The First Force Reconnaissance Company (commonly referred to as the 1st Force Recon) was the deep reconnaissance/direct action unit of the United States Marine Corps

United States Marine Corps

The United States Marine Corps is a branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for providing power projection from the sea, using the mobility of the United States Navy to deliver combined-arms task forces rapidly. It is one of seven uniformed services of the United States...

, that was assigned to the Fleet Marine Force, Pacific

Fleet Marine Force, Pacific

The United States Fleet Marine Force, Pacific is the largest maritime landing force in the world. Its units are spread across the Pacific Ocean and reports to the United States Pacific Command. It is headquartered at MCB Camp H. M...

 and its subordinate elements of the Marine Air-Ground Task Force

Marine Air-Ground Task Force

The Marine Air-Ground Task Force is a term used by the United States Marine Corps to describe the principal organization for all missions across the range of military operations. MAGTFs are a balanced air-ground, combined arms task organization of Marine Corps forces under a single commander that...

. Most of the operators went to the newly created Marine Corps Forces Special Operations Command (MARSOC), to the 1st Marine Special Operation Battalion.
The company augmented active-duty forces or were mobilized to conduct pre-assault

Preliminary reconnaissance

Preliminary reconnaissance is the reconnaissance that is used prior to the principal events of any major theater of war or landing force projection...

 and deep post-assault reconnaissance and surveillance in support of Expeditionary Strike Group Three

Expeditionary Strike Group Three

The Expeditionary Strike Group Three, which has its roots in the Amphibious Group Three , is an expeditionary strike group — an amphibious ready group which combines the capabilities of surface action groups, submarines, and maritime patrol aircraft with those of Amphibious Ready Groups...

 and I Marine Expeditionary Force and its subordinate elements; 11th

11th Marine Expeditionary Unit

The 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit is one of seven Marine Expeditionary Units currently in existence in the United States Marine Corps. The Marine Expeditionary Unit is a Marine Air Ground Task Force with a strength of about 2,200 personnel. The MEU consists of a command element, a reinforced...

, 13th

13th Marine Expeditionary Unit

The 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit is one of seven Marine Expeditionary Units currently in existence in the United States Marine Corps. The Marine Expeditionary Unit is a Marine Air Ground Task Force with a strength of about 2,200 personnel. The MEU consists of a command element, a reinforced...

 and 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit

15th Marine Expeditionary Unit

The 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit is one of seven Marine Expeditionary Units currently in existence in the United States Marine Corps. The Marine Expeditionary Unit is a Marine Air Ground Task Force with a strength of about 2,200 personnel...

s, the 1st Marine Expeditionary Brigade.
In 1957, 1st FORECON contained an amphib recon platoon, deep recon platoon, and a pathfinder platoon.

By 1960, 1st Force Recon Company was located at Camp Del Mar (21 Area) and 13 Area of MCB Camp Pendleton

Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton

Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton is the major West Coast base of the United States Marine Corps and serves as its prime amphibious training base...

 and consisted of 6 reconnaissance platoons.