Surveillance and Target Acquisition (STA) Platoon 2nd Battalion 5th Marines | Iraq
November 3 - 6, 2023 | Camp Pendleton, CA
STA Platoon 2nd Battalion 5th Marines (2/5) reunited at Camp Talega aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton in California. These Marine Snipers have multiple deployments in support of the Global War on Terror going back to the invasion of Iraq in 2003 through 2008 including Ramadi in 2005 and 2007. Before that they had conducted humanitarian missions East Timor in 2001. Marines from across all those deployments attended the reunion and demonstrated the deep bond that still exists among them.
During their reunion they reminisced around the firepit at Camp Talega, remembering their time at Marine Scout Sniper School and training for combat at Camp Pendleton. They conducted a hike to the memorial crosses, honoring those who made the ultimate sacrifice, overlooking Camp San Mateo where they lived and trained when they were not deployed. They spent time with current 2/5 Marines and shared stories from their time while learning about the updates made since they served. On their last day, they showed their spirit of continuing service beyond the military by conducting a cleanup of San Onofre beach.
