"Seals" - the elite of the American special forces

14
"Seals" - the elite of the American special forces


Today, a large part of the American population considers its government insufficiently competent to manage the whole state, but as far as the "fur seals" are concerned, they are still at the height.

The first special units of the US Navy appeared as early as 1943, when the Americans tried to learn from the experience of the British military in the jungles of Burma against the Japanese, and create similar forces. It is clear that the British military were the first instructors of the new division.

These special units are known worldwide as "fur seals". By the way, the abbreviation SEAL also sounds the same in translation. Members of the unit must be ready to begin any assignment at any time and in any conditions. During the preparation, much attention is paid to actions on the water. It is believed that story "Sea lions" began from the time of the Civil War (1861 year), when the northern troops used to detect the swimmer mines. The first units were organized in 1943 year specifically to fight the Japanese, who by that time were already actively using the skills of combat swimmers. The Seals were active participants in the most bloody operations of the Second World War, including on the island of Iwo Jima and during the Allied landings in Normandy.

The modern marine special forces corps was formed in 1962, under the direct control of President Kennedy.

SWAT was trained to assist pilots. For example, during the war in Iraq in 1991, ground units found minefields, and the airborne then destroyed them. In addition, the special forces of the US Air Force took an active part in anti-terrorist operations conducted in the territory of Afghanistan.



It is worth remembering about the operation carried out in April 2009, when American captain Richard Philips got hostage to the Somali pirates. For the American president, the situation was too risky from a political point of view, moreover, she placed on him a huge responsibility. Plus, Barack Obama has never before dealt with the "sea lions" division, which carried out the most secret missions in secret military conflicts.

The military command of the US Air Force sent a small group of "fur seals" to the scene, which landed with the help of parachutes on inflatable boats located in the Indian Ocean. A few days after the hostage-taking, the American president ordered the use of military force, but only if there was a real threat to the lives of the hostages.

The next evening (and it was 12 April), three snipers from this group were able to approach the pirate boat to the required distance. They took a waiting position. When one of the pirates put a machine gun to the American captain, the "seals" opened fire. Thus, the pirates were destroyed. Then an assault group of special forces landed on a boat of pirates and rescued Captain Phillips.



Today, in the face of a reduction in government contributions to the military sphere, as well as an increase in the number of enemies scattered in many countries, the presence of a special unit in the state that conducts well-targeted military operations is obvious. Therefore, US President B. Obama is increasingly resorting to the assistance of "sea lions".

Beginning with 2001, the government has allocated approximately 10,5 billions of dollars for the needs of the Special Operations Headquarters. At the same time, the number of business trips has increased (approximately 4 times). Admiral William McCrain, who commands this special unit, has repeatedly asked the authorities to provide him with more resources and autonomy. According to some sources, the admiral wants to expand his forces in Africa, Asia and Latin America, as well as to achieve the ability to personally decide on the movement of military equipment and manpower if necessary, in order to increase the flexibility and speed of operations.

But the president of America cannot fail to realize what can happen if the special forces think about themselves and their powers too much. That is why the reaction of some high-ranking US officials and military officials, who are wary of the expansion of powers of special forces, is understandable.

B. Obama understands perfectly well that carrying out covert operations has many not only legal or practical difficulties, but also a moral dilemma. Therefore, his approach to attracting special forces is balanced. Suffice it to recall, for example, the operation carried out in September 2009, when American intelligence learned of the intention of one of the key participants in Al-Qaida, Saleh Ali Saleh Nabkhan, to drive through the desert in southern Somalia. It was a good chance to either destroy him or capture him alive without a great risk to civilians. At the same time, the military remembered very well the unsuccessful operation in the same region when more than 15 Rangers (another American special forces unit) died.



After weighing all the pros and cons, the American head of state concluded that this plan was the only possible one for a given period of time. He approved a plan to conduct an operation called “Heavenly Equilibrium”, the execution of which was entrusted to “fur seals”

The next day, several American helicopters with a group of special forces aboard flew into the waters of Somalia from warships and captured the column of Nabkhan. During the operation, Nabhan and several other militants were killed. One helicopter landed in order to collect the remains of Nabkhan for identification.

Today, "fur seals" - this is really the elite of the US military forces. They destroyed the al-Qaida leader. By the way, there is information that in a few months the entire team that participated in the elimination of bin Laden, was killed in a helicopter crash. This incident occurred in the Afghan province of Wardak. On board the car were 30 "cats", 7 Afghan special forces and a translator.

In addition, two officers of an international charitable organization, who were taken hostage in Somalia, were released by naval special forces.

The experience of conducting military operations in Iraq and Afghanistan was the result of a situation where not only politicians who give orders, but the special forces themselves are accustomed to conducting covert operations in the territories of other states. So, at a time when al-Qaeda was going to send its militants to Iraq for war with the Americans, the US military issued an order to land on Syrian territory to capture or destroy Abu Ghadia, who controlled the delivery of foreign fighters to Iraqi territory. Then 9 militants were killed, among them was Ghadia himself.

Of course, no one argues that the presence of special forces in places of local conflicts and the conduct of covert operations by them is necessary. But the use of special forces at any opportunity may lead to discontent of the international community, and what will happen next, we can only guess ...
Our news channels

Subscribe and stay up to date with the latest news and the most important events of the day.

14 comments
Information
Dear reader, to leave comments on the publication, you must sign in.
  1. +2
    3 March 2012 10: 58
    According to the last paragraph of the article. Recently, it has somehow developed and become firmly established that the "world community" is the United States and its satellites, while the rest of the countries are "outcasts", "enemies" and generally those who think and act incorrectly. And this "world community" will not act against themselves.
  2. +2
    3 March 2012 13: 21
    The principle is that the American government is good, death is different; that’s what they use to its fullest, practically without restrictions
  3. +1
    3 March 2012 14: 09
    Well, let them swim. Seals.

    The Russian Interior Ministry will defend the Sochi Olympics and the APEC summit in Vladivostok against underwater saboteurs and terrorists with the help of two unique secret electric guns. The estimated cost of the system is 24 million rubles, Izvestia writes.

    The device generates an electric shock underwater, similar to a TNT explosion that stuns combat swimmers. The order of the Ministry of Internal Affairs for two underwater guns is available on the official website of public procurement.

    The explanatory documents say that the system is designed to protect important government objects from underwater swimmers. The system should stun saboteurs, but not kill them. The range of the underwater gun is up to 100 m.

    Environmentalists warn of the dangers of using underwater guns for marine and river fauna. According to the zoodefender Konstantin Sabinin, any hydroblow will be fatal for these animals, because they lose their orientation in space.

    But the director of the Interregional Public Institute for the Protection of Biological Resources and a former military submariner Valery Braslavets considers the fears of animal defenders in vain, the newspaper notes.

    “A water hammer hits the eardrum, and the ear of marine animals and humans works in different ranges. In addition, such systems hit in three stages: first, weak warning, and then powerful "
    1. +1
      3 March 2012 22: 54
      And to blow up mines under an ox - is it more humane for marine life?
  4. -3
    3 March 2012 18: 20
    Why the hell is this article here?
    Nothing at all.
    1. +1
      3 March 2012 22: 55
      Another ad.
  5. savelij
    +2
    3 March 2012 20: 37
    Bullshit these cats! We have a collective farm and not see this!
  6. -1
    4 March 2012 00: 09
    It seems that the Amers only had normal units in the Marine Corps and the 82 Airborne Forces of the 18 Airborne Forces in Fort Bragg. I think they will be weak against our JB.
    1. +1
      4 March 2012 00: 13
      laughing They mastered the native transport. Hamer eats a lot.
      1. +1
        4 March 2012 03: 07
        laughing laughing And what minus ???? Children on !!!! Amer and here are not the first ..... laughingSince the time of the Third Reich, tradition. good
    2. gor
      gor
      -1
      4 March 2012 12: 44
      only the number of these units is not really in favor of dshb.kotiks about 2 thousand. green berets about 10000 thousand is one of those who are at the forefront. Airborne troops about 100000 thousand. And the Marine Corps 200000 thousand. A few thousand rangers and there are others special forces. and these are all elite troops that can do something, and not that can only organize riots on the day of the paratrooper. My cousin served in the German Democratic Republic in the airborne assault and nothing special as I understood it was taught to them. We jumped a bit with a parachute, Well, they showed there a little elements of melee that's all. only now all this must be constantly maintained.
    3. Carousel
      -1
      11 June 2012 10: 06
      There is also the 101st Airborne Division. And so I agree that our airborne and infantry fighting forces will tear both their airborne and marines, and everyone else.
  7. valery dv
    +1
    4 March 2012 07: 45
    Also put a picture.
  8. 0
    4 March 2012 08: 14
    Cats are clothes.
    Quote ... known throughout the world as "fur seals." By the way, the abbreviation SEAL also sounds exactly the same in translation .....
    So the abbreviation is sea, land, air ... i.e. actions in any environment - SEAL - as the word matters - eared seals, seals.
    Inside out here the emphasis is placed.
    States on a separate continent are located, like that. Except for sea-air you can’t get into Eurasia. There, where amer is smeared with honey.
    There was this topic already, about two or three weeks earlier.
    All discussed.
    Why again.
    Amers can publicize .. neither give nor take away. So the lake insures with a shotgun - you’ll sway. Although shotguns against ducks are good. And he set up a rifle at the coastal posts-ambushes (alleged), even with a grenade launcher. It’s necessary to think that all this chewer likes to work in conditions of water, algae, silt.
    Co-o-o-o-o-tiki ........................ kittens .. wet.
  9. gor
    gor
    -1
    4 March 2012 12: 35
    the author does not know at all that the seals are special forces of the navy, and the air force has its own special forces.
    kittens kittens but I think you can punish each of them
    1. 0
      4 March 2012 15: 10
      But I was not going to punish them ... to regret, on the contrary ..
      Imagine - the kitten is wet ... support, dry, warm, rob.

      That's just the point ... seals - sailors, commando - land explorers, rangers - border guards. And their crowds - cats ... neutered, chtoli? Or Cats - after all?
      1. Carousel
        0
        11 June 2012 10: 03
        Rangers are not border guards. They are army men (land hunters). And the commando, as I understand it, is green berets.
  10. i.e
    i.e
    -1
    4 March 2012 18: 12
    most "commentators" do not even imagine the subject of discussion in the article ... and there is a lot of information on the Web, unlike the special forces of the Russian Navy .. laughed heartily ... blessed are those who believe good
  11. SenyaYa
    0
    5 March 2012 08: 43
    Personally, I somehow like the German KSK more! there brave guys ... again, the pearl is better at fighting
  12. 16
    16
    +1
    April 1 2012 23: 50
    our 100 percent will not hit the dirt !!!

"Right Sector" (banned in Russia), "Ukrainian Insurgent Army" (UPA) (banned in Russia), ISIS (banned in Russia), "Jabhat Fatah al-Sham" formerly "Jabhat al-Nusra" (banned in Russia) , Taliban (banned in Russia), Al-Qaeda (banned in Russia), Anti-Corruption Foundation (banned in Russia), Navalny Headquarters (banned in Russia), Facebook (banned in Russia), Instagram (banned in Russia), Meta (banned in Russia), Misanthropic Division (banned in Russia), Azov (banned in Russia), Muslim Brotherhood (banned in Russia), Aum Shinrikyo (banned in Russia), AUE (banned in Russia), UNA-UNSO (banned in Russia), Mejlis of the Crimean Tatar People (banned in Russia), Legion “Freedom of Russia” (armed formation, recognized as terrorist in the Russian Federation and banned)

“Non-profit organizations, unregistered public associations or individuals performing the functions of a foreign agent,” as well as media outlets performing the functions of a foreign agent: “Medusa”; "Voice of America"; "Realities"; "Present time"; "Radio Freedom"; Ponomarev; Savitskaya; Markelov; Kamalyagin; Apakhonchich; Makarevich; Dud; Gordon; Zhdanov; Medvedev; Fedorov; "Owl"; "Alliance of Doctors"; "RKK" "Levada Center"; "Memorial"; "Voice"; "Person and law"; "Rain"; "Mediazone"; "Deutsche Welle"; QMS "Caucasian Knot"; "Insider"; "New Newspaper"