Tag Archives: Maritime Raid Force

Coming in Hot (and Quiet)

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Talk about a recruiting poster.

Official caption: “A U.S. Marine assigned to Reconnaissance Company, 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit, rides an MMX motorcycle enroute to a raid site during the ground interoperability exercise at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California, July 25, 2023. The ground interoperability training integrates the Reconnaissance Company and supporting elements into a raid force to conduct land-based specialized limited-scale raids in preparation for more complex amphibious and maritime operations.”

U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl Joseph Helms. Released 230725-M-YF186-1095

Note the Nods, M4, Salomon X Ultra Pioneers, and M18.

More on the Zero MMX Military Series e-bike, if interested.

Sure, an e-bike is not as long-term survivable (or even usable) ashore on extended missions, but if it is a short-term raid or recon event, it offers some very interesting advantages over a legacy (loud as hell) offroad dirt bike. 

Via the manufacturer:

No exhaust and exceptionally stealthy, the Zero MMX holds unique tactical advantages over traditional internal combustion alternatives. The 100% electric powertrain offers personnel the ability to rapidly move over technical terrain while making virtually no noise and emitting no smell. Perhaps the most covert form of two-wheeled transportation, the motorcycle is completely silent when stopped and can accelerate instantly from 0 rpm.

 

Electric Acorn adding Raider Boats to the Mix

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The U.S. Army’s Hawaii-based 25th Infantry “Tropic Lightning” Division has been putting its troops into Zodiacs for what the Marines these days would call a Maritime Raid Force or combat rubber raiding craft (CRRC) boat company work.

A series of great images released this week on social media show elements of the 25th ID’s 3rd Brigade Combat Team including B Coy, 2-35 Infantry, and 3rd Squadron, 4th Cavalry getting wet. Photos: SPC Jet Hodgkin | HHC, 2-35 IN

Official captions:

“Recently Beast Company strategically executed Amphibious Assault training consisting of ocean navigation, beachfront terrain, and a hasty assault on a Military Operations in Urban Terrain site. Upon securing their objective, B Co egressed via Zodiac waterborne vehicles to follow on with interrogation operations with their captured high-value target.”

“Soldiers assigned to 3rd Squadron, 4th Cavalry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 25th ID conducted waterborne operations, honing their skills on zodiac small boats. Soldiers focused on open water transit, insertion, and extraction techniques. Training like this prepares Soldiers for difficult transitions between sea and land, making them more flexible and lethal in the Pacific theater.”

There have also been lots of pool training and swim tests across the 25th ID in the past few years.

(U.S. Army photo by Spc. Jessica Scott)

Keep in mind that, while over-the-beach ops are the Marines’ specialty, it was the Army that pulled off D-Day, and any future Pacific dust-up could see lots of Joes in boats at some point.