4,500 Marines and Sailors Deploy to Caribbean for Anti-Cartel Mission

The Navy and Marine Corps deployed thousands of sailors and Marines to the southern Caribbean on Friday in support of anti-drug cartel operations.

The Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group and the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit set sail out of Naval Station Norfolk on Aug. 14. The force includes more than 4,500 sailors and Marines on three ships: The Wasp-class amphibious assault ship, the USS Iwo Jima, and San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock ships the USS San Antonio and USS Fort Lauderdale.

The Navy described it as a “regularly scheduled deployment” and did not specify where it would be heading or for what purpose.

However, Reuters and CNN both reported, citing defense officials familiar with the operation, that the Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group (ARG) is heading to the southern Caribbean as part of anti-drug trafficking efforts. A defense official familiar with the situation confirmed those reports to Task & Purpose.