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Certain Forces for an Uncertain Future

U.S. Marines organize for operations and are employed as integrated Marine Air-Ground Task Forces (MAGTF). The size of a MAGTF may vary, but all have the same structure in common: aviation combat, ground combat and combat service support elements organized around a command element. There are four types of MAGTFs:

MEF. The Marine Expeditionary Force (MEF), the largest and most capable MAGTF, can conduct both forcible entry operations and sustained operations ashore. It has the inherent ability to sustain itself for 60 days, and normally numbers about 50,000, although I MEF grew to more than 90,000 during the Gulf War. A MEF usually consists of at least one Marine Division, an Aircraft Wing and a Force Service Support Group. MARFORPAC has two subordinate MEFs under its command: I MEF, headquartered at Camp Pendleton, California; and III MEF, headquartered on the island of Okinawa, Japan.

U.S. Marines reload an M198 howitzer with a 155mm round during a live-fire exercise.

Photo by LCpl. Dustin W. Senger, USMC

MEB. The next MAGTF is the Marine Expeditionary Brigade (MEB), brought back into existence under Marine Corps Commandant Gen. James Jones. It would be deployed when a full-strength MEF is not required. A MEB would normally consist of approximately 17,500 Marines and sailors, and can sustain itself in combat for 30 days. While MEB headquarters have been established within both I MEF and III MEF, the full-strength MEB would be stood up only as contingencies require.

MEU-SOC. The Marine Expeditionary Unit-Special Operations Capable (MEU-SOC) is the Corps’ most frequently deployed MAGTF. It is sea-based and forward deployed aboard amphibious vessels. It is normally comprised of an infantry battalion reinforced with: artillery, armor and engineer forces; a composite squadron of light-attack helicopters, transport/medium-lift helicopters and light fixed-wing attack aircraft; a combat service support element; and a command element which provides command, control and coordination for planning and executing operations.

An MEU-SOC is the primary Marine crisis response unit because of its specialized training and the fact that it’s frequently the first sustainable force on scene. MEU-SOCs are prepared to fulfill missions ranging from disaster relief to evacuation of non-combatants from dangerous areas. MEU-SOCs normally number approximately 2,000 personnel and are self-sustaining for 15 days of combat.

MARFORPAC has four standing MEUs: the 11th, 13th and 15th MEUs based out of southern California; and the 31st MEU based in Okinawa, Japan. They deploy for six to seven months at a time.

The Special Purpose MAGTF is a smaller version of the MEU, established for specific missions such as fire fighting, evacuation operations, riot control, peacekeeping, humanitarian missions or disaster relief.

Trained, Ready and Engaged with Friends and Allies

To ensure MARFORPAC Marines are fully prepared to accomplish this wide range of potential missions, and to support the USCINCPAC strategy of Theater Security Cooperation, the command engages in an aggressive training and a professional interchange program.

A U.S. Marine secures the beach perimeter during an amphibious assault landing operation.

Photo by PH1 Daniel E. Smith, USN

In addition to meeting the rigorous standards of Marine Corps training, MARFORPAC Marines participate in more than 50 training exercises annually with many countries within the Pacific AOR. Some of these exercises include ULCHI FOCUS LENS with the Republic of Korea, COBRA GOLD with Thailand, KEEN EDGE with Japan, and RIMPAC with a number of Asia-Pacific countries. Also, MARFORPAC small units train with armed forces from Singapore, Tonga and Tahiti.

In addition to these training exercises, MARFORPAC has an active regional engagement program: it sponsors foreign senior officer visits, which often constitute the initial efforts to open doors of opportunity; it undertakes humanitarian and civic action projects which showcase the positive aspects of engagement; it is expanding and improving its exchange and liaison officer efforts, such as the ones with Korea and Australia, as a priority; and it places an emphasis on professional schools in the United States as well as Mobile Training Teams.

Rapid Sustainment

The Marine Corps’ Maritime Prepositioning Shipping (MPS) Program allows it to dramatically increase its power projection capability. This program allows substantial time savings and makes maximum use of finite strategic lift.

Each MPS Squadron carries the fuel, ammunition, tanks, artillery, combat service support equipment, food, water, and spare parts needed to support a MAGTF of 17,500 Marines and sailors in combat for up to 30 days. Prepositioning ships can be off-loaded pier side in a developed port within three days, or in-stream in seven days.

The Maritime Prepositioning Force (MPF) Concept calls for Marines and sailors to fly into a benign or secured airfield to link up with the ships. More than 17,000 Marines and sailors can be flown in on fewer than 250 aircraft sorties. If the equipment on the ships had to be flown in with the Marines and sailors, it would take more than 3,000 sorties.