Maritime Special Purpose Force The United States Marine Corps ' Maritime Special Purpose Force , or " MSPF " , are a unique specialized sub - unit that are drawn from the Marine Expeditionary Unit s ' ( MEU ) major subordinate elements . They are special operations " capable " forces deployed to give the commanders low profile , two - platoon surgical emplacement in the accessible littoral regions . The MSPF provides the enhanced operational capability and precision skills to complement , enable , and execute selected conventional , maritime special operations . They can also perform operations not resident in traditional amphibious raid companies . The MSPF provides the MEUs with rapid direct action capabilities . They are also responsible for " in extremis " hostage rescue ( IHR ) in urban areas . The MSPF cannot operate independently of its parent MEU , on which it relies for logistics , intelligence , communications , transportation , and fire support . However , they are capable of conducting operations with , or in support of the operators of the United States special operations forces . The MSPF ' s task organization are often conformed as an addition of the Amphibious Ready Group ’ s Naval Special Warfare Task Unit detachment . Organization . The Maritime Special Purpose Force contains a command element , security element , assault element , and support element . The security element consists of one or more reinforced rifle platoons . The assault element is organized to conduct on - scene command , assault , security , and support functions . The support element is organized to conduct reconnaissance and surveillance , sniper control and support , counter - intelligence , human intelligence ( HUMINT ) , signals intelligence / electronic warfare ( SIGINT / EW ) , and close air support . Command Element . The commander of the MSPF are designated by the MEU ( SOC ) commander . The command and control remains with the MEU ( SOC ) Commander . Security Element . The security element is normally structured around a platoon provided by the Battalion Landing Team ( BLT ) and may be augmented by the Naval Special Warfare Task Units ( NSWTU ) embarked within the Amphibious Ready Group . The security element will act as a reinforcing unit , a support unit , a diversionary unit , or an extraction unit . Assault Element ( AE ) . The AE is the main effort of the MSPF and is organized to perform assault , explosive breaching , internal security , and sniper functions . The assault function will normally be executed by the Force Recon detachment . Mission - specific augmentation ( e . g . , additional sniper support , specialized demolitions , explosive ordnance disposal , signals intelligence / electronic warfare ( SIGINT / EW ) , etc . ) will be provided from other MEU ( SOC ) assets or from the NSWTU embarked with the ARG . Reconnaissance and Surveillance Element ( R & S ) . The Reconnaissance and Surveillance Element normally consists of the Scout Sniper Platoon from the Battalion Landing Team . Support Element . The support element normally is composed of assets from the BLT Reconnaissance Platoon coupled with elements of the Aviation Combat Element ( ACE ) , Radio Battalion Detachment , Communications Detachment , and HET assets from the MEU ( SOC ) CE . Additional capability may be provided by the NSWTU embarked with the Amphibious Ready Group . The aviation support element is a task organized portion of the Marine Air - Ground Task Force ' s MEU Aviation Combat Element . They are capable of precise night vision flying and navigation , various insertion / extraction means and forward arming and refueling point operations . The specific structure of the aviation support element will vary depending on the lift requirements and distance to the crisis site .