West Coast Marine force tests ability to deploy 50,000 troops, first in over a decade

CAMP PENDLETON, CALIFORNIA, UNITED STATES

02.18.2015

Courtesy Story

I Marine Expeditionary Force

CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. - Marines, Sailors and Soldiers are set to conduct the first MEF-level exercise in over a decade which simulates the deployment of over 50,000 U.S. military members Feb. 19-23 at training locations in the San Diego region.

Marine Expeditionary Force Exercise 2015 (MEFEX) is a joint command post exercise designed to enhance the command and control and interoperability between I MEF and its higher, adjacent and subordinate command headquarters. MEFEX 15 simulates the planning, deployment and combat operations of a MEF-level force of over 50,000 military members within a partner country while operating alongside coalition forces.

This is the first time in 12 years that a MEF-level force has conducted an exercise of this scope and magnitude, bringing together U.S. Army, Navy and Marine Corps forces as well as British military members and U.S. State Department representatives into a field training environment.

With over 1,000 participants, MEFEX helps commanders and their staffs maximize training results in a simulated environment, further refine current procedures, and focus on unit priorities linked to conducting wartime missions.

MEFEX 15 also increases the I MEF Headquarters Group’s ability to deploy and provide base security, facilities and other vital service support activities to sustain the MEF command element over an extended period of time.

If interested in conducting interviews regarding MEFEX or if additional information is needed, please contact Maj. Staci Reidinger at [e-mail], [phone] or 1st Lt. Christopher Harrison at [e-mail].

Photos, stories and video about MEFEX will be posted starting on Weds, Feb. 18 at www.dvidshub.net/feature/MEFEX2015.

• Date Taken: 02.18.2015
• Date Posted: 02.18.2015 12:53
• Story ID: 154732
• Location: CAMP PENDLETON, CALIFORNIA, US