26th Marine Expeditionary Unit

Definition/Scope: The 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit (26th MEU) is one of seven Marine Expeditionary Units currently in existence in the United States Marine Corps. The MEU is a Marine Air-Ground Task Force with a strength of about 2,200 personnel. The MEU consists of four major parts: a command element, a ground combat element, an aviation combat element, and a logistics element. Since its establishment in the early 1970s as the 36th Marine Amphibious Unit, the MEU has conducted several deployments and participated in numerous contingency operations and training exercises. The 26th MEU is based out of Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. Mission: To provide combatant commanders options throughout the Mediterranean region, and beyond. It is a rapid-reaction force capable of conducting multiple and concurrent missions in support of a spectrum of operations, including conventional amphibious warfare operations, humanitarian assistance, mass casualty evacuation operations, and noncombatant evacuation operations. It also has the ability to carry out special operations tasked by the theater commander.

Acronym:

26th MEU

Broader Terms:

II Marine Expeditionary Force
Marine Air-Ground Task Force
US Marine Corps
USMC

Narrower Terms:

Aviation Combat Element
Command Element
Ground Combat Element

Related Terms:

11th Marine Expeditionary Unit
13th Marine Expeditionary Unit
15th Marine Expeditionary Unit
22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit
24th Marine Expeditionary Unit
31st Marine Expeditionary Unit
Camp Lejeune
Camp Pendleton
II Marine Expeditionary Force
III Marine Expeditionary Force
Kosovo Force
Marine Expeditionary Force
Marine Expeditionary Unit