4th Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion (4th LARB) is a fast and mobilized armored terrestrial reconnaissance battalion of the United States Marine Corps reserve. Their primary weapon system is the LAV-25 and they are part of the 4th Marine Division and Marine Forces Reserve. The unit headquarters is at Camp Pendleton, California, but other units in the battalion are located throughout the United States. 4th LAR Bn is the largest combat battalion in the Marine Corps, with 7 companies. Mission The LAR battalion performs combined arms reconnaissance and security missions in support of the Ground Combat Element (GCE) of a Marine Air-Ground Task Force (MAGTF). Its mission is to conduct reconnaissance, security and economy of force operations, and, within its capabilities, limited offensive or defensive operations that exploit the unit’s mobility and firepower. The LAR battalion may function as an independent maneuver element or as an element of a larger unit such as a regimental combat team, or its subordinate companies may support other tactical units in the GCE. Current units Organization An LAV platoon consists of 4 vehicles usually divided into Alpha section and Bravo section. The platoon commander will control one section and also be the vehicle commander (VC) of one of the LAV's and the platoon sergeant will control the other section and serve as a VC as well. A crew consists of a driver, usually the least senior 0313 (MOS designation for LAV Crewman), a VC and the gunner. The gunner operates the main gun, the M242 Bushmaster chaingun. The VC makes target acquisition changes and helps the gunner make adjustments. The remaining crew consists of Scouts (0311). The LAV can hold four scouts, but under the Table of Organization, there are only three assigned per vehicle. There is also one mechanic and one corpsman per platoon. History The 1980s and 1990s The 4th Light Armored Vehicle Battalion was activated on September 23, 1987. On 13 November 1990, half of Company A and a portion Headquarters and Service Company were activated in support of operation Desert Sheild/ Storm. The Light company was augmented by Marines for Company F, 2/25 and company D, 1st LAV Battalion. Company A 4th LAV BN ultimately augmented the 1st Marine Division as part of RLT5 of the 5th Marine Expeditionary Bergade 5th MEB. Company A, 4th LAV spefiffically augmented the 2nd and 3rd Battalions of the 5th Matine regiment. In December 1990,