MCESG
Marine Security Augmentation Unit
(MSAU)
MSAU HISTORY
From Marine.mil Press Release: Following the terrorist attack in Benghazi in 2012, the Marine Corps Embassy Security Group created the MSAU. During periods of increased threat, the MSAU’s primary mission is to provide specially trained augmentation security forces to designated U.S. diplomatic and consular facilities overseas. The MSAU is deployed at the request of the U.S. Department of State’s Diplomatic Security Service.Although MSAU is a self-sufficient response element, frequently it works with DSS Mobile Security Deployments teams to enhance emergency response and planning at U.S. diplomatic missions across the world. The MSAUs add another layer of security for the Diplomatic Security Service to help protect U.S. diplomatic personnel and prevent the compromise of national security information and equipment. Since it was established, the MSAU has deployed on average every eight days.
The MSAU is a command inside of Marine Corps Embassy Security Group and provides the Marine Corps the ability to deploy small task-organized units in support of the U.S. Department of State. It is in a constant state of readiness to remain globally deployable on short notice. These Marines are trained in medical, close quarters battle, marksmanship, as well as security analysis and augmentation to existing security at various diplomatic facilities.
The MSAU missions have included deploying to Middle East posts on the 1st anniversary of Benghazi; replacing an Army battalion in Juba in 2013-2014; supporting multiple sites in Bangkok during the 2013-2014 political upheaval; and initiating a 2017 overland insertion into Paris during the beginning of what was to become the Yellow Vest Movement.
From GlobolSecurity.org:
On 26 June 2013,additional 1,000 Marines authorized to stand up 120-man Marine Security Augmentation Unit (MSAU), stationed on Quantico. MSAU comprised of 9 platoons, augmenting the security forces at any given US embassy .
First commanding officer of MSAU : Major David Emell, arriving July 2013 for additional training.
The first 3 squads of the unit arrive in July 2013 for training.
MSAU, Marines must have served at at least one embassy for a year and had to complete the 3 week training.
Currently, the plan was to have the new unit up and running by the end of 2013, with the second group of 3 platoons attending training in September 2013 and the last group attending training in December 2013. Once the unit was stood up, it would be sent out, one platoon at a time, to embassies where the ambassador had indications that there was an increased threat level. The unit would be able to augment a Marine detachment already in place or an embassy without a detachment that felt threatened.
2024
Commanding Officer: Major Bloodsworth
Senior Enlisted Advisor: Master Sergeant Martinez
2023
Commanding Officer: Major Bloodsworth
Senior Enlisted Advisor: Master Sergeant Martinez
2021
21 JULY
PRESS RELEASE (Marines.mil)
MARINE SECURITY GUARD SECURITY AUGMENTATION UNIT DEPLOYS TO US EMBASSY IN ESWATINI FOLLOWING CIVIL UNREST IN THE COUNTRY
PRESS RELEASE (Fox News): US Marine quick reaction force deployed twice in last 30 days to defend embassies | Fox News.
2013
Detachment Commander: Duhachek, Chamous, GySgt. (Tashkent, Uzbekistan Detachment Commander: 2011-12)
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