II Marine Expeditionary Force: Ready for new challenge as Joint Task Force Headquarters

From the II Marine Expeditionary Force, July 2, 2024

MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. — A key transformational step in the Marine Corps’ force design journey occurred in early July at II Marine Expeditionary Force (II MEF) headquarters on Camp Lejeune.

During a visit by Commandant of the Marine Corps Gen. Eric M. Smith, II MEF was officially validated as Joint Task Force-C Headquarters on June 10, 2024. This milestone signifies that II MEF is now prepared to lead and coordinate complex operations involving multiple branches of the U.S. military and allied forces.

The transition to a JTF-C headquarters involves integrating and coordinating forces across land, sea, air, space and cyber domains, preparing for everything from peacekeeping missions to large-scale military operations. To prepare for this new role, II MEF participated in several key exercises that tested its ability to plan, execute and sustain complex operations.

From February 10-17, 2023, approximately 1,200 Marines and Sailors from II MEF and its four major subordinate commands (2nd Marine Division, 2nd Marine Logistics Group, 2nd Marine Air Wing, and 2nd Marine Expeditionary Brigade) conducted Marine Expeditionary Force Exercise (MEFEX) 23 at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. The exercise demonstrated II MEF’s ability to command and control forces during a simulated peacekeeping operation in a challenging environment. This was a critical step toward their validation by JTF-C.

II MEF reconvened at Camp Lejeune from September 9-15, 2023 to exercise command and control capabilities with subordinate commands and joint enablers during Joint Task Force Exercise (JTFEX) 23. JTFEX 23 simulated II MEF’s ability to operate as a task force in large-scale, all-domain operations. A variety of tools were used to test II MEF’s command and control capabilities during JTFEX 23, including a simulated information environment that tested MEF’s real-time response capabilities.

In March 2024, II MEF participated in Exercise Nordic Response 24 in Norway, serving as the headquarters for the Land Component Command of a multinational force. The exercise involved 20,000 participants from NATO Allies and Nordic Partner nations, and focused on crisis response in Northern Europe. II MEF worked closely with Norwegian, Swedish and Finnish forces, demonstrating its ability to lead in cold weather conditions.

The validation process required rigorous evaluations by senior staff and independent evaluators, who verified II MEF’s capabilities in command and control, intelligence integration, logistics and cyber defense. Col. Matthew T. McSorley, II MEF G-37 training director, praised II MEF’s accomplishments.

“The validation of II MEF as the Joint Task Force-Capable Headquarters is a significant milestone for the Marine Corps and our joint force capabilities. This transformation establishes II MEF as the service’s retained JTF-C headquarters for tasking and execution as an Immediate Response Force (IRF); it enhances our ability to respond to crises and underscores our commitment to maintaining a robust, adaptable and ready force,” McSorley said.

As the headquarters of JTF-C, II MEF will continue to evolve by adopting new technologies and doctrines. This new role places them at the forefront of the Marine Corps’ efforts to adapt to a complex global security environment. II MEF will play a critical role in ensuring the United States and its allies can face future conflicts with unity and strength.

Latest articles from Seapower Staff (see everything)