The purpose of the flight was to visit their future flagship, USS Iwo Jima, for the MEU's next scheduled deployment.

 According to the MEU's adjutant, Capt. Ricardo A. Medal, the visit was designed to familiarize the command element staff with the ship's spaces they will be using and to give them a chance to configure work spaces, identify where they can put their equipment, and where each of the sections within the command element will go.

 The visit to the ship, however, was just one step in a multi-faceted planning process to which the command element has subjected itself to better prepare for the upcoming deployment with the Iwo Jima Expeditionary Strike Group.

 Prior to touring the ship's spaces, the command element took advantage of numerous opportunities to begin preparing for the next training cycle and deployment before they are augmented with the ground, air, and logistic elements that make up the bulk of the MEU.

 Preparation began shortly after the MEU returned from its last deployment with the Bataan Strike Group, July 1.

 During a staff planning conference in September, the command element focused mainly on how they could best enable the subordinate ground, air and logistic elements to complete their missions within the MEU commander's intent.

 Over the course of five days, the staff considered issues across the spectrum from embarkation and logistics to communication and operations.

 The MEU operations officer, Lt. Col. Walter C. Sopp explained that they never planned on leaving the conference with all the answers, but they were able to draft a basic outline about how they wanted to conduct business with the subordinate elements that will soon join the MEU.

 After the conference, the MEU staff traveled to Norfolk, Va. in October to visit with the Iwo Jima Amphibious Squadron staff aboard the USS San Antonio.

 "This visit was a crucial step for us to begin communicating with our naval counterparts", said Capt. Jonathan J. Pfuntner, the MEU's assistant communications officer. "We get to know what they need and they get to know what sorts of things we need. All in all, it makes for better communication between the Navy-Marine team, implicit understanding, and a faster decision-making process that helps us build tempo during expeditionary operations."

 At the invitation of the 24th MEU, the command element of the 26th MEU leapt at the opportunity to witness some of the 24th MEU's Realistic Urban Training in Fort Pickett, Va. in November.

 "We can see what they are doing now during their RUT to better anticipate what we may be up against and get ideas about how we can improve our own (standard operating procedures)," stated Lt. Col. John W. Capdepon, the 26th MEU executive officer.

 These efforts are nothing new for a MEU command element in garrison.

 All the work and preparation in garrison is designed to identify possible points of friction during the upcoming training cycle and deployment.

 "There is no rest for the MEU," explained Capdepon, "We will have successful missions when we deploy and we will be a vital asset to any area commander. The best way to ensure this happens in the future is to prepare for it now. The fight doesn't begin when a Marine steps onto the beach, but here and now before we even put a round into the chamber."

 Though the MEU will not take on major subordinate elements until early March, the command element shows no signs of slowing down.

 With more that three months until the MEU is composite with ground, air, and logistics combat elements, the command element has ample opportunity to further prepare and hone its command and control skills.

 The months preceding the Pre-deployment Training Program will be productive. According to Col Gregg A. Sturdevant, the 26th MEU Commanding Officer, "We work hard before we chop to set the (major subordinate elements) up for success, we work hard during PTP to set the MEU up for success, and we work hard during our deployment to set the area commanders up for success."