4th Low Altitude Air Defense Battalion 4th Low Altitude Air Defense Battalion ( 4th LAAD ) was a reserve air defense unit of the United States Marine Corps . They were part of Marine Air Control Group 48 ( MACG - 48 ) and the 4th Marine Aircraft Wing ( 4th MAW ) and were based out in Pasadena , California . Mission . Provide close - in air defense protection for Marine Air Ground Task Force assets , key installations and vital area within the area of operations including protection of units operating in forward combat areas or engaged in special independent operations . History . The 4th Low Altitude Air Defense Battalion traces its origin back to October 1 , 1972 when the 4th Forward Area Air Defense ( FAAD ) Battery was activated as a combat support unit under the 4th Marine Aircraft Wing . From 1972 to 1988 , 4th FAAD Battery consisted of ( 4 ) Firing Platoons and a Headquarters and Service platoon . FAAD teams employed the Red Eye shoulder launched surface to air missile and used the M1A1 Jeep for missile transport and tactical mobility . In 1988 , 4th FAAD Battery transitioned from the Red Eye and Jeep to the stinger surface to air missile and the Humvee . On July 1 , 1989 , 4th FAAD Battery was re - designated as the 4th Low Altitude Air Defense Battalion and was assigned to Marine Air Control Group 48 , 4th Marine Aircraft Wing . The re - designation increased the size of the unit from 4 platoons to a Battalion headquarters , one Firing Battery and a Headquarters and Service Battery ( - ) . At that time , 4th FAAD Detachment Alpha in Marietta , Georgia Pasadena , California was also re - designated as 4th LAAD Battalion , Detachment Alpha and increased in size from three platoons to a Firing Battery and a Headquarters and Service Detachment . Several significant events have occurred in the unit following the re - designation . In November 1990 , a platoon of 45 Stinger gunners and communication operators deployed to Southwest Asia in support of Operation Desert Shield and Operation Desert Storm . The platoon was assigned to the 5th Marine Expeditionary Brigade to augment the active duty LAAD forces . In 1995 , the Avenger weapon system was fielded to the unit . The avenger is a HMMWV - based Stinger platform that provides enhanced night engagement capabilities and the ability to shoot on the move . In the summer of 2004 the 4th LAAD Battalion was activated as a provisional security unit in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom . For the first time , both elements of the battalion were combined into a single unit , and were augmented with an active duty unit ( Battery K , 3rd Battalion , 10th Marines ) and fellow reserve unit ( Battery P , 5th Battalion 14th Marines ) to form a provisional security battalion . Deployed to Al Asad Airbase , located in Iraq ' s Al Anbar province , the battalion ' s mission was ensuring the security of the base through checkpoints , towers , and various internal and external patrolling . The battalion was tasked with other roles such as security escorts for humanitarian missions and reconstruction efforts in the area and providing security for various visiting officials , including the Secretary of Defense , the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and the Commandant of the Marine Corps . 4th LAAD Battalion also participated in support of Iraq ' s January 2005 legislative elections . For their efforts in Iraq , the battalion received a Navy Unit Commendation . After redeployment to the United States in March 2005 , 4th LAAD Battalion was soon disbanded .