I Marine Expeditionary Force


The I Marine Expeditionary Force is a Marine Air Ground Task Force of the United States Marine Corps primarily composed of the 1st Marine Division, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, and 1st Marine Logistics Group. It is based at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton.
I Marine Expeditionary Force is the largest of the three MEFs in the Fleet Marine Force and is often referred to as the "Warfighting MEF" for its consistent involvement and contributions in major armed conflicts. It is presently commanded by Lieutenant General Michael Cederholm. The deputy commander is Brigadier General Michael R. Nakonieczny.
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Etymology

Pronunciation of the Roman numeral designator: As a Roman numeral the capital letter "I", representing one, is properly pronounced as "One". However, there are some who erroneously pronounce the number as either "First", or either intentionally, or unknowingly, pronounce it as "Eye", as in the letter "I".
The convention of using Roman numerals to designate a MEF, which is itself the Marine Corps equivalent organization to an Army corps, stems from the U.S. Army practice that began during the First World War, and continues today, of numbering corps with Roman numerals. Corps, themselves being the first-level sub-unit of a "field army", or a numbered, or named, army.
During the First World War, the 4th Marine Brigade, as part of the U.S. Army 2nd Infantry Division, came under the U.S. Army I Corps, American Expeditionary Forces. With the expansion of the Marine Corps to six divisions and five air wings during the Second World War, the Marine Corps created two "Amphibious Corps", I Marine Amphibious Corps and V Amphibious Corps, continuing the custom begun by the Army. Modern Marine Expeditionary Forces, or MEFs continue the U.S. Marine Corps legacy as corps-equivalent organizations designated by Roman numerals.

Mission

When directed, I MEF deploys and is employed as a Marine Air Ground Task Force in support of Combatant Commander requirements for contingency response or Major Theater War; with appropriate augmentation, serves as the core element of a Joint Task Force ; prepares and deploys combat-ready MAGTF's to support COCOM presence and crisis response; and supports service and COCOM initiatives as required.

Lineage

  • Activated on 8 November 1969 at Okinawa, Japan as the I Marine Expeditionary Force
  • Redesignated on 18 August 1970 as the I Marine Amphibious Force
  • Relocated in April 1971 to Camp Pendleton, California
  • Redesignated on 5 February 1988 as the "I Marine Expeditionary Force"

Structure



Units

Recent service

List of commanders

From 1969 through 1990 Commanding General, I MEF was normally concurrently assigned as Commanding General, 1st Marine Division and on occasion also Commanding General, Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton.