Fortuna Favet Fortibus

In the 1980's, the Battalion was part of the Multi-Nation Peace Keeping Force in Lebanon from September 1982 to February 1983 and February through October 1984. Then in the 1990s, 3/8 participated in: 

• Operation Sharp Edge, Liberia, August 1990 - January 1991
• Operation Provide Comfort, Iraq, April and July 1991
• Operation Deny Flight, Bosnia, April - September 1995, 1996
• Operation Quick Response, Central African Republic, June 1996
• Operation Assured Response, Liberia, June - August 1996
• Operation Joint Endeavor, Adriatic Sea, October 1996
• Operation Uphold Democracy, Haiti, February - May 1998
• Operation Shining Hope, Albania, April - June 1999
• Operation Noble Anvil and Joint Guardian, Kosovo, June - July 1999
• Operation Avid Response, Turkey, September 1999
• Operation Eastern Access, Puerto Rico, May 2000

In January 2005, 3/8 saw its first major combat deployment in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom when it was deployed to Fallujah, Iraq. 3/8’s mission was to stabilize and pacify the region, which had just gone through a major U.S. offensive. In Fallujah, 3/8 faced a resilient insurgency that coordinated attacks on Abu Ghraib Prison and other Forward Operating Bases in the Area of Operations. Most importantly, the battalion helped defend polling sites for Iraq’s first democratic elections. In August 2005, 3/8 returned home. During this deployment, 3/8 lost 8 Marines, Killed in Action (KIA), and sustained over 114 casualties.

In August 2010, 3/8 deployed as the ground combat element for the 26th MEU. In January 2011, they detached from the MEU and deployed to Afghanistan. Their mission was to establish and maintain security in portions of Helmand Province not previously permanently held by the International Security Assistance Force. Attached to Regimental Combat Team 8 as part of the International Security Assistance Force, the Marines provided security in portions of the Upper Gareshk Valley to allow the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan to foster socio-economic development. During this deployment, 3/8 sustained 1 KIA. 

 3/8 deployed to Afghanistan, again, from April 2012 until December 2012, and served in Marjah, Afghanistan. 

In 2014, 3/8 served as part of Special Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force- Crisis Response, SPMAGTF-CR. As part of SPMAGTF-CR, 3/8 assisted in evacuating the U.S. Embassy in Tripoli, Libya, on July 26, 2014.   

In 2017, 3/8 deployed to Okinawa, Japan, as part of the Unit Deployment Program (UDP). While on the UDP, 3/8 India and Lima Company participated in the Korean Marine Exchange Program (KMEP) to help train the Republic of Korea’s (ROK) Marines. During that time, 3/8 Kilo Company trained in Thailand as part of an exercise in South East Asia.    

In 2018, 3/8 deployed to support SPMAGTF-CR again and conducted training in Spain, Italy, Portugal, and Norway. In 2020, 3/8 deployed to Okinawa as part of the UDP.    

Although this was a sad day for those who served in 3/8’s ranks, the battalion was deactivated before from March 26, 1946, to January 15, 1951. When the need arises in the future, 3/8 will be back and ready to serve with honor. 

In the meantime, the 3/8 OIF & OEF Veterans Foundation will continue to honor 3/8’s lineage and represent the values instilled in us by the Marine Corps.