Early Years

1st Light Armored Vehicle Battalion was activated in May 1985 and began receiving the first of its LAV-25 light armored vehicles in July 1985. On 9 October 1988 the battalion’s name was changed to 1st Light Armored Infantry Battalion.

Charlie Company, 1st Light Armored Infantry Battalion is a  mechanized infantry company of the United States Marine Corps.  The primary weapon system of Charlie Company is the LAV 25.  Charlie Company is part of the 1st Light Armored Infantry Battalion and part of the 1st Marine Division (1^st MarDiv), I Marine Expeditionary Force (I MEF). The unit is based out of Camp Pendleton, California.  The Company is made up three platoons; 1st, 2nd, and Headquarters Platoons.  A Weapons Platoon is attached during military exercises or deployments in support of the company.   Line platoons normally consist of six vehicles (LAV-25s) each.

1990s and the Persian Gulf War

In January 1990, Charlie Company, 1^st Light Armored Infantry Battalion, deployed aboard the USS Fort Fisher for a six month western Pacific (WestPac) cruise attached to the 15^th Marine Expeditionary Unit, Special Operations Capable (MUESOC).  Other ships assigned to the 15th MUESOC included the USS Peleliu, the USS Fresno, and the USS Cleveland.  

Charlie Company participated as part of Team Spirit 1990 in South Korea.  The 15^th MUESOC also participated in military exercises inSouth Korea, Philippines, andIwo Jima.  Other ports visited included Okinawa, Hong Kong, Singapore, and Pearl Harbor. The unit returned to Camp Pendleton in July 1990.

On 28 August 1990, Charlie Company, 1st Light Armored Infantry Battalion, deployed to Southwest Asia in response toIraq’s invasion of Kuwait.  Charlie  Company arrived via a military chartered United Airlines Boeing 747 jumbo jet  in Daharan, Saudi Arabia on 29 August 1990 at approximately 10:10 pm.  The temperature was a scorching 94 degrees.  

During Operation Desert Shield, Charlie Company was the forward unit of the 1st Marine Division, conducting screening and counter-reconnaissance operations along the Kuwaiti-Saudi Arabian border. During Operation Desert Storm, after breaching the Iraqi defensive positions, Charlie Company attacked north to locate and destroy enemy forces. On the third day of the ground offensive, Charlie Company was the first of the Allied Forces to enterKuwaitCity, capturingKuwaitInternationalAirporton 28 February 1991. At 0630 am on 28 February 1991, Charlie Company raised both the American and Marine Corps Flags at theKuwaitiInternationalAirport.  The battalion redeployed to theUnited Statesin April 1991. 

 On May 1, 1992, Bravo Company, 1st 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. After a successful deployment as part of the Special Purpose Marine Air Ground Task Force Los Angeles, the battalion returned once again toCampPendleton.

 On June 12, 1992, 1st Light Armored Infantry Battalion was redesignated as First Reconnaissance Battalion (Light Armored). Almost two years later, on March 1, 1994, 1st Reconnaissance Battalion (Light Armored) underwent another name change and was redesignated First Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion.

TODAY

Global War on Terror  

In December 2001, Bravo Company, 1st Light Armored Reconnaissance (LAR) Battalion  deployed to Afghanistan as part of the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable) in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. It performed a variety of combat/reconnaissance missions in the rugged terrain of Afghanistan.

 In January 2003, 1st LAR was deployed toSouthwest Asiain support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. The battalion, operating as part of Regimental Combat Team Five, was the first unit to cross the Iraqi-Kuwaiti Border on March 20, 2003. After attacking northward throughIraq, 1st LAR was instrumental in securing the capital ofBaghdad. Due to its unique mobility and reconnaissance capabilities, the battalion left Regimental Combat Team Five and was assigned to Task Force Tripoli. As part of Task Force Tripoli, the battalion advanced further north, ultimately securing former Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein’s hometown of Tikrit. Following the cessation of major combat operations the Battalion moved from the northern portion ofIraqto the country’s extreme southern area along the Saudi-Arabian border to halt and deter illegal smuggling into Iraq. The battalion redeployed to theUnited Statesat the end of May 2003.

 In February 2004 1st LAR again returned to Iraq. The battalion conducted security and stability operations in the Al Anbar province of western Iraqas part of Regimental Combat Team Seven. 1st LAR performed a wide range of critical missions, including key roles in regimental size operations, in order to capture or kill terrorist and insurgent forces. Additionally, the battalion was vital in patrolling the western borders ofIraqin order to prevent the infiltration of arms and insurgents. The battalion returned to theUnited Statesin October 2004.

 As of March 2006, parts of the battalion are responsible for security and stabilization in the area around Ar Rutba in westernIraq.

Equipment

The LAV-25 is an all-terrain, all-weather vehicle with night capabilities.  Newer versions may be equipped with infrared and/or thermo (heat) vision systems and/or sighting equipment. It is air transportable via C-130, C-17 Globemaster, C-5 Galaxy and CH-53E.

 The LAV-25 is fully amphibious with a maximum of 3 minutes preparation. It is transportable via amphibious and/or landing ships and is capable of performing amphibious beach landings via landing dock ships, landing craft air cushion (LCAC), or even under it’s own power (non-ocean only).  

The LAV-25 is  fitted with a turret with a 360° traverse, armed with an M242 25 mm chain gun with 420 rounds of 25 mm ammunition both M791 APDS-T (Armour Piercing Discarding Sabot-Tracer) and M792 HEI-T (High Explosive Incendiary-Tracer), of which half is ready for use, 150 rounds are ready for use from one stowage bin, 60 from another stowage bin, the other 210 rounds are stowed elsewhere in the vehicle. A coaxial M240C machine gun is mounted alongside the M242, and a pintle mounted M240 G/B machine gun, with 1,320 rounds of 7.62 mm ammunition.  There are 8 ready rounds and 8 stowed rounds of smoke grenades.  

The vehicle crew consists of the driver, a gunner and vehicle commander (VC).  The LAV-25 also carries up to four combat ready U.S. Marines (scouts) who perform reconnaissance and/or other combat missions.

The vehicle has been through many changes through the late 90s. The new modification Service Life Extension Program (SLEP) has changed the LAV-25 to the LAV-25A1 standard and has been completely fielded. Funding has been approved for continued upgrades to the LAV family to bring them up to the LAV-25A2 standard. Phase I improvements include increased external and internal ballistic armor upgrades, improved fire suppression equipment, and upgrading the vehicle's suspension to the Generation II standard. Phase II upgrades include replacing the turret hydraulics with an electric drive system and replacing the thermal sight with an improved model incorporating a laser range finder.

General Overview of the LAV

Powered by a 6V53T Detroit Diesel Turbo-Charged engine, LAVs are 4 wheel drive (rear wheels) transferable to 8-wheel drive.  These vehicles are also amphibious, meaning they have the ability to "swim", but are limited to non-surf bodies of water (no oceans).  While engaged in amphibious operations, the maximum speed is approximately 10-12 miles per hour (mph).  Typical land speeds are approximately 60-70 mph in either 4 or 8-wheel drive, however fuel economy decreases in 8-wheel drive.  Speeds upwards of 70 mph are possible depending on the load of the vehicle and operating conditions. The LAV operates on diesel fuel (JP-8), and requires 2 weights of lubricants to remain in running condition.

LAV Variants

LAV fitted with an Emerson 901A1 TOW 2 ATGM (Anti-Tank Guided Missile) launcher (Same turret that was fitted on the M901 ITV (Improved TOW Vehicle). It is also armed with a pintle mounted M240E1 machine gun. It carries a total of 16 TOW missiles, and 1,000 rounds of 7.62 mm ammunition.

LAV fitted with opening doors on the top, inside it is fitted with an 81 mm M252 mortar, with 360° traverse, and a pintle mounted M240E1 machine gun. It carries 99 81 mm mortar shells, and 1,000 rounds of 7.62 mm ammunition.

LAV fitted with an electric turret mounting a 25 mm GAU-12 Equalizer gatling cannon, and two, four missile pods, which contain FIM-92 Stinger SAM (Surface-To-Air Missiles). It carries 990 rounds of 25 mm ammunition, and 16 FIM-92 Stinger missiles. This variant has been removed from service. A variant using the Mistral missile in place of Stingers was developed for the export market.

LAV fitted with a boom crane, and recovery winch, for use in recovery of vehicles, specifically other LAVs. It is armed with a pintle mounted M240 E1/G machine gun, and carries 1,000 rounds of 7.62 mm ammunition.

LAV with a raised roof to accommodate several VHF, UHF and HF radios. It is armed with a pintle mounted M240 E1/G machine gun, and carries 1,000 rounds of 7.62 mm ammunition. Generally referred to as the C² ("C-square").

LAV modified for use in a logistics role (e.g., cargo transport).

LAV modified for use in an electronic warfare role.

Proposed replacement for LAV-M, LAV fitted with provisions to use a 120mm recoil mortar system.