Marine Deployment to Afghanistan Rescheduled to Monday

About 140 Camp Pendleton Marines headed to Afghanistan got a little extra time to spend with their loved ones, because today's scheduled departure was delayed by one day.

Around half of the I Marine Expeditionary Force's forward command element's main body will say goodbye to their family and friends before departing for Camp Bastion and Camp Leatherneck on Monday, according to base officials. They are scheduled to return late this year.

Upon their arrival in Afghanistan, they are scheduled to relieve Marines and sailors from Camp Lejeune, N.C. in both Helmand and Nimroz provinces.

Camp Pendleton public affairs officials said I Marine Expeditionary Force, which include more than 4,000 Marines and sailors from 1st Marine Division, 1st Marine Logistics Group and 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, would be the last major Marine Corps command to deploy to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.