This report provides a comprehensive analysis of the United States Coast Guard’s Maritime Security Response Teams (MSRT), the nation’s premier domestic maritime counter-terrorism (CT) force. Forged in the crucible of the September 11, 2001 attacks, the MSRT was established to fill a critical capabilities gap between traditional federal law enforcement and military special operations. It represents a fundamental evolution in the Coast Guard’s mission, institutionalizing a high-end national security function within a service historically celebrated for its humanitarian and regulatory roles. The MSRT is a short-notice, globally deployable force tasked with the most complex and dangerous maritime threats, including opposed vessel boardings, hostage rescue, and response to incidents involving Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear, or Explosive (CBRNE) materials.

Organized into two bicoastal commands, MSRT East and MSRT West, the unit is composed of highly specialized elements, including Direct Action Sections for assault, Precision Marksman Observer Teams for overwatch, and Tactical Delivery Teams for covert insertion. Its operators are selected from the Coast Guard’s most experienced maritime law enforcement personnel and undergo a grueling training pipeline, centered on the Basic Tactical Operations Course (BTOC), which instills advanced skills in combat marksmanship and Close Quarters Combat (CQC). The MSRT’s doctrine, tactics, and armament are closely aligned with U.S. Special Operations Command (SOCOM), and the unit maintains a high degree of interoperability through constant joint training with elite DoD and federal agency partners.

While founded with a homeland defense focus, the MSRT’s operational tempo is driven by both domestic security for National Special Security Events and overseas contingency operations, where it provides a unique law enforcement authority that enables high-stakes interdictions in support of DoD combatant commands. The forthcoming implementation of the Coast Guard’s Force Design 2028 initiative, which includes the establishment of a permanent, flag-level Deployable Specialized Forces Command, signals the final maturation of the MSRT. This strategic reorganization will solidify its status as a permanent, core component of the service’s warfighting capability, ensuring it is properly resourced, commanded, and integrated to meet the evolving maritime threats of the 21st century. The MSRT is a critical, and often unseen, national asset, providing the United States with a flexible and potent response option for the most complex threats in the maritime domain.

Section 1: Genesis of a New Capability: The Post-9/11 Maritime Threat

1.1 The Pre-9/11 Security Posture and Identified Gaps

Prior to the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, the security of U.S. ports, waterways, and coastlines was maintained through a framework designed for traditional law enforcement and safety missions. The U.S. Coast Guard, the principal federal agency for maritime security, executed its duties primarily through a network of boat stations and cutters.¹ The service’s focus was on a well-established set of responsibilities, including customs and tariff enforcement dating back to its origins as the Revenue Cutter Service in 1790, search and rescue, illegal drug interdiction, and fisheries management.² While proficient in these areas, the prevailing security posture was not structured to counter a sophisticated, well-planned, and military-style terrorist attack originating from the maritime domain. There existed no dedicated, standing tactical force within the Coast Guard specifically trained and equipped for high-threat counter-terrorism operations in a complex maritime environment.

The 9/11 attacks starkly exposed this vulnerability. The National Commission on Terrorist Attacks Upon the United States (the 9/11 Commission) later assessed that the risk of terrorism involving the maritime sector was equal to or greater than that of civilian aviation.⁵ The nation’s 360-plus seaports, which handle 95 percent of overseas trade, were recognized as sprawling, accessible, and economically vital gateways, presenting attractive targets for attack or conduits for the smuggling of weapons of mass destruction.⁵ This realization created an urgent imperative to develop a new layer of security.

A significant capabilities gap existed between the roles of traditional law enforcement and military special operations for a domestic maritime threat. The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), as the lead agency for domestic counter-terrorism, began efforts to enhance its maritime Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) capabilities but faced jurisdictional and operational challenges in the unique maritime environment.⁵ Conversely, the deployment of Department of Defense (DoD) Special Operations Forces (SOF) for a domestic law enforcement scenario is legally and politically constrained by the Posse Comitatus Act, which generally prohibits the use of the U.S. military for domestic law enforcement purposes.⁷ The Coast Guard, as both a military service and a law enforcement agency within the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), is uniquely positioned to operate in this seam. It possesses the legal authorities for law enforcement that DoD lacks, and the advanced tactical capabilities that most civilian agencies do not maintain.⁸ The MSRT was purpose-built to fill this critical niche, providing a SOF-level tactical response that could operate legally and effectively within the domestic maritime domain.

1.2 Legislative Drivers: The Maritime Transportation Security Act (MTSA) of 2002

The immediate aftermath of 9/11 saw a rapid reallocation of Coast Guard resources to bolster maritime security, but a more permanent and structured solution was required.¹ The legislative centerpiece of this transformation was the Maritime Transportation Security Act (MTSA), signed into law in 2002.¹ This landmark legislation served as the foundational mandate for a new era of maritime security. The MTSA explicitly required the Coast Guard to establish new types of specialized forces with the capabilities to deter, protect against, and respond to the threat of a terrorist attack in the maritime environment.⁵

The Act was a key component of the new layered security strategy under the recently formed Department of Homeland Security.¹ It compelled the Coast Guard to undertake its greatest organizational transformation since World War II, fundamentally altering its mission profile from one of primarily safety and traditional law enforcement to one that included high-stakes homeland security and counter-terrorism.¹ This domestic legislative action was mirrored by a global shift in maritime security consciousness, exemplified by the development of the International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) Code, which created a standardized international framework for assessing and mitigating maritime security risks.¹³ The MTSA was the domestic engine driving the creation of the forces that would become the MSRT.

1.3 Evolutionary Path: From MSST and TACLET to a Dedicated Counter-Terrorism Force

The Coast Guard’s initial response to the MTSA mandate was the creation of Maritime Safety and Security Teams (MSSTs) in 2002.¹ These units were established in the nation’s most critical ports to provide an immediate anti-terrorism and force protection presence, closing a critical security gap.⁷ MSSTs specialized in waterside security, enforcing security zones, and protecting critical infrastructure.¹ While they provided a necessary non-compliant vessel boarding capability, their posture was primarily defensive.¹⁶

It soon became clear that a more offensively-oriented, direct-action capability was needed to fully address the spectrum of potential terrorist threats. This led to a pivotal decision in 2004, when Coast Guard leadership merged two distinct types of units to create a new, more potent force.¹ MSST-91102, based in Chesapeake, Virginia, was combined with Tactical Law Enforcement Team (TACLET)-North.¹ The TACLETs, first established in the 1980s for counter-drug operations, were composed of highly skilled personnel expert in advanced interdiction and high-risk boarding operations.⁷ This merger was a crucial evolutionary step, blending the port security and anti-terrorism focus of the MSSTs with the advanced tactical law enforcement and offensive boarding skills of the TACLETs. This synthesis of defensive security and offensive tactical proficiency laid the conceptual and operational groundwork for a true maritime counter-terrorism unit.

1.4 Formal Establishment and Bicoastal Expansion

The new hybrid unit created in 2004 was initially designated Security Response Team One (SRT-1) and later renamed the Enhanced-MSST.¹ In 2006, this capability was formally established and commissioned as the Maritime Security Response Team (MSRT), cementing its role as the Coast Guard’s premier counter-terrorism response force.¹

Recognizing the need for a rapid response capability to threats on both U.S. coasts, the Coast Guard moved to expand the MSRT concept. In 2013, the service began the transformation of San Diego’s MSST-91109 into a second MSRT.¹ This unit was officially designated MSRT-West in 2017, complementing the original Chesapeake-based unit, now known as MSRT-East.¹⁷ This bicoastal stationing provides operational commanders with a dedicated, high-readiness counter-terrorism asset capable of responding to incidents anywhere in the Atlantic or Pacific maritime approaches to the United States, completing the initial vision for a national-level maritime tactical response capability.

Section 2: Mission Profile and Operational Mandate

2.1 Core Mission: Maritime Counter-Terrorism and High-Threat Law Enforcement

The fundamental mission of the Maritime Security Response Team is to serve as the U.S. Coast Guard’s lead direct-action unit, specializing in maritime counter-terrorism and the resolution of high-risk law enforcement threats.¹⁹ The MSRT is organized, trained, and equipped to provide a short-notice, threat-tailored response force to deter, protect against, and respond to maritime terrorism.²⁰ Its mandate is to execute security actions against armed, hostile, or non-compliant adversaries on the water or in a port environment.¹⁸ This places the MSRT at the apex of the Coast Guard’s law enforcement and security capabilities, reserved for the most dangerous and complex scenarios that exceed the capacity of standard units. Unlike other special operations forces, MSRTs are uniquely empowered to operate inside U.S. waters with law enforcement authority, making them the nation’s first line of defense against a maritime terrorist incident.²³

2.2 Deter, Protect, Respond: A Proactive and Reactive Mandate

The MSRT’s operational mandate is multifaceted, encompassing both reactive and proactive functions. While it is trained to be the first response unit to a potential or actual terrorist incident, its mission extends beyond simple reaction.¹⁸ The teams are tasked with denying preemptive terrorist actions, meaning they can be deployed to interdict threats before they materialize.¹⁸ Furthermore, MSRTs provide an overt and highly capable security presence for high-threat events, such as National Special Security Events (NSSEs), where their presence serves as a powerful deterrent.¹ This dual posture allows operational commanders to employ the MSRT across a spectrum of operations, from providing a visible deterrent and protective overwatch to executing a high-risk, kinetic assault. This flexibility makes the MSRT an exceptionally versatile instrument for national security.

2.3 Scope of Operations: Domestic and Global Deployment Authority

While the MSRT’s primary focus is the safety and security of the U.S. homeland, its operational reach is global.¹⁶ The unit is explicitly designed and maintained to be capable of rapid worldwide deployment in response to incidents, supporting both Coast Guard operational commanders and Department of Defense (DoD) combatant commanders.¹ This global deployment authority is a critical component of its strategic value. It allows the United States to project the MSRT’s unique blend of elite tactical skills and law enforcement authority into international waters and foreign theaters of operation.¹⁶

This capability has proven to be a powerful tool for foreign policy and international security. U.S. Navy vessels, bound by international norms and policy, are generally prohibited from conducting law enforcement boardings of foreign-flagged vessels on the high seas, as such an action could be perceived as an act of war.⁷ To navigate this legal complexity, Navy ships frequently embark Coast Guard teams, often composed of MSRT personnel operating as Advanced Interdiction Teams (AITs).¹⁸ During these operations, the Coast Guard team is technically in command of the boarding, acting under its unique law enforcement authority.²⁴ This provides a legal and diplomatic framework for conducting high-stakes interdictions, such as seizing illicit weapons shipments from stateless vessels in the Persian Gulf, that DoD assets could not execute alone.²⁴ In this role, the MSRT’s mission transcends counter-terrorism, serving as a critical enabler for projecting national power in a legally and diplomatically nuanced manner.

2.4 Distinction from other Deployable Specialized Forces (DSF)

The MSRT is the most specialized unit within the Coast Guard’s Deployable Specialized Forces (DSF), a collection of units that provide unique capabilities to operational commanders. It is essential to distinguish the MSRT’s role from that of its sister units.

• Maritime Safety and Security Teams (MSSTs): The primary distinction lies in their operational posture. MSSTs are proactive anti-terrorism units focused on force protection, waterside security, and enforcing security zones around critical infrastructure or high-value assets.¹⁶ The MSRT, in contrast, is a reactive counter-terrorism unit designed for direct action against an identified threat.¹⁶ In simple terms, an MSST protects a potential target, while an MSRT assaults a target that has been compromised or poses an imminent threat.
• Tactical Law Enforcement Teams (TACLETs): While both units conduct high-risk boardings, their primary missions differ. TACLETs, through their Law Enforcement Detachments (LEDETs), are primarily focused on the counter-narcotics mission, interdicting drug smugglers in major transit zones.¹⁶ The MSRT’s focus is squarely on counter-terrorism, hostage rescue, and threats involving weapons of mass destruction.
• Port Security Units (PSUs): PSUs are expeditionary forces designed to provide sustained port security and force protection, primarily in overseas locations in support of U.S. military operations.¹⁹ They establish and maintain security in a port, whereas an MSRT would be called in to resolve a specific, high-level threat within that port.

The MSRT sits at the top of this force structure, representing the Coast Guard’s highest level of tactical capability, reserved for the most complex and dangerous threats facing the nation in the maritime domain.

Section 3: Organizational Framework and Force Structure

3.1 Command and Control: From the DOG to Area Commands

The command and control (C2) architecture for the MSRT and other DSF units has undergone significant evolution, reflecting a persistent organizational effort to best manage these unique, high-demand assets. In 2007, the Coast Guard established the Deployable Operations Group (DOG) to consolidate all DSF units under a single, unified command.¹ The intent was to enhance operational effectiveness, standardize tactics, techniques, and procedures (TTPs), and create a centralized process for allocating these specialized forces based on their specific capabilities rather than as monolithic units.²⁵ The creation of the DOG was a significant step toward professionalizing and integrating these new forces into the broader Coast Guard.

However, in 2013, the DOG was decommissioned, and operational and tactical control of the DSF, including the MSRTs, reverted to the bicoastal Area Commands (Atlantic Area and Pacific Area).¹ This move was intended to better align the specialized forces with the regional operational commanders who would employ them. This oscillation between centralized and decentralized control highlights an enduring tension within the service: how to manage national-level, “elite” assets while preserving the authority of traditional, geographically-based operational commanders. The 2019 Government Accountability Office (GAO) report on the DSF noted potential inefficiencies under the decentralized Area Command model, including periods of underutilization for some units while others were declining missions due to a lack of personnel.¹⁰ This history suggests that neither the fully centralized nor the fully decentralized model was an optimal, long-term solution for managing these critical forces.

3.2 Unit Composition: MSRT East and MSRT West

The MSRT force is composed of two primary commands strategically located to provide national coverage. MSRT East is based in Chesapeake, Virginia, and falls under the operational control of the Atlantic Area Commander. MSRT West is based in San Diego, California, under the Pacific Area Commander.¹ This bicoastal posture ensures that a highly trained maritime counter-terrorism force can be rapidly deployed to address threats emerging on either U.S. coast or their respective international areas of responsibility.

3.3 Internal Elements

An MSRT is not a monolithic entity but a composite organization comprising several specialized elements that work in synergy to accomplish the mission. Each element provides a distinct capability, and together they form a comprehensive tactical system.

Element	Primary Function	Key Capabilities
Direct Action Section (DAS)	Primary assault and entry element.	Close Quarters Combat (CQC); Advanced Interdiction; Hostage Rescue; Tactical Facility Entry; High-Risk Boarding (Level III/IV VBSS). 7
Precision Marksman Observer Team (PMOT)	Provides overwatch, intelligence gathering, and precision fire support.	Long-range precision marksmanship; Target observation and reporting; Airborne Use of Force (AUF) to disable vessel engines or neutralize threats. 16
Tactical Delivery Team (TDT)	Provides maritime insertion and extraction for the DAS.	Covert insertion/extraction using high-speed Rigid Hull Inflatable Boats (RHIBs); Advanced vessel handling and navigation; Stealthy approach on moving targets. 7
CBRNE Section	Detects, identifies, and provides initial response to Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear, and Explosive threats.	Operations in contaminated environments; Use of specialized detection equipment; Counter-proliferation; Underwater Port Security (MSRT West only). 3

The Direct Action Section forms the core of the MSRT’s tactical capability, composed of operators who are the “tip of the spear” in neutralizing hostile threats.¹⁹ They are supported by the PMOTs, who provide critical situational awareness and the ability to engage targets from a distance, and the TDTs, who are masters of the high-risk task of delivering the assault force onto its objective. The CBRNE section provides a unique and vital capability, allowing the MSRT to operate in threat environments that would incapacitate most other tactical teams.³

3.4 Staffing and Funding Analysis

An analysis of the MSRT’s resources reveals a growing force with significant investment in training and operations. According to a November 2019 GAO report, the number of personnel assigned to the MSRTs grew steadily from 379 in fiscal year 2016 to a planned 463 in fiscal year 2019.¹⁰ During this period, annual operating costs fluctuated but were planned at over $2.3 million for 2019, with training costs consistently exceeding $1.2 million per year.¹⁰

However, the same GAO report raised critical questions about the Coast Guard’s overall management of its Deployable Specialized Forces. The report found that the Coast Guard had not conducted a comprehensive assessment of its DSF workforce needs, a key practice for organizational management.¹⁰ This lack of a formal needs assessment meant the service could not be certain it had the right number of personnel with the right skills in the right units. The report noted that officials from some DSF units reported periods of underutilization, while other units had to decline operational requests—approximately 5% of total requests for DSF assistance went unfulfilled—due to a lack of available personnel.¹⁰

This finding of potential underutilization at a strategic level appears to conflict with anecdotal reports from operators describing a high operational tempo, with some MSRT members deployed for five to eight months out of the year.²⁹ This discrepancy suggests a potential data fidelity problem or a mismatch in how “operational employment” is defined and tracked. The formal “resource hours expended” captured in strategic-level data may not fully account for the entire deployment cycle, which includes transit time, pre-deployment training, and on-station standby periods. This disconnect could lead to strategic resource and manning decisions being made based on an incomplete understanding of the MSRT’s true operational demands. The GAO recommended a full workforce analysis, a step the Department of Homeland Security concurred with, to better align resources with mission requirements.¹⁰

Section 4: The MSRT Operator: Selection and Training Pipeline

4.1 Recruitment: Sourcing from Experienced Maritime Law Enforcement

An assignment to an MSRT is not an entry-level position within the U.S. Coast Guard. The unit actively recruits its candidates from the ranks of experienced maritime law enforcement personnel, ensuring a baseline of maturity, professionalism, and operational knowledge.¹⁸ The primary source for MSRT operators is the Maritime Enforcement Specialist (ME) rating, the service’s dedicated law enforcement specialists.³⁰ Candidates are also frequently selected from other DSF units, such as MSSTs and Tactical Law Enforcement Teams (TACLETs).¹⁸

This selection model, which prioritizes demonstrated experience over raw potential, is a key characteristic of the MSRT. A typical candidate has already completed basic training, served at one or more operational units, and possesses a strong foundation in maritime law, use of force policy, and basic boarding procedures.³² This pre-screening through real-world operational experience likely reduces attrition rates in the subsequent formal training pipeline and produces an operator who already understands the unique legal and environmental complexities of the maritime domain—a critical foundation for the MSRT’s high-stakes mission.

4.2 The Tactical Operator (TO) Screener: Gateway to the Pipeline

The first formal step for a prospective MSRT candidate is to volunteer for and successfully complete the Tactical Operator (TO) Screener.³¹ This intensive evaluation process serves as the gateway to the training pipeline and is designed to identify candidates with the physical and mental attributes necessary to succeed.³¹ The screener is a multi-day event that includes a formal application, a thorough medical review, and a required endorsement from the candidate’s current command.³¹

The evaluation itself is a grueling series of events designed to test candidates in areas of historically high attrition. It includes classroom instruction, weapons handling, and physically demanding events on land, in the water, and at height on towers.³¹ A core component is the Maritime Law Enforcement Physical Fitness Assessment, which candidates must pass upon arrival. Additionally, they must be capable of completing a minimum of 5 chin-ups and 5 pull-ups; failure in these physical standards results in immediate removal from the screener.³¹ The screener culminates in boarding scenarios that simulate the challenges of the full qualification course. A board of senior representatives from the MSRT, TACLET, and headquarters staff evaluates each candidate’s performance and makes a recommendation for assignment.³¹

4.3 The Crucible: The Basic Tactical Operations Course (BTOC)

Candidates selected for assignment to an MSRT must attend and graduate from the Basic Tactical Operations Course (BTOC). This intensive eight-week (40-day) course is the crucible in which MSRT operators are forged and is designated as High Risk Training.³³ Conducted at the Coast Guard’s Special Missions Training Center (SMTC) located aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, BTOC is designed to develop the fundamental skills necessary to function as a DSF assault team member.³³ The strategic co-location of the SMTC on a major Marine Corps installation is a deliberate choice. It fosters a martial mindset and provides MSRT candidates with access to premier military training infrastructure, including advanced live-fire shoot houses and extensive ranges, that are not typically available at Coast Guard facilities.³⁴ The course curriculum is divided into two primary phases:

• Advanced Combat Marksmanship (Weeks 1-4): This phase is dedicated to developing expert-level proficiency with the unit’s primary weapon systems. Students fire thousands of rounds, progressing from basic marksmanship fundamentals to advanced techniques such as shooting while moving, engaging multiple targets, and transitioning between their primary carbine (MK18) and secondary pistol (Glock 19).³⁴
• Close Quarters Combat (CQC) (Weeks 5-8): The second phase moves from the flat range into complex shoot houses. Here, students learn the core principles of CQC, including dynamic room entry, team-based movement, progressive breaching, and surgical application of force in confined spaces.³³

Throughout the course, students are constantly evaluated on their performance, safety, and decision-making. They must achieve a minimum score of 80% on all written exams and receive a “GO” on all pass/fail performance criteria to graduate.³³

4.4 Advanced Skills and Joint Training: Ensuring Interoperability

Graduation from BTOC marks the beginning, not the end, of an operator’s training. Once assigned to their team, members attend a variety of advanced skills courses to qualify for specialized roles within the unit, such as precision marksman, breacher, canine handler, or diver.¹⁶

A hallmark of the MSRT’s training philosophy is its deep and continuous integration with the broader U.S. special operations community. MSRT operators routinely train alongside an array of elite DoD and federal partners, including U.S. Navy SEALs and Special Warfare Combatant-Craft Crewmen (SWCC), U.S. Army Special Forces and the 75th Ranger Regiment, the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (SOAR), and the FBI’s Hostage Rescue Team and BORTAC.¹⁶ These joint training exercises are critical for ensuring seamless interoperability, standardizing procedures, and building the personal relationships necessary to function effectively during a complex, multi-agency crisis response.²²

4.5 Sustaining Readiness: The Continuous Training Cycle

The advanced tactical skills required of an MSRT operator are highly perishable. Consequently, when the teams are not deployed on operational missions, the vast majority of their time is dedicated to a continuous and rigorous training cycle to maintain peak readiness.¹⁶ This relentless focus on training ensures that every operator and every team element remains proficient in the full spectrum of their required capabilities, from marksmanship and CQC to fast-roping and tactical medicine, living up to the Coast Guard’s motto:

Semper Paratus—Always Ready.

Phase	Location	Duration	Key Objectives & Skills
Initial Eligibility	Various Coast Guard Units	2-4+ Years	Gain operational experience in the Maritime Enforcement Specialist (ME) rating or other Deployable Specialized Forces (DSF) units (e.g., MSST, TACLET). 18
Tactical Operator (TO) Screener	Special Missions Training Center (SMTC), Camp Lejeune, NC	~1 Week	Physical and mental assessment to identify candidates with high potential for success. Includes PFA, water survival, weapons handling, and team events. 31
Basic Tactical Operations Course (BTOC)	SMTC, Camp Lejeune, NC	8 Weeks	Core qualification course. Develops baseline skills in advanced combat marksmanship, Close Quarters Combat (CQC), and progressive breaching. 33
Advanced Skills Training	Various Locations	Variable	Specialized training for specific team roles, such as Precision Marksman (PM-C), Breacher, K-9 Handler, Tactical Boat Coxswain, or Diver. 16
Joint Training Exercises	CONUS / OCONUS	Continuous	Integration with DoD SOF (SEALs, Rangers), federal LE (FBI), and other partners to ensure tactical and procedural interoperability. 22

Section 5: Advanced Capabilities and Tactical Doctrine

5.1 Visit, Board, Search, and Seizure (VBSS): Executing Level III and IV Opposed Boardings

The MSRT is the Coast Guard’s authority on the most dangerous and complex form of maritime interdiction: Visit, Board, Search, and Seizure (VBSS).⁸ While standard Coast Guard boarding teams are trained to handle compliant or passively non-compliant vessels, the MSRT specializes in scenarios where significant resistance is expected. Their expertise lies in executing Level III (non-compliant vessel, crew is not hostile but refuses to stop) and Level IV (opposed/hostile vessel, crew has demonstrated hostile intent) boardings.¹⁸ These operations are inherently high-risk and require a level of tactical proficiency, equipment, and aggression that falls outside the scope of conventional maritime law enforcement. The MSRT’s ability to successfully conduct opposed boardings against determined adversaries is a core component of its counter-terrorism and counter-proliferation missions.¹⁸

5.2 Close Quarters Combat (CQC): Principles of Speed, Surprise, and Violence of Action

The tactical doctrine underpinning MSRT operations is Close Quarters Combat (CQC), a methodology for fighting in confined spaces such as the narrow corridors and cluttered compartments of a ship.²⁷ MSRT CQC doctrine is founded on three core principles: speed, surprise, and controlled violence of action.³⁴

• Speed: This does not imply reckless haste, but rather a “careful hurry”.⁴⁶ Teams move with deliberate and rapid action to overwhelm an adversary’s decision-making cycle, preventing them from mounting an effective defense.⁴³
• Surprise: Gaining the element of surprise, even for a few seconds, is paramount. This is achieved through stealthy insertion methods, deception, or the use of diversionary devices to disorient the enemy at the point of entry.⁴⁵
• Violence of Action: This principle dictates the overwhelming and decisive application of force to neutralize threats and dominate the engagement space. It is a mindset of complete control, ensuring that hostile personnel are eliminated or secured before they can inflict friendly casualties.⁴³

By mastering these principles, MSRT assault teams are trained to systematically clear and secure vessels, neutralizing all threats with precision and efficiency.⁴¹

5.3 Insertion and Extraction Methods

A critical element of MSRT tactical proficiency is the ability to board a target vessel under a variety of conditions. The teams are expert in two primary insertion methods:

• Vertical Insertion (VI): This involves fast-roping from a helicopter directly onto the deck of a target vessel, which may be underway at speed.²⁵ This high-risk technique requires exceptional skill, physical courage, and seamless coordination with aviation assets, often from the U.S. Navy or the Coast Guard’s own Helicopter Interdiction Tactical Squadron (HITRON).²² Vertical insertion is not merely a tactical skill but a strategic capability; it allows the MSRT to project force onto a target in sea conditions where a surface approach would be impossible or too slow, effectively negating a target’s speed and maneuverability advantage and dramatically expanding the team’s operational envelope.²³
• Surface Assault: The more conventional method involves a high-speed approach using the TDT’s specialized Rigid Hull Inflatable Boats (RHIBs). These boats are designed for stealthy approaches and stability in various sea states. The assault team then boards the target vessel using methods such as caving ladders, grappling hooks, or other specialized climbing techniques.²³

5.4 Specialized Capabilities

Beyond their core CQC and VBSS skills, MSRT operators possess a suite of specialized capabilities that enhance their operational effectiveness:

• Hostage Rescue and Personnel Recovery: As a dedicated counter-terrorism unit, the MSRT is trained and equipped to conduct complex hostage rescue operations in the maritime environment.¹⁶
• Airborne Use of Force (AUF): MSRT Precision Marksmen are trained to deliver disabling fire from helicopters.¹⁸ Using large-caliber anti-materiel rifles, they can disable the engines of a non-compliant vessel, stopping it in the water and allowing the assault team to conduct a boarding.⁴⁸
• K-9 Explosives Detection: The MSRT integrates highly trained canine teams into its operations. These K-9 units can be inserted with the assault force to rapidly search a vessel for explosive devices or materials, a critical capability when dealing with potential terrorist threats.¹⁶

5.5 CBRNE Threat Response Protocols

Perhaps the most unique and critical capability of the MSRT is its ability to conduct its full range of tactical operations within a Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear, or Explosive (CBRNE) contaminated environment.³ Few tactical teams in the world are trained and equipped for this contingency. MSRT operators train to board vessels, clear compartments, and engage hostile threats while wearing cumbersome personal protective equipment (PPE) and using specialized detection devices.¹⁶ The Department of Homeland Security’s Science and Technology Directorate actively works to develop and field improved protective equipment specifically for MSRT operators to enhance their endurance and effectiveness during high-stress opposed boardings in a CBRNE environment.⁵¹ This capability ensures that the United States has a credible response option for one of the most catastrophic potential forms of maritime terrorism.

Section 6: Armament, Weapon Systems, and Equipment

6.1 Personal Defense Weapons

The standard issue sidearm for MSRT operators, and the Coast Guard as a whole, is the Glock 19 Gen5 pistol, chambered in 9mm.⁴⁸ This marked a significant transition, which began in 2023, from the SIG Sauer P229R-DAK pistol chambered in.40 S&W that had been in service for nearly two decades.⁸ The move to the Glock 19 was intended to align the Coast Guard with other Department of Homeland Security partner agencies and was expected to increase shooter comfort and performance due to the 9mm caliber’s lighter recoil and the pistol’s ergonomics.⁵²

6.2 Primary Carbines

The primary weapon system for MSRT Direct Action Section operators is a variant of the M4 carbine, typically the MK18, which features a Close Quarters Battle Receiver (CQBR) with a 10.3-inch barrel.²⁶ This compact weapon, chambered in 5.56x45mm NATO, is optimized for the tight confines of a ship’s interior, where a longer rifle would be unwieldy. The selection of the MK18 is not coincidental; it is the same platform standardized by U.S. Naval Special Warfare (e.g., Navy SEALs) for maritime CQC. This deliberate commonality ensures seamless interoperability in training, doctrine, ammunition, and accessories during joint operations. The MSRT’s choice of armament is a physical manifestation of its doctrine of deep integration with its DoD SOF counterparts.

6.3 Specialized Weaponry

To address a range of tactical challenges, the MSRT employs a variety of specialized weapon systems:

• Shotguns: For breaching doors and as a devastatingly effective close-range weapon, operators utilize 12-gauge shotguns, including the pump-action Remington M870P and the semi-automatic Saiga-12.⁸
• Designated Marksman/Sniper Rifles: Precision Marksman Observer Teams are equipped with semi-automatic rifles chambered in 7.62x51mm NATO, such as the Mk 11 Mod 0 and the MK14 Enhanced Battle Rifle (EBR). These weapons provide accurate, long-range suppressive fire and the ability to neutralize specific threats from overwatch positions.⁴⁸
• Anti-Materiel Rifles: For the Airborne Use of Force mission, MSRT marksmen employ heavy-caliber sniper rifles like the Barrett M82/M107 and the Robar RC-50, both chambered in.50 BMG.⁴⁸ Fired from a helicopter, these powerful rifles are capable of disabling a vessel’s engines, effectively stopping it for a boarding team.

6.4 Support Systems and Equipment

The effectiveness of an MSRT operator depends as much on their support equipment as their weapons. Operators are outfitted with a full suite of modern tactical gear, including ballistic helmets, body armor with plate carriers, night vision devices, and secure communications systems.²⁶ They also employ a variety of specialized tools for breaching, including rams, pry bars, and explosives. This comprehensive loadout ensures operators are protected, can communicate effectively, and have the necessary tools to gain access to and control any part of a target vessel, day or night.⁵⁴

Weapon System	Caliber	Type	Primary Tactical Role
Glock 19 Gen5	9mm	Pistol	Secondary/Personal Defense Weapon 48
MK18 / CQBR	5.56x45mm NATO	Carbine / Assault Rifle	Primary weapon for Close Quarters Combat (CQC) 26
Remington M870P	12-gauge	Shotgun	Ballistic Breaching, Close-Range Engagement 34
Saiga-12	12-gauge	Shotgun	Close-Range Engagement 48
Mk 11 Mod 0	7.62x51mm NATO	Designated Marksman Rifle	Precision fire support from overwatch 48
MK14 EBR	7.62x51mm NATO	Designated Marksman Rifle	Precision fire support from overwatch 48
Barrett M107 / M82	.50 BMG	Anti-Materiel Sniper Rifle	Airborne Use of Force (AUF) for engine disabling 48
Robar RC-50	.50 BMG	Anti-Materiel Sniper Rifle	Airborne Use of Force (AUF) for engine disabling 48
M240B	7.62x51mm NATO	Medium Machine Gun	Support weapon, typically boat-mounted 48

Section 7: Operational Employment and Mission Analysis

7.1 National Special Security Events (NSSEs)

A primary and highly visible domestic role for the MSRT is providing enhanced security for National Special Security Events (NSSEs). These are large-scale, high-profile events such as presidential inaugurations, the Super Bowl, United Nations General Assemblies, and major international economic summits.¹ During these events, MSRTs deploy to provide a robust waterside security presence and serve as a dedicated counter-assault team.¹⁶ Their presence acts as a significant deterrent, and they remain on high alert, ready to respond immediately to any potential terrorist incident in the maritime approaches to the event venue.

7.2 Overseas Contingency Operations

While the MSRT’s foundational purpose is homeland defense, its operational record indicates that its most significant kinetic actions often occur overseas in support of DoD objectives. MSRTs frequently deploy globally, operating as Advanced Interdiction Teams (AITs) embarked on U.S. Navy and allied warships.¹⁸ In theaters such as the Persian Gulf and the waters off the Horn of Africa, these teams have been instrumental in counter-proliferation and anti-piracy missions.¹⁶

Publicly available information, though limited, points to the MSRT’s key role in the seizure of illicit weapons from stateless dhows and other vessels in the Middle East.²⁴ In these scenarios, the MSRT provides the specialized boarding capability and, crucially, the law enforcement authority that allows the U.S. Navy to interdict such shipments without escalating the encounter to a military-on-military confrontation.²⁴ This demonstrates a significant perception gap: while often viewed as a domestic SWAT-style team, the MSRT in reality functions as a de facto maritime special operations force in active theaters abroad. The operational tempo for these deployments is reportedly high, with some sources indicating that operators can be deployed for five to eight months per year.²⁹

7.3 Interagency Collaboration and Exercises

To maintain its high level of readiness and ensure seamless integration during a crisis, the MSRT participates in frequent and realistic joint training exercises. These exercises bring together the MSRT with its key partners, including DoD SOF units like Navy SEALs and Army Rangers, federal law enforcement such as the FBI, and other DHS components.⁵ These events are crucial for refining and standardizing TTPs, testing interoperability of communications and equipment, and resolving potential command-and-control conflicts before a real-world incident occurs.⁵ A notable example was a 2018 exercise off the coast of San Diego, where MSRT West operators assaulted a commercial cruise ship to neutralize a simulated terrorist threat, demonstrating their capability to handle a complex, large-scale hostage scenario.⁵⁶ Another training event in 2021 saw MSRT members partnering with U.S. Army Airborne Rangers and U.S. Navy aviation assets to hone ship-board CQC tactics aboard a decommissioned ship at Fort Eustis, Virginia.²²

7.4 Case Studies and Illustrative Deployments

Due to the sensitive nature of their missions, detailed after-action reports and specifics of MSRT operations are rarely made public.⁵⁷ Most of their work is conducted with little to no public fanfare, reinforcing their reputation as “quiet professionals”.²⁴ However, some operational details have emerged through open-source channels. One widely cited, though unconfirmed, operation reportedly occurred in 2010 when an MSRT team intercepted a cargo ship off the coast of Africa suspected of carrying illegal weapons. The team is said to have secured the vessel and detained the crew within minutes without firing a shot.²³ More concretely, official press releases from the U.S. Navy regarding large weapons seizures in the Middle East often mention the presence of an “embarked Coast Guard Advanced Interdiction Team,” which is typically composed of MSRT personnel.²⁴ While the full scope of their operational history remains classified, the available evidence points to a highly active and effective force that is routinely engaged in critical national security missions both at home and abroad.

Section 8: Future Outlook: The MSRT in an Evolving Security Environment

8.1 Impact of Force Design 2028

The future of the MSRT and all Coast Guard Deployable Specialized Forces will be profoundly shaped by the service’s ambitious modernization initiative, Force Design 2028 (FD28).⁶⁰ This initiative represents a revolutionary effort to restructure, recapitalize, and modernize the Coast Guard to meet the threats of the coming decades. A key organizational change under FD28 is the establishment of a permanent, dedicated Deployable Specialized Forces Command, to be led by a Rear Admiral.⁶⁰

This development marks the final institutional maturation of the MSRT and its sister units. Born from the urgent necessity of the post-9/11 era, the DSF’s command structure has been subject to experimentation, shifting between centralized and decentralized models.¹ The creation of a permanent, flag-level command signals that these specialized forces are no longer viewed as an emergency measure but as a permanent, core component of the Coast Guard’s identity and future warfighting capability. This high-level command will provide the MSRT with a powerful institutional advocate for budget, personnel, and equipment priorities. It will also likely lead to more streamlined command and control, better integration into the service’s strategic planning, and enhanced oversight, ensuring the unit’s unique capabilities are sustained and developed for the long term.

8.2 Technological Integration

Under FD28, the Coast Guard is committed to becoming a leader in the adoption and use of advanced technology.⁶¹ For the MSRT, this will involve the integration of emerging technologies to enhance situational awareness and operational effectiveness. This includes leveraging artificial intelligence (AI) and deep learning algorithms to process vast amounts of data from surveillance assets to detect threats and anomalies in the maritime domain.⁶⁷ The development of a “Coastal Sentinel” next-generation surveillance capability, which aims to create a robust and integrated sensor network, will provide MSRT planners with unprecedented real-time data to inform operations.⁶⁶ Furthermore, the establishment of a Rapid Response Prototype Team under FD28 is designed to streamline the acquisition process and get cutting-edge capabilities—such as improved sensors, communications gear, and unmanned systems (UxVs)—into the hands of operators more quickly.⁶⁶

8.3 Adapting to Emerging Threats

While the MSRT was created to counter the non-state terrorist threat that defined the post-9/11 era, its elite skill set is highly adaptable to the emerging challenges of great power competition. In an environment characterized by “gray zone” conflict—actions that fall below the threshold of conventional warfare—the MSRT’s unique status as a law enforcement and military entity makes it an ideal tool. Its expertise in advanced interdiction and opposed boardings could be employed to enforce international sanctions, interdict state-sponsored illicit trafficking, or counter the use of civilian or paramilitary vessels for aggressive military purposes. The MSRT provides the U.S. with a scalable and legally defensible option to respond to provocations in the maritime domain without resorting to an overt act of war.

8.4 Analysis and Recommendations for Sustained Capability

The MSRT has proven itself to be a vital national security asset over the past two decades. To ensure its continued effectiveness, several actions should be prioritized. First, under the new Deployable Specialized Forces Command, the Coast Guard should fully implement the GAO’s 2019 recommendation to conduct a comprehensive workforce needs analysis for the MSRT.¹⁰ This analysis is critical to definitively align staffing levels, deployment cycles, and resource allocation with the unit’s true high operational tempo and complex global mission set, resolving the data discrepancies between strategic reporting and tactical reality.

Second, investment in continuous modernization must be a priority. This includes not only the adoption of new technologies but also the recapitalization of existing platforms, such as the Tactical Delivery Teams’ RHIBs, and ensuring operators are equipped with the most advanced personal protective equipment, weapons, and sensors available. Finally, the deep commitment to joint training with DoD SOF and interagency partners must be sustained and expanded. This interoperability is the bedrock of the MSRT’s effectiveness and its ability to seamlessly integrate into any national-level response. By taking these steps, the Coast Guard will ensure that the MSRT remains a relevant, ready, and decisive force capable of confronting the nation’s most serious maritime threats for decades to come.

Conclusion

The journey of the Maritime Security Response Team from a concept born in the aftermath of national tragedy to a world-class maritime tactical unit is a testament to the U.S. Coast Guard’s adaptability and commitment to its security mission. The MSRT occupies a unique and indispensable position within the U.S. national security framework, possessing the tactical acumen and operational intensity of military special operations while wielding the legal authority of federal law enforcement. This combination allows it to operate effectively across a spectrum of conflict where other units cannot. It is a “quiet professional” force, whose most critical contributions often go unseen by the public but are essential to the safety and security of the nation. The MSRT is a critical national asset, providing the United States with a flexible, precise, and potent response option for the most complex threats in the maritime domain. The strategic vision outlined in Force Design 2028 promises to enhance and solidify this vital role, ensuring the MSRT is always ready to answer the call.

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