Combat Tested - Combat Proven

3rd Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion, the Wolfpack, is one of three active fast and mobilized armored reconnaissance battalions in the United States Marine Corps; there is also one reserve.  The primary weapons platform for this elite, specialized unit is the Light Armored Vehicle-25 (LAV-25).   There are five additional platforms that support the Wolfpack's combat effectiveness - the TOW Missile Variant (LAV-AT), 81mm Mortar Variant (LAV-M), Logistics Variant, affectionately referred to as the Log, (LAV-L), and the Command, a Control Variant (LAV-C2), known as the C-Square, and a Maintenance and Recovery Variant (LAV-R).    

The Wolfpack is based at the Marine Air Ground Combat Center (MCAGCC) in 29 Palms, California but is assigned to the First Marine Division and I Marine Expeditionary Force, each located at Camp Pendleton, California.   

A battle-tested unit, the Wolfpack has seen combat action in the Gulf War; Desert Shield/Desert Storm - 1990-1991;  Somalia; Operation Restore Hope - 1992-1993;  Somalia; Operation United Shield - 1995;  Iraq; Operation Iraqi Freedom I - February - June 2003;  Operation Iraqi Freedom II - November 2004 - March 2005; Operation Iraqi Freedom 05-07 - March - October 2006; Operation Iraqi Freedom 06-08 - September 2007 - April 2008; Operation Iraqi Freedom 9.01 - March - September 2009; Operation Enduring Freedom - November 2010 - May 2011; April - October 2012.  

Between combat deployments, the Wolfpack also participated in various other key strategic and humanitarian operations such as:  Operation Firey Vigil - Post Pinatubo Volcanic Eruption in the Philippines - 1991;  Joint Task Force-6, Counter Drug Operations, Angeles National Forest - 1994;  Operation Desert Fox, Kuwait - 1998.    

The 3rd LAI/LAR Battalion Wolfpack Association was established in 2010 to bring past and current members of the Wolfpack together and provide a means of communication that would ensure that the camaraderie continues far into the future.