M-Squadron, formerly the Unit Interventie Mariniers (Marine Intervention Unit, UIM), and before that known as the Bijzondere Bijstandseenheid (Special Support Unit, BBE), is an elite Dutch special forces unit which is tasked with conducting domestic counter-terrorist operations. M-Squadron is part of the Netherlands Maritime Special Operations Forces of the Netherlands Marine Corps.
History
On 22 February 1973, the Dutch government officially created a specialist counter-terrorism unit in response to the Munich massacre, when 11 Israeli athletes were murdered by Palestine pro-Fatah militants. The government felt the urge of protecting the nation against such incidents in the future, and so members of the Dutch Marine Corps were selected for this special unit. Marines were chosen because, at that time, they were particularly notorious: Dutch marines are hardened, highly trained, professional soldiers.
On July 1, 2006, a new government organ, Dienst Speciale Interventies (DSI) was founded. This is a joint operations centre for counter-terrorism actions in the Netherlands. Members of the UIM and special police units work together, and form a Unit Interventie, which is a joint task force of Defence and police personnel.
As part of the reorganization, the BBE changed its name in 2006 to the UIM. Operators used hand-to-hand combat and stun grenades against jailed terrorists, who had revolted and held the prison under siege.
Equipment
Weaponry
{|class="wikitable" style="margin:auto; width:100%;"
! style="text-align: center; width:12%;"|Name
! style="text-align: center; width:12%;"|Origin
! style="text-align: center; width:12%;"|Type
! style="text-align: center; width:10%;"|Cartridge
! style="text-align: center; width:0%;"|Image
! style="text-align: center; width:54%;"|Details
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| Glock 17
|
| Semi-automatic pistol
| 9×19mm Parabellum
| 125px
| Standard issue pistol within NLMARSOF. Fitted with a laser light module.
|-
| Mossberg 590
|
| Pump-action shotgun
| 12 gauge
| 125px
| Used with buckshot ammunition and fitted with a pistol grip, optimised for door breaching.
|-
| FN P90
|
| Personal defense weapon
| FN 5.7×28mm
| 125px
| Fitted with a suppressor, optics and a laser light module. Used by M-Squadron for domestic counter-terrorism operations.
|-
| Heckler & Koch MP7
|
| Personal defense weapon
| HK 4.6×30mm
| 125px
| Fitted with a suppressor, optics and a laser light module.
|-
|SIG MCX
|
|Assault rifle
|.300 AAC Blackout<br>5.56×45mm NATO
|125px
| Fitted with the SIG Sauer Suppressed Upper Receiver (SUR), an integral suppressor. In addition, it is fitted with a Magpul stock, SIG Sauer optics and a laser light module.
|-
| Heckler & Koch HK416
|
| Assault rifle
| 5.56×45mm NATO
| 125px
| Standard-issue assault rifle within NLMARSOF. Fitted with a suppressor, optics and a laser light module.
|-
| Accuracy International AWM/AXMC
|
| Sniper rifle
| .300 Winchester Magnum<br />.338 Lapua Magnum
| 125px
| Anti-personnel sniper rifle in use with NLMARSOF sniper team. AXMC rifles, successor to the AWM, have recently been acquired to replace the aging AWM rifles.
|-
| Barrett M82
|
| Sniper rifle
| .50 BMG
|
| Anti-materiel rifle in use with NLMARSOF sniper teams.
|-
| Heckler & Koch UGL
|
| Grenade launcher
| 40mm grenade
| 125px
| Undersling grenade launcher that can be fitted to the HK416 assault rifle.