MARINE CORPS DISBANDS TANK BATTALIONS; 1ST TANKS BATTALION LEAVES TWENTYNINE PALMS

The Marine Corps is downsizing to become a lighter and faster fighting force. As part of that effort, the Marines are disbanding its three tank battalions, including 1^st Tank Battalion that was stationed at Twentynine Palms. Managing editor Tami Roleff has more information about the move…

Last week, you may have seen huge semis hauling Marine Corps tanks on the highways of the Morongo Basin. The move is part of a plan announced in March by Marine Corps Commandant David Berger to redesign the Corps to make it a lighter and faster force to fight overseas. Berger’s plan will eliminate three tank battalions, including 1^st Tanks at the Marine Corps Air-Ground Combat Center. The Marines at 1^st Tank Battalion on board the Combat Center removed tanks from the base last week. The other tank battalions are 2^nd Tanks in Camp LeJeune, North Carolina, and 4^th Tanks, a reserve unit in New Orleans.

Berger’s plan will reduce the size of the Marine Corps by 12,000 Marines and will include the elimination of law enforcement battalions. It will also cut the number of infantry battalions, artillery cannon batteries, amphibious vehicle companies, and aviation squadrons. The changes are expected to take 10 years before the Marine Corps has fully reduced in size.

The Marine Corps Force Reduction Plan would:

• Get rid of all of the Corps’ tank battalions and associated Military Occupational Specialties, law enforcement battalions, and bridging companies.
• Reduce the number of infantry battalions from 24 to 21.
• Go from 21 to 5 cannon batteries.
• Cut the number of amphibious vehicle companies from 6 to 4.
• Cut back all tilt rotor, attack, and heavy lift squadrons.
• Deactivate Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 264; Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 462; Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 469; Marine Wing Support Groups 27 and 37; 8th Marine Regiment Headquarters Company; and 3rd Battalion, 8th Marines.
• Realign 1st Battalion, 8th Marines to 2nd Marines; and 2nd Battalion, 8th Marines to 6th Marines.
• Deactivate Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 367 and relocating it to Camp Pendleton, California.
• Cancel the activation of 5th Battalion, 10th Marines. Its assigned batteries will realign under existing 10th Marine Regiment structure.
• Cut the number of F-35B and C Joint Strike Fighters from 16 to 10 per squadron.