26th Marine Expeditionary Unit

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A Certain Force in an Uncertain World

July 14, 2020 | 5:30

A Certain Force in an Uncertain World

26th Marine Expeditionary Unit

July 14, 2020 | 5:30

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FEATURED STORIES

Upholding Tradition and Excellence: The 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit Sergeant Major Relief and Appointment

Transition of leadership is not just a routine event; it's a significant moment symbolizing continuity, excellence, and the passing of the torch of responsibility. Such transitions are particularly notable when it involves the position of Sergeant Major. Recently, the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable) (MEU(SOC)) witnessed a change in its Sergeant Major, marking a momentous occasion steeped in tradition and the pursuit of excellence.

26th Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable) MV-22 Ospreys Safely Return Home from 8-month Tri-Geographic Combatant Command Region Deployment

CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. – After completing an extended eight-month deployment, the Marines and Sailors assigned to the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable) (26th MEU(SOC)) Aviation Combat Element (ACE) will return their MV-22s to flight status Mar. 17, 2024, following Naval Air Systems Command’s (NAVAIR) announcement that deemed the aircraft safe to fly following an extensive engineering analysis.

BATARG and 26th MEU(SOC) return home after an 8-month deployment as the Immediate Crisis Response Force for the Tri-Geographic Combatant Command region

Marines and Sailors assigned to the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable) will return home in several waves beginning Mar. 16, 2024 after successfully completing an extended eight-month deployment embarked aboard the amphibious warships of the Bataan Amphibious Ready Group (BATARG) in U.S. Naval Forces Europe and Africa/6th Fleet and U.S. Naval Forces Central Command/5th Fleet areas of operations.

Explore Photos

A U.S. Marine Corps MV-22 Osprey aircraft with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 261 (VMM-261) prepares to depart from a landing zone during a confined area landing flight near Trinidad, Colorado, June 18, 2025. As the air combat element of the Special Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force – Alert Contingency MAGTF (SPMAGTF-ACM), VMM-261 conducted a deployment for training to increase the squadron’s proficiency in high altitude aviation operations and improve overall combat readiness for any potential MAGTF missions. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Osmar VasquezHernandez)

VMM-261 Conducts CALs and RVLs

U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Hutson Frase, a Tennessee native and a tiltrotor crew chief with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 261 (VMM-261), refuels an MV-22 Osprey aircraft during a familiarization flight at Pueblo Memorial Airport, Colorado, June 17, 2025. As the air combat element of the Special Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force – Alert Contingency MAGTF (SPMAGTF-ACM), VMM-261 conducted a deployment for training to increase the squadron’s proficiency in high altitude aviation operations and improve overall combat readiness for any potential MAGTF missions. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Osmar VasquezHernandez)

VMM-261 Conducts Familiarization Flight

U.S. Marines with the Special Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force – Alert Contingency MAGTF and 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit conduct water treading drills during a Water Survival Advanced course at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, June 3, 2025. WSA training is a week-long course that prepares Marines and Sailors for execution of emergency activation plans, water survival and rescue scenarios, and risk mitigation employment. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Osmar VasquezHernandez)

SPMAGTF-ACM Conducts Advanced Water Survival Training

U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Nathan Kempf, a Michigan native and squad leader with Fox Company, 2nd Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, fires an AT4-CS confined space light anti-armor weapon during a high explosive battle drill at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, June 4, 2025. As the ground combat element of the Special Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force – Alert Contingency MAGTF (SPMAGTF-ACM), 2nd Battalion, 2nd Marines is responsible for conducting ground operations, seizing and occupying terrain, and providing power projection on any potential MAGTF missions. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Jorge Borjas)

2nd Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment conducts Explosive Live-Fire Ranges

U.S. Marine Corps Staff Sgt. Frenesis Bernal, a New Jersey native and food service specialist with Combat Logistics Battalion 22, poses for a photo with her daughter after returning from Norway for Exercise Swift Reponse 25,Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, May 27, 2025. The Marine Corps provided direct combat service support to the U.S. Army 82nd Airborne Division to enable sustainment of multi-domain operations. Swift Response 25 is part of the DEFENDER 25 series and allows the rehearsal, deployment, employment, and integration of U.S. forces to focus on the expansion of critical capabilities on the battlefield in the High North and Baltics. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Jorge Borjas)

CLB-22 Returns from Norway after Exercise Swift Response 25

U.S. Navy Senior Chief Hospital Corpsman Michael Devito, the medical senior enlisted leader for the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit and a native of Virginia, pins on the rank insignia of Petty Officer 1st class onto Reigious Program Specialist 1st Class Dominic Cicale, a Sailor with the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit and a native of Illinois, during his frocking ceremony at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, May 29, 2025. Promotion ceremonies highlight a significant achievement in a service member's career and are a testament to their commitment, master of duties and skills, and leadership capabilities. (U.S. Marine Corps Photo by Lance Cpl. Jack Labrador)

26th MEU holds Navy Frocking Ceremony

U.S. Marines and Sailors with the Special Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force – Alert Contingency MAGTF (SPMAGTF-ACM) board the Harpers Ferry-class dock landing ship USS Oak Hill (LSD 51) during Exercise Chesapeake 25 at Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek-Fort Story, Virginia, April 25, 2025. Exercise Chesapeake 2025 was a bilateral U.S.–French naval exercise that underscored a commitment to interoperability, maritime readiness, and shared values. The exercise took place as the U.S. Marine Corps is celebrating 250 years of warfighting excellence and reflects the Marine Corps’ commitment to global partnerships and naval integration, enabling the force to rapidly respond to crises, deter adversaries, and reassure allies. (U.S. Marine Corps Photo by Lance Cpl. Jack Labrador)

SPMAGTF-ACM conducts Exercise Chesapeake 2025

A U.S. Navy landing craft air cushion with Assault Craft Unit Four lands on Onslow Beach at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, as part of Exercise Chesapeake 25, April 27, 2025. Exercise Chesapeake 2025 was a bilateral U.S.–French naval exercise that underscored a commitment to interoperability, maritime readiness, and shared values. The exercise took place as the U.S. Marine Corps is celebrating 250 years of warfighting excellence and reflects the Marine Corps’ commitment to global partnerships and naval integration, enabling the force to rapidly respond to crises, deter adversaries, and reassure allies. (U.S. Marine Corps Photo by Lance Cpl. Jack Labrador)

SPMAGTF-ACM Trains with French Armed Forces and U.S. Navy During Exercise Chesapeake 25

Unit Leaders

Colonel Ben Reid

Commanding Officer, 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit

Upon graduation from the U.S. Naval Academy in May 2000, Colonel Ben Reid was commissioned a Second Lieutenant, and after completing The Basic School and Infantry Officer Course, he was assigned as a Rifle Platoon Commander in Company C, 1st Battalion, 2nd Marines where he deployed as part of a Unit Deployment Program to Okinawa. In April 2002, he was assigned duties as a Weapons Platoon Commander and conducted combat operations in support of Operation IRAQI FREEDOM I. Following return from deployment, Colonel Reid was assigned duties at the battalion’s Assistant Operations Officer.

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