What is the Canadian Joint Operations Command?

Introduction The Canadian Joint Operations Command (CJOC; French: Commandement des opérations interarmées du Canada) is one of the two unified commands of the Canadian Armed Forces, the other one being the Canadian Special Operations Forces Command. CJOC was announced in May 2012 as the result of the cost-cutting measures in the 2012 federal budget through… Read More

Yes or No: Attempts to Regulate Autonomous Weapons are Failing?

In the 16 July 2022 issue of the New Scientist, it was reported that attempts to regulate autonomous weapons would likely fail. Between March and July 2022, the Convention on Certain Conventional Weapons (CCW) – Group of Governmental Experts on emerging technologies in the area of Lethal Autonomous Weapons Systems (GGE on LAWS) held various… Read More

What is a Marine Expeditionary Unit (US)?

Introduction Marine expeditionary units (MEU, pronounced as one syllable “M’you” IPA: /mjuː/) are the smallest marine air-ground task forces (MAGTF) in the United States Fleet Marine Force. Each MEU is an expeditionary quick reaction force, deployed and ready for immediate response to any crisis, whether it be natural disaster or combat missions. Marine amphibious unit… Read More

What is a Marine Expeditionary Brigade (US)?

Introduction A Marine expeditionary brigade (MEB) is a formation of the United States Marine Corps, a Marine air-ground task force (MAGTF) of approximately 14,500 Marines and sailors constructed around a reinforced infantry regiment, a composite Marine aircraft group, a combat logistics regiment and a MEB command group. The MEB, commanded by a general officer (usually… Read More

What is a Marine Expeditionary Force (US)?

Introduction Marine expeditionary force (MEF), formerly known as a Marine amphibious force, is the largest type of a Marine air-ground task force (MAGTF). A MEF is the largest building block of United States Marine Corps combat power. Structure A MEF is larger than a Marine expeditionary unit (MEU) or Marine expeditionary brigade (MEB). Each MEF… Read More

What is a Battle Lab?

Introduction A battle lab or battle laboratory is an organisation dedicated to studying changes in the military. It provides means (premises, teams, operational equipment or operational platforms, hardware, software, IT infrastructure, processes, guidelines) to analyse or assess impacts that could be induced by changes in a military realm. The changes can be of any kind:… Read More

What is a Marine Air Ground Task Force (US)?

Introduction Marine Air-Ground Task Force (MAGTF, pronounced MAG-TAF) is a term used by the United States Marine Corps to describe the principal organisation for all missions across the range of military operations. MAGTFs are a balanced air-ground, combined arms task organisation of Marine Corps forces under a single commander that is structured to accomplish a… Read More