3rd LAAD Battalion

• Origins: The 3rd Low Altitude Air Defense (LAAD) Battalion was activated on 22 September 1986 at Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) Cherry Point, North Carolina, as a part of the 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing. • Mission: The Battalion's primary mission was to provide close-in, low altitude, surface-to-air weapons fires in defense of Marine Air-Ground Task Force (MAGTF) assets. • Stinger Missiles: 3rd LAAD Battalion was equipped with shoulder-fired FIM-92 Stinger missiles, allowing Marines to engage enemy aircraft at low altitudes with high mobility. • Gulf War Service: Elements of 3rd LAAD Battalion deployed during Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm in 1990–1991, providing air defense for Marine and coalition forces in Saudi Arabia and Kuwait. • Mobile Platforms: The unit fielded the Avenger Air Defense System, a Humvee-mounted Stinger missile platform, adding mobility and increased missile capacity to their arsenal. • Disaster Response: Marines from 3rd LAAD Battalion participated in humanitarian relief efforts, notably after Hurricane Andrew struck Florida in 1992, providing security and support to affected communities. • Deactivation: The Battalion was deactivated on 15 July 2007 as part of a USMC reorganization, with its personnel and equipment redistributed to other LAAD units. • Unit Motto: The battalion's motto was "In Caelo Dominamus" which means "We Dominate the Sky," reflecting their critical role in air defense. • Distinctive Insignia: The unit’s insignia featured crossed Stinger missiles and a winged shield, symbolizing aerial protection and mobility. • Legacy: Many former members of 3rd LAAD Battalion went on to serve in combat operations in Iraq and Afghanistan, carrying forward the unit’s expertise in air defense and ground combat support.