Maritime Raid Force - Force Reconnaissance Platoon

Marines and Sailors of the Force Reconnaissance Platoon, 31st MEU's Maritime Raid Force (MRF), take a knee and provide security while conducting a training raid.

Note the fast-roping gloves hanging from the foremost Force Recon Platoon operator.

These protect the wearer from friction burns when sliding down a rope from a hovering helicopter.

During this training raid, members of the Force Recon Platoon fast-roped onto the objective via CH-46E Sea Knight helicopters Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 262 (Reinforced).

The raid was carried out with only a couple of hours notice, reflecting a likely real-world scenario.

The 31st MEU is the only continuously forward-deployed MEU.

It is on standby to respond to a crisis in the Asia-Pacific region.

The Maritime Raid Force must be able to plan and execute operations in a time sensitive manner.

The 31st MEU Maritime Raid Force consists of an assault element (Force Recon Platoon), reconnaissance element (Amphibious Recon Platoon) and a security element (a platoon from the Battalion Landing Team 1st Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment).