Light Reaction Battalion

Infobox Military Unit
unit_name= Light Reaction Battalion


caption=
dates= 2001 (Officially activated on February 1, 2004) - Present
country= flagicon|Philippines Philippines
allegiance=
branch= Philippine Army
type= Direct Action, Counter-Terrorism Reconnaissance, Unconventional Warfare
size= Known to have 3 companies in the past [http://www.stripes.com/article.asp?section=104&article=18506&archive=true Philippine soldiers show off what they learned from the Green Berets.] Retrieved on January 2, 2008.] [ [http://usembassy.state.gov/posts/rp1/wwwhr458.html U.S. Ambassador Francis J. Ricciardone before FOCAP.] Retrieved on January 2, 2008.]
command_structure= Under the Philippine Army Special Operations Command (PASOC)
current_commander= Lt. Col. Danilo Pamonag
garrison= Fort Magsaysay, Nueva Ecija [http://www.malaya.com.ph/dec01/news1.htm Military braces for power grab try.] Retrieved on January 2, 2008.]
ceremonial_chief=
colonel_of_the_regiment=
nickname= "LRB" "Light Reaction Company or LRC" (Former)
patron=
motto=
colors=
march=
mascot=
battles= Operation Enduring Freedom - Philippines Anti-guerilla operations against the NPA and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front
notable_commanders= Jose Luntok, Lawrence San Juan
anniversaries=
decorations=
battle_honours=The Light Reaction Battalion is the lead counter-terrorist unit of the Philippine Army. It was formerly known as the Light Reaction Company. Its creation was primarily credited a grant permitted by the US Department of State with a $25 million grant that had been used for the battalion's formation. [http://www.stripes.com/article.asp?section=104&article=18506&archive=true Philippine soldiers show off what they learned from the Green Berets.] Retrieved on January 2, 2008.]

History

The Light Reaction Battalion (LRB) can trace its origins back to the year 2000 when non-commissioned officers from the Scout Rangers and Philippine Army Special Forces were trained by American military advisers from the 1st Battalion, 1st Special Forces Group. [http://www.stripes.com/article.asp?section=104&article=18506&archive=true Philippine soldiers show off what they learned from the Green Berets.] Retrieved on January 2, 2008.] From February to July 2001 [http://www.army.mil/professionalwriting/volumes/volume2/june_2004/6_04_3_pf.html Operation Enduring Freedom-Philippines: What Would Sun Tzu Say?] Retrieved on January 2, 2008.] , American special forces trained and raised the former LRC with further training during the 2002 Balikatan exercises [ [http://www.vfw.org/resources/levelxmagazine/0205_Troops%20Train%20Filipinos.pdf 'Shoulder to Shoulder'. Combatting Terrorists in the Philippines.] Retrieved on January 2, 2008.] , whose members were first drawn from the Scout Rangers and 1st Special Forces Regiment [http://www.army.mil/professionalwriting/volumes/volume2/june_2004/6_04_3_pf.html Operation Enduring Freedom-Philippines: What Would Sun Tzu Say?] Retrieved on January 2, 2008.] . After days and years of training under American instructors, the LRC was officially activated on February 1, 2004 [ [http://i53.photobucket.com/albums/g56/adroth92/docs/p4.pngCombat Magazine, March 2008. Page 41.] ] and was tasked to be deployed into Mindanao in order to combat Abu Sayyaf Group terrorists responsible for abducting several foreign hostages [http://www.army.mil/professionalwriting/volumes/volume2/june_2004/6_04_3_pf.html Operation Enduring Freedom-Philippines: What Would Sun Tzu Say?] Retrieved on January 2, 2008.] , with the unit conducting an operation to rescue Gracia Burnham from Abu Sayyaf terrorists [ [http://www.acig.org/artman/publish/printer_174.shtml Philippines since 1945.] Retrieved on January 2, 2008] . Further exercises had been conducted during the 2006 Balikatan exercises. [ [http://www.professionalsoldiers.com/files/tos_apr_06.pdf Philippine, U.S. SOF sharpen skills.] Retrieved on January 2, 2008.] The LRB had been involved in a rescue operation conducted on a kidnapped Italian priest by armed men in 2007. [ [http://www.radiopinoyusa.com/radiopinoy_news.php?id=NEWS-01564 ITALIAN ENVOY HAPPY FOR MILITARY'S EFFORT TO RESCUE ITALIAN PRIEST BOSSI.] Retrieved on January 2, 2008.]

The unit had recently been involved in the aftermath of the Manila Peninsula rebellion, where they had been deployed to Manila to deter any other coup attempts. [http://www.malaya.com.ph/dec01/news1.htm Military braces for power grab try.] Retrieved on January 2, 2008.] [ [http://www.tribune.net.ph/headlines/20071201hed1.html AFP beefs up Metro troops as threat remains ‘active’.] Retrieved on January 2, 2008.] In addition, LRB forces have been deployed to Mindanao to conduct anti-terrorist operations in the region. [ [http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquirerheadlines/nation/view_article.php?article_id=84721 No cut in US military aid.] Retrieved on January 2, 2008.]

The LRB been given its current name from the former Light Reaction Company, following an increase in men in recent years so as to pursue Anti-Terrorist duties in the Philippines.

References

External links

* [http://geocities.com/strike_musangs/article/LRC.html Unofficial LRC Website]