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A Maritime Special Purpose Force (MSPF) is a
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
The security element is normally structured around a platoon provided by the Battalion Landing Team (BLT) and may be augmented by the Naval Special Warfare Task Units (NSWTU) embarked within the Amphibious Ready Group. The security element will act as a reinforcing unit, a support unit, a diversionary unit, or an extraction unit.
*Rifle Platoon (-) (reinforced)
* Sea, Air, and Land (SEAL) Strike Platoon, NSWTU, Amphibious Squadron ( PHIBRON) ''(as required)''
* Special boat teams Strike Platoon, part of NSWTU, Amphibious Squadron (support element).
The AE is the main effort of the MSPF and is organized to perform assault, explosive breaching, internal security, and sniper functions. The assault function will normally be executed by the Force Recon detachment. Mission-specific augmentation (e.g., additional sniper support, specialized demolitions, explosive ordnance disposal,
The Reconnaissance and Surveillance Element normally consists of the Scout Sniper Platoon from the Battalion Landing Team.
*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NOTE: The Maritime Special Purpose Force are no longer active and have been replaced with the Maritime Raid Force (MRF).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.
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),
File:Marines with 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit’s Maritime Raid Force hone their skills on the move during precision marksmanship training at Camp Pendleton, Feb. 6, 2017.jpg, Marines with 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit’s Maritime Raid Force hone their skills on the move during precision marksmanship training at Camp
File:MSPF with DPD -001-.jpg, Two U.S. Marines of the MSPF operating a Diver Propulsion Device (DPD) used for stealthy approaches. '' irca 1999'
File:USMC-111216-M-SE916-063.jpg, Maritime Raid Force unit move out after a successful reconnaissance mission, shortly before a raid
File:U.S. Marines assigned to Force Reconnaissance Platoon, Maritime Raid Force, 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit conduct an amphibious insertion onto a beach while training foreign marines Sept 130901-M-SO289-001.jpg, Maritime Raid Force, 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit conduct an amphibious insertion onto a beach
File:US Marines conduct military freefall parachute operations from a UH-60 Black Hawk (130905-M-SO289-011).jpg, Maritime Raid Force conduct military freefall parachute operations from a UH-60 Black Hawk
File:USMC-120708-M-FJ370-015.jpg, Maritime Raid Force, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, provide security outside of a breached fence during a raid
United States Marine Corps
The United States Marine Corps (USMC), also referred to as the United States Marines or simply the Marines, is the maritime land force service branch of the United States Department of Defense. It is responsible for conducting expeditionar ...
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
Special operations or special ops are military activities conducted, according to NATO, by "specially designated, organized, selected, trained, and equipped forces using unconventional techniques and modes of employment." Special operations ma ...
. They can also perform operations not resident in traditional amphibious raid
RAID (; redundant array of inexpensive disks or redundant array of independent disks) is a data storage virtualization technology that combines multiple physical Computer data storage, data storage components into one or more logical units for th ...
companies.
The MSPF provides the MEUs with rapid direct action capabilities. They are also responsible for ''in extremis'' hostage rescue (IHR) in urban areas.
A MSPF cannot operate independently of its parent MEU(SOC), on which it relies for logistics
Logistics is the part of supply chain management that deals with the efficient forward and reverse flow of goods, services, and related information from the point of origin to the Consumption (economics), point of consumption according to the ...
, intelligence
Intelligence has been defined in many ways: the capacity for abstraction, logic, understanding, self-awareness, learning, emotional knowledge, reasoning, planning, creativity, critical thinking, and problem-solving. It can be described as t ...
, communication
Communication is commonly defined as the transmission of information. Its precise definition is disputed and there are disagreements about whether Intention, unintentional or failed transmissions are included and whether communication not onl ...
s, transportation
Transport (in British English) or transportation (in American English) is the intentional Motion, movement of humans, animals, and cargo, goods from one location to another. Mode of transport, Modes of transport include aviation, air, land tr ...
, and fire support. However, it is capable of conducting operations with, or in support of the operators of the United States special operations forces. The MSPF's task organization is often conformed as an addition of the Amphibious Ready Group’s Naval Special Warfare Task Unit detachment.
From 2013 to 2023, MEU(SOC)s were defunct including the integral MSPF. MEUs had a Maritime Raid Force (MRF) the successor of the MSPF. In July 2023, II Marine Expeditionary Force certified the first MEU(SOC) in over a decade including the integral MSPF.
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 reconnaissance
In military operations, military reconnaissance () or scouting is the exploration of an area by military forces to obtain information about enemy forces, the terrain, and civil activities in the area of operations. In military jargon, reconnai ...
and surveillance
Surveillance is the monitoring of behavior, many activities, or information for the purpose of information gathering, influencing, managing, or directing. This can include observation from a distance by means of electronic equipment, such as ...
, sniper control and support, counter-intelligence, human intelligence (HUMINT
Human intelligence (HUMINT, pronounced ) is intelligence-gathering by means of human sources and interpersonal communication. It is distinct from more technical intelligence-gathering disciplines, such as signals intelligence (SIGINT), imager ...
), signals intelligence
Signals intelligence (SIGINT) is the act and field of intelligence-gathering by interception of ''signals'', whether communications between people (communications intelligence—abbreviated to COMINT) or from electronic signals not directly u ...
/ electronic warfare (SIGINT/EW), and close air support.
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 *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 Naval Special Warfare Task Units (NSWTU) embarked within the Amphibious Ready Group. The security element will act as a reinforcing unit, a support unit, a diversionary unit, or an extraction unit.
*Rifle Platoon (-) (reinforced)
* Sea, Air, and Land (SEAL) Strike Platoon, NSWTU, Amphibious Squadron ( PHIBRON) ''(as required)''
* Special boat teams Strike 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, explosive breaching, internal security, and sniper functions. The assault function will normally be executed by the Force Recon detachment. Mission-specific augmentation (e.g., additional sniper support, specialized demolitions, explosive ordnance disposal, signals intelligence
Signals intelligence (SIGINT) is the act and field of intelligence-gathering by interception of ''signals'', whether communications between people (communications intelligence—abbreviated to COMINT) or from electronic signals not directly u ...
/ electronic warfare (SIGINT/EW), etc.) will be provided from other MEU(SOC) assets or from the NSWTU embarked with the ARG.
*Detachment, Force Recon Direct Action Platoon (DAP)
*Team(s), Security, Fleet Antiterrorism Security Team
The Marine Corps Security Force Regiment is a dedicated expeditionary security and anti-terrorism regiment of the United States Marine Corps. Its mission is to provide security forces to guard high-value naval installations, most notably t ...
(FAST) Company
*Team, Explosives Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Detachment
*Team(s), Combat Photo Detachment
Reconnaissance and Surveillance Element (R&S)
The Reconnaissance and Surveillance Element normally consists of the Scout Sniper Platoon from the Battalion Landing Team.
*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
In military operations, military reconnaissance () or scouting is the exploration of an area by military forces to obtain information about enemy forces, the terrain, and civil activities in the area of operations. In military jargon, reconnai ...
*Team(s), Communications Detachment
*Team(s), Radio Battalion Detachment
*Team(s), HET Detachment
*NSWTU, PHIBRON ''(as required)''
*Aviation Support Element
The aviation support element is a task organized portion of the Marine Air-Ground Task Force's MEU Aviation Combat Element. They are capable of precise night vision
Night vision is the ability to see in low-light conditions, either naturally with scotopic vision or through a night-vision device. Night vision requires both sufficient spectral range and sufficient intensity range. Humans have poor night v ...
flying and navigation, various insertion/extraction means and forward arming and refueling point operations. The specific structure of the aviation support element will vary depending on the lift requirements and distance to the crisis site.
Gallery
References
External links
* {{cite web , url=http://marines.mil/news/publications/Documents/MCO%203502.3A%20W%20ERRATUM.pdf , first=T. S. , last=Jones , title=Marine Corps Order (MCO) 3502.3A, Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable) Predeployment Training Program (MEU(SOC) PTP) , location=Washington, D.C. , publisher=United States Department of the Navy , date=2001-01-10 , url-status=dead , archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20090419034956/http://www.marines.mil/news/publications/Documents/MCO%203502.3A%20W%20ERRATUM.pdf , archivedate=19 April 2009 , df=dmy-all Marine expeditionary units of the United States Marine Corps