FAST Unit Profile

[SR-25]

Unit Profile

U.S. Marine Fleet Antiterrorism Security Team (FAST) Company

Dedicated, armed, combat-trained cadre
Task organized and equipped to perform security missions of short duration
Augment installation security when the threat condition has been elevated beyond the capability of the permanent security force
Train installation security forces in antiterrorism and weapons marksmanship
Assist the base security officer in the preparation of base defense and other security plans
Requested by combatant and fleet commanders-in-chief
Deploy only upon approval of the Chief of Naval Operations

Established in 1987, FAST Company is comprised of 500+ Marines equipped to perform security missions as directed by the Chief of Naval Operations. FAST Company Marines augment installation security when a threat condition is elevated beyond the ability of resident and auxiliary security forces. They are not designed to provide a permanent security force for the installation.

FAST Company is primarily designed to conduct defensive combat operations, military security operations, and rear area security operations. It also can be tailored for specific tasks from the Chief of Naval Operations. They also ensure nuclear material on submarines is not compromised when the vessels are docked.

Following the bombing in Saudi Arabia, the threat condition was raised for installations and FAST Marines responded. Based upon site surveys at each location, the Task Force determined that tactics and techniques for protecting entry onto installations varied widely, even among those installations in the same Threat Condition. At Eskan Village, Riyadh, service members entering the base went through two checkpoints. The first was manned by Saudi forces, who checked all members, including U.S., host nation, and Third Country National citizens. The second check point was manned by U.S. forces, who also checked all people. This contrasted with Khobar Towers, where all base entry points were manned by both Saudi and U.S. forces. At Camp Doha, Kuwait, an initial checkpoint several kilometers from the base was manned by both Kuwaiti and U.S. military forces, while the base entry point was manned by armed contract security guards. At Ali Al-Salem Air Base, Kuwait, Bangladeshi military forces, contracted by the government of Kuwait, provided entry control. At the Sahara Residence, a billeting facility in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, entry was controlled by unarmed contract security guards, while at Manai Plaza in Bahrain, another billeting complex, entry was controlled by Marines from the U.S. Marine Corps Fleet Antiterrorist Security Team (FAST) and Bahrainian special forces troops. Entry control at the Administrative Support Unit Bahrain was provided by U.S. Navy and Bahrainian forces, with heavy weapons support from the Marine Fleet Antiterrorist Security Team.

FAST Company has proven itself in more than 70 special security missions and has been in the following operations: Desert Shield/Desert Storm, Sharp Edge (Liberia,) Just Cause (Panama,) Promote Liberty (Panama) and Safe Return in Haiti.

Operation SHARP EDGE in Jan 1991, USMC Fleet Antiterrorist Security Team (FAST) relieved the Marine Amphibious Readiness Group at U.S. Embassy in Monrovia, Liberia providing security.
Shortly after the conclusion of VIGILANT WARRIOR, USCENTCOM found itself involved once again in Somalia, this time to cover the withdrawal of UNOSOM II in accordance with a United Nations decision to pull its forces out of that troubled country. After the withdrawal of US forces on 25 March 1994, the United States maintained a liaison office in Mogadishu in an attempt to further the process of political reconciliation in Somalia. Security for this office was provided by a Fleet Antiterrorist Support Team (FAST) platoon from the Marine Corps Security Force Battalion. As conditions in Mogadishu deteriorated, the liaison office relocated to Nairobi and the FAST platoon redeployed to Mombasa, Kenya, on 15 September 1994, with the latter redeploying to home station three days later. President Clinton announced his decision late in 1994 that US forces would assist in the withdrawal of UNOSOM forces from Somalia.
FAST Platoons also provided security support for the transfer of Cuban migrants from Panama holding areas to Guantanamo Bay during Operation SAFE PASSAGE from January to February 1995.
During Operation FAIRWINDS in late 1996, FAST Platoons provided security for NMCB and USAF Engineer unit, work site, camp site, and convoys in Haiti.

[USMC Chuter]

A lot of people have a misconception about FAST. People tend to think of them as a commando force, kicking in doors, duking it out with tangos, rescuing hostages.. Not quite the case.

FAST Marines are highly skilled, including the intricacies of CQB, etc.. But they are "counter terrorist", ie, they are there primarily to prevent the exploitation of US interests by terrorists; not to intervene against terrorists in the act... FAST companies are full of kick-ass Marines. However, the above post is good to go, in that it dispells some of the myths about them.

[Grimmy]

As said by Chuter: The F.A.S.T is the fleet's first line of organic defense against terror attack. As such, they do, at times, go after known threats and do the door in-kicking and tango killing but their primary purpose is area defense.

I guess some of that misconception is due to TV shows portraying F.A.S.T. CQB Training

[USMC Chuter]

Not necessarily.. FAST Marines are indeed highly trained in CQB, and rightfully so. Nobody disputes that FAST Companies are comprised of highly trained, highly motivated Marines. It's just that the public's perception is that their job is to hunt down terrorists and duke it out. Not so at all. FAST Companies exist to secure American facilities prior to and immediately following terrorist attacks; to prevent further attack and defend American classified material and diplomatic/national security interests. Their mission is NOT to hunt down and engage terrorists.