Richard Goodlette

The **11th Marine Expeditionary Unit (11th MEU)**, activated in 1979, is a forward-deployed, rapid-response force of the United States Marine Corps based at Camp Pendleton, California. As part of the I Marine Expeditionary Force, the 11th MEU is designed to deploy quickly by sea, air, or land to conduct a range of missions, including amphibious assaults, humanitarian assistance, and crisis response operations. Over the decades, the 11th MEU has participated in major operations such as Operation Desert Storm, Operation Enduring Freedom, and Operation Iraqi Freedom, providing vital support in combat and peacekeeping roles. The unit continues to serve as a key element of America’s global force-in-readiness, routinely deploying to the Western Pacific and the Middle East.