2nd Marine Expeditionary Brigade

2nd Marine Expeditionary Brigade
U.S. Marine Corps (VIRIN: DM-SD-05-12382) · Public domain · source
Unit name	2nd Marine Expeditionary Brigade
Caption	Emblem of the 2nd Marine Expeditionary Brigade
Dates	1951–present
Country	United States
Branch	United States Marine Corps
Type	Marine Expeditionary Brigade
Role	Expeditionary force in readiness
Size	Brigade-level
Command structure	II Marine Expeditionary Force
Garrison	Camp Lejeune
Battles	Cold War, Gulf War, Operation Iraqi Freedom, Operation Enduring Freedom

2nd Marine Expeditionary Brigade is a brigade-level United States Marine Corps crisis-response formation assigned to II Marine Expeditionary Force and based at Camp Lejeune. As an expeditionary, combined-arms force-in-readiness, the brigade integrates elements of the United States Navy, United States Army, United States Air Force, and allied partners to conduct amphibious, littoral, and contingency operations. The brigade has participated in major operations including Operation Desert Shield, Operation Desert Storm, Operation Iraqi Freedom, and Operation Enduring Freedom, while maintaining forward-deployed posture in the Atlantic Ocean and European theatre.

History

The brigade traces lineage to Marine formations activated during the Korean War and reconstituted through the Cold War to respond to crises in the Caribbean, Mediterranean Sea, and Persian Gulf. During the late 20th century it supported operations linked to the Iran–Iraq War aftermath, the 1991 Gulf War, and enforcement actions associated with the United Nations sanctions regimes. In the 2000s the unit was a headquarters element for phases of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom, coordinating with commands such as U.S. Central Command and U.S. European Command. More recently the brigade has participated in multinational exercises with NATO members including United Kingdom, France, Germany, Spain, and Italy; partnered training with Japan and Australia; and interoperability events with North Atlantic Treaty Organization allies.

Mission and Role

The brigade’s mission aligns with doctrine promulgated by United States Department of Defense and United States Marine Corps publications to provide an amphibious, forward-deployable command element capable of crisis response, humanitarian assistance, noncombatant evacuation operations, and forcible entry. It supports contingency plans under U.S. Southern Command, U.S. Africa Command, and U.S. Northern Command when directed, and routinely interfaces with the United States Navy Sixth Fleet, II Marine Expeditionary Force (Forward), and joint task forces. The brigade enables options for national leaders in theaters ranging from the Caribbean Sea to the Red Sea and eastern Mediterranean Sea.

Organization and Structure

The brigade is organized as a combined-arms MAGTF with command, ground combat, aviation combat, and logistics combat elements. Its command element provides staff functions in coordination with Marine Corps Forces Command, Marine Corps Combat Development Command, and joint headquarters such as United States Joint Forces Command. Ground components have drawn units from 2nd Marine Division and battalion landing teams of 3rd Marine Regiment and other regiments. Aviation elements have included squadrons drawn from 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing, including F/A-18 Hornet and AV-8B Harrier II units, while logistics support has involved detachments from Combat Logistics Regiment 2 and Marine Logistics Group 2.

Deployments and Operations

The brigade has executed amphibious assaults, expeditionary advanced base operations, maritime interdiction, and security cooperation deployments. It was central to Operation Desert Shield and Operation Desert Storm logistics and command functions, and later supported stability operations during Operation Provide Comfort and Operation Southern Watch. During Operation Iraqi Freedom elements provided command-and-control, military transition support, and partnered operations with Iraqi Security Forces and Coalition Provisional Authority structures. In Operation Enduring Freedom the brigade coordinated air-ground integration with units from U.S. Air Force Special Operations Command and NATO Training Mission-Afghanistan. The brigade has also participated in humanitarian missions linked to Hurricane Katrina relief, Operation Unified Assistance, and noncombatant evacuation operations in conjunction with U.S. Embassy contingency plans.

Equipment and Capabilities

The brigade fields equipment interoperable with Navy and joint forces: armored vehicles such as Light Armored Vehicle (LAV), AAV-7A1 amphibious assault vehicles, and infantry weapons including the M27 Infantry Automatic Rifle and M4 carbine. Aviation assets historically associated include MV-22 Osprey, CH-53 Sea Stallion, AH-1Z Viper, and fixed-wing platforms like F/A-18 Super Hornet and AV-8B Harrier II integrated with targeting systems from AN/ASQ-228 ATFLIR and sensors like AN/APG-65. Logistics and sustainment rely on sealift and prepositioning under programs such as Maritime Prepositioning Force and connectors like Landing Craft Air Cushion and LCU classes. Communications and command capabilities utilize systems interoperable with Link 16 and Global Command and Control System architectures.

Training and Readiness

Readiness cycles follow Marine Corps training directives and joint requirements from U.S. Joint Forces Command and U.S. Northern Command including pre-deployment training events, live-fire exercises, and multinational interoperability drills. The brigade routinely participates in large-scale exercises such as Exercise Trident Juncture, Exercise Bold Alligator, Exercise Dynamic Mongoose, Exercise African Lion, and RIMPAC to validate amphibious doctrine, air-ground integration, and maritime security operations. Training partnerships include exchanges with Royal Marines, French Marine Nationale, Spanish Marine Corps, and Amphibious Squadron elements of the United States Navy.

Honors and Unit Awards

Elements of the brigade and subordinate units have received campaign streamers and unit awards in recognition of service during campaigns including the Southwest Asia Campaign Medal periods, Global War on Terrorism campaigns, and humanitarian operations. Subordinate units have been individually cited by commands such as U.S. Central Command and II Marine Expeditionary Force for meritorious service, and have accrued commendations from multinational partners during combined operations and NATO exercises.

Category:Brigades of the United States Marine Corps Category:Military units and formations established in 1951