Combat Logistics Battalion 13
Combat Logistics Battalion 13 is a United States Marine Corps logistics battalion that provides expeditionary combat service support to Marine forces.
Last updated August 26, 2026
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Overview
Combat Logistics Battalion 13 (CLB-13) is a logistics battalion of the United States Marine Corps headquartered at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton in California. In its normal garrison organization, the battalion falls under Combat Logistics Regiment 17, which is part of the 1st Marine Logistics Group and the Fleet Marine Force, Pacific. When deployed with the 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit, it forms the unit's logistics combat element and supports the Marine forces required to conduct expeditionary operations. The battalion's role is operational rather than commercial. Its core mission is to provide combat service support to Marine air and ground forces in the Southern California Area of Operations and to sustain air and ground operations in expeditionary environments. Its capabilities are intended to keep maneuver, aviation, command, and supporting elements supplied and functioning under austere or hostile conditions. The unit can also accept augmenting personnel and capabilities to form a Battalion Service Support Group when a larger or specially tailored logistics organization is required. When assigned to the 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit, CLB-13 provides a broad range of expeditionary support directly to the Ground Combat Element, Aviation Combat Element, or Command Element. This support is designed to enable missions across conventional operations and selected maritime special operations. The battalion is also expected to conduct simultaneous, self-sufficient tactical security operations when necessary, protecting its personnel and logistics activities so that support can continue in a contested environment. The organization includes Headquarters and Service Company, General Service Company, Alpha Company, and Bravo Company. Together, these elements provide the command, administrative, general support, and company-level capabilities needed to sustain Marine operations. The battalion's work may involve the movement and distribution of supplies, maintenance and support activities, field services, and other forms of combat service support, although the available reference material does not provide a detailed current equipment or personnel inventory. The unit was activated at Camp Pendleton on 6 January 1985 as Marine Amphibious Unit Service Support Group 13 and was assigned to the 1st Force Service Support Group, Fleet Marine Force, Pacific. It was redesignated Marine Expeditionary Unit Service Support Group 13 on 5 February 1988. Over subsequent decades, the organization supported or participated in a series of United States military operations, including the Gulf War-era Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm, missions in Somalia, Operation Southern Watch in Southwest Asia, Operation Determined Response in Yemen, and deployments connected with Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom. On 18 May 2006, the unit was redesignated Combat Logistics Battalion 13 and reassigned to Combat Logistics Regiment 17, 1st Marine Logistics Group. The redesignation reflected the Marine Corps' broader reorganization of logistics formations and established the unit's current battalion identity. CLB-13 remains a Marine Corps operational unit rather than a consumer-facing brand, commercial logistics provider, or independently incorporated organization.
History
Combat Logistics Battalion 13 traces its organizational history to its activation at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California, on 6 January 1985. At activation, it was designated Marine Amphibious Unit Service Support Group 13 and assigned to the 1st Force Service Support Group of the Fleet Marine Force, Pacific. The organization was created to provide the logistics and combat service support required by Marine amphibious and expeditionary formations. On 5 February 1988, the unit was redesignated Marine Expeditionary Unit Service Support Group 13. This change aligned its identity more closely with the Marine Expeditionary Unit structure and its role in supporting forward-deployed Marine forces. As a service support formation, it was responsible for enabling operations by providing the sustainment functions needed by maneuver and aviation units operating away from established bases. The unit subsequently supported several major United States military operations. It participated in Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm in Southwest Asia during September-November 1990 and January-March 1991. These operations placed Marine logistics formations in a large-scale expeditionary campaign requiring the movement and sustainment of personnel, equipment, fuel, supplies, and other support resources. The organization also supported operations in Somalia from October 1993 through February 1994 and participated in Operation United Shield in Somalia from February through March 1995. It later supported Operation Southern Watch in Southwest Asia from November 1997 through January 1998. These deployments reflected the continuing use of Marine logistics units in regional security, contingency, and multinational operational settings. From October through December 2000, the unit participated in Operation Determined Response in Yemen. It then supported Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan and Pakistan beginning in March 2002. The available reference material identifies these activities as part of the unit's operational history but does not specify the full range of subordinate detachments, equipment, or individual missions involved in each deployment. The unit participated in Operation Iraqi Freedom in Iraq during October-December 2005 and again from April-November 2007. These deployments occurred during a period in which Marine logistics organizations supported sustained combat operations and needed to operate across extended lines of communication while also protecting their own personnel and support sites. On 18 May 2006, the organization was redesignated Combat Logistics Battalion 13. At the same time, it was reassigned to Combat Logistics Regiment 17 within the 1st Marine Logistics Group. The redesignation placed the unit within the Marine Corps' combat logistics battalion framework and established the name by which it is currently known. In garrison, CLB-13 remains under Combat Logistics Regiment 17 and the 1st Marine Logistics Group. When deployed as part of the 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit, it serves as the logistics combat element. Its mission includes supporting the Ground Combat Element, Aviation Combat Element, and Command Element; accepting augmenting forces to form a Battalion Service Support Group; and conducting self-sufficient tactical security operations when required. The battalion's current structure includes Headquarters and Service Company, General Service Company, Alpha Company, and Bravo Company. Its history reflects the continuing Marine Corps model of combining expeditionary mobility, operational sustainment, and the ability to support forces in contested environments.
- 2007
Second listed Iraq deployment
[1]The unit participated in Operation Iraqi Freedom in Iraq from April through November 2007.
- 2006
Adoption of the Combat Logistics Battalion 13 designation
[1]On 18 May 2006, the unit was redesignated Combat Logistics Battalion 13 and reassigned to Combat Logistics Regiment 17, 1st Marine Logistics Group.
- 2005
Operation Iraqi Freedom deployment
[1]The unit participated in Operation Iraqi Freedom in Iraq from October through December 2005.
- 2002
Operation Enduring Freedom
[1]The unit supported Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan and Pakistan beginning in March 2002.
- 2000
Operation Determined Response
[1]The unit participated in Operation Determined Response in Yemen from October through December 2000.
- 1997
Operation Southern Watch
[1]The unit supported Operation Southern Watch in Southwest Asia from November 1997 through January 1998.
- 1995
Operation United Shield
[1]The unit participated in Operation United Shield in Somalia from February through March 1995.
- 1993
Support of operations in Somalia
[1]The unit supported operations in Somalia from October 1993 through February 1994.
- 1990
Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm
[1]The unit participated in operations in Southwest Asia during September-November 1990 and January-March 1991.
- 1988
Redesignation as Marine Expeditionary Unit Service Support Group 13
[1]On 5 February 1988, the unit adopted the Marine Expeditionary Unit Service Support Group 13 designation.
Products and positioning
A Marine Corps expeditionary logistics formation focused on sustaining air and ground operations, enabling deployed Marine forces, and maintaining logistics continuity in austere or hostile environments.
Brand decisions
2006
Transition to Combat Logistics Battalion 13StrategyBackground
The Marine Corps reorganized the unit within its combat logistics battalion structure.
Action taken
On 18 May 2006, the unit was redesignated Combat Logistics Battalion 13 and placed under Combat Logistics Regiment 17, 1st Marine Logistics Group.
Aftermath
The unit assumed its current battalion identity and continued serving as an expeditionary logistics element.
1988
Redesignation to Marine Expeditionary Unit Service Support Group 13OtherBackground
The unit's organizational identity was adjusted to reflect its relationship with Marine Expeditionary Unit operations.
Action taken
It was redesignated Marine Expeditionary Unit Service Support Group 13 on 5 February 1988.
Aftermath
The organization continued providing expeditionary service support to Marine forces.
Sources1 sources
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