Marine Corps Pfc. Douglas F. Berthiaume of Watkins, and more than 2,100 Marines and Sailors assigned to the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), recently deployed with the Belleau Wood Expeditionary Strike Group to the western Pacific and central command area of responsibility in support of the global war on terrorism. Berhiaume’s unit is an expeditionary intervention force with the ability to rapidly organize for combat operations in virtually any environment. MEUs are built around a reinforced infantry battalion, a combat service support element, a reinforced helicopter squadron and a command element. With its complement of fully integrated air and ground forces, Berthiaume’s unit is ready to conduct real-world operations including amphibious, heliborne and boat raids, tactical recovery of aircraft and personnel, noncombatant evacuation operations and humanitarian assistance operations. Berthiaume is the son of Darlene Berthiaume of Watkins. He is a 2003 graduate of Eden Valley-Watkins High School and joined the Marine Corps in August 2003. For more information, or to see photographs of the deployment, visit the 11th MEU Web site at www.usmc.mil/11th meu.
