page_title: 3rd Reconnaissance Battalion
section_title: 1974–present
hierarchical_section_title: 3rd Reconnaissance Battalion / History / 1974–present
context_page_description: The 3rd Reconnaissance Battalion conducts amphibious and ground reconnaissance in support of the 3rd Marine Division and Marine Forces Pacific, operating in the commander's areas of influence. The Battalion is based out of Camp Schwab, a satellite base of Marine Corps Base Camp Smedley D. Butler. It is geographically located on the Okinawa Prefecture in Japan.
context_section_description: Restructuring of 1st and 3rd reconnaissance Battalions:
  1. CMC message 151921Z Jul 74 approved the cadre of 1st Force Reconnaissance Company to zero strength during FY-75
  2. MCBUL 5400 Dated 29 Mar 75 directed the restructuring of Company A, 1st Reconnaissance Battalion and Company B, 3rd Reconnaissance Battalion, replacing one platoon with a deep reconnaissance platoon. The total authorized strength of the deep reconnaissance platoon will be the same as the Battalion Reconnaissance Platoon it replaces, i. e., 1 officer and 23 enlisted.
  It also revised the mission statement of the 1st and 3rd reconnaissance Battalion to read as follows: "Conduct ground reconnaissance operation in support of the Marine Division and its subordinate elements and maintain a minimum capability of one combat ready platoon organized, trained and equipped for the conduct of deep reconnaissance operations in support of the landing force."
  "The deep reconnaissance platoon will have a platoon headquarters and three 4-man deep reconnaissance teams. The scuba and parachute capabilities will be retained in the new platoon. Additionally, the H&S companies will be authorized 23 USMC and 2 USN jump billets for personnel/assigned to the deep reconnaissance platoon."
  3rd Recon Bn was located for a time at Camp Onna Point, circa 1974-1980 in the town of Onna, Okinawa Prefecture, Japan at a former US facility on the Onna peninsula before being relocated to Camp Schwab.  The area has been leveled and no longer occupied by USFJ personnel.
  "2nd Force Reconnaissance Company and the USMCR Force Reconnaissance Company will remain intact with original pre-assault and deep post-assault missions."
  The 3rd Reconnaissance Battalion served in the Gulf War including being involved in the Battle of Khafji.
  In March 2004, elements of B Company, 3rd Reconnaissance Battalion deployed to the Persian Gulf in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.  On 13 February 2005, 3rd Reconnaissance Battalion deployed to Iraq to conduct combat operations in the Al Anbar Province, and was the focus of the documentary film Alpha Company: Iraq Diary. From September 2006 to April 2007, 3rd Reconnaissance Battalion deployed to Iraq to conduct combat operations in the Al Anbar Province. From April to November 2008, 3rd Reconnaissance Battalion deployed to Iraq to conduct combat operations in Al Anbar Province for its third combat tour.  In November 2009, elements of the Battalion deployed in support Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan.  In May 2011, the Battalion deployed again to Afghanistan, this time to the Sangin District of Helmand Province.  They conducted a Relief-In-Place (RIP) with 2nd Reconnaissance Battalion, taking over Patrol Base (PB) Alcatraz and began conducting operations in early June, returning home to Okinawa in December 2011.
caption: Marines from Deep Reconnaissance Platoon, Bravo Company, wait for the word to begin an exercise during Crocodile 2003.
exif: {"Image ImageDescription": "Marines from 3rd Reconnaissance Battalion, wait for the word to begin an exercise during Crocodile 2003.  The Recon Marines felt the final field exercise of Croc would be the 'bread and butter' of the evolution.", "Image Software": "Adobe Photoshop 7.0", "Image DateTime": "2003:10:08 19:31:32", "Image Artist": "LCpl Riddle, Nicholas J USMC", "Image ExifOffset": "356", "EXIF ColorSpace": "Uncalibrated", "EXIF ExifImageWidth": "3032", "EXIF ExifImageLength": "2008"}