CURRENT Mission: 1st Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, recently deployed to Helmand province, Afghanistan. Their mission is to partner with the Afghan National Security Forces and conduct counterinsurgency operations in Garmsir, focusing on protecting the population, defeating the insurgents, and developing the ANSF and government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, in order to set the condition for stabilization, and transition to the host nation government and security.
Staff Sgt. Claude Watson, platoon sergeant, 2nd Platoon, Company A, covered more than 200 meters during a company-sized life fire and maneuver exercise.
Higher Unit while deployed:Regimental Combat Team 1
Activated: May 1, 1942, at Marine Corps Air Station New River, N.C.
Location: Marine Corps Base Hawaii, Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii
Commanding officer: Lt. Col. Sean M. Riordan
Executive officer: Maj. John W. Black
Sergeant major: Sgt. Maj. Dwight D. Jones
Contributions to the Global War on Terrorism
October 2004 – March 2005
Significant contributions to Operation Phantom Fury. Fought in the Second Battle of Fallujah.
January – May 2006
Conducted operations in Afghanistan. Removed enemy’s sanctuary in Korengal Valley, Afghanistan during Operation Mountain Lion, preparing the area for permanent Afghanistan government presence.
March – October 2007
Deployed to Haditha, Al Anbar province, Iraq. The first Marine Corps battalion to come home with zero Marines killed in action since the beginning of Operation Iraqi Freedom.
September 2008 – April 2009
Deployed to Karmah, Al Anbar province, Iraq.
November 2009 – June 2010
Deployed to the Nawa District of the Helmand province, Afghanistan, for Operation Moshtarak. The offensive has been touted as the largest in Afghanistan since 2001 and ended the rule of the Taliban and drug traffickers in Marjah.
The Lava Dogs deployed to southern Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.
Honors include
Presidential Unit Citation Streamer with two bronze star devices, Navy Unit Commendation Streamer with four bronze star devices, Meritorious Unit Commendation Streamer with one bronze star device, Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Streamer with four bronze star devices, World War II Victory Streamer, Navy Occupation Service Streamer with Asia, National Defense Service Streamer with two bronze star devices, Korean Service Streamer, Vietnam Service Streamer with two silver star devices, Southwest Asia Service Streamer with two bronze star devices, Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Palm Streamer, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal.
Unit Insignia Motto
“FORTES FORTUNA JUVAT” — LATIN FOR “FORTUNE FAVORS THE BRAVE”
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On Patrol
March 15th, 2012 // By Cpl. Colby W. BrownA local Afghan goat farmer directs his herd around a convoy with 1st Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment in the Garmsir district, Sept. 20, 2011. From Sept. 19 to 24, elements from Bravo and Hotel Company [Read more...]
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Q & A: Gunnery Sgt. Christopher J. Clookey
March 3rd, 2011 // By Sgt. Michael S. CifuentesGunnery Sgt. Christopher J. Clookey was no stranger to danger during his deployment to Afghanistan in the spring of 2008. In a span of three days, Clookey and his Marines with Company A, 1st Battalion, [Read more...]
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Marines Strike Again
August 13th, 2010 // By Sgt. Brian A. TuthillHELMAND PROVINCE, Afghanistan — Marines and sailors of Company C, 1st Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, battled Taliban insurgents Feb. 9 after conducting a successful helicopter-borne assault to seize a key intersection east of the insurgent stronghold city [Read more...]
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Marine Expeditionary Brigade-Afghanistan
July 7th, 2010 // By Marines Magazine StaffTask Force Leatherneck Mission: To conduct counter-insurgency operations in partnership with Afghan National Security Forces and support the expansion of security and legitimate governance. MEB-A’s Goals: • Establish security and safety for Afghan citizens • [Read more...]
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Fallujah – Looking Back at the Fury
June 29th, 2010 // By Lance Cpl. Benjamin HarrisMarines Magazine is proud to acknowledge the passing of five years since the Battle of Fallujah, arguably the fiercest combat Marines have seen since the Vietnam War. As time passes, more and more Marines only read or hear about this event as history.