U.S. Marines with 1st Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment, 2d Marine Division, conduct a live-fire exercise during their Marine Corps Combat Readiness Evaluation (MCCRE) on Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, Oct. 6, 2002. The purpose of a MCCRE is to formally evaluate the unit's combat readiness in preparation for deployment. (U.S. Marine Corps video by Cpl. Michele Clarke)

The Logistics Combat Element, Combat Logistics Battalion 22, 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable) (MEU(SOC)), provided the full range of combat logistics functions and capabilities necessary to maintain the continued readiness and sustainability of the Marine Air-Ground Task Force as a whole throughout the 26th MEU(SOC)'s deployment as the Tri-Geographic Combatant Command Immediate Crisis Response Force. (U.S. Marine Corps video by Sgt. Matthew Romonoyske-Bean)

The 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit’s (Special Operations Capable) Ground Combat Element, Battalion Landing Team (BLT) 1/6 is the Tip of the Spear. Time and time again, history has proven that value and utility of having Marines forward-deployed on amphibious ships. Our BLT truly showcased that throughout the Tri-Geographic Combatant Command deployment from operations and activities in the High North, Baltics, Mediterranean Sea, and Arabian Gulf. (U.S. Marine Corps video by Sgt. Matthew Romonoyske-Bean)

The Aviation Combat Element, Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM) 162, 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable) (MEU(SOC)), has played an integral role within the 26th MEU(SOC) Marine Air-Ground Task Force, through offensive, defensive, and all other aviation operations during our deployment as the Tri-Geographic Combatant Command crisis response force. (U.S. Marine Corps video by Sgt. Matthew Romonoyske-Bean)

The 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable) (MEU(SOC) celebrated the Marine Corps' 248th birthday across the Bataan Amphibious Group with a cake cutting ceremony symbolizing the passing of tradition from generation to generation of Marines across our ranks. For more than 50 years, the 26th MEU(SOC) has provided combatant commanders throughout the Mediterranean, Africa, Middle East and Southeast Asia region a forward presence, highly adaptive, crisis response Marine Air-Ground Task Force capable of operations across the spectrum of conflict. Since its birth, the 26th MEU(SOC) has conducted various deployments and participated in numerous contingency operations and training exercises alongside Allies and partners. (U.S. Marine Corps video by Sgt. Matthew Romonoyske-Bean)