Operation Iraqi Freedom
Marines from 4th Reconnaissance Battalion have served multiple combat tours in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom supporting active-duty Force Reconnaissance units and Division-level reconnaissance units. In 2003 Charlie Company augmented 2nd Force Reconnaissance Company, II Marine Expeditionary Force in support of Task Force Tarawa. Charlie Company lead reconnaissance efforts through the initial invasion of Iraq, during the Battle of An Nasiriyah, the Jessica Lynch rescue, and initial movements to secure Baghdad and Al-Kut. In 2005 Headquarters and Service Company augmented 3d Battalion, 25th Marines in Al Anbar. In 2006 and 2007, 4th Reconnaissance Battalion headquarters and platoons operated as an independent command in support of Regimental Combat Team 7 in Iraq's Al Anbar Province. Detachment 4th Force Reconnaissance Company 4th Marine Division
Previous Address of Company "C" 4th RECON BN 4601 Cocoa Avenue Reno, Nevada 89506-1298
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 15 August 1952-30 June 1962
49th Rifle Company 01 July 1962-31 January 1967
Company "I", 23rd Marines 01 February 1967-30 September 1971
Company "C", 4th Reconnaissance Battalion 01 October 1971-31 December 1982
Det. 4th Force Reconnaissance Company 01 January 1983-Present 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 Pendleton, 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 1970s. 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 1970s 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 1980s 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 1980s 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 1990s. 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.