

Arleigh Burke recognized that future hostilities would involve guerrilla activities, and in March 1961, he recommended forming naval special forces to counter the threat. Through the end of the decade, UDTs subsisted within the Navy like other specialty offshoots they provided a necessary service but had little influence on war planning.Ĭhief of Naval Operations Adm. In 1954, the UDTs were reorganized into UDTs 11 and 12 at Coronado, California, and UDTs 21 and 22 at Little Creek, Virginia however, UDT-22 subsequently was disestablished in 1956. UDTs expanded their mission during the Korean War when their demolition expertise proved invaluable in clearing mines in Wonsan Harbor. The community increased to more than 30 teams by the end of World War II and saw action throughout the Pacific and at Normandy. Frogmen from UDT-1 and UDT-2 first moved onto the tactical scene in January 1944 at Kwajalein and Roi-Namur, blasting coral and eliminating invasion obstacles. The Navy responded to the need by transforming the character of naval combat demolition units into underwater demolition teams (UDT). If one had to pick the origin of modern Naval Special Warfare, it could be said that the landing on Tarawa in November 1943 validated the need for pre-assault reconnaissance and obstacle-removal specialists. Their stealth and clandestine methods of operation allow them to conduct multiple missions against targets that larger forces cannot approach undetected. SEALs (Sea, Air, Land) take their name from the elements in and from which they operate. The most important trait that distinguishes Navy SEALs from other military forces is that SEALs are maritime special forces, as they strike from and return to the sea. SEALs' proven ability to operate across the spectrum of conflict and in operations other than war in a controlled manner - and their ability to provide real-time intelligence and eyes on target - offers decision-makers immediate and virtually unlimited options in the face of rapidly changing crises around the world. Navy personnel, they offer big dividends on a small investment. Although NSW personnel comprise less than 1% of U.S.


SEALs are required to utilize a combination of specialized training, equipment and tactics in completion of Special Operation missions worldwide.Ī tactical force with strategic impact, Naval Special Warfare (NSW) mission areas include unconventional warfare, direct action, combating terrorism, special reconnaissance, foreign internal defense, information warfare, security assistance, counter-drug operations, personnel recovery and hydrographic reconnaissance. SEALs are superbly trained in all environments and are the masters of maritime Special Operations. Special Operations is characterized by the use of small units with unique ability to conduct military actions that are beyond the capability of conventional military forces.
