{"id":48333,"date":"2026-05-01T00:26:20","date_gmt":"2026-05-01T00:26:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/defensenews\/uncategorized\/2026\/05\/01\/us-combatant-chiefs-want-more-amphibious-ready-groups-marine-commandant-says\/"},"modified":"2026-08-08T17:36:16","modified_gmt":"2026-08-08T17:36:16","slug":"us-combatant-chiefs-want-more-amphibious-ready-groups-marine-commandant-says","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/defensenews\/naval\/2026\/05\/01\/us-combatant-chiefs-want-more-amphibious-ready-groups-marine-commandant-says\/","title":{"rendered":"US combatant chiefs want more amphibious ready groups, Marine commandant says"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The four-star generals and admirals who lead U.S. military commands have all requested the support of amphibious ready groups<\/a> and Marine Expeditionary Units<\/a>, according to the highest-ranking officer in the U.S. Marine Corps.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

U.S. Marine Corps<\/a> Commandant Gen. Eric Smith told audience members at Modern Day Marine<\/a> in Washington on Thursday that the demand for ARG-MEUs has exceeded the 3.0 presence he previously<\/a> called for.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI won\u2019t say how many of the ARG-MEUs our combat commanders asked for, but it is well north of three,\u201d he said. \u201cLike double that.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Calls for ARG-MEUs are coming from the U.S. military\u2019s Southern Command, European Command, U.S. Central Command and U.S. Africa Command.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A 3.0 presence indicates a three-ship ARG-MEU deployed at all times: one out of the East Coast, one out of the West Coast and the 31st MEU delivering periodic deployments<\/a> out of Okinawa, Japan.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Currently, the 22nd MEU is participating in Operation Southern Spear and the 31st MEU is in the Middle East in support of Operation Epic Fury<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The 11th MEU is reportedly en route toward the Middle East to support Operation Epic Fury, but as of this week was conducting routine patrols<\/a> around the southern Philippines. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Smith labeled ARG-MEUs the most flexible tool in the Defense Department inventory, providing humanitarian assistance, non-combatant evacuation operations and key strike capabilities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The ARG-MEUs in recent years have been more relevant than ever before, Smith added, but sustaining the pace proved difficult. This struggle emphasized the Marine Corps\u2019 and Navy\u2019s need to return to a permanent 3.0 ARG-MEU presence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThis is our number one priority and it remains my personal north star as a commandant,\u201d Smith said.<\/p>\n\n\n\t