Marine Special Operations Team - MIO

A member of a MARSOC Marine Special Operations Team (MSOT) covers fellow MARSOC operators from a RHIB craft as they board a vessel during a level 4 VBSS Maritime Interdiction Operation training exercise.

Level 4 VBSS is categorized as an actively opposed boarding of a non-compliant vessel, such as a pirate-held ship.

Other Maritime Interdiction Operations that MARSOC MSOTs train for include retaking gas and oil platforms from hostile forces.

The Marine in the foreground is wearing a MICH 2000 helmet over a comms headset.

Note the AN/PVS-15 night vision goggles mounted on the helmet and the associated pack of batteries mounted at the rear.

The helmet also features a chem light mounted on top.

The MSOT operator is armed with a MK18 CQBR carbine fitted with a KAC suppressor, SU-231 sight and ATPIAL (AN/PEQ-15).