Marine Corps Base Quantico

The Marine Corps Base Quantico, near Triangle, Virginia, is one of the largest United States Marine Corps bases in the world. It is a major Marine Corps training base, covering nearly 100 square miles. The Corps' Combat Development Command is based here, which develops strategies for Marine combat, and makes up most of the community of over 12,000 military and civilian personnel, including families. It has a budget of around $300 million. The Marine Corps Research Center at Quantico pursues equipment R&D, especially telecommunications, for the Marine Corps. In addition, the FBI has its principal research and training facilities here, including a mock village, numerous labs, and equipment test ranges. Quantico is also the principal training facility for the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA).

It is the site of the Marine Corps Combat Development Command and HMX-1, the presidential helicopter squadron.

The base is the home of major training institutions for both the Marine Corps and federal law enforcement agencies, including:
* Drug Enforcement Administration training academy
* FBI Academy,
* Officer Candidate School,
* The Basic School
* Marine Security Guard Battalion

The base also houses the FBI Hostage Rescue Team (HRT), Marine Corps University; and the Marine Corps Marathon organization.

A replica of the USMC War Memorial, depicting the flag-raising at Iwo Jima, stands at the entrance to the base. (The original stands at the north end of Arlington National Cemetery.)

Marine Corps Base Quantico and the Potomac River surround the town of Quantico. Access to the town is possible only through the base or from the river.

External links

*MCB Quantico website