| Unit Name: | 3rd Ordnance Battalion |
| Type: | Ordnance |
| Specialization: | Explosive Ordnance Disposal |
| Garrison: | Joint Base Lewis–McChord, Washington |
| Garrison Label: | HQ |
| Nickname: | Nighthawks |
| Motto: | Service, Not Glory |
| Decorations: | Valorous Unit Award Meritorious Unit Commendation Superior Unit Award |
| Identification Symbol Label: | Coat of arms |
| Current Commander: | LTC Louis C. Hare |
| Command Sergeant Major: | CSM Stephen P. Cunningham |
The 3rd Ordnance Battalion (unofficially referred to as the 3rd Explosive Ordnance Disposal Battalion) is a unit of the United States Army currently stationed at Joint Base Lewis–McChord. It is assigned to the 71st Ordnance Group at Fort Carson, Colorado, which is under the 20th Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear, and Explosive (CBRNE) Command, Aberdeen Proving Grounds, Maryland.
A Gold color metal and enamel device NaNinches in height overall consisting of a shield blazoned: Gules, on a bend between a spur gear and a feather palm tree, Or, three torteaux. Attached below the shield a Red scroll turned Gold inscribed "SERVICE, NOT GLORY" in Gold letters.
Crimson (red) and yellow (gold) are the colors of the Ordnance Branch. The torteaux, simulating cannon balls, allude to the numerical designation of the unit. The spur gear represents maintenance, and the palm tree is characteristic of the flora of the countryside where the battalion was organized, Monterey Bay, California.
The distinctive unit insignia was originally approved for the 3d Ordnance Battalion (Maintenance) on 26 August 1942. It was redesignated for the 3d Ordnance Battalion on 14 April 1955.
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The 3d Ordnance Battalion (Maintenance) was formed in 1942.
The 3d Ordnance Battalion (Ammunition) was assigned to Vietnam in October 1965. Garrisoned at Long Binh Post, the battalion constructed living quarters and an ammunition supply point.
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Attached Security Units:
After HHC, 3d Ordnance Battalion and 60th Ordnance Company were inactivated on 29 April 1972, the last remaining unit (576th Ordnance Company) was assigned to the U.S. Army Supply Depot, Long Binh (USADLB) under whose command it continued to operate the Long Binh Ammunition Depot until all remaining stocks were transferred to the newly constructed ARVN ammunition supply point located in a former portion of the U.S. Army Long Binh Ammunition Depot (USLBAD).
In 1977 the 3d Ordnance Battalion was activated under the 59th Ordnance Brigade in West Germany.
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In November 1982 the 3d Ordnance Battalion was reassigned to the 32nd Army Air Defense Command.
Units:
The 3d Ordnance Battalion transferred back to the 59th Ordnance Brigade in June 1985.
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In 1990 the 3d Ordnance Battalion had the mission of removing 110,000 chemical projectiles (8" and 155mm nerve agent rounds) from Germany during Operation Steel Box.
Units:
The 3d Ordnance Battalion was inactivated in December 1990.