A Marine Expeditionary Unit is a small, self-sustaining composite of every asset in the US Marine Corps, made up of a Command Element, a reinforced battalion-size Infantry Element, a squadron-size Combat Aviation Element, and a Combat Logistics Element. The MEU includes landing craft, light armored personnel carriers, motor transport, maintenance, artillery, combat engineers, explosives ordinance disposal, fresh water production, military police, medical and dental services, tilt-rotor and conventional combat helicopters, short runway stealth fighter aircraft, and more. 

Rounding out the 2500+ member MEU are the crews of three US Navy ships and their LCAC hover craft.

The USMC's official description is "a forward-deployed, flexible, sea-based Marine Air-Ground Task Force capable of conducting amphibious operations, crisis response and limited contingency operations, to include enabling the introduction of follow-on forces and designated Special Operations in order to support the theater requirements of geographic combatant commanders."

The distinctive Elements of the 11th MEU change, roughly every 13 to 15 months. Although all Marines are infused with the same esprit de corps and culture, it takes time to meld the new specialized Elements into an efficient, focused force, rowing in the same direction, so every new 11th MEU will spend about 6 months training and team building for a 7- to 9-months deployment to the Persian Gulf and Western Pacific. While deployed, the 11th MEU will continue training to ensure optimum proficiency in all aspects of their mission.

The 11th MEU is currently one of seven Marine Expeditionary Units in the USMC.  Three are based on the Atlantic coast, three are based on the Pacific coast, and one is based in Japan.  There are always at least two MEUs deployed at sea or in theater.

Visit the 11th MEU Website https://www.11thmeu.marines.mil/

Each MEU maintains a constant state of readiness, enabling Marine commanders to plan and launch a wide array of missions within six hours of receiving orders.  The Elements spend several months training together for deployment, then training and planning for known and contingency operations are ongoing while the MEU is at sea.  Click on the box below to watch a video to learn more about the many roles and functions of Marines assigned to a MEU.