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Recon History 1983

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TIMELINE OF EVENTS

2ND RECON BN. A Co. 1st. plt. OPERATION URGENT FURY

OPERATION URGENT FURY

OCT. 1983 - FEB. 1984   2ND RECON BN. A Co. 1st. plt.

First Hand Account
18 Oct. - 1983 A co 1st plt. 2nd recon bn. boards the U.S.S. FORT SNELLING in Morehead city, NC, as part of the renumbered 22nd MAU, formerly the 32nd MAU. The 22nd MAU was assigned to replace the 34th MAU that was serving as part of the U.N. peacekeeping force in Beirut, Lebanon.
21 Oct. - 1983 The 22nd MAU redirects towards the Caribbean island of Grenada as part of OPERATION URGENT FURY.
23 Oct. - 1983 While in route the news is learned of the bombing of the Marine headquarters in Beirut, Lebanon.
25 Oct. - 1983 Recon plt., commanded by Lt. Charles Dalgleish, inserts unopposed, by LCU on the eastern side of the island. Recon plt. is assigned to perform perimeter security as elements of bn. 2/8 established a beach head. For the next 4 days, recon plt. served as advance scouts in front of Golf co. 2/8.Ground reconnaissance and security patrols were primary duties. The hot, humid climate combined with difficult terrain proved to be a challenge, but the superior training and conditioning of the recon plt. was more than adequate. There were no casualties or fatalities.
30 Oct. - 1983 OPERATION URGENT FURY was deemed a success. Recon plt. Was ordered to re-embark to the USS FT .SNELLING.

 

OPERATIONS IN BEIRUT, LEBANON

OPERATIONS IN BEIRUT

LEBANON May 1983 – Feb. 1984

First Hand Account
29th May 1983 The 24th MAU relieved the 22nd MAU, which was assigned to conduct joint service security , to support the Lebanese Armed Forces ( LAF). The multi nation peace keeping force also included French and Italian airborne units. The 24th MAU was formed around bn. 1/8 with C co 3rd plt.  2nd recon bn. in support.
June-Oct 1983 The MNF position at the Beirut International Airport was under ever increasing mortar, artillery and small arms attacks. The situation was getting worse as casualties mounted.
23rd Oct.1983 0630 Sunday morning the Marine headquarters was attacked by a truck laden with explosives. The explosion resulted in 239 U.S. servicemen , 1 French liaison officer and 1 Lebanese civilian killed, with another 112 U.S. servicemen wounded. A simultaneous attack on the French H.Q. resulted in 58 French paras killed.
17 Nov.1983 The 22nd MAU, bn. 2/8 reinforced, landed in Beirut, Lebanon. They arrived to relieve the battered 24th MAU and secure the Beirut International Airport. The recon plt. was assigned to a position on the northern end of the airport, they shared their position with TOW plt. The first priority was to heavy up the security of  their positions. 2 major improvements were felt immediately, 1st was a change in the rules of engagement; which allowed Marines to effectively engage threats. 2nd was the use of premade fighting positions constructed by the engineers then excavated into the ground and reinforced by many sand bags. The scene was reminiscent of the trench warfare of WWI.
Dec.- Feb. 1984 The recon plt. conducted foot patrols and ground reconnaissance, in an effort to keep the Bn. C.O. informed of activities in the northern sector of the airport.1 team was detached and sent to assist ANGLICO call close air support and provide security. During this period , enemy small arms fire was a constant threat and security levels had to remain high. No casualties or fatalities were incurred by recon.
Feb. 1984 By early February the LAF had all but ceased to be an effective force in Beirut. The U.N. position was almost untenable. February 21st the U.S. orders the withdrawal of U.S. troops. Recon plt. performs security for the withdrawal operation, and were the last Marine unit to leave the airport.