Chapter 1

ORGANIZATION AND FUNDAMENTALS

b. MEF (FWD). As the USMC focus of

�śThe nature of modern warfare demands discussion, the MEF (FWD) affords a joint force that we fight as a team.... Effectively commander (JFC) exceptional operational integrated joint forces expose no weak flexibility in planning and executing joint points or seams to enemy action, while they

operations. See Appendix B, Marine Air-

rapidly and efficiently find and attack

Ground Task Forces (MAGTFs), for an

enemy weak points... ”

overview of USMC forces that may employ with Joint Pub 1, Joint Warfare of the Armed Army forces.

Forces of the United States

2. United States Army (USA) Corps 1. Background

The corps is the largest tactical unit in the USA. Designed to conduct operations at the Given the expanse of options available to tactical or operational levels of war, the corps joint planners in task-organizing Army and normally fights as part of a larger joint or Marine Corps forces, this publication provides multinational force within the context of two �śbase cases” for a common framework

campaigns or major operations. See Appendix

discussion. These two cases focus on the

A and Field Manual (FM) 100-15, Corps command and control (C2) of a notional Army Operations, for further information.

brigade by a Marine expeditionary force (MEF) and the C2 of a notional Marine expeditionary force (forward) (MEF FWD ) by an Army corps.

a. Composition. Corps differ in size and composition. Depending on the preponderance a.

Army Division Ready Brigade. The of armored, mechanized, or light infantry Army division ready brigade (DRB) serves as combat units, a corps can be characterized as the centerpiece for the discussions that follow.

heavy light, or mixed. Corps are tailored for The rationale for using the DRB is threefold: the specific requirements of the mission.

a DRB will likely be the initial mechanized force Generally, a corps consists of two to five deployed in a contingency situation requiring divisions: a corps aviation brigade, corps a mechanized capability; DRBs are ideally artillery, a corps support command, and a suited to deploy and linkup with Army number of combat, combat support (CS), and equipment prepositioned both afloat and in the combat service support (CSS) units that range Central Command area of responsibility (AOR); in size from companies to brigades.

and DRBs feature unique capabilities that complement United States Marine Corps b. Functions.

(USMC) capabilities, as evidenced by the attachment of an armored brigade to a MEF

during Operations Desert Shield and Desert (1) The corps plans and conducts Storm. The DRB can assume many different operations in concert with other elements of forms; throughout this text it refers to a the joint force to achieve campaign or major tailored, early-deploying armor-heavy force operations’ objective.

that features a range of operational

capabilities. See Appendix A, United States

(2) The corps provides the C2 structure

Army Corps, for an overview of other Army

for the JFC when designated and properly forces that may employ with USMC forces.

augmented to perform that function.

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(3) The corps performs the role of the CSS units. They are classified as armored, Army service component commander. The mechanized, infantry, light infantry, airborne, corps may function as the Army forces (ARFOR) or air assault. Normally divisions conduct headquarters establishing linkages to joint, operations as part of a corps or larger force but combined, and interagency organizations, are capable of acting independently with conducting combat and support operations.

appropriate augmentation. Divisional roles in AMCI parallel those of the corps during (4) The corps integrates available Air exceptional circumstances, when the division Force, Navy, and Marine combat, CS, and CSS

acts as the higher headquarters for a MAGTF.

into tactical operations, including joint efforts When subordinate to a MEF, divisional roles in intelligence, target acquisition, target attack, mirror those of the Army brigades discussed electronic warfare (EW), suppression of enemy below. See FM 71-100, Division Operations, for air defenses (SEAD), and logistics.

further information.

(5) The corps plans and conducts close, 4. Army Heavy DRB

deep, and rear operations.

Organized to fight successive battles on any c. Corps Role in Army-Marine Corps part of the battlefield in conventional, nuclear, Integration (AMCI). When designated as the or chemical environments, the Army DRB

joint task force (JTF) or joint force land features the mobility, firepower, and component commander (JFLCC), the corps survivability needed to destroy enemy forces commander and staff may exercise C2 of and by fire and maneuver and to disrupt enemy provide appropriate augmentation to assigned operations by fire.

MAGTFs. When directed, the corps provides major combat, CS, or CSS units or other a. Organization. There is no standard augmentation to USMC control.

organization for a division ready brigade.

Specific composition depends on the strategic setting; nature of the contingency mission; 3. Army Divisions

forces available; and mission, enemy, terrain and weather, troops and support available, time The division is the Army’s largest �śfixed”

available (METT-T) analysis of the particular organization that trains and fights as a tactical situation that required the deployment and team. Army divisions are organized with employment of the brigade. Figure I-1 reflects varying numbers and types of combat, CS, and a notional DRB. The model is not absolute for I-2





the units or types and quantities of weapons aircraft squadron capable of executing portrayed; its function is to serve as a common operations of limited scope and duration. The point of departure for subsequent discussions SP Marine air ground task force (SPMAGTF) throughout the publication.

is usually a small, task-organized force configured to accomplish missions for which the b. Capabilities/Limitations. The DRB

MEF, MEF (FWD), or MEU are inappropriate.

accomplishes missions assigned by higher The specific composition of MAGTFs depends headquarters and conforms to that upon the requirements of a particular mission, commander’s intent and concept of operation.

but the basic organization is standard. Each Although capable of acting independently, the MAGTF consists of a command element (CE), brigade normally conducts operations as part one or more ground combat elements (GCEs), of a larger force. Table I-1 reflects capabilities an aviation combat element (ACE), and a and limitations of the Army DRB.

combat service support element (CSSE).

5. MAGTF

a. CE. The CE consists of the MAGTF

commander, a general and special staff, Marine Corps forces are assigned to the headquarters sections, communications, and Marine component of the US Atlantic and other service support sections. The GE serves Pacific Commands. The Marine Corps provides as the focal point for MAGTF operational deployable, tailored, and flexible combined execution in coordinating and directing the arms MAGTFs to supported unified commands efforts of assigned aviation, ground, and CSSE.

as directed by the National Command Authorities (NCA). Traditionally, the size b. GCE. The GCE is task organized around ranges from the most capable MAGTF to a combat and CS units and can range in Marine expeditionary unit (MEU) or even to a capability and size from a single reinforced rifle special purpose (SP) MAGTF. The MAGTF is a company to one or more reinforced Marine MEF composed of one or more divisions, Marine divisions (MARDIVs).

air wings (MAWs), and force service support groups (FSSGs) capable of conducting extended c. ACE. The ACE plans and executes air combat operations. The MEU can be a operations for the MAGTF. Marine aviation reinforced infantry battalion and a reinforced functions include air reconnaissance, antiair I-3

warfare, assault support, offensive air support, (5) The MEF plans and executes EW, and control of aircraft and missiles. The amphibious operations in concert with the ACE varies in size from a reinforced helicopter United States Navy (USN).

squadron to one or more MAWs. Like the GCE, the ACE is also task organized with appropriate c. AMCI Roles. When designated as the CS and CSS.

JTF commander or JFLCC, the MEF

commander and staff may exercise C2 of and d. CSSE. The CSSE is task organized to provide appropriate augmentation to assigned provide the necessary CSS to accomplish the Army units. When directed, the MEF provides MAGTF mission.

Based on situational

major combat, CS,

CSS units or other

requirements, CSSEs vary in size from an augmentation to USA control,

expansive force service support group that supports a MEF to the smaller combat service 7. MEU

support detachment (CSSD) that would support a MEU.

Commanded by a colonel, the MEU

includes approximately 2500 Marines and 6. MEF

sailors. The MEU GCE is normally an infantry battalion landing team (BLT) reinforced with The MEF, the largest MAGTF, is the Marine an artillery battery, amphibious assault Corps’ primary warfighting force. Its vehicles, light armored reconnaissance vehicles, composition, functions, and roles in integrated and combat engineers, The MEU ACE is a operations are described below: reinforced helicopter squadron, including a mix of attack helicopters; light, medium, and heavy a. Composition. The MEF may consist of transport helicopters; and vertical/short takeoff one or more MARDIVs, one or more MAWs, and landing (V/STOL) attack aircraft. The MEU

can be more than one FSSG. A MEF (single service support group (MSSG) can provide 15

division/wing/FSSG) features approximately days of sustainment. MEUs are normally sea-55,000 Marine Corps and Navy personnel, 300

based aboard an amphibious ready group fixed- and rotary-wing aircraft, 300 combat vehicles, and 72 artillery pieces.

(ARG) and are forward deployed to meet the operational requirements of the commanders b. Functions.

of a combatant command (CINCs). MEUs are the most responsive of MAGTFs, MEUs are (1) The MEF commands, controls, directs, trained, equipped, and certified as special plans, and coordinates air and ground operations capable before deployment. Because operations of joint forces assigned, attached, of its size and sustainability, a MEU generally or under its operational authority to achieve requires reinforcement for extensive and/or campaign or major operations’ objectives.

extended operations ashore, The MEU is capable of compositing with additional forces, (2) The MEF provides the C2 structure transitioning to a larger MAGTF, or serving as for the JFC when designated and properly the enabling force to facilitate the introduction augmented to perform that function.

of other forces.

(3) The MEF functions as the Marine 8. MEF (FWD)

Corps forces (MARFOR) headquarters when so designated.

Given its inherent flexibility, the MEF

(FWD) will likely be the force of choice as the (4) The MEF integrates available Air initial element to deploy from a MEF. The Force, Navy, and Army combat, CS, and CSS

standing elements of a MEF staff normally into tactical operations, including joint efforts form the basis for the CE of a MEF (FWD).

in intelligence, target acquisition, target attack, MEF CES are structured to command task-EW, SEAD, and logistics.

organized MAGTFs that provide the required I-4





JFC capabilities. As a result, the numbers and organization of the DRB described earlier.

types of units, aircraft, weapons, and total Figure I-2 reflects a notional MEF (FWD). As assigned personnel varies. Because of the with the DRB, the model is not absolute for the flexibility described above, the MEF (FWD) is units or types and quantities of weapons ideally suited for conducting sustained combat portrayed but designed to serve as a common operations as part of a larger joint force.

point of departure for ensuing discussions. The MEF (FWD) shown is formed around a reinforced infantry regiment, an aircraft group, There is no standard organization for a and a supporting brigade service support MEF (FWD). Specific composition depends on

element. Table I-2 describes the capabilities

the same conditions that dictate the task and limitations of the MEF (FWD).

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9. Fundamentals of AMCI Operations as part of a MEF. The table also identifies potential sources for the required The basic principle for effectively

augmentation assets. Table I-4 provides

integrating and employing USA and USMC

similar data for the MEF (FWD) when it forces as a joint warfighting team is to operates as part of an Army corps. The tables maximize the capabilities of one force to illustrate rather than prescribe; specific counterbalance the vulnerabilities of the other.

requirements are situation dependent.

To achieve that end, requirements for Augmentation requirements are addressed in additional external forces and assets must be greater detail in succeeding functionally identified and resourced; command focused chapters.

relationships must be established; and the force must be task organized for operational planning and execution.

11. Command Relationships

10. Augmentation Requirements A JFC organizes forces based on the mission assigned; objectives and guidance from In some circumstances, the DRB and the higher headquarters; and capabilities and MEF (FWD) may fight in the configurations strength of the component forces assigned. In

depicted in Figures I-1 and I-2 respectively. In

the case of AMCI operations, the JFC

most cases, however, both forces require determines the basis on which subordinate augmentation to conduct sustained combat commanders exercise command. Also, the JFC

operations. The augmentation matrix found assigns and clearly defines responsibilities and

in Table I-3 provides a summary of some of the

scopes of authority in the directives that augmentation the DRB may require to operate establish subordinate commands.

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