About this Unit
The 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit (26th MEU) is a Marine Air-Ground Task Force based at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. Activated in the 1960s, the unit has participated in a wide array of operations, ranging from humanitarian assistance in Kosovo and Haiti to combat missions in Iraq and Afghanistan. The 26th MEU was notably the first conventional U.S. force to enter Afghanistan during Operation Enduring Freedom in 2001. Renowned for its rapid response capability, the 26th MEU continues to serve as a flexible, forward-deployed force ready for crisis response and contingency operations worldwide.
Historical Facts
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Origins and Activation: The 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) was first activated as the 26th Marine Amphibious Unit (MAU) on 1 March 1982 as a rapid-response force for the U.S. Navy’s Sixth Fleet in the Mediterranean.
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Redesignation: In February 1988, the unit was redesignated from the 26th MAU to the 26th MEU, reflecting an expanded capability for air-ground task force operations.
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Operation Provide Comfort: In 1991, the 26th MEU played a critical role in Operation Provide Comfort, delivering humanitarian aid to Kurdish refugees in northern Iraq after the Gulf War.
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First Combat Landing since Vietnam: During Operation Restore Hope in Somalia (1992-1993), the 26th MEU conducted the first U.S. Marine combat landing since the Vietnam War, securing the port of Mogadishu.
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Evacuation Operations: The 26th MEU has conducted multiple non-combatant evacuation operations (NEOs), including evacuations in Liberia (1996) and Albania (1997) during periods of civil unrest.
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Balkans Operations: In the late 1990s, the unit participated in Operations Joint Endeavor and Allied Force in the Balkans, contributing to peacekeeping and stability operations.
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Response to 9/11: The 26th MEU was among the first U.S. military units to deploy in response to the September 11, 2001 attacks, supporting Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan.
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Humanitarian Assistance: The MEU provided disaster relief in Haiti in 2010 after the devastating earthquake, delivering aid, medical care, and security.
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Flexible Force: The 26th MEU is often referred to as a “force in readiness,” capable of rapidly projecting power ashore by sea, air, and land—often called the “Swiss Army Knife” of the Marine Corps.
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Motto and Insignia: The unit’s motto is “Certa Cito” (Swift and Sure), and its insignia features a trident and anchor, symbolizing its amphibious and maritime capabilities.
