3rd Intelligence Battalion
Encyclopedia
3rd Intelligence Battalion (3rd Intel) is a United States Marine Corps
military intelligence and counter intelligence unit based at Marine Corps Base Camp Hansen, Okinawa, Japan. They provide the III Marine Expeditionary Force
with intelligence products and analysis.
, Okinawa, Japan as the 3d Intelligence Company, 3d Surveillance, Reconnaissance, Intelligence Group under the command of the III Marine Expeditionary Force (III MEF). In December of that year they were relocated to their present base at Camp Hansen. During June 1995 they were reassigned to Headquarters and Service Battalion at III MEF.
The battalion was designated as the 3rd Intelligence Battalion on 2 April 1999. In October 1999 they were reassigned to the III MEF Headquarters group. They have participated in various operations and exercises throughout the Pacific region during the course of their history.
Although 3rd Intelligence Battalion is a non-deployable unit, they occasionally send detachments in support of combat operations. In May 2009, the battalion sent a detachment to Operation Enduring Freedom under the 2nd Marine Expeditionary Brigade. 3rd Intel's detachment arrived on Camp Bastion
in South Helmand Province
19 May 2009. 3rd Intelligence Battalion's detachment provided critical intel leading up to and during Operation Khanjar, Operation Cobra's Anger
, and Operation Moshtarak
. The Marines from 3rd Intelligence Battalion's detachment returned home to Okinawa on 12 March 2010.
United States Marine Corps
The United States Marine Corps is a branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for providing power projection from the sea, using the mobility of the United States Navy to deliver combined-arms task forces rapidly. It is one of seven uniformed services of the United States...
military intelligence and counter intelligence unit based at Marine Corps Base Camp Hansen, Okinawa, Japan. They provide the III Marine Expeditionary Force
III Marine Expeditionary Force
The III Marine Expeditionary Force is a Marine Air-Ground Task Force of the United States Marine Corps that is forward-deployed and able to deploy rapidly and conduct operations across the spectrum from humanitarian assistance and disaster relief to amphibious assault and high intensity combat. III...
with intelligence products and analysis.
Mission
3rd Intel's mission is to plan and direct, collect, process, produce and disseminate intelligence, and provide counterintelligence support to the MEF Command Element, MEF major subordinate commands, subordinate Marine Air Ground Task Forces (MAGTF), and other commands as directed.History
The battalion was activated on 1 October 1990 at Camp CourtneyCamp Courtney
Camp Courtney is a United States Marine Base located in Uruma City, Okinawa Prefecture, Japan. It is part of the larger Marine Corps Base Camp Smedley D. Butler and home to the III Marine Expeditionary Force headquarters as well as the 3rd Marine Division Headquarters. It is named after Major...
, Okinawa, Japan as the 3d Intelligence Company, 3d Surveillance, Reconnaissance, Intelligence Group under the command of the III Marine Expeditionary Force (III MEF). In December of that year they were relocated to their present base at Camp Hansen. During June 1995 they were reassigned to Headquarters and Service Battalion at III MEF.
The battalion was designated as the 3rd Intelligence Battalion on 2 April 1999. In October 1999 they were reassigned to the III MEF Headquarters group. They have participated in various operations and exercises throughout the Pacific region during the course of their history.
Although 3rd Intelligence Battalion is a non-deployable unit, they occasionally send detachments in support of combat operations. In May 2009, the battalion sent a detachment to Operation Enduring Freedom under the 2nd Marine Expeditionary Brigade. 3rd Intel's detachment arrived on Camp Bastion
Camp Bastion
Camp Bastion is the main British military base in Afghanistan. Accommodating 21,000 people it is situated northwest of Lashkar Gah, the capital of Helmand Province, and exists to be the logistics hub for operations in Helmand....
in South Helmand Province
Helmand Province
Helmand is one of the 34 provinces of Afghanistan. It is in the southwest of the country. Its capital is Lashkar Gah. The Helmand River flows through the mainly desert region, providing water for irrigation....
19 May 2009. 3rd Intelligence Battalion's detachment provided critical intel leading up to and during Operation Khanjar, Operation Cobra's Anger
Operation Cobra's Anger
Operation Cobra's Anger was a US-led offensive in Helmand province in southern Afghanistan. About 1,000 Marines as well as 150 Afghan troops were involved. The operation began in the early hours of 4 December 2009...
, and Operation Moshtarak
Operation Moshtarak
Operation Moshtarak was an ISAF pacification offensive in the area that is described as the "poppy-growing belt" of Helmand Province in southern Afghanistan. The combat operations started on February 13, 2010, and focuses on the Nad Ali District and Lashkar Gah district...
. The Marines from 3rd Intelligence Battalion's detachment returned home to Okinawa on 12 March 2010.
Subordinate units
- Headquarters Company
- Production and Analysis Company
- Counter Intelligence/Human Intelligence Company
- Ground Sensor Platoon