Military Discussion

[Ian]

I will. however, you seem to have done a superb job by yourself. This coming from a wannabe frogman.

[Ian]

A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES NAVY SEALS

Formed in 1962 by President J. F. Kennedy as a maritime counterpart to the U.S. Army Special Forces (the "Green Berets"), the SEALs have amassed a remarkable history of successes and have become legendary in their exploits. The Teams have operated in every hellhole known to modern warfare and come away with many victories, some bruises and a vast history of achievements. Most SEAL missions are unreported and unknown to the general public. Due to focus, dedication, training, and an attitude that "Failure is NOT an option" the Teams have have been very successful.

SEALs are trained to operate in small units of one or two men up to platoon strength of sixteen. However, they work best in squads of eight or fewer. Most missions are clandestine in nature, planned in exacting detail and executed with precision and swiftness. During peacetime, SEALs find themselves with the same rigorous training as during war. Training remains strict to enforce the belief that the more you sweat in peacetime, the less you will bleed in war.

During Vietnam, SEAL Teams One and Two amassed a combined kill ratio of 200:1, with only 46 deaths resulting mostly from accidents and poor intelligence, rather than enemy direct fire. See the History section for an in-depth look at this conflict. Many Vietnam era SEAL vets have written some great books about this episode in SEAL history, which are covered in the Navy Seals Books section.

The SEALs performed heroically in Operation Urgent Fury in Grenada; Just Cause in Panama; Desert Shield/Storm in Iraq (200 combat missions without casualty); Restore Hope in Somalia and most recently in Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan and Iraqi Freedom. Further, the SEALs are operating on all continents and in/on or under all conditions right now…as you read these words.

Whenever the Commander in Chief needs a no-nonsense, decisive and lethal solution to a foreign policy problem, including counter-terrorism strike forces, the U.S. Navy SEALs are the force of choice.

navyseals.com

[Ian]

NAVY SEAL HEROS

Note: This shall be an ongoing post.

Today, let us take a moment to remember and salute Petty Officer 1st Class Neil C. Roberts.

The Navy awarded a posthumous Bronze Star medal to the U.S. Navy SEAL who was killed by al Qaeda forces after he was knocked out of his helicopter in the opening phase of Operation Anaconda on March 3.

The citation for Aviation Boatswain's Mate (Aircraft Handling) SEAL 1st Class Neal C. Roberts reads in part:

"On that evening, his unit was to conduct a clandestine insertion onto a 10,000-foot mountain peak to establish an overwatch position, for an indeterminate amount of time, protecting other U.S. forces participating in the operation.

As the helicopter moved into position for the insertion, Petty Officer Roberts positioned himself on the helicopter ramp in order to expeditiously exit the helicopter, minimizing the threat to the aircraft and crew.

Without notice, his CH-47 helicopter received three rocket-propelled grenades exploding through the body of the aircraft. "Hydraulic lines showered the metal ramp with slippery fluid as the aircraft lurched violently from the unexpected assault. "Petty Officer Roberts was thrown from the ramp of the helicopter, falling onto the al Qaeda-infested mountain top just feet below.

He immediately maneuvered to make contact with rescue forces and establish a defensive position but, surrounded by overwhelming enemy force with superior firepower, Petty Officer Roberts died on the battlefield from fatal combat wounds.

By his zealous initiative, courageous actions, and exceptional dedication to duty, Petty Officer Roberts reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Navy.

The Combat Distinguishing Device is authorized."

The following is a statement from a family member of Roberts and an excerpt from a letter that he wrote home to his wife in case he never made it home:

"We are deeply saddened by the loss of Neil. To so many Neil is a hero, but he is more than that to us -- he was a husband, a father, and a friend. We are very proud of his commitment to his country. As we move through these dark days, we find strength in our family and friends. We want to thank everyone for the outpouring of support from our community and our nation.

He loved his family deeply and he loved being a SEAL. He loved his country and would want everyone to know that this is how he would have wanted to go. He made the ultimate sacrifice to ensure that everyone who calls himself or herself an American truly has all the privileges of living in the greatest country in the world.

Neil's love for his family and friends was evident at all times. He could lift your spirits instantly with a quirky quote or a catchy phrase or when he flashed that great smile of his. Neil would want everyone to remember him as a loving husband and father, a loving son and brother, a true friend and warrior who never once questioned his commitment to his family or his country.

Neil says it best in a letter he left to his wife:

'I consider myself blessed with the best things a man could ever hope for. My childhood is something I'll always treasure. My family is the reason I'm the person I am today. They supported and cared for me in the best way possible.

The Navy, although I sacrificed personal freedom and many other things, I got just as much as I gave. My time in the Teams was special. For all the times I was cold, wet, tired, sore, scared, hungry and angry, I had a blast.

The bad was balanced equally with the good. All the times spent in the company of my teammates was when I felt the closest to the men I had the privilege to work with. I loved being a SEAL. If I died doing something for the Teams, then I died doing what made me happy. Very few people have the luxury of that.'

We also want to extend our deepest sympathies to the families of the other fallen heroes. As we mourn our loved one, we grieve for their loss as well."

The family has requested that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the Naval Special Warfare Foundation, P.O. Box 5365, Virginia Beach, Virginia 23471, or to the Neal Roberts Memorial Fund, Navy Federal Credit Union, Lynnhaven Branch, 509 Viking Drive, Virginia Beach, Virginia 23452.

[Patriot]

Ian:

Thank you for this very informative and helpful set of posts! I'll stay tuned to what you might be adding. Now, if we could get Bolo to do a similar set on the Green Beret, that would be fantastic. I'll backtrack and try to keep my sections on history updated.

[Ian]

Considering Bolo hasn't posted for awhile, I shall take the liberty of getting the Green Beret section started. I look forward to your next post!



A Brief Overview of the Operational History of the Army Special Forces


9 Jul 42 - 1st Special Service Force, a joint Canadian-American venture, formed at Fort William Henry Harrison, Montana.

26 Aug 45 - 96th Headquarters & Headquarters Detachment, Military Government Group activated.

10 Apr 52 - U. S. Army Psychological Warfare Center established at Fort Bragg, N. C.

19 Jun 52 - 10th Special Forces Group founded at Fort Bragg, N.C. by Col. Aaron Bank.

10 Dec 56 - U. S. Army Psychological Warfare Center renamed the U.S. Army Special Warfare School.

21 Sep 61- 5th Special Forces Group activated at Fort Bragg, N.C.

1 Dec 67 - 4th Psychological Operations Group organized in Vietnam from elements of the 6th PSYOPS Battalion.

7 Nov 67 - Headquarters & Headquarters Company, 4th Psychological Operations Group constituted into the Regular Army.

10 Jan 69 - U.S. Army Special Warfare School becomes the U.S. Army Institute for Military Assistance.

15 Sep 71 - U. S. Army Civil Affairs School assigned to U.S. Army Institute for Military Assistance and moves to Fort Bragg from Fort Gordon, Ga.

28 Jan 74 - 1st Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment activated at Fort Benning, Ga.

1 Jul 74 - 1st Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment moves to Fort Stewart (Hunter Army Airfield), Ga.

1 Oct 74 - 2nd Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment activated at Fort Lewis, Wash.

Dec 74 - 96th Civil Affairs Battalion constituted at Fort Bragg from assets of 95th Civil Affairs Group deactivated at Fort Lee, Va.

1 Oct 82 - 1st Special Operations Command (Airborne) provisionally activated at Fort Bragg.

21 Jul 83 - U.S. Army Institute for Military Assistance renamed U.S. Army John F. Kennedy Special Warfare Center and School.

1 Oct 83 - 1st Special Operations Command (Airborne) activated.

4 Mar 84 - 2d & 3rd Battalions 1st Special Forces Group (Airborne) activated at Fort Lewis, Wash.

18 Apr 84 - 1st SOCOM Augmentation Detachment activated to streamline peacetime command and control of USAR SOF units.

1 Oct 84 - Special Forces established as a separate Army Career Field for enlisted soldiers (CMF 18).

3 Oct 84 - 3rd Battalion, and Headquarters & Headquarters Company, 75th Ranger Regiment activated at Fort Benning, Ga.

19 Oct 84 - 1st Battalion, 1st Special Forces Group activated at Torii Station Japan.

16 Jan 85 - Task Force 160 transferred from 101st Airborne Division to 1st SOCOM.

2 Jun 86 - 528th Support Battalion (Airborne) activated as the 13th Support Battalion at Fort Bragg.

15 Aug 86 - A battalion of 5th SF Group moved from Bragg to Fort Campbell, Ky.

17 Sep 86 - 112th Signal Battalion (Airborne) formally activated at Fort Bragg, N.C.

16 Oct 86 - Task Force 160 redesignated the 160th Special Operations Aviation Group (Airborne)

9 Apr 87 - Special Forces branch established for officers.

10 Jun 88 - HQ, 5th Special Forces Group (Airborne) moved from Ft. Bragg, N.C. to Ft. Campbell, KY.

1 Dec 89 - U.S. Army Special Operations Command activated as the 16th major Army Command.

16 May 90 - 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (Airborne) formally activated at Fort Campbell. KY.

29 Jun 90 - 3rd Special Forces Group (Airborne) activated at Fort Bragg, N.C.

27 Nov 90 - USASOC realigns its forces by function instead of component. 1st SOCOM and USAR SOC redesignated as U.S. Army Special Forces Command and U. S. Army Civil Affairs and Psychological Operations Command respectively.

A closer look at the intense training our men in the SF endure upcoming...