United States Naval Special Warfare Development Group
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| Naval Special Warfare Development Group | |
|---|---|
 SEAL Team Six unit patch |
|
| Active | 1987 |
| Country |  United States |
| Branch | United States Navy |
| Type | Special Operations |
| Role | Maritime Counter-terrorism |
| Part of | United States Naval Special Warfare Command United States Special Operations Command Joint Special Operations Command |
| Garrison/HQ | Dam Neck, Virginia |
| Nickname | DEVGRU, Seal Team Six |
| Engagements | SEAL Team Six Operation Urgent Fury DEVGRU Operation Just Cause Operation Desert Storm Operation Restore Hope Operation Gothic Serpent Operation Enduring Freedom Operation Iraqi Freedom |
| Insignia | |
| Unit Shoulder Flash |  |
The United States Naval Special Warfare Development Group, commonly known as DEVGRU or SEAL Team Six (ST6) by civilians, is the United States Naval Special Warfare Command's tier-one special missions and counter-terrorism unit. It is located at Dam Neck, Virginia. DEVGRU operators are selected from the current United States Navy SEAL Teams. DEVGRU it is the evolutionary descendent of super-secret SEAL Team Six which was created as part of the Joint Special Operations Command in 1980.[1]
The origins of ST6 can be traced to the aftermath of Operation Eagle Claw the failed 1980 attempt to rescue American hostages at the Iranian Embassy.[2] [3][4] Prior to this, the existing SEAL teams had already begun counterterrorism training, including 12 platoons in SEAL Team One on the West Coast. On the East Coast, however, elements of the SEAL Team Two had taken the issue one step farther. They formed a dedicated two platoon group known as "MOB Six" (Mobility Six) in anticipation of a maritime scenario requiring a CT response and had begun training to that end.[4]
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[edit] History
SEAL Team Six was formally created in October 1980, and a progressive work-up training program made the unit mission-ready six months later. At the time, only two SEAL Teams were in existence; popular knowledge backed up by actual SEAL claims say that the name was chosen to confuse Soviet intelligence as to the number of SEAL Teams in operation. It became officially operational in 1981.[5][4]
In 1987, a new unit was formed, given the official title of 'Naval Special Warfare Development Group' (NAVSPECWARDEVGRU, or DEVGRU) after SEAL Team Six was dissolved. Reasons for the disbanding are varied, ranging from operational security, the team's reputation, to charges leveled at ST6 founder and now-public figure Richard Marcinko.[4] Whatever the truth behind these, the name "SEAL Team Six" is often used in reference to DEVGRU because of their similarities as a maritime counter-terrorism unit.[5]
DEVGRU's mission is to conduct intelligence and counter-terrorism operations for SPECWARCOM and the U.S. Special Operations Command, is responsible for the testing, evaluation and development of technology and maritime, ground and airborne tactics applicable to NSW forces such as U.S. Navy SEALs.[6][7] DEVGRU and the Army's 1st SFOD-D train together and deploy together on counter-terrorist missions usually a part of a joint special operations task force. [1][5]
The current commander of U.S. Special Operations Command Admiral Eric T. Olson is a former Commander,Naval Special Warfare Development Group. Admiral Olson was one of four SEALs a part of Task Force Ranger who fought in the Battle of Mogadishu.[8][9]
An executive order by President Clinton added Naval Special Warfare Development Group to those units exempt from the contents of Title 5, Section 7103 of the US Code.[10]
[edit] Current Role
The Development Group is active in both the Global War on Terror and the Iraq War. DEVGRU has worked closely with Delta Force and civilian government agencies in special task forces (TF) to kill or capture the leaders of terrorist organizations such as Al-Qaeda, the Taliban and insurgent groups in Iraq and Afghanistan.[11][12] One such task force known as TF 145, TF 6-26 and TF 121 have conducted controversial operations in Iraq that led to the capture of the late Saddam Hussein and the death of the leader of Al-Qaeda in Iraq Abu Musab al-Zarqawi.[12][13][14]
In Afghanistan during Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) U.S. Special Operations forces have led the fighting.[6] During the crucial Battle of Takur Ghar Navy SEALs from DEVGRU participated in one of the most violent battles of Operation Anaconda. Late at night on March 2, 2002 a MH-47 Chinook helicopter piloted by the 160th SOAR was carrying a team of Navy SEALs over the mountain of Takur Ghar. As the helicopter was nearing its landing zone both the pilots and the men in the back observed fresh tracks in the snow, goatskins, and other signs of recent human activity. Immediately, the pilots and team discussed a mission abort, but it was too late.[15] An RPG struck the side of the aircraft, wounding one crewman, while machinegun bullets ripped through the fuselage, cutting hydraulic and oil lines. Fluid spewed about the ramp area of the helicopter. The pilot struggled to get the helicopter off the landing zone and away from the enemy fire. Neil C. Roberts, a SEAL DEVGRU operator, was poised to exit the ramp when the aircraft was hit and slipped on the oil as the helicopter took off. He was thrown from the helicopter dropping about 5 to 10 feet to the snowy ground below. Roberts immediately engaged overwhelming Al-Qaeda forces with his M-249 light machine gun. He survived at least 30 minutes before he was shot and killed at close range.[16] Roberts was the first Navy SEAL to die in Afghanistan, and the first to die in combat since 1989.[17][15]
[edit] Notes
- ^ a b Emerson, Steven. "Stymied Warriors", New York Times, November 13, 1988. Retrieved on 2008-03-13.
- ^ Fallows, James. "IRAN FROM FIVE AMERICAN VIEWPOINTS", New York Times, December 13, 1981.
- ^ Halloran, Richard. "U.S. MOVING TO EXPAND UNCONVENTIONAL FORCES", New York Times, November 26, 1986.
- ^ a b c d Marcinko, Richard (1993). Rogue Warrior. Pocket. ISBN 0671795937.
- ^ a b c Gerth, Jeff; Philip Taubman. "U.S. MILITARY CREATES SECRET UNITS FOR USE IN SENSITIVE TASKS ABROAD", New York Times, June 8, 1984.
- ^ a b Shanker, Thom; James Risen. "RUMSFELD WEIGHS NEW COVERT ACTS BY MILITARY UNITS", New York Times, August 12, 2002. Retrieved on 2008-05-07.
- ^ LT Michael P. Murphy FAQ. U.S. Navy. Retrieved on 2008-05-20.
- ^ Couch, Dick (2005). The Finishing School: Earning the Navy SEAL Trident. Three Rivers Press. ISBN 0609810464.
- ^ Bowden, Mark (2001). Black Hawk Down: A Story of Modern War. Signet. ISBN 0451203933.
- ^ Clinton, President William. Executive Order 12171--Exclusions from the Federal Labor-Management Relations Program.
- ^ E. Sanger, David; Eric Schmitt. "New U.S. Effort Steps Up Hunt For bin Laden", New York Times, February 29, 2004. Retrieved on 2008-05-07.
- ^ a b Schmitt, Eric. "In Secret Unit's 'Black Room,' a Grim Portrait of U.S. Abuse", New York Times, March 19, 2006. Retrieved on 2008-05-07.
- ^ Filkins, Dexter. "U.S. Says Zarqawi Survived Briefly After Airstrike", New York Times, June 10, 2006. Retrieved on 2008-05-07.
- ^ F. Burns, John. "THE CAPTURE OF HUSSEIN: THE SURRENDER; U.S. Officers Display the 'Rathole' Where Hussein Hid", New York Times, December 16, 2003. Retrieved on 2008-05-07.
- ^ a b Executive Summary of the Battle of Takur Ghar. Department of Defense (May 24, 2002). Retrieved on 2008-05-07.
- ^ NavySEALs.com Memorial. NSC. Retrieved on 2008-05-07.
- ^ Schmitt, Eric. "U.S. Review of a Deadly Afghanistan Battle Finds Lapses", New York Times, May 25, 2002. Retrieved on 2008-05-07.
[edit] References
- Marcinko, Richard (1993). Rogue Warrior. Pocket. ISBN 0671795937.
- K. Shipler, David; Richard Halloran. "TERROR: AMERICANS AS TARGETS", New York Times, November 26, 1985.
- MacPherson, Malcolm (2006). Roberts Ridge: A Story of Courage and Sacrifice on Takur Ghar Mountain, Afghanistan. Dell. ISBN 0553586807.
