Netherlands Maritime Special Operations Forces

Until 2008, the Dutch maritime special forces capability consisted of three distinct units: the Dutch Frogmen Platoon, the Mountain Leader Reconnaissance Troop, and the UIM. 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]

• Conventional Squadron (C-Squadron): Tasked with executing the full spectrum of special operations outside of the Netherlands, with an emphasis on long-range reconnaissance patrols. Consists of conventional operators, Mountain Leaders and Frogmen.
• Maritime Counter-Terrorism Squadron (M-Squadron): Tasked with conducting domestic counter-terrorist operations under the command of the DSI. M-Squadron trains extensively on the neutralisation of complex terrorist attacks, for example on off-shore oil platforms.
• Training Squadron (T-Squadron): Tasked with training of both C- and M-Squadron and the recruitment of new personnel within the Netherlands Marine Corps ranks.
• Special Operation Forces Support Group (SOFSG): Tasked with providing material and logistical support for all operations conducted by NLMARSOF.

NLMARSOF carries out four main types of operations:[6]

• Direct Action (DA): Conducting small-scale offensive operations such as raids, ambushes and sabotage.
• Military Assistance (MA): Supplying military support to foreign military units. This support can consist of both providing training and providing assistance during actual operations.
• Special Reconnaissance (SR): Conducting special reconnaissance behind enemy lines, for example monitoring hostile troop movements, while avoiding direct contact with the enemy.
• Counter-terrorism (CT): Conducting both national and international counter terror operations, where NLMARSOF, compared to its army counterpart Korps Commandotroepen, emphasises training for operations in a maritime setting.

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]

NLMARSOF operators in Mazar-i-Sharif, Afghanistan during their deployment as part of NATO's Resolute Support Mission.

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:

• 1977 Dutch train hijacking.[14]
• 1978 Dutch province hall hostage crisis.[14]
• 2004 Siege and arrest of terrorists of the Hofstad Network[15]
• Afghanistan (2005-2006): NLD Special Forces Task Group Orange as part of Operation Enduring Freedom.[16]
• 2006-2007 Afghanistan: NLD Special Forces Task Group Viper as part of International Security Assistance Force.[16]
• 2009-2010 Afghanistan: Special Operation Task Group, TF-55, as part of International Security Assistance Force.[16]
• 2010 Liberation of MV Taipan.[17]
• 2015-2017 Mali: NLD Special Operations Land Task Group as part of MINUSMA.[18]
• 2015-present Iraq/Syria: Providing advice and assistance (A&A) to Iraqi and Peshmerga troops together with the Belgian SFG, as part of CJTF-OIR.[19]
• 2018-present Afghanistan: NLD Special Operations Advisory Team, providing advice and assistance (A&A) to Afghan Territorial Force 888 (ATF-888) in cooperation with the German KSK as part of NATO's Resolute Support Mission.[20]
• 2019 Manhunt for the Utrecht tram shooter.[21]