MARINE AIR-GROUND TASK FORCE (MAGTF)
The Marine air-ground task force (MAGTF) is the Marine Corps’ principal organization for all missions across the range of military operations, composed of forces task- organized under a single commander capable of responding rapidly to a contingency anywhere in the world.
The types of forces in the MAGTF are functionally grouped into four core elements detailed to the right.
The four core elements are categories of forces, not formal commands.
COMMAND ELEMENT (CE)
The headquarters is the core element of a MAGTF. The command element is composed of the commander, general or executive and special staff sections, headquarters section, and requisite communications support, intelligence, and reconnaissance forces necessary to accomplish the mission. The command element provides command and control, intelligence, and other support essential for effective planning and execution of operations by the other elements of the MAGTF. The command element varies in size and composition.
AVIATION COMBAT ELEMENT (ACE)
The aviation combat element provides all or a portion of the six functions of Marine aviation necessary to accomplish the MAGTF’s mission. These functions are:
•Antiair warfare
•Offensive air support
•Assault support
•Electronic warfare
•Air reconnaissance
•Control of aircraft and missiles
The aviation combat element is usually composed of an aviation unit headquarters and various other aviation units or their detachments. It can vary in size from a small aviation detachment of specifically required aircraft to one or more Marine aircraft wings.
GROUND COMBAT ELEMENT (GCE)
It is usually constructed around an infantry organization but can vary in size from a small ground unit of any type to one or more Marine divisions that can be independently maneuvered under the direction of the MAGTF commander. It includes appropriate ground combat and combat support forces, and in a joint or multinational environment, it may contain other Service or multinational forces assigned or attached to the MAGTF.
LOGISTICS COMBAT ELEMENT (LCE)
The logistics combat element varies in size from a small detachment to one or more force service support groups. It provides supply, maintenance, transportation, general engineering, health services, and a variety of other services to the MAGTF. In a joint or multinational environment, it may also contain other Service or multinational forces assigned or attached to the MAGTF.
MARINE AIR-GROUND TASK FORCE (MAGTF)
The basic structure of the MAGTF never varies, though the number, size, and type of Marine Corps units comprising each of its four elements will always be mission dependent.
•The MAGTF provides a combatant commander or other operational commander with a versatile expeditionary force capable of responding to a broad range of crisis and conflict situations. MAGTFs organized, trained, and equipped to perform missions ranging from:
-Humanitarian assistance
-Peacekeeping
-Intense combat
•MAGTFs operate in permissive, uncertain, and hostile environments, and they may be shore- or sea-based in support of joint and multinational major operations and/or campaigns.
•MAGTFs deploy as amphibious, air-contingency, or maritime pre-positioning forces (MPFs), either as part of a naval expeditionary force or via strategic lift.
MARINE EXPEDITIONARY FORCE (MEF)
The Marine expeditionary force (MEF) is the largest Marine air-ground task force (MAGTF) and the Marine Corps’ principal warfighting organization for larger crises or contingencies.
It is task-organized around a permanent command element and normally consists of one or more Marine divisions, Marine aircraft wings, and Marine logistics groups.
The Marine expeditionary force is capable of missions across the range of military operations, including amphibious assault and sustained operations ashore in any environment. It can operate from a sea base, a land base, or both.
In a joint or multinational environment, it may also contain other Service or multinational forces assigned or attached to the MAGTF.
COMPONENTS OF THE MEF
The MEF is used for major warfighting situations, and it has the following components:
•It is normally commanded by a lieutenant general.
•The MEF consists of 20K-90K personnel, which includes the following elements:
- Command element (CE): MEF staff
- Ground combat element (GCE): A Marine division
- Aviation combat element (ACE): A Marine aircraft wing
- Logistics combat element (LCE): A Marine logistics group
•Marine expeditionary brigades (MEBs) are embedded within each of the three MEFs.
•Each MEF forward deploys Marine expeditionary units (MEUs) on a continuous basis.
The size of a MEF fluctuates, depending on the mission, ranging from less than one to multiple divisions or aircraft wings. A MEF can deploy with forces attached from the other standing MEFs as well as from the reserves
MEF STRUCTURE
The three standing MEFs (I, II, and III) are each strategically located for rapid deployment as a MAGTF headquarters.
I MEF
Based at Camp Pendleton, California
I MEF has a global response focus, but is oriented on PACOM and CENTCOM.
Includes: 11th, 13th, and 15th MEUs
1st Marine Marine Division
1st Marine Logistics Group
3d Marine Aircraft Wing located aboard Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, San Diego, California
II MEF
Based at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina
II MEF has a global response focus but is oriented on AFRICOM and EUCOM.
Includes: 22nd, 24th, and 26th MEUs
2d Marine Division
2d Marine Logistics Group
2d Marine Aircraft Wing located aboard Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, North Carolina
III MEF
Based at Okinawa, Japan
III MEF remains regionally oriented on PACOM.
Includes: 31st MEU
3d Marine Division
3d Marine Logistics Group
1st Marine Aircraft Wing located aboard Camp Butler, Okinawa Japan
MARINE EXPEDITIONARY BRIGADE (MEB)
A Marine expeditionary brigade (MEB) is a MAGTF constructed around a reinforced infantry regiment, a composite Marine aircraft group, and a combat logistics regiment.
The MEB is commanded by a general officer and task-organized to meet the requirements of a specific situation. It can function as part of a joint task force, as the lead echelon of the MEF, or alone.
It varies in size and composition, and it is larger than a MEU, but smaller than a MEF. The MEB is capable of conducting missions across the full range of military operations.
In a joint or multinational environment, the MEB may contain other Service or multinational forces, assigned or attached.
COMPONENTS OF THE MEB
The MEB is our main effort in force development, and it has the following components:
•It is the premier response force for small-scale contingencies.
•It is composed of 3K-20K personnel.
•Each MEB contains the following elements:
- Command element (CE): MEB staff
- Ground combat element (GCE): Regimental combat team (RCT)
- Aviation combat element (ACE): Composite Marine aircraft group (MAG)
- Logistics combat element (LCE): Combat logistics regiment (CLR)
•MEBs are uniquely organized and equipped to respond to a full range of crises, from forcible entry to humanitarian assistance.
•It is a mid-sized MAGTF, normally commanded by a brigadier general.
•MEBs provide transitional capability between the forward-deployed MEU and the MEF.
•The command element of the MEB is embedded within the command element of its parent MEF.
MARINE EXPEDITIONARY UNIT (MEU)
A Marine expeditionary unit (MEU) is a MAGTF constructed around a reinforced infantry battalion, a reinforced helicopter squadron, and a task-organized reinforced combat logistics battalion.
It normally fulfills Marine Corps forward sea-based deployment requirements. The MEU provides an immediate reaction capability for crisis response and is capable of limited combat operations.
In a joint or multinational environment, it may contain other Service or multinational forces assigned or attached to the MAGTF.
COMPONENTS OF A MEU
The MEU has a forward presence of 1,500-3,000 personnel. It is composed of the following:
•GCE: Reinforced infantry battalion
•ACE: Reinforced composite helicopter squadron
•LCE: Reinforced combat logistics battalion (CLB)
It is commanded by a colonel, usually deploying for six to seven months with enough supplies to conduct operations ashore for fifteen days. It deploys as part of an amphibious ready group (ARG), providing a combatant or operational commander with a sea-based rapid-reaction force capable of executing a wide variety of missions.
A MEU has a limited forcible entry capability, and it can facilitate the employment of follow-on forces, including joint and combined forces as well as a MEF.
The ACE supports a MEU with a task-organized squadron that usually consists of a mix of rotary-wing, short takeoff and landing aircraft, a Marine air control group (MACG) detachment, and fixed and rotary- wing Marine aviation logistics squadron (MALS) detachments.
MARFORRES MISSION STATEMENT
Marine Forces Reserve (MARFORRES) was created by Congress as the reserve component of the Marine Corps.
The mission of MARFORRES is to augment and reinforce active Marine forces in time of war, national emergency or contingency operations, provide personnel and operational tempo relief for the active forces in peacetime, and provide service to the community.
Equipped and trained to the same rigorous standards as our active Marine forces, to include joint operations, MARFORRES will be trained and educated to the highest levels, and provide rapid response when called upon.
THE ROLE OF MARFORRES
Like the active forces, MARFORRES makes force expansion possible, which consists of a combined-arms force with ground, aviation, and Marine logistics units.
The Commander, Marine Corps Forces Reserve, provides trained and qualified units and individuals to be available for active duty, in time of war, national emergency, and at other times to protect the nation.
Marine Forces Reserve also maintains close contact with the American people through community outreach and operates reserve training centers that ensure forces are ready in the event of mobilization.
MARFORRES is composed of the following:
•Ready Reserve
•Selected Marine Corps Reserves (SMCR)
•Inactive Ready Reserve (IRR)
•Standby Reserve
•Retired Reserve
Principle organizations for all missions across the range of military operations.
MAGTF
Headquarters of a MAGTF
Command Element (CE)
Antiair Warfare, Offensive Air Support, Assault Support, Electronic Warfare, Air Recon, Control of Aircraft and Missiles
Aviation Combat Element (ACE)
Appropriate ground combat and combat support forces.
Ground Combat Element (GCE)
Supply, Maintenance, Health, General Engineering
Logistics Combat Element (LCE)
True or False
The structure of a MAGTF will never change but size and number will always be mission dependent.
True
True of False
The MEF is the largest Marine MAGTF and Marine Corps principle warfighting organization for larger crises or contingencies.
True
True of False
MEF is commanded by Lieutenant Colonel
False (Lieutenant General)
How much personnel does a MEF has?
20K – 90K Personnel
True or False
MAGTF – MEF – MEB – MEU
True
True or False
MAGTF – MEB – MEU – MEF
False
Constructed around a reinforced infantry regiment, a composite Marine aircraft group, and a combat logistics regiment.
MEB
True or False
MEB varies in size and composition.
True
Premier Response Force
3k – 20k Personnel
Respond to a full range of crises
Components of a MEB
Reinforced infantry battalion, reinforced helicopter squadron, task-organized reinforced combat logistics battalion.
MEU
Infantry Battalion
Helicopter Squadron
Logistics Battalion
Components of a MEU
Augment and reinforce active Marine Forces in a time of war, national emergency or contingency operations, provide personnel and operational tempo relief for the active forces in peacetime, and provide service to the community.
MARFORRES
Ready Reserve, Selected Marine Corps Reserve (SMCR), Inactive Ready Reserve (IRR), Standby Reserve, Retired Reserve
Components of MARFORRES