Combat Service & Support Brigade

THE FIELD ARTILLERY BATTALION

he Field Artillery Battalion (FABN) is the fire support unit of
the Combat and Service Support Brigade (CSSB) of the Philippine
Marine Corps (PMC). It is tasked to provide artillery fire
support for the operating units of the PMC. The Battalion is
capable of providing artillery fire support under different combat
conditions, as well as to provide ground and reinforcing artillery fire
support. It is likewise capable of conducting defensive operations
during hostile ground attack.

This unit was activated on January 1, 2000 pursuant to HPMC GO Nr 23

dated 20 January 2000. It is composed of a Headquarters and Service
Company (HSC), and several Howitzer Batteries each designated as a
Marine Company, common to all Marine line and support companies. The
unit started as a mere three (3) batteries activated in 1974 to
complement the warfighting capability of the Philippine Marines at the
height of the secessionist movement in Mindanao. These batteries used
the 105mm Pack Howitzer Oto-Melara Model 56/14 from Italy. and the
105mm Howitzer M101A1 from the US.

The FABN Headquarters and Service Company provides command control,

administration and command support function, as well as organic supply
and organizational maintenance support to the battalion and its
subordinate units. It is likewise tasked to provide saluting battery
during ceremonial activities not only for the PMC but for the
Philippine Navy and the AFP as well, and it is likewise well capable of
providing selective air defense.

The other operating howitzer batteries perform fire support

operations for the different Marine Battalion Landing Teams (MBLTs) in
the operating areas and also complementing ground fire support
operations for the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFPs) task Forces.
They not only participate in these ground operations but in defensive
operations as well.

During the height of the recent 2000 conflict in Mindanao, its

howitzer batteries were attached to the Marine Brigades operating
intensively in the area and have significantly contributed much in the
neutralization of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) in Central
Mindanao especially during the return to government control of the
Narciso Ramos Highway. Furthermore, the unit was eventually attached to
the Armed Forces of the Philippines Task Force TRIDENT during its mass
offensive operations against the Abu Sayaff Group (ASG) in the province
of Sulu.

Throughout its numerous and rigorous operations, the unit has

continuously carried out its mission despite of its limited resources
and has contributed much to the combined arms concept of the Philippine
Marine Corps. It has ensured the maintenance of its combat readiness to
deliver timely and accurate massive fire support to the operating
Marines during their calls for fire.

THE ASSAULT ARMOR BATTALION

The Assault Armor Battalion (AABN) is the light armor unit of the
Philippine Marine Corps assigned under HQS Combat and Service Support
Brigade (CSSB). It is tasked to close in and destroy the enemy using
light armor protected firepower, shock effect, maneuver and mobile fire
support. It is capable of conducting offensive or delaying operations
in support of Marine combat troops during amphibious assault and
subsequent operations and/or sustained operations ashore. Furthermore,
it is capable of limited screen, reconnaissance, and surveillance
during advance force operations and/or sustained operations and to
conduct security operation either independently or with infantry troops
and any task organized forces and provide limited support to logistical
tasks for these units.

The Assault Amphibian Battalion which was activated in 1974 was re-
designated as Assault Armor Battalion on January 1, 2000 pursuant to
HPMC GO Nr 23 dated 20 January 2000 in order to upgrade its
capabilities and make way for the arrival of the LVT P7 family of
amphibious vehicles. It is composed of a Headquarters and Service
Company (HSC), and several armor vehicle companies, each designated as
a Marine Company with numerical assignment starting with seven (7),
common to all Marine line and support companies. These armor vehicle
companies are categorized as an Armor Maintenance Company (Armor Mnt
Co), an Assault Amphibian Vehicle Company (AAV Co), and Light Armor
Vehicle Company (LAV Co).

The Armor Mnt. Co is asked to provide intermediate-level armor

vehicle maintenance support of armor vehicles, turret/armament, and
communications systems by means of periodic preventive maintenance
check, component replacement or overhaul/repair. It is capable of
providing technical assistance and overflow organizational maintenance
for supported units, as well as providing technical inspection services
in support of armor vehicle maintenance program of the PMC. The AAV Co
on the other hand is tasked to land, transport and project assault
troops during amphibious assault operations and sustained combat
operations ashore. It is capable of providing surface ship-to-shore
lift capabilities during amphibious assault; transport personnel
supplies in conjunction with tactical operations; lift battalion-size
combat elements in a single lift; and maintain motor vehicles and armor
assets organic to the company. Additionally, the LAV Co is tasked to
provide protected transport and mobile fire support for combat troops
in the conduct of ground operations and in such other sustained
operations ashore. It can provide light armored protected transport;
fire support, and maneuver of Marine units in a mechanized mode as
spearhead for ground tactical operations.

The first armored vehicles utilized by the Marines in the 1950's were
the US M-3A1 Armored Scout Cars used by Marine Platoons in support of
their operations. The first Armored Amphibious Vehicles were the LVT3C.
These were later replaced by the Landing Vehicle Tracked Personnel
(LTVP P5) the Landing Vehicle Tracked Howitzer (LTVP H6 armed with the
short barrelled 105mm howitzer) and the Engineering version (LVT E5).
The LVTH6 were used as fire support vehicles (FSV's) during the early
Mindanao campaigns in the 1970's. Later during the 1980's several V-150
Cadillac Gage Commando armored vehicles were provided to the Corps.
These were complemented later in 1995 by 24 units V-300 Commando Series
of Light Armor Vehicles (LAV's), 12 of which is fitted with the
Cockerill 90mm Gun MKIII. It is a 6 x 6 vehicle that can carry 8 fully
equipped Marines and a crew of 3 in the Armored Personnel Carrier (APC)
version.

The Marine light armor vehicles were extensively used during the
height of the recent 2000 conflict in Mindanao. Its companies were
attached to the different Marine Brigades operating intensively in the
area and have significantly contributed much in the neutralization of
the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) in Central Mindanao especially
during the siege for government control of the Narciso Ramos Highway.
Furthermore, the unit was eventually attached to the Armed Forces of
the Philippines Task Force TRIDENT during its mass offensive operations
against the Abu Sayaff Group (ASG) in the province of Sulu, and was
successfully utilized in support of the Marine Battalions operating
under the different AFP Task Forces in the past.

Throughout its numerous and extensive operations, the unit has

constantly carried out its mission despite of its limited resources and
has contributed much to the combined arms concept of the Philippine
Marine Corps. It has ensured the maintenance of its combat readiness to
deliver timely and accurate massive mobile fire support and troop
transport to the operating Marines in the field.