1st Stinger Battery
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| 1st Stinger Battery | |
|---|---|
 1st Stinger Insignia |
|
| Active | July 1, 1982 — present |
| Country | United States |
| Branch | USMC |
| Type | Logistics |
| Role | Air defense |
| Part of | Marine Air Control Group 18 1st Marine Aircraft Wing |
| Garrison/HQ | Marine Corps Air Station Futenma |
| Nickname | 1st Stinger |
| Motto | “Death from Below” |
| Battles/wars | Operation Desert Storm |
| Commanders | |
| Current commander |
Major Matthew Culbertson |
1st Stinger Battery is an air defense unit of the United States Marine Corps. They are part of Marine Air Control Group 18 (MACG-18) and the 1st Marine Aircraft Wing (1st MAW) and are currently based at Marine Corps Air Station Futenma, Okinawa, Japan. On December 7, 2006, Headquarters Marine Corps realeased a message stating that 1st Stinger would be deactivated during 2007[1].
Contents |
[edit] Mission
To provide close-in, low altitude, surface-to-air weapons fires in defense of Marine Air-Ground Task Force (MAGTF) assets defending forward combat areas, maneuver forces, vital areas, installations, and/or units engaged in special/independent operations.
[edit] History
1st Stinger Battery was initially activated on July 1, 1982 at Marine Corps Air Station, Futenma, Okinawa, Japan as 1st Forward Area Air Defense (FAAD) Battery, Marine Air Control Group 18, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing. Employing the Redeye missile and the newly fielded Stinger missile, the battery participated in numerous exercises throughout the Pacific Rim.
On October 1, 1986, the Battery was redesignated as 1st Low Altitude Air Defense (LAAD) Battalion. The battalion consisted of two firing batteries and a headquarters and service battery. During Operation Desert Storm, 1st LAAD Battalion deployed a Platoon (-) in the defense of Al Jabal Airfield.
On May 14, 1993, 1st LAAD Battalion was reduced in size and redesignated as 1st Stinger Battery. The Battery consists of four firing platoons and a headquarters and service platoon. In January 1996, the Battery fielded the Avenger Weapon System, increasing its firepower and targeting capabilities. Over the next several months, the Avengers and man-portable air defense system (MANPADS) vehicles will be phased-out and replaced with the Advanced-MANPADS.
1st Stinger Battery continues as the only Marine ground-based air defense unit within the III Marine Expeditionary Force. The Battery maintains an aggressive training program and operational tempo as its Marines support exercises within the Western Pacific and operations with the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit.
[edit] See also
[edit] References
- This article incorporates text in the public domain from the United States Marine Corps.
- ^ MARADMIN 582/06 - PUBLICATION OF FISCAL YEARS 2007 THROUGH 2013 TABLES OF ORGANIZATION AND EQUIPMENT (T/OE). U.S. Marine Corps. Retrieved on 2006-12-12.
