Unit Designation: 612th Marine Expeditionary Unit

Unit Overview

Starfleet Marine Corps operational doctrine emphasizes an air-ground team integration at a relatively low command level, owing to the dependency that exists between Fleet and Corps personnel in the field. The Marine Expeditionary Unit is the smallest type of Marine Air Ground Task Force (MAGTF), and was officially established as an operational concept in 2407. The change in name reflects capabilities beyond garrison and regular security duties. With a strength of about 2,200 personnel, the MEU is built around a reinforced infantry battalion, a light carrier assault squadron, and an MEU service support group. It is commanded most often by a major or lieutenant colonel, and is routinely deployed with transport capabilities to form a forward deployed, transport-ready, expeditionary force. A deployed MEU is a vital element of the National Military Strategy requirement for a capable forward presence to defend Federation interests both domestically and abroad. It is capable of conducting operations of limited duration, acting as an advance force for a larger follow-on MAGTF and providing an immediate response capability to a wide spectrum of crises/contingencies by conducting relevant operations. The MEU is unique in that its carrier and ground combat elements are combined with combat service support under one commander. The carrier/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 it needs to sustain itself for short- or medium-term mission accomplishment or to pave the way for any follow-on forces. The MEU is an expeditionary intervention force with the ability to rapidly organize for combat operations in virtually any environment. The MEU is comprised of a command element (CE); a reinforced infantry battalion as the ground combat element (GCE); a light marine assault carrier squadron as the aviation combat carrier element (ACCE); and a combat service support element (CSSE) designated the MEU Service Support Group (MSSG).

COMMAND ELEMENT (CE)

The 51st Command Element provides command and control of the three Major Support Elements (MSEs). In addition to the MEU commander and his supporting staff, the CE includes specialized detachments providing a direct action capability, tactical liason capability, reconnaissance and surveillance, and specialized communications and electronic warfare capability. When the MEU is deployed and not embarked aboard ship, the Marine Expeditionary Force Commander exercises operational control of the MEU. In contrast to normal Fleet-Marine operations, where the designated Fleet senior officer exercises operational command and control, when the MEU is embarked aboard light marine assault carriers the MEU commander exercises operational control. During contingencies, the MEU may be designated as a separate component within a Joint Force or designated as the landing force of a Fleet.

GROUND COMBAT ELEMENT (GCE)

The ground combat element of the MEU is the Battalion Landing Team (BLT), which is a reinforced infantry battalion of approximately 1,200 Marines, including three Rifle Companies. These attachments normally include a Mechanized Infantry Unit (MIU) , engineers, light armored infantry, antiarmor, and division reconnaissance units. * Tank Platoon configured with 10 Main Battle Tanks, providing heavy anti-vehicle/artillery support and strike capability with infantry and Light Armored Vehicle (LAV) support. * Light Armored Reconnaissance (LAR) detachment configured with 15 Light Armored Vehicles, providing mobile reconnaissance screening and strike capability with its LAVs and infantry/scouts.

AVIATION COMBAT CARRIER ELEMENT (ACCE)

The 39th Light Carrier Squadron, the aviation combat carrier element, is a reinforced medium lift squadron. This squadron is normally reinforced with four combat and reconnaissance drones per ship, and may be supplemented by Targa assault runabouts, regular Fleet vessels, attack runabouts, a detachment from a Marine Air Control Group (MACG), a Low Altittude Air Defense (LAAD) section, and a detachment from the Marine Wing Support Group (MWSG). * Marine Light Carrier Squadron (LCS), comfigured with 6 Light Marine Assault Carriers, provides medium- and heavy-lift assault support and is the core of the ACCE. * Marine Light Attack Squadron (LAS) detachment, configured with 20 type VI attack drones, and 4 type IV reconnaissance drones: provides close air support, airborne command and control, and escort. * Marine Air Control Group (MACG) detachment that encompasses the Low Altitude Air Defense (LAAD) Battery detachment: provides low level, close-in air defense.

AVIATION COMBAT CARRIER ELEMENT (ACCE)

The 119th Combat Service Support Element of the MEU is relatively small in numbers, usually with less than 500 Fleet and Marine personnel. A MEU Service Support Group provides combat support, specifically: supply; maintenance; transportation; explosive ordinance disposal; military police; disbursing (pay services); engineering; medical and dental services; and other services to the deployed MEU. The MSSG normally consists of an executive staff, two reinforced support platoons, and six reinforced service support platoons. The two support platoons are the Headquarters Platoon and the Communications Platoon. The six service support platoons are the Engineer Support Platoon, the Maintenance Support Platoon, the Motor Transport Platoon, the Landing Support Platoon, the Supply Platoon, and the Medical Platoon. Within its assets, the MSSG is capable of providing line-haul transport, limited third echelon repairs, and Arrival Airfield Control Group (AACG) or Departure Airfield Control Group (DACG) functions.

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File Last Updated SD 240706.24