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Beer Monster
08-24-2006, 11:28 AM
This maybe a RMM photo but after a few searches I couldn't find anything so thought I'd post to see if anyone can shed some light on it. Whilst browsing the web I discovered this photo:-

http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c62/beer_monster/sbs2.jpg

It was entitled "SBS", and indeed the fellow seems wearing DPM with an SLR type rifle, desert boots and the photo looks as though it was taken (on a river?) in the 1980's (or possibly late 70’s). I immediately dismissed it as it's blatantly staged and could be anyone. However, it got me thinking. I’d assumed that SF of one description or another would have trailed the use of Jet Ski’s etc but has anyone seen any other photos of Jet Skis in military use? Also can anybody identify the Jet ski? Is that an exhaust muffler on the front?

I came across this on specialoperations:-




Central Intelligence Agency
Special Activities Staff - Maritime Branch

Maritime Branch is primarily composed of former Navy SEALs from both "regular" blue water SEAL Teams and the counterterrorist DEVGRU, and USMC Force Reconnaissance personnel. Maritime Branch personnel receive training similar to that of Ground Branch operators, but with a greater training emphasis on amphibious/waterborne activities. Maritime Branch operators receive training in conducting operations such as jet-ski reconnaissance and hostage rescue operations along hostile shorelines.

One example of these activities occured during the early 80's, when Maritime Branch personnel trained Nicaraguan Contras to use of high speed boats for attacks against Sandanita shipping. They also stood by to launch underwater sabotage attacks against ships docked in Managua's harbor. Another example occurred in early 1991. This time Maritime Branch operators instructed US military SOF in the use of modified jet skis for a possible hostage rescue mission during Operation Desert Storm.

Has anybody heard about this before?

saintM
08-24-2006, 11:34 AM
Got that picture in a book. Says SBS there, but that doesn't make it true :-)
Will find out what book and let you know.. then you can see for yourself..

Cheers for posting - interresting topic!

Hydro
08-24-2006, 11:38 AM
The rifle appears to be an Armalite AR-18...A very interesting concept, I can't say for the life of me whether it's true or not.

AROUETLJ
08-24-2006, 11:39 AM
A long time ago, I had posted a series of photos from an "Armées d'Aujourd'hui" (official French Armed Forces journal) article on training for DGSE combat swimmers, showing them, among others, using jetskis.

http://img171.imageshack.us/img171/2327/dgsejetskilj5.jpg
In Eric Micheletti's "Warriors from the Deep", there's a photo of Commando Hubert personnel training on jetskis. They're used in the close protection of vessels and maritime platforms, and this kind of training has been emphasized since the attack on the USS Cole and the tanker Limburg.

Beer Monster
08-24-2006, 11:49 AM
The rifle appears to be an Armalite AR-18...A very interesting concept, I can't say for the life of me whether it's true or not.

I think you maybe right, its a bit short for an SLR. AR-18 (http://world.guns.ru/assault/as36-e.htm) it is.

Royal
08-24-2006, 11:49 AM
I remember one of the instructors at the Ecole d'Haute Montagne in France spending a year stuying the military use of snowboards (he eventually concluded that there wasn't one) back in the 90's.

Nice work if you can get it p-).

They will have been trialed - whether they were any use is a different matter...

Noob Brit
08-24-2006, 03:40 PM
http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c62/beer_monster/sbs2.jpg

Caption I've seen with that photo says it's a "Jetraider high speed shallow draught assault boat". Probably just a PR shot for the company who made it. Wouldn't mind a go though p-)

kayaker
08-24-2006, 04:20 PM
I remember one of the instructors at the Ecole d'Haute Montagne in France spending a year stuying the military use of snowboards (he eventually concluded that there wasn't one) back in the 90's.

Nice work if you can get it p-).

They will have been trialed - whether they were any use is a different matter...

Ow what!! There are some cushy jobs out there... After the year my conclusion would have been need more time for definitive answer..

A_V_8_R
08-24-2006, 07:01 PM
Definatly second NoobBrits assumption. Probably just a fiberglass shell mockup of a concept. One of those "what could be" PR photos.

ZaakM433
08-24-2006, 10:11 PM
Definatly second NoobBrits assumption. Probably just a fiberglass shell mockup of a concept. One of those "what could be" PR photos.

third.......