Maritime Special Purpose Force
This article's factual accuracy may be compromised due to out-of-date information. (May 2022) |
A Maritime Special Purpose Force (MSPF) is a United States Marine Corps specialized sub-unit of a Marine expeditionary unit (special operations capable) (MEU(SOC)). A MSPF is deployed to give the commanders low profile, two-platoon surgical emplacement in the accessible littoral regions. The MSPF provides the enhanced operational capability and precision skills to complement, enable, and execute selected conventional, maritime special operations. They can also perform operations not resident in traditional amphibious raid companies.
The MSPF provides the MEUs with rapid
A MSPF cannot operate independently of its parent MEU(SOC), on which it relies for
From 2013 to 2023, MEU(SOC)s were defunct including the integral MSPF.[2][3][4] MEUs had a Maritime Raid Force (MRF) the successor of the MSPF.[3][4] In July 2023, II Marine Expeditionary Force certified the first MEU(SOC) in over a decade including the integral MSPF.[5]
Organization
The Maritime Special Purpose Force contains a command element, security element, assault element, and support element. The security element consists of one or more reinforced rifle platoons. The assault element is organized to conduct on-scene command, assault, security, and support functions. The support element is organized to conduct
Command Element
The commander of the MSPF is designated by the MEU(SOC) commander. Command and control remains with the MEU(SOC) Commander.
- Commander, MSPF
- Team(s), Communications Detachment
- Team(s), Human Exploitation Team (HET)
- Team(s), Medical Section[1]
- Team(s), Intelligence section from MEU(SOC)
Security Element
The security element is normally structured around a platoon provided by the Battalion Landing Team (BLT) and may be augmented by the
- Rifle Platoon (-) (reinforced)
- Sea, Air, and Land (SEAL) Strike Platoon, NSWTU, Amphibious Squadron (PHIBRON) (as required)[1]
- Special boat teamsStrike Platoon, part of NSWTU, Amphibious Squadron (support element).
Assault Element (AE)
The AE is the main effort of the MSPF and is organized to perform assault,
- Detachment, Force Recon Direct Action Platoon (DAP)
- Team(s), Security, Fleet Antiterrorism Security Team (FAST) Company
- Team, Explosives Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Detachment
- Team(s), Combat Photo Detachment[1]
Reconnaissance and Surveillance Element (R&S)
The Reconnaissance and Surveillance Element normally consists of the
- Team(s), Scout Sniper Platoon
- Team(s), Radio Reconnaissance Team (Signals Intelligence)
NOTE: The Maritime Special Purpose Force are no longer active and have been replaced with the Maritime Raid Force (MRF). The MRF specializes in operations conducted on structures in or near bodies of water. They utilize speed and stealth to take enemy forces by surprise and secure their target. In order to counter the growing threat of piracy, the MEU created the MRF.
Support Element
The support element normally is composed of assets from the BLT Reconnaissance Platoon coupled with elements of the Aviation Combat Element (ACE), Radio Battalion Detachment, Communications Detachment, and HET assets from the MEU(SOC) CE. Additional capability may be provided by the NSWTU embarked with the Amphibious Ready Group.
- Team(s), Reconnaissance
- Team(s), Communications Detachment
- Team(s), Radio Battalion Detachment
- Team(s), HET Detachment
- NSWTU, PHIBRON (as required)[1]
- Aviation Support Element
The aviation support element is a task organized portion of the
Gallery
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Marines with 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit’s Maritime Raid Force hone their skills on the move during precision marksmanship training at Camp
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Two U.S. Marines of the MSPF operating aDiver Propulsion Device(DPD) used for stealthy approaches. [circa 1999]
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Maritime Raid Force unit move out after a successful reconnaissance mission, shortly before a raid
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Maritime Raid Force, 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit conduct an amphibious insertion onto a beach
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Maritime Raid Force conduct military freefall parachute operations from a UH-60 Black Hawk
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Maritime Raid Force, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, provide security outside of a breached fence during a raid
References
- ^ a b c d e f g Bedard, E. R. (25 September 2001). "Marine Corps Order (MCO) 3120.9B, Policy for Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable)" (PDF). Washington, D.C.: United States Department of the Navy. pp. 13–15. Archived from the original (PDF) on 4 June 2011.
- ^ Marine Corps Supplement to the Department of Defense Dictionary of Military and Associated Terms (PDF). MCRP 5-12C. United States Marine Corps. 19 August 2013. Section I-24. PCN 144 000056 00. Archived from the original (PDF) on 5 June 2022.
- ^ OCLC 913586369. Retrieved 21 December 2023.
- ^ a b Davis, Maj. Daniel J. (8 April 2019). Integrating Expeditionary Ground Reconnaissance into an Optimized Marine Expeditionary Force Information Group (PDF) (Master of Military Studies thesis). Marine Corps University. p. 19. Retrieved 21 December 2023.
- ^ "II MEF Certifies First Special Operations-Capable MEU in a Decade". 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit (SOC) (Press release). United States Marine Corps. 7 July 2023. Retrieved 16 February 2024.
- ^ Boomer, W. E. (28 March 1994). "Marine Corps Order (MCO) 3120.9A, Policy for Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable)". Washington, D.C.: United States Department of the Navy.
External links
- Jones, T. S. (10 January 2001). "Marine Corps Order (MCO) 3502.3A, Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable) Predeployment Training Program (MEU(SOC) PTP)" (PDF). Washington, D.C.: United States Department of the Navy. Archived from the original (PDF) on 19 April 2009.