Combat Logistics Battalion 2

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Combat Logistics Battalion 2
CLB-2 insignia.jpg
CountryUnited States
AllegianceUnited States of America
Branch United States Marine Corps
Type Logistics
RoleCombat Service Support
Size500-800
Part of Combat Logistics Regiment 2
2nd Marine Logistics Group
Garrison/HQ Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune
Motto(s)"Keep them moving"
Engagements
Operation Enduring Freedom
Operation Iraqi Freedom
* Operation New Market
* Operation Matador
* Operation Steel Curtain
Commanders
Current
commander
LtCol Dan Walker [1]

Combat Logistics Battalion 2 (CLB-2) is a logistics unit of the United States Marine Corps (USMC), which provides direct combat service support to Regimental Combat Team 2 (RCT-2). CLB-2 was formed after its second deployment to Iraq in 2005 as a part of the reorganization of the 2nd Force Service Support Group (2nd FSSG). The battalion falls under Combat Logistics Regiment 2 and the 2nd Marine Logistics Group (2nd MLG) and is headquartered at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, North Carolina in the USA.

Contents

Mission

CLB-2's mission is to provide direct support and tactical logistics to the 2nd Marine Division and its subordinate units to prepare and sustain them in combat operations.

Organized to provide the full range of combat logistics functions and capabilities necessary, CLB-2 helps to maintain the continued readiness and sustainability of the Marine Air-Ground Task Force as a whole. The LCE is task organized to provide the full range of combat logistics functions and capabilities necessary to maintain the continued readiness and sustainability of the MAGTF as a whole. LCEs form around a combat logistics headquarters, and may vary in size and composition from a support detachment to one or more Marine Logistics Groups (MLG).

Combat Logistics Battalion-2, a subordinate command of 2nd Marine Logistics Group and Combat Logistics Regiment-2, fulfills this role as the LCE. CLB-2 supports the MAGTF by providing tactical logistics to the Marine division beyond their organic capabilities. In addition, the LCE provides throughput and distribution support to the Marine Expeditionary Force (MEF) and serves as the Logistics Combat Element headquarters for a Marine Air-Ground Task Force.

Subordinate units

The compass on the CLB-2 logo is adopted from the logo of 2nd Marine Logistics Group. The center shield displayed has been pulled from the logo of 2nd Marine Regiment. The combination of the two elements signifies the direct support relationship between Combat Logistics Battalion 2 and 2nd Marine Regiment. The symbols surrounding the "2" represent the capabilities residing within the battalion; Health Service support, Maintenance, Motor Transportation and Engineers.

Motto

CLB-2's motto is "Keep them moving". The motto is an adaptation of the 2nd Marine Regiment's motto "Keep moving" which has its origins in the Battle of Tarawa. During this battle, 2nd Marine Regiment continued moving forward under heavy fire to advance within enemy lines.

Although the mission of Combat Logistics Battalion-2 is to provide direct support tactical logistics to 2nd Marine Division and its subordinate units, CLB-2 is often tasked to support other units. "Keep them moving" highlights the historical relationship between the battalion and the 2nd Marine Regiment.

History

Participation in War on Terrorism

Activated on 21 April 2006 at MCB Camp Lejeune, NC, Combat Logistics Battalion 2 was assigned to Combat Logistics Regiment 2, 2nd Marine Logistics Group.

On 28 November 2006, the Marine Corps announced that Combat Logistics Battalion 2 would make its third deployment to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom in early 2007. This would be CLB-2's first deployment since the reorganization. [2] They deployed from February 2007 through September 2007 to the Al Anbar Province relieving Combat Logistics Battalion 1 (CLB-1) upon arrival and being relieved by Combat Logistics Battalion 4 (CLB-4) upon its departure.

While deployed to Iraq, CLB-2 participated in a number of combat operations including Operations Matador, New Market and Sword. CLB-2 was primarily stationed in the Al Anbar province and carried out convoys to units from its logistical hub on the former Iraqi airbase at Al Asad. The supplies being transported were primarily food, water, ammunition and fuel. During operations, the battalion encountered over 200 incidents with the enemy, the vast majority of which consisted of improvised explosive devices (IEDs) and mines.

CLB-2 also conducted convoys providing exchange, postal and disbursing services, bringing relief and comfort to Marines, soldiers, and sailors in remote areas. These convoys were called Warfighter Express Service Teams, or WES Teams.

In May 2007, CLB-2 provided logistical, medical and mortuary support to Regimental Combat Team-2 (RCT-2), 2nd Marine Division, clearing cities along the Euphrates River near the Syrian border during Operation Matador. In addition to providing logistical support, CLB-2 also conducted security and clearing missions during this time. CLB-2 was relieved by CLB-4 and returned home in September 2007.

After several months of pre-deployment training, CLB-2 again deployed to the Anbar Province of Iraq in late Summer, 2008. CLB-2 returned from deployment in March 2009, ending its role in Operation Iraqi Freedom.

After a year CLB-2 deployed to Afghanistan in July 2010 in support of Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF), returning home in February 2011. During this deployment CLB-2 encountered 164 IEDs strikes, found over 50 IEDs, conducted 37 medical evacuations, encountered small arms fire 61 times, captured two enemy personnel, engaged in 15 fire fights, and called in four close air support missions.

Another year later CLB-2 once again deployed to Afghanistan in July 2012 and returned home in Feb 2013.

Marines with CLB-2 first deployed for Special Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force Crisis Response-Africa in late 2014 for the 14.2 rotation. This was a 6-month deployment in which CLB-2 acted as the Logistics Combat Element for the SPMAGTF. While overseas, Marines were based in multiple countries throughout Europe and participated in many bi-lateral military training events with partner nations in Europe and Africa.

In addition to providing logistical and command control support during the deployment, CLB-2 filled the combat service support role for the crisis response force in the region.

In the Spring of 2016, CLB-2 once again deployed as the Logistics Combat Element for SPMAGTF-CR-AF 16.1/16.2.

As the LCE, CLB-2 provides logistical support to the SPMAGTF-CR-AF Command Element, currently 8th Marine Regiment, whose posture allows for response across a broad range of military operations in the AFRICOM region. By maintaining the ability to act in permissive and uncertain environments, this crisis response force is able to protect U.S. personnel, property and interests in the AFRICOM and EUCOM areas and provide stability and partnership to these regions.

CLB-2 provides sustained combat service support to a distributed and disaggregated MAGTF. Direct support detachments are task organized and tailored for support at Morón Air Base, Spain; Mihail Kogalniceanu (MK), Romania; and Novo Selo Training Area (NSTA), Bulgaria; while the LCE HQ provides general support to the MAGTF from Naval Air Station Sigonella, Italy.

In addition to providing direct and general combat service support, the LCE is responsible for the command and control of several Theater Security Cooperation (TSC) teams. Through partnership and cooperation, the TSC teams will serve to promote regional stability on the European and African continents. Throughout the 2016 deployment, these TSC teams have worked with militaries from Senegal, Mauritania, Cameroon, Uganda, Ghana, Tunisia, Morocco, Gabon, and others.

Related Research Articles

Combat service support is a topic that is, broadly speaking, a subset of military logistics. However, combat service support is often more limited in depth, as the related groups primarily address factors supporting readiness for combat operations. The United States Department of Defense organizes various agencies providing services such as medical assistance, for example, akin to other nations' militaries.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">3rd Marine Logistics Group</span> Military unit

The 3rd Marine Logistics Group is the Logistics Combat Element (LCE) for III Marine Expeditionary Force currently headquartered on Camp Kinser, Marine Corps Base Smedley D. Butler, Okinawa, Japan. 3rd MLG provides combat service support (CSS) to III MEF units above the organic capability. CSS is the essential capabilities, functions, activities, and tasks necessary to sustain all elements of operating forces in theater at all levels of war. Combat service support includes, but is not limited, to supply, maintenance, transportation, general engineering, health services, and other services required by aviation and ground combat forces to permit those units to accomplish their missions.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1st Marine Logistics Group</span> Military unit

The 1st Marine Logistics Group is a logistics unit of the United States Marine Corps and is headquartered at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California, with several subordinate elements located at Marine Corps Air Station Yuma and Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms. It is the logistics combat element of the I Marine Expeditionary Force.

The 4th Marine Logistics Group is a reserve logistics unit of the United States Marine Corps. The group is headquartered at New Orleans, Louisiana while its subordinate units are spread across the United States.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2nd Marine Logistics Group</span> Military unit

The 2nd Marine Logistics Group is a logistics unit of the United States Marine Corps and is headquartered at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. 2nd MLG was formerly known as 2nd Force Service Support Group (FSSG), reorganized with its sister FSSGs into Marine Logistics Groups in 2005. The 2nd MLG is composed of approximately 8,000 marines and sailors.

In the United States Marine Corps, a Marine Air–Ground Task Force is the principal organization for all missions across the range of military operations. MAGTFs are a balanced air–ground, combined arms task organization of Marine Corps forces under a single commander that is structured to accomplish a specific mission. The MAGTF was formalized by the publishing of Marine Corps Order 3120.3 in December 1963, "The Marine Corps in the National Defense, MCDP 1-0". It stated:

A Marine air–ground task force with separate air ground headquarters is normally formed for combat operations and training exercises in which substantial combat forces of both Marine aviation and Marine ground units are included in the task organization of participating Marine forces.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Combat Logistics Battalion 7</span> Military unit

Combat Logistics Battalion 7(CLB 7) is a logistics battalion of the United States Marine Corps. The unit is based out of the Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms, California and falls under the command of the 1st Marine Logistics Group and I Marine Expeditionary Force.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Combat Logistics Battalion 5</span> Military unit

Combat Logistics Battalion 5 (CLB-5) is a logistics battalion of the United States Marine Corps. CLB-5 is a subordinate battalion to Combat Logistics Regiment 1 and the 1st Marine Logistics Group. The unit is based out of the Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California. The battalion nickname is "Traveller", named after the 16-hand grey American Saddlebred horse ridden into battle by General Robert E. Lee during the American Civil War. The unit slogan is "Success Is Not An Accident."

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Combat Logistics Battalion 15</span> Military unit

Combat Logistics Battalion 15 (CLB-15) is a military logistics battalion in the United States Marine Corps based out of Camp Pendleton, California. It consists of approximately 275 Marines and Sailors. It is part of Combat Logistics Regiment 17 within the 1st Marine Logistics Group, I Marine Expeditionary Force. When assigned under the operational control of the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit, it becomes the Logistics Combat Element (LCE) providing expeditionary combat logistics support to all supported elements of the Marine Expeditionary Unit. CLB-15 has two sister MEU CLBs also based out of Camp Pendleton: CLB-11 and CLB-13.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Organization of the United States Marine Corps</span>

The United States Marine Corps is organized within the Department of the Navy, which is led by the Secretary of the Navy (SECNAV). The most senior Marine commissioned officer is the Commandant of the Marine Corps, responsible for organizing, recruiting, training, and equipping the Marine Corps so that it is ready for operation under the command of the unified combatant commanders. The Marine Corps is organized into four principal subdivisions: Headquarters Marine Corps, the Operating Forces, the Supporting Establishment, and the Marine Forces Reserve.

In the United States Marine Corps, the logistics combat element (LCE), formerly combat service support element, is the portion of the Marine air-ground task force (MAGTF) responsible with providing logistical support. It provides equipment and personnel to keep the MAGTF running logistically.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Combat Logistics Battalion 8</span> Military unit

Combat Logistics Battalion 8 (CLB-8) is a logistics battalion of the United States Marine Corps. It is part of Combat Logistics Regiment 2 and the 2nd Marine Logistics Group. The unit is based out of the Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, North Carolina.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Combat Logistics Battalion 6</span> Military unit

Combat Logistics Battalion 6 (CLB-6) is a logistics battalion of the United States Marine Corps. Nicknamed "Red Cloud," the unit is based at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, North Carolina and fall under the command of Combat Logistics Regiment 2 and the 2nd Marine Logistics Group..

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Combat Logistics Regiment 27</span> Military unit

Combat Logistics Regiment 27 is a logistics regiment based at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, North Carolina and falls under the command of the 2nd Marine Logistics Group and the II Marine Expeditionary Force, United States Marine Corps.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Combat Logistics Battalion 3</span> Military unit

3d Littoral Logistics Battalion is a logistics battalion in the United States Marine Corps. They are headquartered at Marine Corps Base Hawaii and fall under the command of 3rd Marine Littoral Regiment and the 3rd Marine Division.

Combat Logistics Battalion 46 (CLB-46) is a reserve logistics battalion of the United States Marine Corps. They were formed in 2009 and fall under the command of the 4th Marine Logistics Group. The unit is headquartered in Red Bank, New Jersey. The battalion was activated on 1 June 2009 at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, North Carolina as a separate and detached command of the 4th MLG to directly support the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. Members of the battalion were drawn from 54 sites, in 40 states across the nine battalions of the 4th MLG.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Special Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force – Crisis Response – Africa</span> Military unit

Special Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force – Crisis Response – Africa (SP-MAGTF-CR-AF) was a Marine Air-Ground Task Force that is permanently based at Morón Air Base in Spain. SP-MAGTF-CR-AF reports to U.S. Marine Corps Forces Africa under United States Africa Command. It is a self-mobile, self-sustaining force of approximately 850 Marines and sailors, capable of responding to a range of crises. The unit is specifically trained to support U.S. and partner interests throughout the United States Africa Command area of responsibility, to include embassy reinforcement, support to noncombatant evacuation operations, tactical recovery of aircraft and personnel, humanitarian assistance, and disaster relief. The unit also takes part in bilateral and multilateral training exercises with regional partners. It is commanded by a U.S. Marine colonel (O-6).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Combat Logistics Battalion 23</span> Military unit

Combat Logistics Battalion 23(CLB-23) is a Military Logistics Battalion of the United States Marine Corps Reserve. The unit is based out of the New Orleans, Louisiana with Marine Forces Reserve and headquartered in Fort Lewis, WA under the command of the 4th Marine Logistics Group.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Special Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force – Crisis Response – Central Command</span> Military unit

Special Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force – Crisis Response – Central Command (SP-MAGTF-CR-CC) was a Marine Air-Ground Task Force that was based at an undisclosed location in Southwest Asia.

References

Notes
PD-icon.svg This article incorporates public domain material from websites or documents of the United States Marine Corps .
  1. https://www.2ndmlg.marines.mil/News/Press-Release-View/Article/2666279/lieutenant-colonel-walker/ [ bare URL ]
  2. "Regimental Combat Team-2 Prepares to Deploy in Support of Operation Iraqi Freedom". United States Marine Corps. 28 November 2006. Retrieved 16 January 2007.[ permanent dead link ]

2. https://marinecorpsconceptsandprograms.com/ Archived 31 January 2016 at the Wayback Machine 28 January 2017

Web

https://www.facebook.com/combatlogisticsbattalion2/

http://www.clr2.marines.mil/Units/CombatLogisticsBattalion2.aspx Marine.mil CLB-2-page, 28 January 2017