9th Engineer Support Battalion
3d Force Service Support Group
III U.S. Marine Expeditionary Force
Camp Hansen, Okinawa, Japan
as of 7 Mar 01

Mission

To increase the combat effectiveness of the landing force by accomplishing general engineering missions of a deliberate nature; including vertical construction, installation and provision for fixed panel and float bridging, storage and distribution of bulk fuel, bulk water purification, storage and distribution, electrical power, showers, laundry, earthmoving, disposal of unsafe explosive, chemical, nuclear and biological ordnance, and other engineer combat support responsibilities.

Motto: "SEND IN THE ENGINEERS!"

9th Engineer Battalion

On 2 March 1970, Hawaii became the duty station for Company A while the rest of the Battalion returned from Vietnam to Camp Pendleton by 11 September 1970. At Camp Pendleton, the Battalion became part of the 5th Marine Brigade until it was deactivated and retired its colors on 30 October 1970.

9th Engineer Support Battalion

9th Engineer Support Battalion was reactivated on 1 May 1976 on Okinawa. Since reactivation, Camp Hansen has served as the home of the Battalion. On 1 October 1981 the 1st Bulk fuel Company was activated, followed by Company B and Engineer Support Company on 1 November 1981, bringing the Battalions strength to five companies. On 1 July 1982, Company C was added, with the activation of Bridge Company on 1 September 1983.

The Battalion's strength until 1992 was seven companies and its Table of Organization called for over 1400 Marines. As a result of reorganization of 3d Force Service Support Group (FSSG), Company C was deactivated on 30 September 1993 and Bridge Company was cadred on 1 May 1994. Company B was deactivated on 1 July 1996. The Battalion presently has four companies with an assigned strength of 762 Marines and Sailors.

The Battalion has continued to provide engineer support and humanitarian assistance to various elements of III Marine Expeditionary Force (MEF) and nations in the Pacific Area of Operations as well as Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Bangladesh, and Micronesia. Continuous support of III MEF includes bulk fuel support, bridging, complex horizontal and vertical construction, laundry and bath/shower support, mobile electrical power and water purification. Because of the size and diversity of the 9th Engineers, it is capable of accomplishing many missions and rapidly responds for contingencies as well as humanitarian support missions.

Since its activation the Battalion has earned the distinction of having two of its Marines go on to become the Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps, Sergeant Major David Sommers and Sergeant Major Gene Overstreet.

South West Asia 1990-1991

Members of the Battalion were among the first units from III MEF to deploy to Southwest Asia for Operations Desert Shield & Desert Storm, and the last to depart Saudi Arabia. Our vital role in providing engineer support to increase combat effectiveness was at an all time high in during Operations Desert Shield & Desert Storm. The Marines performed round the clock operations to intensify the efforts regarding to expel Iraq from Kuwait. Though constantly facing the threat of indirect fire, the Marines from 9th Engineer Support Battalion relentlessly proved themselves.

Operation Sea Angel 1991

Members of the Battalion responded to the call for humanitarian assistance for the flood-ravaged people of Bangladesh while operating from the USS St Louis, LKA 116. Marines from 9th Engineers performed a variety of tasks ranging from water purification, to electric and construction support. Additional support was given to retrieve and dispose of corpses retrieved when water from the flood receded.

Operation Fiery Vigil I 1991

Once again responding to the call for humanitarian assistance, elements of the Battalion deployed to U.S. Naval facilities in the Philippines due to the eruption of Mt. Pintabo. Joined by the detachment of Operation Sea Angel Marines returning from Bangladesh, Marines worked around the clock to provide the basic necessities of water, shelter and electricity.

Operation Fiery Vigil II 1991

Marines from Company B deployed to the Republic of the Philippines while attached to elements of 3d Combat Engineer Battalion. In support of Operation Fiery Vigil II, Company B fulfilled the role of a provisional rifle company for the Ground Combat Element of Marine Air Ground Task Force 90, to assist with the security of Subic Bay Naval Facility and the Binictan Housing Area. They were the lead unit for potential missions involving the reinforcement of the U.S. Embassy and Seafront Compound in Manila and for Non-combatant Evacuations Operations. Once again, 9th Engineers showed the versatility of U.S. Marine Corps Engineers.

Micronesia 1993

In July 1992 elements of the Battalion returned from a humanitarian assistance mission in the Federated States of Micronesia where relief was provided to the drought stricken state of Chuuk. There, members of the battalion performed various drought relief effort tasks, of which the most significant was the purification of salt-water to provide drinking water in Truk Lagoon, Island of Dublon, Chuuk, Micronesia. Operating from the Maritime Pre-positioned Force Ship MV Lopez under direction of the U.S. Federal Emergency Assistance Management Office, Marines of 9th Engineers worked with a Naval Mobile Construction Battalion Detachment, Navy Boat Team #1 and 3d Reconnaissance Battalion. Over three million gallons of potable/drinking water was produced and delivered to Dublon Island residents.

Operation Restore Hope 1993

Marines from 9th Engineer Support Battalion, Bulk Fuel Company, were among the first III MEF personnel to deploy to Mogadishu Somalia. They arrived on 1 January 1993 and augmented 1st Bulk Fuel Company, 7th Engineer Support Battalion, I MEF, Camp Pendleton, California. They assembled and operated a large Amphibious Assault Fuel System at Mogadishu Airport. Providing 24-hour bulk fuel storage and distribution in extreme weather conditions of the African desert made this mission critical to force readiness.

On 14 January the 9th Engineer Support Battalion Bulk Fuel Company Detachment was ordered to move north to relieve Marines of 7th Engineer Support Battalion at the Balidogle and Baidoa Airfields. Baidoa was the staging area for imported grain distributed to the Somali people. Engineer Support Company also provided Utilities Marines for bath & laundry services and electrical power. Marines from both companies also provided security at various food distribution points. While serving in Somalia many of the 9th Engineer personnel came under attack from small arms and rocks while in a defensive posture.

Sasebo 1994-95

Engineer Support Company provided equipment and personnel from 29 August 1994 to 11 March 1995 to help relieve the drought stricken Naval Base in Sasebo, Japan. Engineer Support Company produced over 10.5 million gallons of potable water.

Recent Notable Accomplishments

The Battalion has completed numerous missions on Okinawa such as construction of training facilities and training area road construction and maintenance. During February 2001, 9th Engineers deployed to Ie Shima, west of Okinawa Island, for Tayoreru (Credible) Partner and hauled 6,000 cubic meters of coral for Ie Shima as a large-scale community relations project, cleared dense brush from a drop zone at the U.S. Marine Corps Ie Shima Training Area, purified several hundred thousand gallons of salt water, and assembled and operated a Tactical Fuel System.

9th Engineers continues to provide capable forces and equipment to 3d FSSG Combat Service Support Detachments and has participated in exercises such as Team Spirit, Valiant Usher, Valiant Blitz, Forest Light, Bear Hunt, Keen Edge, Balikatan, Tandem Thrust, Cobra Gold, Korean Incremental Training Program, UFL and Foal Eagle/Freedom Banner throughout the Pacific Region. The Battalion has deployed companies and detachments to the Republic of the Philippines, Republic of Korea, Thailand, Indonesia, and Camp Fuji, Japan and various other Pacific Islands.

The Battalion maintains responsibility for Camp Mu Juk, Pohang, Korea. 9th Engineers has made lasting improvements to the camp for the last 20 years, including building construction and road improvement that enables Deployed Exercise Units to conduct combined training with members of the 1st Republic of Korea Marine Corps Division as part of the Korea Incremental Training Program and facilitates simulation exercises for both I & III MEFs.