Maritime Special Purpose Force#Support Element

File:26th MEU Maritime Raid Force CQB Bahrain 130510-M-SO289-007.jpg compound with Deployable Specialized Forces Middle East Training Team]]

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 and surveillance, sniper control and support, counter-intelligence, human intelligence (HUMINT), signals intelligence/electronic warfare (SIGINT/EW), and close air support.{{cite web |url=http://www.fas.org/irp/doddir/usmc/mco3120-9.txt |first=W. E. |last=Boomer |title=Marine Corps Order (MCO) 3120.9A, Policy for Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable) |location=Washington, D.C. |publisher=United States Department of the Navy |date=1994-03-28}}

File:USS Fort McHenry (LSD 43) 150115-M-WA276-526 (16313393891).jpg with the Maritime Raid Force detachment, provides medical aid to a simulated injured Marine during a visit, board, search, and seizure exercise]]

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)

File:15th MEU MRF conducts VBSS during COMPTUEX 150318-M-GC438-189.jpg operators man the boat for Maritime Raid Force members to conducts VBSS training]]

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).

File:Force Recon Marines take over ship at night 150417-M-PA636-017.jpg

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/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 (FAST) Company
• Team, Explosives Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Detachment
• Team(s), Combat Photo Detachment

File:MRF conducts maritime interoperability training 150113-M-SV584-241.jpg

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.

File:Maritime Raid Force Breaches into INTEROP 16-1 151210-M-MS007-025.jpg

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)
• 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 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.

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. [circa 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

{{reflist}}

• {{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 }}

Category:Marine expeditionary units of the United States Marine Corps