2nd Battalion of the 11th Marines ("Patriot") is an artillery battalion comprising three firing batteries (Echo, Fox, and Golf) 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. Mission 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". Current units Headquarters Battery (HQ) Battery E (Echo) Battery F (Fox) Battery G (Golf) History The battalion was activated September 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. 1927–1929 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 while en route to the United States. World War II 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