Light Reaction Battalion
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| Light Reaction Battalion | |
|---|---|
| Active | 2001 (Officially activated on February 1, 2004) - Present |
| Country |  Philippines |
| Branch | Philippine Army |
| Type | Direct Action, Counter-Terrorism Reconnaissance, Unconventional Warfare |
| Size | Known to have 3 companies in the past[1][2] |
| Part of | Under the Philippine Army Special Operations Command (PASOC) |
| Garrison/HQ | Fort Magsaysay, Nueva Ecija[3] |
| Nickname | LRB Light Reaction Company or LRC (Former) |
| Engagements | Operation Enduring Freedom - Philippines Anti-guerilla operations against the NPA and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front |
| Commanders | |
| Current commander |
Lt. Col. Danilo Pamonag |
| Notable commanders |
Jose Luntok, Lawrence San Juan |
The Light Reaction Battalion is the lead counter-terrorist unit of the Philippine Army. It was formerly known as the Light Reaction Company. Its creation was primarily credited a grant permitted by the US Department of State with a $25 million grant that had been used for the battalion's formation.[1]
[edit] History
The Light Reaction Battalion (LRB) can trace its origins back to the year 2000 when non-commissioned officers from the Scout Rangers and Philippine Army Special Forces were trained by American military advisers from the 1st Battalion, 1st Special Forces Group.[1] From February to July 2001[4] , American special forces trained and raised the former LRC with further training during the 2002 Balikatan exercises[5], whose members were first drawn from the Scout Rangers and 1st Special Forces Regiment[4]. After days and years of training under American instructors, the LRC was officially activated on February 1, 2004[6] and was tasked to be deployed into Mindanao in order to combat Abu Sayyaf Group terrorists responsible for abducting several foreign hostages[4], with the unit conducting an operation to rescue Gracia Burnham from Abu Sayyaf terrorists[7]. Further exercises had been conducted during the 2006 Balikatan exercises.[8] The LRB had been involved in a rescue operation conducted on a kidnapped Italian priest by armed men in 2007.[9]
The unit had recently been involved in the aftermath of the Manila Peninsula rebellion, where they had been deployed to Manila to deter any other coup attempts.[3][10] In addition, LRB forces have been deployed to Mindanao to conduct anti-terrorist operations in the region.[11]
The LRB been given its current name from the former Light Reaction Company, following an increase in men in recent years so as to pursue Anti-Terrorist duties in the Philippines.
[edit] References
- ^ a b c Philippine soldiers show off what they learned from the Green Berets. Retrieved on January 2, 2008.
- ^ U.S. Ambassador Francis J. Ricciardone before FOCAP. Retrieved on January 2, 2008.
- ^ a b Military braces for power grab try. Retrieved on January 2, 2008.
- ^ a b c Operation Enduring Freedom-Philippines: What Would Sun Tzu Say? Retrieved on January 2, 2008.
- ^ 'Shoulder to Shoulder'. Combatting Terrorists in the Philippines. Retrieved on January 2, 2008.
- ^ Combat Magazine, March 2008. Page 41.
- ^ Philippines since 1945. Retrieved on January 2, 2008
- ^ Philippine, U.S. SOF sharpen skills. Retrieved on January 2, 2008.
- ^ ITALIAN ENVOY HAPPY FOR MILITARY'S EFFORT TO RESCUE ITALIAN PRIEST BOSSI. Retrieved on January 2, 2008.
- ^ AFP beefs up Metro troops as threat remains ‘active’. Retrieved on January 2, 2008.
- ^ No cut in US military aid. Retrieved on January 2, 2008.
