Gowanda PennySaver News - July 27, 2003

Service news...

Marine Corps Cpl. Garrett A. Barton, son of Janet A. and Wayne K. Barton of Gowanda, recently made a port visit to Jebel Ali, United Arab Emirates while assigned to the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), based in Camp Lejeune, NC. The unit is currently aboard the USS Iwo Jima.      Barton is one of more than 4,000 Atlantic Fleet Sailors and Marines who deployed aboard the ships of the USS Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group.      Barton's unit used the visit to perform maintenance on vehicles and equipment. The Sailors and Marines also had the opportunity to shop, sightsee and enjoy the local culture and cuisine.      Barton's unit is an expeditionary intervention force with the ability to rapidly organize for combat operations in virtually any environment. MEUs are composed of more than 2,000 personnel and are divided into an infantry battalion, aircraft squadron, support group and command element. With this combination, Barton's unit supplies and sustains itself for either quick mission accomplishment or clearing the way for follow-on forces.      Barton is a 1999 graduate of Gowanda Central High School and joined the Marine Corps in June 1999.