NEW ORLEANS -- 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.