A Special Tool For Special Needs

Old Corps brigade brings new fight to terrorists, continues historic legacy

By Gunnery Sgt. Sean Wright, 4th MEB (AT) MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C.

The legacy of 4th Marine Expeditionary Brigade (Anti-Terrorism) dates back to October 24, 1917 and boasts among its alumni three former commanders who became commandant: John A. Lejeune, Alfred M. Gray and Carl E. Mundy.

Lance Cpl. Corey P. Bloss and Cpl. Shaun Atwell, both with the Chemical Biological Incident Response Force, load chemicals into barrels. The chemicals, found by Marines with 1st Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, were being used by insurgents for planned attacks against Iraqi and coalition forces.

Photo by Lance Cpl. Daniel J. Klein

Despite its historic successes, in the early 1990s, following the conclusion of Desert Storm, the brigade was mothballed.

Shortly after the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, then commandant, Gen. James L. Jones, directed the reactivation of 4th MEB as an anti-terrorism unit. On Oct. 29, 2001 – less than two months after the attacks – 4th MEB (AT) was established and deemed operationally capable.

The brigade is an expeditionary Marine Air-Ground Task Force, tailored specifically to the Global War on Terrorism. The four major units subordinate to the MEB each have a specific mission and tailored capabilities. These units are: Marine Security Guard Battalion at Quantico, Va.; Marine Corps Security Force Battalion at Norfolk, Va.; the Anti-Terrorism Battalion at Camp Lejeune; and Chemical Biological Incident Response Force at Indian Head, Md.

As a whole, 4th MEB (AT) provides designated supported commanders with rapidly deployable, specially trained, sustainable forces to detect, deter and defend against threats of terrorist activities, and the ability to conduct initial incident response in the event of chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear or high yield explosive terrorist attacks worldwide.

As individual assets, each of the major subordinate commands offers its own specialized protection against terrorists. Marine Security Guards, who serve at embassies and consulates in more than 134 countries, ensure the safekeeping of classified material and if necessary the protection of U.S. personnel and property.

Story continued on Page 2 »