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I Marine Expeditionary Force

The I Marine Expeditionary Force ("I" pronounced "One") is a Marine Air Ground Task Force (MAGTF) of the United States Marine Corps primarily composed of the 1st Marine Division, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, and 1st Marine Logistics Group. It is based at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton.

I Marine Expeditionary Force is the largest of the three MEFs in the Fleet Marine Force and is often referred to as the "Warfighting MEF" for its consistent involvement and contributions in major armed conflicts. It is presently commanded by Lieutenant General Michael Cederholm. The deputy commander is Brigadier General Robert C. Fulford.

Etymology

Pronunciation of the Roman numeral designator: As a Roman numeral the capital letter "I", representing one, is properly pronounced as "One". However, there are some who erroneously pronounce the number as either "First", or either intentionally, or unknowingly, pronounce it as "Eye", as in the letter "I".

The convention of using Roman numerals to designate a MEF, which is itself the Marine Corps equivalent organization to an Army corps, stems from the U.S. Army practice that began in the American Civil War, and continues today, of numbering corps (two or more divisions with supporting troops, and sometimes including separate brigades, regiments, groups, or battalions, all under a unified corps headquarters, usually commanded by a lieutenant general) with Roman numerals. Corps, themselves being the first-level sub-unit of a "field army", or a numbered, or named, army (e.g., First U.S. Army, or the Army of the Potomac).

During the First World War, the 4th Marine Brigade, as part of the U.S. Army 2nd Infantry Division, came under the U.S. Army I Corps, American Expeditionary Forces. With the expansion of the Marine Corps to six divisions and five air wings during the Second World War, the Marine Corps created two "Amphibious Corps", I Marine Amphibious Corps (later re-designated as III Amphibious Corps) and V Amphibious Corps, continuing the custom begun by the Army. Modern Marine Expeditionary Forces, or MEFs (for a time known as Marine Amphibious [italics added] Forces, or MABs) continue the U.S. Marine Corps legacy as corps-equivalent organizations designated by Roman numerals.

Mission

When directed, I MEF deploys and is employed as a Marine Air Ground Task Force (MAGTF) in support of Combatant Commander (COCOM) requirements for contingency response or Major Theater War; with appropriate augmentation, serves as the core element of a Joint Task Force (JTF); prepares and deploys combat-ready MAGTF's to support COCOM presence and crisis response; and supports service and COCOM initiatives as required.

Lineage

Structure


I Marine Expeditionary Force organization March 2024Í (click to enlarge)

Units

Recent service

List of commanders

Lt. Gen. Karsten S. Heckl, former commanding general, I Marine Expeditionary Force (MEF), passes the colors to Lt. Gen. George W. Smith Jr., signifying the change of command of I MEF during a formal ceremony on September 23, 2021.

References

  1. ^ "I MEF Support Battalion". I MEF Information Group. Retrieved 28 September 2022.
  2. ^ Reynolds Baghdad, Basrah and Beyond, pg. 169.
  3. ^ "Lieutenant General Michael W. Hagee, Commanding General, I Marine Expeditionary Force". U.S. Marine Corps. Archived from the original on 29 November 2001.
  4. ^ Sgt. Robert E. Jones Sr. (12 September 2004). "LT. GEN. SATTLER TAKES COMMAND OF I MEF". U.S. Marine Corps. Retrieved 16 May 2021.
  5. ^ Walker, Mark (15 August 2006). "Mattis assumes command of I Marine Expeditionary Force". The San Diego Union-Tribune. Retrieved 16 May 2021.
  6. ^ a b Cpl. Bobbie Curtis (22 October 2009). "Marine general caps a 41-year career at Camp Lejeune". Dvidshub.net. Retrieved 16 May 2021.
  7. ^ Cpl. Monty Burton (19 October 2010). "Dunford passes I MEF to Waldhauser". Dvidshub.net. Retrieved 16 May 2021.
  8. ^ Cpl. Jennifer Pirante (12 September 2012). "I MEF, MARCENT WELCOME NEW LEADERS". I MEF. Retrieved 16 May 2021.
  9. ^ Hlad, Jennifer (12 July 2014). "Change of command at Camp Pendleton's 1st Marine Expeditionary Force". Stripes. Retrieved 16 May 2021.
  10. ^ Fuentes, Gidget (28 July 2016). "Marine Corps' I MEF changes hands". USNI News. Retrieved 16 May 2021.
  11. ^ "LT. GEN. CRAPAROTTA COMPLETES TOUR AS I MEF COMMANDING GENERAL". U.S. Marine Corps. 24 July 2018. Retrieved 17 May 2021.
  12. ^ "I MARINE EXPEDITIONARY FORCE CHANGE OF COMMAND". U.S. Marine Corps. Retrieved 17 May 2021.
  13. ^ "I MEF Change of Command Ceremony 2021 [Image 7 of 7]". DVIDS. Retrieved 27 September 2021.
  14. ^ "I MEF Commanding General Succession of Command Ceremony". DVIDS. 18 August 2023. Retrieved 19 August 2023.
  15. ^ "I MEF Change of Charge Ceremony". DVIDS. Retrieved 27 January 2023.

External links