MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. -- Third Low Altitude Air Defense Battalion (3rd LAAD Bn.) rededicated its Training and Simulation Facility aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California, May 8.
Marines with 3rd LAAD Bn., Marine Air Control Group 38, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing utilize the facility to improve Marines’ proficiency with the FIM-92 Stinger Man Portable Air Defense System.
“The training facility prepares Marines to carry on the battalion’s 28-year legacy as the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing’s only force in readiness for both air defense and ground security missions,” said Lt. Col. Wayne Zuber, the commanding officer of the battalion.
The battalion recently renovated the facility with state-of-the-art equipment in order to provide Marines with a better training environment.
“Today is the first day that [the facility] is ready to go,” said 1st Sgt. Rammses J. Alpizar, sergeant major of 3rd LAAD Bn. “It has a new computer system, new screens and new projectors.”
Maj. Gen. Michael Rocco, 3rd MAW commanding general, joined with 3rd LAAD Bn. leaders in cutting the ribbon at the end of the ceremony.
With the facility now operational, the battalion looks forward to what it can do in the future.
“We’re going to carry on the battalion’s 28 year legacy,” Zuber said. “Use [the facility] well; it will prepare you for the next fight.”