Marines Forces Reserve answers Texas's call

By Pfc. Samantha Schwoch , Marine Corps Forces Reserves

U.S. Marines with 4th Reconnaissance Battalion, 4th Assault Amphibian Battalion and 14th Marine Regiment, 4th Marine Division, Marine Forces Reserve, came together in wake of Hurricane Harvey to conduct search and rescue missions and provide disaster relief to effected areas of Texas and Louisiana, Aug. 28-Sept. 3, 2017.

Hurricane Harvey was a storm of record breaking proportions, dropping an estimated 27 trillion gallons of water or 51 inches of rain in areas of both Texas and Louisiana. U.S. Marines supported lead federal agencies and worked closely with state and local officials to conduct search and rescue missions. With flood waters rising to record proportion, the Marines’ amphibious capabilities, which make them unique amongst the services, allowed them to swiftly rescue residents in distress.

The U.S. Marine Corps Reserve is exceptional in its ability to respond quickly to any call and to flexibly conduct operations through air, logistics and ground elements. For example, the Marines rapidly mobilized and used their amphibious assault vehicles designed to transport Marines from ship to shore for rescuing approximately 327 residents from flood affected areas. 

“We were called up to come out and provide humanitarian assistance to the local population,” said Gunnery Sgt. Alan Daigle, a platoon sergeant with 4th Assault Amphibian Battalion, 4th Marine Division, Marine Forces Reserve. “We got the call to come over to east Texas, into Beaumont, Lumberton and Port Arthur areas. So we’ve been doing humanitarian missions, going out with the swift water rescue survival team and finding areas that traditional military vehicles cannot get in and out of. The amphibious assault vehicles help us get to those areas.”

Marines from 4th Reconnaissance Battalion, 4th Assault Amphibian Battalion and Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 773 rescued almost 1,300 locals and countless animals from the affected areas.

“We got our first mission to Clearview, Texas, to help the local authorities there to go to these neighborhoods that were unreached,” said Sgt. Brad L. Coats, a reconnaissance Marine with 4th Reconnaissance Battalion, 4th Marine Division, Marine Forces Reserve. “They had us going house to house via Zodiac, which is our combat rubber rafts, checking on the individuals that were in these houses to see if they wanted to be rescued or if they needed supplies.”

The units from Marine Forces Reserve focused on life-saving efforts throughout south east Texas, where many of the Marines are from. Charlie Company, 4th AAV Bn is located in Galveston, Texas and 4th Reconnaissance Bn, in San Antonio. The Texas based Marines have longstanding relationships in the surrounding communities where they live and work.

“We have a personal responsibility to pull together because it’s like our home is being invaded in a way,” said Staff Sgt. Travis Hough, a reconnaissance Marine with 4th Reconnaissance Battalion, 4th MarDiv, MARFORRES. “Since all of us are from San Antonio and the surrounding areas essentially it’s more than just a duty but more of a personal responsibility to help out our fellow communities, it’s the best part about having that special bond together, especially in Texas.”