1st AAA Missile Battalion

The 1st AAA (Antiaircraft Artillery) Missile Battalion was activated during the Cold War as part of the United States Marine Corps’ efforts to modernize air defense capabilities. Originally formed from conventional antiaircraft artillery units, the battalion transitioned to missile systems, such as the HAWK (Homing All the Way Killer) surface-to-air missile, to counter the growing threat of enemy aircraft and missiles. Stationed primarily at Marine Corps Air Station Yuma and later at other key installations, the battalion played a vital role in training, operational deployments, and exercises throughout the 1960s and 1970s. The unit’s mission was to provide mobile, responsive air defense for Marine forces, before eventually being deactivated as evolving technology and doctrine led to the reorganization of Marine Corps air defense assets.