42 Commando RM

Op Highmast Proving the Maritime Special Operations Team (MSOT) Concept

by Capt R Campbell RM, MSOT 7 OC, M Coy

The Royal Marines have a long history of being embarked on Royal Navy ships, dating back to the Age of Sail, when they provided specialised infantry support for boarding actions, ship defence and landing parties. In the modern era, Royal Marines have continued to deploy aboard Royal Navy vessels, primarily conducting Maritime Interdiction Operations (MIOPs) to counter the illicit trafficking of weapons and narcotics, as well as to deter piracy. Until recently, these teams of Commandos were referred to as ‘Royal Marines Boarding Teams’ in recognition of their primary role. However, the evolving security environment, combined with rapid technological advancements, means that these embarked teams of Commandos can and must deliver far more. This is the genesis of the MSOT concept; a team of Commandos capable of delivering more utility and lethality for the Navy and wider UK Defence.

Helo and surface assault onto the target vessel

Operation Highmast, the second deployment of the UK’s Carrier Strike Group (CSG) to the Indo-Pacific region, was the first opportunity for 42 Cdo to test the MSOT concept on an operational deployment. M Coy’s MSOT 7 was selected for the task and following an intensive period of pre-deployment training, they embarked on HMS Prince Of Wales (PWLS) and HMS Richmond (RCMD) in the eastern Mediterranean. Here, the MSOT quickly integrated with the CSG staff to support contingency planning ahead of the CSG transiting the Suez Canal and Bab el-Mandeb Strait (BAM) a serious undertaking in light of the Houthi attacks on coalition shipping at the time. This included Joint Personnel Recovery mission planning, MIOPs training and developing response options in the event of a Houthi attack. They also found time to sharpen their tactical skills and integrate with wider CSG assets through the conduct of complex Full Mission Profile (FMP) assaults fast-roping from Merlin helicopters onto the decks of PWLS and RCMD to clear through the ship against an ‘enemy’ provided by the ship’s company.