1 March - The 1st Light Antiaircraft Missile (LAAM) Battalion was reactivated on Okinawa. In response to Fleet Marine Force concerns about the organizational deficiencies of the Forward Area Air Defense (FAAD) Batteries, the 1st LAAM Battalion was activated for optimized use of the programmed air defense structure to enhance all aspects of the Marine Air Ground Task Force air defense.
3 - 29 March - The 4th Marine Amphibious Brigade (MAB) participated in Exercise Cold Winter '87, a NATO exercise held in northern Norway. Cold Winter '87 marked the first time a Marine general commanded an Allied defensive force in Norway. Brigadier General Matthew B. Caulfield led the 4th MAB, along with British and Norwegian units. Under the direction of the Military Airlift Command, the Marines of the 4th MAB, as well as rotary-wing aircraft, were transported to the exercise by military and chartered civilian aircraft. Designed to enhance operational readiness among forces that protect NATO's northern flank, the exercise tested the forces' capabilities during extreme winter conditions.
6 March - The Majestic Metal Fabrication Company of Roseville, Michigan, was awarded a contract to provide 189 applique armor kits (AAK) for the Marine Corps' Assault Amphibious Vehicle 7A1 (AAV7A1) personnel and command and control vehicles. The procurement was for the P900 AAK version consisting of perforated plates attached to the vehicle hull. The AAK would significantly improve AAV7A1 survivability against small arms kinetic energy munitions.