Marines

Photo Information

Colonel Augustin Bolanio (center), the commanding officer of the 4th Civil Affairs Group, Sgt. Maj. Mark Davis (left), and Lt. Col. Jeremy Chio (right), stand at attention after uncasing the unit battle colors during the reactivation ceremony of the 4th CAG Dec. 15. The Marines hosted community members and distinguished visitors during a re-activation ceremony that marked the official standing up of the first Marine Corps civil affairs group in South Florida. The civil affairs group will be the conduit between the U.S. military forces and civilian authorities, local population and non-governmental organizations and will conduct civil military activities to enhance the relationship with host nation personnel and publics.

Photo by Staff Sgt. Earnest J. Barnes

4th Civil Affairs Group activates in south Florida

19 Dec 2013 | Sgt. Michael Ito U.S. Marine Corps Forces Reserve

NEW ORLEANS – As part of the commandant-directed Force Structure Review, the 4th Civil Affairs Group was reactivated during a ceremony in Hialeah, Fla., Dec. 15.

“Today we are born as a civil affairs group, as a unit and as a family,” said Col. Augustin Bolanio, commanding officer for 4th CAG. “Every one of you will do well, because you have already proven, right from the beginning, that you can perform in all civil affairs matters.”

The 4th CAG is not a brand-new unit, but was reactivated after FSR prompted changes in the force. The unit that was previously dubbed 4th CAG, based in Washington, D.C., is now the 2nd CAG. The new structure provides the Marine Corps with four CAGs, doubling its pre-FSR numbers. Each of the four CAGs are a part of Marine Forces Reserve, making civil affairs operations a capability unique to the Marine Corps Reserve.

The 4th CAG’s mission, when deployed, is to act as the conduit between U.S. military forces and the local population, civilian authorities and non-governmental organizations. Civil affairs Marines, on many occasions, have distinguished themselves in Iraq and Afghanistan by working together with local citizens, soldiers and Marines operating near their homes and businesses to improve relations and understanding between them.