Richard Ritter

Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego (MCRD San Diego) was established in 1921 as a key training facility for the United States Marine Corps on the West Coast. Originally serving as a base for Marine activities during World War I, it became the primary location for recruit training west of the Mississippi River. Throughout World War II, MCRD San Diego processed and trained tens of thousands of new Marines, playing a crucial role in building the Corps’ wartime strength. Today, it continues its legacy as one of only two Marine Corps recruit depots, responsible for transforming thousands of young men into Marines each year.

Headquarters Headquarters Squadron (HQHQRON), Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii, serves as the administrative and support backbone for the air station's operations. Established during World War II, MCAS Kaneohe Bay played a pivotal role in Pacific defense, including being attacked during the opening moments of the Pearl Harbor attack on December 7, 1941. Over the decades, HQHQRON has managed essential command, logistical, and personnel functions, supporting aviation units and missions throughout the Asia-Pacific region. Today, HQHQRON continues to provide critical support to ensure mission readiness for Marine Corps aviation and tenant commands stationed at MCAS Kaneohe Bay.

Headquarters Company, Marine Corps Communications-Electronics School (MCCES), located at Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center, Twentynine Palms, California, serves as the administrative and logistical backbone for the MCCES. Established to support the training mission of the school, HQ Company provides essential command, control, and support services for both instructors and students. Over the years, HQ Company has facilitated the professional development of thousands of Marines, enabling the delivery of advanced communications, electronics maintenance, and air control training vital to Marine Corps operations. Its enduring mission ensures that MCCES remains the Corps’ premier institution for C4ISR (Command, Control, Communications, Computers, Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance) education.

Headquarters Battalion, 3rd Marine Division (HQBN 3rd MarDiv), based in Okinawa, Japan, traces its roots to the activation of the 3rd Marine Division in 1942 during World War II. The unit played a vital role in providing command and control, administrative, and logistical support to the division throughout major Pacific campaigns, including the Battle of Iwo Jima. After the war, HQBN was reactivated and relocated several times, ultimately establishing a longstanding presence on Okinawa as part of the United States’ forward-deployed forces in the Indo-Pacific region. Today, HQBN 3rd MarDiv continues to support Marine operations and readiness, serving as a critical element in maintaining regional stability and rapid response capabilities.

The 3rd Battalion, 4th Marines (3/4), known as "Thundering Third," is an infantry battalion of the United States Marine Corps with a storied history dating back to its activation in 1925. The battalion saw extensive combat in World War II, participating in major battles such as Guadalcanal, Guam, and Okinawa. During the Vietnam War, 3/4 earned distinction in numerous operations, including the famous seizure of Hill 881 during the Battle of Khe Sanh. In the 21st century, 3/4 deployed multiple times in support of Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom, continuing its legacy of valor and adaptability.

9TH COMM BN

U.S. Marine Corps

The 9th Communication Battalion (9th Comm Bn) is a United States Marine Corps unit that provides communication support to Marine forces, primarily within the I Marine Expeditionary Force (I MEF). Activated in 1967, the battalion has served in numerous operations, including deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan, where it ensured robust command and control capabilities for combat and humanitarian missions. Over the decades, 9th Comm Bn has been at the forefront of integrating advanced communications technology, supporting both tactical and strategic objectives. The unit continues to play a vital role in enabling the rapid, secure flow of information across Marine Corps operations worldwide.

The Marine Corps Communications-Electronics School (MCCES) was established in 1932 at Quantico, Virginia, before relocating to Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms, California, in 1971. MCCES serves as the primary training institution for Marines in the fields of communications, electronics maintenance, and tactical data systems. Over the decades, MCCES has adapted its curriculum to meet the evolving technological demands of the Marine Corps, playing a pivotal role in preparing Marines for operations in both peacetime and conflict. The school’s graduates have supported every major Marine Corps operation since World War II, ensuring reliable communications and electronic support on the battlefield.

**HQHQSQDN MCAS New River AFFR** (Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron, Marine Corps Air Station New River, Airfield Facilities and Flightline Resources) serves as the central support element for MCAS New River in Jacksonville, North Carolina. The squadron was established to provide essential administrative, operational, and logistical support to the air station's tenant commands and aviation units. Throughout its history, HQHQSQDN has played a critical role in ensuring the readiness and effectiveness of the base, supporting both stateside operations and deployments abroad. Its responsibilities include airfield management, personnel administration, logistics, and maintaining base security, making it a vital component of Marine Corps aviation operations on the East Coast.