special operations forces » navy seals

Navy SEALs

SEALs are a U.S. Navy special operations unit. The name SEAL refers to their versatility in operating by sea, air and land.

SEAL trident

A Navy SEAL armed with a M60E3 belt-fed machine gun.
(view larger image]

photo : US Dod

Navy SEALs - Role

Counterterrorism
Unconventional Warfare
Foreign Internal Defense
Direct Action
Special Reconnaissance

Whilst Navy SEALs specialize in operations on, in or underwater, they are equally at home on dry land, be it in the jungle, desert, mountains or arctic conditions.

Navy SEALS - Organization

SEAL teams are split into 2 groups:

Naval Special Warfare Group One (West Coast)
Naval Special Warfare Group Two (East Coast)

Both groups come under the control of The United States Naval Special Warfare Command (NSW) which itself comes under the SOCOM umbrella.

There are 8 SEAL teams (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, and 10). Each SEAL team comprises:

Staff Head Quarters element
3 40-man Task Units comprising:
- Headquarters element
- 2 SEAL Platoons of 16 men
  The SEAL platoons are the primary fighting element of the SEAL teams
  read more on SEAL Platoons
- Combat support staff
  - N1-Administrative support
  - N2 Intelligence
  - N3 Operations
  - N4 Logistics
  - N5 Plans and Targeting
  - N8 Air/Medical

Aside from the standard SEAL teams, other NSW units include:

Naval Special Warfare Development Group' (DEVGRU)
SEALS specialists in counter terrorism, formerly known as 'SEAL Team Six'. The men of DEVGRU are all experienced SEALs, trained in the demanding field of Maritime Counter Terrorism (MCT).
more info : DEVGRU
SEAL Delivery Vehicle Teams
specialists in the use of underwater Swimmer Delivery Vehicles (SDVs)
more info : SDV Teams

Navy SEAL divers using SCUBA gear.
more info : SEAL diving gear

photo : US Dod

SEAL Diving Equipment

US Navy SEALs use a variety of SCUBA and rebreather apparatus for underwater operations.

more info : SEAL diving equipment

Supporting Units

The SEALs are supported by several other Naval elements:

Special Warfare Combatant-craft Crewman (SWCC)
sailors who drive the boats used to ferry SEALs to and from their targets
Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron 84 (HSC-84)
a Naval Reserves unit that flies HH-60H helicopters in support of Naval Special Warfare
Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron 26 (HSC-26)
a US Navy unit that flies MH-60S helicopters, with support of NSW as one of its roles.