thedrifter
10-10-03, 06:14 AM
22d MEU's MSPF learns how to 'take down' ships at sea
Submitted by: 22nd MEU
Story Identification Number: 2003108115343
Story by Gunnery Sgt. Keith A. Milks
FORT EUSTIS, VA (Oct. 4, 2003) -- In the years since a United Nations-sanctioned embargo went into affect against Iraq in August 1991, forces from the U.S. and coalition navies have boarded and searched more than twelve thousand ships looking for illegal arms, prohibited import and export items, and fugitives from justice. While the vast majority of these boardings have been undertaken with the full compliance of the ship's crew, there has been the rare exception when the searchers needed a bit of muscle to get the job done.
For the 22d Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), that muscle belongs to the unit's Maritime Special Purpose Force (MSPF) which recently completed the Visit, Board, Search and Seizure (VBSS)/Maritime Interception Operations (MIO) Course taught by the II Marine Expeditionary Force's Special Operations Training Group (SOTG).
The five-day course, held at Fort Eustis, Virginia, is designed to provide the MSPF and supporting forces with a basic understanding and proficiency in boarding and seizing ships at sea via helicopter. Among the course participants was the MSPF composed of the MEU Command Element's Force Reconnaissance Platoon and a security platoon from Battalion Landing Team 1st Bn., 6th Marines, as well as sniper teams from BLT 1/6. Providing the lift for the course were helicopters from Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 266 (Reinforced), the 22d MEU's aviation combat element.
Using training ships furnished by the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy and the James River Reserve Fleet, the Marines conducted three search and seizure exercises.
During each situational training exercise (STX), the MSPF fast roped onto the merchant ships from CH-46E Sea Knight medium-lift assault helicopters and quickly scoured the ship, searching for and engaging any hostiles and eventually gaining control of the vessel. During the insert, search and extract, UH-1N utility helicopters maintained a constant, lethal presence overhead with Marine snipers aboard providing overwatch of the numerous levels and decks of the merchant ships. Marines from MEU Service Support Group 22, the MEU's combat service support element, added a touch of realism by portraying crew members and hostile forces attempting, without success, to defend their ship against the MSPF.
The VBSS/MIO Course is the latest in a string of courses the MSPF has undertaken as it hones its proficiency for the MEU's upcoming deployment and has included such topics as close quarters battle skills, precision shooting, helicopter rope suspension training, and urban assault, among others.
The 22d MEU is scheduled to deploy early next year aboard the amphibious ships USS WASP, SHREVEPORT, and WHIDBEY ISLAND as part of the WASP Expeditionary Strike Group/22d MEU.
For more information on the mission, organization, and status of the 22d MEU, visit the unit's web site at www.22meu.usmc.mil.
http://www.usmc.mil/marinelink/image1.nsf/Lookup/2003108115546/$file/OverwatchLow.jpg
A member of the security platoon for the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit's Maritime Special-Purpose Force stands ready during a Visit Board Search-Seizure (VBSS) exercise at Fort Eustis, Virginia. Behind him, a MSPF sniper in a UH-1N 'Huey' provides overwatch.
Photo by: Lance Cpl. Thomas C. Alston
http://www.usmc.mil/marinelink/image1.nsf/Lookup/200310812216/$file/WeaponsReadyLow.jpg
Weapons at the ready, members of the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit's Maritime Special Purpose Force (MSPF) search a ship at Fort Eustis, Virginia during a recent Visit Board Search-Seizure (VBSS) exercise.
Photo by: Lance Cpl. Thomas C. Alston
http://www.usmc.mil/marinelink/mcn2000.nsf/main5/CEBA4C6539B7322085256DB9005750C6?opendocument
Sempers,
Roger
:marine:
Submitted by: 22nd MEU
Story Identification Number: 2003108115343
Story by Gunnery Sgt. Keith A. Milks
FORT EUSTIS, VA (Oct. 4, 2003) -- In the years since a United Nations-sanctioned embargo went into affect against Iraq in August 1991, forces from the U.S. and coalition navies have boarded and searched more than twelve thousand ships looking for illegal arms, prohibited import and export items, and fugitives from justice. While the vast majority of these boardings have been undertaken with the full compliance of the ship's crew, there has been the rare exception when the searchers needed a bit of muscle to get the job done.
For the 22d Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), that muscle belongs to the unit's Maritime Special Purpose Force (MSPF) which recently completed the Visit, Board, Search and Seizure (VBSS)/Maritime Interception Operations (MIO) Course taught by the II Marine Expeditionary Force's Special Operations Training Group (SOTG).
The five-day course, held at Fort Eustis, Virginia, is designed to provide the MSPF and supporting forces with a basic understanding and proficiency in boarding and seizing ships at sea via helicopter. Among the course participants was the MSPF composed of the MEU Command Element's Force Reconnaissance Platoon and a security platoon from Battalion Landing Team 1st Bn., 6th Marines, as well as sniper teams from BLT 1/6. Providing the lift for the course were helicopters from Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 266 (Reinforced), the 22d MEU's aviation combat element.
Using training ships furnished by the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy and the James River Reserve Fleet, the Marines conducted three search and seizure exercises.
During each situational training exercise (STX), the MSPF fast roped onto the merchant ships from CH-46E Sea Knight medium-lift assault helicopters and quickly scoured the ship, searching for and engaging any hostiles and eventually gaining control of the vessel. During the insert, search and extract, UH-1N utility helicopters maintained a constant, lethal presence overhead with Marine snipers aboard providing overwatch of the numerous levels and decks of the merchant ships. Marines from MEU Service Support Group 22, the MEU's combat service support element, added a touch of realism by portraying crew members and hostile forces attempting, without success, to defend their ship against the MSPF.
The VBSS/MIO Course is the latest in a string of courses the MSPF has undertaken as it hones its proficiency for the MEU's upcoming deployment and has included such topics as close quarters battle skills, precision shooting, helicopter rope suspension training, and urban assault, among others.
The 22d MEU is scheduled to deploy early next year aboard the amphibious ships USS WASP, SHREVEPORT, and WHIDBEY ISLAND as part of the WASP Expeditionary Strike Group/22d MEU.
For more information on the mission, organization, and status of the 22d MEU, visit the unit's web site at www.22meu.usmc.mil.
http://www.usmc.mil/marinelink/image1.nsf/Lookup/2003108115546/$file/OverwatchLow.jpg
A member of the security platoon for the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit's Maritime Special-Purpose Force stands ready during a Visit Board Search-Seizure (VBSS) exercise at Fort Eustis, Virginia. Behind him, a MSPF sniper in a UH-1N 'Huey' provides overwatch.
Photo by: Lance Cpl. Thomas C. Alston
http://www.usmc.mil/marinelink/image1.nsf/Lookup/200310812216/$file/WeaponsReadyLow.jpg
Weapons at the ready, members of the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit's Maritime Special Purpose Force (MSPF) search a ship at Fort Eustis, Virginia during a recent Visit Board Search-Seizure (VBSS) exercise.
Photo by: Lance Cpl. Thomas C. Alston
http://www.usmc.mil/marinelink/mcn2000.nsf/main5/CEBA4C6539B7322085256DB9005750C6?opendocument
Sempers,
Roger
:marine: