Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 26 Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 26 ( MALS - 26 ) is an aviation logistics support unit of the United States Marine Corps . They are currently based at Marine Corps Air Station New River , North Carolina and fall under the command of Marine Aircraft Group 26 and the 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing . Mission . Provide aviation logistics support , guidance , planning and direction to Marine Aircraft Group ( MAG ) squadrons on behalf of the commanding officer , as well as logistics support for Navy - funded equipment in the supporting Marine Wing Support Squadron ( MWSS ) , Marine Air Control Group ( MACG ) , and Marine Aircraft Wing / Mobile Calibration Complex ( MAW / MCC ) . History . Early years . 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 . 1960s to 1980s . 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 . 1990s . 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 . Global War on Terror . 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 . Awards . In 1988 , H & MS - 26 was awarded the Meritorious Unit Commendation for aviation logistics support provided from 1 January to 31 December 1986 , during which time H & MS - 26 completed more than 105 , 000 total maintenance actions and processed over 115 , 000 aviation supply demands in support of garrison and deployed units . MALS - 26 was recognized as MALS of the Year for the 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing in 1992 , 1993 , 1997 , and 1998 . In 1992 and 1993 , MALS - 26 received the Commanding General ' s Aviation Support Efficiency Trophy . In 1995 , MALS - 26 was awarded the Secretary of the Navy Award for Achievement in Safety Excellence Ashore and in 1996 received the Commandant ' s Quality Assurance Award .