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Marine Expeditionary Units |
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AIR, LAND and SEA
When they say "Send in the Marines,"
a Marine Expeditionary Unit is usually the first on scene.
What is a MEU?
America's small, unique, powerful force in
readiness
With a strength of about 2,200 personnel, the
MEU is normally built around a reinforced battalion, a composite aircraft squadron, and by a MEU Service Support
group.
Commanded by a colonel, the MEU is employed
to fulfill routine forward deployments with fleets in the Mediterranean, the Western Pacific, and periodically,
the Atlantic and Indian Oceans. The MEU is deployed on up to four Naval amphibious ships.
The ground combat element (GCE) is the battalion
landing team (BLT), an infantry battalion reinforced with artillery, amphibious assault vehicles, light armored
reconnaissance assets and other units as the mission and circumstances require.
The aviation combat element (ACE) is a Marine
Medium Helicopter Squadron augmented with four types of helicopters into a composite squadron. These units include
CH-53E "Super Stallions," CH-46E "Sea Knights," UH-1N "Hueys," and AH-1W "Super
Cobras." Ace assets may also include the fixed-wing aircraft such as the AV-8B "Harrier" jet.
The combat service support element is the MEU
Service Support Group (MSSG) formed primarily from force service support groups assets. The MSSG contains all the
logistics specialists necessary to keep the GCE, ACE and organic equipment functioning. Included within the MSSG
are medical, dental, maintenance, engineering, and other technical experts.
The command element (CE) provides command and
control of the other three elements. In addition to the MEU commander and his supporting staff, the CE includes
specialized detachments providing a direct action capability, naval gunfire liaison capability, reconnaissance,
and surveillance and specialized communications and electronics warfare capabilities.
The MEU is unique in that its air and ground
combat elements are combined with combat service support under one commander.
This air/ground task force concept is designed
to thoroughly exploit the combat power inherent in air and ground assets by closely integrating them into a single
force. The MEU brings all the supplies it needs to sustain itself for quick mission accomplishment or to pave the
way for any follow-on forces.
The MEU is an expeditionary intervention force
with the ability to rapidly organize for combat operations in virtually any environment.
Information and Graphics Courtesy of United States Marine Corps
