View source for Marine expeditionary unit

{{Short description|Small United States Marine Corps task force}}
[[Image:Amphibious assault ship USS Belleau Wood (July 7 2004).jpg|thumb|A [[landing craft utility]] returns to [[USS Belleau Wood (LHA-3)|USS ''Belleau Wood'']] with members of the [[11th Marine Expeditionary Unit]]]]

A '''Marine Expeditionary Unit''' ('''MEU''', pronounced as one syllable "{{respell|M'you}}" IPA: {{IPAc-en|m|j|uː}})  is the smallest [[Marine air-ground task force|air-ground task force]] (MAGTF) in the [[United States Fleet Marine Force]].<ref name=WiaMEU>[http://www.iimefpublic.usmc.mil/Public/InfolineMarines.nsf/(ArticlesDocuments)/BD7EB71DA033FC0A85257316005DE004/$File/What%20is%20a%20MEU.pdf What is a MEU?] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080910040300/http://www.iimefpublic.usmc.mil/Public/InfolineMarines.nsf/%28ArticlesDocuments%29/BD7EB71DA033FC0A85257316005DE004/%24File/What%20is%20a%20MEU.pdf |date=2008-09-10 }} II MEF website</ref> Each MEU is an [[Expeditionary warfare|expeditionary]] [[rapid reaction force]] ready to answer any crisis, whether it be disaster aid or a combat mission.<ref name=WiaMEU/> '''Marine Amphibious Unit''' ('''MAU''') was the name used until the late 1980s.

A MEU normally is composed of
* a reinforced USMC [[infantry]] [[battalion]] (designated as a Battalion Landing Team) as the [[ground combat element]]
* a composite medium [[tiltrotor]] [[squadron (aviation)|squadron]] forming the [[aviation combat element]]
* a combat logistics battalion providing the [[logistics combat element]]
* a company-size [[Command element (United States Marine Corps)|command element]] serving as the MEU headquarters group.

Troop strength of a MEU is about 2,200 (normal and peacetime) to 4,400 (mobilization and wartime). A MEU is usually commanded by a [[Colonel (United States)|colonel]], and is deployed from [[amphibious assault ship]]s. Currently, a MEU embarks personnel and equipment on the [[Amphibious ready group|amphibious warfare ships]] of an [[expeditionary 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 more [[carrier strike group]]s.

==Attributes==
[[File:990715-N-9593R-005.jpg|thumb|Marines loading on a [[Landing Craft Utility]] in 1999]]
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 combines [[artillery]], [[LAV 25|light armor]], and tanks at a much lower level than was common in the Army until the development of the [[brigade combat team]] early in the [[war on terror]], with a similar concept, the [[combat command]], being utilized in [[World War II]].

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 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 on [[United States Navy|U.S. Navy]] [[List of United States Navy amphibious warfare ships|amphibious assault ships]] allows MEUs to [[Seabasing|seabase]] around the globe, ready for deployment at short notice.

A typical MEU has approximately 2,200 members, including navy sailors. It is equipped with:
[[File:HelicopterFlyby.jpg|thumb|A [[UH-1N Twin Huey|UH-1N]] from the [[26th Marine Expeditionary Unit]] flies past an [[AH-1 SuperCobra|AH-1W]] on the flight deck of [[USS Kearsarge (LHD-3)|USS ''Kearsarge'']]]]
{|class="wikitable sortable"
|-
!Qty !! Nomenclature !! Element


|-
|7 to 16
|[[LAV-25|Light Armored Vehicle]]
|ground
|-
|15
|[[Assault Amphibious Vehicle]]
|ground
|-
|6
|155mm [[howitzer]]: [[M777 howitzer|M777]]
|ground
|-
|8
|[[M252 mortar|M252 81mm mortar]]
|ground
|-
|8
|[[BGM-71 TOW|BGM-71 Tube-Launched, Optically-Tracked, Wire-Guided (TOW) missile weapon system]]
|ground
|-
|8
|[[FGM-148 Javelin|FGM-148 Javelin anti-tank missile]]
|ground
|-
|4 to 6
|[[AH-1Z Viper|AH-1Z Viper attack helicopters]]
|aviation
|-
|3
|[[UH-1Y Venom|UH-1Y Venom light utility helicopters]]
|aviation
|-
|12
|[[MV-22 Osprey|MV-22A Osprey medium-lift tiltrotor aircraft]]
|aviation
|-
|4
|[[CH-53E Super Stallion|CH-53E Super Stallion heavy-lift transport helicopters]]
|aviation
|-
|6
|[[AV-8B Harrier II|AV-8B Harrier V/STOL light-attack airplanes]]
|aviation
|-
|2
|[[KC-130J Super Hercules|KC-130 Hercules aerial re-fueler/transport airplanes]]<BR />''Note: usually maintained in the [[contiguous United States]]''
|aviation
|-
|2
|[[Reverse Osmosis Water Purification Unit]]
|logistics
|-
|1
|LMT 3000 [[water purification]] unit
|logistics
|-
|4
|[[List of vehicles of the United States Marine Corps#Support/Engineer|Tractor, Rubber Tire, Articulated Steering]]
|logistics
|-
|2
|[[List of vehicles of the United States Marine Corps#Support/Engineer|TX51-19M Rough Terrain Forklift]]
|logistics
|-
|3
|[[Caterpillar D7|D7 bulldozer]]
|logistics
|-
|1
|[[Medium Tactical Vehicle Replacement]] [[dump truck]]
|logistics
|-
|4
|[[Logistics Vehicle System|Mk48 Logistics Vehicle System]]
|logistics
|-
|7
|500 gallon water containers
|multiple
|-
|63
|[[Humvee]]
|multiple
|-
|30
|[[Medium Tactical Vehicle Replacement]] trucks
|multiple
|-
|5
|[[Boeing Insitu RQ-21 Blackjack]]
|aviation
|}

Many types of equipment are, or will soon, undergo a transitory phase as they are replaced. Some examples include the [[Amphibious Combat Vehicle]] replacing the AAV-7, the [[Lockheed Martin F-35B Lightning II|F-35 Lightning II]] replacing the AV-8B Harrier, and the [[Sikorsky CH-53K King Stallion|CH-53K King Stallion replacing the CH-53E]].

==Elements==

===Ground combat element===
[[Image:13th MEU disembarking Bright Star 2005.jpg|thumb|Marines from the [[13th Marine Expeditionary Unit]] land for [[Operation Bright Star]] in [[Egypt]]]]
[[Image:CLB22 loading forklift.jpg|thumb|Marines from the [[22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit]] load a forklift onto a [[Medium Tactical Vehicle Replacement]]]]
[[Image:Expeditionary Strike Group 3.jpg|thumb|[[Expeditionary Strike Group Three]] flotilla]]
The '''[[ground combat element]]''' ('''GCE''') is based on the ''battalion landing team'' (''BLT''), an infantry battalion reinforced with an [[artillery battery]], [[amphibious assault vehicle]] platoon, [[combat engineering|combat engineer]] platoon, [[United States Marine Corps Light Armored Reconnaissance|light armored reconnaissance]] company, [[United States Marine Corps Reconnaissance Battalions|reconnaissance]] platoon, and other units as the mission and circumstances require. The total strength is approximately 1,100 members, including Navy sailors.

The [[Maritime Special Purpose Force]] is a subgroup of the MEU, formed for low-profile missions. The MSPF force consists of four elements: an [[Maritime Special Purpose Force#Assault Element (AE)|assault platoon]] (a [[Direct action (military)|direct action]] platoon augmented from [[United States Marine Corps Force Reconnaissance|Force Recon]]), a [[Maritime Special Purpose Force#Security Element|security platoon]] (a selected infantry platoon from the battalion landing team), [[Maritime Special Purpose Force#Support Element|reconnaissance and surveillance assets]], and a [[Maritime Special Purpose Force#Command Element|headquarters section]]. The total strength is approximately 350 members, including Navy sailors.

===Aviation combat element===
The '''[[aviation combat element]]''' ('''ACE''') is a USMC composite squadron (reinforced) composed of a [[List of active United States Marine Corps aircraft squadrons#Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadrons|medium tiltrotor]] squadron augmented with detachments of heavy, light, and attack helicopters, one detachment of amphibious flight-deck-[[VTOL|capable]] jets, and a [[List of United States Marine Corps aviation support units|Marine air control]] group detachment with tactical air command, [[air traffic control]], [[Direct Air Support Center|direct air support]], and [[anti-aircraft]] assets, as well as wing headquarters, wing communications, and wing support squadron personnel. Total strength is approximately 600 troops.

===Logistics combat element===
The '''[[logistics combat element]]''' ('''LCE''') (formerly ''combat service support element'' or ''CSSE'') is based on the MEU combat logistics battalion (CLB) (formerly ''MEU service support group'' or ''MSSG'').  It contains all the [[logistics]] 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), [[Hospital Corpsman|medical]], [[Dentistry|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.

===Command element===
The '''[[Command element (United States Marine Corps)|command element]]''' ('''CE'''), which includes the MEU commander and his [[Staff (military)|supporting staff]], provides [[Command and Control (Military)|command and control]] over the other three elements. It includes specialized detachments for [[Air Naval Gunfire Liaison Company|air naval gunfire liaison]], [[Force Recon|reconnaissance]],  [[surveillance]], specialized communications, [[List of United States Marine Corps battalions#Radio battalions|radio reconnaissance]] ([[signals intelligence|SIGINT]]), [[electronic warfare]], [[Marine Corps Intelligence]] and [[counterintelligence]], [[military police|law enforcement]], and [[Public affairs (military)|public affairs]] missions.  The overall strength is about 200 members, including Navy sailors.

==Expeditionary strike group==
Recently, MEUs have been deployed within an [[expeditionary strike group]] (ESG) in the [[Mediterranean]], the Western [[Pacific]], and periodically, the [[Atlantic Ocean|Atlantic]] and [[Indian Ocean]]s. An ESG is typically composed of three [[Amphibious warfare|amphibious]] ships that embark the necessary troops and equipment and are escorted by a [[guided missile]] [[cruiser]] (CG) and guided missile [[destroyer]]s (DDG) and [[submarine]] ([[SSN (U.S. Navy)|SSN]]) support.

Before the ESG, MEUs were typically deployed as part of an [[amphibious ready group]] (ARG).

==The MEU Cycle==
[[File:U.S. Marines return from a boat rehearsal aboard USS Green Bay (LPD 20) in the Philippine Sea. (51862631140).jpg|thumb|Marines with the [[31st Marine Expeditionary Unit]] train from the amphibious transport dock ship {{USS|Green Bay|LPD-20}} in the [[Philippine Sea]] in 2022]]
{{For|detailed information on special operations certification|Marine expeditionary unit (special operations capable)}}

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 and [[military operations other than war|noncombat]] skills, to include:
* urban sniper
* mechanized and motorized [[Raid (military)|raid]]s
* [[non-combatant]] evacuation operations
* [[Humanitarian aid|humanitarian assistance]]
* [[triage|mass casualty]]
* [[frogman|scout swimmer]]
* [[Jungle warfare|jungle]] and/or [[mountain warfare]]
* [[riot control]]

Exercises conducted during the work-up period can include:
* Amphibious squadron—MEU integration training (PMINT)
* Realistic urban training exercise (RUT), formerly training in an urban environment exercise (TRUEX)
* Expeditionary strike group exercise (ESGEX)
* Special operations capable certification exercise (CERTEX or SOCCEX); prior to deployment, the MEU receives certification as special operations capable and then referred to as a "MEU(SOC)".

'''Deployment''': Following the work-up period, the MEU deploys for six months in support of geographic [[Unified Combatant Command|combatant 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:
* [[Conventional warfare|Conventional operations]] ([[Amphibious warfare|amphibious assaults]] and raids)
* Tactical recovery of aircraft and personnel (TRAP)
* Humanitarian assistance operations (HAO)
* Noncombatant evacuation operations (NEO)
* Security operations.

==List of MEUs==

===West Coast MEUs===
West Coast MEUs fall under [[I Marine Expeditionary Force]], and their main area of operations includes the western [[Pacific Ocean|Pacific]] and [[Indian Ocean|Indian]] oceans (to include the [[Persian Gulf]]).<ref name="globalsecurity">[http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/agency/usmc/meu.htm profile] at GlobalSecurity.org</ref>
{| class="wikitable" width="600" style="text-align:center;"
|- bgcolor="#CCCCCC"
!'''Official Name'''  ||  '''Insignia'''  ||  '''Headquarters'''
|-
|'''[[11th Marine Expeditionary Unit]]''' || [[Image:11th_MEU_Insignia.png|75px]]  ||    [[Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton]], [[California]] 
|-
|'''[[13th Marine Expeditionary Unit]]''' || [[Image:13thMEUlogo.png|75px]] ||  [[Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton]], [[California]] 
|-
| '''[[15th Marine Expeditionary Unit]]''' || [[Image:15thMEUlogo.png|75px]] || [[Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton]], [[California]] 
|}

===East Coast MEUs===
East Coast MEUs fall under [[II Marine Expeditionary Force]] and maintain presence in the [[Atlantic Ocean]] and [[Mediterranean Sea]].<ref name="globalsecurity" />
{| class="wikitable" width="600" style="text-align:center;"
|- bgcolor="#CCCCCC"
!'''Official Name'''  ||  '''Insignia'''  ||  '''Headquarters'''
|-
|'''[[22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit]]''' || [[Image:MEU22.jpg|75px]]  ||    [[Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune]], [[North Carolina]] 
|-
|'''[[24th Marine Expeditionary Unit]]''' || [[Image:24MEULOGOsm.jpg|75px]] ||  [[Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune]], [[North Carolina]] 
|-
| '''[[26th Marine Expeditionary Unit]]''' || [[Image:Updated MEU Trans.jpg|85px]] || [[Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune]], [[North Carolina]] 
|}

===Japan MEU===
The 31st MEU is the only permanently forward-deployed MEU, maintaining a presence in the [[Pacific Ocean]] at all times as part of [[III Marine Expeditionary Force]].<ref name="globalsecurity" />
{| class="wikitable" width="600" style="text-align:center;"
|- bgcolor="#CCCCCC"
!'''Official Name'''  ||  '''Insignia'''  ||  '''Headquarters'''
|-
|'''[[31st Marine Expeditionary Unit]]''' || [[Image:080101 NEW 31st MEU LOGO.jpg|75px]]||  [[Marine Corps Base Camp Smedley D. Butler]],<br /> [[Okinawa Prefecture|Okinawa]], [[Japan]] 
|}

==See also==
* [[Marine expeditionary unit (special operations capable)]]
* [[Organization of the United States Marine Corps]]
* [[Regimental combat team]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

== External links ==
*{{Commons category-inline|Marine Expeditionary Units}}
{{US Marine Corps navbox}}

[[Category:United States Marine Corps lists|MEU]]
[[Category:United States Marine Corps organization]]
[[Category:Rapid reaction force units and formations]]