Marines to train throughout Virginia in January

About 2,200 Marines and sailors with the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit from Camp Lejeune, N.C., will train at Fort Pickett and other places in Virginia next month.

The majority of the Marines will do their training on Fort Pickett, but small groups will take part in urban training events with local and federal officials, the unit said.

The overall exercise from Jan. 9-24 is aimed at enhancing the unit’s capability to operate in populated environments—with downtown, industrial and village characteristics—before deploying overseas this spring.

Virginia locations that may see activity include Bremo, Buena Vista, Burkeville, Fork Union, Lawrenceville, Lexington and McKinney and counties of Henrico, Brunswick, Fluvanna, Nottoway and Rockbridge.

During the exercise, the unit will fly Huey, Super Cobras and Super Stallion helicopters, Harrier jets, and Osprey tiltrotor aircraft.

The Marine Corps said it will work closely with city and county officials in planning and performing the training.

The unit conducted similar training in central Virginia in April of last year.

For more information about the 22nd MEU and its units, go to http://www.22meu.usmc.mil.