MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. -- U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Special Operations Command’s Marine Special Operations Intelligence Battalion (MIB) officially activated during a ceremony on May 18, at the MARSOC headquarters building.
The battalion was reorganized from a company in response to the ever-growing capabilities of MARSOC. The mission of the MIB is to train, sustain, maintain combat readiness, and provide intelligence support at all operational levels within MARSOC, and to support MARSOC training and operations worldwide with mission specific capabilities.
“The MARSOC Intelligence Battalion produces the direct support teams, SOTF (Special Operations Task Force) enhancements, and other capabilities as needed by the commander of U.S. Special Operations Command, and the Commander of U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Special Operations Command,” said Col. Richard Anders, the commanding officer of Marine Special Operations Support Group. “These intelligence capabilities are integral elements of our operating forces and a critical ingredient of the Marine Special Operations’ concept.”
During the ceremony, Anders addressed all in attendance and gave a special thanks to Lt. Gen. Dennis J. Hejlik, the commanding officer of II Marine Expeditionary Force, and former commander of MARSOC.
“A special welcome and word of gratitude is in order for General Hejlik, who four years ago, planted the seeds of Marine Special Operations Intelligence,” Anders said. “Sir, the fruit of your vision and labor, along with that of your team four years ago, is before you.”
Lt. Col. Nicolas Vavich, the commander of the MIB, also spoke during the ceremony. Vavich talked about the achievements made by the intelligence Marines of MARSOC since the inception of the command, including their participation in the more than 28 deployments to 13 countries that MARSOC conducted last year.
“In my mind, special operations are really not about going after any target at the first available time. Special operations are about choosing the right target at the time and place of our choosing to shape and influence the battle space in today’s really complex and multidimensional environments,” Vavich said. “It is the exceptional Marines of Marine Intelligence Battalion, both east and west coast, who provide that capability to this component, and make MARSOC’s contribution unique to the special operations community.”