2-й батальон 11-й морской артиллерии: История и современность

2nd Battalion, 11th Marines (2/11) is an artillery battalion comprising four firing batteries (Echo, Fox, Golf, and India) and a Headquarters Battery. The battalion is stationed at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California. Its primary weapon system is the M777 lightweight howitzer. The battalion was the first in the Marine Corps to fully transition from the M198 Howitzer. They fall under the command of the 11th Marine Regiment and the 1st Marine Division.

Provide direct support of the 11th Marine Regiment in time of conflict. That support may come in the traditional fashion of artillery support to maneuver forces, or by providing batteries to serve as provisional rifle companies. They also have the secondary mission of conducting civil military operations or "CAG Ops".

The battalion was activated November 5, 1918, at Montierchame, France, as the 2d Battalion, 11th Regiment. They were relocated during July–August 1919 to Hampton Roads, Virginia, and were deactivated August 11, 1919.

2/11 was reactivated on May 9, 1927, at Marine Corps Base Quantico, Virginia, as the 2d Battalion, 11th Regiment. Deployed during May 1927 to Chinandega, Nicaragua, and assigned to the 2d Brigade. They participated in operations against dissidents in May–July 1927. They were redesignated July 1, 1927, as the 2d Separate Battalion, 11th Regiment, and relocated to San Diego, California. The battalion was deactivated September 10, 1927. They were again reactivated on January 5, 1928, at San Diego, California, as the 2d Battalion, 11th Regiment. The battalion deployed during January 1928 to Corinto, Nicaragua, and assigned to the 2d Brigade. They were deactivated August 20, 1929, on board the Henderson while en route to the United States.

2/11 was again reactivated on January 1, 1941, at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, as the 2d Battalion, 11th Marines, 1st Brigade. Relocated during April 1941 to Parris Island, South Carolina. They deployed during June 1942 to Wellington, New Zealand. The battalion participated in the following World War II battles: Battle of Guadalcanal, Finschhafen, Battle of New Britain, Battle of Peleliu and the Battle of Okinawa. They redeployed during September 1945 to Tientsin, China, and participated in the occupation of Northern China from September 1945 to December 1946. They were reassigned during January 1947 to the Fleet Marine Force and redeployed during January – February 1947 to Guam. Relocated during April–May 1947 they moved to Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California, and were reassigned to the 3rd Marine Brigade. They were again reassigned during July 1947 to the 1st Marine Division and relocated during August 1947 to Marine Corps Logistics Base Barstow, California. 2/11 was deactivated on September 28, 1947.

The battalion was reactivated on August 7, 1950, at Camp Pendleton as the 2nd Battalion, 11th Marines, 1st Marine Division, and deployed during August–September 1950 to Kobe, Japan. They participated in the Korean War, operating at Inchon Seoul, the Chosin Reservoir, East Central front, Western front. They were stationed at the Korean Demilitarized Zone from July 1953 March 1955 and finally relocated during March 1955 to Camp Pendleton, California.

2/11 deployed during February–March 1966 to Camp Hansen, Okinawa. They again redeployed during May 1966 to Republic of Vietnam and participated in the Vietnam War from March 1966 to March 1971, operating from Chu Lai, Tam Ky, Hue/Phu Bai, Thon Back Thack, Cao Doi and An Hoa. They returned in March–April 1971 to Camp Pendleton, California.

2/11 deployed during January 2003 with the 1st Marine Division to Kuwait. They participated in the 2003 invasion of Iraq as part of Regimental Combat Team 5. 2/11 fired tens of thousands of artillery rounds throughout the war. Destroying all buildings, vehicles, and personnel that were in their way. 2/11 were Amongst the ranks of the U. S forces Striking fear into Saddam Hussein, having him offer cash prizes for Iraqi’s who down "enemy" planes and kill or capture invading U. S artillery or troops. Fox Btry (Fury5) had encounter intense firefights with enemy combatants during their push up north, earning Fox battery the Combat Action Ribbon during OIF. The battalion relocated during back to Camp Pendleton, California, in August 2003. In August 2004, the battalion again deployed in support of OIF and operated as a provisional military police with the 1st Marine Division in Ramadi, Iraq. They returned to Camp Pendleton in March 2005. From then to September 2007, individual batteries continued to deploy as both traditional artillery and provisional military police throughout Al Anbar. From February 2008 through February 2009 the battalion deployed as civil affairs unit to areas of Fallujah, Ramadi and far western Al Anbar Province.

2/11 deployed to Helmand Province, Afghanistan, in 2011 to support border security operations as part of Task Force Leatherneck operating out of Camp Leatherneck Golf Battery 2/11 operated as a provisional rifle company based at FOB outpost Zebrugee at Kajaki dam. 2/11 Golf engaged enemy forces pushed north during Operation Eastern Storm in Helmand Province. During deployment 2/11 Golf accurately engaged a target with an Excalibur GPS guided round in excess of 25 miles, a current record.