Special Operations.Com
USMC Special Reaction Teams
(SRT)
Two
shield bearers keep watch on the front of
the building while the remaining team members
restrain and remove an unidentified person
from danger. The victim was restrained before
being removed because SRT members had no way
of knowing whether he was a terrorist or a
hostage.
SRT
Unit Profile
Special Reaction Teams (SRT)
In anticipation
of possible terrorist attacks against US Marine Corps
and Navy installations, many bases have formed Special
Reaction Teams.
They are similar in mission and composition
to civilian SWAT teams, and respond to situations
as varied as hostage rescue, counter-sniper actions,
VIP protection, and counterterrorism.
An example is given below.
Combat Center Special Response Team (SRT)
Combat
Center's Special Response Team, responsible for counterterrorist
and hostage rescue missions at 29 Palms Marine Base,
also known as the Combat Center.
They are commanded by the Combat Center's Provost
Marshal's Office.
The mission of the SRT is to provide the commanding
general and the provost marshal with a credible response
team for any major situation, such as a terrorist
incident or a crisis situation.
Should the military police be unable to resolve
a situation, they can call on this unit, which provides
a SWAT-like response capability.
This particular unit is not a full-time unit,
due to the small nature of the base, whereas on larger
installations, such as Quantico, VA and Camp Pendleton,
CA, the SRT units are full-time.
The Combat Center's SRT has trained with the
Los Angeles Police Department, Palm Springs Police
Department, and the San Bernardino Special Weapons
And Tactics team.
Photos:
Three
members of the Special Reaction Team deliver a telephone
to the terrorists after all communications were severed.
Cutting all communications, except one line to the
command center, is standard operating procedure in
terrorism situation. Photo
by: Cpl. Michael Kjaer
During
a drill April 18, two members of PMOs Special Reaction
Team move from a pallet and dumpster they were using
for cover while approaching the building where terrorists
were holding hostages. Photo taken 04/18/2000 by
Cpl. Michael Kjaer
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