Mobile Security Deployment

The Mobile Security Deployment (MSD) (formerly Mobile Security Division) is a specialized unit within the Diplomatic Security Service (DSS) of the United States Department of State. Military weapons, including the M-249, M-240, M-2 50 caliber, and Mark 19 grenade launcher.

Finally, the training simulates a kidnapping and personal security scenario. Garments, weapons and communication devices of the MSD are always state of the art. MSD operators are trained to use and deploy with U.S.

Fighting kidnapping and terrorism are part of their duties, as well as protection and evacuation of U.S. citizens out of crisis areas and training of personnel in foreign countries. MSD also augments other DSS agents in high-threat or high-profile protection missions. Mobile Security Deployment is based in Dunn Loring, Virginia and consists of 11 teams with six agents each: MSD cooperates closely with other federal agencies, such as the Secret Service, the Fleet Antiterrorism Security Teams of the United States Marine Corps, the Federal Bureau of Investigation and local law enforcement agencies, both domestic and foreign. MSD Agents are selected from DSS Agents who voluntarily want to join the specialized unit.

Other weapons include pepper spray, extendable clubs and stun grenades. MSD forces were involved in Bosnia and Liberia protecting U.S. diplomatic missions and arresting terrorists, as well as the investigation of terrorists bombings in a United States Army barracks in Dhahran, Saudi Arabia in 1996 and the 1998 United States embassy bombings in Tanzania and Kenya. .

The curriculum is based upon weapon handling, car handling, navigation, precision shooting, first aid and tactics. The training duration is six months and is held at the Diplomatic Security Training Center (DSTC) in Virginia.

MSD uniforms are tailored to the mission, including use of Kevlar helmets, protective goggles, body armor, gas masks, radio transceivers with headphones, first aid kits, tactical vests and camelbak drinking devices, night vision goggles and GPS handheld devices such as Garmin GPS II Plus. The MSD is equipped with firearms such as the M-4 carbine, different Heckler & Koch MP5 submachine gun variants, Israeli Uzi submachine guns, Remington 870 shotguns, and SIG-Sauer P228/229 pistols. The MSD unit is made up of specially trained DSS Special Agents. Their assignment is the protection of members of the U.S.

federal government overseas.
 
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