2nd Assault Amphibian Battalion

2nd Assault Amphibian Battalion
2nd AABn's Insignia
Active	March 18, 1942 – present
Country	United States
Branch	United States Marine Corps
Type	Mechanized battalion
Role	Amphibious assault
Part of	2nd Marine Division II Marine Expeditionary Force
Garrison/HQ	Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune
Nickname(s)	2nd Tracks
Motto(s)	Yat-Yas You Ain't Tracks-You Ain't Shit The First Wave
Mascot(s)	Gator
Engagements	World War II * Battle of Guadalcanal * Battle of Tarawa * Battle of Saipan * Battle of Tinian * Battle of Okinawa Operation Desert Storm Operation Iraqi Freedom * 2003 invasion of Iraq * Battle of Fallujah Operation Enduring Freedom * Battle of Marjeh
Commanders
Current commander	Lt Col David W. Baas

2nd Assault Amphibian Battalion is a mechanized battalion of the United States Marine Corps. Their primary weapon system is the Amphibious Assault Vehicle and they are part of the 2nd Marine Division and the II Marine Expeditionary Force. The unit is based out of the Camp Lejeune, North Carolina

Land the surface assault element of the landing force and their equipment in a single lift from assault shipping during amphibious operations to inland objectives; to conduct mechanized operations and related combat support in subsequent operations ashore.

YAT-YAS, "You Ain't Tracks, You Ain't Shit"

The Battalion organization was activated on March 18, 1942 at Marine Barracks San Diego, California. The "Second Amphibian Tractor Battalion" was an Organic unit of the 2nd Marine Division, composed of a Headquarters and Service Company and three letter companies, all equipped with the Landing Vehicle Tracked-1 (LVT-1).

In 1942, the Battalion set sail from San Diego, CA with the 2nd Marine Division to meet the Japanese tide sweeping across the South Pacific. Elements of the 2nd Amphibian Tractor Battalion participated in assaults on Guadalcanal, Tarawa, Saipan, Tinian and Okinawa. After the surrender of Japan in August 1945, the battalion returned to the United States and deactivated on 29 November 1945. The 2nd Amphibian Tractor Battalion was reactivated on 1 May 1946. The Battalion was stationed at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina where it participated in peace time training with the 2nd Marine Division. During this time the Battalion was equipped with the LVT-3 and consisted of a Headquarters and Service company and four letter companies. As a result of the economy program, the Battalion was once again deactivated on 16 October 1949.