Photo By Sgt. Scott Achtemeier | A Multi-Purpose Canine handler with U.S. Marine Corps Forces Special Operations...... read more read more
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CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. - United States Marine Corps Forces, Special Operations Command (MARSOC) was born in 2006, during the wake of Operation Enduring Freedom’s surge. During their eight years of operating within Afghanistan, MARSOC triumphantly left their footprint in the country’s evolution to stability, training and advising Afghan National Army Commandos and eradicating Taliban safe havens.
Now, the war in Afghanistan is nearing its conclusion, and no further MARSOC battalions, companies or teams are due to deploy there again. And though the young unit’s undertakings during Operation Enduring Freedom have earned the command an immense amount of respect within the Department of Defense, the war in Afghanistan by no means defines MARSOC.
Being a highly-adaptable force, possessing a multifaceted set of skills, MARSOC has begun transitioning into new Areas of Operation (AO).
As MARSOC continues to demonstrate their capabilities and versatilities, so, too, are the special operations enablers who embed with the deploying Marine Special Operations Companies.
MARSOC’s Multi-Purpose Canine (MPC) unit is such a program, adequately preparing the MPC handlers for the new AOs in which they’ll be operating.
“Now that MARSOC has broken down into different AOs, we’re ensuring all the handlers know what AO they’re going into, and what mission-set the teams could be tasked with,” said the Multi-Purpose Canine program manager.
That AO-breakdown involves each Marine Special Operations Battalion (MSOB) deploying in service of a different regionalized special operations command. First MSOB deploys under Special Operations Command Pacific; 2nd MSOB deploys under Special Operations Command Central, while 3rd MSOB deploys under Special Operations Command Africa.
“All of our guys have all the same capabilities, but each handler will be dealing with a different mission-set in respect to his AO, so we’re constantly training and re-certifying our guys to create a great product for the teams,” said the MPC program manager.
The multi-purpose canines’ core capabilities include explosives detection, tracking, and protection work. Along with maintaining these perishable and essential skills, the MPC program actively introduces additional training to the handlers and canines to meet the needs of the Marine Special Operations Teams (MSOT).
“That’s what we bring to MARSOC with our multi-purpose canines – a dog with several different capabilities to be able to conduct whatever mission the team has for us,” explained the MPC program manager. “They’re getting a multi-purpose canine that’s off-leash, sniffing out explosives; they can track, patrol, chase down fleeing suspects and provide an extra layer of protection to the team.”
The MPC program manager went on to say that this particular canine program has a unique ability to quickly change, and adapt to varying AOs, given the small size of the unit, and the resources made available to it.
In transitioning into the new AOs, the MSOBs are now placing more of an emphasis on maritime operations. The MPC program has followed suit to accommodate the operational need of the MSOTs.
“Aside from the fast roping and repelling we’ve been working on, we’re also spending a lot more time in the water,” said a handler who recently deployed to Afghanistan with 2nd MSOB. “You know, Afghanistan is a landlocked country, so there was never any need for that. With the new AOs we’re deploying to, there’s definitely the potential we’ll be in the water more.”
The AOs are designed to cover the bulk, if not all of the assigned region. This allows MARSOC, partnered with the other existing Special Operations Forces (SOF), to essentially canvas the globe in support of a global SOF network.
This will be the first time any SOF unit has brought along a multi-purpose canine element to many of the areas the MSOTs are expected to visit. In addition, these AOs cover a considerable land mass containing different countries, cultures, terrains, climates, threat considerations, etc.
“We’re currently trying to build some new skill sets and also improve the things we already know,” said the handler. “We’re figuring out what the mission set is going to be, and what is going to be asked of us, and then we’re just preparing for that.”
As the MPC handlers continue to deploy with the Marine Special Operations Companies, they’ll bring back with them helpful information regarding their tours and how they can better adapt to the needs of the MSOTs. The MPC program manager stated the handlers who have come back from Special Operations Command Pacific deployments returned with invaluable information.
“Once we identify a capability we need to change, we’ll either enhance that capability, change that capability, even do away with that capability if it’s no longer needed; or we’ll create a new capability if that’s what’s desired by MARSOC,” said the MPC program manager.
To expedite the preparation and adaptation process, the program manager explained that the handlers are currently refining their skills as trainers to develop new skills, as needed, while deployed.
“Our goal is to continue to be proficient and continue to be flexible,” said the MPC program manager.“MARSOC’s motto is ‘Today will be different.’ That’s every day. So, tomorrow, whatever mission is pushed out to us, we have the capability of readying our handlers for that mission requirement.”
| Date Taken: | 11.21.2014 |
| Date Posted: | 11.21.2014 15:26 |
| Story ID: | 148522 |
| Location: | CAMP LEJEUNE, NORTH CAROLINA, US |
| Web Views: | 851 |
| Downloads: | 11 |
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