Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 26

On 16 June 1952, Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron 26 (H&HS-26), Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, North Carolina, was commissioned. H&HS-26 was redesignated as Headquarters and Maintenance Squadron 26 (H&MS-26) in February 1954. The squadron relocated to Marine Corps Air Station New River, North Carolina and was assigned to Marine Aircraft Group 26, 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing in July 1954.

H&MS-26 continued supporting efforts throughout the world. The squadron supported the Cuban Missile Crisis in 1962, Operations Nimbus Star, Moon, and Steam I near Cyprus in 1974, the NEO of American citizens from Beirut, Lebanon in 1982, Operation Urgent Fury in Grenada in 1983 and Operation Praying Mantis in 1988.

In October 1988, H&MS-26 was redesignated as Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 26 (MALS-26) and consolidated all responsibilities for aviation logistical support (maintenance and supply) in one squadron. In November of the same year, MALS-26 was awarded the Joint Meritorious Unit Award, along with HMM-261, for meritorious achievement in the Persian Gulf while assisting in the destruction of the Sirri and Sassan oil platforms.

Old MALS-26 logo.

January 1990, a MALS-26 detachment deployed with HMM-264 aboard USS Nassau to support President George H. W. Bush's February visit to Colombia, South America. In March 1990, a MALS-26 detachment deployed with HMM-261 aboard the USS Saipan and in August, participated in Operation Sharp Edge, the evacuation of 1,648 American and foreign nationals from Monrovia, Liberia.

Other operations MALS-26 supported include: Operation Provide Comfort (1991) in Turkey and Iraq, Operation Provide Promise (1992–1993) in Yugoslavia, Operations Deny Flight, Continue Hope, Quickdraw in 1993 and Operation Uphold Democracy in 1994.

In 2003 and 2004, MALS-26 deployed task-organized support for Operation Iraqi Freedom, Operation Enduring Freedom, and Operation Secure Tomorrow.

In January 2005, MALS-26 deployed, in its entirety, in support of Marine Air-Ground Task Force (MAGTF) operations supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.

In January 2009, MALS-26 deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom.

In support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, MALS-26 responsible for the draw down and closing of AL-ASAD Air Base for the Marines in regards of the draw down of Marine troops in Iraq. In the recently Awards MARADMIN MALS-26 were awarded a NUC (Navy Unit Commendation) for the draw down and removal of the MALS and Marine Corps footprint in Iraq.