About this Unit
The 2nd Low Altitude Air Defense Battalion (2nd LAAD), United States Marine Corps, was activated on September 1, 1982, at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, North Carolina. The unit’s primary mission was to provide close-in, low altitude, surface-to-air weapons fire to defend Marine air-ground task force assets from enemy air attack. Equipped with the shoulder-launched Stinger missile system, 2nd LAAD played a crucial role in both training exercises and operational deployments, including support for Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm in the early 1990s. The battalion was deactivated on September 28, 2007, as part of the Marine Corps’ force restructuring initiatives.
Historical Facts
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Origins: The 2nd Low Altitude Air Defense Battalion (2nd LAAD Bn) was originally activated in 1982 at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, North Carolina, to provide close-in air defense for Marine Air-Ground Task Forces.
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Stinger Missiles: The battalion is equipped primarily with the FIM-92 Stinger MANPADS (Man-Portable Air-Defense System), designed to engage low-flying aircraft and helicopters.
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Gulf War Deployment: 2nd LAAD Bn participated in Operation Desert Storm (1991), providing crucial air defense support for I Marine Expeditionary Force in Kuwait and Saudi Arabia.
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Expeditionary Role: The unit is highly mobile and deployable, often supporting Marine Expeditionary Units (MEUs) aboard Navy amphibious ships, ready to respond worldwide.
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Vietnam Roots: The concept of Marine Corps air defense battalions dates back to the Vietnam War, where threats from enemy aircraft prompted the development of specialized units like LAAD.
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Operation Iraqi Freedom: 2nd LAAD Bn deployed to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, adapting its role to provide security and convoy support in addition to its traditional air defense mission.
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Vehicle Platforms: The battalion uses the Avenger Air Defense System, a Humvee-mounted turret equipped with Stinger missiles and .50 cal machine guns, increasing mobility and firepower.
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Redesignations: Over its history, the unit has been known as 2nd Forward Area Air Defense (FAAD) Battery and 2nd Forward Area Air Defense Battalion before becoming 2nd LAAD Bn.
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Humanitarian Missions: Members of 2nd LAAD Bn have participated in disaster relief and humanitarian missions, such as providing security and support during hurricane recovery operations.
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Deactivation and Reactivation: The battalion was deactivated in 2007 as part of force restructuring but was later reactivated in 2018 to meet renewed air defense requirements within the Marine Corps.
