Logistics combat element

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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.

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The logistics combat element (LCE), organized into battalions, regiments, and groups, has its own headquarters element for command and control (management and planning for manpower, intelligence, operations and training, and logistics functions) of its subordinate units and contains the majority of the combat service support units for the MAGTF, including: heavy motor transport, ground supply, heavy engineer support, ground equipment maintenance, and advanced medical and dental units, along with certain specialized groups such as air delivery, EOD, and landing support teams.

The size of the LCE varies in proportion to the size of the MAGTF. A Marine expeditionary force has a Marine logistics group or MLG. A Marine expeditionary brigade holds a combat logistics regiment or CLR, often reinforced with equipment and personnel from other logistics units. The various Marine expeditionary units command a reinforced combat logistics battalion. Generally, MEF postings are permanent, while MEBs and MEUs rotate their GCE, ACE, and LCE twice annually.

Hierarchy of Marine logistics units

1stMLG insignia.png
Battalion NameInsigniaNickname
Headquarters & Service Battalion
1st Dental Battalion 1st dental bn insig.png
7th Engineer Support Battalion 7esb.png

2MLG.jpg
Battalion NameInsigniaNickname
Headquarters and Service Battalion No image.png
2nd Dental Battalion No image.png
8th Engineer Support Battalion 8th ESB.jpg

3mlg.png
Battalion NameInsigniaNickname
Headquarters and Service Battalion
3rd Dental Battalion 3rd Dental Battalion.gif
9th Engineer Support Battalion 9thESBsmall.jpg

USMC 4th MLG vector.svg
Battalion NameInsigniaNickname
Headquarters and Service Battalion HQBN.jpg
4th Maintenance Battalion 4thMAINTBN png.jpg
4th Supply Battalion 4th Supply Battalion.JPG
6th Engineer Battalion 6thESB.jpg
6th Motor Transport Battalion 6thmt.png
4th Medical Battalion 4thMEDBN.jpg
4th Dental Battalion 4thDENBN.png
4th Landing Support Battalion 4thlsb.jpg
6th Communications Battalion
Note: also falls under CE, Marine Forces Reserve
6th comm bn insig.jpg

See also

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