 With a strength of about 2,200 personnel, the Marine Expeditionary Unit is normally built around a reinforced battalion, a composite aircraft squadron, and by a MEU Service Support Group. All under the command of a colonel, the MEU is employed to fulfill routine forward deployments with fleets in boarder or unexplored regines. The ground combat element (GCE) is the battalion landing team (BLT), an infantry battalion reinforced with artillery, amphibious assault vehicles, light armored reconnaissance assets and other units as the mission and circumstances require. The aviation combat element (ACE) is a Marine Medium Lift Squadron augmented with four types of shuttles and runabouts into a composite squadron. These units include the Targa and Danube Class Runabouts, as well as the Yellowstone and Scout Class Runabouts and various modified shuttles. ACE assets may also include the fixed-wing aircraft such as the Hammerhead Multi-Role Fighter. The combat service support element (CSSE) is the MEU Service Support Group (MSSG) formed primarily from force service support groups assets. The MSSG contains all the logistics specialists necessary to keep the GCE, ACE and organic equipment functioning. Included within the MSSG are medical, dental, maintenance, engineering, and other technical experts. The command element (CE) provides command and control of the other three elements. In addition to the MEU commander and his supporting staff, the CE includes specialized detachments providing a direct action capability, naval gunfire liaison capability, reconnaissance, and surveillance and specialized communications and electronics warfare capabilities. The MEU is unique in that its air and ground combat elements are combined with combat service support under one commander. This air/ground task force concept is designed to thoroughly exploit the combat power inherent in air and ground assets by closely integrating them into a single force. As well, the MEU brings all the supplies it needs to sustain itself for quick mission accomplishment or to pave the way for any follow-on forces. The MEU is an expeditionary intervention force with the ability to rapidly organize for combat operations in virtually any environment.
The 3rd Marine Expeditionary Unit is made up as follows:
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