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Maritime special forces From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Netherlands Maritime Special Operations Forces (NLMARSOF, also simply referred to as MARSOF) is the special forces unit of the Marine Corps of the Royal Netherlands Navy. It is one of the three principal units tasked with special operations in the Netherlands (the other being the Korps Commandotroepen and 300SQN). The unit can be deployed worldwide to conduct special operations, including counter-terrorism both overseas and domestically, with a maritime focus.[1] Its operations are planned and coordinated by the Netherlands Special Operations Command (NLD SOCOM).
| Netherlands Maritime Special Operations Forces NLMARSOF | |
|---|---|
| Nederlandse Maritieme Special Operations Forces | |
Emblem of NLMARSOF | |
| Active | 2013-present |
| Country |  Netherlands |
| Allegiance | HM The King |
| Branch |  Royal Netherlands Navy |
| Type | Special forces |
| Role | Counter-terrorism Direct action Military assistance Special reconnaissance Hostage rescue |
| Part of | Netherlands Marine Corps |
| Garrison/HQ | Doorn and Den Helder |
| Motto(s) | Nec timide, nec tumide ("Without fear, without overconfidence") |
| Insignia | |
| Frogman insignia and NLMARSOF-trident |  |
| Abbreviation | NLMARSOF |
The unit was created in 2013 with the merger of the Unit Interventie Mariniers (UIM) and the Maritime Special Operations (MSO)-company.[2]
Until 2008, the Dutch maritime special forces capability consisted of three distinct units: the Dutch Frogmen Platoon, the Mountain Leader Reconnaissance Troop, and the Unit Interventie Mariniers. The Dutch Frogmen Platoon has historically had a strong connection with the UK Special Boat Service, and was informally often named "7th Troop SBS". The Mountain Leader Reconnaissance Troop (ML Recce Troop), was established in 1990 and modeled after the Brigade Patrol Troop of the UK Royal Marines.[3] The Unit Interventie Mariniers (UIM), named Bijzondere Bijstandseenheid (Special Support Unit) until 2006, was formed on 22 February 1973, in response to a rising threat of terrorist attacks in both Europe and domestically. The main goal of this unit is the countering of large scale and/or complex domestic terrorist attacks.[4]
Since 2006 the operational command of UIM is executed by the Dienst Speciale Interventies of the Dutch National Police. In 2008, the Dutch Frogmen Platoon and the ML Recce Troop merged into the Maritime Special Operations Company (MSO-Coy) and were tasked with all amphibious operations for the Royal Netherlands Navy. While commencing in an informal manner in 2009, since 2013 NLMARSOF was officially established as a new operational unit. The MSO-Coy was renamed Conventional-Squadron (C-Squadron), and is tasked with the full spectrum of special operations outside of the Netherlands.[3]
UIM was renamed Maritime-Squadron (M-Squadron), and is dedicated to national counter-terrorism missions under operational command of the DSI. Training-Squadron (T-Squadron) will support both M-Squadron and C-Squadron, and is responsible for all training and the recruitment of new operators.[3]
NLMARSOF currently consists of three operational squadrons, and one dedicated operational support group:[5]
NLMARSOF carries out four main types of operations:[6]
All new personnel for NLMARSOF is recruited from within the Netherlands Marine Corps ranks, there is no possibility for civilians or military personnel from other branches to join NLMARSOF.[7]
The training starts with a three-week pre-selection course, the Aptitude. Recruits must endure this pre-selection to qualify for the twenty-week MSOF-course, which will transform the recruits into NLMARSOF-operators. After the MSOF-course, all recruits must complete the fourteen-week Nationale Interventie Opleiding (National Intervention Course), which focuses on domestic counter-terrorist scenarios. The operators that have completed both of these courses are then fully operational to serve in M-Squadron. Operators bound for C-Squadron will have to complete the Mountain Leader or the twelve-week Frogmen course to obtain operational status within C-Squadron.[8]
M-Squadron was founded as the Bijzondere Bijstandseenheid (BBE, Special Support Unit) in 1972 and was the first dedicated counter-terrorism unit in the Netherlands. Its establishment was deemed necessary after a rise of the terrorist threat level in Europe, such as the Munich Massacre, and domestically, such as the terrorist attacks committed by Moluccans.[9]
Domestic operations conducted by M-Squadron take place under the command of the Dienst Speciale Interventies (DSI) of the Dutch National Police since 2006. While the operational command resides with the DSI, M-Squadron continues to be an organisational unit of NLMARSOF and the Netherlands Marine Corps.[10]
C-Squadron conducts operations outside of the Netherlands and consists of regular NLMARSOF-operators that have completed the MSOF- and NIO-training, and operators that have completed the additional Mountain Leader and/or Frogmen training.[11]
Since its establishment M-Squadron, and its predecessors BBE and UIM, and C-Squadron, and its predecessor MSO-Company, have conducted various famous operations. An overview of some notable operations the units have been involved in:
NLMARSOF operators have access to a wide variety of weapons. These include the following:
| Name | Origin | Type | Cartridge | Image | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Glock 17 |  Austria |
Semi-automatic pistol | 9×19mm Parabellum |  |
Standard issue pistol within NLMARSOF. Fitted with a laser light module. |
| Mossberg 590 |  United States |
Pump-action shotgun | 12 gauge |  |
Used with buckshot ammunition and fitted with a pistol grip, optimised for door breaching. |
| FN P90 |  Belgium |
Personal defense weapon | FN 5.7×28mm |  |
Fitted with a suppressor, optics and a laser light module. Used by M-Squadron for domestic counter-terrorism operations.[22] |
| Heckler & Koch MP7 |  Germany |
Personal defense weapon | HK 4.6×30mm |  |
Fitted with a suppressor, optics and a laser light module. |
| SIG MCX |  Switzerland |
Assault rifle | .300 AAC Blackout |  |
Fitted with the SIG Sauer Suppressed Upper Receiver (SUR), an integral suppressor. In addition, it is fitted with a Magpul stock, SIG Sauer optics and a laser light module.[23] |
| Heckler & Koch HK416 | Germany |
Assault rifle | 5.56×45mm NATO |  |
Standard-issue assault rifle within NLMARSOF. Fitted with a suppressor, optics and a laser light module.[24] |
| FN MINIMI | Belgium |
Light machine gun | 5.56×45mm NATO |  |
Used by C-Squadron during foreign deployments in high-risk environments. |
| Accuracy International AWM/AXMC |  United Kingdom |
Sniper rifle | .300 Winchester Magnum .338 Lapua Magnum |
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Anti-personnel sniper rifle in use with NLMARSOF sniper team. AXMC rifles, successor to the AWM, have recently been acquired to replace the aging AWM rifles.[25] |
| Barrett M82 | United States |
Sniper rifle | .50 BMG | Anti-materiel rifle in use with NLMARSOF sniper teams.[26][27] | |
| Heckler & Koch UGL | Germany |
Grenade launcher | 40mm grenade |  |
Undersling grenade launcher that can be fitted to the HK416 assault rifle.[24] |
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