A Marine Expeditionary Force (MEF), formerly known as a Marine amphibious force, is the largest type of a Marine Air–Ground Task Force. A MEF is the principal building block of United States Marine Corps combat power. NATO Map Symbol __TOC__

Structure A MEF is larger than a Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) or Marine Expeditionary Brigade (MEB). A MEF can be composed of 60,000 Marines and sailors.

Each MEF consists of a MEF Information Group (MIG) as the command element, a Marine division (MARDIV) as the Ground Combat Element (GCE), a Marine Aircraft Wing (MAW) as the Aviation Combat Element, and a Marine Logistics Group (MLG) as the Logistics Combat Element.

The MEF also contains a Special Operations Training Group (SOTG) and is the training section component for the MEU and MEB. The SOTG oversees the training and evaluation exercises for the MEU's annual Special Operations Capable Certification.

MEF Information Group (MIG)

The MEF Headquarters Groups (MHG) were redesignated MEF Information Groups in 2017.

The motto for USMC MIG’s is “Collect. Protect. Project.” MIG’s coordinate, integrate and employ capabilities for information environment operations in order to ensure the Marine Air Ground Task Force (MAGTF) Commander’s ability to facilitate friendly forces maneuver and deny the enemy freedom of action in the information environment. MIG’s also provide communications, intelligence, and supporting arms liaison in support of MAGTF operations.

I MEF Information Group (I MIG), Camp Pendleton, CA II MEF Information Group (II MIG), Camp Lejeune, NC III MEF Information Group (III MIG), Camp Hansen, Okinawa, Japan

Organizational information on the MIG's and their subordinate units is available in MCRP 1-10.1, “Organization of the United States Marine Corps,” (As Amended Through 23 July 2020). A new Marine Corps Reference Publication (MCRP 3-30.8) covering “Marine Expeditionary Force Information Group Operations” was published in November 2024.

In September 2026 the Marine Corps announced the activation of one Robotics and Autonomous Systems (RAS) Company within each MEF as part of the MIG to meet sensing demands of MAGTF units.

Organization A MEF also commands several smaller MAGTFs, including MEBs and MEUs. Within each MEF is a MEB, a force of about 14,500 Marines and sailors. The MEB is light enough to use the flexibility and capacity of amphibious ships.

List of MEFs I Marine Expeditionary Force Camp Pendleton, California Insignia Name Location1st Marine DivisionCamp Pendleton, California3rd Marine Aircraft WingMarine Corps Air Station Miramar, California1st Marine Logistics GroupCamp Pendleton, California1st Marine Expeditionary BrigadeCamp Pendleton, California11th Marine Expeditionary UnitCamp Pendleton, California13th Marine Expeditionary UnitCamp Pendleton, California15th Marine Expeditionary UnitCamp Pendleton, California

II Marine Expeditionary Force Camp Lejeune, North Carolina Insignia Name Location2nd Marine DivisionCamp Lejeune, North Carolina2nd Marine Aircraft WingMarine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, North Carolina2nd Marine Logistics GroupCamp Lejeune, North Carolina2nd Marine Expeditionary BrigadeCamp Lejeune, North Carolina22nd Marine Expeditionary UnitCamp Lejeune, North Carolina24th Marine Expeditionary UnitCamp Lejeune, North Carolina26th Marine Expeditionary UnitCamp Lejeune, North Carolina

III Marine Expeditionary Force Camp Butler, Okinawa, Japan Insignia Name Location3rd Marine DivisionCamp Courtney, Okinawa1st Marine Aircraft WingCamp Foster, Okinawa3rd Marine Logistics GroupCamp Kinser, Okinawa3rd Marine Expeditionary BrigadeCamp Butler, Okinawa31st Marine Expeditionary UnitCamp Hansen, Okinawa

Marine Forces Reserve New Orleans, Louisiana Insignia Name Location4th Marine DivisionNew Orleans, Louisiana4th Marine Aircraft WingNew Orleans, Louisiana4th Marine Logistics GroupNew Orleans, Louisiana

References