26th Marine Expeditionary Unit

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Face's of the MEU: Not Your Average Day on the Trail

July 29, 2021 | 2:53

Face's of the MEU: Not Your Average Day on the Trail

26th Marine Expeditionary Unit

July 29, 2021 | 2:53

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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

U.S. Marine Corps Col. Ben Reid, right, the outgoing commanding officer of the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit, passes the unit colors to Col. Michael Stansberry, the incoming commanding officer, during the 26th MEU change of command ceremony at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, Feb. 5, 2026. A change of command ceremony signifies the transfer of responsibility, authority and accountability from one commander to another. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Jorge Borjas)

26th MEU bids farewell to Reid, welcomes Stansberry

U.S. Marine Corps Col. Ben Reid, left, the outgoing commanding officer of the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit, embraces Col. Michael Stansberry, the incoming commanding officer, during the 26th MEU change of command ceremony at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, Feb. 5, 2026. A change of command ceremony signifies the transfer of responsibility, authority and accountability from one commander to another. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Jorge Borjas)

26th MEU bids farewell to Reid, welcomes Stansberry

U.S. Marine Corps Col. Michael Stansberry, the incoming commanding officer of the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit, speaks to ceremony attendees during the 26th MEU change of command ceremony at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, Feb. 5, 2026. The ceremony honored Col. Ben Reid, outgoing commander, as he relinquished command to Stansberry. A change of command ceremony signifies the transfer of responsibility, authority and accountability from one commander to another. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Jorge Borjas)

26th MEU bids farewell to Reid, welcomes Stansberry

A marine with Infantería de Marina (Spanish marine corps) fast ropes from a Spanish helicopter during helicopter rope suspension technique training as part of exercise UNITAS 2025 at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, Sept. 22, 2025. UNITAS, which is Latin for “unity,” was conceived in 1959 and has taken place annually since first conducted in 1960. This year marks the 66th iteration of the world’s longest running annual multinational maritime exercise. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Jorge Borjas)

UNITAS 2025: Spanish marines conduct HRST training at MCB Camp Lejeune

A marine with Infantería de Marina (marine infantry) of Honduras conducts urban operations training as part of exercise UNITAS 2025 at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, Sept. 19, 2025. UNITAS, which is Latin for “unity,” was conceived in 1959 and has taken place annually since first conducted in 1960. This marks the 66th iteration of the world’s longest running annual multinational maritime exercise. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Osmar VasquezHernandez)

UNITAS 2025: Multinational Forces Conduct Urban Operations Training

U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Brandt Brock, a reconnaissance Marine with 3rd Force Reconnaissance Company, 4th Marine Division, Marine Corps Forces Reserve, and a native of Texas, treads water while conducting dive operations as part of exercise UNITAS 2025 at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, Sept. 18, 2025. UNITAS, which is Latin for “unity,” was conceived in 1959 and has taken place annually since first conducted in 1960. This marks the 66th iteration of the world’s longest running annual multinational maritime exercise. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Jack Labrador)

UNITAS 2025: Multinational forces conduct dive operations together

A U.S. Marine Corps UH-1Y Venom helicopter with Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron (HMLA) 269, Marine Aircraft Group 29, 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing, flies over marines with Infantería de Marina (Spanish marine corps) while conducting close air support training for exercise UNITAS 2025 at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, Sept. 17, 2025. UNITAS, which is Latin for “unity,” was conceived in 1959 and has taken place annually since first conducted in 1960. This year marks the 66th iteration of the world’s longest running annual multinational maritime exercise. The exercise trains forces in joint maritime operations that enhance tactical proficiency and increase interoperability with the presence of unmanned air, surface and submarine systems. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Jorge Borjas)

UNITAS 2025: Close Air Support Training

U.S. Marines and a Navy Sailor with the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit and Reconnaissance marines with Infantería de Marina (Spanish marine corps) pose for a photo after completing water survival training as part of UNITAS 2025 at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, Sep. 15, 2025. UNITAS, which is Latin for “unity,” was conceived in 1959 and has taken place annually since first conducted in 1960. This marks the 66th iteration of the world’s longest running annual multinational maritime exercise. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Jorge Borjas)

UNITAS 2025: Spanish Marines Conduct Water Survival Training

A marine with Infantería de Marina (Spanish marine corps) communicates with other Marines during a night raid as part of UNITAS 2025 at Marine Corps Outlying Field Atlantic, North Carolina, Sep. 13, 2025. UNITAS, which is Latin for “unity,” was conceived in 1959 and has taken place annually since first conducted in 1960. This marks the 66th iteration of the world’s longest running annual multinational maritime exercise. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Osmar VasquezHernandez)

UNITAS 2025: Spanish Marines Conduct Security Drills and Night Raid

Marines with Infantería de Marina (Spanish marine corps) debark from amphibious ships at Onslow Beach as part of exercise UNITAS 2025, Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, Sep. 12, 2025. UNITAS, which is Latin for “unity,” was conceived in 1959 and has taken place annually since first conducted in 1960. This marks the 66th iteration of the world’s longest running annual multinational maritime exercise. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Osmar VasquezHernandez)

UNITAS 2025: Spanish Marines arrive at Camp Lejeune

Unit Leaders

Colonel Michael Stansberry

Commanding Officer, 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit

Colonel Michael Stansberry was commissioned as a second lieutenant in 2001 after graduating from the University of Missouri-Columbia and has since earned master's degrees in Homeland Security Studies and National Security Strategy. His command assignments have included leading various platoons, companies, a recruiting station, and serving as the Commanding Officer of 2d Battalion, 6th Marines.

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