Marines activating new recon unit at Lejeune

[unhappycamper]

Marines activating new recon unit at Lejeune
The Associate Press
Posted : Sunday Dec 21, 2008 12:36:41 EST

CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. — The Marine Corps is activating a new North Carolina-based reconnaissance company that will do the usual parachuting and diving, as well as long-gliding parachute drops from high altitudes.

Force Reconnaissance Company will be activated Friday at Camp Lejeune. The unit is designed to gather information for commanders in the 2nd Marine Expeditionary Force.

Force Recon will join three other companies in the 2nd Reconnaissance Battalion.

The skill that differentiates the new company from the others is the use of special parachutes so Marines can be dropped at high altitude and glide a long distance to the landing zone.

Marines are trained in the use of oxygen and to protect themselves against extreme cold for jumps higher than 13,000 feet.


Article at: http://www.marinecorpstimes.com/news/2008/12/ap_MarineRecon_121908/%2e