III Marine Expeditionary Force

Infobox Military Unit
unit_name=III Marine Expeditionary Force


caption=III MEF insignia
dates=October 1, 1942 - June 10, 1946
May 7, 1965 - present
country=United States
allegiance=
branch=USMC
type=Marine Air-Ground Task Force
role= Expeditionary combat forces
size=17,000
command_structure=Marine Forces Pacific
current_commander= LtGen Richard C. Zilmer
garrison=Camp Courtney, Okinawa, Japan
ceremonial_chief=
colonel_of_the_regiment=
nickname=
patron=
motto=
colors=
identification_symbol=
march=
mascot=
battles=Vietnam War
Operation Desert Storm
notable_commanders=
anniversaries=
decorations=
battle_honours=

The III Marine Expeditionary Force, is a Marine Air-Ground Task Force of the United States Marine Corps that is forward-deployed and able to deploy rapidly and conduct operations across the spectrum from humanitarian assistance and disaster relief to amphibious assault and high intensity combat. III MEF maintains a forward presence in Japan and Asia to support the U.S. – Japan Treaty of Mutual Cooperation and Security and other alliance relationships of the United States. III MEF also conducts combined operations and training throughout the region in support of the National Security Strategy for Theater Security Cooperation.

Mission

III Marine Expeditionary Force, as the Marine Corps’ forward-deployed Air-Ground-Logistics-Base Team, is a force in readiness able to deploy rapidly by any and all means and conduct operations from Special Purpose MAGTF through MEU, MEB and MEF, across the spectrum from humanitarian assistance and disaster relief to amphibious assault and High Intensity Combat. III MEF maintains a forward presence in Japan and Asia to support the U.S. – Japan Treaty of Mutual Cooperation and Security and our other alliance relationships. III MEF conducts combined operations and training throughout the region in support of our National Security Strategy for Theater Security Cooperation.

History

The III Marine Expeditionary Force is a descendant of the I and III Marine Amphibious Corps, activated during World War II.cite web|accessdate=2007-11-02
url=http://www.iiimef.usmc.mil/history.html
title=History of the III Marine Expeditionary Force
publisher=III MEF, United States Marine Corps]

World War II

The III Amphibious Corps was originally activated as the I Marine Amphibious Corps on 1 October 1942. It was renamed the III Amphibious Corps on 15 April 1944 and as such took part in fighting against the Japanese Empire in the Pacific theater during World War II. It fought in some of the bloodiest battles, including the Mariana and Palau Islands campaign and Okinawa. Following the termination of hostilities, it occupied northern China, where it was deactivated on 10 June 1946.cite web|accessdate=2007-11-02
url=http://www.iiimef.usmc.mil/history.html
title=History of the III Marine Expeditionary Force
publisher=III MEF, United States Marine Corps]

Vietnam War

The force was reactivated to serve in the Vietnam War in 1965. From 1966 to 1970, III MEF was renamed III Marine Amphibious Corps (III MAF) and consisted of the 1st Marine Division, 3rd Marine Division and the 1st Marine Aircraft Wing. The MAF's area of operations was in the northern I Corps Tactical Zone.cite journal
author = Willard Webb
title = The Single Manager
journal = Joint Forces Quarterly |issue = 1993-1994| format=pdf
url = http://www.dtic.mil/doctrine/jel/jfq_pubs/jfq1703.pdf
accessdate =2006-11-30] Redeployed to a permanent forward base on Okinawa in 1988, the III Marine Expeditionary Force helps to fulfill the 1952 United States treaty obligation to defend Japan.

Since the end of the Cold War, III MEF has served in 1990 Operation Desert Shield to help protect Saudi Arabia. More recently the Marines have also engaged in humanitarian work, such as evacuating civilians in the Philippines following the eruption of Mount Pinatubo in 1991, and providing disaster relief in the Japanese city of Kobe following a devastating earthquake in January 1995.

tructure

Units

* Ground combat element: 3rd Marine Division
* Aviation combat element: 1st Marine Aircraft Wing
* Logistics combat element: 3rd Marine Logistics Group
* Command element: III Marine Expeditionary Force Headquarters Group
** III MEF command staff
** 3rd Intelligence Battalion
** 7th Communication Battalion
** 3rd Radio Battalion
** 5th Air Naval Gunfire Liaison Company
** 5th Force Reconnaissance Company
* 3rd Marine Expeditionary Brigade
* 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit

ee also

References

External links

* [http://www.iiimef.usmc.mil/ III MEF Official Website]