Photo By Sgt. Neysa Huertas Quinones | Marines with Alpha Battery, 2nd Low Altitude Air Defense Battalion, conduct a hike at...... read more read more
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MARINE CORPS AIR STATION CHERRY POINT, N.C. - 2nd Low Altitude Air Defense Battalion originated on Feb. 26, 1969, as the 2nd Forward Area Air Defense Platoon. On August 8, 1986, the unit expanded to a full battalion and has since evolved to the approximately 260 Marines it is today. 2nd LAAD plays an integral role as part of the 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing and the Marine Air Control Group 28.
There are two LAAD battalions in the Marine Corps. 2nd LAAD is stationed at Cherry Point and 3rd LAAD is stationed at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif. Both squadrons share the same mission of providing low altitude air defense for the Marine Air-Ground Task Force.
“The overall mission of 2nd LAAD is to provide a primary capability as a highly mobile surface-to-air weapons component of the Marine Air-Ground Task Force with the ability to rapidly deploy with the assault units during an expeditionary operation,” said 2nd Lt. James P. Morgan, the executive officer of Alpha Battery.
The battalion deployed in support of Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm in 1991. Following their successes in Kuwait and Iraq, Marines with the battalion participated in Operation Provide Comfort in Iraq and Operation Safe Harbor in Cuba. Additionally, the battalion’s Marines were among the first groups to enter combat during Operations Allied Force and Joint Guardian in Kosovo; and Operation Avid Response in Turkey. Since 9/11, 2nd LAAD has supported Operation Iraqi Freedom, Operation Unified Response and Operation Enduring Freedom in 2010.
2nd LAAD is an important support element to the MAGTF because it provides security through ground-to-air defense. The battalion actively patrols and maintains security posts around airfields in deployed and austere environments.
To build on their operational readiness, 2nd LAAD trains for both aerial defense and ground defense throughout the year.
“We are always taking part in training opportunities like Exercise Rolling Thunder and the Weapons and Tactics Instructors Course,” said Morgan, a native of Stoneham, Mass.
The unit has also recently incorporated more frequent hikes into their training. The hikes are conducted carrying a full combat load, communication radios and stinger missiles. Hiking more often with heavier equipment for longer distances conditions the Marines with 2nd LAAD for the rigors of combat operations, said Morgan.
“We always try to be a part of as much training as we can to sharpen our skills and be mission ready at all times,” said Staff Sgt. Kevin D. Williams, an operations chief with Alpha Battery.
According to Williams, 2nd LAAD is one of the most ground-combat oriented units at Cherry Point.
“We are the closest thing to an infantry unit you can find on an air station,” said Williams, a native of Dallas.
According to Williams, the battalion’s leadership plans to continue training hard and educating its noncommissioned officers and junior Marines to sharpen the unit’s mission focus and readiness.
| Date Taken: | 12.19.2014 |
| Date Posted: | 12.19.2014 15:32 |
| Story ID: | 150779 |
| Location: | MARINE CORPS AIR STATION CHERRY POINT, NORTH CAROLINA, US |
| Hometown: | DALLAS, TEXAS, US |
| Hometown: | STONEHAM, MASSACHUSETTS, US |
| Web Views: | 287 |
| Downloads: | 1 |
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