Marine SWAT Team

Marines with Marine Corps Air Station Iwakun, Japan, Special Reaction Team (SRT) move tactically during a hostage rescue exercise, 2011.

Formed from hand-picked military police officers, SRTs functions as the Marine Corp's SWAT (Special Weapons & Tactics) team, handling extreme law enfrocement operations at their stationed USMC installation.

These SRT operators are armed with M4 5.56mmx45mm carbines as their primary weapon and M9a1 9mm pistols carried as a sidearm/secondary weapon in drop leg holsters.

Clothing includes a Mich 2000 helmet, goggles, a nomex balaclava and flight suit, level 4 ballistic vest with front and back trauma plates, magazine pouches, combat boots and impact gloves.

Equipment carried includes spare magazines, zip ties for securing prisoners and chem-lights for marking purposes.

Note the battering ram that has been left on the ground.

Special Reaction Team operators are trained in a variety of breaching methods, including the use of battering rams as well as crowbars, sledge hammers, shotguns and explosives.