War Pigs Down Under, mate

Light Armored Reconnaissance Vehicles with Weapons Co., Battalion Landing Team 2nd Battalion, 4th Marines, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, on a 379 mile push into the Australian outback  Aug. 31.photo Cpl. Dominic E. Ferguson
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Lance Cpl. Dominic E. Ferguson,. Delta 3rd LAR

Lance Cpl. Dominic E. Ferguson on  security for his fire team during a platoon-level military operations in urban terrain and counterinsurgency exercise Aug. 15 at the Combat Town.  Ferguson is a Light Armored Vehicle driver with Weapons Platoon, Company D, 3rd Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion. photo by Lance Cpl. Brandon C. Suhr

Read more: http://www.dvidshub.net/image/1006221/combat-town-tests-lar-marines-readiness#.UiCcvRbhCow#ixzz2dSUKX0zC

Lance Cpl. Dominic E. Ferguson, Lance Cpl. Beck A. Blevins Delt ahree LAR

Lance Cpl. Dominic E. Ferguson assists Lance Cpl. Beck A. Blevins over a wall during a platoon-level military operations in urban terrain and counter-insurgency exercise Aug. 15 at the Combat Town. Ferguson is a Light Armored Vehicle driver and Blevins is a LAV crewman with Weapons Platoon, Company D, 3rd Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion,  photo by Lance Cpl. Brandon C. Suhr

Read more: http://www.dvidshub.net/image/1006219/combat-town-tests-lar-marines-readiness#.UiCbUBbhCow#ixzz2dSTCpGx0

Cpl. Nikolas C. Wurdelman 3rd LAR

Cpl. Nikolas C. Wurdelman,Aug. 15, on platoon-level  operations in urban terrain and counterinsurgency operations training at the Combat Town.  Wurdelman is a team leader with Weapons Platoon, Company D, 3rd Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion photo by Lance Cpl. Brandon C. Suhr

Read more: http://www.dvidshub.net/image/1006218/combat-town-tests-lar-marines-readiness#.UiCaBhbhCow#ixzz2dSROcRZP

Bravo 2LAR

Bravo Company, 2nd Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion, begin firing the 25mm M242 Chain Gun on a light armored vehicle 25A2, as part of a gunner exercise at Shooting Range 7, August 5, 2013. The exercise consists of five different courses of fire including still and moving fire. photo LCPL. Krista James

Read more: http://www.dvidshub.net/image/993398/2nd-lar-marines-compete-top-gun#.Ug_P1hbhCow#ixzz2cFyahRBE

Gregory "Mac" MacDonald Bravo, 4th LAR KIA

In remembrance of Gregory"Mac" MacDonald,   Bravo Company,  4th Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion, at 29, the "old man" of Bravo, a scholar with a degree in philosophy, graduate training in Near East Studies, killed in action  06/25/2003 near  Hilla, Iraq, ten years ago. 

Lance Cpl. Paul Vielkind, Scout Alpha 1LAR

Lance Cpl. Paul Vielkind,  light armored vehicle scout, Alpha Company, 1st Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion, spots for his partner firing the M107 Special Application Scoped Rifle during a weeklong SASR training course here, July 10 2013. Photo:Lance Cpl. Christopher J. Moore

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Cpl. Mark Bradley, Sgt. Michael Henderson, Sgt. Jay Hewlett,Cpl. Alex Louser, 1LAR

Lance Cpl. Christopher J. Moore

From left to right, Cpl. Mark Bradley, Sgt. Michael Henderson, Sgt. Jay Hewlett and Cpl. Alex Louser,  1st Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion, practice using the scope on the M107 Special Application Scoped Rifle during a weeklong SASR training course here, July 9, 2013. 

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Pixs Link: Two LAR Echo Weapons Platoon Afghanistan

Photos of deployment with Light Armored Reconnaissance ...
2D Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion Echo Company Weapons Platoon in ... 500 10 User submit: deploy with Light Armored Reconnaissance (45 Photos.
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War Pigs on Dawn Blitz

CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. (June 18, 2013)A 3rd LAR war pig  (LAV-25), off loads  from a landing craft air cushioned (LCAC) during Dawn Blitz 2013. Dawn Blitz is a lets-see-whatcha-got-driven exercise. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Alexander Quiles)

Lance Cpl. Bryan N. Ray, LAR scout, on PMINT a three week pre-deployment exercise

“It’s been nice to put some of the stresses of garrison life behind and focus on working with my Marines, focus on getting better,” said Lance Cpl. Bryan N. Ray, a scout with Light Armored Reconnaissance Company, Battalion Landing Team 1/4, 13th MEU and Champaign, Ill. native. “I’ve definitely been tested a lot through the past months of training, but this is nothing new; just building on what we’ve learned.”

Fire and Maneuver-Make'em holler

2nd platoon, Company A., 3rd Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion participated in a live-fire training exercise in the Black Top training area June 19. They were supported by 4th LAR and conducted fire and maneuver exercises.

Read more: http://www.dvidshub.net/news/109497/3rd-lar-conducts-live-fire-maneuver#.UekcyZXhCow#ixzz2ZUKnkvQR

Cpl. Mark Bradley, C Co.1LAR

Cpl. Mark Bradley, team leader, Charlie Company, 1st Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion, on using a .50 caliber sniper rifle AKA  the M107 Special Application Scoped Rifle.

Cpl. Alex Lauser,chief scout 3rd PLT,Charlie Company, 1st LAR

Cpl. Alex Lauser, chief scout for 3rd Platoon, Charlie Company, 1st Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion, on training with the M107 Special Application Scoped Rifle. video 

Sgt. Michael Cifuentes

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Sgt. Michael Henderson, chief scout Charlie Company, 1LAR

Sgt. Michael Henderson,  chief scout for Charlie Company, 1st Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion, on  training with the M107 Special Application Scoped Rifle, a .50 caliber sniper rifle.

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Petty Officer 3rd Class Bryan Williams, 3LAR RPS

Petty Officer 3rd Class Bryan Williams, a religious program specialist, 3rd Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion, and a native of Kansas City, Mo., checks a window for insurgents during the culminating field exercise of the Urban Leaders Course here, July 11, 2013. During the exercise, students in the course drew upon all their training to clear buildings as fire teams against instructors simulating insurgents.

Read more: http://www.dvidshub.net/news/110234/urban-leaders-course-equips-religious-program-specialists-combat#.Uebj_5XhCow#ixzz2ZKTzvACz

Alpha 3rd LAR on Operation Scimitar training

 Company A, 3rd Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion on 1st Marine Division’s annual Desert Scimitar training exercise  conducted a route reconnaissance mission from check point 47 at the Lava training area to check point 38 at the Delta training area, May 3, Their mission role-to  determine enemy presence  and the route’s availability for  other Marine units.

Read more: http://www.dvidshub.net/news/107135/3rd-lar-conducts-route-reconnaissance-mission#.UZteHpXhCow#ixzz2TvZPsRUr. USMC photo Cpl Ali Azimi


Read more: http://www.dvidshub.net/news/107135/3rd-lar-conducts-route-reconnaissance-mission#.UZteHpXhCow#ixzz2TvYHL9Ag

29 Stumps War Pig News

Light Armored RECON: 3rd LAR conducts route reconnaissance mission Hi-Desert Star Marines with Company A, 3rd Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion took part in 1st Marine Division's annual Desert Scimitar training exercise when they ...

What's a hero? Hi-Desert Star Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalions are mobilized units that conduct reconnaissance missions ahead of battalion landing teams or infantry forces.

War Pig "seat glitch" Kills- BOLO

Documents: LAV seat glitch caused Marine's Afghanistan death Marine Corps Times After Cagle's accident, 21 other Marines with 2nd Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion, out of Camp Lejeune, NC, told investigators they had seen LAV ... Probe Finds Combat Vehicle Malfunction Killed Marine KPBS 21 other Marines with 2nd Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion, out of Camp Lejeune, NC, told investigators they had seen LAV seats rise quickly and ...

 Alpha Company, 1st Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion, team up with Assault Craft Unit 5, a Navy unit based out of Camp Pendleton, CA, for an amphibious landing. The Marines learned how to tie down their light armored vehicles onto ACU-5's landing craft air cushion, a hovercraft class vehicle, in process known as "griping." Marines loaded their company of LAVs onto the LACs in the predawn hours and landed on Camp Pendleton's Red Beach at sunrise. Produced by Lance Cpl. Corey Dabney. 
Read more: http://www.dvidshub.net/video/288766/light-armored-reconnaissance-marines-join-navy-amphibious-landing-part-2#.UYlLVZXhCow#ixzz2SdMwEGYO

First LAR-On America's Six

 1st Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion practice loading and unloading light armored vehicles from C-17 Globemaster cargo planes during a training exercise April 24. Includes soundbites from Staff Sgt. Case Unfried from Tehachapi, Calif. and 1st Lt. Andrew Klawier from Louisville, Ky
Video-Cpl. Joseph Scanlan

Corporal Michael P. Toomey, Rifleman, 2/5 Bronze Star w/Combat V

Corporal Michael P. Toomey,  2nd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, receives congratulations from a fellow Marine after receiving the Bronze Star Medal with a Combat V during a ceremony here, April 18, 2013. Toomey, a native of San Francisco, was recognized for heroic actions on May 8, 2012, while deployed to Musa Qal'ah district, Helmand province, Afghanistan. Toomey led a fire team of Marines in a hasty ambush against an insurgent machine gun team firing from a  tree line. During the assault, Toomey shot an enemy fighter and threw a grenade at their position, causing the remaining insurgents to run from the Marines for the rest of the operation.
Photo-Sgt. Jacob Harrer

Alpha Two LAR on amphibious training

DVIDS-MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. -  Alpha Company, 1st Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion, trained with sailors of Assault Craft Unit 5 in preparation for an amphibious landing exercise here, April 30.

The training enabled the Marines and sailors to hone their skills in an effort to stay mobile and versatile during amphibious operations.

“When we hit the beach it’s got to be quick. When those doors drop, we have to hit the beach as fast as we can, that’s what Marines do,” said Staff Sgt. Andrew Jennings, a light armored vehicle commander with 1st LAR and Los Angeles native.

As the initial day of training came to a close, the Marines of 1st LAR had mastered the art of griping, a method of securing their LAVs to the Landing Craft Air Cushion.

"It’s not difficult working with the Marines," said Petty Officer 2nd Class Derek Earhart a loadmaster instructor with ACU-5 and native of Fremont, Ohio. “The Marines are hardcore and motivated, and the sailors here are the same way."

The approximately 87 foot LCAC has the capability to transport 65 tons of military cargo, vehicles and personnel from ship to shore. The LCAC, which is a hovercraft, has the capability to maneuver on land as well as on water.

"You need the training because of safety and efficiency," said Chief Petty Officer Brian Rey, a craftmaster with ACU-5 and native of Ridgecrest, Calif., while commenting on the ability to transport Marine units. “The more we do training exercises here, the more we become more efficient in real life scenarios. The Marines need to know that LCACs are there to help and support them. The Marine out there on point needs to know that if needed, we can have LAVs, tanks or troops out to support quickly.”

Before the sun had risen on the morning of April 30, an LCAC approached the beach. The Navy beachmaster gave the signal to the LCAC pilots to come ashore and offload Marines with 1st LAR. Once grounded, the Marines secured the perimeter of the landing site and pushed out to the trails of Red Beach. Within moments, the LCACs pulled back into the ocean and headed toward the horizon to bring more Marines and their LAVs to shore.

“First Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion really has the capabilities to keep the Marine Corps at large in touch with its roots,” said Sgt. Corey Collison a native of Kennewick, Wash., and an LAV-AT (anti-tank variant) vehicle commander serving with 1st LAR. “Exercises like this are how we make sure to always perform and to hold on to our abilities to be amphibious.”

Transporting Marines and supplies from ship to shore is an important role for LCACs and LAVs during both combat and humanitarian efforts. The Marine Corps, with units still deployed in Afghanistan, is continuing to build its humanitarian capabilities throughout the world. These amphibious vehicles are another tool the Marines use in those efforts.

“It does not matter where we are in the world, the Marines have to be effective regardless of clime,” said Jennings. "Whenever you have a company of LAVs, you get the firepower and force. The LAV has multiple variations. From the bushmaster wielding LAV-25, to the LAV Anti-tank capable of mobile (Tube-launched, optically tracked, wire-guided) missile launch, we can recon, assault and secure the area."

Read more: http://www.dvidshub.net/news/106238/light-armored-reconnaissance-marines-join-navy-amphibious-landing#.UYOlar_hCow#ixzz2SEJeB6bj

1st and 3rd LAR @ the OCRegister & Hi-Desert Star

Marines, sailors team on sea-to-land training OCRegister Collinson, 21, an anti-tank light armored vehicle commander and part of the 1st Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion, was among more than 100 Marines and ...

Month of the military child Hi-Desert Star 1st Lt. Eric J. Wilmott, assistant operations officer, 3rd Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion, sits with his 2-year-old daughter, Kayla, during the 3rd ..

Alpha Company First LAR

Alpha Company, 1st Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalioncoming out of a landing craft air cushion in a mobility exercise Camp Pendleton, April 29, 2013. Landing craft air cushions  carry up to 65 tons over 70 miles between land and sea. The Marines learn the basics of loading and unloading war pigs from  hovercraft for upcoming deployments. USMC photo Cpl. Robert J. Reeves

First LAR Flying LAV's

DVIDS--Marines with 1st Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion embarked on a two-day mission to Marine Corps Air Station Miramar to learn the basics of loading and unloading LAV vehicles from aircraft.

After loading the LAVs onto the C-17s, the Marines were flown back to Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif., where they unloaded their vehicles from the aircraft.

1st LAR Marines must be able to quickly load and unload their vehicles in order to rapidly deploy to any part of the world at a moment’s notice.

“This capability if used properly allows us to get into a battle space quickly, get off the plane and complete our objectives,” said Staff Sgt. Case Unfried, a platoon sergeant serving with 1st LAR.

The LAVs the Marines use carry a M242 Bushmaster chain gun, making it a lethal force on the battlefield.

“We are the reconnaissance element of the ground forces, so we need to be able to engage and eliminate any threats that might present themselves to us on our missions,” said Staff Sgt. Phillip Broberg, a master gunner serving with Delta Company, 1st LAR.

Once the Marines arrive at their destination they have the capabilities to perform either counter-insurgency missions, or humanitarian missions.

“Not everything we do is combat-related,” said Lt. Col. Gilbert Juarez, the commanding officer of 1st LAR. “We are capable of helping the local populace with supplies and other items they might need.”

“Our Marines will continue dedicating themselves to their training, and to fighting future conflicts,” the San Diego native said. “I have complete faith that all my Marines are up to any challenge.”

Whether it is a terrorist attack, or a hurricane stricken land the Marines of 1st LAR have the rapid deployment capabilities to reach their objectives.

The primary aircraft used to transport LAVs over long distance is the C-17 Globemaster. The aircraft can hold up to 175,000 pounds, and with a maximum airspeed of 515 miles per hour, it is ideal for transporting these vehicles long distances.

“This really adds a whole new level to our deployment capabilities,” said Unfried, a Tehachapi, Calif., native. “This means we can respond to any incidents that happen worldwide.”

The speed of the Globemaster makes the deployment of Marines a much quicker process then by traditional means aboard a ship.

“Usually when we need to get anywhere far away, it's by ship,” said 1st Lt. Andrew Klawier, a company commander serving with Delta Company, 1st LAR. “Using C-17s, we can get heavy fire power into the fight a lot quicker.”

When WAR PIGS Fly...

A War Pig aka "light armored vehicle" from the  1st Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion flies  a C-17 Globemaster cargo plane during a strategic mobility exercises , April 24, 2013. The exercise  trains LAR crews the basics of loading and unloading their LAVs from  the flying mack truck. The aircraft can carry four LAVs, and with a maximum flying distance of 2,400 miles.
photo LCpl. James Gulliver
Read more: http://www.dvidshub.net/image/915449/light-armored-reconnaissance-marines-test-rapid-deployment-capabilities#.UXxi7L_hCow#ixzz2Ri892gGC

Lance Cpl. Daniel Hays,USS KEARSARGE, AT SEA

Lance Cpl. Daniel Hays cleaning the barrel of a .25mm gun on a landing craft air cushion (LCAC) on  the well deck aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Kearsarge (LHD 3).

Lance Cpl. Tyler Ragsac (front) and Cpl. Jonathan Busby USS KEARSARGE, AT SEA

Lance Cpl. Tyler Ragsac (front) and Cpl. Jonathan Busby perform routine maintenance on a light armored vehicle (LAV) in the well deck aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Kearsarge (LHD 3). 

U.S. Navy photo Specialist 3rd Class Karen Blankenship

Master Sgt. Andrew Jones, the operations chief Bravo Co., Two LAR

Bravo Company, 2nd Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion, was on annual training at Lejune  firing shoulder-launched multipurpose assault weapon (SMAW) and AT-4 rocket launchers as part of their training. 

story by Cpl.P.Clark:

“This is our annual training and re-familiarization with the weapons we usually don’t get to shoot,” said Master Sgt. Andrew Jones, the operations chief with Bravo Co. “We typically can only do this once or twice a year, so it’s really beneficial when we are given the opportunity.”
Once they finished the dry runs, they shot spotting rounds at the decommissioned tanks used as targets to make sure they were accurate. Then they took their positions with the AT-4s, loaded the 83mm rockets into the SMAWs and began firing at the objective.
“You never know when you’re going to be deployed and you will be required to use these weapon systems,” said Jones. “It is pretty essential that all the Marines here can be familiar with them.”
Read more: http://www.dvidshub.net/news/105627/light-armored-reconnaissance-battalion-makes-big-bang-training#.UXgK17_hCow#ixzz2ROsCmRZx

Pfc. Colby Williams, Bravo 2LAR

Pfc. Colby Williams fires an AT-4 rocket at a simulated dummy tank target. Marines and sailors from Bravo Company, 2nd Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion, shot shoulder-launched multipurpose assault weapon and AT-4 rocket launchers a part of training April 17, 2013. photo Cpl. P.Clark

Read more: http://www.dvidshub.net/image/912359/light-armored-reconnaissance-battalion-makes-big-bang-training#.UXgJ6b_hCow#ixzz2ROq6Z0AK

Lance Cpl. Christopher Ott, Bravo 2LAR

Lance Cpl. Christopher Ott,  Bravo Company, fires an AT-4 rocket launcher at a dummy tank target. Marines and sailors from Bravo Company, 2nd Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion,  shot shoulder-launched multipurpose assault weapon and AT-4 rocket launchers a part of  training April 17, 2013. photo Cpl.P.Clark

Read more: http://www.dvidshub.net/image/912365/light-armored-reconnaissance-battalion-makes-big-bang-training#.UXgIwb_hCox#ixzz2ROorpBaj

Sgt. Joshua Kelly,Charlie Company, 2nd Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion,

Story by Cpl. Phillip Clark

Cpl. Phillip Clark

Marines and sailors with Charlie Company, 2nd Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion, conducted a live-fire company exercise as a part of deployment preparation, aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, N.C., April 9-11, 2013. Marines with the scout squad move down the tree line to prepare to assault the enemy position.

CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. - Marines and sailors with Charlie Company, 2nd Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion, conducted a live-fire company exercise aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, April 9-11, 2013.

As a part of their deployment readiness program, the training consisted of day and night fires requiring the Marines to assault in groups across the range and eliminate enemy targets.

As one squad assaulted from close proximity, machine gunners suppressed upcoming enemy targets from a distance.

“We are assessing the squad leader’s ability to maneuver in a fighting squad with supporting arms from (machine guns),” said Staff Sgt. Joshua Kelly, the platoon sergeant with 2nd platoon. “The scout squad moves down range through the tree line and once they have eyes on the target, they call in for support. Then the squad will maneuver out of the tree line with accurate suppression from the machine guns to assault through the objective.”

Training like this is very important. Marines will practice and run multiple repetitions before they deploy.

“Training like this is absolutely essential for all the Marines from senior to junior because it’s all about getting back to the basics,” said Kelly. “It helps build that muscle memory so when we deploy if we are ever in this scenario the Marines can react quickly and proficiently to complete the task.”

For a lot of the Marines this was a new exercise they had never done before since coming to the unit.

“We have a really young squad, and it’s nice to get them out here to train on something other than just bounding. Usually there is more stuff going on in your surroundings, so it also helps getting them used to that,” said Lance Cpl. Mitchell Dowd, a team leader with alpha section, 1st platoon. “It gives them a bigger view on how support-by-fire works and how using all the elements together like assaulting and accurate suppression help us complete the mission.”

After the Marines finished the scenario they regrouped to have a discussion to identify their strengths and deficiencies in their attack.

“We have been working the past few weeks trying to get the kinks out since this is our first live-fire range as a squad,” said Dowd. “So far there haven’t been many mistakes that we can’t fix on the next run through. Everyone – including myself – can understand when we see something happen; how we can improve on it to make it more efficient.”

Read more: http://www.dvidshub.net/news/105110/light-armored-reconnaissance-battalion-evaluates-squad-leaders-live-fire-exercise#.UXKFUL_hCow#ixzz2R0Mo3L4s

Pvt. First Class Brent Vasa Two LAR

Pvt. First Class Brent Vasa graduated the School of Infantry at MCB Camp Pendleton, CA.  sand is now stationed at Camp Legune, N.C. with 2nd Light Armored Reconnaissance, Bravo Company, Weapons Platoon.

Gunnery Sgt. Charles Dozier, maintenance chief, Company A, 3rd LAR,

by Cpl. Ali Azimi

TWENTYNINE PALMS, Calif. - The Light Armored Vehicle is an eight-wheeled armored transport used by light armored reconnaissance units. They are versatile assets in combat and keeping them in the fight requires experience and ingenuity from their mechanics. LAV mechanics’ time in the field and experience teaches them how to keep them operating. They can spot problems in LAVs from dozens of yards away, just by the color of the smoke coming from the exhaust or the sound and repetition of the weapon systems firing.

The mechanics of 3rd Light Armored Reconnaissance are responsible for maintenance and upkeep of all their LAVs, from the engineering aspects to the optics and weapons systems. These complex machines are used to their fullest capabilities and keeping them running requires constant up-keep.

“Routine maintenance in the LAV world is a hard thing to say,” said Sgt. Brandon McKinley, assistant maintenance chief, 3rd LAR. “It’s always something different. Just this week we’ve had a turbo go down, we’ve had two guns go down for multiple problems, a feeder go down, a receiver go down and a flat tire or two. It all kind of rotates. Everyone will all of a sudden focus on one thing and another problem comes up, so it’s a rolling cycle.”

Gunnery Sgt. Charles Dozier, maintenance chief, Company A, 3rd LAR, has also served as the senior instructor for the LAV mechanics school in Maryland. He has seen the progress Marines make from the time of their arrival to the school house to making repairs in the field.

“Some of the students would come in with little or no mechanical knowledge,” Dozier said. “They wouldn’t know the difference between a Philips screwdriver and a flat-head screwdriver. It is basically the crawl, walk then run method.”

The more time they spend in the field with the LAVs the better they get to know them. Each noise and movement has its purpose and when something is out of place it’s apparent.

“After a while, you listen to the gun and you can hear if something is going mechanically wrong,” Dozier said. “Just by doing it for a long time you get a feel of what the LAV is saying to you without actually looking at it. We’ve got keen senses. We know what sounds right and we know what sounds wrong.”

During the units’ Table 6 qualifications at Range 500 April 12, Dozier and McKinley knew there was something wrong with an LAV they saw firing on the line before it was even brought to them.

The crank to the ballistic cover that protects LAV’s optic glass had broken and the cover had fallen closed on the sights. The problem, although small in comparison to other potential mechanical malfunctions, prevented the crewmen from being able to see.

McKinley hopped into the LAV to examine the problem. After a few minutes and with the use of 550-Cord, the LAV was cleared to return to training.

Although this was only a temporary solution, it allowed the LAV to finish its qualification while the mechanics ordered the correct parts to permanently resolve the issue when they return to mainside.

“We don’t have our big work benches or the parts readily available but we manage pretty well,” McKinley said.

Light Armored Vehicle mechanics are limited in their resources in the field and on deployments. They make do with what they have in their Light Armored Vehicle Recovery and Light Armored Vehicle Logistics platforms. These vehicles carry the only parts and tools available to the mechanics, such as drills and power packs, and are able to tow any LAV deemed beyond repair outside the wire.

The Marines with 3rd LAR make do with what they have and do so constantly to keep up with mission requirements.

“The other night we were up until one and reveille was at seven,” McKinley said. “It makes it a long 18-hour-day when you’re up working constantly.”

The constant wear-and-tear of the vehicles is increased as they push through the unforgiving desert environment. The sands, winds, and terrain create more problems, keeping the mechanics busy and versatile in the field. This is an important trait to have when dealing with such a similar environment during combat operations in Afghanistan.

“Out in the field, we have more conditions to deal with. We have to be prepared to support all 26 vehicles with minimal amounts of support,” Dozier said. “We do a lot of improvisational fixes to make sure the vehicles can safely conduct their mission. There are a lot less resources out here. We don’t have the parts supply that we do when we’re in garrison. Out in the field environment my mechanics have to think on their feet.”

3rd LAR’s mechanics stay flexible in the way they think and work as problems arise and keep a strong work ethic in order to meet the mission demands of the battalion.

“We work 24 hours a day, seven days a week if need be,” Dozier said. “It doesn’t matter what time of the day or night it is, we always have to be ready to support the mission.”

Read more: http://www.dvidshub.net/news/105477/marines-keep-lavs-fit-fight#.UXKBz7_hCow#ixzz2R0IcfLed

Will Cole, 1stLAR, remembers 10 years ago

A Marine remembers his time in Iraq Washington Post I remember picking up our light-armored vehicles from Port Doha in Kuwait ... catch up to our command unit, the 1st Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion.

Washington Post

Sgt. Michael Timmons 3rd LAR-Rick Leventhal film/Interview

 10 Anniversary Of American Led Iraq Invasion
Fox 2 KFXV

"When marines with the 3rd light armored reconnaissance battalion fired the very first shots on the ground in march 2003, destroying an Iraqi guard post. It was Sgt. Michael Timmons who climbed the pole and snagged the colors."

Matthew Fisher. Canadian Embed 3rd LAR, " My ride into Iraq with Bravo company’s Black 6 "

With  Lt.-Col. Stacy Clardy,   Capt. Cesar Rodriguez, Gunnery Sgt. Joe Simpson, and Lance Cpl. Mark Cattabay:

A baptism of fire National Post

 "As the only Canadian journalist embedded with a combat unit for Operation Iraqi Freedom, very early that morning I was with the U.S. Marine Corps 3rd Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion, a few hundred metres south of the Iraqi border in Kuwait. Once combat engineers breached Iraqi border defences, the battalion, known as the Wolfpack, was to be “the tip of the tip of the spear,” launching with great speed across the Line of Departure and pushing north as quickly as possible."

Rick Leventhal, Fox News, On the Run to Baghdad Inside a War Pig

Rick Leventhal recalls nine weeks with Marines in the 3rd Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion 10 years ago this month.

Read more: http://www.foxnews.com/opinion/2013/03/19/embedded-in-iraq-as-war-began-most-challenging-assignment-my-career/#ixzz2O0ic0lE4

Cameron Wink, Corpsman, 1st LAR, Ten Years later

Cameron Wink corpsman accompanied the Marines’ 1st Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion, the first unit across the border on March 20, 2003, in its push north. Baghdad fell on April 9, ending Saddam Hussein’s reign.

Read more: http://www.kitsapsun.com/news/2013/mar/16/no-headline---iraq_anniv_031613/#ixzz2NnlY11Iz

Sgt. Ryan Accornero, Bravo 2LAR, Top Gun Qual's

Sgt. Ryan Accornero, Bravo 2LAR Gun qualification aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, N.C., March 14, 2013. 
Accornero’s crew shot the best of four teams competing. 
Read more: http://www.dvidshub.net/news/103531/top-shooters-aim-top-gun-honors#.UUW8DqXhCow#ixzz2NnjEPdIy

Lance Cpl. Benjamin Nalls,Navy and Marine Corps Medal W/Combat V

Lance Cpl. Benjamin Nalls, fire team leader with 1st Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion awarded the Navy and Marine Corps medal by Major General Ronald Bailey, commanding general  1st Marine Division.
 Nalls received the medal for saving the life of Sgt. Erick Gutierrez, a squad leader with 1st LAR, during a patrol in Helmand province, Afghanistan. Nalls fell into a nine-foot-deep, 15-foot-wide canal, and was being treated for hypothermia when he heard that Gutierrez had also fallen in the canal. He immediately jumped back into the frigid water and dragged Gutierrez to the riverbank, saving his life.

Read more: http://www.dvidshub.net/image/882431/marine-awarded-navy-and-marine-corps-medal-lifesaving-efforts-afghanistan#.UUDVWqXhCow#ixzz2NS08124G

Staff Sgt. Jay Baldino, Delta Co., 4th LAR,Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal w/Combat V

Maj. Charles O'Neill, inspector instructor, Delta Co., 4th Light Armored Reconnaissance, congratulates Staff Sgt. Jay Baldino, training chief, Delta Co., 4th LAR, during Baldino's promotion ceremony at Camp Upshur on March 8, 2013. SSgt. Baldino  received the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal with Combat V for heroic achievement as  section leader with the 2D Marine Division,  April to Oct. 2011/Operation Enduring Freedom. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Antwaun L. Jefferson

Corporal John Carreno, Alpha First LAR

Corporal John Carreno,  rifleman, Alpha Company, 1st Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion, fires at  targets during the second portion of the biathlon at a combat training town,Feb. 26, 2013. The Marine,  ran  three miles, with full combat gear, and fired  at static targets with little time to recuperate. Carreno,   Murrieta, Calif., said the biathlon was a great way to build camaraderie within the unit. (Official Marine Corps Photo by Lance Cpl. Corey Dabney.)

Read more: http://www.dvidshub.net/image/874658/marines-compete-build-camaraderie-during-battalion-biathlon#.US9hkqXhCow#ixzz2MCaZYmXt

Lance Cpl. Brandon Fawkes, H&S First LAR

LCpl Fawkes on the final mile of a biathlon during a battalion-wide competition,  Camp Las Flores, Camp Pendelton CA., Feb. 26, 2013. Fawkes, a 23 year-old native of Woodstock, Ill., said this biathlon is similar to the Spartan races he competed in, but the weight of his gear made this biathlon harder. (Official Marine Corps Photo by Lance Cpl. Corey Dabney)

Read more: http://www.dvidshub.net/news/102659/marines-compete-build-camaraderie-during-battalion-biathlon#.US9fa6XhCow#ixzz2MCYmt1HY

Corpsman Mark Connolly,First LAR, Bronze Star

Petty Officer 3rd Class Mark Connolly, a corpsman serving with 1st Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion, was awarded the Bronze Star with combat distinguishing device here, Jan 22, 2013. Connolly, a native of Corvalis, Mont., deployed with the battalion in 2011 and was awarded for his heroism during a firefight in Afghanistan.

Read more: http://www.dvidshub.net/image/818381/two-members-1st-light-armored-reconnaissance-battalion-awarded-bronze-star#.UQaoS6XhDOU#ixzz2JHxfXrJj

Sergeant Thaddeus Herber, First LAR, Bronze Star

Sergeant Thaddeus Herber,  1st Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion,  with his wife, Lindsey Herber (left), and his mother, Kimberly Herber, after he was awarded the Bronze Star with combat V  and the Purple Heart. Herber, a native of New Braunfels, Texas, deployed with the battalion in 2011 and was awarded for  heroism under fire  in Afghanistan.

Read more: http://www.dvidshub.net/image/818379/two-members-1st-light-armored-reconnaissance-battalion-awarded-bronze-star#.UQafq6XhCDM#ixzz2JHpUE6I7

LAR Wolf Pack Memorial

Marines and sailors with 3rd Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion opened Fallen Hero Memorial Park Dec. 7, and dedicated it to the Marines and sailors who fell during Desert Storm and Operation Iraqi Freedom.

The park commemorated the 25 fallen heroes of  the ‘Wolf Pack’ from Desert Storm and Operation Iraqi Freedom. 
On Dec. 7, their brothers in 3rd LAR paid tribute to these fallen heroes with the official opening of Fallen Hero Memorial Park in front of Bldg. 1620.Lance Cpl. Ali Azimi 

First Lieutenant James Brobyn, Iraq Sept.2006

James Brobyn, Iraq War Veteran, Recalls Pursuing Insurgent Who ...
Huffington Post
James Brodyn with the 3rd Platoon, Apache Company, 3rd Light Armored ReconnaissanceBattalion, 1st Marine Division. James Brodyn with the 3rd Platoon, ...

Battalion Gunner Travis L. McKinney, First LAR Bn.

Battalion Gunner Travis L. McKinney, First Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion, will be the guest of honor at the Salute To Veterans Day ceremony by the Poway Veterans Park Committee and VFW Post 7907  this  Sunday, Nov. 11 at 11 pm.   Poway, CA.

Family Day

War pig/ 2nd Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion gives a family a ride during Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 467’s family day on Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, N.C., Oct. 19. Participants said the event helped the families understand why their Marines’ work is important. photo credit Cpl, Scott L. Tomaszycki

Read more: http://www.dvidshub.net/image/766477/hmla-467-rolls-out-big-guns-family-day#.UIpt0LThCow#ixzz2AOz4xdE3

This day is called the feast Crispian....

H&S 3rd LAR Returns Home

Capt. John Fulton, company officer, Headquarters and Service Company, 3rd Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion, with  daughters at the unit’s homecoming event. Approximately 200 3rd LAR Marines and sailors arrived at Del Valle Field Oct. 2 to a warm welcome from friends and family members  The unit deployed in April, for six months,  to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.  photo credit LCpl. Ali Azimi 

At "Battle Rattle" Marine Corps Times blog, Dan Lamothe and photog Colin Kelly pay a visit to
COP Payne AFG once upon a time the battalion H.Q. for LAR units in country.

"In August, 3rd Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion was replaced by Weapons Company, 3rd Battalion, 8th Marines, said Capt. Paul Mann, its company commander. The unit provides assistance as needed to Afghan Border Police units and the Marine advisers working with them.“The days of Marines doing a lot of independent operations down here are past,” Mann said."