this is an early piece. We have since developed it much farther, but not to a point that is publishable...
United States Marine Corps in Cent COM
I Marine Expeditionary Force
1st Marine Expeditionary Force Headquarters Group (1205 Men)
HQ Co (75 men)
1st Intel Bn (210 Men)
1st ANGLCO (60 men)
9th COMM Bn (200 men)
1st Force Recon Co (50 men)
1st Radio Bn (210 men)
MCSFCo Diego Garcia (200 Men) (4 M750AC,4 Peacekeeper AC)
1st Small Craft Co (200 Men) (4 36' RPC,4 28' RPC,4 46' HPC)
1st Marine Logistics Group (1050 Men)
Combat logistics Regiment 1 (350 Men)
Combat logistics Regiment 15 (350 Men)
Combat logistics Regiment 17 (350 Men)
1st Marine Division (3900 Men)
HQ Co (75 men)
1st LAR Bn (175 men) (12 Lav25, 4 Lav90, 10 Lav supp)
3rd AAV Bn (175 Men) (12 AAV’s)
1st CEB Bn (200 men)
1st Tank Bn (200 Men) (12 M-1)
1st Recon Bn (109 men)
1st Marine Regimental Combat Team
1/1 (300 Men)
2/1 (300 Men)
3/1 (300 Men)
5th Marine Regimental Combat Team
1/5 (300 Men)
2/5 (325 Men)
3/5 (300 Men)
7th Marine Regimental Combat Team
1/7 (325 Men)
2/7 (300 Men)
3/7 (300 Men)
11th Marines
1/11 (225 Men) (12 M198)
3rd Marine Division (4410 Men)
HQ Co (75 Men)
3rd LAR Bn (175 Men) 11 Lav25, 5 Lav90, 9 Lav supp)
1st AAV Bn (175 Men) (12 AAV’s)
3rd CEB Bn (200 Men)
3rd Tank Bn (200 Men) (13 M-1)
1st Recon Bn (110 Men)
3rd Marine Regimental Combat Team
1/3 (350 Men)
2/3 (400 Men)
3/3 (375 Men)
4th Marine Regimental Combat Team
1/4 (350 Men)
2/4 (350 Men)
3/4 (350 Men)
9th Marine Regimental Combat Team
1/9 (350 Men)
2/9 (375 Men)
3/9 (350 Men)
12th Marines
1/12 (225 Men) (12 M198)
5th Marine Division (4660 Men)
HQ Co (75 Men)
5th LAR Bn (100 Men) (8 Lav25, 2 Lav90, 6 Lav supp)
5th AAV Bn (125 Men) (8 AAV’s)
5th CEB Bn (200 Men)
5th Tank Bn (400 Men) (20 M60A4)
5th Recon Bn (110 Men)
26th Marine Regimental Combat Team
1/26 (350 Men)
2/26 (350 Men)
3/26 (350 Men)
27th Marine Regimental Combat Team
1/27 (350 Men)
2/27 (350 Men)
3/27 (350 Men)
28th Marine Regimental Combat Team
1/28 (400 Men)
2/28 (350 Men)
3/28 (400 Men)
13th Marine Regiment
1/13 (400 Men) (8 M110A2)
3rd Marine Aircraft Wing
MAG-16 (1390 Men)
VMFA (AW)-121 (100 Men) (6 F/A18D)
VMF-214 (105 Men) (6 AV8B)
HMM-161 (130 Men) (8 CH-46)
HMM-163 (130 Men) (8 CH-46)
HMH-466 (150 Men) (8 CH-53E)
HMLA-367 (200 Men) (6AH-1W, 6 UH-1)
VMGR-325 (75 Men) (4 C-130J)
3rd LAAD Bn Co C (200 Men) (4 Lav-PIVAD)
MALS-16 (100 Men)
MWSS-371 (200 Men)
Total Forces 16,615 Men
Combat History of I MEF DEC 2000- JULY 2001
1st Marine Expeditionary Force
This unit has been the corps size command unit for the marines in the gulf since day one. They were transported by air to the area in February of 1997 to be the advance party for the force. They were in the major combat of the last 3 years and are now Headquarted at the International Airport in the port city of Bandar abbas. During the last 6 months I MEF as been re-supplied and reinforced by two fronts. In December of 2000 they were reinforced with 2000 new personnel from Europe who were spread out to the MEF’s subunits. In February of 2001 the MEF was reinforced again with III Mef from Korea. III MEF Was disbanded Minus 5th Marine Division who was re-supplied and reinforced in the city of Bandar abbas for the last 3 months. I MEF Now Runs Security and stability Operations in the Bandar Abbas Sector. The Commanding Officer is Major General Raymond P. Ayres JR.
1st Marine Headquarters Group
This unit is the higher supporting Forces unit for the MEF. It has been involved in every major combat action of the war and has just recently received reinforcements in February of 2001 from the now disbanded III MEF. This unit is set up in the area surrounding the Airport in Bandar Abbas. These units are routinely attached out to Subordinate units as support. 1st ANGLOCO and 1st Force Recon Co routinely do direct action missions to disrupt and eliminate forces in the Bandar Abbas area. The MEF Headquarter is Guarded by the MCSFCo Diego Garcia this unit used to guard the navy assets in Diego Garcia But was withdrawn in 1998 and now provide security for the Headquarters area and its high risk personnel. This unit was merged with 1st Fast Company in 1997 after they were stranded in the India Ocean when the ship they were to return home on was sunk.1st Small craft Co actively patrols the Bandar Abbas Harbor and the Shoor River. Commanding officer is Col James Emerson.
1st Marine Logistics Group
This unit is the higher Support unit for the MEF. This Unit doses all the motor transport, supply and engineer assets for the MEF. This unit has seen combat on all fronts during the war. Right now the 3 regiments are doing SASO Operations in the town of Bandar Abbas. 1st regiment is tasked with the operation of the natural gas fields in the port area and the operation of the gas powered power plant that powers the city. The 15th regiment is tasked with the operation of the fishery and the food cannery on the dock area. The 17th regiment is tasked with operation of the date and fig fields east of town and the citrus groves north of town and the tobacco fields south of town. This unit is essential to the daily operations of the Mef it feeds and powers the city and the MEF.The Commanding officer and his staff are responsible for the supervision of the contracts for the small fishing fleet and the large goat herd that supply meat to the cannery. The commanding officer is Col Brad Aiello.
3rd Marine Aircraft Wing
This unit is the Aircraft Supporting unit for the MEF. Most of its aircraft groups have been disbanded and merged with Marine Aircraft Group-16. This unit fought in all the major battles of the war and was re-supplied with personnel and gear in February when 1st marine aircraft group was sent over from Korea and disbanded. This unit is now stationed at the International airport and the 3rd LAAD Bn Co C now provides flight line and airport security. Flight operations are limited due to parts and fuel. Few parts and aircraft came from Korea the main influx was personnel. The commanding officer is Brigadier General Dennis T. Krupp.
1st Marine Division
This unit has seen the most combat of any marine division in the gulf. The Unit has recently just returned from here amphibious operations in the Chah Bahar area where they were highly successful. They have now returned and have spent the last two months resting and rearming its forces in Bandar Abbas. 2 weeks ago they replaced 3rd marine division on security duty and have 1st marine regiment on Mt. Geno 17km to the north. 5th Marines are on Mt. Poolad 16 miles to the Northwest and 7th marines patrolling the Shoor River area. The Division Headquarters is located in the northern part of the city of Bandar Abbas. The division supporting assets are split up among the regiments. The division will remain on this duty for the next 6 months. The commanding officer is Brigadier General James R Battagllini.
3rd Marine Division
This unit has seen combat on every front from the start of the war. The unit has just spent the last 6 months on security duty for the Bandar Abbas Area. Right before they went on security duty they were reinforced by the marines coming over from Europe when the first division was on operation to the south. Morale is high due to good food and fresh water and power the division is now set up in the once abandoned southern part of the city and has been rebuilding the area for themselves to live in. they will be here for the next 6 months refitting and resting as the MEF reserve. There commanding officer is Brigadier general Frank Libutti.
5th Marine Division
This Unit has spent the last 30 months in active combat in Korea and was withdrawn from Korea in February 2001 with the rest with III MEF. When III MEF came to the Cent Com AOR 4th marine division and 6th marine division were merged into the 5th marine division with support personnel and air wing personnel with out units. 5th Marine Division is now spending the next 6 month re-supplying and retraining its personnel to form a combat ready unit. Its forces occupy the deserted east end of the city and has made the place back into a city with there clean up and restoration of that part of the city. The unit has older gear but is still just as hard as any marine unit. The commanding officer is Brigadier general Bradley M. Lott