ORIENTED
PROTECTIVE
MISSION
MARINE EXPEDITIONARY FORCE (MEF)--
POSTURE--A flexible system for protection
The Marine Expeditionary Force, the largest of the
against NBC contamination. This posture
Marine air/ground task forces, is normally built
requires personnel to wear only that protective
around a division/wing team, but can include
clothing and equipment (MOPP gear) appropriate
several divisions and aircraft wings, together with
to the threat, work rate imposed by the mission,
an appropriate combat service support
temperature, and humidity. There are five levels
organization. The Marine expeditionary force is
of MOPP (zero through 4). MOPP 4 offers the
capable of conducting a wide range of amphibious
most protection but also degrades mission
assault operations and sustained operations
performance the most.
ashore. It can be tailored for a wide variety of
combat missions in any geographic environment.
MOPP GEAR--Combat clothing and equipment
used to operate in an NBC environment.
MARINE EXPEDITIONARY UNIT (MEU)--A
task organization which is normally built around
MOPP GEAR EXCHANGE--Process of
a battalion landing team, reinforced helicopter
decontaminating individual fighting equipment,
squadron, and logistic support unit. It fulfills
including the protective mask and hood, removing
routine forward afloat deployment requirements,
the contaminated MOPP gear, and putting on new
provides an immediate reaction capability for
MOPP gear.
crisis situations, and is capable of relatively
NEGLIGIBLE RISK LEVELS--Levels of
limited combat operations.
contamination that will cause mild incapacitation
MARINE EXPEDITIONARY UNIT (SPECIAL
among no more than 5 percent (for chemical and
O P E R A T I O N S CAPABLE)--A forward-
biological contamination; 2.5 percent nuisance
deployed, embarked U.S. Marine Corps unit with
effect for radiological contamination) of the
enhanced capability to conduct special operations.
unprotected troops who operate for 12 continuous
The Marine expeditionary unit (special operations
hours within 1 meter of a contaminated surface.
capable) is oriented toward amphibious raids, at
O P E R A T I O N A L CONTROL (OPCON)--The
night, under limited visibility, while employing
authority delegated to a commander to perform
emission control procedures. The Marine
those functions of command over subordinate
expeditionary unit (special operations capable) is
forces involving the composition of subordinate
not a Secretary of Defense-designated special
forces, the assignment of tasks, the designation of
operations force but, when directed by the
objectives, and the authoritative direction
National Command Authorities and/or the theater
necessary to accomplish the mission. Operational
commander, may conduct hostage recovery or
control includes directive authority for joint
o t h e r special operations under extreme
training. Operational control should be exercised
circumstances when designated special operations
through the commanders of assigned normal
forces are not available. Also called MEU (SOC).
organizational units or through the commanders
GROUP
WING
SUPPORT
MARINE
of subordinate forces established by the
(MWSG)--An administrative command that
commander exercising operational control.
provides all essential aviation ground support
Operational control normally provides full
(AGS) requirements for elements of the MAW.
authority to organize forces as the operational
The MWSG is capable of supporting two
commander deems necessary to accomplish
fixed-wing and two rotary-wing airfields per
assigned missions and to retain or delegate
MAW.
operational control or tactical control as
necessary. Operational control may be limited by
MAU SERVICE SUPPORT GROUP (MSSG)--A
function, time, or location. It does not, of itself,
task-organized combat service support element of
include such matters as administration, discipline,
the Marine amphibious unit (MAU). Like the
internal organization, and unit training.
BSSG, it draws personnel and equipment from the
permanent battalions of the force service support
OPERATOR'S SPRAY DOWN--Process of
applying decontaminant onto unit equipment
group. As required, it may be augmented by
control surfaces to stop contamination from
combat service support elements from the division
soaking into surfaces.
or aircraft wing.
AI-4
