At the start of Operation Odyssey Dawn, the US-led operation in support of the Libyan civil war, the ground combat element of the 26th MEU was in Afghanistan conducting combat operations. In order to quickly provide sea-based ground troops to support possible ground intervention in Libya, the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit deployed in March 2011, four months prior to its originally scheduled deployment. Delta Company, 1st Platoon, deployed as AAV Platoon (aboard LSD-41) as part of Echo Company, Battalion Landing Team 2nd Battalion, 2nd Marines (2/2), the Ground Combat Element for the 22nd MEU. After several months preparing for possible ground combat operations and quick reaction force for Operation Odyssey Dawn, and the subsequent NATO-led Operation Unified Protector, the 22nd MEU and the Amphibious Ready Group spent a total of 10 1/2 months at sea in the Mediterranean and Middle East conducting bi-lateral training and supporting national contingency planning as a result of the new Arab Spring. Its 321-day duration fell eight days short of the record set in 1973 by the aircraft carrier USS "Midway" for the longest U.S. Navy deployment since World War II. The 22nd MEU was awarded the Meritorious Unit Commendation and the NATO Non-Article 5 Medal for Operation Unified Protector. While at sea, AAV platoon had a secondary mission as a provisional rifle platoon, to provide an additional trained medium machine gun squad, and as the Evacuation Control Center for any potential non-combatant evacuation operations. Upon return to 2nd Assault Amphibian Battalion, the platoon was re-designated at Charlie Company, 3rd platoon.