Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 26

Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 26, commonly abbreviated MALS-26, is a United States Marine Corps aviation logistics unit based at Marine Corps Air Station New River in North Carolina. It supports Marine Aircraft Group 26 and provides the planning, coordination, technical guidance, maintenance support, supply support, and logistics direction required to keep Marine aviation units operational in garrison and during expeditionary deployments. The squadron is not a commercial brand or an independent business; it is a military organization whose identity is associated with Marine Corps aviation readiness and operational support. The unit originated on 16 June 1952, when Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron 26 was commissioned at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, North Carolina. It was redesignated Headquarters and Maintenance Squadron 26 in February 1954 and moved to Marine Corps Air Station New River in July of that year. The move placed it within Marine Aircraft Group 26, under the 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing, an organizational relationship that remains central to its role. During the Cold War and the subsequent decades, the squadron supported Marine aviation operations and contingency missions in multiple regions. Its documented activities included support connected with the Cuban Missile Crisis in 1962, operations around Cyprus in 1974, the evacuation of American citizens from Beirut in 1982, Operation Urgent Fury in Grenada in 1983, and Operation Praying Mantis in 1988. In October 1988, Headquarters and Maintenance Squadron 26 was redesignated Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 26. The redesignation consolidated aviation maintenance and supply responsibilities within a dedicated aviation logistics squadron structure. In the same period, the unit received recognition for its support in the Persian Gulf alongside HMM-261. MALS-26 continued to provide deployable support during the post-Cold War period. Detachments supported operations and evacuations in Colombia and Liberia, including Operation Sharp Edge in 1990, during which American and foreign nationals were evacuated from Monrovia. The squadron also supported Operation Provide Comfort in Turkey and Iraq, Operation Provide Promise in the former Yugoslavia, and operations associated with Deny Flight, Continue Hope, Quickdraw, and Uphold Democracy during the 1990s. During the Global War on Terror, MALS-26 deployed task-organized elements in support of operations in Iraq, Afghanistan, and other theaters. It supported Operation Iraqi Freedom, Operation Enduring Freedom, and Operation Secure Tomorrow in 2003 and 2004, and deployed as a complete squadron in January 2005 for Marine Air-Ground Task Force operations supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom. In 2009, it again deployed in support of operations in Iraq and Afghanistan. Its Iraq mission included logistics activities associated with the drawdown and closure of Al Asad Air Base and the removal of the Marine Corps footprint from Iraq. The squadron's principal function is to enable aviation units rather than to field a distinct commercial product. It supports Marine Aircraft Group squadrons on behalf of the commanding officer and provides logistics assistance for Navy-funded equipment used by Marine Wing Support Squadrons, Marine Air Control Groups, and Marine Aircraft Wing or Mobile Calibration Complex organizations. Its work encompasses aviation maintenance management, supply coordination, readiness planning, technical advice, and direction of logistics processes. Publicly documented awards include Meritorious Unit Commendation recognition, the Joint Meritorious Unit Award, multiple 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing aviation support distinctions, a Secretary of the Navy safety award, a Commandant's quality assurance award, and a Navy Unit Commendation associated with its Iraq drawdown support.

Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 26 traces its institutional history to 16 June 1952, when Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron 26 was commissioned at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, North Carolina. The unit was redesignated Headquarters and Maintenance Squadron 26 in February 1954. In July 1954 it relocated to Marine Corps Air Station New River and joined Marine Aircraft Group 26 within the 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing. This location and command relationship established the foundation for its continuing role in Marine aviation logistics. Through the 1960s, 1970s, and 1980s, the squadron supported Marine aviation activities and contingency operations in several theaters. Its recorded missions included support during the Cuban Missile Crisis in 1962, operations near Cyprus in 1974, the evacuation of American citizens from Beirut in 1982, Operation Urgent Fury in Grenada in 1983, and Operation Praying Mantis in 1988. These activities reflected the expeditionary nature of Marine aviation and the need for logistics units capable of supporting aviation detachments away from their home stations. In October 1988, Headquarters and Maintenance Squadron 26 was redesignated Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 26. The change placed the squadron within the Marine Corps' aviation logistics structure and consolidated aviation maintenance and supply responsibilities. In November 1988, the unit and HMM-261 received the Joint Meritorious Unit Award for achievement in the Persian Gulf associated with operations against the Sirri and Sassan oil platforms. The squadron also received a Meritorious Unit Commendation for aviation logistics support provided during 1986, when it completed more than 105,000 maintenance actions and processed more than 115,000 aviation supply demands for garrison and deployed units. MALS-26 maintained a broad operational tempo during the 1990s. In January 1990, a detachment deployed with HMM-264 aboard USS Nassau in connection with President George H. W. Bush's visit to Colombia. In March of that year, another detachment deployed with HMM-261 aboard USS Saipan. In August 1990, the unit supported Operation Sharp Edge, the evacuation of 1,648 American and foreign nationals from Monrovia, Liberia. Other missions included Operation Provide Comfort in Turkey and Iraq in 1991; Operation Provide Promise in the former Yugoslavia from 1992 to 1993; Deny Flight, Continue Hope, and Quickdraw in 1993; and Uphold Democracy in 1994. During the Global War on Terror, the squadron provided task-organized logistics support for Operation Iraqi Freedom, Operation Enduring Freedom, and Operation Secure Tomorrow in 2003 and 2004. In January 2005, the entire squadron deployed for Marine Air-Ground Task Force operations supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom. In January 2009, it again deployed in support of operations in Iraq and Afghanistan. Its Iraq responsibilities included helping coordinate the drawdown and closure of Al Asad Air Base and the removal of Marine Corps personnel and equipment from Iraq. The unit received a Navy Unit Commendation associated with this drawdown mission. MALS-26's ongoing mission is to provide aviation logistics support, guidance, planning, and direction to the squadrons of Marine Aircraft Group 26 on behalf of the commanding officer. It also supports Navy-funded equipment used by Marine Wing Support Squadrons, Marine Air Control Groups, and Marine Aircraft Wing or Mobile Calibration Complex organizations. The squadron's functions include maintenance management, aviation supply, readiness oversight, technical support, and deployable logistics coordination. Its documented institutional recognitions include repeated 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing MALS of the Year awards, Commanding General's Aviation Support Efficiency Trophies, a Secretary of the Navy safety award, and a Commandant's quality assurance award.

• 2009

  Iraq drawdown support

  [1]Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 26en.wikipedia.org

  The squadron supported the drawdown of Marine forces and closure of Al Asad Air Base in Iraq.

• 2005

  Full-squadron Iraq deployment

  [1]Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 26en.wikipedia.org

  MALS-26 deployed in its entirety to support Marine Air-Ground Task Force operations during Operation Iraqi Freedom.

• 1990

  Operation Sharp Edge support

  [1]Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 26en.wikipedia.org

  A MALS-26 detachment supported the evacuation of 1,648 American and foreign nationals from Monrovia, Liberia.

• 1988

  MALS-26 designation adopted

  [1]Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 26en.wikipedia.org

  The squadron was redesignated Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 26 and consolidated aviation maintenance and supply responsibilities.

• 1954

  Redesignation and relocation

  [1]Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 26en.wikipedia.org

  The unit became Headquarters and Maintenance Squadron 26 and moved to Marine Corps Air Station New River, where it joined Marine Aircraft Group 26.

• 1952

  Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron 26 commissioned

  [1]Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 26en.wikipedia.org

  The predecessor organization of MALS-26 was commissioned at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, North Carolina.

A deployable Marine Corps aviation logistics organization focused on sustaining aircraft readiness, maintenance, supply, and expeditionary aviation operations.

• Military aviation logistics

  Aviation maintenance support

  MALS-26 coordinates and supports aviation maintenance activities for units within Marine Aircraft Group 26. Its role includes maintenance planning, technical guidance, readiness oversight, and support to deployed aviation organizations rather than the manufacture or sale of aircraft products.

• Military aviation logistics

  Aviation supply support

  The squadron manages or coordinates aviation supply support, including the processing of demands and provision of parts and logistics assistance for garrison and deployed Marine aviation units.

• Military logistics services

  Expeditionary logistics support

  MALS-26 provides task-organized or full-squadron logistics support for Marine Air-Ground Task Force operations, contingency missions, evacuations, and overseas deployments.

• 2003Operations Iraqi Freedom, Enduring Freedom, and Secure Tomorrow

  Iraq · Afghanistan · Horn of Africa

  Task-organized MALS-26 elements supported Marine operations in Iraq, Afghanistan, and other contingency areas.

  Outcome. The squadron sustained aviation logistics for deployed Marine aviation forces.

  Source
• 1994Operation Uphold Democracy

  Haiti

  The squadron supported the United States intervention and stabilization mission in Haiti.

  Outcome. MALS-26 provided aviation logistics assistance to deployed forces.

  Source
• 1993Deny Flight, Continue Hope, and Quickdraw

  Balkans · Somalia

  MALS-26 supported several multinational and United States operations during 1993.

  Outcome. The squadron sustained aviation logistics support for deployed Marine forces.

  Source
• 1992Operation Provide Promise

  Former Yugoslavia

  The squadron supported operations in the former Yugoslavia from 1992 through 1993.

  Outcome. The unit provided aviation logistics support across the operation period.

  Source
• 1991Operation Provide Comfort

  Turkey · Iraq

  The squadron supported Marine aviation activities associated with humanitarian and security operations in Turkey and Iraq.

  Outcome. MALS-26 continued its expeditionary aviation logistics mission in the region.

  Source
• 1990Operation Sharp Edge

  Liberia

  A MALS-26 detachment supported the evacuation of 1,648 American and foreign nationals from Monrovia.

  Outcome. The evacuation mission was completed with MALS-26 aviation logistics support.

  Source
• 1988Operation Praying Mantis

  Persian Gulf

  The unit supported operations in the Persian Gulf and received joint recognition with HMM-261.

  Outcome. The support contributed to the unit's Joint Meritorious Unit Award recognition.

  Source
• 1983Operation Urgent Fury

  Grenada

  MALS-26's predecessor supported the United States intervention in Grenada.

  Outcome. The unit provided aviation logistics support during the operation.

  Source
• 1982Beirut evacuation

  Lebanon

  The squadron supported the noncombatant evacuation of American citizens from Beirut.

  Outcome. Aviation logistics support contributed to the evacuation mission.

  Source
• 1962Cuban Missile Crisis

  United States · Caribbean

  The predecessor organization supported Marine Corps aviation activities associated with the Cuban Missile Crisis.

  Outcome. The unit continued its aviation logistics support role during the crisis.

  Source

• 1988

  Consolidation under the MALS structureStrategy

  Background

  Marine aviation logistics organizations were structured to bring aviation maintenance and supply responsibilities together within dedicated squadrons.

  Action taken

  Headquarters and Maintenance Squadron 26 was redesignated Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 26 and assigned the consolidated aviation logistics role.

  Aftermath

  MALS-26 continued as the aviation logistics support organization for Marine Aircraft Group 26.

  Source

1. 1Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 26en.wikipedia.org