1st Force Reconnaissance Company

1st Force Reconnaissance Company conducts deep reconnaissance and direct action raids in support of I Marine Expeditionary Force requirements across the range of military operations to include crisis response, expeditionary operations and major combat operations. 1st Force Recon Company was deactivated 26 October 2006 and the majority of the personnel were used to create 1st Marine Special Operations Battalion.[1]

Main article: Fleet Marine Force Reconnaissance
1st Force Reconnaissance Company
Seal of the 1st Force Reconnaissance Company
Active19 June 1957 – 26 October 2006
Country United States of America
Branch United States Marine Corps
TypeForce Reconnaissance
Part ofI Marine Expeditionary Force
Garrison/HQMCB Camp Pendleton, CA
EngagementsVietnam War
Operation Desert Shield
Operation Desert Storm
War on Terror
Decorations
Presidential Unit Citation

Navy Unit Commendation Streamer

Meritorious Unit Commendation Streamer

National Defense Service Streamer

Vietnam Service Streamer

Southwest Asia Service Streamer

Vietnam Gallantry Cross Streamer

Vietnam Civil Actions Streamer

Iraq Campaign Streamer

Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Streamer

Global War on Terrorism Service Streamer
Force Reconnaissance Marine Sgt.Luciano Carlucci conducts High Altitude Low Opening (HALO) parachute operations from the back of a C-130.

Prior to the deactivation, General James Mattis, the MEF Commanding General at the time, transferred two Force Recon platoons to 1st Reconnaissance Battalion and activated the Deep Reconnaissance Company.[2] In 2008 Delta Company, 1st Recon Company was redesignated the I MEF Force Reconnaissance Company and given its own Marine Command Code (MCC). It continues to provide I Marine Expeditionary Force and its subordinate MAGTFs with Corps level reconnaissance, battlespace shaping and direct action raids.

Mission

The 1st Force Reconnaissance Company of the United States Marine Corps was a Force Reconnaissance unit that organized, trained, and equipped reconnaissance units to support the I Marine Expeditionary Force.[3]

1st Force Recon Company conducted nine Mission Essential Tasks (METs).[4]

  • MET 1: Plan, coordinate and conduct amphibious / ground reconnaissance and surveillance to observe, identify and report enemy activity, and collect other information of military significance
  • MET 2: Conduct specialized reconnaissance. Assist in specialized engineer, NBC, radio, mobile and other unique reconnaissance missions
  • MET 3: Conduct Initial Terminal Guidance (ITG) for helicopters, landing craft and parachutists
  • MET 4: Designate and engage selected targets with Force Fires and other operations to support battlespace shaping. This includes terminal guidance of precision-guided munitions
  • MET 5: Conduct post-strike reconnaissance to determine and report battle damage to a specific target or area
  • MET 6: Conduct counter-reconnaissance
  • MET 7: Conduct limited scale raids
  • MET 8: Conduct insertion / extraction of reconnaissance forces in support of recon operations
  • MET 9: Conduct other operations as directed by the supported commander

Organization

1st Force Recon Company's table of organization consisted of a headquarters and service platoon and six Force Reconnaissance platoons. 1st Force would often be augmented by reserve forces from 3rd and 4th Force Recon Companies for combat deployments.

History
See also: FMF Amphib Recon Battalion and Marine Corps Test Unit § 1

First Force Reconnaissance Company was activated on 19 June 1957 at Camp Margarita (Area 33), Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California. It was formed from the Reconnaissance Platoon of Marine Corps Test Unit#1 that was assigned to take over the guideon of 1st Amphibious Reconnaissance Company, that was under command of Captain "Cycle" Michael Sparks. Many Marines from the amphib recon company and 1st Reconnaissance Battalion augmented the new Fleet Marine Force-level reconnaissance capabilities to force commanders.[5][6]

The company's first company commander was Major Bruce F. Meyers, with Captain Joseph Z. Taylor as his executive officer. Meyers was MCTU#1's project test officer that led the development and refinement of submarine insertions/extractions techniques, low level static line and military free fall parachute insertion, the closed-circuit SCUBA procedures and capabilities developed the initial deep reconnaissance capability within the Department of Defense.[5] 1st Force Recon pioneered the High Altitude Low Opening (HALO) parachuting technique in 1958 that allowed for a more secure and accurate insertion of a deep reconnaissance team.[7]

The seal of 1st Force Recon Company during the 1950s. The paddles (background) are from Jones's Amphib Recon Co. of WWII, pathfinder wings with flame (foreground), are from the pathfinder platoons of WWII, and silver "jump wings" (facing) reflects airborne capabilities.

By 1958, approximately half of the 1st Force Reconnaissance Company was reassigned and transferred to Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, North Carolina to form the 2nd Force Reconnaissance Company; under command of Joseph Z. Taylor, promoted to Major.[5]

1st FORECON seal during the 1960s. The Navy/Marine Parachutist Insignia replaces the Army Basic Airborne Insignia.

1st Platoon, Sub Unit #1, embarked onto the USS Cook (APD-130) and sailed for southern Thailand, to the Royal Thai Navy base of Sattahip, in December 1964. The 1st Platoon conducted reconnaissance patrols with the Royal Thai Marine Corps, with one Thai Marine attached to each of the 4-man force recon teams. By the end of January, they finished their recon operations in Thailand and sailed for Vietnam for the planned amphibious landings in March 1965.

Vietnam War
1st Force Reconnaissance Company en route for a patrol, 1968

Prior to the first Marine amphibious landings made by the 9th Marine Expeditionary Brigade in March 1965, 1st Platoon, Sub Unit #1, 1st Force Reconnaissance Company (-) led by Captain David Whittingham, conducted preliminary reconnaissance of the planned amphibious beach landing sites from 23-7 February 1965.[8]

By early May 1965, the 2nd Platoon had joined 1st Platoon with the Subordinate Unit #1 and both platoons were assigned to the United States Special Forces A-Team, A-103, conducting specialized reconnaissance and combat raiding missions. They operated from Da Nang, Phu Bai, Chu Lai, Gia Vuc and Kham Duc, in the I Corps Tactical Zone (ICTZ). Their mission was to collect any enemy intelligence in the mountain approaches to the Marines' tactical area of operation along with the Laos border, and to report any findings directly to the general staff of the III Marine Amphibious Force.

November 1965, 2nd Platoon was attached to the Special Forces team A-106 at Ba To. A combined patrol from Ba To was attacked on the night of 16 December and three Marines, a Green Beret Sergeant, and 10 members of the Civilian Irregular Defense Group (CIDG) were killed. By mid-December 1965, 3rd platoon arrived in the Republic of Vietnam and was attached to Special Forces team A-107 at Tra Bong. The rest of the Force Recon Company (its remaining two platoons, 4th and 5th Plt.) arrived in June 1965.[7] The company departed South Vietnam in August 1970.[9][10] They conducted more than 2,200 reconnaissance patrols and participated in numerous operations, including the battle for Hue City.[11]

1st Force was deactivated on 30 September 1974 and its personnel rolled into the deep reconnaissance company of 1st Reconnaissance Battalion.

Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable) MEU(SOC)

General Alfred M. Gray, the 29th Commandant of the Marine Corps, pioneered a Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable) (SOC) concept in 1987 and reactivated 1st, 2nd and 5th Force Reconnaissance Companies to support these newly formed MAGTFs with direct action raids and reconnaissance operations.[12] On 11–13 November 1994, the Force Recon Marines aboard the 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit conducted a Maritime Interdiction Operation/Visit Board Search and Seizure (MIO/VBSS) mission aboard the Honduran-flagged merchant vessel Ajmer, which was in violation of United Nations sanctions on Iraq.[13]

The 11th MEU Force Reconnaissance Platoon supported a Non-combatant evacuation operation in Asmara, Eritrea, on 6 June 1998. Operation Safe Departure was conducted as a precautionary measure to ensure the safety of American citizens in the midst of a heated border dispute between Eritrea and Ethiopia. All total, 172 persons, including 105 Americans, were safely evacuated to Amman, Jordan, via KC-130 aerial transport. The Force Recon platoon provided embassy reinforcement and security for the MEU forward command element.[14][15]

Force Reconnaissance Marines on the 11th MEU, 13th MEU and 15th MEU supported humanitarian assistance operations in East Timor in 1999 and 2000.

Operation Desert Shield/Desert Storm

In 1990 1st Force Reconnaissance company was deployed to Kuwait in support of Operation Desert Shield.[16] Force Reconnaissance Marines established observation posts and conducted motorized patrols along the Kuwaiti Border. Operation Desert Storm was launched in January 1991. Force Recon teams located enemy armored units and utilized artillery and Close Air Support to interdict them[17]

Operation Restore Hope

In 1993 7th Platoon deployed with the 15th MEU and conducted amphibious reconnaissance along the Somali coastline. Two teams infiltrated the Mogadishu port facility, established observation positions at the Mogadishu airport, and supported a raid company from 2nd Bn, 9th Marines with fire support. The remainder of 1st Force flew into the airport and conducted reconnaissance and raids in support of the United Task Force (UNITAF). They also provided Personal Security Detachments for high-ranking officials to include General Johnston, the UNITAF Commanding General, and Colonel Wilhelm who commanded the Marine component of UNITAF.[17]

Global War on terrorism

In 2001, 2nd Platoon was deployed in support of the 15th MEU and participated in the invasion of Afghanistan,[18][19]

In 2003, 1st Force Recon Company, augmented with platoons from 3rd Force Reconnaissance Company and 4th Force, participated in the invasion of Iraq.[20][21][22] 3rd Platoon, deployed in support of the 15th MEU went ashore during the invasion and participated in the battle of Nasiriyah[23] and supported the rescue of PFC Jessica Lynch[24]

In 2004 a Force Recon Platoon deployed in support of the 11th MEU participated in the Battle of Najaf and a platoon was attached to Regimental Combat Team 1 for Operation Phantom Fury, commonly known as the Battle of Fallujah.[25]

In 2005–2006, 1st Force Recon Company, augmented with platoons from 3d and 4th Reconnaissance BN, participated in the Operation Iraqi Freedom.[26] Platoons participated in numerous campaigns during this time to include Operation Matador in the city of Al Qaim,[27] and Operation Sword in the town of Hit.[28]

In 2010, 2nd Platoon was deployed to the Gulf of Aden along the Somali coast to assist the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit in recapturing the MV Magellan Star.

Training
See also: United States Marine Corps Force Reconnaissance § Mission Training Plan

During its beginning formation within the 1st Marine Division, 1st Force Recon conducted sustainment training in obstacle clearing for landing zone preparation in support of early-Marine Corps helicopter-borne operations; and other mission-essential amphibious reconnaissance, parachute insertion, and pathfinder tasks. Because of the efforts made by Meyers and his other adjoining Marine and Navy parachute testers, they developed the Helicopter Rope Suspension methods, plus invented the Special Personnel Insertion/Extraction (SPIE) rigging that are widely used by Special Operations Forces services worldwide.[5]

During the late 1990s and early 2000s, 1st Force Recon Company trained in a variety of locations during their Unit Training Phase.

These locations included:

References
  1. "1St Force Recon Company Deactivates – Marine Corps Association". Mca-marines.org. Archived from the original on 31 March 2018. Retrieved 19 April 2018.
  2. "Force Reconnaissance – Marine Corps Association". Mca-marines.org. Archived from the original on 2 February 2018. Retrieved 19 April 2018.
  3. United States Marine Corps Total Force Structure Management System
  4. "MARINE CORPS ORDER P3500.73" (PDF). Globalsecurity.org. Retrieved 19 April 2018.
  5. Bruce F. Meyers, Fortune Favors the Brave: The Story of First Force Recon, (Annapolis, MD: Naval Institute Press, 2000).
  6. "Marine Corps Special Operations: A Brief History – The History Reader". Thehistoryreader.com. 3 December 2012. Retrieved 19 April 2018.
  7. "1st Force Reconnaissance Company – Defense Media Network". Defensemedianetwork.com. Retrieved 19 April 2018.
  8. Shulimson, Jack (1978). U.S. Marines in Vietnam: The Landing and the Buildup 1965 (PDF). History and Museums Division, Headquarters, U.S. Marine Corps. p. 172. ISBN 978-1494287559.Public Domain This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
  9. Cosmas, Graham (1986). US Marines in Vietnam Vietnamization and Redeployment 1970-1971. History and Museums Division Headquarters United States Marine Corps. p. 313. ISBN 9781494287498.Public Domain This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
  10. "Strong Men Armed: The Marine Corps 1st Force Reconnaissance Company by Patrick A. Rogers". Archived from the original on 2 February 2019. Retrieved 21 January 2019.
  11. "Marine Force Recon in Vietnam and the Killer Kane Operations – Defense Media Network". Defensemedianetwork.com. Retrieved 19 April 2018.
  12. "MARSOC Heritage". Marsoc.marines.mil. Retrieved 19 April 2018.
  13. "13th MEU". Marines (Division of Public Affairs, Media Branch, HQMC) 24 (6): 16. 1995.
  14. Pike, John. "Operation Safe Departure". Globalsecurity.org. Retrieved 19 April 2018.
  15. "Famous US Special Forces operations". Christian Science Monitor. 25 January 2012. Retrieved 19 April 2018.
  16. Marine Force Recon By Fred J. Pushies
  17. Marine Force Recon, Fred J. Pushies
  18. "U.S. Marines In Afghanistan, 2001–2002: From the sea" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 29 November 2014. Retrieved 5 June 2015.
  19. "MEU(SOC)s in OEF-A – Special Operations Forces and Operation Enduring Freedom – Defense Media Network". Defensemedianetwork.com. Retrieved 19 April 2018.
  20. "U.S. Marines In Iraq, 2004–2005: Into the fray" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 12 June 2015. Retrieved 5 June 2015.
  21. "USATODAY.com – Marine recon teams have risky role as first forces into Iraq". Usatoday30.usatoday.com. Retrieved 19 April 2018.
  22. "USATODAY.com – War plan often rapidly adjusted, posing greater risks for U.S. Marines". Usatoday30.usatoday.com. Retrieved 19 April 2018.
  23. "15th MEU (SOC) Marines 'withdraw' 14 million Iraqi dinar at Nasiriyah". 15thmeu.martines.mil. Retrieved 19 April 2018.
  24. "The Covert War: Secretive trio discuss role in Lynch rescue". Old.post-gazette.com. Retrieved 19 April 2018.
  25. No True Glory: Fallujah and the Struggle in Iraq: A Frontline Account by Bing West
  26. "U.S. Marines In Iraq, 2004–2008: Anthology And Annotated Bibliography" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 12 June 2015. Retrieved 5 June 2015.
  27. "U.S. Marines in Battle – Al-Qaim" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 12 June 2015. Retrieved 5 June 2015.
  28. "1ST FORCE RECONNAISSANCE COMPANY" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 12 June 2015. Retrieved 5 June 2015.

Public Domain This article incorporates public domain material from websites or documents of the United States Marine Corps.

  • Field Manual (FM) 7-92, The Infantry Reconnaissance Platoon and Squad (Airborne, Air Assault, Light Infantry)
  • Marine Corps Reference Publication (MCRP) 2-1C, Marine Air Ground Task Force Intelligence Dissemination
  • Marine Corps Order (MCO) 3500.20B, Marine Corps Parachuting and Diving Policy and Program Administration
  • Marine Corps Warfighting Publication (MCWP) 2-1, Intelligence Operations
  • MCO 3500.42A, Marine Corps Helicopter Rope Suspension Techniques (HRST) Policy and Program Administration
  • MCO 1510.125, Individual Training Standards (ITS) Systems for Marine Combat Water Survival Training (MCWST)
  • MCO 3502.2A, Marine Expeditionary Units (Special Operations Capable) (MEU(SOC)) Special Skills Certification Program
  • MCO 3502.3A, Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable) Predeployment Training Program (PTP)
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