Joint Task Force
69-577: The Interim Fast Attack Vehicle ( IFAV ) is a reconnaissance vehicle deployed and used by the United States Marine Force Recon and Marine Expeditionary Units . Force Recon used to operate a fleet of Desert Patrol Vehicles (formerly known as Fast Attack Vehicles or FAVs for short), popularized by the Navy SEALs as the "black dune buggy ." However, this vehicle lacked cargo capacity and firepower, so Force Recon moved to
138-599: A "hot" area, extraction techniques needed to be developed. Bruce Meyer's 1st FORECON , along with 1st Recon Company and 1st Marine Aircraft Wing were aware of the McGuire and STABO systems that were used by the United States Army's Special Forces, though they agreed that they had defects and disadvantages. Instead, the Marine Corps created a system that was a more simplified rig that had greater capacity,
207-578: A FORECON detachment. In July 2023, II Marine Expeditionary Force certified the first MEU(SOC) in over decade, including an MSPF. Two mission sets emerged during the Vietnam War : Key Hole ( deep reconnaissance ) and Sting Ray ( direct action ). These mission sets continue to be important missions for Force units. Key Hole patrols were designed purely around reconnaissance and surveillance. Usually lightly equipped and armed with defensive weapons , they employ evasive techniques to break away from
276-399: A militarized Mercedes-Benz G-Class , also known as a G-wagen, 290 GDT diesel 4×4, a much more traditional " Jeep " type truck. The vehicle has only minimal armor, but numerous defensive weapons, including a Mk 19 automatic 40 mm grenade launcher . This vehicle is manufactured by Magna Steyr ( Austria ) for Mercedes-Benz ( Germany ). One of the important abilities of this vehicle,
345-466: A not combat ready readiness status. Headquarters Marine Corps transferred several Officers and numerous Staff Non Commissioned Officers immediately after the detachment departed. In mid-June the company (-) was alerted to deploy immediately. Due to the reduced personnel readiness status, HQMC changed the deployment plan and ordered that a platoon be assigned to deploy with First Battalion, 26th Marines that had been activated at Camp Pendleton. The remainder of
414-474: A platoon-sized element with heavy firepower (mortars, machine guns, etc.) at their disposal since they were greatly outnumbered and isolated from other major Marine forces, which were still embarked on the destroyer-transport ships. By the end of World War II , the Amphib Recon Battalion disbanded its command; its Marines either filled the ranks of other infantry platoons, or integrated into
483-471: A task organized Special Purpose group carried out a prisoner rescue attempt. The remainder were sent to Khe Sanh where they developed the intelligence of a large enemy buildup, that was the prelude to The Hill Fights that occurred in April 1967. Reunited, what was left of the three platoons, returned to Phu Bai to await the arrival of the company(-). Having been brought up to strength and operational readiness,
552-459: A wide spectrum of reconnaissance but primarily the FORECON operators conduct deep reconnaissance . The Force Recon platoons operate farther inland than their Division Recon counterparts, penetrating deeper into enemy territory from their assigned littoral (coastal) region within a force commander's tactical area of responsibility (TAOR). They operate at such great distances that they are beyond
621-426: Is approximately equivalent to a notional U.S. Army light infantry division organized with two or three brigade combat teams, division artillery (DIVARTY) , a division sustainment brigade , a division headquarters and headquarters battalion and others , and is reinforced with an armored brigade combat team (ABCT) . (While the tank battalion of a MARDIV has fewer tanks than an ABCT, with 58 vice 90, respectively,
690-492: Is based on a reinforced Marine infantry battalion, designated as a battalion landing team (BLT), supported by a medium tiltrotor squadron (VMM) (reinforced), containing both fixed-wing and rotary-wing aircraft and aviation support detachments, and a combat logistics battalion (CLB) , all commanded by a company-sized MEU headquarters group. There are usually three MEUs assigned to each of the U.S. Navy Atlantic and Pacific Fleets , with another MEU based on Okinawa . While one MEU
759-569: Is based on a two-year platoon cycle. Training is ongoing and continuous, and functions as if it were a loop. Before FORECON operators are "Special Operations Capable" they follow the Company's MTP, which underlines the training protocol of the Pre-deployment Training Program (PTP) . The Marine candidates who had passed the initial yet vigorous indoctrination exam must undergo and complete a series of courses required for
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#1732802562327828-417: Is constructed around a reinforced infantry regiment designated as a regimental combat team (RCT), a composite Marine aircraft group , and a combat logistics regiment (CLR) , formerly known as a brigade service support group, all commanded by a battalion-sized command element designated as a MEB headquarters group. The MEB, commanded by a general officer (either a major general or a brigadier general ),
897-577: Is demonstrated through switching between deep reconnaissance patrols to direct action engagements, in certain situations. Green operations are the principal mission of Force Recon, to collect any pertinent intelligence of military importance, observe, identify and report adversaries to MAGTF commanders. Like Division Recon (also known as the Marine Recon Battalions), they employ a mixed element of amphibious reconnaissance and ground reconnaissance . This practice fundamentally covers
966-491: Is no longer a Force Recon mission task. In the past, early Force Reconnaissance companies in the Marine Corps had made numerous titular changes to its table of organization (T/O), so much so that it can be difficult to describe its primary command structure in detail. However, the companies initially were designed to function under the echelon of the Navy/Marine force commanders (e.g. under the direct operational control of
1035-611: Is task-organized to meet the requirements of a specific situation. It can function as part of a joint task force , as the lead echelon of the MEF, or alone. The smallest type of MAGTF is the Marine expeditionary unit (MEU) Special Operations Capable (SOC), designated as an MEU (SOC), commanded by a colonel. The MEU is capable of conducting limited, specialized, and selected special operations missions and to support and sustain itself for up to 15 days in an austere expeditionary environment. The MEU
1104-514: Is the volition of the individual Marine to remain another two-year detachment to the Force Reconnaissance Company. Those that had chosen to remain in the company will proceed to the advanced course of instructions, and again during the next FMF rotational training cycle, and forth. This is due in respects to their status of having already completed and qualified in the appropriate course required for MOS 0321; which otherwise,
1173-894: The Command Elements (CE) of the Marine Air-Ground Task Forces , and the immediate commander of the Marine Expeditionary Force (MEF). They were re-organized or reserved for 'special reconnaissance' assignments that would otherwise help shape the outcome of his battlefield. These companies, for a few times in their existence, had either folded into the Marine Division, its Regiment's Recon Battalions, or dissolved entirely to only resurface during conflicts, or when other similar reasons had arisen. The creation of Marine Special Operations Command (MARSOC) on February 24, 2006 marked
1242-677: The Commandant of the Marine Corps , directed that Force Reconnaissance Companies be re-established from Division Reconnaissance Battalion personnel to support the three MEFs: I MEF , II MEF and III MEF . The companies were placed under the operational command of the MEF and under the administrative control of the Division Reconnaissance Battalion. In December 2008, 2nd Reconnaissance Battalion activated its Force Reconnaissance Company. The three Force Reconnaissance companies of I, II, and III MEF are currently
1311-502: The Commander, Amphibious Task Force (CATF) and Landing Force (CLF), and Fleet Marine Force ) during amphibious landing operations or expeditionary engagements—to provide timely intelligence without exhausting their reconnaissance assets from the Marine Division without hampering their valuable support to its infantry regiments. Due to these changes, FORECON has been detached and reported to multiple commanders of Marine divisions ,
1380-648: The I Marine Expeditionary Force (I MEF) is composed of the I MEF Headquarters Group , the 1st Marine Division , the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing and the 1st Marine Logistics Group , all based on the West Coast. Two notable deployments of an entire MEF were when I Marine Expeditionary Force deployed in support of Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm . I MEF ultimately consisted of the 1st and 2nd Marine Divisions as well as considerable Marine air and support units. I MEF also deployed to Somalia in December 1992 for
1449-557: The Marine expeditionary force (MEF) and provide direct action and deep reconnaissance during large-scale operations. The Marine Forces Special Operations Command ( MARSOC ) Raider battalions were originally composed of Marine Special Operations Teams formed from Force Recon platoons in 2006 ( Det One ). MARSOC now has its own separate training pipeline. Force Recon companies continue to operate and focus primarily on direct action , intelligence gathering and maritime raid operations in
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#17328025623271518-728: The Observer Group , under the command of Major James L. Jones , they were among the first—along with the early Navy Combat Demolition Units (the predecessor to the Underwater Demolition Teams [i.e., the Navy SEALs])—to embark from submarines; most of their missions complemented those of the NCDU and the UDT. The 'amphibious reconnaissance' doctrine clearly outlined that the recon Marines' duties consisted of scouting
1587-665: The Scout (Tank) companies, and the newly formed division reconnaissance companies. This force-level reconnaissance element was not re-established until the early 1950's, when the Amphibious Reconnaissance Battalions were assembled for preliminary operations in Korea. Their efforts proved that gaining the knowledge of the enemy before a major operation was crucial to safeguarding the men, and provided better operational planning. The Korean War introduced
1656-571: The Special Personnel Insertion and Extraction (SPIE) rig. The CIA 's highly secretive Special Activities Division (SAD), and more specifically its elite Special Operations Group (SOG), recruit operators from Marine Force Recon. In addition, joint Force Recon and CIA operations go back to the famed Military Assistance Command, Vietnam – Studies and Observations Group ( MACV-SOG ) during the Vietnam War and still exist to this day. The Reconnaissance/Surveillance Section of
1725-699: The Surveillance, Reconnaissance, and Intelligence Group (SRIG), was formed within the III Marine Amphibious Force (IIId MAF). The obsolete pathfinding operations were taken over by the newer beacons and homing devices. 3rd Force Reconnaissance Company was activated, trained, fought, and deactivated during the Vietnam War . Activated in September 1965 as one of the first group of add-on units to meet demands of operations in Vietnam,
1794-545: The United States Marine Corps , a Marine air–ground task force ( MAGTF , pronounced MAG-TAF ) is the principal organization for all missions across the range of military operations. MAGTFs are a balanced air–ground, combined arms task organization of Marine Corps forces under a single commander that is structured to accomplish a specific mission. The MAGTF was formalized by the publishing of Marine Corps Order 3120.3 in December 1963, "The Marine Corps in
1863-534: The guidance of ordnance, laser rangefinders , and many more were tested. During the Vietnam War, one of the reconnaissance officers of Code 121, then-Major Alex Lee, brought most of his testing experience to 3rd Force Reconnaissance Company when he was assigned as the commanding officer from 1969 to 1970. He formed Force Recon's missions that are still distinct today: remote sensor operations . The Surveillance and Reconnaissance Center (SRC), predecessor to
1932-554: The visit, board, search, and seizure (VBSS) of ships during Maritime Interdiction Operations (MIO), as well as orchestrating close air support , a vital skill exercised in DA missions; Force Recon operators forward observe from static positions and spider holes for artillery and naval gunfire support , or ordnance and payload delivery. They provide personal security detail (PSD) for critically important personnel. They are capable of performing In-Extremis Hostage Rescue (IHR), but this
2001-548: The visit, board, search, and seizure (VBSS) role. A force recon detachment had, since the mid 1980s, formed part of the Maritime Special Purpose Force (MSPF), a specialized sub-unit of a Marine expeditionary unit (special operations capable) MEU(SOC). From 2013-2023, MEU(SOC) were defunct, including the integral MSPF. A MEU had a Maritime Raid Force (MRF), the successor of the MSPF built around
2070-485: The 'Recon Platoon' and evaluated their results for use in parachuting and pathfinding missions, in addition to using its heliborne and aircraft wing assets to add 'deeper' reconnaissance penetration capabilities. This new-found capability gave reconnaissance Marines the advantage of operating further behind enemy lines. The MCTU#1's Reconnaissance Platoon, commanded by Captain Joseph Taylor, founded and adopted
2139-811: The Caribbean and Panama. Returning to North Carolina in March, final preparations were carried out to meet the projected deployment date in May 1966. The expected deployment of the entire company did not occur, but a two platoon detachment embarked on the USS Boxer, transited through the Suez Canal, and arrived in country in time to be introduced to combat in Operation Hastings as part of The Special Landing Force in early July 1966. The company (-) dropped to
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2208-789: The DMZ, while the Battalion Company was targeted south of Highway Nine to the Thua Thien border. Occasional circumstances caused deviation from that concept, but, for the most part, those deviations were rare. Third Force continued that operational commitment until the Third Division left country in November 1969. Third Force was placed under command of The Third Marine Expeditionary Force and operated in general support of IIId MAF until deactivated in mid-1970. On 9 September 2010,
2277-404: The FORECON are not part of 4th Reconnaissance Battalion , which is itself a separate unit reporting directly to the 4th MarDiv CG. Each Force Reconnaissance company is basically the same; they all contain a command element and Force Recon platoons. Each company is commanded by a company commander and his executive officer . The historical roots of 'Force Recon' companies can be traced back to
2346-570: The Fleet Marine Force (the highest command echelon of the United States Marine Corps). At first, the concept was to be formed into a "Force Recon Battalion"—this battalion would have as many 'force recon' companies as there were division-wing MAGTF's in the Marine operating forces. Recognizing the limited budget during the fiscal year of 1957, it was instead recommended that it be formed at company-sized elements for
2415-715: The Force Reconnaissance platoon assigned to the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit (special operations capable) (MEU(SOC)) on the USS Dubuque (LPD-8) conducting the USMC's first opposed VBSS recapturing the MV Magellan Star from Somali pirates in the Gulf of Aden . In 2010, a Force Reconnaissance team from the 24th MEU won the 2010 2nd Annual Warrior Competition against tactical units from all over
2484-534: The MARDIV assault amphibian vehicle (AAV) battalion has four companies of 42 AAVs each and is capable of transforming an entire Marine infantry regiment into an amphibious mechanized infantry force.) The MAW, with its aircraft groups (MAGs) and air control groups (MACGs) , is comparable to a notional U.S. Air Force (USAF) numbered air force consisting of a mix of several USAF wings and USA combat aviation brigades (nominally at least two of each). Lastly,
2553-1002: The MEF HQG may be considered as roughly analogous to a notional U.S. Army (USA) division headquarters that also contains a combined battlefield surveillance brigade (BFSB) / maneuver enhancement brigade (Army MEB). This comparison is based on the fact that the MEF HQG contains several of the key components of the BSB and Army MEB (viz., network support , military intelligence , military police , and long-range surveillance ) resident in its organic communications , intelligence , law enforcement , and radio battalions and attached force reconnaissance company . The MARDIV, containing two or three infantry regiments , an artillery regiment , and several separate armored vehicle battalions (i.e., tank , assault amphibian, and light armored reconnaissance ) and other combat support battalions (i.e., reconnaissance , combat engineer , and headquarters )
2622-459: The MLG and its organic logistics regiments are the USMC organizational and functional equivalents of a USA Sustainment Command (Expeditionary) and its constituent sustainment brigades . The MEF, which varies in size, is capable of conducting missions across the full range of military operations and to support and sustain itself for up to 60 days in an austere expeditionary environment. For example,
2691-470: The Marine Corps to operate strategically, in concert with or against, the use of nuclear weapons . Many of the conceptual ideas for Force Recon were pioneered by Major Bruce F. Meyers, the test unit's "Reconnaissance/Pathfinder Project Officer" from MCTU #1's Plans and Development (P&D) Section. His position can be seen as an unillustrated subsidiary to an 'operations' (G-6) and 'training' (G-7) officer. Major Meyers tested various innovative techniques for
2760-609: The Marines as a FAV in the 1990s. The U.S. Marine Corps acquired 157 of the IFAVs distributed as follows: United States Marine Corps Force Reconnaissance Force Reconnaissance ( FORECON ) are United States Marine Corps deep reconnaissance companies that provide military intelligence to the command element of the Marine Air-Ground Task Force (MAGTF). Force Reconnaissance companies report to
2829-583: The National Defense, MCDP 1-0". It stated: A Marine air–ground task force with separate air ground headquarters is normally formed for combat operations and training exercises in which substantial combat forces of both Marine aviation and Marine ground units are included in the task organization of participating Marine forces. Since World War II, in many crises the United States Marine Corps has deployed projection forces, with
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2898-572: The United States Marine Corps' first commitment to the United States Special Operations Command (USSOCOM). On August 11 2006, 2nd FORECON was deactivated with the majority of its personnel transferred to MARSOC to establish 2nd Marine Special Operations Battalion (2nd MSOB) with two platoons reassigned to 2nd Reconnaissance Battalion to establish D Company. Two months later in October, 1st FORECON met
2967-585: The United States is willing to defend its interests, and is able to do so with a powerful force on short notice. The four core elements of a Marine air–ground task force are: The four core elements describe types of forces needed and not actual military units or commands. The basic structure of the MAGTF never varies, though the number, size, and type of Marine Corps units composing each of its four elements will always be mission dependent. The flexibility of
3036-563: The Weapons Planning Group, Landing Force Development Center at Quantico introduced Force Recon to new technological methods of achieving their objective. Many of its tests and evaluations resembled the tests of MCTU #1. However, MCTU #1 were testing methods of inserting reconnaissance teams "deep" into the battlefield. The Weapons Planning Group (Code 121) provided the equipment that would become instrumental to recon Marines. Beacons for helicopter guidance, laser designators for
3105-450: The West and East Coast. In July 1957, The MCTU #1 was amalgamated into the existing 1st Amphibious Reconnaissance Battalion. The next day, the battalion cased its colors and re-designated it as 1st Force Reconnaissance Company. Although the test unit was no longer operating, Meyers continued to research and test more innovative methods. Major Meyers and his top swimmers and senior officers of
3174-438: The ability to move ashore with sufficient sustainability for prolonged operations. MAGTFs have long provided the United States with a broad spectrum of response options when U.S. and allied interests have been threatened and in non-combat situations which require critical response. Selective, timely and credible commitment of air–ground units has, on many occasions, helped bring stability to a region and sent signals worldwide that
3243-470: The antecedent Amphibious Reconnaissance Battalion , whose numerous pre-D–Day reconnoitering of enemy beaches during the Pacific campaigns of World War II proved the vitality of the Fleet Marine Force's amphibious reconnaissance doctrine . This unique unit reported directly to the landing force commander, providing him important intelligence at his disposal. Formed initially as a company-size element from
3312-473: The boundaries, or fan, of any artillery and/or naval gunfire support (NGFS); unlike their Division Recon brethren, whose operations are primarily within the artillery and gunfire support fan. Silence and stealth are vital in reducing chances of compromising their position—if a single round is fired, the mission is deemed to have failed. The United States Marine Corps Force Reconnaissance detachments, or FORECON, operate in deep reconnaissance, direct action, and
3381-574: The company formed at Camp Lejeune, N.C. and satellite on Second Force Reconnaissance Company that was under strength due to the demands for trained Force Recon Marines assigned to First Force in country. Facilities, cadre and equipment for training were provided by Second Force. Volunteers were solicited from throughout the Marine Corps and the first four months were devoted to bringing the company up to strength in personnel. Beginning in January 1966 all operational personnel departed Camp Lejeune to train in
3450-752: The company was ordered to move to Camp Pendleton to refit. At the conclusion of Hastings the detachment was attached to Third Reconnaissance Battalion that had just arrived in Phu Bai from DaNang, having been replaced by the First Reconnaissance Battalion that had just begun arriving with the First Marine Division. Shortly, they were joined by the platoon that had come in country with 1/26. They patrolled in Thua Thien Province until early January, 1967, when
3519-538: The company was reunited on April 27, 1967, just in time for the NVA offensive to seize Quang Tri Province. The logistics element arrive at the "Ramp" at Dong Ha just in time for the opening salvos of the NVA artillery attacks that would continue daily until late autumn. The operational element experienced a mortar attack in Phu Bai at the same time resulting in several shrapnel wounds, only one of which, required evacuation. The new arrivals were integrated with combat veterans and
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#17328025623273588-483: The company would test and train in submarine lock-in and lock-out methods and ascending techniques. After being cross-trained by the Navy's Master Divers, they learned the operation of the early rebreather systems and advanced open water swimming. Meyers understood that his recon Marines would be operating 50 to 150 miles away from their littoral or operating area, or from any naval support. In order to get his Marines out of
3657-1193: The control of supporting arms; to convey military intelligence beyond the means of a commander's area of influence on the battlefield. They are capable of operating independently in combined methods of amphibious and ground operations by utilizing methods of conventional and unconventional warfare in defense of the United States. Although Force Recon has never been part of the United States Special Operations Command, their missions slightly differentiate them from other United States Special Operations Forces units. Colloquially, they are specialized in all tactical areas of warfare. Force Recon will train with other Special Operations forces, such as United States Navy SEAL's , United States Army Special Forces , and United States Air Force Pararescue , in order to master all skill sets. The Marine Corps has seen fit to train versatile specialists rather than specialists in individual areas of combat. Their reconnoitering roles (whether amphibious or ground) include preliminary (or "pre–D-Day") and post-assault reconnaissance. Some examples are: Black operations are
3726-601: The designated MOS 0326 [formerly 8654 ], "Reconnaissance Marine, Parachutist/Combatant Diver Qualified," known as the 'accession pipeline.' Their courses to its various schools are intertwined with the Pre-deployment Training Program (PTP), a training protocol of the Fleet Marine Force –its task forces –that are conducted yearly in a perpetual, continuous cycle. The reconnaissance Marines within FORECON community are unique in that it
3795-409: The enemy should the need arise; avoiding enemy contact is paramount. Conversely, Sting Ray operations have goals more closely in line of offensive strikes. In a Sting Ray operation, the FORECON operators are heavily armed and use artillery and/or naval gunfire support, if available. However, what began as a 'keyhole' patrol could become a 'stingray' patrol with little warning. The versatility of FORECON
3864-632: The entire eighteen teams conducted a zone reconnaissance in the Cobi Than Tan Valley east of Hue City before displacing to Dong Ha. Upon arrival at Dong Ha in early May the Commanding Officer assumed command of Third Recon Battalion (Forward), which had reconnaissance responsibility for all of Quang Tri Province except the Khe Sanh TAOR (Tactical Area of Operations). The company patrolled the area north of Highway nine to
3933-502: The humanitarian relief effort there as well as deploying to Kuwait beginning in 2002 and taking part in the 2003 Invasion of Iraq . The three Marine expeditionary forces are: A Marine expeditionary brigade (MEB) is larger than a Marine expeditionary unit (MEU) but smaller than a MEF. The MEB, which varies in size, is capable of conducting missions across the full range of military operations and to support and sustain itself for up to 30 days in an austere expeditionary environment. It
4002-486: The initial training, e.g. the accession pipeline, are reserved for the candidates. The first phase in FORECON's Mission Training Plan takes place within the MEU's Initial Training Phase . During the "Individual Training Phase", the candidates are undergoing the accession pipeline to become qualified MOS 0321 (Reconnaissance Marine). After further training, the already-billeted Force Recon operators (who had already completed
4071-481: The littoral areas, or beachhead, and inland; to test the soil permeability for a possible beach landing; to clear any obstacles that may hinder an amphibious assault; and to observe any sign of enemy activity. The Navy UDT were tasked with providing the same, but from off the coastline to the littoral, or adjacent beach areas. Jones and his Recon Marines scouted the Japanese-fortified beaches and observed
4140-511: The missions that require direct action (DA). They are the opposite of green operations missions, where the Force Recon operators "look for trouble." Depending on the situation and the target location, the FORECON operators usually conduct direct action missions within the artillery and naval gun support fan; these operations demonstrate "small-scale" shock and awe . Examples are the seizures and occupation of gas/oil platforms (GOPLAT) and
4209-538: The more modern 'force reconnaissance' doctrine, methods which were instrumented by Major Meyers. They were developing and performing innovative clandestine insertion methods before the Navy SEAL's , and the Army's "Green Berets" , such as the submarine locking -in and -out methods, and underwater "blow-and-go" ascents. The USMC concluded that parachute reconnaissance and pathfinding capabilities would exist at force level,
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#17328025623274278-496: The new concept of using rotary-wing aircraft to the Marine Corps in combat employment for logistics and rapid troop transport. Also, the atomic age was emerging and caused concern among the military leaders. The Commandant of the Marine Corps , General Lemuel Shepherd created a test unit, the Marine Corps Test Unit 1 (MCTU #1), to research and experiment on new and improved combat tactics and on methods to prepare
4347-588: The only active components of force- level reconnaissance; whereas the 3rd and 4th FORECON are the Selected Reserve force reconnaissance assets available to augment and reinforce the Fleet Marine Force. In the Marine Corps Reserve, the FORECON are separate units reporting directly to the 4th Marine Division Commanding General (4th MarDiv CG), unless mobilized and ordered detached to a Gaining Force Commander. Additionally, as separate units,
4416-470: The organizational structure allows for one or more subordinate MAGTFs to be assigned. Seabees of the U.S. Navy may be deployed in support of a MAGTF. A Marine expeditionary force (MEF), commanded by a lieutenant general , is composed of a MEF headquarters group (MEF HQG) , a Marine division (MARDIV) , a Marine aircraft wing (MAW) , and a Marine logistics group (MLG) . For comparison purposes, in relation to other U.S. ground and air combat forces,
4485-517: The required courses in the accession pipeline [BRC, parachutist and diving, and SERE/HRP courses]) attain MOS 0326 (Reconnaissance Marine, parachute and combatant diver qualified) and may continue to remain with FORECON after the three-year rotation cycle. They may be selected for additional advanced cross-service training from other schools provided by the Special Operations Forces (SOF) units. Although these specialized schools are not necessarily required, they are highly encouraged. MAGTF In
4554-464: The same fate, with the majority of its personnel transferred to establish 1st Marine Special Operations Battalion (1st MSOB) with two platoons reassigned to 1st Reconnaissance Battalion to establish D Company. The D companies in the Division Reconnaissance Battalions were designed to maintain and preserve a 'deep reconnaissance' asset for the Marine Expeditionary Force (MEF). In 2007, 2nd Reconnaissance Battalion deactivated its D Company. In 2008,
4623-414: The terrain, materials, or other entities, primarily reporting to the force commander any vital intelligence of mission-oriented importance. Although Jones's Marines were all skilled surface swimmers, they usually inserted by boats—mostly due to the multiple radios (primary and contingent) they carried, as relaying communication to the landing force commander was paramount, and as a timely means of sending in
4692-410: The world. Training within the company is outlined by the mission training plan (MTP). It is used in conjunction with the training and exercises that are conducted by the Marine Expeditionary Units for their " Special Operations Capable " certification. It follows a systematic approach to training, and the emphasis is to "train as they expect to fight". The mission training plan has five phases, and
4761-404: Was that it was possible transport by air on USMC aircraft such as the CH-46 Sea Knight , CH-53 Super Stallion , and V-22 Osprey . The IFAV has since been replaced by the Internally Transportable Light Strike Vehicle (ITV-LSV). The USMC Interim Fast Attack Vehicle (IFAV) is a modified version of the Mercedes-Benz Geländewagen 290. It replaces the modified M151A2 1/4 ton truck jeep used by
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