 Before the August 2 , 1990 , invasion of Kuwait by Saddam Hussein 's Iraqi forces , 2nd Battalion , 9th Marines was deployed to Okinawa , Japan as part of the Unit <unk> Program . In October 1990 the unit deployed to the Republic of the Philippines where it became the Ground Combat <unk> of Marine Air @-@ Ground Task Force ( <unk> ) 4 @-@ 90 . On November 1990 , the island of <unk> , a Philippine <unk> , was devastated by a typhoon . Members of the battalion provided assistance during the disaster relief efforts . The Battalion remained in the Philippines until April 1991 when it returned to Okinawa , Japan . Subsequently the Battalion returned to Camp <unk> in August 1991 . 
