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BATARG and 26th MEU(SOC) to 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

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26th MEU(SOC) Begins Exercise “Odyssey Encore”, a MEU(SOC) MAGTF Readiness Sustainment Exercise

U.S. Marines and Sailors with the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable), embarked aboard the amphibious warships of the Bataan Amphibious Ready Group (BATARG), will participate in a MEU(SOC) Exercise named “Odyssey Encore”, in vicinity of Volos, Greece, 6-17 Jan. 2024. This MEU(SOC) Exercise is a Marine Air-Ground Task Force (MAGTF) readiness sustainment exercise that ensures the 26th MEU(SOC) retains the advanced skills and operational capabilities necessary to rapidly respond to any crisis or other emergent requirements across the Tri-Geographic Combatant Command region during a scheduled deployment spanning both U.S. Sixth Fleet and U.S. Fifth Fleet areas of operation.

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26th MEU(SOC) Marines conduct amphibious operations with Hellenic Marines

MEDITERRANEAN SEA – The Marines and Sailors with the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable), embarked on the USS Mesa Verde (LPD 19), will be participating in an integrated Greek Bi-Lateral Exercise with the 32nd Hellenic Marine Brigade, Mediterranean Sea, Dec. 1-3, 2023.

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In The News

MILITARY EXERCISES NORTHERN COASTS

9/28/2023 - https://www.ventasbalss.lv/foto/2671-militaras-macibas-northern-coasts/81921

Marines aim to accelerate Force Design modernization, if budget allows

9/28/2023 - https://www.defensenews.com/naval/2023/09/08/marines-aim-to-accelerate-force-design-modernization-if-budget-allows/

How US Marines can protect commercial shipping in the Gulf

9/28/2023 - https://www.defensenews.com/opinion/2023/09/12/how-us-marines-can-protect-commercial-shipping-in-the-gulf/

Department of Defense to Deploy Forces to CENTCOM to Bolster Maritime Security

7/20/2023 - https://www.defense.gov/News/Releases/Release/Article/3466120/department-of-defense-to-deploy-forces-to-centcom-to-bolster-maritime-security/

Bataan Amphibious Ready Group, 26 Marine Expeditionary Unit Leave on Deployment

7/15/2023 - https://news.usni.org/2023/07/10/bataan-amphibious-ready-group-26-marine-expeditionary-unit-leave-on-deployment

A U.S. Marine Corps 11m rigid hull, inflatable boat is lowered from Harpers Ferry-class dock landing ship USS Carter Hall (LSD 50) in preparation for integrated amphibious operations with Hellenic Marines assigned to 32nd Hellenic Marine Brigade during the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable) (26th MEU(SOC)) exercise named “Odyssey Encore,” Volos, Greece, Jan. 8, 2024. The 26th MEU(SOC) readiness sustainment exercise enhances the unit’s operational capabilities as an expeditionary crisis response force and provides an opportunity for the 26th MEU(SOC) to conduct advanced integrated expeditionary operations and live-fire training with both the 32nd and 24th Marine Brigades in Greece. The Bataan Amphibious Ready Group, with the embarked 26th MEU(SOC), is on a scheduled deployment in the U.S. Naval Forces Europe area of operations, employed by U.S. Sixth Fleet to defend U.S., Allied and partner interests. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Rafael Brambila-Pelayo)

Exercise Odyssey Encore

U.S. Marine Corps 1st Lt. Michael Bogdanos, a platoon commander with the Light Armored Reconnaissance Company, Battalion Landing Team 1/6, 26th MEU(SOC), conducts beach landing during an amphibious assault training mission as part of the 26th MEU(SOC) Exercise “Odyssey Encore”, Volos, Greece, Jan. 8, 2024. The 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable) Marine Air-Ground Task Force readiness sustainment exercise enhances the unit’s operational capabilities as a crisis response force. The Bataan Amphibious Ready Group, with the embarked 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable), is on a scheduled deployment in the U.S. Naval Forces Europe area of operations, employed by U.S. Sixth Fleet to defend U.S., Allied and partner interests. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Matthew Romonoyske-Bean)

Exercise Odyssey Encore

A U.S. Marine Corps medium tactical vehicle replacement, assigned to Combat Logistics Battalions 22, 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable) (26th MEU(SOC)), offloads from a landing craft, air cushion (LCAC) during the 26th MEU(SOC) exercise named “Odyssey Encore,” Volos, Greece, Jan. 8, 2024. The 26th MEU(SOC) readiness sustainment exercise enhances the unit’s operational capabilities as an expeditionary crisis response force and provides an opportunity for the 26th MEU(SOC) to conduct advanced integrated expeditionary operations and live-fire training with both the 32nd and 24th Marine Brigades in Greece. The Bataan Amphibious Ready Group, with the embarked 26th MEU(SOC), is on a scheduled deployment in the U.S. Naval Forces Europe area of operations, employed by U.S. Sixth Fleet to defend U.S., Allied and partner interests. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Rafael Brambila-Pelayo)

Exercise Odyssey Encore

A U.S. Marine with the Battalion Landing Team 1/6, 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable) (MEU(SOC)), instructs Hellenic Marines assigned to the 32nd Hellenic Marine Brigade on how to properly rappel down a tower during fast rope and rope suspension training at Naval Support Activity Souda Bay, on the island of Crete, Greece, Dec. 18, 2023. U.S. Marines and Sailors of the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable), embarked on the ships of the Bataan Amphibious Ready Group, are on a scheduled deployment with elements deployed to the U.S. 5th Fleet and U.S. 6th Fleet areas of operation to increase maritime security and stability, and to defend U.S., Allied, and Partner interests. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Aziza Kamuhanda)

U.S. Marines with the Battalion Landing Team 1/6, 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) (Special Operations Capable) (MEU(SOC)), prepare to breach a building during Military Operations on Urbanized Terrain training at Naval Support Activity Souda Bay, on the island of Crete, Greece, Dec. 16, 2023. U.S. Marines and Sailors of the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable), embarked on the ships of the Bataan Amphibious Ready Group, are on a scheduled deployment with elements deployed to the U.S. 5th Fleet and U.S. 6th Fleet areas of operation to increase maritime security and stability, and to defend U.S., Allied, and Partner interests. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Aziza Kamuhanda)

A U.S. Marine with the Battalion Landing Team 1/6, 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable) (MEU(SOC)), rappels down a tower during fast rope and rope suspension training at Naval Support Activity Souda Bay, on the island of Crete, Greece, Dec. 18, 2023. U.S. Marines and Sailors of the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable), embarked on the ships of the Bataan Amphibious Ready Group, are on a scheduled deployment with elements deployed to the U.S. 5th Fleet and U.S. 6th Fleet areas of operation to increase maritime security and stability, and to defend U.S., Allied, and Partner interests. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Aziza Kamuhanda)

231221-M-VB101-2021 U.S. 5TH FLEET AREA OF OPERATIONS (Dec. 21, 2023) U.S. Marine Corps Maj. Travis Bird (right), the company commander with Alpha Company, Battalion Landing Team 1/6, 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable) (MEU(SOC)), speaks with Marines prior to conducting a tactical recovery of aircraft and personnel exercise aboard amphibious assault ship USS Bataan (LHD 5), Dec. 21. Marines and Sailors of the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable), embarked on the ships of the Bataan Amphibious Ready Group, are on a scheduled deployment as the Tri-Geographic Combatant Command crisis response force with elements deployed to the U.S. 5th Fleet and U.S. 6th Fleet areas of operation to increase maritime security and stability, and to defend U.S., Allied, and Partner interests. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Matthew Romonoyske-Bean)

231226-M-VB101-1095 U.S. 5TH FLEET AREA OF OPERATIONS (Dec. 26, 2023) U.S. Marine Corps Capt. Earl Ehrhart V, an AV-8B Harrier pilot attached to Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM) 162 (Reinforced), 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable) (MEU(SOC)), receives signals during flight operations aboard amphibious assault ship USS Bataan (LHD 5), Dec. 26. Marines and Sailors of the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable), embarked on the ships of the Bataan Amphibious Ready Group, are on a scheduled deployment as the Tri-Geographic Combatant Command crisis response force with elements deployed to the U.S. 5th Fleet and U.S. 6th Fleet areas of operation to increase maritime security and stability, and to defend U.S., Allied, and Partner interests. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Matthew Romonoyske-Bean)

231221-M-VB101-2066 U.S. 5TH FLEET AREA OF OPERATIONS (Dec. 21, 2023) A U.S. Marine with Alpha Company, Battalion Landing Team 1/6, 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable) (MEU(SOC)), prepares to board a CH-53E Super Stallion conducting a tactical recovery of aircraft and personnel exercise aboard amphibious assault ship USS Bataan (LHD 5), Dec. 21. Marines and Sailors of the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable), embarked on the ships of the Bataan Amphibious Ready Group, are on a scheduled deployment as the Tri-Geographic Combatant Command crisis response force with elements deployed to the U.S. 5th Fleet and U.S. 6th Fleet areas of operation to increase maritime security and stability, and to defend U.S., Allied, and Partner interests. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Matthew Romonoyske-Bean)

U.S. Marines assigned to Battalion Landing Team 1/6, 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable), execute a live-fire deck shoot aboard the San Antonio-class amphibious ship USS Mesa Verde (LPD 19) in the Mediterranean Sea, Dec. 12, 2023. U.S. Marines and Sailors of the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable), embarked on the ships of the Bataan Amphibious Ready Group, are on a scheduled deployment with elements deployed to the U.S. 5th Fleet and U.S. 6th Fleet areas of operation to increase maritime security and stability, and to defend U.S., Allied, and Partner interests. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Staff Sgt. Jesus Sepulveda Torres)

U.S. Marine Corps Staff Sgt. Mark Frick, a native of Baltimore, Maryland and explosive ordnance disposal team leader with the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable) (26MEU(SOC)), photographs a neutralized simulated improvised explosive device during Exercise Northern Challenge 2023, Keflavik Airport, Iceland, Sept. 22, 2023. Northern Challenge 23 is an Icelandic Coast Guard-led bomb disposal exercise, hosted to train teams from over a dozen nations with response to incidents involving simulated improvised and military explosive devices. The San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock ship USS Mesa Verde (LPD 19), assigned to the Bataan Amphibious Ready Group and embarked 26MEU(SOC), under the command and control of Task Force 61/2, is on a scheduled deployment in the U.S. Naval Forces Europe area of operations, employed by U.S. Sixth Fleet to defend U.S., Allied, and partner interests. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Kyle Jia)

230906-M-WR609-1080 UDAIRI RANGE COMPLEX, Kuwait (Sept. 6, 2023) – A U.S. Marine with Alpha Company, Battalion Landing Team 1/6, 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) (Special Operations Capable) (26MEU(SOC)), fires an M72 LAW anti-tank weapon during an integrated platoon reinforced live-fire attack with Kuwaiti Marines at Udairi Range Complex, Kuwait, Sept. 6, 2023. Elements of the 26th MEU(SOC) conduct bilateral training with Kuwait armed forces to increase interoperability, maintain operational readiness, and strengthen relationships with partner forces. Components of the Bataan Amphibious Ready Group and 26th MEU(SOC) are deployed to the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations to help ensure maritime security and stability in the Middle East region. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Gunnery Sgt. Jeffrey Cordero)

Kuwait Bilateral Exercise

A U.S. Marine with Combined Anti-armor Team Red, Weapons Company, Battalion Landing Team 1/6, 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable) (MEU(SOC)) gives the signal for the Marines to begin fast roping out of an MV-22 Osprey at Sierra del Retin Training Camp, Oct. 6, 2023. The San Antonio-class amphibious transport docking ship USS Mesa Verde, assigned to the Bataan Amphibious Ready Group and embarked 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable) (MEU(SOC)), under the command and control of Task Force 61/2, is on a scheduled deployment in the U.S. Naval Forces Europe area of operations, employed by U.S. Sixth Fleet to defend U.S., Allied, and partner interests. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Michele Clarke)

Spanish Bilateral Exercise

U.S. Marines with Battalion Landing Team 1/6, 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable) (26MEU(SOC)) and Royal Bahrain Marines pose for a group photo after completing an urban terrain force-on-force training event during a Bahrain bilateral training exercise, undisclosed location in the Middle East, Sept. 10, 2023. The training was completed alongside members of the Royal Bahrain Marine Force to facilitate the exchange of tactics, techniques and procedures between partners. Components of the Bataan Amphibious Ready Group and 26MEU(SOC) are deployed to the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations to increase maritime security and stability in the Middle East region. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Kyle Jia)

Bahrain Bilateral Training

U.S. Marines with 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit, Low Altitude Air Defense (LAAD) Detachment, employ the Light Marine Air Defense Integrated System (LMADIS) during Red Sands 23.2, a counter-unmanned aerial system live fire exercise conducted by the Saudi Arabian Armed Forces and U.S. Army Central at Shamal-2 Range in northeastern Saudi Arabia on Sept. 10, 2023. This is the second iteration of the Red Sands Integrated Experimentation Center (IEC) concept, a forum to test and field counter-UAS systems and implement best practices to optimize interoperability between partners and systems. (U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Latasha Price)

Unit Leaders

Colonel Dennis W. Sampson

Commanding Officer, 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable)

Born in Oceanside, California, Colonel Sampson is a third generation United States Marine raised in

Lieutenant Colonel Josef H. Wiese

Executive Officer, 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable)

Lieutenant Colonel Wiese is a native of Tacoma, Washington. He earned a Bachelor of Arts in History

Sergeant Major James L. Horr

Sergeant Major, 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable)

Sergeant Major Horr began his current assignment as the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit's Sergeant

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