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Detachment
4th Force Reconnaissance Company
4th Marine Division
4601 Cocoa Avenue
Reno, Nevada 89506-1298
(775) 972-4998
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Officer-in-Charge
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Maj John
P Fairgrieve
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Unit Mission
FORCE RECONNAISSANCE COMPANY
The primary mission of the force
reconnaissance company is to conduct pre-assault and
deep post-assault reconnaissance operations in support
of a landing force and its subordinate elements.
Unit History
4th Special Infantry Company
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15
August 1952-30 June 1962
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49th Rifle Company
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01
July 1962-31 January 1967
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Company "I", 23rd
Marines
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01
February 1967-30 September 1971
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Company "C", 4th
Reconnaissance Battalion
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01
October 1971-31 December 1982
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Det. 4th Force Reconnaissance
Company
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01
January 1983-Present
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History
of the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve in Reno
The
Reno Marine Reserve Unit was activated as the
49th Special Infantry Company, United States Maine
Corps Reserve on 15 August 1952, with Captain
Albert L Simson as the first Commanding Officer.
The Honorable Charles H. Russell, Governor of
the state of Nevada, officiated at the activation
ceremony and proclaimed a Marine Corps Reserve
Week for the State of Nevada. In March 1953, the
first formal inspection of the unit was held and
on 13 June of that year, with thirty Marines in
attendance, the first annual field training was
held at the Marine Recruit Depot, San Diego, California.
During the remainder of the 50's, the unit participated
in field training exercises at Camp Pendelton,
Landing Force Training Command, Coronado and Marine
Corps Base, and Twenty-nine Palms, California.
Home state training was conducted throughout the
regions surrounding Reno and at Marine Barracks
Hawthorne, Nevada.
Beginning in 1956 Cold Weather
and Mountain Warfare Training were held each year
at Bridgeport, California and survival training
was conducted at Stead Air Force Base, Nevada
in 1960-61.
To conform with the reorganization
of the Marine Corps Reserve, this unit was redesignated
as the 49th Rifle Company, FMF, United States
Marine Corps Reserve on 01 July 1962. During its
young life, the Reno unit has participated in
training exercises "Whiplash", "Pikepole"
and "Inferno and has supported the underprivileged
boys summer outing at Camp High Sierra in Bridgeport,
California.
A further update of Reserve
reorganization, caused the unit to be redesignated
as Company "I", 2nd Marines, on 01 February
1967. From that date until 01 October 1971, Company
"I" grew rapidly and focused on training
for its ultimate goal of mobilization.
On 01 October 1971, restructure
of the Marine Reserve again caused a change in
Reno. The unit was redesignated as Company "C",
4th Reconnaissance Battalion. As their newly acquired
reconnaissance mission coincided nicely with the
terrain and environment, the Reno Marines set
about to accomplish individual and small unit
Reconnaissance Training to include: Mountain Warfare,
Helicopter Rappelling, Swimming, Amphibious Reconnaissance
and the opportunity for Parachuting and Scuba
diving. In August
of 1972, the unit relocated from its original
drill center on Evans Avenue near the University
of Nevada, Reno to its present location at 4601
Cocoa Avenue on the former Stead AFB north of
town.
Continuing on with their reconnaissance
training, Co. C, 4th Reconnaissance Bn, performed
numerous training missions in both in and outside
the United States throughout the 1970's. Unit
members participated in cold weather exercises
in Alaska in 1974. Also that year they were called
upon to assist in making a recruiting film, demonstrating,
both cliff and helicopter rappelling, helocasting,
small boat operations and patrolling techniques.
The highlight of the 1970's was the participation
in NATO Exercise BOLD GUARD, 1978 in West Germany.
On January 1,1983, the most
recent chapter in the history of the Reno Marines
began with redesignation, as Detachment, 4th Force
Reconnaissance Company. As part of a reserve Force
Reconnaissance Company headquartered in Hawaii,
the training of the marines in this unit only
intensified. Newer challenges and opportunities
were made available and the unit rose to them.
During the 1980's Marines from
Detachment 4th Force Reconnaissance Company participated
in large scale amphibious exercises such as SOLID
SHIELD, 1986 and KERNAL-BLITZ, 1989 and in numerous
smaller operations both locally and abroad. Honing
their diving skills took Reno Marines to Puerto
Rico, Hawaii, Lake Tahoe and Key West, Florida.
In 1985, a parachute team from the unit took 1st
place in the International Parachute Competition
sponsored by the Rhode Island National Guard.
During this decade, Marines from the unit also
participated in cold weather exercises in Norway
and jungle operations in the Philippines.
Starting in 1986, the Reno Marines
began their association with the Reno Air Races.
This event, held annually every September attracts
people from around the world. The Marines of Detachment
4th Force Reconnaissance Company conduct both
static line and free-fall parachute operations
at the military capabilities demonstration that
opens each day's events. This event is a crowd
pleaser and sets tone for the day's racing events.
The intensive reconnaissance
training of the 1980's finally paid off in 1990
when on November 13th, 37 of the detachment's
Marines were activated to serve in OPERATION DESERT
SHIELD/STORM. These Marines were sent to MCB Camp
Pendleton to further hone their reconnaissance
skills and then were attached to the 5th MEB in
support of the liberation of Kuwait. Landing in
Saudi Arabia shortly after the start of the ground
campaign, the Reno Marines moved into the newly-freed
country Kuwait and conducted battle damage assessment.
The remaining Marines in Reno continued to train
in anticipation of being activated in support
of the war.
Redeploying back with 5th MEB,
the Reno Marines participated in Operation SEA
ANGEL in the country of Bangladesh. This operation
provided humanitarian relief after a large typhoon
devastated the country.
Finally in July of 1991, the
Detachment was reunited when the 37 Marines returned
home. With an experience cadre of Persian Gulf
veterans, training went into high gear for the
remainder of the 1990's. The Marines of Detachment
4th Force Reconnaissance Company continued to
focus on advanced reconnaissance training utilizing
the newest equipment. Diver's underwent the LAR
5 transition course and military free-fall (HALO/HAHO)
parachuting missions were undertaken.
The continuing mission in support
of the active duty forces found the Reno Marines
conducting training with the U.S. Army, U. S.
Marines, Dutch, French and British Royal Marines
both at home and abroad. Smaller unit deployments
became more frequent with Marines supporting active
duty forces in Operation BALAKITAN in the Philippines
and COBRA GOLD exercises with the Royal Thai Marines.
Integration of training with the active duty forces,
particularly 1st Force Reconnaissance Company
became more and more common.
Locally, Marines of Detachment
4th Force Reconnaissance Company assisted in flood
relief operations in Western Nevada and Northern
California during the winter and spring of 1997.
The long-running Toys-for-Tots campaign run by
the unit provides Christmas presents for thousand
of local children.
As Detachment 4th Force Reconnaissance
Company approaches the new century, it continues
to maintain its high standard of training and
professionalism. The Marines of the unit stand
ready to serve their Corps, community and country.
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