FM-3-81 Maneuver Enhancement Brigade Download
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09 November 2021 FM 3-81 1-1 Chapter 1 Maneuver Enhancement Brigade Understanding how ARFOR conduct operations as part of an interdependent joint force supports mission success and lays the framework for the roles and mission of the MEB. This chapter provides an overview of the MEB capabilities to provide command and control for units, key functions, and tasks required to conduct its primary task of support area operations. Support area capabilities focus on enabling close operations, supporting deep operations, and creating windows of opportunity that formations can exploit. MANEUVER ENHANCEMENT BRIGADE OVERVIEW 1-1. The MEB is a multifunctional brigade headquarters designed to command and control forces from multiple branches, but especially organizations that conduct tasks enabling support area operations. The MEB employs these organizations to support the conduct of decisive action in support of Army divisions; echelons above division; and joint, interagency, or multinational headquarters. Normally each division and/or corps headquarters receives and assigns a MEB to their support area. More than one MEB may be assigned to a division or corps based on mission, enemy, terrain and weather, troops and support available, time available, and civil considerations (METT-TC). 1-2. Each MEB headquarters begins with the same basic organization structure, staffing, and capabilities. Task organization is based on mission requirements for the echelon being supported. The headquarters is staffed and optimized to conduct combined arms operations integrating a wide range of functional branches and combat forces. The staff is optimized to provide for the planning, preparation, execution, and assessment of key tasks associated with protection (see ADP 3-37 and appendix A), security, support to mobility, and stability. It uses units that are attached or under operational control (OPCON) to conduct the MEB primary task throughout its AO and within the broader AO of the organization (division, corps) it supports. 1-3. The MEB has limited organic structure and depends on the task organization of units for capabilities to conduct support area operations. The MEB staff must conduct detailed mission analysis and running estimates to identify these requirements. This is mission-critical when submitting for MEB subordinate functional unit requirements. Examples of MEB dependencies include fire support (counterfire radar and target acquisition assets), engineers, military police, CBRN, CA, EOD, air defense artillery (ADA), tactical combat force (TCF), sustainment, Role 2 medical support AHS (except role 1 treatment), medical evacuation (via air and ground), signal, and information collection capability (unmanned aircraft system and military intelligence units). The MEB also depends on the higher headquarters for legal, financial management, personnel, and administrative services. 1-4. The MEB may be placed in support of Army, joint, interagency, or multinational headquarters. The MEB may include a mix of CBRN, CA, engineer, EOD, military police and, potentially, air missile defense (AMD) and a TCF (see figure 1-1, page 1-2). A tactical combat force is a rapidly deployable, air-ground mobile combat unit with appropriate combat support and combat service support assets assigned to, and capable of defeating Level III threats, including combined arms (JP 3-10). See table 1-1, page 1-2, for discussion on the levels of threats. Table 1-1 is a guide, not a definitive categorization, and attention must be given to enemy capabilities and activities. Size is not the sole determinant of a threat level.