Its primary weapon system is the M142 HIMARS rocket artillery launcher and the M777 lightweight howitzer.

The Marines and Sailors of 1st Battalion, 11th Marines prepare mentally, physically, and operationally for the rigors of combat to provide 24/7 all-weather continuous artillery fires and achieve accurate first round fire for effect in support of maneuver elements.

The battalion underwent intensive infantry training until September 1918, when it was attached to the 5th Marine Brigade and ordered to France.

The battalion was stationed in the area around the town of Tours until July 1919. when it was ordered stateside and deactivated at Norfolk Navy Yard on 11 August 1919.

The battalion participated in the Guadalcanal and New Britain campaigns; it also carried out operations on Finschhafen, Peleliu and Okinawa.

The battalion participated in the Korean War, from August 1950 to July 1953, taking part in the actions at the Battle of the Pusan Perimeter, at Inchon and the Chosin Reservoir.

1st Battalion, 11th Marines participated in the occupation of the Korean Demilitarized Zone from August 1953 to March 1955.

The battalion deployed during August 1965 to Camp Hansen, Okinawa and redeployed during January 1966 to Chu Lai, in the Republic of Vietnam.

The battalion operated from Chu Lai, Da Nang, Quang Tri, Phu Bai, Con Thien, Ca Lu, Khe Sanh, Cua Viet, Dong Ha and Quang Nam from January 1966 to March 1971.

Individual firing Batteries have continued to support the MEU cycle in the war on terror since 2003.

In April 2010 the battalion deployed to Helmand Province, in Afghanistan, in support of Operation Enduring Freedom 10.1.

The battalion returned from Afghanistan in November 2010 and began fielding the Expeditionary Fire Support System (EFSS).