26th Marine Expeditionary Unit News

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

Capt. Angelica White — Mon, 18 Mar 2024 16:43:00 GMT

Marines and Sailors assigned to the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable) will

Ready, Relevant, and Capable: 26th MEU Completes Final Certification Exercise

Gunnery Sgt. Jeffrey Cordero — Wed, 28 Jun 2023 18:44:00 GMT

Marines and Sailors with the Bataan Amphibious Ready Group (BAT ARG) and 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) participated in their culminating deployment certification event, Composite Training Unit Exercise (C2X), aboard the Wasp-class amphibious assault ship USS Bataan (LHD 5), San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock ship USS Mesa Verde (LPD 19), and Harpers Ferry-class dock landing ship USS Carter Hall (LSD 50), from May 16 to June 6, 2023.

26th MEU’s Maritime Special Purpose Force Supports NSW During Exercise TRIDENT 23-4

Cpl. Matthew Romonoyske-Bean — Wed, 31 May 2023 23:53:43 GMT

U.S. Marines and Sailors with the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) Maritime Special Purpose Force (MSPF) integrated with East-Coast-based U.S. Naval Special Warfare Operators (SEALs) during Exercise Trident 23-4 for integrated, direct-action SOF raid training and advanced training specifically focused on Military Assisted Departure (MAD) and Non-combatant Evacuation Operations (NEO), 18 – 22 May 2023.

Always Ready: 26th MEU Participates in MEU FEX Prior to Composite

Capt. Angelica White — Fri, 26 Aug 2022 16:32:00 GMT

U.S. Marines and sailors with the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit (26th MEU), supported by Combat Logistics Battalion 22 (CLB-22), Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 365 (VMM-365), and enablers from II Marine Expeditionary Force Information Group (II MIG) refined warfighting tactics, command and control capabilities, and expeditionary logistics planning during the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit Field Exercise (MEU FEX) from distributed locations across eastern North Carolina, Aug 22-26, 2022.

Lonestar Battalion replaces Teufelhunden Battalion at Task Force Pickett

Gunnery Sgt. Jeffrey Cordero — Mon, 15 Nov 2021 21:13:00 GMT

The 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), supporting Operation Allies Welcome as part of Task Force Pickett, says farewell to the Marines and Sailors of 3rd Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment (3/6) and welcome to 1st Battalion, 23rd Marine Regiment on Nov. 15, 2021.

Twelve Years and 7,000 Miles

1st Lt. Jacob Sugg — Thu, 11 Nov 2021 17:26:00 GMT

After 12 years and traveling over 7,000 miles Matiullah Matie, an Afghan guest at Fort Pickett, Virginia, was reunited with Maj. Michael Kuiper, the executive officer of 3rd Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment, which he worked with in Afghanistan in 2009.

Task Force Pickett Distributes Cold Weather Kits

1st Lt. Jacob Sugg — Mon, 01 Nov 2021 20:05:00 GMT

Task Force Pickett, alongside various nongovernmental organizations, collected over 11,000 cold weather kits that contain more than 70,000 articles of winter clothing to prepare Afghan evacuees for the upcoming winter months.

Marine Shares Passion for Music with Afghan Guests at Fort Pickett

Cpl. Eric Ramirez — Mon, 01 Nov 2021 12:39:00 GMT

U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Miguel Sanchez sits down with his guitar inside a tent on Fort Pickett, Virginia. Instantly, a group of kids rush in and sit in a circle around him. Their excitement fills their faces with a visible joy, a cue for Sanchez to begin playing. As he strums his guitar, the kids watch in awe.

Bataan Amphibious Ready Group Marine Expeditionary Unit aviation assets conduct live-fire training in Albania

Capt. Melissa Heisterberg — Tue, 23 Jun 2020 16:00:00 GMT

BIZE, Albania – U.S. Marine Corps UH-1Y Venoms and AH-1W Super Cobras assigned to the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) and attached to the Bataan Amphibious Ready Group (BATARG) participated in a live-fire training exercise in Bize, Albania, June 22, 2020.

26th Marine Expeditionary Unit, Bataan Amphibious Ready Group conduct second phase of training on Saudi Arabian islands

Capt. Melissa Heisterberg — Mon, 25 May 2020 12:00:00 GMT

Arabian Gulf – The U.S. and Saudi forces are conducting a routine and joint sustainment training on and around Karan and Kurayn islands, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, May 24-30, 2020.

U.S. Naval Forces train with AC-130W Gunship in Arabian Gulf

Capt. Melissa Heisterberg — Sat, 23 May 2020 16:00:00 GMT

Arabian Gulf – The USS Bataan Amphibious Ready Group (ARG) and embarked 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit conducted joint integration training with a Special Operations Command Central (SOCCENT) AC-130W Stinger II aircraft in the Arabian Gulf, May 19-21. During the training, SOCCENT and 26th MEU Joint Terminal Attack Controller (JTAC) teams, stationed aboard the amphibious transport dock ship USS New York (LPD 21) and at locations ashore, directed command and control (C2) for simulated defensive strikes on surface targets from the AC-130W gunship.

26th Marine Expeditionary Unit trains on Saudi Arabian islands

Capt. Melissa Heisterberg — Mon, 27 Apr 2020 16:00:00 GMT

Kingdom of Saudi Arabia – April 27, 2020 – The 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), embarked aboard the Bataan Amphibious Ready Group (BATARG), conducted routine amphibious assault training on the islands of Karan and Kurayn, Saudi Arabia, April 20-22.

26th Marine Expeditionary Unit Begins Sustainment Training on Saudi Arabian islands

Courtesy Story — Mon, 20 Apr 2020 16:00:00 GMT

Arabian Gulf – The 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), embarked aboard the Bataan Amphibious Ready Group (BATARG), began routine sustainment training on Karan and Kurayn islands, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, on April 20.The training has been pre-planned and coordinated with Saudi Arabia in order for the BATARG and 26th MEU to conduct mission essential training, including an amphibious assault and an amphibious raid.

26th MEU conducts live-fire training in Kuwait

Staff Sgt. Pablo Morrison — Thu, 12 Mar 2020 16:00:00 GMT

CAMP BUEHRING, Kuwait (March 2, 2020) U.S. Marines and Sailors assigned to Battalion Landing Team, 2nd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment (BLT 2/8), 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), conducted routine sustainment training ashore at Camp Buehring, Kuwait.

26th MEU conducts Surface, air TRAP training in Saudi Arabia

Staff Sgt. Patricia Morris — Fri, 06 Mar 2020 17:00:00 GMT

Marines assigned to the Tactical Recovery of Aircraft and Personnel (TRAP) platoons with the Battalion Landing Team (BLT), 2nd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) conducted training in Ras Al-Khair, Saudi Arabia.

26th Marine Expeditionary Unit executes bilateral training in Saudi Arabia

Cpl. Nathan Reyes — Sun, 01 Mar 2020 17:00:00 GMT

RAS AL-KHAIR, Saudi Arabia (March 1, 2020) – Marines and Sailors with the Bataan Amphibious Ready Group (BATARG) and the embarked 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) participated in bilateral training with Royal Saudi Naval Forces beginning Feb. 19, 2020, in the vicinity of Ras Al-Khair, Saudi Arabia.

How mail reaches Marines, Sailors aboard USS Bataan

Lance Cpl. Gary Jayne III — Thu, 27 Feb 2020 17:00:00 GMT

Being deployed is no easy task. Not only do service members encounter new trials in unfamiliar territories on a daily basis, but they also deal with homesickness. Even the most seasoned Marines and Sailors miss home at some point during any deployment, and the members of the Bataan Amphibious Ready Group (ARG) and 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) are no different. In recent years, technology has given service members the ability to contact their loved ones through e-mail, but nothing beats letters from home. Despite being far from home, the 26th MEU mail team ensures each and every package reaches its final destination.

Boatswain's Mates assist the USS Bataan into ports around the world

Cpl. Nathan Reyes — Thu, 13 Feb 2020 17:00:00 GMT

When a port visit is in sight, Marines and Sailors are quick to make plans on where they want to visit once they get on land. Thankfully, the Bataan Amphibious Ready Group (ARG) has dedicated sailors who assist the amphibious assault ship USS Bataan (LHD 5) when pulling into domestic and foreign ports before the visit begins.

A day in the Oak

Staff Sgt. Pablo Morrison — Fri, 31 Jan 2020 17:00:00 GMT

From sunrise to sunset, Marines assigned to the Battalion Landing Team (BLT) and Combat Logistics Battalion (CLB) conduct training every day to increase their physical fitness, knowledge and lethality aboard the amphibious dock landing ship USS Oak Hill (LSD 51).

Marines Pay Ship Tax

Staff Sgt. Patricia Morris — Sun, 19 Jan 2020 17:00:00 GMT

Marines embark on U.S. naval vessels all over the world, and while doing so, each unit has to pay taxes. Ship taxes are not the taxes you pay with money, but are paid by personnel support. Ship taxes support the Marines and Sailors aboard the vessel, and they are able to accomplish more requirements that are associated with the addition of several hundred more personnel. Each unit gets taxed based on the number of personnel aboard. This ensures every unit is providing support for the ship equally.