Special Operations.Com

Naval Special Warfare Development Group

"Dev Group"

Above photo courtesy of (and property of) LOTI Group

(The following article is �1998-2000 Special Operations.Com. Do not reprint without permission.)

The Naval Special Warfare Development Group (formerly known as MOB 6, SEAL Team SIX, and  MARESFAC) based at Dam Neck, Virginia, is responsible for U.S. counterterrorist operations in the maritime environment. Its origin can be traced to the aftermath of the failed 1980 attempted to rescue American hostages at the Iranian Embassy (Operation Eagle Claw). Prior to this, the SEALs had already begun CT training, including all 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" (short for Mobility Six) in anticipation of a maritime scenario requiring a CT response and had begun training (including the development of advanced tactics such as "fast roping") to that end. Yet, as was the case with the US Army's initial CT unit - Blue Light - and Delta Force, only one group was needed and could be recognized as official. With the formal creation of SEAL Team Six (a name selected primarily to confuse Soviet intelligence as to the number of SEAL Teams in operation) in October1980, MOB Six was demobilized. A large number of members, however, including the former MOB Six commander, were asked to join the fledgling group. With prior experience from these operators, aggressive leadership, and an accelerated training program, SEAL Team Six was declared mission-ready just six months later.

Training for Six was conducted throughout the United States and abroad, both on military and civilian facilities on an extremely accelerated schedule.  Exchange programs and joint trainings were expanded with the more experienced international teams such as Germany's GSG-9, Great Britain's Special Boat Squadrons (SBS), and France's combat divers. In all cases, emphasis was placed on realism in training, in accordance with the "Train as you Fight, Fight as you Train" philosophy popular amongst most of the world's leading special operations and CT units. Six participated in a number of operations, both overt and covert, throughout the 1980's (see list at the end of this section) before being revamped and renamed. The reasons for this transformation are vague, however the primary factor cited has been the need for the unit to evolved out of a poor reputation of the group within the Navy. A great deal of controversy was generated due to charges of misappropriation of funds and equipment by team members, as well as the conviction of unit founder Cdr. Richard Marcinko on charges of conspiracy, conflict of interest, making false claims against the government, and bribery. He was sentenced to nearly two years in a Federal penitentiary in addition to being forced to pay a $10,000 fine. Despite this turn of events, Marcinko is still revered in some SEAL circles as an almost mythical figure. This status was attained, in no small part, to a best selling-book series which centers around fictional maritime special operations and counterterrorism.

Soon after the departure of Cdr. Marcinko, the unit's name "SEAL Team Six" was changed to "DevGroup" but only after they decided that the name MARESFAC (pronounced Mariz-fack) was just not a reasonable cover.  MARESFAC stood for Marine Research Facility.  This name (MARESFAC) was used for a short time, but the reality of the situation soon caused planners to rethink their OPSEC. Given the obviously (visibly) high level of physical conditioning of the men entering and leaving the facility, it was soon determined that such a cover was not reasonable.  In short, it was decided that not even a casual observer would believe that such well-muscled and trim men could possibly make up the bulk of the scientific research facility staff.  For this reason, it was soon changed to the more plausible (if equally vague) DevGroup for Special Weapons and Tactics Development Group.

The US government has described the Naval Special Warfare Development Group as having been established to oversee development of NSW tactics, equipment, and techniques. This, of course, is only partly true. The unit is under the direct command of NAVSPECWARCOM, however it is also a component of Joint Special Operations Command (JSOC - Pope AFB, North Carolina), along with other CT units such as Delta Force and the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (SOAR). It was rumored that DEVGRU maintained a small number of HH-60 helicopters, but the majority of aviation requirements are provided by the 160th SOAR, especially in support of ship assaults, which frequently make use of the small MH-6 "Little Bird" (operated exclusively by the 160th). 

The Teams: 

Each team has "Cells", such as an Evasion and Recovery Cell (the new name for E&E is now E&R), a Force Protection Cell (military version of VIP Protection detail), a Sniper Cell, etc.

At any one time all members of the team will be in one of three categories on the base:
1. SPECTRA (pronounced "spec-tray" and standing for SPECial TRAining where the team goes to HALO, shooting schools, etc.)
2. Standby (this team is on-standby - via beeper - within a certain distance from base and ready to deploy at a moment's notice)
3. Deployment (this team is overseas, for instance conducting foreign training with a host nation, acting as security at an embassy, performing missions as needed, etc.)

On the Compound at Dam Neck there is a $25 million kill house with armor plated walls to prevent penetration of live rounds.  The walls are also completely covered with rubber to facilitate a 360 degree shooting situation. The original killhouse facility was destroyed in an accidental fire and a new one built in its place. This ultra-modern three story building has been fitted with the latest in CQB technology, such as pop up targets, turners, movers, video cameras, catwalks and other essential components.

Organization and manpower of the Group is classified, however is estimated that NSWDG now numbers approximately 200 operators.  There is also an administrative and testing section, which numbers approximately 300 personnel. These individuals are responsible for the actual testing and development of new NAVSPECWAR equipment, including weapons.  It has been reported that DEVGRU is one of only a handful of US units authorized to conduct preemptive actions against terrorists and terrorist facilities( NOTE: Red Cell once shared this charter, although it was never put into practice before the unit was disbanded). DEVGRU operators reportedly fire an average of 2,500 to 3,000 rounds per week in training.

Operations

1985 - Six deployed to the site of the Achille Lauro hijacking in anticipation of a possible assault on the vessel.

1985 - SEAL Team Six members were also responsible for the rescue and evacuation of Governor Sir Paul Scoon from Grenada during Operation Urgent Fury. Four SEALs were lost to drowning during helicopter insertion offshore.  Other aspect of the operation included the securing of a radio transmitter which resulted in heavy contact with Grenadian forces.

1989 - The unit took part in Operation Just Cause as part of Task Force White, which included SEAL Team Two. Their primary task, along with Delta Force, was the location and securing of Panamanian strongman Manuel Noriega.

1990 - They again operated in Panama as part of a secret operation code-named "Pokeweed" which had as its goal the apprehension of Colombian drug lord Pablo Escobar. Although Six was deployed from the US aircraft carrier USS Forrestal offshore, the mission was unsuccessful due to poor pre-assault intelligence.

1991 - SEAL Team Six reportedly recovered Haitian President Jean Bertrand Aristide under cover of darkness following the coup which deposed him.

1991 - Six was also part of contingency planning for the shooting down Saddam Hussein's personal helicopter with Stinger missiles, although this operation never got beyond the planning stage.

1996 - The unit reportedly deployed to Atlanta, Georgia as part of a large US counterterrorist contingency plan for the 1996 Summer Olympics.  (NOTE: The Federal Bureau of Investigation's Hostage Rescue Team [HRT] is responsible for domestic CT and was the primary response unit).

1998 - Deployed to hunt for Bosnian war crimes suspects.

(�1998, 1999 Special Operations.Com. Do not reprint without permission.)