About - MEU

About Us and Our Mission
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About us

The 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit (26th MEU) is one of seven Marine Expeditionary Units currently in existence in the United States Marine Corps. The Marine Expeditionary Unit 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.

Command Element (CE)

The CE is comprised of the commanding officer and supporting staff -- about 200 Marines and Sailors. . It provides the command and coordination essential for effective planning and execution of operations and synchronizes the actions of each element within the MEU.

Ground Combat Element (GCE)

The GCE, about 1,200 strong, is built around an infantry battalion and provides the over-land combat power for the MEU. Assets inherent within the standard infantry battalion include medium and heavy machine guns, mortars, combined anti-armor teams (CAAT) and scout snipers. While assigned to the MEU, the unit, designated "Battalion Landing Team," is reinforced with light armored reconnaissance vehicles (LAV), tanks, artillery, combat engineers and assault amphibian vehicles (AAV).

GCE: BLT 3/8

Aviation Combat Element (ACE)

The ACE is a composite squadron that provides the MEU medium to heavy lift capability, assault support and close air support (CAS). Although the aviation element carries the name of the Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron assigned to the MEU, its assets include CH-46E Sea Knight medium lift helicopters, CH-53E Super Stallion heavy lift helicopters, AH-1W Super Cobra helicopter gunships, UH-1N Huey utility helicopters and AV-8B Harrier jump jets. With a force strength of approximately 500, the ACE includes air traffic control, aircraft maintenance/support and aviation logistics/supply capabilities.

ACE: VMM-266

Logistics Combat Element (LCE)

About 300 Marines and Sailors of the LCE provide combat support such as supply; maintenance; transportation; explosive ordnance disposal; military police; water production and distribution; engineering; medical and dental services; fuel storage and distribution; and other services to the deployed MEU. The LCE gives the MEU the ability to support itself for 15 days in austere expeditionary environments.

LCE: CLB-26