.
Lt. Col. Shawn Farrington, the executive officer for Headquarters Battalion, II MEF (Fwd), returned during December to organize II MEF’s return. A great deal of work went into arranging the homecoming involving everything from tracking flights to coordinating a location for the return, he said.
“The homecomings today brought the last of 10 flights of 14,000 Marines home from the command element,” Farrington said.
The families enjoyed an inflatable bouncer for the children and plenty of food and refreshments while waiting for the Marines and sailors to return.
The wife of Chief Petty Officer Donald Pittman, an independent duty corpsman who was deployed to Iraq with II MEF (Fwd), said she was impressed with the set up for the homecoming.
All of the work that had gone into the homecoming celebrated the accomplishments of the Marines while deployed.
“I left here last September when Al Anbar province had been written off. When I came back in February with Anbar
Awakening, it was a complete change,” said Lt. Col. Donald Jim, a senior watch officer with II MEF (Fwd). “The sheiks were cooperating and the attacks were down. Overall, the cooperation with the Iraqis and the Marines improved dramatically.”
Seaman Tristan Jenkins, a hospital corpsman with II MEF (Fwd) agreed adding the Marines who relieved them are set to turn over provincial Iraqi control to the Iraqis during April. The Iraqis taking control of the area is the final step in the right direction, he said.
The families held tight to their Marines treasuring their embraces with their loved ones after their yearlong deployment. The Marines carried their bags to their vehicles holding their heads high, knowing they accomplished their mission and can now rest until they are called upon again.