Anti-Terrorism Battalion
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| Anti-Terrorism Battalion | |
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| Active | 2001-2007 |
| Country | United States |
| Branch | United States Marine Corps |
| Role | light infantry |
| Size | 700+ Marines, 30-40 Navy Hospital Corpsmen |
| Part of | 2nd Marine Division II Marine Expeditionary Force |
| Garrison/HQ | Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune |
| Motto | Vigilia Aeternus (Eternal Vigil) |
Anti-Terrorism Battalion is a specialized-infantry battalion in the United States Marine Corps. It falls under the 4th Marine Division as part of the Marine Forces Reserve. It's components are organized as follows:
H&S Company - Bessemer, Al.
Support Company (-) - Bessemer, Al.
Company A - Rochester, N.Y.
Company B (-) - Amarillo, Texas
3d Plt., Company B - Reno, Nev.
Company C - Jackson, Miss.
Company D (-) - Anchorage, Alaska
2d & 3d Plt., Company D - Billings, Mont.
Company E (-) - Bessemer, Al.
2d & 3d Plt., Company E - Tallahasse, Fla.
Company F (-) - Lafayette, La.
Machine Gun Plt. - Chicopee, Mass.
Scout/Sniper Plt. - Reno, Nev.
This unique force possesses organic capabilities such as intelligence and counter-intelligence cells, combat engineers, enhanced nuclear, biological and chemical teams, and riflemen trained in advanced urban combat.
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[edit] Mission
On short notice, rapidly organize, train, and deploy specially trained and sustainable task forces to detect, deter, and defend against terrorism, as well as to conduct crisis response in the event of a terrorist attack. It also augmented existing units with additional capabilities such as organic combat engineers and an human intelligence (Humint) exploitation team (HET).
[edit] History
[edit] Global War on Terror
[edit] Activation
The Battalion was activated in 2001 as a rotational unit responsibility as part of the USMC's 4th Marine Expeditionary Brigade (AT) along with Marine Corps Security Forces, CBIRF, Marine Corps Security Guard Battalion and other various units. Other Marine Infantry battalions such as 3/2 ans 2/8 were rotated and designated as the "AT Bn" until 2003 when the official, serperate, and permanent Anti Terrorism Battalion was activated.The commissioning commanding officer was LtCol M.P. Killion.
[edit] Transfer
The AT Battalion was transferred February 24, 2006 from the 4th Marine Expeditionary Brigade (Anti-Terrorism) to the 2nd Marine Division. 4th MEB (AT) was officially deactivated on the same date. The second and last commanding officer was LtCol. R.C. Jackson.
[edit] Iraq
As of 2007, the AT Battalion had served in various sectors of Iraq. Deployments included a detachment of 30+ Marine Officers and SNCO's to the Border Transition Teams on the Syrian border 2005-2006, The Personal Security Detachment (PSD) for the II MEF Commanding General in 2005-2006 and 2007-2008 at Camp Fallujah, the PSD for Regimental Combat Teams (RCT) 2 and 6 Commanders in Al Anbar province in 2007-2008, a Combined Anti Armor Team (CAAT) platoon deployment in support of II MEF Truck Company in Fallujah 2005-2006, (4) company and platoon size rotations to the American Embassy in Baghdad from 2004-2007, and (3) company size rotations to Camp Ashraf in Diyala Province in support of US Army operations. In addition, the PSD for the Combined Joint Task Force Horn Of Africa (CJTF-HOA) was supported by a squad size deployment from the ATBN in 2005-2006. Numerous Marines also augmented other requirement s for National Police Traiing Teams (NPTT), Military Transition Teams (MiTTs), and MEF augmentation requests. Most Marines in the Battalion completed two to three consecutive Iraq deployments in as many years.
From 2004 to 2007 the Battalion only suffered the loss of two Marines in support of Operation Iraq Freedom. They were Lance Corporal (LCpl) Joshua A Scott and Private (Pvt) Lewis TD Calapini. Both Marines were deployed with CAAT 3 deployment in 2005 and killed in a catastrophic tactical vehicle accident on 23 January 2006. Three other Marines were wounded in the same accident. The Platoon returned home on 3 March 2006.
[edit] Deactivation
On 13 July 2007, The AT Battalion was deactivated and replaced by 2nd Battalion 9th Marines as part of the increase in the size of the Marine Corps.
[edit] Reactivation
The battalion was recently reactivated as a reserve unit.
- The reserve component has existed since mid 2005 without deactivation.
- The battalion has been activated several times to support the Global War on Terrorism, with missions including Iraq, Africa, and Peru.
[edit] See also
[edit] References
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