13th Marine Expeditionary Unit

The 13th MEU operates with about 2,200 Marines and Sailors and is comprised of a command element, ground combat element, aviation combat element, and logistics combat element. These forces have been organized into Marine Air Ground Task Forces (MAGTF), a combination of air, ground and support assets. MAGTFs are established for specific missions, or in anticipation of a wide range of possible missions. Combining air, ground and logistic assets maximizes the combat power of each of the war fighting elements. The 13th MEU is prepared to respond to a variety of situations from humanitarian aid and disaster relief to combat operations, to include embassy security and evacuation. The 13th MEU will be the first west-coast MEU to deploy with the MV-22 Osprey as a force multiplier in the range of operations for which the MEU is prepared to respond.