If you see an unfamiliar 34-foot gray boat around Whidbey Island with U.S. Navy on the side and uniformed personnel on board, you have seen a part of the newest addition to the base, Maritime Expeditionary Security Squadron Nine (MSRON 9)

MSRON 9 is a rapidly, deployable unit that can go anywhere in the world. The squadron can handle port security, harbor defense and coordinate shore and force protection for high value assets, such as ships and equipment, going into and out of port. The squadron also conducts surveillance, waterborne prevention and anti-terrorism activity around oil platforms.

In September, they moved to Whidbey Island from Naval Station Everett.  Boatswain’s Mate Master Chief (BMCM) Edward Spillane said they are especially happy to get to a place where they can have all their gear in one place.

“Here we can have nine boats, about 50 trucks and all our gear and personnel in one place,” he said.  “And because our location is behind fences on the Seaplane Base, we have our boats right next to the water where we can open a gate and back them down a boat ramp and into the water.”

Boats are integral to MSRON 9 and so are the security detachments and communications department.  Specialized units work together with Marine Expeditionary Security Force (MESF), providing intelligence and communication.  MSRON 9 is comprised of nine departments which include with three boat detachments and three security detachments which are located at NAS Whidbey Island; Spokane; Portland; and Sacramento, Calif.

Information Systems Chief (ITC/EXW), Michael Kasper said MSRON 9 can trace it origins to the Brown Water Navy of Vietnam where small gunboats or patrol boats were used to clear the inland and coastal waterways from weapons resupply and contraband. After the war, the boats were turned over to the South Vietnamese government and the active duty component of the Navy became an all-Navy Reserve entity.

On Oct 12, 2000, Al-Qaida bombers steered an explosive-laden boat into the guided missile destroyer USS Cole (DDG 67) when it stopped to refuel in Yemen. The explosion killed 17 sailors and injured 42.  Interest once again grew in small, armed watercraft able to get out to docks, ships and oil rigs with speed and myriad capabilities.  At that point, the Navy began expanding Naval Coastal Warfare, which would later become known as MESF and began standing up active duty counterparts along with more reserve units under the Navy Expeditionary Combat Command.

Although they are a reserve unit, the average MSRON 9 Sailor has been deployed three times since 9-11. Missions have taken them to Iraq, Afghanistan, Haiti and the Horn of Africa.  About 22 people are full-time staff, but when the squadron is not deployed there are over 130 personnel. 

Kasper said the switching from reservist to a full-time, mobilized, active-duty reservist can be a challenge when you have to manage your career and family but added that they knew it when they signed on. Although there are less than 20 people right now at MSRON 9, the cars in the parking lot bear license plates from Texas, Nebraska, Montana and New Jersey.  The reservists fly in from all corners of the United States to train at Whidbey Island.

They are already contributing to the Team Whidbey concept by donating their time and labor to help put the wings back on the PBY Catalina on the Seaplane Base.

“We have a motto here,” said Kasper. “Committed to honor and honored to commit.”

Not a bad motto at all.