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. In 2009, the UIM changed its name once again to M-Squadron. The unit was reorganized into the Maritime Special Operations Force since January 1, 2009. Role It consists of a selection of specially trained marines of the Dutch Marine Corps, and it is part of the Netherlands Maritime Special Operations Forces (NLMARSOF), which is the maritime counterpart of the Dutch Army's Korps Commandotroepen. NLMARSOF is able to operate in and outside of the Netherlands, with emphasis on maritime special operations. It currently consists of two operational SOF squadrons, one training squadron and a support group; C Squadron (Mountain Leader Recon and Amphibian Recon) – Foreign operations M Squadron (Counter-Terrorism) – Domestic operations T Squadron (Training Squadron) Special Operation Forces Support Group M-Squadron consists of teams of six operators, each team and each operator with their own specialty. Among those are diver and breach teams. Tasks are: To conduct special operations on sea and land; To conduct quick-reaction counter-terrorism and hostage release operations in the Netherlands; To provide quick-reaction maritime intervention (harbours, oil platforms, ships, etc.); To assist the Dutch police and Royal Marechaussee in domestic joint law enforcement and counter-terrorism operations; To act as a security detachment on board Royal Netherlands Navy ships