Chain Of Command Essay Example

or more divisions. Additionally, there are Marine Expeditionary Units (MEUs), which typically have about 2,200 personnel. MEUs are built around a reinforced battalion, a composite aircraft squadron, and a MEU Service Support group. They are commanded by a colonel and are deployed for routine forward deployments with fleets in various oceans. MEUs are deployed on up to four Naval amphibious ships. The ground combat element (GCE) of an MEU is the battalion landing team (BLT), which consists of an infantry battalion reinforced with artillery, amphibious assault vehicles, light armored reconnaissance assets, and other units as required by the mission and circumstances.

The Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron, known as the aviation combat element (ACE), is strengthened by the inclusion of four types of helicopters to form a composite squadron. These helicopters consist of the CH-53E "Super Stallions," CH-46E "Sea Knights," UH-1N "Hueys," and AH-1W "Super Cobras." In addition to these assets, the ACE may also have fixed-wing aircraft like the AV-8B "Harrier" jet. The MEU Service Support Group (MSSG) constitutes the combat service support element, primarily composed of assets from force service support groups. This MSSG incorporates all the necessary logistics specialists to ensure the operational efficiency of the GCE, ACE, and organic equipment.

The Marine Air-Ground Task Force (MAGTF) encompasses a multitude of professionals from fields such as medicine, dentistry, maintenance, engineering, and other technical areas. The Command Element (CE) manages and directs the various elements within MAGTF. Aside from the MEU commander and their auxiliary staff, the CE integrates specialized units that have abilities in direct action, naval gunfire liaison operations, reconnaissance aptitudes, surveillance proficiency and specialized communications and electronics warfare competencies.

The command structure in Marine Aviation differs slightly; it is used for both flying and non-flying units through squadrons.

The quantity of aircraft in aviation squadrons may vary from 4 to 24, contingent on the squadron's nature. There are also different kinds of non-flight squadrons like Marine Aviation Logistics Squadrons (providing supplies), Marine Wing Support Squadrons (engaged in construction), Marine Air Control Squadrons (responsible for air defense), Marine Air Support Squadrons (handling Airfield operations), Marine Tactical Air Command Squadrons, Marine Wing Communications Squadrons, and Marine Wing Headquarters Squadrons (managing Administration). A group is formed by a minimum of three squadrons and could include units such as the Marine Aircraft Group (MAG), the Marine Wing Support Group (MWSG) and the Marine Air Control Group (MACG). As a norm, MAGs are exclusively composed of either helicopters or fixed-wing aircraft with a KC-130 squadron associated with MAG-36 stationed in Okinawa.

The Wing consists of 3 or more groups, including at least 2 Marine Air-Ground Task Force (MAG) units and the Marine Wing Support Group (MWSG) and Marine Air Control Group (MACG). For example, the 1st Marine Aircraft Wing (1st MAW) includes 1 fixed-wing MAG (MAG-12) and 2 helicopter MAGs (MAG-36 and Aviation Support Element, Kaneohe). The 2nd and 3rd MAW each have 2 fixed-wing and 2 helicopter MAGs. The 4th MAW, which is the Reserve Wing, has 4 mixed MAGs. The size of each element of command is not predetermined but depends on the type of unit and its mission. For instance, an aviation squadron would have a different number of troops assigned compared to an infantry company due to their distinct missions, equipment, and requirements.