In 1999, 2d LAAD Battalion’s 26th MEU Marines were first in the Marine Corps to take combat loaded M1097 Avengers into a combat environment during operation Operation Allied Force in Kosovo as well as participate in Operation Joint Guardian off Albania and Operation Avid Response in Turkey. During the operations in the Balkans, a section from 2d LAAD supported the 26th MEU and landed in Kosovo with the battalion landing team. The section provided air defense and perimeter security for the BLT against sniper attacks.