SEND IN THE MARINES – 2d MEB ORDERED TO AFGHANISTAN

Today, the 2d Marine Expeditionary Brigade was ordered to Afghanistan.

Marine Expeditionary Brigades are generally phantom units until there is a specific need. In today’s Marine Corps, the Marine Expeditionary Force (MEF) Deputy Commanding General, also assumes the title of Brigade Commanding General. Thus, II MEF’s Deputy Commanding General is also 2d MEBs Commanding General.

His charter is to set up an advance force headquarters or to stand up and command an expeditionary brigade if the need is for something less than a full Marine division. In December of 2002, Brigadier General Richard Natonski stood up the 2d Marine Expeditionary Brigade during the work up to Operation Iraqi Freedom. Task Force Tarawa http://www.lejeune.usmc.mil/meb/ represented the east coast Marines in the invasion of Iraq and 2d MEB Marines fought the first major battle of the war in the streets of Nasiriyah.

Today, the DoD announced that the 2d MEB will soon return to the Global War on Terror. Eight thousand Marines will soon deploy to Afghanistan. As I am writing, the new 2d MEB staff is being pulled together. This will be a massive commitment by the Marines. Several reinforced combat battalions will be included in this deployment. Watch for at least one Marine Reserve Battalion to be pulled into the brigade and possibly a Marine Expeditionary Unit. A Marine Air Group will also deploy.

Godspeed and Semper Fidelis to our Marines preparing to go into harm’s way.

Richard S. Lowry is the author of Marines in the Garden of Eden and The Gulf War Chronicles.