Maritime Special Purpose Force

The Maritime Special Purpose Force (MSPF) were specialized units that were part of Marine Expeditionary Units (Special Operations Capable) (MEU(SOC)).

Maritime Special Purpose Force - Role

The MSPF provided the MEU(SOC) with an organic special operations capability, with a focus on operations in the maritime environment. The roles of the MSPF included:

• Direct Action
• Deep Reconnaissance
• Vessel Board, Search and Seizure (VBSS)
• Maritime Interdiction Operations (MIO)
• Gas and Oil Platform (GOPLAT) interdiction and assault
• Tactical Recovery of Aircraft and Personnel (TRAP)
• Demolitions
• support of other special operations forces

Maritime Special Purpose Force - Organization

A Maritime Special Purpose Force was drawn from elements within its parent Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU(SOC)) and could be rapidly tailored to a specific mission. A MSPF typically consisted of:

• Command Element
  The command element of a MSPF was made up of:
  • Commander, MSPF Team(s)
  • Communications Detachment Team(s)
  • Human Exploitation Team (HET) Team(s)
  • Medical Section[1] Team(s)
  • Intelligence section from MEU(SOC)
    
    
• Security Element
  The MSPF's security element typically comprised a rifle platoon from the Battalion Landing Team (BLT) and may have been augmented by Naval Special Warfare assets such as a SEAL platoon.
  
  
• Assault Element
  The assault element of the Maritime Special Purpose Force consisted of a Force Recon Direct Action Platoon. Other elements, deployed as required, included additional sniper support, SIGINT / Electronic Warfare specialists (Radio Reconnaissance Platoon) and explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) teams.
  
  
• Reconnaissance and Surveillance Element
  The R/S element provided sniper and reconnaissance support for the assault element. It comprised Marines from the MEU's Battalion Recon Platoon, including a sniper team. Radio Reconnaissance Teams provide SIGINT support - listening in on enemy radio transmissions.
  
  
  
• Support Element
  The MSPF's support element includeda Scout Sniper Platoon as well as communications, and Aviation Support. The support element typically consisted of :
  
  • a Team(s), Reconnaissance and Scout Sniper
  Platoons.
  • b Team(s), Communications Det.
  • c Team(s), RadBn Det.
  • d Team(s), HET Det.
  • e Naval Special Warfare Training Unit (As required).
  • f Aviation Support Element.

update - the MSPF is no longer an active formation. The concept, however, lives on with the Maritime Raid Force

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