MOUNTAIN WARFARE TRAINING CENTER, Calif. -- Since the Marine Corps disbanded the active duty ANGLICO units in April 1997, Reserve ANGLICO units have seen their operations tempo increase. The high demand for Coalition fire support and fire support training in recent years has ANGLICO Marines working hard in support of several foreign militaries.
Long deployments while working alongside active duty units from around the globe are nothing new to these Reserve Marines.
"It is not uncommon for a 3rd ANGLICO Marine to come on active duty in support of operations and exercises for three to four months at a time," said Maj. Terry R. Thomas, 33, a native of Seattle and the officer in charge of 2nd Brigade Platoon-Supporting Arms Liaison Team, 3rd ANGLICO, who works for his family's business, PNW Equipment, a Seattle-based Maritime Transportation Company. "Our training schedule is really fitted around the units we support."
Because one of ANGLICO's primary missions is attaching to foreign militaries, their training extends beyond the continental United States.
"Just in the past year Reserve Marines from 3rd ANGLICO have deployed to Thailand, Philippines, Egypt and throughout California," said Cpl. Brad W. Price, 30, a Santa Barbara native and forward observer for the team.
Future deployments will find ANGLICO Marines heading to such far off places as Australia, the Ukraine and South Korea.
Plans are underway to bring 1st and 2nd ANGLICO units back to active duty in 2003. Currently, the two ANGLICO companies in Marine Forces Reserve are 3rd based out of Long Beach, Calif. and 4th ANGLICO in West Palm Beach, Fla.
Third ANGLICO is structured to be easily task organized to fit the unit and mission they are supporting.
The 150-man company can deploy en masse to support a division size element or in small four- to seven-man teams designed to provide expert fire support for a reconnaissance or Special Forces team.
"Because our teams are so small it is imperative that every member of our team knows each others job," explained Staff Sgt. Eric C. Everts, Fire Control Team Leader. "Our basic skill sets consist of radio communications, proficiency in call for fire procedures and physical strength."
Marines from ANGLICO routinely provide their expertise to reconnaissance or Special Forces which means they have to be trained to function with these units. Parachute, Survival Evasion Resistance and Escape (SERE), Army Pathfinder, and Helicopter Rope Suspension Training (HRST) are just a few of the additional training opportunities available--in addition to their primary Military Occupational Specialty training.
Typically Marines who want to join 3rd ANGLICO have some prior experience in fire support, such as pilots, artillerymen, communicators or infantry, but that is not required.
"If a Marine wants to join our unit we will send them to all the required schools," said Thomas. "We normally ask for a two-year minimum commitment from a Marine because their first year is primarily dedicated to schools and training."
Though the work is demanding and oftentimes dangerous, ANGLICO Marines find the rigors of their profession rewarding.
"The best part of being part of 3rd ANGLICO is that all the Marines are pretty cool and you get to blow a lot of stuff up," said Sgt. Eduardo Espinosa, a Fire Control Team Leader from Sylmare, Calif.