The United States Marine Corps has administratively activated the 3rd Littoral Anti-Air Battalion on Feb. 11. This is the Corps first Littoral Anti-Air Battalion.
U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Maj. John E. Bejarano, left, sergeant major, and Lt. Col. James R. Arnold, right, commanding officer, both with 3d Littoral Anti-Air Battalion, 3d Marines, 3d Marine Division, uncase the colors of 3d LAAB during an activation ceremony on Marine Corps Base Hawaii, Feb. 11, 2022. 3d LAAB is designed to train and employ air defense, air surveillance, early warning, air control, and forward rearming and refueling capabilities. The battalion activated in accordance with Force Design 2030 as 3d Marines prepares to become the U.S. Marine Corps’ inaugural Marine Littoral Regiment. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Melanye Martinez)
The unit traces its lineage back to the 3rd Light Anti-Aircraft Battalion, which stood up on Dec. 19, 1938.
While the unit is not expected to be fully operational immediately, it will eventually be able to provide air defense, air surveillance and early warning, air control, and forward arming and refueling services to the Marine Corps.
