United States Armed Forces

====Fleet Marine Force====
{{main|Fleet Marine Force}}
[[File:Four F-35B Lightning II aircraft perform a flyover above the amphibious assault ship USS America (LHA 6) during the Lightning Carrier Proof of Concept Demonstration (30357956614).jpg|thumb|Four Marine Corps [[F-35B Lightning II]] stealth fighters flying over the {{USS|America|LHA-6}}]]

The combat power of the Marine Corps is centralized in the [[Fleet Marine Force]] (FMF), which itself is organized into [[Fleet Marine Force Atlantic]], to support the U.S. Navy's [[United States Fleet Forces Command|Fleet Forces Command]], and [[Fleet Marine Force Pacific]], which supports the [[U.S. Navy]]'s [[United States Pacific Fleet|U.S. Pacific Fleet]].<ref name="auto4"/>

The basic Marine Corps unit for conducting operations is the [[Marine Air-Ground Task Force]] (MAGTF), which combines Marine Corps and Navy land, air, sea, and cyberspace capabilities into a single command. There are three different sized variants of a Marine Air-Ground Task Force, but each consists of a [[command element (United States Marine Corps)|command element]], [[ground combat element]], [[aviation combat element]], and [[logistics combat element]].<ref name="auto7">{{Cite web|url=https://www.marines.com/about-the-marine-corps/marine-corps-structure/air-ground-task-force.html|title=Marine Air-Ground Task Force &#124; MAGTF &#124; Marines}}</ref>

A Marine [[ground combat element]] (GCE) is centered around Marine infantry, typically armed with a [[M27 Infantry Automatic Rifle]].<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.marinecorpstimes.com/news/your-marine-corps/2019/04/19/all-of-the-marine-m27-rifles-are-in-if-youre-not-a-grunt-or-working-with-them-youre-not-getting-one/ | title=All of the Marine M27 rifles are in ― if you're not a grunt or working with them, you're not getting one | date=21 April 2019 }}</ref> Unlike the Army, the Marine Corps does not train their own [[combat medic]]s, relying on the Navy to provide [[hospital corpsman]].<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.marines.mil/News/News-Display/Article/3107280/marines-navy-corpsmen-train-in-casualty-care-field-exercise-at-fort-mccoy/ | title=Marines, Navy Corpsmen train in casualty care field exercise at Fort McCoy }}</ref> These infantry units are supported by Marine Corps [[combat engineer]]s, who conduct engineer reconnaissance, obstacle system emplacement, and breaching operations, and [[United States Marine Corps Force Reconnaissance|Marine Corps Force Reconnaissance]] teams. While the Marine Corps no longer operates its own tanks, opting to request support from the Army if needed, it maintains Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalions which operates the [[LAV-25]] amphibious armored reconnaissance vehicle. Assault Amphibian Battalions operate the [[Assault Amphibious Vehicle]] and [[Amphibious Combat Vehicle]], which enable the ground combat element to conduct amphibious landing operations.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.marinecorpstimes.com/news/your-marine-corps/2019/01/07/the-aging-marine-lav-is-still-active-across-the-corps-and-now-is-also-a-museum-piece/ | title=The aging Marine LAV is still active across the Corps ... And, now, also is a museum piece | date=7 January 2019 }}</ref> Marine Corps artillery operates the [[M777 howitzer]] and the [[M142 HIMARS]], both supporting the ground combat element and the Navy at sea by striking enemy ships.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.usna.edu/MarineCorps/roles/index.php | title=Ground Combat Roles }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.marinecorpstimes.com/news/your-marine-corps/2021/04/09/how-a-marine-corps-shift-to-long-ranges-may-change-its-strong-cannoneer-tradition/ | title=How a Marine Corps shift to long ranges may change its strong cannoneer tradition | date=9 April 2021 }}</ref>

[[File:Defense.gov News Photo 051115-N-3527B-068.jpg|thumb|[[MV-22 Osprey]] tiltrotor aircraft from [[VMX-22]] taking off from the {{USS|Wasp|LHD-1}}]]

The Marine [[aviation combat element]] (ACE) is the operational arm of [[United States Marine Corps Aviation|Marine Corps Aviation]], working to support the ground combat element. The [[F-35B Lightning II]] and [[AV-8B Harrier II]] are flown by off of Navy amphibious assault ships, while the [[F-35C Lightning II]] and [[F/A-18 Hornet]] are flown off of Navy carriers by Marine Corps pilots. The Marine Corps also operates the [[KC-130J]] to serve as a tanker and tactical airlift platform. The [[UH-1Y Venom]] helicopter provides the Marine Corps with light transport and attack, while the [[AH-1Z Viper]] is a dedicated attack helicopter. Medium lift squadrons fly the [[MV-22 Osprey]], while heavy lift squadrons use the [[CH-53K King Stallion]]. The Marine Corps has also begun flying unmanned aerial vehicles, such as the [[MQ-9 Reaper]] and [[MQ-8 Fire Scout]].<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.marinecorpstimes.com/news/your-marine-corps/2022/05/10/heres-how-marine-air-power-will-shift-with-the-corps-2022-aviation-plan/ | title=Here's how Marine air power will shift with the Corps' 2022 aviation plan | date=11 May 2022 }}</ref> Notably, the aviation combat element also includes Low-Altitude Air Defense Battalions, which employ the [[FIM-92 Stinger]] surface to air missile.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://coffeeordie.com/marine-corps-low-altitude-air-defense | title=Marine Corps Ready to Bring the Sting to Enemy Aircraft, Drones | date=3 February 1984 }}</ref>

The smallest MAGTF is the [[Marine Expeditionary Unit]] (MEU), which are typically forward deployed on Navy ships. Commanded by a [[colonel (United States)|colonel]], a Marine Expeditionary Unit consist of 2,200 marines split across a battalion landing team (ground combat element), composite helicopter squadron (aviation combat element), and a combat logistics element (logistics element). Marine Expeditionary Units are supplied for 15 days.<ref name="auto7"/> Forward deployed Marine Expeditionary Units are often embarked on Navy amphibious assault ships as part of an [[amphibious ready group]].<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.26thmeu.marines.mil/About/Who-We-Are/#:~:text=What%20is%20a%20MAGTF%3F,the%20range%20of%20military%20operations | title=Who We Are | access-date=26 February 2023 | archive-date=26 February 2023 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230226184737/https://www.26thmeu.marines.mil/About/Who-We-Are/#:~:text=What%20is%20a%20MAGTF%3F,the%20range%20of%20military%20operations | url-status=dead }}</ref>

The next sized MAGTF is the [[Marine Expeditionary Brigade]] (MEB), which are organized for specific missions. Commanded by a [[brigadier general (United States)|brigadier general]], Marine Expeditionary Brigades consist of 4,000 to 16,000 marines across a Regimental-sized ground combat element, a Marine Aircraft Group, and a Combat Logistics Regiment. Marine Expeditionary Brigades are supplied for 30 days and offer increased firepower and airpower over the Marine Expeditionary Unit.<ref name="auto7"/>

The largest MAGTF is the [[Marine Expeditionary Force]] (MEF), which are primary warfighting forces for larger operations. A Marine Expeditionary Force is commanded by a [[lieutenant general (United States)|lieutenant general]] and consist of 46,000 to 90,000 marines. Currently there are only three Marine Expeditionary Forces, each with its own Marine Division, Marine Aircraft Wing, Marine Logistics Group, and Marine Expeditionary Force Information Group. Marine Expeditionary Forces are supplied for 60 days.<ref name="auto7"/> Certain elements are held at the Marine Expeditionary Force level, such as [[United States Marine Corps Force Reconnaissance|Force Reconnaissance]]. The MEF Information Group (MIG) also provides a number of functions, such as the intelligence battalion, [[Radio Battalion|radio battalion]] which conduct signals intelligence, electronic warfare, and cyberspace operations, communications battalion, the MEF support battalion, and the [[Air Naval Gunfire Liaison Company]].<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.imef.marines.mil/Units/I-MIG/ | title=I MEF Information Group }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.imef.marines.mil/Units/I-MIG/1ST-RADIO-BN/ | title=I Marine Expeditionary Force > Units > I MIG > 1ST RADIO BN }}</ref>

[[File:Marsoc vbss.jpg|thumb|[[Marine Raiders]] with the [[1st Marine Raider Battalion (MARSOC)|1st Marine Raider Battalion]] conducting a [[visit, board, search, and seizure]] operation]]

While not a MAGTF, the Marine Corps has begun to reorganize some of its regiments into Marine Littoral Regiments (MRL), which are similar in size to a Marine Expeditionary Unit. A Marine Littoral Regiment is a self-deployable force, designed to be naval in nature and operate in the littoral region. A Marine Littoral Regiment consists of a littoral combat team, a littoral anti-air battalion, and a combat logistics battalion. Notably, the Marine Littoral Regiment has no aviation combat element, unlike a Marine Expeditionary Unit.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.marines.mil/News/News-Display/Article/2708146/marine-littoral-regiment-mlr/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.marines.mil%2FNews%2FNews-Display%2FArticle%2F2708146%2Fmarine-littoral-regiment-mlr%2F|title=Marine Littoral Regiment (MLR)|website=United States Marine Corps Flagship}}{{Dead link|date=May 2023 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>

Another Marine Corps element that does not function as part of the MAGTF are the [[Marine Raider Regiment]], who function under [[United States Marine Forces Special Operations Command]]. [[Marine Raiders]] specialize in specialize in direct action, unconventional warfare, maritime interdiction, special reconnaissance, foreign internal defense, counterterrorism, and counterinsurgency missions.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://coffeeordie.com/marine-raiders/ | title=Marine Raiders: The Corps' Only Special Operations Unit }}</ref>