What characterized the Marine Corps' participation in Lebanon in 1982?

The Marine Corps' participation in Lebanon in 1982 was primarily characterized by their deployment as part of a peacekeeping force. Following the Israeli invasion of Lebanon, the United States sent Marines to Beirut in August 1982 as part of a multinational peacekeeping effort. Their mission was to stabilize the region after the civil war and to assist in the withdrawal of PLO (Palestine Liberation Organization) forces from Lebanon.

The focus of this deployment was not on combat operations but rather on maintaining order and supporting humanitarian efforts amid the ongoing conflict. The Marines operated under the premise of peacekeeping, seeking to foster stability rather than engage in extensive military actions. This mission led to the presence of U.S. troops in Lebanon, culminating in a tragic incident in October 1983 when a bomb exploded at the Marine barracks, resulting in significant loss of life.

While defensive actions were taken and hostile engagements may have occurred sporadically, the primary objective of the Marine Corps during this period was linked to peacekeeping and stabilization. Establishing new bases or conducting large-scale combat operations were not the chief characteristics of this engagement, as the Marine Corps was not deployed with the intent of seizing territory or engaging in all-out war.