13th Marine Expeditionary Unit Mission

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 The  13th MEU provides a forward deployed, flexible sea-based Marine Air  Ground Task Force (MAGTF) capable of conducting amphibious operations,  crisis response and limited contingency operations, including enabling  the introduction of follow on forces and designated special operations  in order to support the theater requirements of Geographic Combatant  Commanders. Customers have questions, you have answers. Display the most frequently asked questions, so everybody benefits.

The  (MEU) is the smallest of the MAGTFs. Together with U.S. Navy forces,  this team serves as the nation's forward deployed, quick-response team,  capable of accomplishing numerous missions around the globe.

The  MEU, directed by a single commander, is comprised of about 2,200 Marines  and Sailors, embarked aboard three ships configured as an Expeditionary  Strike Group (ESG), which is commanded by an Amphibious Squadron  (PHIBRON).

The 13th MEU, working with a PHIBRON and a LHA/LSD  naval vessel comprises one such Navy/Marine Corps team. They are one of  the three West Coast based ESG/MEUs from Camp Pendleton and San Diego,  Calif. These units are routinely rotated through the Western  Pacific/Southwest Asia region for six months at a time.

The  Ground Command Element (GCE) for the 13th MEU will be identified and  attached to the MEU approximately 180 days before the deployment. About  1,200 strong, it is based on the infantry battalion. It is reinforced  with an artillery battery, amphibious assault vehicle platoon, combat  engineer platoon, light armored reconnaissance company, an M1A1 Main  Battle Tank platoon and a reconnaissance platoon.

The final major  element of the MEU is the MEU Service Support Group (MSSG). About 300  Marines and Sailors of the MSSG provide combat support, specifically  supply; maintenance; transportation; explosive ordnance disposal;  military police; water production and distribution; engineering; medical  and dental services; fuel storage and distribution; and other services  to the deployed MEU. The MSSG gives the MEU the ability to support  itself for 15 days in austere expeditionary environments.

The  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 what it needs to sustain itself  from the sea for the rapid accomplishment of the mission or to pave the  way for follow-on forces. The size and composition of the MEU make it  well suited for amphibious operations; security operations; noncombatant  evacuation operations; humanitarian assistance operations; and special  operations.

Contingent upon "real world" situations, prior to  deployment each MEU is thoroughly trained in 23 unique capabilities  during a fast-paced, six month work-up cycle that includes three-to-  five at-sea training periods.

The  13th MEU operates with about 2,200 Marines and Sailors and is comprised  of a command element, ground combat element, aviation combat element,  and logistics combat element. These forces have been organized into  Marine Air Ground Task Forces (MAGTF), a combination of air, ground and  support assets. MAGTFs are established for specific missions, or in  anticipation of a wide range of possible missions.  Combining air,  ground and logistic assets maximizes the combat power of each of the war  fighting elements. 

The  13th MEU is prepared to respond to a variety of situations from  humanitarian aid and disaster relief to combat operations, to include  embassy security and evacuation. The 13th MEU will be the first  west-coast MEU to deploy with the MV-22 Osprey as a force multiplier in  the range of operations for which the MEU is prepared to respond.

 Special Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force - Crisis Response - Central Command 20.2              The 13th MEU Capabilities:

Amphibious Operations:

• Amphibious Assault
• Amphibious Raid 
• Amphibious Demonstration 
• Amphibious Withdrawal 

Maritime Special Operations: 

• Direct Action 
  • Seizure/Recovery of Offshore Energy Facilities (GOPLAT)
  • Vessel Boarding Search and Seizure Operations (VBSS)
• Tactical Recovery of Aircraft and Personnel (TRAP)

Military Operations Other Than War: 

• Peace Operations 
  • Peacekeeping
  • Peace Enforcement
• Noncombatant Evacuation Operations (NEO)
• Humanitarian Assistance/Disaster Relief

Supporting Operations: 

• Rapid Response Planning
• Terminal Guidance Operations 
• Enhanced Urban Operations 
• Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance 
  • Reconnaissance and Surveillance
  • Counter Intelligence
  • Signals Intelligence 
• Fire Support Planning, Coordination, Control in a Joint/Combined Environment 
• Provide Command, Control, Communications, Computers 
• Airfield/Port Seizure 
• Limited Expeditionary Airfield Operations 
• Security Operations 
• Enabling Operations 
  • Joint Task Force Enabler
  • Chemical Biological Assessment 
  • Maritime Preposition Force Enabler 
  • Follow-on-Force Enabler 
  • Special Operations Force Enabler
• Employ Non-lethal Weapons 
• Tactical Deception 
• Information Operations 
  • Electronic Warfare
• Anti-terrorism