Maritime Special Purpose Force - M240

Marines with the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit's (Special Operations Capable)'s Maritime Special Purpose Force (MSPF) fire a M240G medium machine gun mounted on a HMMWV during training.

The MSPF is the MEU(SOC)'s organic special operations formation, capable of a range of operations including maritime interdiction tasks such as raiding oil and gas platforms, retaking pirate-held ships and striking targets on land.

The MSPF consists of a core assault element of Force Reconnaissance Marines.

note: these days, the Maritime Special Purpose Force has been regorganised into the Maritime Raid Force (MRF).

The MRF is a unit capable of small-scale special missions such as maritime interdiction and direct action raids.

A modern-day MEU will also have a Marine Special Operations Company (MSOC) attached to it which is capable of the full spectrum of special operations.