The 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit was established on 24 April 1967 for a short mission and was quickly deactivated (as was the norm during this period) on 20 October 1967. During June–December 1969, the 26th MEU was reactivated as the 36th Marine Expeditionary Unit for Exercise Landing Force Caribbean 3-69 (LANFORCARIB 3-69).
In 1975 the 36th Marine Amphibious Unit participated in Exercise Staff Zugel in West Germany. This marked the first time since World War I that the USMC took a combined arms force ashore in Germany. The unit was redesignated as the 26th Marine Amphibious Unit in 1982 and became part of the rotation cycle of three MAUs on the East Coast in 1985. It was the first of the MAUs to undergo Special Operations Capable training, earn the SOC qualification, and have AV-8B Harriers attached. The SOC designation denotes the fact that a MEU has undergone an enhanced pre-deployment training program and is able to provide special operations capabilities during an upcoming deployment. In 1988 the unit was again redesignated as the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable).
In 1994 the 26th MEU participated in ceremonies marking the 50th Anniversary of the D-Day invasion of Normandy, France. The 26th MEU also supported Operation Restore Hope off the coast of Somalia and participated in continued operations in Bosnia.
Three years later the 26th MEU launched Operation Silver Wake, evacuating U.S. citizens and foreign nationals from Albania, and also participated in Operation Guardian Retrieval, the staging of forces in the Congo for a possible evacuation of Zaire.
In 1998 the 26th MEU served as the Headquarters for the Strategic Reserve Force during Exercise Dynamic Response in Bosnia. The SRF is a multinational force made up of forces from the Netherlands, Spain, Italy, Romania, Poland, and the United States.
The 26th MEU played a notable role in the Balkan conflict. In 1998 it participated in Operation Determined Falcon, the one-day NATO aerial show-of-force in Kosovo. From April to May 1999 it took part in Operation Noble Anvil and Operation Shining Hope. While supporting Noble Anvil, NATO's bombing campaign in Kosovo, with AV-8B Harrier attack aircraft, the 26th ME also provided security for Kosovar refugees at Camps Hope and Eagle in Albania. From June to July 1999, it participated in Operation Joint Guardian. As the first U.S. peacekeepers in Kosovo, the 26th MEU helped provide stability to the embattled region.
August 1999 saw the 26th MEU taking part in Operation Avid Response, providing Humanitarian Assistance to the people of Western Turkey left homeless by a devastating earthquake.
The 26th MEU conducted Adriatic presence operations during the election crisis in the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, in September 2000. The 26th MEU also participated in exercises Atlas Hinge in Tunisia and Croatian Phibex 2000, the first-ever bilateral exercise between the Marine Corps and the Croatian Armed Forces. During the next two months, the 26th MEU supported diplomatic initiatives during unrest in Israel while simultaneously taking part in the NATO exercise Destined Glory 2000 and continued to break new ground through the second bi-lateral exercise between the Marine Corps and the Croatian Armed Forces, exercise Slunj 2000.
Global War on Terrorism
26th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) Maritime Raid Force members conduct an amphibious insertion during sustainment training in the U.S. 6th Fleet area of responsibility, 3 August 2013.Marines of Company K, Battalion Landing Team 3/2, 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), sprint to the gun line with their 60mm mortars during their sustainment training in the U.S. 6th Fleet area of responsibility, August 2013.
Following the events of 11 September 2001, the 26th MEU(SOC) was among the first U.S. forces into Afghanistan as part of Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Swift Freedom. From December 2001 to February 2002, 26th MEU(SOC) Marines reinforced the 15th MEU who had conducted the 450 mile seizure of Camp Rhino in November 2001 and Kandahar International Airport in December 2001. Both MEUs worked together and constructed a detainment facility that held more than 400 Taliban and Al Qaeda terrorists.
From April to May 2003, the 26th MEU participated in the 2003 invasion of Iraq, supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom by conducting operations in Erbil and Mosul, Iraq. It was inserted via CH-53 and KC-130 and conducted combat operations until relieved by the 101st Airborne Division.
The 26th MEU served as the primary tactical unit for Joint Task Force Liberia during Operation Sheltering Sky from August to September 2003 in the Second Liberian Civil War. The MEU capitalized on its extensive training in humanitarian assistance operations and U.S. embassy relations to help bring peace to the war-torn nation following the exile of former Liberian president Charles Taylor.
Marines and sailors from the 26th MEU conducted Operation Sea Horse from July to August 2005, supporting British-led Multi-National Division Southeast with a mission to detect and deter illicit activity along the Iraqi border. The MEU maintained command and control of Operation Sea Horse from aboard ship in the Northern Persian Gulf, while simultaneously and concurrently conducting training missions in Saudi Arabia and Djibouti. In August 2008, the 26th MEU deployed aboard the ships of the Iwo JimaStrike Group.[1] During the deployment, the 26th MEU detached to support combat operations in Iraq and in support of anti-piracy operations in the Gulf of Aden.
The 26th MEU and several other USMC units formed Special Purpose Marine Air Ground Task Force 26 in November 2009 to support the commissioning of USSNew York in New York City, New York.
In August 2010, the 26th MEU sailed with the Kearsarge Amphibious Ready Group a month early for their scheduled deployment in order to assist with disaster relief operations in Pakistan.
In early March 2016, the 26th MEU took part in the Iraq Campaign of Operation Inherent Resolve against ISIL. Marines deployed to northern Iraq to set up Firebase Bell near Makhmur to support Iraqi forces in their eventual offensive to liberate ISIL-occupied Mosul. On 19 March 2016, ISIS militants attacked the fire base killing 1 Marine and injuring a further 8, the following day, coalition commanders announced that it was deploying additional Marines from the 26th MEU to Iraq.[2][3][4][5]
Involvement in Operation Odyssey Dawn
Beginning on 19 March 2011, the 26th MEU took part in Operation Odyssey Dawn to help enforce the Libyan no-fly zone. On 22 March, two MV-22 Osprey, containing a payload of twenty-five USMC Recon members as a TRAP force, and operated by the 26th MEU operating off of USSKearsarge recovered the pilot of a USAF F-15E Strike Eagle who ejected after an equipment malfunction. The Weapons Systems Officer was recovered by Libyan rebels and returned to U.S. forces unharmed.[6][7]
Hurricane Sandy Disaster Relief Operations
James Amos, commandant of the U.S. Marine Corps meets with Matt St. Clair, 26th MEU's commanding officer, to discuss further plans regarding Hurricane Sandy disaster relief.
In November 2012, the 26th MEU self-deployed from Camp Lejeune aboard MV-22B Osprey to the USS Wasp, which was stationed in New York Bay in the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy.[8] There, the MEU conducted Defense Support to Civil Authorities (DSCA) operations, clearing debris, distributing food and water, and providing aid and comfort to the residents of Staten Island and Rockaway, Queens. The Marines and Sailors would move ashore by helicopter or surface craft in the morning, conduct disaster relief operations during the day, and return to the ship at night to put less strain on the stressed infrastructure ashore.
The MEU also deployed aboard USS Kearsarge (LHD-3) to the U.S. Virgin Island and Puerto Rico, as well as aboard USS Iwo Jima (LHD-7) to Key West, Florida for Defense Support to Civil Authorities (DSCA) relief efforts in the wake of Hurricanes Irma and Maria September through October of 2017
Recent Deployments and Operations at Sea
From March to November of 2013, the 26th MEU deployed to the Fifth and Sixth Fleets areas of responsibility (AORs) aboard the USS Kearsarge (LHD-3), USS San Antonio (LPD-17), and USS Carter Hall (LSD-50) with Battalion Landing Team (BLT) 3/2 as the ground combat element (GCE), Combat Logistics Battalion (CLB) 26 as the logistics combat element (LCE), and Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM) 266 (Reinforced) as the aviation combat element (ACE). The MEU participated in various multinational and bilateral exercises throughout Europe, the Middle East, and Africa, in addition to planning for contingency missions and acting as the nation's crisis response force in the 5th and 6th Fleet AORs. The MEU also participated in multiple diplomatic events with the Department of State.
From August 2014 to January 2015, the 26th MEU deployed in support of Special Purpose Marine Air Ground Task Force Crisis Response Africa 14.2. During this time, the MEU participated in various multinational and bilateral exercises throughout Europe.
November of 2015 marked the start of another deployment to the 5th and 6th Fleet AORs, this time aboard the USS Kearsarge (LHD-3), USS Arlington (LPD-24), and USS Oak Hill (LSD-51) with BLT 2/6 as the GCE, CLB 26 as the LCE, and VMM 162 (Rein) as the ACE. During this deployment, the 26th MEU participated in various multinational and bilateral exercises throughout Europe, the Middle East, and Africa, in addition to supporting Operation INHERENT RESOLVE in Iraq. In this capacity, the 26th MEU sent a detachment of Marines to Iraq to provide indirect fire support to assist Iraqi security forces in the country's fight against the Islamic State. This deployment concluded in June of 2016.
From September to October of 2017, the 26th MEU deployed aboard the USS Kearsarge (LHD-3) to the U.S. Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico, as well as aboard the USS Iwo Jima (LHD-7) to Key West, Florida, for Defense Support to Civil Authorities (DSCA) relief efforts in the wake of Hurricane Irma and Hurricane Maria.
February 2018 to August 2018 coincided with another deployment to the 5th and 6th Fleet AORs. The 26th MEU embarked aboard the USS Iwo Jima (LHD-7), USS New York (LPD-21), and USS Oak Hill (LSD-51) with BLT 2/6, CLB 26, and VMM 162 (Rein). In addition multinational and bilateral exercises, the 26th MEU also provided aviation support with to Operation INHERENT RESOLVE in Iraq.
In December 2019, the 26th MEU deployed to 2nd, 5th, and 6th Fleet AORs aboard the USS Bataan (LHD-5), USS New York (LPD-21), and USS Oak Hill (LSD-51) with BLT 2/8, CLB 26, and VMM 365 (Rein). Bilateral training took place throughout the Mediterranean and Africa, and the AV-8B Harrier detachment provided air support for Operation INHERENT RESOLVE from Isa Air Base. From January to February of 2020, the MEU participated in Exercise JOINT VIKING 21 in Norway, with elements of the MEU participating in Exercise NARVAL in Toulon, France before conducting the Carribean Urban Warrior exercise near Camp Lejeune, North Carolina with Dutch partners. This deployment ended in July 2020, shortly after the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Operations ALLIES WELCOME
On the 20th anniversary of 9/11, the 26th MEU rapidly deployed within 72 hours of notification in support of Operation ALLIES WELCOME at Fort Pickett, Virginia. The 26th MEU formed as Task Force Pickett and was responsible for providing security for, ensuring safety of, and managing processing of approximately 10,000 Afghan evacuees transitioning to the U.S. after attacks in Kabul following the evacuation of the U.S. Embassy in Afghanistan and concurrent withdrawal of U.S. military forces.
2023 MEU(SOC) Redesignation and Deployment
Prior to deployment in July of 2023, the 26th MEU was designated as Special Operations Capable following an enhanced pre-deployment training program that entered on Special Operations Forces integration, interoperability, and interdependence. This was the first time in two decades that a MEU had earned and been employed with the MEU(SOC) designation, a designation that further demonstrates the Marine Corps' ability to partner with, complement, enable, and integrate with Joint and Coalition Special Operations Forces in support of campaigns, crisis response, and deterrence.
While deployed, more than 4,000 Marines and sailors supported a wide range of interoperability training, exercises, and operations within the U.S. 5th and 6th Fleet areas of operations; covering the High North, Baltic Sea, Eastern Mediterranean, Arabian Gulf, Red Sea, and Middle East.[9]
The 26th MEU(SOC) supported operations and engagements, conducted theater security cooperation activities, participated in bilateral training with U.S. NATO allies and partners, and executed sustainment training to ensure the force was ready and postured to respond to crisis in the region. During this deployment, the 26th MEU(SOC) served as the nation's premier response force, capable of conducting amphibious operations, crisis response, and limited contingency operations, to include enabling the introductions of follow-on forces and designated special operations, in support of theater requirements of the Geographic Combatant Commanders.[9]
The 26th MEU(SOC) was composed of Battalion Landing Team (BLT) 1/6, Combat Logistics Battalion (CLB) 22, and Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM) 162 (Reinforced). The Marines and sailors of the 26th MEU(SOC) deployed aboard the flagship Wasp-class amphibious assault ship USS Bataan (LHD 50), the San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock USS Mesa Verde (LPD 19) and the Harpers Ferry-class dock landing ship USS Carter Hall (LSD 50).[9] During this deployment, there was an Army Special Operations communications soldier on board.
1995 – The first MEU (SOC) to deploy with M1A1 Abrams Main Battle Tanks.
1996 – The first MEU (SOC) to deploy with the Joint Task Force Enabler (JTFE) communications package.
November 2000 – The 26th MEU's Battalion Landing Team, BLT 2/2, launched the first-ever FGM-148 Javelin anti-tank missile fired by a deployed MEU.
November 2001 – During Operation Enduring Freedom, the 26th MEU (SOC) became one of the first units to engage enemy forces in Afghanistan after the terrorist attacks of 9/11.
April 2003 – In 2003, during Operation Iraqi Freedom, Marine Corps KC-130s traveled 1,100 miles (1,800km) and delivered more than 1,000 men directly to the battlefield in Mosul, Iraq – a feat never before attempted by Marines.
January 2007 – The MEU (SOC) is the first to deploy with a MARSOC attachment.
March 2009 – The 26th MEU (SOC) completes the final scheduled East Coast MEU (SOC) deployment with the CH-46 Sea Knight helicopter, which is being replaced by the MV-22 Osprey.
August 2010 – The first MEU (SOC) to deploy with an Everything over Internet Protocol (EoIP) configured Joint Task Force Enabler (JTFE) communications package.
Unit awards
The 26th MEU has been awarded the following unit awards and Campaign streamers:
Navy Unit Commendation Streamer with Four Bronze Stars
Libya, 6th Fleet, 23 March - 17 April 1986
Kosovo, JTF Noble Anvil, 31 January - 10 July 1999
Afghanistan, 5th Fleet, 15 November 2001 - 22 March 2002
Iraq, 5th Fleet, 1 January - 1 May 2003
Meritorious Unit Commendation Streamer with Two Bronze Stars
Libya, 19 July 1985 - 25 July 1987
May 1996 - July 1998
Turkey, Avid Response, 21 August - 10 September 1999
Marine Corps Expeditionary Streamer with One Bronze Star
Libya, 23 March - 17 April 1986
Persian Gulf, 1 February - 23 July 1987
National Defense Service Streamer with Two Broze Stars
24 April - 20 October 1967 and 11 June - 28 December 1969
2 August 1990 - 30 November 1995
11 September 2001 - 31 December 2022
Kosovo Campaign Streamer with Two Bronze Stars
25 April - 5 June 1999
10 June - 15 July 1999
Afghanistan Campaign Streamer with Two Bronze Stars
Liberation, 15 - 30 November 2001
Consolidation I, 1 December 2001 - 9 February 2002
An amphibious ready group (ARG) of the United States Navy consists of a naval element—a group of warships known as an Amphibious Task Force (ATF)—and a landing force (LF) of U.S. Marines, in total about 5,000 people. Together, these elements and supporting units are trained, organized, and equipped to perform amphibious operations.
The 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit is one of seven Marine Expeditionary Units currently in existence in the United States Marine Corps. The Marine Expeditionary Unit is a Marine Air Ground Task Force (MAGTF) with a strength of about 2,200 personnel. The MEU consists of a Command Element, a Ground Combat Element based on a reinforced infantry battalion, an Aviation Combat Element based on a reinforced tiltrotor squadron, and a Logistics Command Element based on a Combat Logistics Battalion. The 24th MEU is currently based out of Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, North Carolina.
The 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit is one of seven such units currently in existence in the United States Marine Corps. It is a Marine Air Ground Task Force with a strength of about 2,200 personnel. They are currently based out of Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, North Carolina and fall under the command of the II Marine Expeditionary Force. It is the most decorated of the U.S. Marine Corps' seven MEUs.
Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 261 (VMM-261) is a United States Marine Corps tiltrotor squadron consisting of MV-22 Osprey transport aircraft. The squadron, known as the "Raging Bulls", is based at Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) New River, North Carolina and typically falls under the command of Marine Aircraft Group 26 (MAG-26) and the 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing. They are the fourth squadron in the Marine Corps to transition to the MV-22 Osprey.
Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 464 (HMH-464) is a United States Marine Corps helicopter squadron consisting of CH-53E Super Stallion transport helicopters. The squadron is known as the "Condors" and is based at Marine Corps Air Station New River in North Carolina. They fall under the command of Marine Aircraft Group 29 (MAG-29) and the 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing.
Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 263 (VMM-263) is a United States Marine Corps tiltrotor squadron consisting of MV-22B Osprey transport aircraft. The squadron, known as the "Thunder Chickens", is based at Marine Corps Air Station New River, North Carolina and falls under the command of Marine Aircraft Group 26 (MAG-26) and the 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing.
Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 774 (VMM-774) is a United States Marine Corps medium tiltrotor squadron consisting of V-22 Osprey tiltrotor aircraft. The squadron, known as the "Wild Goose", is a United States Marine Corps Reserve unit based at Marine Corps Air Station New River, North Carolina and falls under the command of Marine Aircraft Group 49 (MAG-49) and the 4th Marine Aircraft Wing.
Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 461 (HMH-461) is a United States Marine Corps helicopter squadron consisting of CH-53K King Stallion transport helicopters. The squadron, known as "Ironhorse", is based at Marine Corps Air Station New River in North Carolina and falls under the command of Marine Aircraft Group 29 (MAG-29) and the 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing. With its lineage starting in 1944, HMH-461 is the oldest active Heavy Lift Helicopter Squadron in the Marine Corps.
Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 264 (VMM-264) was a United States Marine Corps tiltrotor squadron consisting of MV-22 Osprey transport aircraft. The squadron, known as the "Black Knights", was based at Marine Corps Air Station New River, North Carolina, and normally fell under the command of Marine Aircraft Group 26 (MAG-26) and the 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing. They were the last east coast CH-46 Sea Knight squadron to transition to the Osprey. VMM-264 was decommissioned on 24 June 2020.
Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 365 (VMM-365) is a United States Marine Corps tiltrotor squadron consisting of MV-22B Osprey transport aircraft. The squadron, known as the "Blue Knights", is based at Marine Corps Air Station New River, North Carolina and falls under the command of Marine Aircraft Group 26 (MAG-26) and the 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing.
Marine Attack Squadron 231 (VMA-231) is a United States Marine Corps fixed wing attack squadron that consists of AV-8B Harrier (V/STOL) jets. The squadron, known as the "Ace of Spades", is based at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, North Carolina and fall under the command of Marine Aircraft Group 14 (MAG-14) and the 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing.
Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 542 (VMFA-542) is a United States Marine Corps Aviation fighter attack squadron flying the F-35B Lightning II. VMFA-542 is based at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, North Carolina and falls under the command of Marine Aircraft Group 14 (MAG-14) and the 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing.
2nd Battalion, 11th Marines (2/11) is an artillery battalion comprising four firing batteries and a Headquarters Battery. The battalion is stationed at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California. Its primary weapon system is the M777 lightweight howitzer. The battalion was the first in the Marine Corps to fully transition from the M198 Howitzer. They fall under the command of the 11th Marine Regiment and the 1st Marine Division.
The 1st Battalion, 6th Marines (1/6) is an infantry battalion in the United States Marine Corps based in Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. It consists of approximately 1,100 marines and sailors. They fall under the command of the 6th Marine Regiment, the 2nd Marine Division of the II Marine Expeditionary Force.
The 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit is one of seven Marine Expeditionary Units currently in existence in the United States Marine Corps. The Marine Expeditionary Unit is a Marine Air Ground Task Force with a strength of about 2,200 personnel. The MEU consists of a command element, a reinforced infantry battalion, a composite aviation squadron and a combat logistics battalion. The 13th MEU is currently based out of Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California.
The 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit is one of seven such units currently in existence in the United States Marine Corps. The Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) is a Marine Air Ground Task Force (MAGTF) with a strength of about 2,200 personnel. The MEU consists of a command element, a reinforced infantry battalion, a composite helicopter squadron and a combat logistics battalion. The 15th MEU is currently based out of Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California.
The 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit is one of seven Marine Expeditionary Units in existence in the United States Marine Corps. The Marine Expeditionary Unit is a Marine Air Ground Task Force with a strength of about 2,200 Marines and sailors. The 31st MEU consists of a company-sized command element, a battalion landing team (BLT),, a medium tiltrotor squadron (reinforced),, and a combat logistics battalion. The 31st MEU is based at Camp Hansen, Marine Corps Base Camp Smedley D. Butler, Okinawa, Japan. The 31st MEU is the only permanently forward-deployed MEU, and provides a flexible and lethal force ready to perform a wide range of military, humanitarian, and diplomatic operations as the premier crisis response force in the Indo-Pacific region.
Combat Logistics Battalion 15 (CLB-15) is a military logistics battalion in the United States Marine Corps based out of Camp Pendleton, California. It consists of approximately 275 Marines and Sailors. It is part of Combat Logistics Regiment 17 within the 1st Marine Logistics Group, I Marine Expeditionary Force. When assigned under the operational control of the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit, it becomes the Logistics Combat Element (LCE) providing expeditionary combat logistics support to all supported elements of the Marine Expeditionary Unit. CLB-15 has two sister MEU CLBs also based out of Camp Pendleton: CLB-11 and CLB-13.
In the United States Navy, the expeditionary strike group (ESG) is a coordinated group of surface ships, aircraft, submarines, and other naval assets. In contrast to carrier strike groups (CSGs), which emphasize air power and are led by a supercarrier, ESGs are strongly suited for amphibious warfare and are led by an amphibious assault ship. The ESG concept was introduced in the early 1990s, based on the Naval Expeditionary Task Force. The U.S. Navy fields nine expeditionary strike groups.
Combat Logistics Battalion 31 (CLB-31) is a logistics battalion of the United States Marine Corps. CLB-31 is the Logistics Combat Element (LCE) of the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, the only continuously forward-deployed MEU in the Marine Corps.
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