About this Unit
The 5th Marine Amphibious Brigade (5th MAB) was a United States Marine Corps unit activated during periods of heightened military readiness. Initially formed during the Vietnam War era, the brigade was designed to provide a rapid-response amphibious force capable of deploying in crisis zones. Notably, the 5th MAB was reactivated during the late 1970s and played a key role in the planning for Operation Eagle Claw, the attempted rescue of American hostages in Iran in 1980. Although the mission was ultimately unsuccessful, the unit’s preparation and involvement underscored its strategic importance in U.S. military contingency operations.
Historical Facts
•
Origin as a Marine Amphibious Brigade: The 5th Marine Amphibious Brigade (5th MAB) was first activated in 1966 during the Vietnam War era, designed as a rapid-response force for amphibious operations.
•
Reactivation for the Gulf War: In late 1990, the 5th MAB was reactivated and deployed as part of Operation Desert Shield/Desert Storm, forming a key element of the U.S. Marine Corps presence in the Persian Gulf.
•
Deception Operations in Desert Storm: The 5th MAB played a crucial role in deception operations, creating the impression of a major amphibious assault to tie down Iraqi forces along the Kuwaiti coast, influencing Iraqi defensive deployments.
•
Landing Force for I MEF: During Operation Desert Storm, the 5th MAB served as the amphibious landing force for I Marine Expeditionary Force (I MEF), prepared to conduct amphibious assaults if ordered.
•
Task Organization: The 5th MAB was a task-organized unit, often built around the 5th Marine Regiment, along with supporting aviation, logistics, and artillery units as mission required.
•
Headquarters at Camp Pendleton: The brigade's headquarters was located at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California, a hub for amphibious operations training and deployment.
•
Amphibious Training Exercises: The 5th MAB regularly participated in major amphibious exercises such as Exercise Team Spirit and Operation Kernal Potlatch, honing their skills in ship-to-shore movement and joint operations.
•
Redesignation as MEUs: In the late 1980s and early 1990s, Marine Amphibious Brigades (MABs) were redesignated as Marine Expeditionary Brigades (MEBs) and Marine Expeditionary Units (MEUs), reflecting changes in doctrine and force structure.
•
Integration of Air-Ground Task Force: The 5th MAB was an early example of the Marine Air-Ground Task Force (MAGTF) concept, integrating infantry, armor, aviation, and logistics under a single command.
•
Legacy in Modern Operations: Although the 5th MAB itself is not an active unit today, its structure and operational methods influenced current U.S. Marine Corps expeditionary units and amphibious doctrine.
