MAGTF Flashcards
What are the (4) core elements of the Marine Air-Ground Task Force (MAGTF)?
- A command element (CE).
- A ground combat element (GCE).
- An aviation combat element (ACE).
- A logistics combat element (LCE).
Explain the Command Element and their (7) warfighting functions (CIF-MILF)
The MAGTF headquarters. Task organized to provide the command-and-control capabilities necessary for effective planning, execution, and assessment of operations across the warfighting functions.
The seven warfighting functions are:
1. Command and Control
2. Information
3. Force Protection
4. Maneuver
5. Intelligence
6. Logistics
7. Fires
Explain the Ground Combat Element (GCE)
The GCE is task organized to conduct ground operations, project combat power, and contribute to battlespace dominance in support of the MAGTF’s mission. It is formed around an infantry organization reinforced with artillery, reconnaissance, amphibious assault, and engineer forces. The GCE can vary in size and composition, usually from a battalion to one or more Marine divisions.
Explain the Aviation Combat Element (ACE)
The ACE is task organized to conduct air operations, project combat power, and contribute to battlespace dominance in support of the MAGTF’s mission by performing some or all of the six functions of Marine aviation. It is formed around an aviation headquarters with air control agencies, aircraft squadrons or groups, and combat service support units. It can vary in size and composition from an aviation detachment of specifically required aircraft to one or more Marine aircraft wings.
Explain the Logistics Combat Element (LCE)
The LCE is task organized to provide all functions of tactical logistics necessary to support the continued readiness and sustainability of the MAGTF. The LCE is formed around a combat service support HQ and may vary in size and composition from a support detachment to one or more Marine logistics groups.
Define Marine Expeditionary Forces to include all components
The MEF is the Marine Corps’ principal warfighting organization. It is capable of missions across a range of military operations to include amphibious assault and sustained operations ashore in any environment. Size and composition can vary greatly depending on the requirements of the mission. The major commands that constitute the primary reservoir of combat capabilities are:
* A permanent Command Element (CE).
* A GCE of one or more Marine Divisions (MARDIV).
* An ACE of one or more Marine Aircraft Wings (MAW).
* A LCE of one or more Marine Logistics Groups (MLG).
Typically deploys by echelon with 60 days of sustainment. A lieutenant general normally commands a MEF.
What are the three standing MEFs and where are they located?
- I MEF based in southern California and Arizona.
- II MEF based in Virginia, North Carolina, and South Carolina.
- III MEF based in Japan and Hawaii.
Define Marine Divisions to include all components
Mission: to provide forces for amphibious assaults or to execute other operations as may be directed.
Must be able to provide the ground amphibious forcible-entry capability to an amphibious task force (ATF) and conduct subsequent land operations in any operational environment. The division commander fights by using combined-arms tactics and tailors the force to the demands of each mission. The Marine division is employed as the GCE of the MEF or may provide task-organized forces for smaller MAGTFs.
Define Marine Air Wings to include all components
The ACE is composed of task-organized Marine aviation forces under a single commander. The ACE commander is the MAGTF commander’s principal advisor and subject matter expert on all aviation activities. The primary mission of Marine Corps aviation is to participate as the air component of the MAGTF in the seizure and defense of advance naval bases and to conduct such land operations as may be essential for the prosecution of a naval campaign.
Marine Logistics Groups
The MLG provides direct support (DS) to the MEF and sustained tactical logistics to each element in the MEF in the functional areas of logistics beyond the organic capabilities of supported units. It provides LCEs to smaller MAGTFs that train, rapidly task organize, deploy, employ, fight, and redeploy in order to provide general support (GS) and direct support (DS) logistics combat support to all elements of the MEF and smaller MAGTFs. The MLG is structured to support, in garrison or deployed, a one-division/one-wing configured MEF. Staffed and equipped by tables of organization and tables of equipment to support a one-division/one-wing MEF and/or three MEUs simultaneously.
Define the Marine Air-Ground Task Force concept
Consisting of command, ground combat, aviation, and logistical elements organized as necessary for each situation, the MAGTF supports the adaptability necessary for the uncertainty of the operational environment and the full range of military operations.
The MAGTF’s modular structure lends itself to rapid expansion into a larger force or integration into a joint or multinational force because the MAGTF structure parallels the structure of a multidimensional joint force.
The MAGTF is a balanced air-ground combined arms task organization of Marine Corps
forces under a single commander structured to accomplish a specific mission. It is the Marine Corps’ principal organization for all missions across the range of military operations. It is designed to fight, while having the ability to prevent conflicts and control crises.
Identify the four elements of a Marine Expeditionary Force (MEF)
- A permanent Command Element (CE).
- A GCE of one or more Marine Divisions (MARDIV).
- An ACE of one or more Marine Aircraft Wings (MAW).
- A LCE of one or more Marine Logistics Groups (MLG).
- NOTE: Size and composition can vary greatly depending on the requirements of the mission. A lieutenant general normally commands a MEF.
Define the four elements of a Marine Expeditionary Brigade (MEB)
- A CE may include additional assets such as command and control, force reconnaissance company, signals intelligence capabilities from the radio battalion, and engineering capabilities from the naval construction regiments.
- A GCE is composed of an infantry regiment reinforced with artillery, reconnaissance, engineer, light armored reconnaissance units, assault amphibian units, and other attachments as required.
- An ACE is composed of a Marine aircraft group comprised of combat assault transport helicopters, utility and attack helicopters, vertical/short takeoff and landing fixed-wing attack aircraft, air refuelers/transport aircraft, and other detachments as required.
- A LCE is task organized around a combat logistics regiment. This element has engineering, supply, transportation, landing support for beach, port, and airfield delivery, medical and maintenance capabilities.
- NOTE: Self-sustaining for 30 days. Normally commanded by a brigadier general.
What are the (3) standing MEBs and where are they located?
- 1st MEB located in Camp Pendleton, CA (I MEF) standing MEB CE; rather, task organized from within I MEF as the situation requires).
- 2d MEB located in Camp Lejeune, NC is aligned to II MEF (USEUCOM/USAFRICOM/USCENTCOM) (standing MEB CE).
- 3d MEB located in Okinawa, Japan is aligned to III MEF (USINDOPACOM) (standing MEB CE).
- 5th MEB (not a standing MEB) located in Bahrain also serves as MARCENT (FWD) and is aligned to USCENTCOM (also known as Amphibious Task Force-51/5th MEB)
Define the four elements of a Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU)
- A standing CE that may include additional assets such as command and control, force reconnaissance company, and signals intelligence capabilities from the radio battalion.
- A GCE comprised of an infantry battalion reinforced with artillery, reconnaissance, engineers, light armored reconnaissance, assault amphibian units, and other attachments as required. This reinforced infantry battalion forms a battalion landing team (BLT).
- An ACE consisting of a Marine medium tiltrotor squadron (VMM) is reinforced with detachments from a Marine heavy helicopter squadron (HMH), Marine light attack helicopter squadron (HMLA), Marine attack squadron (VMA), Marine unmanned aerial vehicle squadron (VMU), Marine air traffic control detachment (MATCD), Marine wing support squadron (MWSS), and Marine aviation logistics squadron (MALS).
- A LCE consisting of a combat logistics battalion (CLB). The CLB has engineering, supply, transportation, landing support, medical, and maintenance capabilities.
- A Colonel commands a MEU and deploys with 15 days of sustainment.
