CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. --
Marine Corps Camp Pendleton is scheduled to host the 5th annual Recon Challenge Friday, May 17 from 4:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Media are invited to cover the event from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Additional time windows may be available by request.
The Recon Challenge is a grueling one day event held every year at Camp Pendleton. It is open to graduates of the Amphibious Reconnaissance School, Amphibious Reconnaissance Course, and Basic Reconnaissance Course, and was established as a way to bring reconnaissance units together and compete in a "Super Squad" or "Best Ranger" style competition. Twenty four two-man teams are currently scheduled to compete from around the Marine Reconnaissance community.
The Recon Challenge consists of 10 events including a two kilometer open water swim with combat equipment, two obstacle courses, a 23 mile hike through the mountains of Camp Pendleton, weapons proficiency tests, live fire events, multiple water confidence events and multiple strength and endurance events. These events represent the physical and mental training Reconnaissance Marines conduct in preparation for the rigors of combat.
Media will have the opportunity to view participants complete four of the race’s checkpoints: practicing an abandon ship drill by jumping from a 35 meter tower into a pool and swimming 25 meters underwater, assembling an M240 machine gun underwater, and completing the obstacle courses.
-30-
******MEDIA COORDINATION INSTRUCTIONS******
Interested media must RSVP no later than noon, Thursday, May 16. An escort will meet all confirmed media members at Camp Pendleton’s San Onofre/Basilone Road Gate at 10:00 a.m. Friday. To RSVP, or to request a different time window, please e-mail CPAO.MCBCampenMedia@usmc.mil.
-USMC-