FMF MAGTF Organization and Mission 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: The Aviation Combat Element (ACE) of a MEU is typically built around which unit?
- A Marine Aircraft Wing
- A Marine Aircraft Group
- A Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (reinforced) (Correct answer)
- A Marine Fighter Attack Squadron
Correct answer: A Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (reinforced)
The ACE of a MEU is typically built around a Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (Reinforced), designated VMM(Rein).
Question 2: What is the role of the Combat Logistics Element (CLE) within a MAGTF?
- Provide close air support
- Conduct amphibious reconnaissance
- Sustain the MAGTF through logistics, health services, and engineering support (Correct answer)
- Command and control all MAGTF elements
Correct answer: Sustain the MAGTF through logistics, health services, and engineering support
The CLE (formerly CSSE) sustains the MAGTF by providing logistics, health services, and combat engineering support.
Question 3: A Special Purpose MAGTF (SPMAGTF) is best characterized as which of the following?
- A permanently organized MAGTF for specific geographic theaters
- A task-organized MAGTF formed to accomplish a specific mission or contingency (Correct answer)
- The reserve component of the MEF
- An administrative unit with no combat mission
Correct answer: A task-organized MAGTF formed to accomplish a specific mission or contingency
A SPMAGTF is a task-organized MAGTF assembled for a specific mission and then dissolved upon mission completion.
Question 4: Which principle best describes the MAGTF concept of 'combined arms'?
- Using only infantry to achieve all objectives
- Integrating multiple arms and capabilities so their combined effect exceeds the sum of individual parts (Correct answer)
- Sequentially employing each element to reduce risk
- Relying on naval gunfire as the primary supporting arm
Correct answer: Integrating multiple arms and capabilities so their combined effect exceeds the sum of individual parts
Combined arms means integrating multiple warfighting capabilities simultaneously so that each enhances the effectiveness of the others.
Question 5: What is the approximate authorized strength of a Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU)?
- 500–1,000 Marines
- 2,200–2,400 Marines (Correct answer)
- 10,000–20,000 Marines
- 40,000–90,000 Marines
Correct answer: 2,200–2,400 Marines
A MEU is approximately 2,200–2,400 Marines and sailors, making it the smallest of the standing MAGTF types.
Question 6: Which command relationship does the MAGTF Commander typically have over all four MAGTF elements?
- Operational Control (OPCON)
- Tactical Control (TACON)
- Organic command authority (OPCON as the single MAGTF commander) (Correct answer)
- Support relationship only
Correct answer: Organic command authority (OPCON as the single MAGTF commander)
The MAGTF Commander exercises organic command authority over all elements, as they are all integral parts of the same force.
Question 7: What is the primary strategic advantage of the MAGTF's expeditionary nature?
- Ability to deploy only by air
- Self-sustained capability to deploy and operate without reliance on in-theater infrastructure (Correct answer)
- Requirement for large forward bases before any operation
- Dependence on host-nation logistical support
Correct answer: Self-sustained capability to deploy and operate without reliance on in-theater infrastructure
The MAGTF's expeditionary nature means it can deploy and sustain itself for a period without pre-positioned infrastructure or host-nation support.
FMF MAGTF Organization and Mission 3
The Aviation Combat Element (ACE) of a MEU is typically built around which unit?