A maritime prepositioning force (MPF) operation includes the airlift of Marine air-ground task force (MAGTF) and Navy elements, the Navy support element (NSE), and maritime expeditionary security force (MESF) units with selected equipment into an arrival and assembly area (AAA) to join with equipment and supplies that are carried aboard maritime prepositioning ships (MPSs). Maritime prepositioning provides a combatant commander (CCDR) with deployment flexibility and an increased capability to respond rapidly to a crisis or contingency with a credible force.