The II Marine Expeditionary Force, one of three MEFs in the Marine Corps, is a combined arms force consisting of ground, air and logistics forces. It possesses the capability for projecting offensive combat power ashore while sustaining itself in combat without external assistance for a period of 60 days.

With more than 47,000 Marines and sailors, II MEF is representative of the largest and most powerful Marine Air-Ground Task Force. II MEF is comprised of four basic components: (1) II MEF Headquarters Group containing personnel and equipment necessary for effective planning and execution of operations; (2) a ground combat element, the 2nd Marine Division; (3) an aviation combat element, the 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing; and (4) a combat service support element, the 2nd Marine Logistics Group.

While II MEF is included within the operational force structure of U.S. Marine Corps Forces Command and engages in operations and exercises throughout the MarForCom area, it routinely commits operating forces in support of other U.S. unified and NATO commands. II MEF is, in fact, available for and prepared to respond to contingency requirements worldwide.

The MEF can be employed in its entirety or has the capability of forming task-organized MAGTFs of lesser size such as a Marine Expeditionary Brigade, a MAGTF built around a regimental landing team and about one-third the size of a MEF or a Marine Expeditionary Unit, a MAGTF built around a battalion landing team and about onethird the size of a MEB. The size and composition of any MAGTF will be dependent upon the mission assigned. One mission that could be assigned to the MEB would be assignment for planning, deployment and utilization of equipment stored aboard Maritime Propositioning Ships.

The routinely deployed MAGTFs, the 22nd, 24th and 26th MEUs, deploy on a rotating basis to be a Unified Combatant Commander’s force in readiness. The MEU consists of approximately 2,200 Marines and sailors, is capable of rapid response in a variety of possible contingencies and if the situation requires, can serve as the forward element of a larger MAGTF.