3d Defense Battalion
| 3d Light Antiaircraft Missile Battalion | |
|---|---|
| Active |
|
| Country |
 United States of America
|
| Branch |
 United States Marine Corps
|
| Type | Air Defense |
| Part of | Inactive |
| Nickname(s) | Terriers |
| Engagements |
World War II * Attack on Pearl Harbor * Battle of Midway * Battle of Guadalcanal * Battle of Bougainville Gulf War |
| Commanders | |
| Current commander |
N/A |
3d Light Antiaircraft Missile Battalion (3d LAAM Bn) was a United States Marine Corps air defense unit equipped with the medium range surface-to-air MIM-23 HAWK Missile System. During World War II, the battalion was known as the 3rd Defense Battalion and took part in combat operations at Pearl Harbor, Midway, Guadalcanal and Bougainville. The unit was deactivated in late 1944 but was brought back into service as the Marine Corps began to transition to surface to air missiles for their air defense needs in the early 1950s. During the mid to late 1950s, the battalion was based at Marine Corps Training Center 29 Palms, California and was one of two Marine Corps units that operated the land-based version of the RIM-2 Terrier Missile. In January 1963 3d LAAM battalion was moved to Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, North Carolina and would eventually fall under the command of Marine Air Control Group 28 (MACG-28) and the 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing (2nd MAW). 3d LAAM Battalion's final combat tour saw it providing air defense for the Marine Corps area of operations during Operation Desert Shield/Desert Storm. 3d LAAM Battalion was deactivated on 30 September 1994 as part of the post-Cold War draw down of forces and because the Marine Corps had made the decision to divest itself of its medium-range air defense.
The defense battalions were first conceived from the fixed defense concept during the Marine Corps's, as well the United States Navy's, critical change in their traditional sea service role to a more "aggressive" amphibious landing force. The first battalions were created in 1939, when the outbreak of World War II caused concerns that overseas bases might be attacked by the Imperial Japanese Navy.
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