Marines and sailors with 2nd Marine Expeditionary Brigade (MEB), II Marine Expeditionary Force (MEF), assumed authority as Task Force Northeast (TF-NE) as part of the Department of Defense’s support to the national response to COVID-19 April 13, 2020.
Task Force Northeast is responsible for Title 10 support to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Region I and the U.S. territories of Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. This includes the states of Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont along with the tribal areas within those states.
“This task force employs unique, expeditionary capabilities provided by U.S. Northern Command to support a whole-of-government approach to our national response to the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Maj. Gen. Stephen M. Neary, commanding general, 2nd MEB and TF-NE. “Our ability to command and control forces facilitates the effective employment of approved Title 10 assets supporting state and local requirements.”
Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, Coast Guardsmen, and Marines serving as part of and in support of TF-NE provide distinct capabilities including medical augmentation, logistical knowledge, and operations planning among other skills. This disparate group of capabilities requires a command element capable of synchronizing and employing the many areas of expertise to meet the states’ requirements through FEMA.
“Over the past several years, 2nd MEB regularly participated in exercises around the globe where we commanded and controlled forces spanning thousands of miles,” said Col. Edward J. Healey, chief of staff, 2nd MEB and TF-NE. “The experience gained from commanding joint forces and working closely with international partners directly translates to the coordination and support we are providing our state and local partners in coordination with FEMA throughout our region.”
While past exercises centered on 2nd MEB and II MEF’s primary responsibilities of contingency and major combat operations, TF-NE’s mission centers on augmenting areas where state or local governments need additional capacity or capability to fight COVID-19.
“Our focus remains supporting our state and federal agencies as they continue to help our fellow Americans,” said Neary. “We will continue to reinforce relationships, build on best practices, and work to ensure federal military support augments capability and capacity of our local partners.”