Modest Proposal. Bring back the Air Contingency MAGTF.

Lance Cpl. James Gulliver

A light armored vehicle carrying Marines serving with 1st Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion unloaded out of a C-17 Globemaster cargo plane during a strategic mobility exercise here, April 24, 2013. The C-17’s long-range capability gives 1st LAR the ability to deploy worldwide at a moment’s notice. The Marines learned the basics of loading and unloading from aircraft to prepare for upcoming deployments.

I won't bother rehashing the posted story that accompanied these pics but a quote or two is a bit eye opening.

“We are the reconnaissance element of the ground forces, so we need to be able to engage and eliminate any threats that might present themselves to us on our missions,” said Staff Sgt. Phillip Broberg, a master gunner serving with Delta Company, 1st LAR.
Once the Marines arrive at their destination they have the capabilities to perform either counter-insurgency missions, or humanitarian missions.
“Not everything we do is combat-related,” said Lt. Col. Gilbert Juarez, the commanding officer of 1st LAR. “We are capable of helping the local populace with supplies and other items they might need.”
“Our Marines will continue dedicating themselves to their training, and to fighting future conflicts,” the San Diego native said. “I have complete faith that all my Marines are up to any challenge.”
Whether it is a terrorist attack, or a hurricane stricken land the Marines of 1st LAR have the rapid deployment capabilities to reach their objectives.

If the Marine Corps is becoming so multi-purpose that combat missions aren't the main emphasis then its understandable (not acceptable) why a new formation was developed to respond to crisis in Africa.

That would be a sad state of affairs though.  To float MEU's and not believe that they're for combat?  It seems unthinkable but I'm beginning to wonder.

Having said all that, if the MEU is still the forward deployed combat force that I believe it to be then all that the Marine Corps actually needs to do is to bring back the Air Contingency MAGTF.

via Global Security...

In the event of a fast-breaking crisis, an Air Contingency MAGTF (ACM) may be the first MAGTF on the scene. Air contingency forces may be dispatched to respond to fast-developing crises. An air contingency MAGTF is an on-call, combat-ready task organization that can begin deployment by strategic airlift within 18 hours of notification. The fixed wing aircraft of the air contingency MAGTF will normally self-deploy. Both Marine Corps Forces Atlantic and Marine Corps Forces Pacific maintain air contingency MAGTFs in a continuous state of readiness.
The ACM is composed of regular MEF combat and support forces on standby. As long as no crisis exists, they continue normal operations. However, if a crisis erupts and the call "Send in the Marines" is sounded, the forces form as a cohesive MAGTF and prepare for the mission at hand.
Unlike the MEU(SOC), which has the ability to force its way ashore in the face of armed opposition, ACMs require a secure airfield to which to deploy. Given this, an ACM can be precisely sized for the mission and available airlift, ranging in size from a reinforced rifle company with a small combat service support element, up to a regimental size force, complete with headquarters, aviation, and combat service support elements. As such, they can be employed for a variety of independent conventional missions, or reinforce other first-on-the-scene Marine or joint forces.
An air contingency MAGTF can deploy independently or in conjunction with a Marine expeditionary unit (special operations capable), maritime prepositioning force, or other expeditionary force. Unlike maritime prepositioning force troops who deploy without most of their organic equipment in anticipation of marrying up in theater with that from the maritime prepositioning squadrons, air contingency forces must deploy to the theater with all of the organic equipment they require. Also unlike maritime prepositioning forces, air contingency forces do not have an organic sustainment capability.

Does the above concept sound familiar?

Does it sound like a certain office is re-inventing the wheel and just basing it on a smaller, less capable unit?

Does the smaller less capable unit sound like its tailor made for a Ft. Apache type deployment(meaning it will get into trouble that will require other units to save it from)?

If your answer to any of those questions was yes then you understand why the Air Contingency MAGTF makes more sense and will probably bring more combat power to bear.  500 Marines assigned to the unit in Spain.  Probably 250 are trigger pullers.  Yeah.  I'd rather have an AC-MAGTF and/or MEU fly/sail in and fight than watch a section of MV-22's on fire at a  contested landing zone in a far off land.