page_title: 2nd Battalion, 2nd Marines
section_title: Global War on Terror
hierarchical_section_title: 2nd Battalion, 2nd Marines / History / Global War on Terror
caption_attribution_description: BLT 2/2, USMC: U.S. Marines attached to Battalion Landing Team 2/2 board a CH-53E Super Stallion helicopter aboard amphibious assault ship USS Bataan (LHD 5) April 2, 2007, in the Persian Gulf. The Marines are headed to Qatar to participate in exercise Eastern Maverick. The helicopter belongs to Medium Marine Helicopter Squadron 264 (Reinforced).
context_page_description: 2nd Battalion, 2nd Marines is a light infantry battalion in the United States Marine Corps based out of Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. Also known as "The Warlords", it consists of approximately 1300 Marines and Sailors and normally falls under the command of the 2nd Marine Regiment and the 2nd Marine Division. The battalion returned home November 2008 from Iraq, returned from Afghanistan in May 2010, returned home March 2012 after deploying for 11 months with the 22d Marine Expeditionary Unit as Battalion Landing Team 2/2 supporting NATO Operation UNIFIED PROTECTOR. The unit then deployed in April 2013, in support of both BSRF and Operation Enduring Freedom. Fox Company returned again from Afghanistan October 2013, while the rest of the battalion returned home August 2013 from the Black Sea Rotational Force. Then again in August 2014, the battalion deployed in support of the SPMAGTF-CR Africa. Returning in January 2015, the unit next deployed to the Pacific region on a UDP, going to Okinawa, Japan; the Philippines; Korea; Thailand; and Singapore. The unit is now slated to deploy again in the near future.
context_section_description: In January 2002, 2nd Battalion, 2nd Marines formed as the Battalion Landing Team for the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, in preparation for the Landing Force 6th/5th Fleet deployment in August. While deployed, the Battalion conducted peacekeeping and border interdiction operations in support KFOR during Operation Dynamic Response in Kosovo.
  In December 2002, the Battalion under the command of Combined Joint Task Force Horn of Africa (CJTF-HOA), conducted security operations in Djibouti, in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. During this time, Echo Company played a vital role in maritime interdiction operations off the coast of Yemen.
  While stationed in the Persian Gulf, in March 2003, 2/2 deployed to Iraq to reinforce Coalition Forces during Operation Iraqi Freedom. The battalion returned from Iraq in May 2003.
  During the winter of 2003, the Battalion supported Operation Noble Eagle in the homeland defense as the Quick Reaction Force for the II Marine Expeditionary Force. In the Spring of 2004 the Battalion was assigned to deploy to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom II  and was redesignated as Task Force 2nd Battalion, 2nd Marines.
  2nd Battalion, 2nd Marines deployed in March 2004 to Iraq where it was attached to Regimental Combat Team 1, 1st Marine Division and fought in Al Mahmudiya, Al Kharma, the first and second assault in the city of Fallujah, and Al Zadan. Especially notable during this deployment were the events that led to 2ndLt Ilario Pantano being charged with two counts of premeditated murder. Lieutenant Pantano was acquitted of these charges.  During this deployment the Battalion suffered 154 Marines wounded and six killed in action while participating in more than six hundred separate engagements of various sizes.
  2/2 was deployed again to Iraq in July 2005 when it was attached to Regimental Combat Team 8, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force. Their area of operations included the areas between Fallujah and Abu Ghraib. They suffered 16 Marines killed in action. The Warlords returned home to Camp Lejeune, NC in February 2006.
  2/2 was deployed on Jan 6, 2007 till July 2007 as the BLT of the 26th MEU with the USS Batan amphibious group.
  2/2 was deployed again to Iraq in April 2008 when it was attached to Regimental Combat Team 5, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force. Their area of operations included the areas between Rawah and Al Qaim and many other sites. The Warlords returned home to Camp Lejeune, NC in November 2008
  In mid-October 2009, 2/2 was deployed to Helmand Province in Afghanistan. They were sent there after undergoing training in the Mojave Desert and in Virginia. During the deployment 2/2 suffered eight Marines KIA. They returned in mid-May 2010 having participated in ISAF-OEF operations in the far south in the vicinity directly north of Safar Bazaar.
  In March 2011, BLT 2/2 was deployed 90+ days early on a contingency deployment in support of NATO Operation Unified Protector. The Marines and Sailors are part of the 22d Marine Expeditionary Unit.  The Warlords returned home to Camp Lejeune in February 2012 . The BLT was deployed for a length of 10 months and conducted numerous bi-lateral training exercises with foreign nations.
  In April 2013, the majority of the battalion deployed in support of the Black Sea Rotational Force, while Fox Company conducted combat operations around Nad Ali and surrounding areas in Helmand Province in support of Operation Enduring Freedom returning later that year.
  In August 2014, the unit deployed in support of the SPMAGTF-CR Africa and the Black Sea Rotational Force. Conducting training with the Spanish, Italian, French, and other NATO members, the unit returned home in January 2015.
  In February 2016, 2/2 deployed as part of the UDP based out of Okinawa, Japan. The unit traveled to many countries while deployed, conducting bi-lateral training and ensuring peace and balance within the region. The unit returned home August 2016.
  In August 2017, 2/2 deployed in support of the SPMAGTF-CR Africa, Marine Rotational Force-Europe (MRF-E
caption: BLT 2/2 Marines board a CH-53E Super Stallion aboard the USS Bataan in the Persian Gulf, April 2, 2007.
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