PDA

View Full Version : Recon unit reassigned to II MEF



Shaffer
07-10-02, 10:12 AM
Often called the eyes of the commander, 2nd Force Reconnaissance Company
will be reassigned today in a move to report directly to the II Marine
Expeditionary Force headquarters.

II MEF commander Lt. Gen.-select Martin R. Berndt is scheduled to reassign
2nd Force Reconnaissance Company from the 2nd Reconnaissance Battalion
within the 2nd Marine Division to the MEF headquarters section.

Members of the deep reconnaissance unit typically use special operations
skills such as moving silently into place unseen through the use of scuba
diving or freefall parachutes.

Marking the event with a 9 a.m. ceremony today, Lt. Col. James E. Reilly III
will assume command from Maj. Robert McCarthy II, and Sgt. Maj. William H.
Bly will take the position as the senior enlisted leader of the unit from
1st Sgt. Gary B. Cross.

More than a decade ago, 2nd Force Reconnaissance Company, 2nd Intelligence
Battalion, 2nd Radio Battalion and 8th Communication Battalion were
consolidated under a single 2nd Surveillence, Reconnaissance and
Intelligence Group, a unit that was disbanded in the late 1990s.

At that time, 2nd Force Reconnaissance Company was consolidated into 2nd
Reconnaissance Battalion.

Today, the last of these four intelligence and communications assets will be
under the direct control of their MEF staff counterparts.