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AMarine Expeditionary Unit (MEU, pronounced as one syllable "M'you" IPA:/mjuː/) is the smallestair-ground task force (MAGTF) in theUnited States Fleet Marine Force.[1] Each MEU is anexpeditionaryrapid reaction force ready to answer any crisis, whether it be disaster aid or a combat mission.[1]Marine Amphibious Unit (MAU) was the name used until the late 1980s.
A MEU normally is composed of
Troop strength of a MEU is about 2,200 (normal and peacetime) to 4,400 (mobilization and wartime). A MEU is usually commanded by acolonel, and is deployed fromamphibious assault ships. Currently, a MEU embarks personnel and equipment on theamphibious warfare ships of anexpeditionary strike group (ESG), which also includes escort warships and submarines to protect them from air, surface, and submarine threats. For further protection and strong air support, an ESG is often deployed along with one or morecarrier strike groups.
The MEU is unique in that its air and ground combat elements are combined with a logistics combat element under one commander; other services do not unite the command of air and ground forces until much higher command levels.
The MEU's ground combat element also combinesartillery,light armor, and tanks at a much lower level than was common in the Army until the development of thebrigade combat team early in thewar on terror, with a similar concept, thecombat command, being utilized inWorld War II.
This air-groundtask 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 and logistical support it needs to sustain itself for quick mission accomplishment or to prepare the way for follow-up forces. This self-sustainment allows more flexibility in disposition and operations of forces, and allows the MEU to initiate operations sooner and let support catch up later, without having to wait for external logistical support to begin a mission. Deployments onU.S. Navyamphibious assault ships allows MEUs toseabase around the globe, ready for deployment at short notice.
A typical MEU has approximately 2,200 members, including navy sailors. It is equipped with:
Many types of equipment are, or will soon, undergo a transitory phase as they are replaced. Some examples include theAmphibious Combat Vehicle replacing the AAV-7, theF-35 Lightning II replacing the AV-8B Harrier, and theCH-53K King Stallion replacing the CH-53E.
Theground combat element (GCE) is based on thebattalion landing team (BLT), an infantry battalion reinforced with anartillery battery,amphibious assault vehicle platoon,combat engineer platoon,light armored reconnaissance company,reconnaissance platoon, and other units as the mission and circumstances require. The total strength is approximately 1,100 members, including Navy sailors.
TheMaritime Special Purpose Force is a subgroup of the MEU, formed for low-profile missions. The MSPF force consists of four elements: anassault platoon (adirect action platoon augmented fromForce Recon), asecurity platoon (a selected infantry platoon from the battalion landing team),reconnaissance and surveillance assets, and aheadquarters section. The total strength is approximately 350 members, including Navy sailors.
Theaviation combat element (ACE) is a USMC composite squadron (reinforced) composed of amedium tiltrotor squadron augmented with detachments of heavy, light, and attack helicopters, one detachment of amphibious flight-deck-capable jets, and aMarine air control group detachment with tactical air command,air traffic control,direct air support, andanti-aircraft assets, as well as wing headquarters, wing communications, and wing support squadron personnel. Total strength is approximately 600 troops.
Thelogistics combat element (LCE) (formerlycombat service support element orCSSE) is based on the MEU combat logistics battalion (CLB) (formerlyMEU service support group orMSSG). It contains all thelogistics specialists and equipment necessary for the MEU to support and sustain itself for up to 15 days in an austere expeditionary environment. It includes service support (postal and disbursing),medical,dental, intermediate maintenance, intermediate supply (consumables and secondary reparable), transportation (distribution and landing support),explosive ordnance disposal, utilities production and distribution, bulk fuels, internal communications, and various other technical experts. It consists of approximately 300 members, including Navy sailors.
Thecommand element (CE), which includes the MEU commander and hissupporting staff, providescommand and control over the other three elements. It includes specialized detachments forair naval gunfire liaison,reconnaissance,surveillance, specialized communications,radio reconnaissance (SIGINT),electronic warfare,Marine Corps Intelligence andcounterintelligence,law enforcement, andpublic affairs missions. The overall strength is about 200 members, including Navy sailors.
Recently, MEUs have been deployed within anexpeditionary strike group (ESG) in theMediterranean, the WesternPacific, and periodically, theAtlantic andIndian Oceans. An ESG is typically composed of threeamphibious ships that embark the necessary troops and equipment and are escorted by aguided missilecruiser (CG) and guided missiledestroyers (DDG) andsubmarine (SSN) support.
Before the ESG, MEUs were typically deployed as part of anamphibious ready group (ARG).
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MEUs maintain their subordinate elements in fifteen month cycles: nine months stateside (with six set aside for training), and a six-month deployment aboard ship. These cycles ensure that at least two of the seven MEUs are deployed forward at any given time.
Interim or buildup period: Upon completion of a deployment, the MEU remains "special operations capable" for approximately one month, prepared to respond to events around the world. They are not, however, considered a special operations unit by the Department of Defense. The MEU then releases its major subordinate elements (MSEs), retaining only its command element. This period provides the command element a chance to rotate select personnel and begin planning for the addition of newly assigned MSEs and “work-up” training. When the MSEs are received, the MEU begins six months of intense pre-deployment training.
Work-up period: Training during the six-month work-up period is often referred to as "crawl, walk, run". Marines and sailors progress through curriculum and exercises that teach individual, small unit, and unit tactics while integrating the separate MEU elements into a cohesive, flexible, and powerful force. The work-up period includes training in many combat andnoncombat skills, to include:
Exercises conducted during the work-up period can include:
Deployment: Following the work-up period, the MEU deploys for six months in support of geographiccombatant commanders. During this time, the MEU is a forward-deployed, self-sustaining force that combatant commanders can direct to accomplish a variety of special operations and conventional missions.
The missions may include:
West Coast MEUs fall underI Marine Expeditionary Force, and their main area of operations includes the westernPacific andIndian oceans (to include thePersian Gulf).[2]
East Coast MEUs fall underII Marine Expeditionary Force and maintain presence in theAtlantic Ocean andMediterranean Sea.[2]
The 31st MEU is the only permanently forward-deployed MEU, maintaining a presence in thePacific Ocean at all times as part ofIII Marine Expeditionary Force.[2]
| Official Name | Insignia | Headquarters |
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| 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit |  | Marine Corps Base Camp Smedley D. Butler, Okinawa,Japan |
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