ANGLICO History
A history of the Marine Corps Air Naval Gunfire Liaison Company (ANGLICO) providing fire support and communication specialists to the fight.
ANGLICO is a specialized United States Marine Corps unit that provides close air support, artillery fire, naval gunfire support, and communications expertise to force on the ground. ANGLICO units consist of highly trained officers and enlisted personnel who work closely with the Army, Navy, and Air Force to coordinate these fire support capabilities.
The history of ANGLICO can be traced back to the Korean War, when Marine Corps leaders recognized the need for a specialized unit to coordinate air and naval gunfire support for ground forces. In 1951, the Marine Corps established the 1st Air Naval Gunfire Liaison Company (1st ANGLICO), composed of volunteers from other Marine Corps units. ANGLICO Marines were used to spot ordnance drops in Seoul, the Chosin Reservoir, and other battles.
During the Vietnam War, ANGLICO units played a critical role in providing fire support to Marines engaged in combat. They operated in small teams attached to Marine infantry units, and their ability to call in accurate and timely fire support was instrumental in many successful operations.
One of the most well-known examples of ANGLICO's effectiveness in Vietnam was during the Battle of Khe Sanh in 1968. ANGLICO teams were able to coordinate airstrikes and artillery fire to repel the enemy's repeated attacks on the Marine base at Khe Sanh, which was under siege for over two months.
ANGLICO units also provided critical fire support during the Tet Offensive, which was a massive surprise attack by North Vietnamese forces in 1968. ANGLICO teams were able to quickly coordinate fire support from artillery and close air support to help repel the enemy's attacks and turn the tide of the battle.
Since then, ANGLICO units have been involved in numerous conflicts and operations, including Operation Desert Storm, Operation Iraqi Freedom, and Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan.
ANGLICO units were heavily involved in the Iraq War, providing critical fire support capabilities to Marines and other coalition forces engaged in combat operations. One of the key roles of ANGLICO units in Iraq was to coordinate air support, including both fixed-wing and rotary-wing aircraft, for both American and coalition forces.
During the initial invasion of Iraq in 2003, ANGLICO teams were instrumental in coordinating air support for advancing ground forces. They were able to provide close air support and coordinate airstrikes on enemy positions, helping to rapidly advance coalition forces through enemy-held territory. ANGLICO teams continued to be involved in operations throughout the Iraq War, providing fire support for both offensive and defensive operations.
ANGLICO teams also worked closely with Afghan security forces and Georgian soldiers, helping to train and advise them on the use of artillery and other fire support capabilities. This allowed these forces to become more self-sufficient in conducting their own operations and provided them with the necessary capabilities to support coalition efforts.
One of the most significant engagements involving ANGLICO in Afghanistan was the Battle of Marjah in 2010. ANGLICO teams were attached to Marine infantry units and provided critical fire support, including artillery and close air support, as well as coordinating support from unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). The intense fighting in Marjah lasted for several weeks, and ANGLICO's ability to provide accurate and timely fire support was essential to the success of the operation.
Overall, ANGLICO's contributions to the Global War on Terror demonstrated the importance of their specialized capabilities in providing effective and coordinated fire support to ground forces in a complex and dynamic battlefield environment.
Today, ANGLICO units remain a critical component of the Marine Corps, providing essential fire support capabilities to Marines operating in a variety of environments and situations.