Since its establishment in the early 1970s as the 26th Marine Amphibious Unit, it has deployed extensively and participated in numerous combat and contingency operations, as well as training exercises.

The SOC designation denotes the fact that a MEU has undergone an enhanced pre-deployment training program and is able to provide special operations capabilities during an upcoming deployment.

While supporting Noble Anvil, NATO's bombing campaign in Kosovo, with AV-8B Harrier attack aircraft, the 26th ME also provided security for Kosovar refugees at Camps Hope and Eagle in Albania.

August 1999 saw the 26th MEU taking part in Operation Avid Response, providing Humanitarian Assistance to the people of Western Turkey left homeless by a devastating earthquake.

The 26th MEU served as the primary tactical unit for Joint Task Force Liberia during Operation Sheltering Sky from August to September 2003 in the Second Liberian Civil War.

The MEU capitalized on its extensive training in humanitarian assistance operations and U.S. embassy relations to help bring peace to the war-torn nation following the exile of former Liberian president Charles Taylor.

Marines and sailors from the 26th MEU conducted Operation Sea Horse from July to August 2005, supporting British-led Multi-National Division Southeast with a mission to detect and deter illicit activity along the Iraqi border.

The MEU maintained command and control of Operation Sea Horse from aboard ship in the Northern Persian Gulf, while simultaneously and concurrently conducting training missions in Saudi Arabia and Djibouti.

In August 2010, the 26th MEU sailed with the Kearsarge Amphibious Ready Group a month early for their scheduled deployment in order to assist with disaster relief operations in Pakistan.

Marines deployed to northern Iraq to set up Firebase Bell near Makhmur to support Iraqi forces in their eventual offensive to liberate ISIL-occupied Mosul.

[6][7] In November 2012, the 26th MEU self-deployed from Camp Lejeune aboard MV-22B Osprey to the USS Wasp, which was stationed in New York Bay in the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy.

[8] There, the MEU conducted Defense Support to Civil Authorities (DSCA) operations, clearing debris, distributing food and water, and providing aid and comfort to the residents of Staten Island and Rockaway, Queens.

The MEU participated in various multinational and bilateral exercises throughout Europe, the Middle East, and Africa, in addition to planning for contingency missions and acting as the nation's crisis response force in the 5th and 6th Fleet AORs.

From August 2014 to January 2015, the 26th MEU deployed in support of Special Purpose Marine Air Ground Task Force Crisis Response Africa 14.2.

During this deployment, the 26th MEU participated in various multinational and bilateral exercises throughout Europe, the Middle East, and Africa, in addition to supporting Operation INHERENT RESOLVE in Iraq.

In this capacity, the 26th MEU sent a detachment of Marines to Iraq to provide indirect fire support to assist Iraqi security forces in the country's fight against the Islamic State.