September 30, 2014
Release #20140940
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
TAMPA, Fla., Sept. 30, 2014 - As part of the Department of Defense’s continuing effort to improve its crisis response capability around the world, the U.S. Marine Corps stood up a Special Purpose Marine Air Ground Task Force (SPMAGTF) today as part of the “new normal” in the U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) area of responsibility.
This task force, comprised of approximately 2,300 Marines and several aircraft based throughout the region, will improve CENTCOM’s ability to support theater security cooperation events such as exercises, as well as respond to contingencies.
Planning for this deployment began in summer of 2013 and the deployment of the SPMAGTF is not in response to the ongoing operations in Iraq. There is no timetable on the duration of the deployment, but ground and aviation units are expected to rotate on a regular schedule.
There is currently another SPMAGTF that supports U.S. Africa Command.
For questions regarding the CENTCOM SPMAGTF, contact U.S. Marine Corps Forces Central Command (MARCENT) Public Affairs at (813) 401-2265 or 813 827-7010.