About this Unit
The 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit’s Marine Service Support Group (15th MEU MSSG) served as the logistics combat element of the 15th MEU, providing vital supply, maintenance, transportation, medical, and engineering support. Activated in the 1980s, the MSSG accompanied the MEU on numerous deployments, including operations in the Persian Gulf, Somalia, East Timor, and Afghanistan. The group played a key role in humanitarian assistance, disaster relief, and combat operations, ensuring the MEU’s sustained operations ashore and afloat. In the mid-2000s, the MSSG was reorganized and redesignated as the Combat Logistics Battalion 15 (CLB-15) to better align with evolving Marine Corps logistics doctrine.
Historical Facts
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Origins and Early History: The 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) was activated on July 1, 1987, and its Marine Service Support Group (MSSG) was established to provide essential logistics, supply, and support functions to the MEU during deployments.
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First Deployment: The 15th MEU and its MSSG conducted their first deployment in the late 1980s, quickly setting a standard for expeditionary logistics and integrated support within the MEU structure.
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Role in Operation Restore Hope: In 1992-1993, the 15th MEU MSSG deployed to Somalia as part of Operation Restore Hope, providing critical humanitarian and logistical support in a challenging environment.
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Afghanistan Invasion (2001): The 15th MEU MSSG was among the first conventional U.S. forces to enter Afghanistan after the 9/11 attacks, supporting the initial seizure of Camp Rhino and other operations.
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Operation Iraqi Freedom: The 15th MEU MSSG played a vital role in the 2003 invasion of Iraq, supporting combat operations from the sea and ashore, including the securing of key infrastructure.
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Humanitarian Assistance: Beyond combat, the MSSG has supported numerous humanitarian missions, including disaster relief in Bangladesh in 1991 and tsunami relief in Southeast Asia in 2004.
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Redesignation: In 2006, MSSGs across the Marine Corps were redesignated as Combat Logistics Battalions (CLB), with the 15th MEU’s MSSG becoming CLB-15, reflecting an evolving focus on integrated combat logistics.
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Expeditionary Capabilities: The MSSG was known for its ability to provide support "from the sea," projecting logistics and sustainment ashore rapidly from amphibious ships.
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Joint Operations: The 15th MEU MSSG frequently worked alongside Navy and allied forces, demonstrating interoperability in joint and combined operations across the globe.
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Legacy of Adaptability: The MSSG's legacy is one of adaptability, innovation, and support under fire, enabling the 15th MEU to accomplish a wide range of missions, from combat to crisis response.
