LANDING ZONE (LZ)--Any specified zone used
FORCE SERVICE SUPPORT GROUP
for the landing of aircraft.
(FSSG)--The FSSG is a permanently structured
organization whose mission is to provide CSS for
M A I N BATTLE AREA--That portion of the
the Marine amphibious force (MAF). It is
battlefield in which the decisive battle is fought to
designed to support one division and one air wing.
defeat the enemy. For any particular command,
If supporting a force of greater size, additional
the main battle area extends rearward from the
assets are necessary to augment its capabilities.
forward edge of the battle area to the rear
boundary of the command's subordinate units.
GROUND COMBAT ELEMENT (GCE)--One of
the four elements of a Marine Air-Ground Task
MARINE AIR-GROUND TASK FORCE
Force (MAGTF). It is task-organized to conduct
(MAGTF)--A Marine Air-Ground Task Force is
ground operations. The GCE is constructed
a task organization of Marine forces (division,
around an infantry unit and varies in size from a
aircraft wing, and service support groups) under a
reinforced infantry battalion to one or more
single command and structured to accomplish a
reinforced Marine division(s). The GCE also
specific mission. The Marine Air-Ground Task
includes appropriate combat support and combat
F o r c e components will normally include
service support units. Normally, there is only one
command, ground combat, aviation combat, and
Ground Combat Element in a MAGTF. Although
combat service support elements (including Navy
permanently structured with eight functional
Support Elements).
battalions, task organizations from those
M A R I N E AIRCRAFT GROUP (MAG)--The
b a t t a l i o n s would normally support MAF
MAG is usually administratively and tactically
operations over a wide geographic area.
structured by aircraft category as being either a
HASTY DECON OPERATION--A decon
h e l i c o p t e r group or a fixed-wing group.
operation that consists of two techniques, the
Composite MAGs may also be formed for specific
MOPP gear exchange and the vehicle wash down.
missions or unique organizational/geographic
HELICOPTER LANDING SITE--A designated
considerations. Each MAG has a headquarters
subdivision of a helicopter landing zone in which
and maintenance squadron (H&MS). With a
a single flight or wave of assault helicopters land
source of supply, the MAG is the smallest aviation
to embark or disembark troops and/or cargo.
unit capable of self-sustaining independent
operations.
H E L I C O P T E R LANDING ZONE (HLZ)--A
specified ground area for landing assault
MARINE AIRCRAFT WING (MAW)--The MAW
helicopters to embark or disembark troops and/or
is the highest level aviation command in the Fleet
cargo. A landing zone may contain one or more
Marine Force (FMF). Each wing is capable of
landing sites.
supporting one Marine division. The MAW is
task-organized to provide a flexible and balanced
HOT LINE--A real or imaginary line that separates
air combat organization capable of providing the
contaminated from uncontaminated areas.
full range of combat air operations in a variety of
INTELLIGENCE--(1) The product resulting from
areas without the requirement of prepositioned
the collection, processing, integration, analysis,
support, control, and logistics facilities. Only the
evaluation, and interpretation of available
wing has the inherent capability of performing all
information concerning foreign countries or areas
six aviation functions.
and (2) the information and knowledge about an
MARINE EXPEDITIONARY BRIGADE
a d v e r s a r y obtained through observation,
(MEB)--A task organization which is normally
investigation, analysis, or understanding.
built around a regimental landing team, a
KEY TERRAIN--Any locality, or area the seizure
previsional Marine aircraft group, and a logistics
or retention of which affords a marked advantage
support group. It is capable of conducting
to either combatant.
amphibious assault operations of a limited scope.
During potential crisis situations, a Marine
KILLING ZONE--An area in which a commander
Expeditionary Brigade may be forward deployed
plans to force the enemy to concentrate so as to
afloat for an extended period in order to provide
destroy him with conventional weapons or the
an immediate combat response.
tactical employment of nuclear weapons.
AI-3
