Combat Logistics Battalion 15
Encyclopedia
Combat Logistics Battalion 15 (CLB-15) is a military logistics
battalion in the United States Marine Corps
based out of Camp Pendleton, California
. It consists of approximately 300 Marines and Sailors. It is part of Combat Logistics Regiment 17
(CLR-17) within the 1st Marine Logistics Group
(1st MLG), I Marine Expeditionary Force (I MEF). When assigned under the operational control of the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit
(15th MEU), it becomes the Logistics Combat Element
(LCE) providing expeditionary combat logistics support to all supported elements of the Marine Expeditionary Unit
. CLB-15 has two sister MEU CLBs also based out of Camp Pendleton: CLB-11
and CLB-13
.
in order to enable accomplishment of all assigned missions across a wide spectrum of conventional and selected maritime special operations.
California and was assigned to the 1st Force Service Support Group (1st FSSG). The battalion's intended purpose was to serve, when so assigned and on a scheduled rotational basis, as the Combat Service Support Element (CSSE) for the 15th Marine Amphibious Unit (MAU). The battalion was redesignated as Marine Expeditionary Unit Service Support Group (MSSG-15) on 5 February 1988 to reflect the renaming of the 15th MAU to the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU). During October 1989, elements of MSSG-15, under the operational control of the 15th MEU, participated in the Loma Prieta earthquake
relief efforts in the San Franscico Bay Area of California by performing their assigned relief missions and also taking on several volunteer projects to help the victims of the disaster. During August 1990, elements of MSSG-15 participated in support of Operation Desert Shield in Southwest Asia.
by assisting in the evacuation of designated personnel from the Republic of the Philippines after the eruption of Mt. Pinatubo. From December 1992 to January 1993, MSSG-15, under the 15th MEU, participated in Operation Restore Hope to assist in the civil war torn and famine stricken country of Somalia. While in Somalia, MSSG-15 supported the securing of the capital city of Mogadishu and the American Embassy on the first day then quickly moved out to outlying areas of Berdera, Baido and Kismayo to assist with food distribution convoys and help restore order. From July through August 1994, MSSG-15, under the 15th MEU, participated in Operation Support Hope
in Rawanda and then later assisted in the relocation of the United States Liaison Office from Mogadishu, Somalia to Nairobi, Kenya. From September through October 1994, MSSG-15 participated in support of Operation Vigilant Warrior
in Southwest Asia. In February 1996 and again in July 1997, MSSG-15, under the 15th MEU, participated in Operation Southern Watch
in Iraq. In February 2000, MSSG-15, under the 15th MEU, participated in support of the Australian-led Operation Stablize in East Timor.
In February 2003, MSSG-15, under the 15th MEU, deployed to Kuwait in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. From March 2003 through July 2003, MSSG-15 participated in Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF). During February and March 2003, tactical control of the 15th MEU was assigned to the United Kingdom's 3 Commando Brigade Royal Marines for OIF. On March 21, 2003, elements of MSSG-15 crossed the border into Southern Iraq and supporting the securing of the port of Umm Qasr and enabled follow-on humanitarian assistance to begin. By late March 2003, elements of MSSG-15 (with the 15th MEU now back under I Marine Expeditionary Force) moved to An Nasiriyah, Iraq to relieve the Marines of Task Force Tarawa. Elements of MSSG-15 provided humanitarian assistance to the local population that included purifying drinking water, immediate medical care, helping establish the local government, police, and other local services.
From December 2004 through January 2005, MSSG-15 participated in support of Operation Unified Assistance
in Southern Asia supporting the Indonesian tsunami relief efforts by providing disaster relief to survivors of a massive tsunami in Sumatra, Indonesia, and southern Sri Lanka. Following this period, the battalion was redesignated as Combat Logistics Battalion 15 (CLB-15) on 15 March 2006 and assigned to Combat Logistics Regiment 17
, 1st Marine Logistics Group
(1st MLG). The redesignation from MSSG-15 to CLB-15 was as a result of the larger logistics reorganization from the 1st FSSG to the 1st MLG. The battalion's intended purpose remained to serve, when so assigned and on a scheduled rotational basis, as the Logistics Combat Element
(LCE) for the 15th MEU.
From November 2006 through May 2007, CLB-15 once again participated in Operation Iraqi Freedom. CLB-15, under the 15th MEU, was committed into Iraq to support area commanders in the Al Anbar Province. Spread throughout the region from Korean Village, to Ramadi, and the Haditha triad, CLB-15 supported security actions to the area which enabled the establishment of Iraqi law enforcement, economic progress, and the creation of local Iraqi government. Due in part to their successes, the needs of the area commanders, and being part of the Multi-National Force-Iraq "surge" to defeat insurgent forces across the country, the CLB-15, under the 15th MEU was extended twice, turning what was supposed to be a six month deployment into almost nine months.
From August through October 2010 and during a routine Western Pacific (WESTPAC) deployment, torrential rains ravaged Pakistan and caused major flooding throughout the country. As a result, CLB-15 participated in humanitarian relief supporting Pakistan flood relief efforts. In the final weeks of September 2010, CLB-15 assisted in the rescue and life support of 62 Ethiopian and Somali immigrants at sea from their disabled skiff. The rescued persons stayed aboard the USS Pearl Harbor into early November 2010 where they were given medical care, food, water, and clothes by CLB-15 before being patriated to Kenya. CLB-15 completed her most recent WESTPAC deployment in December 2010 and is currently preparing for its rigorous pre-deployment training program scheduled for early 2012.
Presidential Unit Citation (United States) Streamer (Iraq 2003)
Joint Meritorious Unit Award
Streamer (Somalia 1992-93)
Navy Unit Commendation
Streamer with Three Bronze Stars (Southwest Asia 1990-91, 1994, 1997–98; Afghanistan 2001-02)
Meritorious Unit Commendation
Streamer with Four Bronze Stars (1987–89, 1995–97, 2000, 2004–05, 2010)
National Defense Service Medal
Streamer with One Bronze Star
Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal
Streamer with One Bronze Star
Southwest Asia Service Medal
Streamer with One Bronze Star
Iraqi Campaign Medal Streamer with Four Bronze Stars
Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal
Streamer
Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
Streamer
Military logistics
Military logistics is the discipline of planning and carrying out the movement and maintenance of military forces. In its most comprehensive sense, it is those aspects or military operations that deal with:...
battalion in the United States Marine Corps
United States Marine Corps
The United States Marine Corps is a branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for providing power projection from the sea, using the mobility of the United States Navy to deliver combined-arms task forces rapidly. It is one of seven uniformed services of the United States...
based out of Camp Pendleton, California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
. It consists of approximately 300 Marines and Sailors. It is part of Combat Logistics Regiment 17
Combat Logistics Regiment 17
Combat Logistics Regiment 17 is a logistics regiment of the United States Marine Corps. They fall under the command of the 1st Marine Logistics Group , I Marine Expeditionary Force . The unit is based out of Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California...
(CLR-17) within the 1st Marine Logistics Group
1st Marine Logistics Group
The 1st Marine Logistics Group is a logistics unit of the United States Marine Corps and is headquartered at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California, with detachments located at Marine Corps Air Station Yuma, Marine Corps Air Station Miramar and the Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center...
(1st MLG), I Marine Expeditionary Force (I MEF). When assigned under the operational control of the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit
15th Marine Expeditionary Unit
The 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit is one of seven Marine Expeditionary Units currently in existence in the United States Marine Corps. The Marine Expeditionary Unit is a Marine Air Ground Task Force with a strength of about 2,200 personnel...
(15th MEU), it becomes the Logistics Combat Element
Logistics Combat Element
In the United States Marine Corps, the Logistics Combat Element , formerly combat service support element, is the portion of the Marine Air-Ground Task Force responsible with providing logistical support...
(LCE) providing expeditionary combat logistics support to all supported elements of the Marine Expeditionary Unit
Marine Expeditionary Unit
A Marine expeditionary unit , formerly called Marine amphibious unit , is the smallest Marine air-ground task force in the United States Fleet Marine Force...
. CLB-15 has two sister MEU CLBs also based out of Camp Pendleton: CLB-11
Combat Logistics Battalion 11
Combat Logistics Battalion 11 is a logistics battalion of the United States Marine Corps. They are part of Combat Logistics Regiment 17 and the 1st Marine Logistics Group...
and CLB-13
Combat Logistics Battalion 13
Combat Logistics Battalion 13 is a logistics battalion of the United States Marine Corps. In garrison, it falls under the command of Combat Logistics Regiment 17 and the 1st Marine Logistics Group; however, when deployed, it forms the logistics combat element of the 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit...
.
Mission
Provide expeditionary combat logistics to the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit15th Marine Expeditionary Unit
The 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit is one of seven Marine Expeditionary Units currently in existence in the United States Marine Corps. The Marine Expeditionary Unit is a Marine Air Ground Task Force with a strength of about 2,200 personnel...
in order to enable accomplishment of all assigned missions across a wide spectrum of conventional and selected maritime special operations.
Subordinate Units
- Headquarters Detachment (S-1, S-2/3, S-4, S-6, EOD, Military Police, Food Service, Embark, Postal, Disbursing)
- Communications Detachment (Radio, Wire, Data)
- Transportation Support Detachment "The Red PatchRed PatchThe "Red Patch" is a distinguishing device worn by United States Marines with the military occupational specialty of 0481 and sometimes 3112 , and is worn only on the Marine Corps Combat Utility Uniform.-History:The red patch dates back to the early days of World War II during the Battle of...
ers" (Motor Transport, Landing Support)
- Engineer Detachment (Combat Engineers, Heavy Equipment, Bulk Water, Bulk Fuel, Utilities)
- Maintenance Detachment (Motor Transport, Engineer, Ordnance, Communication)
- Supply Detachment (Organic, Intermediate Consumable, Secondary Reparable)
- Health Services Detachment (Battalion Aid Station, Dental, Shock Trauma)
Inception and Early Years (1987-1990)
Marine Amphibious Unit Service Support Group 15 (MSSG-15) was activated on 15 October 1987 at Marine Corps Base Camp PendletonMarine Corps Base Camp Pendleton
Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton is the major West Coast base of the United States Marine Corps and serves as its prime amphibious training base...
California and was assigned to the 1st Force Service Support Group (1st FSSG). The battalion's intended purpose was to serve, when so assigned and on a scheduled rotational basis, as the Combat Service Support Element (CSSE) for the 15th Marine Amphibious Unit (MAU). The battalion was redesignated as Marine Expeditionary Unit Service Support Group (MSSG-15) on 5 February 1988 to reflect the renaming of the 15th MAU to the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU). During October 1989, elements of MSSG-15, under the operational control of the 15th MEU, participated in the Loma Prieta earthquake
Loma Prieta earthquake
The Loma Prieta earthquake, also known as the Quake of '89 and the World Series Earthquake, was a major earthquake that struck the San Francisco Bay Area of California on October 17, 1989, at 5:04 p.m. local time...
relief efforts in the San Franscico Bay Area of California by performing their assigned relief missions and also taking on several volunteer projects to help the victims of the disaster. During August 1990, elements of MSSG-15 participated in support of Operation Desert Shield in Southwest Asia.
Post Desert Shield/Storm Years (1991-2000)
During June 1991, MSSG-15, under the 15th MEU, participated in Operation Fiery VigilOperation Fiery Vigil
Operation Fiery Vigil was the emergency evacuation of all non-essential military and United States Department of Defense civilian personnel and their dependents from Clark Air Base and U.S. Naval Base Subic Bay during the June 1991 volcanic eruption of Mount Pinatubo in the Philippines...
by assisting in the evacuation of designated personnel from the Republic of the Philippines after the eruption of Mt. Pinatubo. From December 1992 to January 1993, MSSG-15, under the 15th MEU, participated in Operation Restore Hope to assist in the civil war torn and famine stricken country of Somalia. While in Somalia, MSSG-15 supported the securing of the capital city of Mogadishu and the American Embassy on the first day then quickly moved out to outlying areas of Berdera, Baido and Kismayo to assist with food distribution convoys and help restore order. From July through August 1994, MSSG-15, under the 15th MEU, participated in Operation Support Hope
Operation Support Hope
Operation Support Hope was a 1994 United States military effort to provide immediate relief for the refugees of the Rwandan Genocide and allow a smooth transition to a full United Nations humanitarian management program...
in Rawanda and then later assisted in the relocation of the United States Liaison Office from Mogadishu, Somalia to Nairobi, Kenya. From September through October 1994, MSSG-15 participated in support of Operation Vigilant Warrior
Operation Vigilant Warrior
Operation Vigilant Warrior was a military operation from 8 October 1994 to 15 December 1994 by the United States in response to two divisions of Iraqi Republican Guard troops moving toward the Kuwaiti border...
in Southwest Asia. In February 1996 and again in July 1997, MSSG-15, under the 15th MEU, participated in Operation Southern Watch
Operation Southern Watch
Operation Southern Watch was an operation conducted by Joint Task Force Southwest Asia with the mission of monitoring and controlling airspace south of the 32nd Parallel in Iraq, following the 1991 Gulf War until the 2003 invasion of Iraq.-Summary:Operation Southern Watch began on 27 August 1992...
in Iraq. In February 2000, MSSG-15, under the 15th MEU, participated in support of the Australian-led Operation Stablize in East Timor.
Post 9/11 Years (2001-2011)
In September 2001, MSSG-15 again participated in support of Operation Stablize in East Timor. From October 2001 through January 2002, MSSG-15, under the 15th MEU, participated in Operation Enduring Freedom by supporting an amphibious assault over 400 miles into the land-locked country of Afghanistan. Landing at a remote airbase 90 miles southwest of Kandahar, MSSG-15 supported the establishment of Camp Rhino, America's first Forward Operating Base in country while maintaining the first significant conventional ground presence in Afghanistan. MSSG-15 later moved north to Kandahar International Airport securing a new forward operating base. With the move, MSSG-15 was able to continue to support new missions and support the building of a prison camp that housed numerous Taliban and Al-Qaeda fighters. In November 2001, concurrent with actions occurring in Afghanistan, elements of MSSG-15 participated in support of humanitarian efforts in Djibouti.In February 2003, MSSG-15, under the 15th MEU, deployed to Kuwait in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. From March 2003 through July 2003, MSSG-15 participated in Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF). During February and March 2003, tactical control of the 15th MEU was assigned to the United Kingdom's 3 Commando Brigade Royal Marines for OIF. On March 21, 2003, elements of MSSG-15 crossed the border into Southern Iraq and supporting the securing of the port of Umm Qasr and enabled follow-on humanitarian assistance to begin. By late March 2003, elements of MSSG-15 (with the 15th MEU now back under I Marine Expeditionary Force) moved to An Nasiriyah, Iraq to relieve the Marines of Task Force Tarawa. Elements of MSSG-15 provided humanitarian assistance to the local population that included purifying drinking water, immediate medical care, helping establish the local government, police, and other local services.
From December 2004 through January 2005, MSSG-15 participated in support of Operation Unified Assistance
Operation Unified Assistance
Operation Unified Assistance is the name of the United States military's response to the tsunami of 2004.-Overview:On 28 December, the first elements of the Combined Support Force were deployed to Utapao, Thailand following that country's approval of the use of that base.More than 12,600...
in Southern Asia supporting the Indonesian tsunami relief efforts by providing disaster relief to survivors of a massive tsunami in Sumatra, Indonesia, and southern Sri Lanka. Following this period, the battalion was redesignated as Combat Logistics Battalion 15 (CLB-15) on 15 March 2006 and assigned to Combat Logistics Regiment 17
Combat Logistics Regiment 17
Combat Logistics Regiment 17 is a logistics regiment of the United States Marine Corps. They fall under the command of the 1st Marine Logistics Group , I Marine Expeditionary Force . The unit is based out of Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California...
, 1st Marine Logistics Group
1st Marine Logistics Group
The 1st Marine Logistics Group is a logistics unit of the United States Marine Corps and is headquartered at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California, with detachments located at Marine Corps Air Station Yuma, Marine Corps Air Station Miramar and the Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center...
(1st MLG). The redesignation from MSSG-15 to CLB-15 was as a result of the larger logistics reorganization from the 1st FSSG to the 1st MLG. The battalion's intended purpose remained to serve, when so assigned and on a scheduled rotational basis, as the Logistics Combat Element
Logistics Combat Element
In the United States Marine Corps, the Logistics Combat Element , formerly combat service support element, is the portion of the Marine Air-Ground Task Force responsible with providing logistical support...
(LCE) for the 15th MEU.
From November 2006 through May 2007, CLB-15 once again participated in Operation Iraqi Freedom. CLB-15, under the 15th MEU, was committed into Iraq to support area commanders in the Al Anbar Province. Spread throughout the region from Korean Village, to Ramadi, and the Haditha triad, CLB-15 supported security actions to the area which enabled the establishment of Iraqi law enforcement, economic progress, and the creation of local Iraqi government. Due in part to their successes, the needs of the area commanders, and being part of the Multi-National Force-Iraq "surge" to defeat insurgent forces across the country, the CLB-15, under the 15th MEU was extended twice, turning what was supposed to be a six month deployment into almost nine months.
From August through October 2010 and during a routine Western Pacific (WESTPAC) deployment, torrential rains ravaged Pakistan and caused major flooding throughout the country. As a result, CLB-15 participated in humanitarian relief supporting Pakistan flood relief efforts. In the final weeks of September 2010, CLB-15 assisted in the rescue and life support of 62 Ethiopian and Somali immigrants at sea from their disabled skiff. The rescued persons stayed aboard the USS Pearl Harbor into early November 2010 where they were given medical care, food, water, and clothes by CLB-15 before being patriated to Kenya. CLB-15 completed her most recent WESTPAC deployment in December 2010 and is currently preparing for its rigorous pre-deployment training program scheduled for early 2012.
Honors Awarded
Presidential Unit Citation (United States) Streamer (Iraq 2003) Joint Meritorious Unit AwardJoint Meritorious Unit Award
The Joint Meritorious Unit Award is a military award that was established on June 4, 1981 by Secretary of Defense Caspar Weinberger and was implemented by Department of Defense Directive 1348.27 dated July 22, 1982...
Streamer (Somalia 1992-93)
Navy Unit CommendationNavy Unit Commendation
The Navy Unit Commendation of the United States Navy is an award that was established by order of the Secretary of the Navy James Forrestal on 18 December 1944...
Streamer with Three Bronze Stars (Southwest Asia 1990-91, 1994, 1997–98; Afghanistan 2001-02)
Meritorious Unit CommendationMeritorious Unit Commendation
The Meritorious Unit Commendation is a mid-level unit award of the United States military which is awarded to any military command which displays exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding service, heroic deeds, or valorous actions....
Streamer with Four Bronze Stars (1987–89, 1995–97, 2000, 2004–05, 2010)
National Defense Service MedalNational Defense Service Medal
The National Defense Service Medal is a military service medal of the United States military originally commissioned by President Dwight D. Eisenhower...
Streamer with One Bronze Star
Armed Forces Expeditionary MedalArmed Forces Expeditionary Medal
The Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal is a military award of the United States military, which was first created in 1961 by Executive Order of President John Kennedy...
Streamer with One Bronze Star
Southwest Asia Service MedalSouthwest Asia Service Medal
The Southwest Asia Service Medal is a military award of the United States armed forces which was created by order of President George H.W. Bush on March 12, 1991. The award is intended to recognize those military service members who performed duty during the years of the Persian Gulf War...
Streamer with One Bronze Star
Iraqi Campaign Medal Streamer with Four Bronze Stars Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary MedalGlobal War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal
The Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal is a United States armed forces military award created by George W. Bush on March 12, 2003 by Executive Order 13289. It recognizes those military service members who have deployed overseas in direct service to the War on Terror from September 11,...
Streamer
Global War on Terrorism Service MedalGlobal War on Terrorism Service Medal
The Global War on Terrorism Service Medal is a military award of the United States military which was created by Executive Order 13289 of President George W. Bush on March 12, 2003...
Streamer
See also
- History of the United States Marine CorpsHistory of the United States Marine CorpsThe history of the United States Marine Corps began with the founding of the Continental Marines on November 10, 1775 to conduct ship-to-ship fighting, provide shipboard security and discipline enforcement, and assist in landing forces. Its mission evolved with changing military doctrine and...
- List of United States Marine Corps battalions
- Organization of the United States Marine CorpsOrganization of the United States Marine CorpsThe United States Marine Corps is organized within the Department of the Navy, which is led by the Secretary of the Navy . The most senior Marine officer is the Commandant of the Marine Corps, responsible for organizing, recruiting, training, and equipping the Marine Corps so that it is ready for...