1st Stinger Battery

• Origins: The 1st Stinger Battery is a United States Marine Corps unit specializing in ground-based air defense, primarily using the FIM-92 Stinger missile system. • Activation: The unit was first activated in 1982 at Marine Corps Air Station Yuma, Arizona, as part of the movement to modernize USMC air defense capabilities. • Cold War Role: During the final years of the Cold War, the 1st Stinger Battery played an important role in defending Marine Corps assets from potential Soviet air attacks. • Pioneers in MANPADS: The 1st Stinger Battery was among the first Marine Corps units to field and operationalize the Man-Portable Air-Defense System (MANPADS) in active service. • Deployment in Operations Desert Shield/Storm: Elements of the battery deployed to Southwest Asia during Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm to provide vital air defense for Marine forces. • Training Excellence: The unit is renowned for its rigorous training, including live-fire exercises and joint operations with allied air defense units. • Humanitarian Missions: The 1st Stinger Battery has deployed in support of humanitarian and disaster relief missions, providing security and support in non-combat environments. • Integration with Aviation Units: The battery works closely with Marine aviation units, coordinating airspace defense and developing integrated tactics for protecting assets. • Modernization: The unit has continually updated its technology, including the adoption of advanced thermal imaging sights and improved communications gear for its Stinger teams. • Legacy and Deactivation: The 1st Stinger Battery was deactivated in the early 2000s as part of a reorganization of Marine Corps air defense units, but its legacy continues in the training and doctrine of current USMC air defense forces.