During World War II, the engineers of 18th Marines participated in Campaigns on Guadalcanal, Tarawa, Saipan, Tinian, and Okinawa.

Also, training exercises in numerous European and South American countries were supported by Marines from 2nd Engineer Battalion, who participated in civic action projects.

From August 1982 to February 1984 Marines from 2nd Combat Engineer Battalion were part of the multinational peacekeeping force in Beirut, Lebanon.

The battalion continued to provide Combat Engineer Platoons to the BLT's of the 22nd and 26th Marine Expeditionary Units and support elements of the division throughout the world.

During April 1990, elements of the battalion supported division units attached to Marine Forces Panama and participated in Operation Just Cause.

In August 1990, Company D, while deployed aboard the USS Barnstable County (LST-1197) off the coast of West Africa participated in Operation Sharp Edge assisting in the evacuation of civilians from Liberia.