9th Engineer Support Battalion

Infobox Military Unit
unit_name= 9th Engineer Support Battalion


caption= 9th ESB insignia
dates= November 1, 1965 - present
country= United States
allegiance=
branch= USMC
type=
role= Engineering support
size=
command_structure= 3rd Marine Logistics Group
III Marine Expeditionary Force
current_commander= LtCol Mark J. Menotti
garrison= Camp Hansen, Okinawa, Japan
ceremonial_chief=
colonel_of_the_regiment=
nickname= Team 9
patron=
motto= "Excellence in Engineering"
colors=
march=
mascot=
battles= Vietnam War
Operation Enduring Freedom
Operation Iraqi Freedom
notable_commanders=
anniversaries=

The 9th Engineer Support Battalion (9th ESB) is an engineering support unit of the United States Marine Corps and is headquartered at Camp Hansen, Okinawa, Japan. The unit falls under the 3rd Marine Logistics Group and the III Marine Expeditionary Force.

Mission

Provide general engineering support to III Marine Expeditionary Force including survivability, countermobility & mobility enhancements, explosive ordnance disposal, bulk water production & storage, and bulk fuel storage & distribution.

Current units

* Headquarters and Service Company
* Alpha Company
* Engineering Support Company
* Bulk Fuel Company

History

Vietnam War

The 9th Engineer Support Battalion of the 3rd Marine Logistices Group was once titled the 9th Engineer Battalion. The 9th Engineer Battalion was activated on November 1, 1965 at the Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton and was under the operational control of the Commanding General Force Troops, located at Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms.

On May 2, 1966, elements of the battalion began deploying to the Republic of Vietnam and by June 17, 1966 all of the battalion had arrived in the country and were located in and around Chu Lai. There they repaired vital road networks and reconstructed many villages south of Chu Lai. June 29, 1966 found Alpha Company departing for Da Nang under the operational control of the 7th Engineer Battalion.

While in Vietnam the 9th Engineer Battalion was responsible for the repair and mine sweeps of many of the major highways and bridges, for camp construction, for building ferries and for supporting the army and many foreign units on the battlefront. The Battalion participated in operations such as Colorado, Fresno, Nappa, and Golden Fleece.On March 2, 1970; Hawaii became the next duty station for Company A. while the rest of the battalion was returned to Camp Pendleton by September 11, 1970. At Camp Pendleton the battalion became part of the 5th Marine Amphibious Brigade until it was deactivated and retired its colors on October 30, 1970.

The 9th Engineer Support Battalion was activated on May 1, 1976 on Okinawa, Japan. Since activated, Camp Hansen has served as home for the battalion.

The 1990s

Company A, 9th ESB was the lead element in planning and conducting humanitarian construction operations in East Timor from September to December 2000. Additionally, they have completed several Habitat for Humanity projects in Bangladesh and South Korea.

Global War on Terror

9th ESB provided real-world operational support to Joint Task Force 510 (Special Operation Command), Basilan Island, Philippines in support of Operation Enduring Freedom from April to July 2002. By improving 81 kilometers of roads, creating helicopter landing zones, and opening an overgrown airfield, the Battalion improved the mobility of U.S. forces on the island during the Global War on Terrorism.

Explosive Ordnance Disposal Platoon continues to supports de-mining efforts throughout the Pacific Theater and provides technician in support of Presidential Operations as required.

9th Engineer Support Battalion earned the Marine Corps Engineer Association award for the best engineer support battalion of the year for 2000 and 2001.

In March 2007, 9th ESB returned from a seven month tour in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. During the deployment they were based out of Camp Taqaddum in Al Anbar Province and built new roads, repaired buildings and constructed observation posts and command outposts for the Iraqi Army and Coalition Forces. [cite web
last =
first =
authorlink =
coauthors =
title = 9th Engineer Support Battalion returns from Iraq to cheers, tears
work = Marine Corps News
publisher = United States Marine Corps
date =
url = http://www.usmc.mil/marinelink/mcn2000.nsf/main5/998A81951ECDEDC2852572AD001BCDA2?opendocument
format =
doi =
accessdate = 2007-03-30]

See also

* List of United States Marine Corps battalions
* Organization of the United States Marine Corps

References

;Notes:Marine Corps

;Web
* [http://www.3mlg.usmc.mil/9THESB.html 9th ESB's official website]