U.S. Marine 1st Lt. Charles Watkins ('92) recently returned from a six-month deployment to the western Pacific Ocean and Persian Gulf with the 11th marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) embarked aboard the ships of the USS Essex Amphibious Ready Group (ARG).
Watkins was one of nearly 3,000 Marines who departed Camp Pendleton, CA, in October as part of a three-ship ARG. The ARG includes the amphibious assault ship and flagship USS Essex, the amphibious transport dock USS Cleveland, and the dock landing ship USS Harpers Ferry.
While deployed, the 11th MEU participated in a land exercise with Qatar soldiers which was designed to enhance interoperability and promote cooperation between U.S. and Qatar military forces. Watkins also participated in Exercise Tandem Thrust. Scheduled routinely at 18 month intervals, the exercise trained the military staffs of both countries in planning and execution of conti
ngency operations in a combined effort. The exercises included carrier battle group and ARG operations, amphibious landings, live gunfire exercises and parachute landings.
During the deployment, Watkins visited Australia, Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand. Watkins joined the Marine Corps following his graduation with Clarion with a degree in economics.