page_title: Marine Corps Security Force Regiment
section_title: History
hierarchical_section_title: Marine Corps Security Force Regiment / Fleet Anti-terrorism Security Team (FAST) companies / History
caption_attribution_description: English: The Marines of 1st FAST 1st Platoon after raiding a mock embassy in Rota Spain.
context_page_description: The Marine Corps Security Force Regiment is a dedicated security and anti-terrorism unit of the United States Marine Corps. It provides security forces to guard high-value naval installations, most notably those containing nuclear vessels and weapons. It also provides Fleet Anti-terrorism Security Teams and Recapture Tactics Teams. Marines who complete Security Forces training are assigned a secondary Military Occupational Specialty of 8152, while instructors can earn 8153.
context_section_description: The late 1970s and early 1980s were a high water mark for US military counter-terrorist efforts. A series of deadly attacks directed at Americans highlighted the requirement for security forces capable of countering terrorist threats against military units. 
  The President issued a directive ordering US security agencies and all branches of the military to enhance their capabilities in this field. In compliance with this directive, the USMC conducted a thorough evaluation of its security forces during the mid-eighties. Upon the study's completion, the Corps came to the conclusion that its current security procedures were inadequate to handle the security threats being posed against it. The Corps decided to form a new unit of highly trained Marines dedicated to defending both US Navy and Marine Corps assets from terrorist attack. 
  The new unit was designated as the Fleet Anti-terrorism Security Team, or FAST. Established in 1987, FAST Companies are equipped to perform security missions as directed by the Chief of Naval Operations. FAST Company Marines augment installation security when a threat condition is elevated beyond the ability of resident and auxiliary security forces. They are not designed to provide a permanent security force for the installation. The Marine Corps uses FAST Companies to protect forces when a threat level requires it. 
  Each company is well grounded in basic infantry skills. FAST Companies are primarily designed to conduct defensive combat operations, military security operations, and rear area security operations. They also can be tailored for specific tasks from the Chief of Naval Operations. They also ensure nuclear material on submarines is not compromised when the vessels are docked.
  Dedicated, armed, combat-trained cadre
  Task organized and equipped to perform security missions of short duration
  Augment installation security when the threat condition has been elevated beyond the capability of the permanent security force
  Train installation security forces in anti-terrorism and weapons marksmanship
  Assist the base security officer in the preparation of base defense and other security plans
  Requested by combatant and fleet commanders-in-chief
  Deploy only upon approval of the Chief of Naval Operations
  Since their inception, FAST Company Marines have seen a heavy operations tempo, being deployed to participate in numerous training, security, and combat operations. In 1988, elements of 1st FAST had been deployed to Rodman Naval Station, Panama as a response to a number of incursions by unknown intruders (the intruders were believed to be members of a Cuban special operations unit who were attempting to sabotage US POL stockpiles located on the base ).  On alternating with US Army security elements, FAST conducted operations including security patrols around the base perimeter, and establishing ambush positions along known avenues of approach.  During one incident in April 1988, a Marine Corporal an 0331 augment from the 2nd Marine Division, was killed by rifle fire during a half-hour long fire-fight with a force of about 30 well-armed intruders, who were suspected to be the Cubans special forces. 
  The FAST Marines were successful in deterring further incursions, and on a number of occasions they took intruders, attempting to gain entry to the base, under fire. On December 21, 1989 the US launched Operation Just Cause, the invasion of Panama. US forces were to secure the country and remove Panamanian military strongman, and the country's de facto leader, from power. Although primarily a US Army, and special operations forces mission, a select number of USMC units were to participate. One of the USMC units selected for the operation was 1st FAST Co.
  1st FAST had been operating in Panama for some time providing security at US naval installations; conducting training exercises; and gearing up for any possible terrorist attack directed at USMC or USN facilities in Panama. 1st FAST along with a detachment form the 2nd Light Armored Infantry (LAI) Battalion, another new USMC unit, were to conduct several 
caption: The Marines of 1st FAST 1st Platoon after raiding a mock embassy in Rota Spain.
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