Marines

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A reconnaissance team with 4th Force Reconnaissance Company, 4th Marine Division, Marine Forces Reserve, prepares to land at Drop Zone Linus at Fort Hunter Liggett, Calif, March 8-12, 2016. The parachute training enabled the Marines to maintain their proficiency with the MC-7 parachute system. (Photo courtesy of 4th Force Recon)

Photo by Photo courtesy of 4th Force Recon

4th Force Recon Marines increase combat effectiveness alongside California Army National Guard

17 Mar 2016 | Maj. Dan Rueda U.S. Marine Corps Forces Reserve

Marines with 4th Force Reconnaissance Company, 4th Marine Division, Marine Forces Reserve, conducted parachute insertion, surveillance, patrolling, and land navigation training aboard the central California base, March 8-12, 2016.

With more than 164,000 acres of nearly un-encroached training area, Fort Hunter Liggett is an ideal location for reconnaissance Marines to hone their craft.

             With a diverse landscape of high mountains, rolling hills, valleys, forest, and plains, the base provided a unique training location for reconnaissance Marines to improve their skills. The less than ideal weather provided the Marines with an added opportunity to refine their ability to maintain an observation post and conduct surveillance under such harsh conditions.

            Parachute training allowed the Marines to maintain their proficiency using the MC-7 parachute system, during parachute operations.  They specifically executed a parachute insertion, with weapons and combat equipment, out of a CH-47 helicopter from Bravo Company, 1st Battalion, 126th Aviation Regiment, California Army National Guard, from Stockton, California. Once on the ground, the Marines cached their parachutes and patrolled to their observation post to conduct surveillance.

            During the simulated mission, the Marines had the opportunity to observe and report real time on military training conducted by an adjacent Army reserve engineer unit.  The observed activity was reported back to a reconnaissance operations center where the engineering operations were continuously monitored. Additionally, the Marines had the opportunity to operate against an independent enemy who was actively conducting security patrols in the training area. 

At the end of the weekend, the 4th Force Reconnaissance Marines were able to receive valuable training by combining multiple tiers of a reconnaissance mission, including insertion, surveillance, and escape and evasion, into a full mission profile, including reporting on an active opposition force.


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