The M198 provided field artillery fire support for all Marine Corps Air Ground Task Force organizations. The M198 provided increased range, and improved reliability and maintainability over the former standard towed 155mm howitzer, the M114A2. The use of rocket-assisted projectiles significantly extended the range, lethality, and counterbattery fires of the direct support artillery battalions. The M198 fired all current and developmental 155mm ammunition.

The M-777 Lightweight Towed Howitzer replaced all of the Marine Corps’ M-198 towed howitzers.

The first M198 Howitzers were delivered to the 10th Marine Regiment in January 1982.