CHAPTER
4
US NAVAL
SPECIAL OPERATIONS FORCES
NAVAL SPECIAL
WARFARE COMMAND (NAVSPECWARCOM)
Naval
Special Warfare Command was commissioned on 16 April
1987 at the Naval Amphibious
Base in
Coronado, California, and is the Naval component to
the United States Special Operations Command (see
Figure 4-1). The mission of Commander, Naval Special
Warfare Command (COMNAVSPECWARCOM) is to prepare Naval
Special Warfare forces to carry out assigned missions
and to develop maritime special operations strategy,
doctrine, and tactics. COMNAVSPECWARCOM exercises
operational control of all United States-based Naval
Special Warfare Command training, operational control
of all United States-based Naval Special Warfare forces
and responsibility for the training, equipping, supporting,
and providing trained and ready forces to the combatant
commanders. Commander, Naval Special Warfare Command
is a Navy Flag Officer, a Rear Admiral.
Naval Special
Warfare Mission
Naval
Special Warfare (NSW), provides an effective means
to apply counterforce in conjunction with national
policy and objectives in peacetime and across the
spectrum of hostilities from peacetime operations
to limited war to general war. NSW forces focus on
the conduct of the following five principal mission
areas of special operations:
· Unconventional
Warfare (UW)
· Direct
Action (DA)
· Special
Reconnaissance (SR)
· Foreign
Internal Defense (FID)
· Combating
Terrorism (CBT)
Additionally,
NSW forces are involved in collateral activities such
as Security Assistance, Anti-Terrorism, Counterdrug,
Personnel Recovery and Special Activities. NSW also
provides maritime specific special operations to meet
US Navy fleet-specific requirements.
NAVAL
SPECIAL WARFARE PERSONNEL
Naval
Special Warfare Officer
NSW Officers
go through the identical Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL
(BUD/S) Training that enlisted personnel attend at
the Naval Special Warfare Center. Following BUD/S,
it generally takes an additional six months to one
year for an officer to become fully qualified. A Naval
Special Warfare Officer can expect to spend his entire
career in a variety of special operations assignments
ranging from operational SEAL and SDV Teams to Joint
Staffs, or Naval
Special
Warfare Groups.
Navy
Enlisted SEAL
The Navy
enlisted SEAL is a highly competent and qualified
member of the Special Operations Community. All Navy
SEALs go through the six month Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL,
(BUD/S), Training at the Naval Special Warfare Center.
Upon completion of BUD/S, all SEALs attend Basic Airborne
training and then report to their first operational
SEAL or SDV Team. SEAL operators assigned to a SDV
Team must also complete SDV school which is generally
attended enroute to, or within three months of arrival
at their new command. As an essential part of their
qualification process, all SEALs must attend a three
month SEAL Tactical Training (STT) course at their
gaining command where they further enhance their operational
skills and field craft. Upon completion of STT, SEALs
are assigned to an operational SEAL platoon or SDV
task unit for their initial operational assignment.
The process of training, education, and qualification
is continued throughout their careers through a combination
of formal and informal processes including on-the-job
skills training, and attendance at various service
or SOF training commands, and civilian courses of
instruction. Once qualified, and enlisted SEAL can
expect to spend the remainder of his career in the
special operations community.
Special
Warfare Combat Craft Crewmember
Combat
Crewmen are assigned to Special Boat Units to operate
the various Special Warfare craft assigned to the
SBUs. A Combat Crewman attends advanced training at
the Naval Special Warfare Center and then is assigned
to a SBU. Combat Crew members may be parachute qualified
and may have specialized special warfare skills in
addition to their Combat Crewman skills.
NAVSPECWARCOM
ORGANIZATION
Naval
Special Warfare units are organized, trained, and
equipped to conduct special operations in maritime
and riverine environments. They are deployed in small
units worldwide in support of fleet and national operations.
NSW provides an effective means to apply counterforce
in conjunction with national policy and objectives
in peacetime and across the spectrum of hostilities
from peacetime operations to limited war to general
war.
Naval
Special Warfare Center
The Naval
Special Warfare Center located on the Naval Amphibious
Base in Coronado is the schoolhouse for much Naval
Special Warfare training. It is a major component
command of the Naval Special Warfare Command and is
commanded by a NSW Captain (O-6). In addition to the
26 week BUD/S and nine week Special Warfare Combatant
Crewman (SWCC) courses, the Center also conducts advanced
maritime special operations training for NSW and other
service component SOF personnel. The Center maintains
a detachment at the Naval Amphibious Base, Little
Creek, Virginia for selected training of personnel
assigned to commands on the east coast.
Naval
Special Warfare Development Group
The Naval
Special Warfare Development Group, located in Little
Creek, VA., is commanded by a Navy Captain (O-6).
It is a major component command of the Naval Special
Warfare Command. The Naval Special Warfare Development
Group provides centralized management for the test,
evaluation, and development of current and emerging
technology applicable to Naval Special Warfare forces.
This command also develops maritime ground and airborne
tactics for Naval Special Warfare and possible Department
of Defense-wide application. Administrative control
is with Naval Special Warfare Command.
Naval
Special Warfare Groups
NSW Groups
are echelon II Captain (O6) major commands established
by NAVSPECWARCOM at NAB Coronado and NAB Little Creek
to equip, support, and provide command and control
elements and trained and ready SEAL and SDV platoons
and forces to the geographic CINCs. NSW Groups ONE
and TWO are organized into:
· Three
SEAL Teams, comprised of eight 16-man platoons,
which conduct reconnaissance, DA, UW, FID, and
other operations in maritime or riverine environments.
· One
SDV Team which operates and maintains submersible
systems that deliver and recover SEALs in hostile
areas and conduct reconnaissance and DA missions.
· NSW
Units, which are small command and control elements
located outside the continental United States,
support other NSW forces assigned to theater SOCs
or components of naval task forces.
Naval
Special Warfare Command Combat Service Support Teams
(CSST)
One CSST
is assigned to each NSW Group to provide full-spectrum
logistic support for designated SEAL Teams, Special
Boat Units, NSW Task Groups/Task Units and/or special
mission units. Tasking for each CSST shall include
three primary mission elements:
· OPLAN/CONPLAN
and crisis-action logistic planning and coordination
· In-theater
contracting, small purchase and lease actions
· Comprehensive
forward operating base support
Within
these mission elements, the CSST is responsible for
force embarkation, load-planning, multi-modal transport
coordination, combat cargo handling, in-theater logistic
coordination, Military Liaison Officer/Defense Attaché
Officer liaison, exercise related construction, infrastructure
support, contingency engineering, expeditionary camp
siting and development, camp maintenance, NBC decontamination,
and defensive combat planning and execution.
Naval
Special Warfare Task Groups and Task Units
Naval
Special Warfare Task Groups (NSWTG), and Task Units
(NSWTU), are task organized, tailored in size and
composition to the mission, and resourced from NSWG
and subordinate commands. They may operate unilaterally,
jointly, or in combined operations. Their mission
is to provide command and control, administration,
and logistic support for assigned units. OPCON of
designated NSW forces may be assigned to a JSOTF or
with a fleet commander to support fleet amphibious
and/or strike operations. The NSWTG and NSWTU are
flexible in size and composition. Several NSWTUs can
be operationally subordinate to a NSWTG, or a NSWTU
could report directly to a JSOTF, if the scope of
operations and size of the deployed force is limited.
Special
Boat Squadrons
Special
Boat Squadrons (SBR) are echelon II Captain’s major
commands established by NAVSPECWARCOM at NAB Coronado
and NAB Little Creek to equip, support, and provide
trained and ready special operations ships and craft
to the geographic CINCs. Each command is comprised
of one or more active or reserve component Special
Boat Units (SBUs) and CYCLONE Class Patrol Coastal
(PC) ships.
Special
Boat Units
Special
Boat Units (SBUs) are organized, trained and equipped
to operate a variety of special operations surface
craft in both the maritime and riverine environments.
Their unique capabilities in the littoral battle space
includes the ability to transition from the blue water
open ocean to beach landing sites, to operations within
inland maritime lines of communication (i.e. the riverine
environment).
Special
Boat Unit Mission
The mission
of an SBU is to employ, operate and maintain a variety
of surface combatant craft to conduct and support
naval and joint special operations, riverine warfare,
and coastal patrol and interdiction.
Special
Boat Unit Capabilities
The SBU
is capable of infiltrating and exfiltrating forces,
providing small-caliber gunfire support, conducting
coastal patrol, surveillance, harassment, and interdiction
of maritime lines of communication, FID operations,
deception operations, search and rescue operations,
and armed escort.
Special
Boat Unit Limitations
SBUs are
limited in range based on fuel, sea state, and currents.
They are limited in size and amount of equipment and
weapons that can be carried, require a support base
or platform for an extended deployment, and require
extensive air or sealift to deploy to a forward theater
of operations.
SEAL
Delivery Vehicle Task Unit
The SDV
Task Unit is an operational element employed to plan,
coordinate, and command submersible systems operations
from specially configured submarines equipped with
Dry Deck Shelters (DDS). The SDV Task Unit is normally
commanded by a SDV Team commanding officer or executive
officer and comprised of one or more SDV or SEAL Platoons.
When embarked in a submarine with DDS attached, the
DDS platoon commander reports to the submarine commanding
officer as a department head and does not fall under
the operational control of the SDV Task Unit commander.
SEAL
Delivery Vehicle Task Unit Mission
SDV Units
are organized, trained and equipped to operate and
maintain combat submersible systems and conduct specialized
missions utilizing the Dry Deck Shelter/Host Submarine
as an insertion/extraction platform.
SEAL
Delivery Vehicle Task Unit Capabilities
SDV Unit
capabilities include limited DA missions such as port
and harbor anti-shipping attacks and raids. Special
mission units, using the SDV from the DDS, or the
DDS alone, can conduct a variety of DA missions in
the maritime environment. SDV Task Units conduct hydrographic
reconnaissance and other intelligence-gathering missions
and infiltrate, exfiltrate, and resupply SOF.
SEAL
Delivery Vehicle Task Unit Limitations
SDV missions
are limited in their speed and distance by propulsion
systems, sea state, weather, and water temperature.
SDVs can carry a limited amount of equipment. Extensive
training is required to maintain proficiency in operational
skills required to operate from the DDS. SDV Task
Units require a host submarine as the optimum means
of mobility to and from the objective area. SDV Task
Units require a support base for extended employment.
Specific logistics are required to support a SDV task
unit that are unique to SDV Teams.
SEAL
Platoon
The SEAL
platoon is the largest operational element that will
normally be employed to conduct a tactical mission.
Multi-platoon operations should not be planned or
conducted without extensive preparations and rehearsals.
A SEAL platoon is normally commanded by a Navy Lieutenant
(O- 3). A platoon consists of 16 SEALs and may divide
into 2 squads or 4 elements. All SEAL platoon personnel
are dive, parachute, and demolitions qualified.
SEAL
Platoon Mission
SEAL platoons
are organized and trained to conduct DA, UW, FID,
SR, and CT operations primarily in the maritime and
riverine environments. These operations include sabotage,
demolition, intelligence collection, hydrographic
reconnaissance, and training and advising friendly
military forces in the conduct of naval and joint
special operations.
SEAL
Platoon Capabilities
SEAL platoons
can destroy or sabotage enemy shipping, port and harbor
facilities, bridges, railway lines, communications
centers and other lines of communication in and around
maritime and riverine environments. They can infiltrate
and exfiltrate selected personnel by submarine, surface
vessel, aircraft or land vehicle. They can conduct
reconnaissance and surveillance in multiple environments.
They can organize, train and assist US, allied and
other friendly military or paramilitary forces in
the conduct of special operations.
SEAL
Platoon Limitations
SEAL platoons
require specialized support for infiltration, exfiltration
and resupply. SEALs are restricted in their ability
to conduct sustained firepower, mobility, organic
combat support and combat service support assets.
SEAL platoons are dependent on the theater Navy component
or the JSOTF commander for logistic support. SEAL
platoons are not equipped for sustained, direct engagements
against enemy forces. SEAL platoons carry minimum
amounts of equipment, munitions, and light armament
consisting primarily of individual weapons.
SEAL
Platoon Security
Surprise
and freedom of movement are essential to the success
of special operations. These vital factors are based
on accurate and timely intelligence. Because of the
nature of SEAL operations, all aspects of operational
security should be diligently observed throughout
planning and conduct of operations. Information to
friendly forces should be available only on a need-to-know
basis. Negotiations with local political factions
that are necessary for the performance of a SEAL operation
should be carefully planned to preclude compromise.
Mobile
Communications Team
The Mobile
Communications Team is an operational component of
the communications- electronics departments of the
Naval Special Warfare Groups ONE and TWO. They are
responsible for: (1) Providing operational communications
support to SEAL Teams, SEAL Delivery Vehicle Teams,
and to Special Boat Squadrons for deployed fleet and
joint units; (2) Organizing, training, and integrating
new equipment and developing tactics to provide the
highest quality Naval Special Warfare communications
operations and support; (3) Preparing, implementing,
and reviewing communications plans in coordination
with higher authority, Naval Special Warfare Command
components and other fleet and joint units.
NAVAL
SPECIAL WARFARE GROUP ONE
Naval
Special Warfare Group ONE (NSWG 1) in Coronado, California,
is one of the six major operational components of
the Naval Special Warfare Command. It is commanded
by a Navy Captain (O-6). NSWG 1 has under its operational
and administrative control, SEAL Team ONE, SEAL Team
THREE, SEAL Team FIVE, and SEAL Delivery Vehicle Team
ONE. Administrative control of NSWU-1 AND NSWU-3 is
with Naval Special Warfare Group ONE. The group deploys
Naval Special Warfare forces worldwide to meet the
training, exercise, contingency, and wartime requirements
of the theater Commanders. Naval Special Warfare Group
ONE is capable of task-organizing to support worldwide
commitments as a deployed Naval Special Warfare Task
Group (NSWTG), as they did during Desert Shield/Desert
Storm. NSWG1 geographically concentrates on the Pacific
and Central Commands areas of responsibility.
SEAL
Team ONE
SEAL Team
ONE is based in Coronado, CA. Commanded by a Navy
Commander (O-5), it has eight operational SEAL platoons
and a headquarters element. SEAL Team ONE’s geographic
area of concentration is Southeast Asia. SEAL Team
ONE deploys platoons to Naval Special Warfare Unit
ONE in Guam and conducts Deployments for Training
(DFTs) throughout the Pacific and Central theaters.
SEAL
Team THREE
SEAL Team
THREE is based in Coronado, CA. Commanded by a Navy
Commander (O-5), it has eight operational platoons
and a headquarters element. SEAL Team THREE’s geographic
area of concentration is Southwest Asia. SEAL Team
THREE deploys platoons to Naval Special Warfare Unit
ONE in Guam aboard amphibious ships deployed to Seventh,
Fifth, and Third Fleets, and conducts DFTs throughout
the Pacific and Central Theaters.
SEAL
Team FIVE
SEAL Team
FIVE is based in Coronado, CA. Commanded by a Navy
Commander (O-5), it has eight operational platoons
and a headquarters element. SEAL Team FIVE’s geographic
area of concentration is the Northern Pacific. SEAL
Team FIVE deploys platoons to Naval Special Warfare
Unit ONE in Guam, aboard amphibious ships deployed
to Seventh, Fifth, and Third Fleets, and conducts
DFTs throughout the Pacific and Central Theaters.
SEAL
Delivery Vehicle Team ONE
SEAL Delivery
Vehicle Team ONE (SDVT-1), is based in Pearl Harbor,
HI. Commanded by a Navy Commander (O-5), it has three
operational SEAL Delivery Vehicle (SDV), Dry Deck
Shelter (DDS) Task Units and a headquarters element.
Each SDV/DDS Task Unit is designed to operate independently
from a host submarine in the conduct of Naval Special
Warfare missions. SDV/DDS Task Units normally deploy
only aboard host submarines, but may be deployed from
shore or surface ships. SDVT-1 conducts operations
throughout the Pacific and Central commands geographic
areas or responsibility.
Naval
Special Warfare Unit ONE
Naval
Special Warfare Unit ONE, (NSWU-1), is based in Guam.
Commanded by a Navy Commander (O-5), it consists of
a headquarters element and has operational control
of SEAL platoons and Special Boat Unit Detachments
from the Naval Special Warfare Group ONE and from
Special Boat Squadron ONE that forward deploy to NSWU-1
on a six month rotational duty. Currently, NSWU-1
maintains operational control of five forward deployed
SEAL platoons and two SBU Rigid Hull Inflatable Boat
(RIB) Detachments. NSWU-1 is under the administrative
command of Naval Special Warfare Group ONE, but operationally
reports to Special Operations Command, Pacific and
US Navy Seventh Fleet for operational tasking. NSWU-1
provides operational support to forward deployed platoons
and conducts theater planning for contingencies and
exercises for Naval Special Warfare forces in the
Pacific area of operations. NSWU-1 is capable of forming
the nucleus of a Naval Special Warfare Task Unit (NSWTU).
Naval
Special Warfare - Group ONE Detachment Kodiak
Detachment
Kodiak is located in Kodiak, Alaska. It is a small
training command consisting of a six man training
cadre that specializes in training SEAL platoons and
Special Boat Unit Detachments in maritime cold-weather
operations. Units train in long range maritime navigation,
across the beach operations, and other cold weather
operations.
Naval
Special Warfare Unit THREE
Naval
Special Warfare Unit THREE (NSWU-3), based in Bahrain
and under the administrative control of NSWG-1, is
commanded by a NSW Commander (O5). It consists of
a small headquarters element which forms the core
of a NSWTU when deployed. It plans, coordinates, and
supports the activities of SEAL platoons and SBU detachments
deployed to the US Central Command, exclusive of those
organic to amphibious ready groups (ARG) and carrier
battle groups (CVBG). In view of the maritime character
of the area of responsibility and nature of the operations
supported, day to day OPCON is exercised by COMNAVCENT.
OPCON may be shifted to Special Operations Command,
Central (SOCCENT) when required by operational tasking.
NAVAL
SPECIAL WARFARE GROUP TWO
Naval
Special Warfare Group TWO (NSWG-2), located in Little
Creek, VA, is the one of the six major operational
components of the Naval Special Warfare Command. NSWG-2
is commanded by a Navy Captain (O-6). NSWG-2 has under
its operational and administrative control, SEAL Team
TWO, SEAL Team FOUR, SEAL Team EIGHT, SEAL Delivery
Vehicle Team TWO, Naval Special Warfare Unit FOUR
and Naval Special Warfare Unit TEN. Administrative
control of Naval Special Warfare Unit TWO and Naval
Special Warfare Unit EIGHT is with Naval Special Warfare
Group TWO. The group deploys Naval Special Warfare
forces worldwide to meet training, exercise, contingency,
and wartime requirements of the theater Commanders.
Naval Special Warfare Group TWO is capable of task
organizing to support worldwide commitments as a deployed
Naval Special Warfare Task Group, NSWTG, as they did
during Operation JUST CAUSE. Naval Special Warfare
Group TWO geographically concentrates on the Atlantic,
Europe and Southern Command areas of responsibility.
SEAL
Team TWO
SEAL Team
TWO, is based at Little Creek, VA. Commanded by a
Navy Commander (O-5), it has eight operational platoons
and a headquarters element. SEAL Team TWO’s geographic
area of concentration is Europe. SEAL Team TWO deploys
platoons to Naval Special Warfare Unit TWO in Germany,
aboard Amphibious Ships deployed to Second and Sixth
Fleets, and conducts deployment for training, (DFTs)
throughout the European theater. SEAL Team TWO is
the only SEAL team with an arctic warfare capability.
SEAL
Team FOUR
SEAL Team
FOUR is based at Little Creek, VA. Commanded by a
Navy Commander (O-5), it has ten operational platoons
and a headquarters element. SEAL Team FOUR’s geographic
area of concentration is Central and South America.
SEAL Team FOUR deploys platoons to Naval Special Warfare
Unit EIGHT in Panama, aboard Amphibious Ships deployed
to Second Fleet, and in support of the annual UNITAS
cruise, and conducts DFTs throughout the Central and
South American theater. SEAL Team FOUR is the only
SEAL Team with a viable standing language capability,
Spanish.
SEAL
Team EIGHT
SEAL Team
EIGHT is based at Little Creek, VA. Commanded by a
Navy Commander (O-5), it has eight operational platoons
and a headquarters element. SEAL Team EIGHT’s geographic
area of concentration is the Caribbean, Africa, and
the Mediterranean. SEAL Team Eight deploys platoons
with carrier battle groups (CVBGs) and amphibious
ships in support of Second, Fifth, and Sixth Fleet
commanders, and conducts DFTs throughout the Caribbean,
Africa, and the Mediterranean littoral.
Naval
Special Warfare Unit TWO
Naval
Special Warfare Unit TWO (NSWU-2) is based in Stuttgart,
Germany. Commanded by a Navy Commander (O-5), it consists
of a headquarters element and has operational SEAL
platoons and Special Boat Unit Detachments from the
Naval Special Warfare Group TWO and from Special Boat
Squadron TWO that forward deploy to NSWU-2 on a six
month rotational duty. Currently, NSWU-2 maintains
operational control of two forward deployed SEAL platoons
and a Special Boat Unit RIB Detachment. NSWU-2 is
under the administrative control of Naval Special
Warfare Group TWO, but operationally reports to Special
Operations Command, Europe for operational tasking.
NSWU-2 provides operational support to forward deployed
platoons and conducts theater planning for contingencies
and exercises for Naval Special Warfare forces in
the EUCOM theater of operations. NSWU-2 is capable
of forming the nucleus of a Naval Special Warfare
Task Unit, NSWTU.
Naval
Special Warfare Unit FOUR
Naval
Special Warfare Unit FOUR (NSWU-4) is based at Naval
Station Roosevelt Roads, Puerto Rico. Commanded by
a Navy Lieutenant Commander (O-4), it consists of
a headquarters element and an integrated Special Boat
Unit Detachment. NSWU-4 is a training command that
provides training support to SEAL platoons, SDV Task
Units, Special Boat Unit Detachments and other Special
Operations Forces conducting training in the Puerto
Rico operational areas. NSWU-4 is under the operational
and administrative control of Naval Special Warfare
Group TWO.
Naval
Special Warfare Unit EIGHT
Naval
Special Warfare Unit EIGHT (NSWU-8) is based in Rodman,
Panama. Commanded by a Navy Commander (O-5), it consists
of a headquarters element and has operational SEAL
platoons from Naval Special Warfare Group TWO that
forward deploy to NSWU-8 on a six month rotational
duty. Currently, NSWU-8 maintains operational control
of two SEAL platoons and Special Boat Unit TWENTY-SIX.
NSWU-8 is under the administrative control of Naval
Special Warfare Group TWO, and operational control
of Special Operations South and Atlantic Fleet, South.
NSWU-8 provides operational support to forward deployed
platoons and conducts theater planning for contingencies
and exercises for Naval Special Warfare forces in
the SOUTHCOM theater of operations. NSWU-8 is capable
of forming the nucleus of a Naval Special Warfare
Task Unit, NSWTU.
Naval
Special Warfare Unit TEN
Naval
Special Warfare Unit TEN (NSWU-10) is based at Naval
Station Rota, Spain. Commanded by a NSW Commander
(O5), it has three operational SDV Task Units and
a headquarters element. SDVT-2 conducts operations
throughout the US Atlantic, Southern, and European
commands. Its mission is to provide tactical type
training opportunities for NSW forces deployed aboard
Sixth Fleet ships during slack periods while on routine
deployments, so NSW forces can maintain perishable
skills. NSWU-10 is responsible for all NSW exercises
conducted in Spain. NSWU-10 is under the operational
and administrative command of Naval Special Warfare
Group TWO. NSWU-10 conducts close coordination with
Special Operations Command, Europe.
SEAL
Delivery Vehicle Team TWO
SEAL Delivery
Vehicle Team TWO (SDVT-2) is based at Little Creek,
VA. Commanded by a Navy Commander (O-5), it has three
operational SDV/DDS (Dry Deck Shelter) Task Units
and a headquarters element. SDVT-2 conducts operations
throughout the Atlantic and Southern, and European
command geographic areas of responsibility. SDVT-2
places special emphasis on providing the Sixth Fleet
Commander a SDV/DDS capability.
SPECIAL
BOAT SQUADRON ONE
Special
Boat Squadron ONE (SBR-1) located in Coronado, CA
is one of the six major operational components of
Naval Special Warfare Command. It is commanded by
a Navy Captain (O-6). Special Boat Squadron ONE has
under its operational and administrative control Special
Boat Unit ELEVEN, Special Boat Unit TWELVE and four
Patrol Coastal Class (PC) ships, USS HURRICANE (PC-3),
USS MONSON (PC-4), USS SQUALL (PC-7), and USS ZEPHYR
(PC-8). The Squadron deploys PCs and Special Boat
Unit, SBU, detachments worldwide to meet training,
exercise, contingency, and wartime requirements of
theater Commanders. Special Boat Squadron ONE geographically
concentrates on the Pacific and Central areas of responsibility.
Special
Boat Unit TWELVE
Special
Boat Unit TWELVE (SBU-12) is based in Coronado, CA.
It is commanded by a Navy Commander (O-5), and consists
of a headquarters element and eight Rigid Hull Inflatable,
RIB, Detachments. In addition, by the end of FY 98,
SBU-12 will have 5 MK V Special Operations Craft,
SOC, Detachments. Each Detachment normally consists
of two boats with crews. SBU-12, supports open-water
special operations missions for West Coast Naval Special
Warfare forces and deploys detachments aboard amphibious
ships, to Naval Special Warfare Unit ONE, and on DFTs
throughout the Pacific and Central areas of operation.
SBU-12 is under the operational and administrative
control of Special Boat Squadron ONE.
SPECIAL
BOAT SQUADRON TWO
Special
Boat Squadron TWO (SBR-2) is based in Little Creek,
VA and is one of the six major operational components
of Naval Special Warfare Command. Special Boat Squadron
TWO is commanded by a Navy Captain (O-6). Special
Boat Squadron TWO has under its operational and administrative
control Special Boat Unit TWENTY, Special Boat Unit
TWENTY-TWO, and 9 Patrol Coastal Class, PC, ships.
The PCs under Special Boat Squadron TWO are USS CYCLONE
(PC-1), USS TEMPEST (PC-2), USS TYPHOON (PC-5), USS
SIROCCO (PC-6), USS CHINOOK (PC-9), USS FIREBOLT (PC-10),
USS WHIRLWIND (PC-11), USS THUNDERBOLT (PC-12) and
USS SHAMAL (PC-13). SBU-26 reports administratively
to Special Boat Squadron TWO. The squadron deploys
PCs and SBU detachments worldwide to meet training,
exercise, contingency and wartime requirements of
theater Commanders. Special Boat Squadron TWO geographically
concentrates on the Atlantic, Southern and Europe
areas of responsibility.
Special
Boat Unit TWENTY
Special
Boat Unit TWENTY (SBU-20) is based in Little Creek,
VA. It is commanded by a Navy Commander (O-5), and
consists of a headquarters element and 13 Rigid Inflatable
Boat (RIB), detachments and two MK V Special Operations
Craft, SOC, Detachments. By the end of FY98, SBU-20
will have 5 MK V SOC Detachments. Each detachment
normally consists of two boats. SBU-20 supports open-water
special operations missions for East Coast Naval Special
Warfare forces and deploys detachments aboard amphibious
ships and to NSWU-2 and NSWU-10. SBU- 0 focuses on
providing operational support to the European and
Atlantic theaters of operations. SBU-20 is under the
operational and administrative control of Special
Boat Squadron TWO.
Special
Boat Unit TWENTY-TWO
Special
Boat Unit TWENTY-TWO (SBU-22), is based in New Orleans,
LA. It is commanded by a Navy Commander (O-5), and
consists of a headquarters element and 2 Patrol Boat
Riverine (PBR) detachments, 2 Mini Armored Troop Carrier
(MATC) detachments and 2 Patrol Boat Light (PBL) detachment.
Each detachment normally consists of two boats with
crews. SBU-22 is mainly a reserve organization with
over 70% of the command being Naval reservists. SBU-22
focuses on providing riverine support in Southern
and European theaters of operations. SBU-22 is under
the operational and administrative control of Special
Boat Squadron TWO.
Special
Boat Unit TWENTY-SIX
Special
Boat Unit TWENTY-SIX (SBU-26) is based in Rodman,
Panama. It is commanded by a Navy Lieutenant Commander
(O-4), and consists of a headquarters element and
10 Patrol Boat Light (PBL) detachments. Each detachment
normally consists of two boats with crews. SBU-26
is dedicated to conducting operations in the riverine
environment in support of the Southern commands theater
of operations. SBU-26 is under the operational control
of Naval Special warfare unit EIGHT and under administrative
control of Special Boat Squadron TWO.
US
Naval Psychological Operations Forces
The US
Navy possesses the capability to produce audiovisual
products in the Fleet Audiovisual Command, Pacific;
the Fleet Imagery Command, Atlantic; the Fleet Combat
Camera Groups; Naval Imaging Command; various film
libraries; and limited capability from ships and aircraft
of the fleet. A Naval Reserve PSYOP audiovisual unit
supports the Atlantic Fleet. Navy personnel assets
have the capability to produce documents, posters,
articles, and other material suitable for SYOP. Administrative
capabilities exist ashore and afloat that prepare
and produce various quantities of printed materials.
Language capabilities exist in naval intelligence
and among naval personnel for most European and Asian
languages. The Fleet Tactical Readiness Group (FTRG)
provides equipment and technical maintenance support
to conduct civil radio broadcasts and broadcast jamming
in the amplitude modulation (AM) frequency band. This
unit is not trained to produce PSYOP products and
must be augmented with PSYOP personnel or linguists
when necessary. The unit is capable of being fully
operational within 48 hours of receipt of tasking.
The unit’s equipment consists of a 10.6kw AM band
broadcast radio transmitter; a broadcast studio van;
antenna tuner; two antennas (a pneumatically raised
100 foot top-loaded antenna mast and a 500 foot wire
helium balloon antenna); and a 30 kw generator that
provides power to the system.
US
Marine Corps (USMC) Psychological Operations Forces
The USMC
has the capability to execute observable actions to
convey selected impressions to support PSYOP objectives.
This support may include aerial and artillery leaflet
dissemination, combat camera documentation, and the
use of motion picture projection equipment.
NAVAL
SPECIAL WARFARE WEAPONS SYSTEMS
Patrol
Coastal Class Ship
Naval
Special Warfare has taken control of 12 of 13 Patrol
Coastal (PC) class ships. The PC class has a primary
mission of coastal patrol and interdiction, with a
secondary mission of Naval Special Warfare support.
Primary employment missions will include forward presence,
monitoring and detection operations, escort operations,
non-combatant evacuation, and foreign internal defense.
The PC
class operates in low intensity environments. Naval
Special Warfare operational missions will include
long range SEAL insertion/extractions, tactical swimmer
operations, intelligence collection, operational deception,
and coastal/riverine support. PCs will normally operate
as a two boat detachment. This allows enhanced support
and facilitates the assignment of one Mobile Support
Team, MST, every two ships.
Design
Characteristics:
Length:
170 feet
Beam:
25 feet
Draft:
7.8 feet
Displacement:
328.5 tons (full load)
Fuel
Capacity: 18,000 gallons
Propulsion:
4 Paxman diesels (3350 horsepower each)
Generators:
2 Caterpillar (155 kilowatt each)
Steel
hull with aluminum superstructure
Commercial
sensors and navigation systems
Complement:
4 officers, 24 enlisted
Detachment:
Berthing for 9-man SOF/law enforcement detachment
Performance
Criteria:
Maximum
Speed: 30 plus knots
Cruising
Speed: 12 knots
Seaworthiness:
Survive through sea state five
Max
Range: In excess of 3000 nm (2 engines at 16 knots)
Armament:
MK
38 25mm rapid fire gun
MK
96 25mm rapid fire gun
Stinger
Station
4
pintles supporting any combination of: .50 caliber
machine guns; M60 machine guns;
MK
19 grenade launchers
Small
arms
MK
52 Mod 0 chaff decoy launching system
Pre-planned
product improvement: NSW RIB retrieval system
MK
V Special Operations Craft
The MK
V Special Operations Craft (SOC), is the newest craft
in the Naval Special Warfare inventory. The MK V SOC
primary mission is a medium range insertion and extraction
platform for Special Operations Forces in a low to
medium threat environment. The secondary mission is
limited Coastal Patrol and Interdiction (CP&I),
specifically limited duration patrol and low to medium
threat coastal interdiction. The MK V SOC will normally
operate in a two craft detachment with a Mobile Support
Team.
The Mobile
Support Team (MST) provides technical assistance and
maintenance support during mission turnaround. The
MK V SOC is fundamentally a single sortie system with
a 24 hour turn- around time. The typical MK V SOC
mission duration is 12 hours. The MK V SOC is fully
interoperable with the PC ships and NSW RIBs. As such,
all could be employed from a Forward Operating Base
(FOB), in a synergistic effect. A MK V SOC detachment,
consisting of two craft and support equipment, will
be deployable on two USAF C-5 aircraft into the gaining
theater within 48 hours of notification. A detachment
is transportable over land on existing roadways. Detachments
are not configured nor manned to provide their own
security, messing, or berthing for personnel while
forward deployed.
Design
Characteristics:
Length:
81 feet 2 inches
Beam:
17 ft 5 3/4 inches
Draft:
5 feet
Displacement:
57 tons (full load)
Fuel
Capacity: 2,600 gallons
Propulsion:
2 MTU 12V396 diesels (2285 horsepower each)
2
KaMeWa waterjets
Aluminum
hull with five watertight compartments
Radar,
full suite communications (HF, UHF, HF, SATCOM),
GPS, IFF
Complement:
1 officer, 5 enlisted
Detachment:
16 SOF combat loaded operators with 4 CRRCs
Performance
Criteria:
Maximum
Speed: 45-48 knots for 250 nautical miles in Sea
State 2
Cruising
Speed: 25 - 40 knots Sea State 3
Seaworthiness:
Survive through sea state five
Max
Range: 500 nm (2 engines at 45 knots)
Armament:
Stinger
Station
5
pintles supporting any combination of: .50 caliber
machine guns; M60 machine guns;
MK
19 grenade launchers
Small
arms
Pre-planned
product improvement: Mounting stations for GAU-17
Minigun,
MK
95 Twin 50 cal machine gun, MK 38 chain gun
Rolling
Stock per two boat detachment:
2
MK V SOC transporters
2
M9161A prime movers
2
M1083 5 ton trucks
4
M1097 HUMMVs with S250 shelters
1
five-ton forklift
River
Patrol Boat
The River
Patrol Boat (PBR), is designed for high speed riverine
patrol operations in contested areas of operations,
and insertion/extraction of SEAL Team elements. More
than 500 units were built when first introduced in
the Vietnam conflict in 1966 although the current
inventory is 24 craft. They can be transported in
C-5 aircraft on skids. The PBR is heavily armed and
vital crew areas are protected with ceramic armor.
The weapons loadout on this craft includes both single
and twin .50 caliber machine gun mounts, 40 mm grenade
launchers and small arms. The hull is reinforced fiberglass
with two Jacuzzi type waterjet pumps for propulsion.
The unit can operate in shallow debris filled water.
The craft is highly maneuverable and can turn 180
degrees and reverse course within the distance of
its own length while operating at full power. Engine
noise silencing techniques have been incorporated
into the design and improved over the years. The combination
of relatively quiet operation and its surface search
radar system make this unit an excellent all-weather
picket as well as a shallow water patrol and interdiction
craft.
Design
Characteristics:
Length:
32 feet
Beam
(including guard rails): 11 feet 7 inches
Weight:
8 3/4 tons
Draft:
2 feet
Propulsion:
2 GM 6V53N Diesel Engines (215 horsepower each)
2
Jacuzzi 14YJ water jet pumps
Radar,
VHF/UHF Radios
Complement:
4 crew and 6 passengers
Fiberglass-reinforced
hull
Performance
Characteristics:
Speed:
24 Knots
Seaworthiness:
Sea State 3
Max
Range: 300 nm at full speed
Armament:
Standard:
Twin
mount. 50 cal machine gun
.50
cal machine gun, stand mounted
MK19
40 mm grenade launcher
Options:
40mm/.50
cal machine gun, stand mounted
60mm
mortar
M60
machine guns
Mini-Armored
Troop Carrier
The Mini-Armored
Troop Carrier (MATC) is a 36 foot all-aluminum hull
craft designed for high-speed patrol, interdiction,
and combat assault missions in rivers, harbors, and
protected coastal areas. The MATC has a large well
area for transporting combat equipped troops, carrying
cargo, or for gunnery personnel operating the seven
organic weapon stations. The MATC propulsion system
is similar to that of the PBR, with an internal jet
pump, which moves the water on the same principle
as the air breathing jet engine. This type of propulsion
is especially appropriate for beaching operations.
A hydraulic bow ramp is designed to aid the insertion
and extraction of troops and equipment. The craft
has a low silhouette which makes it difficult to detect
in all speed ranges. The unit is extremely quiet,
particularly at idle speeds. A high resolution radar
and multiple communications suite, provides a good
all weather surveillance and command and control presence
for interdiction and anti-smuggling operations. The
overhead canopy can be removed or stowed below. Crew
size is normally four but can be modified depending
on the mission and mission duration.
Design
Characteristics:
Length:
36 feet
Beam
(including guard rails): 12 feet 9 inches
Draft:
2 feet
Displacement:
12.5 tons
Propulsion:
2 GM 8V53N diesel engines (283 horsepower each)
2
Jacuzzi 20YJ water jet pumps
Aluminum
Hull, flat bottom
Radar,
VHF/UHF Radios
Complement:
4 crew and 8 passengers
Performance
Criteria:
Maximum
Speed: 25+ knots
Seaworthiness:
Sea State 3
Max
range: 350 nautical miles
Armament:
7
pintle mounted weapons to include .50 caliber,
M-60, MK 19
60
MM mortar
Light
Patrol Boat
The Light
Patrol Boat (PBL) is a lightly armed Boston Whaler
type craft with no armor. This craft is constructed
of fiberglass with reinforced transom and weapons
mount areas. It is powered by dual outboard motors
and is highly maneuverable. It is useful in interdicting
a lightly armed adversary but should not be used to
engage a heavily armed or well organized enemy. It
functions effectively in policing actions, harbor
control, diving and surveillance operations, riverine
warfare, drug interdiction, and other offensive or
defensive purposes.
The weapon
mountings can include .50 caliber heavy machine guns
or 7.62mm machine guns mounted on 180-degree mounts,
providing an effective weapon employment in any direction.
Due to its unique hull design, the PBL is excellent
for the riverine environment, allowing it to operate
in virtually any water depth. Its two low-profile
engines are capable of providing eight hours of continuous
operation at a fast cruise speed of 25-plus knots.
It displaces 6,500 lb. fully loaded and is transportable
via its own trailer, helicopter sling, or C-130 aircraft.
Normal crew size is three personnel.
Design
Characteristics:
Length:
25 feet
Max
beam: 8 feet 7 inches
Draft:
18 inches
Propulsion:
Twin 155-HP outboards
Fiberglass
hull
VHF,
UHF, and SATCOM Radios
Complement:
3 Crew and 8 passengers
Performance
Criteria:
Speed:
30+ knots
Range:
150 nautical miles
Seaworthiness:
Sea State 2
Armament:
3
weapons stations, one forward and two aft/ Combination
of .50 cal, or M-60
Rigid
Inflatable Boat
The Rigid
Inflatable Boat (RIB) is a high speed, high buoyancy,
extreme weather craft with the primary mission of
insertion/extraction of SEAL tactical elements from
enemy occupied beaches. The RIB is constructed of
glass reinforced plastic with an inflatable tube gunwale
made of a new hypalon neoprene/nylon reinforced fabric.
There are two types of RIBs currently in the inventory,
a 24-foot RIB and a 30- foot RIB. The RIB has demonstrated
the ability to operate in light-loaded condition in
sea state six and winds of 45 knots. For other than
heavy weather coxswain training, operations are limited
to sea state five and winds of 34 knots or less. The
24-foot RIB carries a crew of three and a SEAL element.
A 30 Foot RIB, NSW RIB*, 10 Meter RIB carries a crew
of three and allows for a SEAL squad delivery capability.
Design
Characteristics:
24
foot RIB 10 meter RIB
Length:
24 feet 30 feet
Beam:
9 feet 11 feet
Draft:
2 feet 3 feet
Weight:
9,300 lb. 14,700 lb.
Propulsion:
Single Volvo Penta Two Iveco Diesels with waterjets
Complement:
3 crew/4 passengers 3 crew/8 passengers
Radar,
HF, UHF, VHF Radar, HF, UHF, VHF, SATCOM Radios
Radios
Performance
Criteria:
Speed:
25+ knots 35+ knots
Range:
170 nautical miles 200 nautical miles
Seaworthiness:
Sea State 5 Sea State 5
Armament:
Forward
and After Forward and After Mounts
Mounts
Capable of M-60 Capable of M-60, M-2, or MK 19
Combat
Rubber Raiding Craft
The Combat
Rubber Raiding Craft (CRRC) is used for clandestine
surface insertion and extraction of lightly armed
SOF forces. They are employed to land and recover
SOF forces from over-the-horizon. The CRRC is capable
of surf passages. The CRRC may be launched by air
(airdrop/helo-cast), or by craft (LCU, LCM). It may
also be deck-launched or locked-out from submarines.
It has a low visual electronic signature, and is capable
of being cached by its crew once ashore. It uses one
35-55 horsepower engine.
Design
Characteristics:
Length:
15 feet 5 inches
Beam:
6 feet 3 inches
Draft:
2 feet
Weight:
265 lb. without motor or fuel
Speed:
18 knots, no load
Range:
Dependent on fuel carried
Complement:
8 max
SEAL
Delivery Vehicle MK VIII
The SEAL
Delivery Vehicle (SDV) MK VIII is a "wet"
submersible, designed to carry combat swimmers and
their cargo in fully flooded compartments. Submerged,
operators and passengers are sustained by the individually
worn underwater breathing apparatus (UBA). Operational
scenarios for the vehicle include underwater mapping
and terrain exploration, location and recovery of
lost or downed objects, reconnaissance missions, and
limited direct action missions.
The vehicle
is propelled by an all-electric propulsion subsystem
powered by re-chargeable silver-zinc batteries. Buoyancy
and pitch attitude are controlled by a ballast and
trim system; control in both the horizontal and vertical
planes is provided through a manual control stick
to the rudder, elevator, and bow planes. A computerized
Doppler navigation sonar displays speed, distance,
heading, altitude, and other piloting functions. Instruments
and other electronics units are housed in dry, watertight
canisters. The special modular construction provides
easy removal for maintenance. Major subsystems are
Hull, Propulsion, Ballast/Trim, Control, Auxiliary
Life Support, Navigation, Communications and Docking
Sonar.
Dry
Deck Shelter
The Dry
Deck Shelter (DDS) allows for the launch and recovery
of an SDV or combat rubber raiding craft (CRRC) with
personnel from a submerged submarine. It consists
of three modules constructed as one integral unit.
The first module is a hangar in which an SDV or CRRC
is stowed. The second module is a transfer trunk to
allow passage between the modules and the submarine.
The third module is a hyperbaric recompression chamber.
The DDS provides a dry working environment for mission
preparations. In a typical operation the DDS hangar
module will be flooded, pressurized to the surrounding
sea pressure, and a large door is opened to allow
for launch and recovery of the vehicle. A DDS can
be transported by USAF C-5/C-17 aircraft, rail, highway,
or sealift. The DDS is 40 feet long and weighs 65,000
lb.
Current
submarines capable of single DDS employment:
USS
L. MENDEL RIVERS
USS
BATES
Current
submarines capable of dual DDS employment:
USS
KAMEHAMEH
USS
POLK
Design
Characteristics:
Length:
39 feet
Width:
10 feet
Weight:
65,000 lb.
Volume:
3,705 cubic feet
Desert
Patrol Vehicle
The DPV
is correctly named the Desert Patrol/Light Strike
Vehicle. It is a modified Chenowith off-road, three-man,
2x4 racing vehicle. The DPV was designed to operate
anywhere a four-wheel drive vehicle can, with additional
speed and maneuverability.
The DPV
can perform numerous combat roles including, but not
limited to: special operations delivery vehicle, command
and control vehicle, weapons platform, rear area combat
operation vehicle, reconnaissance vehicle, forward
observation/lasing team, military police vehicle,
and artillery forward observer vehicle. The weapon
systems used with the DPVs are: Mark 19 40mm Grenade
Machine Gun, M2.50 Cal Machine Gun, M60 7.62 Machine
Gun, AT-4 Missile, Low Recoil 30mm Cannon, and TOW
Missile Launcher.
Vehicle
Specifications:
Prime
Contractor: Chenowith
Acceleration:
0-30 mph in 4 sec.
Powerplant:
2000cc gas engine
Speed
(max): 60+ mph
Payload:
1500 lb.
Range:
200-plus miles
Dimensions:
Length:
161 inches
Height:
79 inches
Width:
83 inches
Gross
Vehicle Weight: 2700 lb.
Max
Grade: 75%
Max
Side Slope: 50%
Ground
Clearance: 16 inches
Advanced
SEAL Delivery System
The Advanced
SEAL Delivery System (ASDS) is projected to be in
the Naval Special Warfare inventory by FY99. The ASDS
is a dry, 1 ATM, mini-submersible that can transport
a SEAL squad from a host platform, either surface
ship or submarine, to an objective area. The ASDS
has a lock-out chamber that is controlled by operators
for lock-out from an anchored position. The ASDS will
anchor above the bottom between 2-190 feet. The ASDS
will be transportable by land, sea or C-5/17 aircraft.
Design
Characteristics:
Length:
65 feet
Beam:
6.75 feet
Height:
8.25 feet
Displacement:
55 tons
Propulsion: 67hp electric
motor (Ag-Zn Battery)
