Naval Special Warfare Group 3
| U.S. Navy Special Warfare Group 3 | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Country |
 United States of America |
| Branch |
 United States Navy |
| Type |
Special operations force SEa, Air, Land |
| Size | 300 |
| Part of |
 United States Special Operations Command United States Naval Special Warfare Command |
| Garrison/HQ | Naval Amphibious Base Coronado |
| Motto(s) |
"The Only Easy Day Was Yesterday" "It Pays to be a Winner" "There is no 'I' in TEAM" |
| Engagements |
Operation Just Cause
|
| Commanders | |
| Notable commanders | P. Gardner Howe, III |
Naval Special Warfare Group 3 (NSWG-3), based at the Naval Amphibious Base Coronado in California, is one of six constituent formations of the United States Naval Special Warfare Command.[1] Until 2008, NSWG-3 was composed of two SEAL Delivery Vehicle Teams: SDVT-1 in Pearl Harbor and SDVT-2 in Little Creek. In 2008, SDVT-2 was disestablished and merged into SDVT-1, which is now headquartered in San Diego and operates detachments in Pearl Harbor and Little Creek. SDV Teams are SEAL teams with an added underwater delivery capability. An SDV platoon consists of 12-15 SEALs.
SDVT-1
SEAL Delivery Vehicle Team One (SDVT-1) is commanded by a Navy Commander (O-5). The table of equipment for the unit includes three operational SEAL Delivery Vehicles (SDV) and a Dry Deck Shelter (DDS). The normal table of organization includes three task units and a headquarters element. Each SDV Task Unit operates independently from a host submarine in the conduct of Naval Special Warfare missions. SDV Task Units typically deploy aboard host submarines, but may be deployed from shore or surface ships. SDVT-1 conducts operations throughout the Pacific Command's and Central Command's geographic areas of responsibility.[2]
SDVT-2
According to the web site "Navy SEALS.com", and the website of the National UDT/SEALs Museum, SDVT-2 was disestablished on 8 August 2008.[3] Formerly consisting of 28 Navy divers in the command in addition to SEALs and SDV technicians, SDVT-2 was reportedly replaced by a small Dry Deck Shelter detachment.
Mission
NSWG-3 is the organization tasked with developing expertise in deploying Naval Special Warfare assets from submarines. Current non-classified methods of deployment include the SEAL Delivery Vehicle, Dry Deck Shelter and Advanced SEAL Delivery System.
History
The SDV program dates back to World War II, when various sleds and vehicles developed for use by the Underwater Demolition Teams. After the war, development continued in a garage-shop fashion by various UDT units, and included various "Marks" as the MK V, VII, VII, and XII. Intermediate numbers were assigned to some vehicles that never left the shop floor. All were of flooded design.[4]
The wet vehicle SDV program (officially named the Swimmer Delivery Vehicle, sometimes erroneously designated as the SEAL Delivery Vehicle after the Swimmer Delivery Vehicle Teams were renamed SEAL Delivery Vehicle Teams) currently centers on the MK VIII MOD 1, was first established in 1975 for use among UDT/SEAL teams. The early MK8 MOD 0 SDVs had a PRC104 UHF ultra high frequency radio for use underway. The newer model MK8 MOD1 has a dual sliding canopy and quick release hatch.[4]
References
- ↑ Official US Navy SOC website
- ↑ SDVT-1 description
- ↑ Navy UDT/SEAL Museum
- 1 2 Introduction to Naval Special Warfare