Brief History of 1st Force Reconnaissance Company

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1st Force Reconnaissance Company was formed at Camp Pendleton, CA in 1957.  The Company evolved from the famed amphibious reconnaissance units from World War Two and the Korean War, from the Reconnaissance Platoon, Marine Corps Test Unit #1, the Amphibious Reconnaissance Company, FMFPAC, and the 1^st Reconnaissance Company, 1^st Marine Division.  

Highlights of early Force Reconnaissance training included initial terminal guidance during amphibious operations and helicopter assault pathfinder training.  The Company also sustained obstacle clearing and landing zone preparation essential tasks in support of early-Marine Corps helicopter borne operations, built on the development and testing foundations pioneered by Marine Corps Test Unit #1, and refined other development functions for amphibious reconnaissance, parachute insertion, and pathfinder support.  

In addition to static line and military freefall parachute insertion techniques, the Company developed and refined submarine insertion/extraction techniques, to include the initial “blow and go” techniques, refined SCUBA capabilities and procedures, and developed the initial deep reconnaissance capability within the Department of Defense. 

During 1958, approximately half of the 1^st Force Reconnaissance Company was reassigned and transferred to Camp Lejeune, North Carolina to form the 2nd Force Reconnaissance Company.  

1st Force Reconnaissance Company deployed to Republic of Vietnam in the summer of 1965, however sub-units of the Company had been operating in South Vietnam since early 1964.  The Company was employed with Marine Regiments, was assigned under operational control of 3d Reconnaissance Battalion, and operated as subordinate Task Units, as a Marine Division asset, at the Task Force level and ultimately under operational control of the III Marine Amphibious Force.  During nearly five years in Vietnam the Company conducted over 2,200 reconnaissance patrols, participating in numerous operations, to include STARLIGHT, BIRDWATCHER, DOUBLE EAGLE, HASTINGS, PRAIRIE, HUE CITY, HOUSTON, TAYLOR COMMON, and MUSKOGEE MEADOW.  

Following its return from Vietnam in 1970, the Company gradually regenerated itself both in personnel and training. The Company's 6^th Platoon was reassigned to 3d Reconnaissance Battalion on Okinawa to retain a deep reconnaissance capability with   III Marine Amphibious Force, and in late 1974 the Company was deactivated.  A limited deep reconnaissance capability was retained as members of 1^st Platoon were reassigned to 1st Reconnaissance Battalion, 1st Marine Division.  

1st Force Reconnaissance Company was reactivated on 26 September 1986.  The Company deployed a platoon with Contingency MAGTF 1-88 in the Persian Gulf in 1988, participating in Gas Oil Platform operations and other security operations in that Theater.  During September 1990, the Company (-) deployed to the Persian Gulf in support of Operations DESERT SHIELD/STORM and was reinforced by 3d Force Reconnaissance Company while assigned to a  “Reconnaissance Group” with 2d Force Reconnaissance Company under the 1^st Surveillance, Reconnaissance and Intelligence Group.  Following the Gulf War, Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable) Direct Action Platoons from 1^st Force Reconnaissance Company participated in ground and amphibious reconnaissance in support of Operation RESTORE HOPE in Somalia, participated in security operations in East Timor and in ground reconnaissance and combat operations in support of Task Force 58 in Afghanistan.  

1^st Force Reconnaissance Company deployed to Kuwait in January 2003 and participated in Operation IRAQI FREEDOM.  The Company was reinforced with platoons from 2d and 4^th Force Reconnaissance Companies and was in direct support of I MEF, Task Force TARAWA, and the 1^st Marine Division.  The Company (-) redeployed during May 2003 and Detachment, 1^st Force Reconnaissance Company, attached to Task Force SCORPION, redeployed during September 2003.   The Company deployed to Iraq for Operation Iraqi Freedom-2 during February 2004 with attachments from 3d Force Reconnaissance Company, serving in Direct Support of Regimental Combat Team-7, 1^st Marine Division (REIN).   

1^st Force Reconnaissance Company is currently at full strength with six reconnaissance platoons supporting 11^th, 13^th and 15^th Marine Expeditionary Units, the emerging Expeditionary Warfare Groups, the 1^st Marine Expeditionary Brigade and the 1^st Marine Expeditionary Force.  The company retains a full command control, military freefall, combatant diver, mounted and dismounted reconnaissance capabilities, as well as a Company level Direct Action capability.  The command is also a force provider to emerging Marine Corps Special Operations initiatives with HQMC/USSOCOM.   

1^st Force Reconnaissance Company has been awarded the following service streamers: the Presidential Unit Citation with three bronze stars, the Navy Unit Commendation with three bronze stars, the Meritorious Unit Commendation with two bronze star, the National Defense Service Streamer with three bronze stars, the Vietnam Service Streamer with two silver and three bronze stars, the Southwest Asia Service Streamer with two bronze stars, The Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Palm Streamer, and the Vietnam Meritorious Unit Civil Actions Streamer.