Ist Marine Expeditionary Force

The I Marine Expeditionary Force (I MEF) is a major Marine Air-Ground Task Force of the United States Marine Corps, headquartered at Camp Pendleton, California. Established in 1969 during the Vietnam War era, I MEF has served as a leading force in numerous major operations, including Operation Desert Storm, Operation Iraqi Freedom, and Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan. Designed for rapid deployment and combined-arms operations, the unit integrates ground, air, and logistics elements for flexible, sustained missions. Over the decades, I MEF has earned a reputation for excellence, adaptability, and combat readiness in both humanitarian and combat operations worldwide.