Maritime Reaction Squadron Explained

Unit Name:	Maritime Reaction Squadron
Country:	South Africa
Type:	Marine infantry
Role:	Combat Diving Visit Board Search and Seizure Counter-terrorism Special Combat Craft Boat Service Harbour Patrol Maritime interdiction Amphibious Warfare Maritime Search and Rescue Riverine Patrol Littoral Operations Maritime Expeditionary Operations Humanitarian Assistance Foreign Internal Defence Peacekeeping
Size:	Battalion
Commander1 Label:	First OC 1 Mrn Bde
Commander2 Label:	Second OC

The Maritime Reaction Squadron (MRS) is a specialised marine-like special operations capable Tier 2 unit of the South African Navy that provides a combat ready amphibious, diving and small boat capability to the Navy.^[1]

Formed as the Naval Rapid Deployment Force (NRDF) in 2005, the MRS deploys infantry-trained South African Navy personnel in various peacekeeping roles within the African continent and to assist in boarding operations at sea, humanitarian operations and disaster relief.

History

The end of the South African Border War saw the disbandment of the South Africa Marine Corps, leaving the South African Navy without an amphibious element.^[2] After the integration of the South African National Defence Force the Navy was increasingly called on to assist with peace keeping operations. Realising that this situation would continue, the then Chief of the Navy Refiloe Johannes Mudimu, decided to create this capability by creating a Naval Rapid Deployment Force.^[3] An Operational Boat Squadron was formed in 2006 to ensure that South Africa could commit meaningfully to the peace keeping at the Great Lakes.

The Rapid Deployment Force became the Maritime Reaction Squadron on 1 September 2006. The unit was formally commissioned on 8 December 2008.^[4] Following the creating of the MRS the Operational Boat Squadron was upgraded to the Operational Boat Division.

Units

The squadron consists of the following components:

• Operational Boat Division (OBD) with 10 Namacurra-class harbour patrol boats and six Lima-class utility landing craft
• Reaction Force Division (RFD) consisting of one naval infantry company with a command and support element
• Operational Diving Division (ODD) consisting of four operational diving teams of 17 divers.
• Operational Maintenance Division - maintains all the unit equipment^[5]

Notes and References

1. Web site: Maritime Protection Squadron . Navy.mil.za . February 2, 2011 . July 23, 2012.
2. Resurrection of the Marine Capability in the South African Navy: The Maritime Reaction Squadron . Manganyi, Calvin . Scientaria Militaria . 2012 . 40 . 3.
3. Web site: Navy setting up rapid deployment force for peacekeeping . DefenceWeb . November 21, 2005 . July 21, 2014 . Engelbrecht, Leon.
4. Web site: SA Navy to commission Maritime Reaction Squadron . Defenceweb . December 8, 2008 . July 21, 2014 . Engelbrecht, Leon.
5. Web site: Exercise Xena testing Maritime Reaction Squadron . Defenceweb . November 26, 2009 . July 21, 2014 . Wingrin, Dean.