Origin and History

In 1979-1980, at the Marine Corps Air
Ground Combat Center, 29 Palms, California a test project began with several Light Armored Vehicles (Grizzlies) on loan from the Canadian Forces.  You can read more about this project here. In 1980, The Marine Corps identified a requirement for enhancing the mobility and firepower of units tasked with rapid deployment responsibilities.  A family of six Light Armored Vehicles was determined to be the means of meeting this requirement.  On 27 September 1982, a production contract for the LAV configurations (Maintenance/Recovery, Logistics, Mortar, Anti-Tank, and Command & Control) were awarded to General Motors of Canada.  The LAV family of vehicles are highly mobile, able to fight on land and water, and therefore provide a fighting capability previously unrealized.

The First Light Armored Vehicle Battalion was activated in May of 1985 and began receiving LAV-25s in July 1985.  With minor restrictions all variants were placed in service during CY-88.  The battalion's name was changed to First Light Armored Infantry Battalion on 1 October 1988. 

Following the invasion of Kuwait by Iraqi forces in August 1990, the First Light Armored Infantry Battalion was deployed to Saudi Arabia for Operation Desert Shield.  During Operation Desert Shield, First Light Armored Infantry Battalion (Task Force Shepherd) operated forward of the First Marine Division main battle area providing security and early warning of possible attack.

During Operation Desert Storm, Task Force Shepherd again found itself the forward unit of the First Marine Division, conducting screening and ambiguity operations along the Kuwait border.  After the breaching of the Iraqi defensive positions, Task Force Shepherd operated well-forward the attacking Task Forces and was instrumental in locating the Iraqi forces, shaping their view of the battlefield and defeating them.  On the third day of the ground offensive, Task Force Shepherd was the first of the allied forces to enter Kuwait City, capturing Kuwait International Airport on 28 February, 1991.  In April 1991, first Light Armored Infantry Battalion (Task Force Shepherd) returned to Camp Pendleton, California.

On 1 may 1992, again demonstrating it's rapid deployment capabilities, First Light Armored Infantry Battalion deployed to Los Angeles on a four hour notice and assisted the Long Beach Police Department in quelling civil disturbances and looting in the City of long Beach.  The Battalion was deployed with special Purpose Marine Air/Ground Task Force (MAGTF), Los Angeles from 1 May to 9 May 1992.  During this deployment the Battalion provided static and roving security support to the City of Long Beach.

On 12 June 1992, First Light Armored Infantry Battalion was deactivated, and all Marines and equipment were transferred to First Reconnaissance Battalion. First Reconnaissance Battalion was then redesignated as First Reconnaissance Battalion (Light Armored). This critical force structure change was made recognizing the strengths that each Battalion would contribute to the new organization and the requirement to downsize the Corps.
On 1 March 1994, First Reconnaissance Battalion (Light Armored) underwent another change and was redesignated First Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion.

In addition to regular training, First Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion has conducted numerous exercises including Kernal Raider, Mountain Warfare Training Center, Bridgeport, CA., and Fire and Combined Arms Exercises at Twenty-none Palms. The Battalion provides the Light Armored Vehicle to the Marine Expeditionary Units and has been part of the GCE for the Air Contingency Force. The Battalion has also formulated and implemented the Battalion Scout and Gunnery training packages.
First Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion figures significantly in all potential contingency scenarios ranging from humanitarian missions to offensive operations.