KATY, TEXAS – Marines from various reserve units in Texas are supporting FEMA, state and local response efforts in the wake of Hurricane Harvey. Currently, Charlie Company, 4th Assault Amphibian Battalion, based in Galveston, and Charlie Company, 4th Reconnaissance Battalion, based in San Antonio, are conducting immediate response missions in support of the relief efforts. Both units fall under the command of 4th Marine Division, Marine Forces Reserve.
The remainder of Marine Forces Reserve assets – which include a number of different boats, aircraft and tactical vehicles – are awaiting tasking by U.S. Northern Command. The units are organized as a Special Purpose Marine Air Ground Task Force (SPMAGTF).
The MAGTF is the Marine Corps’ principal organization for conducting missions across the range of military operations, including Humanitarian Assistance/Disaster Relief (HADR) across the globe in which the Marine Corps has a great deal of expertise.
The SPMAGTF is currently headquartered in Katy, Texas, but is poised to rapidly respond with air, ground and logistics assets throughout the hurricane’s affected areas if assistance is requested from U.S. Northern Command.
