MAGTF

1. MAGTF

2. Learning Objectives • The students will understand the basic structure of the MAGTF. • The students will comprehend the four types of MAGTFs and their capabilities. • The students will understand the relative employment conditions for each MAGTF.

3. Definition • MAGTF is a balanced, air-ground combined arms task organization of Marine Corps forces under a single commander, structured to accomplish a specific mission.

4. Basic Organization • This basic structure never varies • But number, type, and size of units in each of the four elements will be mission-dependent.

5. Command Element (CE) • Headquarters for the MAGTF • Integrates the ACE, GCE, and CSSE together to accomplish a mission. • Command and Control (C2) functions

6. Air Combat Element • Provides air and lift capabilities to the MAGTF • May include: • rotary wing • fixed wing • aviation support • aviation logistics

7. Air Combat Element (ACE)

8. Ground Combat Element (GCE) • Provides ground combat power to the MAGTF. • May include the following: • Infantry • Artillery • Tanks • Amphibious Assault Vehicles (AAV) • Light Armored Reconnaissance (LAR) • Combat Engineers • Reconnaissance

9. Ground Combat Element (GCE)

10. Logistics Combat Element(LCE) • Provides the logistical sustainment for the MAGTF. • Functions include: • Transportation • Supply • Maintenance • Engineering • Medical/Dental (Health) • General Services

11. Combat Service Support Element (CSSE)

12. Why a MAGTF? • Combines expeditionary tradition with a maneuver mindset • Maneuver warfare is a warfighting philosophy that seeks to shatter the enemy’s cohesion through a variety of rapid, focused, and unexpected actions which create a turbulent and rapidly deteriorating situation with which the enemy cannot cope. • The MAGTF is designed to achieve this. • Creates flexibility under a single commander. Consider: What can a Marine infantry unit do by itself? Now – add an air component, supporting arms, and logistic support under a single commander – one mission statement.

13. MAGTF Capabilities • Wide range of capabilities and weapon platforms. • Achieves the combined arms effect. • Array of options for accomplishing missions. • Flexibility

14. Forcible entry (Amphibious Assault) Deterrence Demonstrations Amphibious Raids Limited Objective attacks 3-Block Warfare Seizure of terrain, bases, territory Disaster Relief Non-Combatant Evacuation (NEO) Stability/Peace keeping TRAP Humanitarian Visit, Board, Search & Seizure (VBSS) Mass Casualty MAGTF Capabilities (list)

15. Types of MAGTFs • 4 Major Types • Marine Expeditionary Force (MEF) – large. • Marine Expeditionary Brigade (MEB) – medium. • Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) – small. • Special Purpose MAGTF (SPMAGTF) – not defined. • Task organized based on the mission. • Remember: common MAGTF structure -

16. Marine Expeditionary Force (MEF) • The largest and principal MAGTF • 35,000-55,000 Marines • Commanded by Lieutenant General • Components: • CE: MEF Headquarters Group (MHG) • GCE: Marine Division (MarDiv) • ACE: Marine Aircraft Wing (MAW) • LCE: Marine Logistics Group (MLG)

17. I II III • 3 MEFs: • I MEF in Camp Pendleton, CA • II MEF in Camp Lejeune, NC • III MEF in Okinawa, Japan

18. MEFRecent Examples • Persian Gulf War • I MEF (reinforced with 2nd MarDiv) deployed to Saudi Arabia in Aug 1990 and attacked into Kuwait in Feb 1991 • Operation Iraqi Freedom • I MEF (reinforced with 2nd MarDiv) deployed to Kuwait in Jan 2003 and attacked 500 miles into Iraq in March 2003

19. Marine Expeditionary Brigade (MEB) • Medium sized MAGTF - 5-15,000 Marines • Commanded by a Brigadier General CE: MEB Headquarters GCE: Marine Regiment (reinforced) ACE: Marine Aircraft Squadron LCE: Combat Logistics Regiment

20. MEB Recent Examples • Persian Gulf War • 7th MEB was the first Marine unit to deploy to Saudi Arabia in Aug 1990 for Operation Desert Shield • 4th MEB and 5th MEB were positioned on Amphibious Ships off the coast of Kuwait • MPF • Each MEF has MPF ready units to deploy as a MEB within 10 days. (Regiment) • Desert Shield 1990, Somalia 1993, OIF 2003

21. Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) • Smallest MAGTF ~ 2,200 Marines • Forward deployed on amphibious ships • Commanded by a Colonel CE: MEU Headquarters GCE: Battalion Landing Team (Bn reinforced) ACE: Composite Aircraft Squadrons LCE: Combat Logistics Battalion

22. MEU(SOC)Special Operations Capable • MEU Training • Training in an Urban Environment Exercise (TRUEX) • Expeditionary Strike Group Exercises (ESGEX) • Joint Task Force Exercise (JTFEX) • Special Operations Capable Exercise (SOCEX) • SOC – is a designation a MEU will earn by conducting training and being certified for specific missions

23. Forcible entry (Amphibious Assault) Deterrence Demonstrations Amphibious Raids Limited Objective attacks 3-block Warfare Seizure of terrain, bases, territory Disaster Relief Non-Combatant Evacuation (NEO) Stability/Peace keeping TRAP Humanitarian Visit, Board, Search & Seizure (VBSS) Mass Casualty MEU Capabilities(look familiar?)

24. MEU - Areas of Operation • II MEF – Camp Lejuene, NC • 22nd MEU • 24th MEU • 26th MEU • I MEF – Camp Pendleton, CA • 11th MEU • 13th MEU • 15th MEU • III MEF – Okinawa • 31st MEU

25. MEU(SOC)Special Operations Capable • Recent Examples (too numerous to list) • Bosnia - June 1995 • 24th MEU(SOC) off the coast of Bosnia launched a TRAP mission to recover Capt Scott O’Grady, USAF, who’s plane was shot down • East Timor – November 1999 • 11th MEU(SOC) provided humanitarian assistance to East Timor • Liberia – September 2003 • 26th MEU(SOC) landed Marines in Liberia as a show off force, force protection, and peacekeeping operations. • OEF/OIF Nov 2002 – Present • TF 58, Umm Qasr, TF Tarawa, “The Surge” • Libya TRAP -2011

26. Special Purpose MAGTF • Anything and Everything • Tailored to meet specific missions • Occasionally assembled because no other MAGTF structures are available

27. SPMAGTFRecent Examples • SPMAGTF - Los Angeles • Security and Stabilization Operations in support of the Rodney King Los Angles riots in Apr 1992 • Joint Task Force 535 • Malaysian Tsunami Relief in Dec 2004 • SPMAGTF - Katrina • Hurricane Katrina disaster relief • Fire Fighting (CA wild fires)

28. MAGTF Relative Employment Conditions • MEU(SOC) – Promote peace and stability • MEB – Respond to crises • MEF – Win the nation’s battles

29. Discussion Questions • Why is it necessary for the U.S. to have a specialized amphibious force? • How does the structure of the MAGTF compliment the ability to conduct amphibious operations? • What makes the MAGTF unique from other services?

30. Discussion Questions • What is the capability of a MEU and how is it relevant to national security? • Compare the force structure and capabilities of the MAGTF as it relates to MCDP1.