United States Navy

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United States Navy

The United States Navy (USN) is the branch of the United States armed forces responsible for conducting naval operations around the globe. For almost the entire existence of the United States, the U.S. Navy has protected American interests and supported American policies through the use of sea power. Its stated mission is "to maintain, train and equip combat-ready Naval forces capable of winning wars, deterring aggression and maintaining freedom of the seas."^[1] The U.S. Navy currently numbers nearly 500,000 men and women on active or ready reserve duty and consists of 281 ships and over 4,000 operational aircraft.

The United States Navy can trace its origins to the Continental Navy, which was established during the American Revolutionary War, but was disbanded not long afterwards in the year 1790. The 1789 ratification of the United States Constitution supported the existence of a standing navy by giving Congress the right "to provide and maintain a navy." Following conflict with Barbary Coast corsairs, Congress enacted this right in 1794 by ordering the construction and manning of six frigates, thus establishing a permanent U.S. navy. The U.S. Navy came into international prominence in the 20th century, especially during World War II. The navy was a part of the conflict from the very beginning of American involvement to the very end of the war, and proved to be a vital element in the success of the Allies. It was also heavily involved in the subsequent Cold War, in which the U.S. Navy participated in Vietnam War operations and roamed the seas with carrier battle groups, minesweeping patrol squadrons and submarines in support of allies.

The 21st century United States Navy maintains its presence in the world as an instrument of American policy. Its ability to project force anywhere on the globe is a key asset for U.S. leaders. Despite decreases in the number of ships and personnel following the Cold War, the U.S. Navy remains the worlds largest navy with a tonnage greater than 17 of the next largest world navies combined.^[2] In addition, the decrease in size has been negated by the Navy's focus on advanced technological capabilities and a high degree of spending relative to other nations.

History

Main article: History of the United States Navy

In the early stages of the American Revolutionary War, the establishment of an official navy was heavily discussed among the members of the Continental Congress. Supporters argued that a navy would protect shipping, defend the coast, and make it easier to seek out support from foreign countries. Detractors countered that challenging the Royal Navy, then the world's preeminent naval power, was a foolish undertaking. Furthermore, they stated that a true break from Britain was not yet certain; the existence of a navy implied independence and would work against any future attempts at reconciliation. Two events would ultimately end the debate in favor of a navy. The first occurred on October 5, 1775, when Congress received word that two unarmed British supply ships were heading towards Quebec from England without escort. Plans were made to intercept the ships, but the armed vessels to be used were owned by individual colonies and not the Continental Congress. Of greater significance, then, was an additional plan for the equipping of two ships that would be the first to operate under the authority of Congress and whose mission would be to attack British shipping far from the shore. The plan was not carried out until a second key event on October 13, 1775. On this day, Congress received correspondence from George Washington, who announced that he had established three armed schooners under Continental authority to intercept any British supply ships near Massachusetts. With three armed ships already under Continental control, the decision to add two more was made easier for the Continental Congress delegates and the plan was ratified. Thus, the Continental Navy was officially established that day in Philadelphia.^[3] The legislation also established a three-member Naval Committee to supervise the work. The Continental Navy operated some 50 ships over the course of the war, primarily in an anti-shipping and raiding role. American ships were not meant to do battle with opposing British men-of-war and such engagements were avoided as much as possible. After the war, as attention turned towards securing the western border of the new United States, a standing navy was deemed less important and within a span of two years, a cash-strapped Congress sold the surviving ships and released the seamen and officers.^[4]

The United States would be without a navy for over a decade and the impetus to reestablish one came about not because of a threat from a sovereign country, but from pirates. In response to attacks on American shipping by corsairs from the Barbary Coast, Congress ordered the construction and manning of six frigates on March 27, 1794. Three years later the first three were welcomed into service: USS United States, USS Constellation and USS Constitution. The U.S. Navy would perform admirably in the War of 1812, where it defeated rival British frigates on more than one occasion and emerged victorious in battles at Lake Champlain and Lake Erie. However, the U.S. Navy was not strong enough to prevent the British from blockading American ports and landing troops at will.^[4]

Naval power had a significant role during the American Civil War, where the Union had a distinct advantage over the Confederacy on the seas.^[4] A Union blockade on shipping handicapped the Southern effort throughout the entire conflict. The two American navies would help usher in a new era in world naval history by putting ironclad warships into combat for the first time. The Battle of Hampton Roads in 1862, which pitted USS Monitor against CSS Virginia, became the first engagement between two steam-powered ironclads. After the war, however, the U.S. Navy slipped into obsolescence. A modernization program beginning in the 1880s brought the U.S. into the first rank of the world's navies by the beginning of the 20th century.

The Navy saw little action during World War I, but grew into a formidable force in the years before World War II. Japan unsuccessfully attempted to allay this strategic threat with a late-1941 surprise attack on Pearl Harbor. Following American entry into the war, the U.S. Navy grew tremendously as the United States was faced with a two-front war on the seas. It achieved notable acclaim in the Pacific Theater in particular, where it was instrumental in the Allies' successful "island hopping" campaign. Some famous World War II battles in which the US Navy participated are the Battle of Midway, the Battle of the Philippine Sea, and the Battle of Leyte Gulf. By war's end in 1945, the United States Navy had added hundreds of new ships, including 18 aircraft carriers and 8 battleships.^[5]

With the potential for armed conflict with the Soviet Union during the Cold War, the U.S. Navy continued to advance technologically by developing new weapons systems, ships, and aircraft. United States naval strategy changed to that of forward deployment in support of U.S. allies with an emphasis on carrier battle groups.^[6] The Navy heavily participated in the Vietnam War and, through the use of ballistic missile submarines, became an important aspect of the United States' nuclear strategic deterrence policy. The collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991 predictably led to budget cuts, but the U.S. Navy stayed committed to establishing and maintaining technologic superiority.

The United States Navy in the 21st century continues to progress as it supports the United States-led War on Terrorism. The focus has shifted from a large-scale naval conflict with the Soviet Union to special operations and strike missions in support of regional conflicts. The Navy participated in Operation Enduring Freedom and the Iraq War largely in this capacity. Development continues on new ships and weapons, including the CVN-21 aircraft carrier and the Littoral combat ship. Due to its size, weapons technology, and ability to project force far from American shores, the current U.S. Navy remains one of the most potent assets for the United States Commander-in-Chief.

Organization

The Navy is administered by the Department of the Navy, led by the Secretary of the Navy (SECNAV). The senior naval officer, the Chief of Naval Operations (CNO), is the four-star admiral immediately under the Secretary of the Navy. At the same time, the Chief of Naval Operations is one of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, which is the second-highest deliberatory body of the armed forces after the National Security Council, although it only plays an advisory role to the President and does not nominally form part of the chain of command. The Secretary of the Navy and Chief of Naval Operations are responsible for organizing, recruiting, training, and equipping the Navy so the Navy is ready for operation under the command of the Unified Combatant Commanders.

Fleets

Under current United States military organization, fleets take on the role of force provider. They do not carry out military operations independently, rather they train and maintain naval units that will subsequently be provided to higher echelon joint commands operating in the same geographic jurisdiction. The United States Navy is presently composed of five active fleets, each commanded by a Vice Admiral.

• 1st Fleet was decommissioned in the early 1970s and had its role in the Pacific taken over by the newly reformed 3rd Fleet.^[7] The Coast Guard is often incorrectly believed to act as the 1st Fleet in wartime. However, the United States has never officially used this reference and it is informal at best.^[8]
• 2nd Fleet operates in the Atlantic Ocean from the North to South Pole, from the Eastern United States to Western Europe and Africa, and along both the Eastern & Western shores of Central and South America.^[8] 2nd Fleet is the sole operational fleet in the Atlantic Fleet and provides its forces to Joint Forces Command (USJFCOM). 2nd Fleet also doubles as NATO's Commander Striking Fleet Atlantic, making it the overseer of any multinational NATO naval force in the Atlantic. 2nd Fleet is based in Norfolk, Virginia and its flagship is USS Wasp (LHD-1).
• 3rd Fleet's jurisdiction is the Northern, Southern, and Eastern Pacific Ocean along with the West Coast of the United States.^[9] Normally, units assigned to 3rd fleet are undergoing training cruises prior to deployment with either 5th Fleet or 7th Fleet and are not intended for immediate use in battle. Only in the event of general war does 3rd Fleet participate in active combat operations. Forming one half of the Pacific Fleet, 3rd Fleet is a part of Pacific Command (USPACOM) and is based in San Diego, California with USS Coronado (AGF-11) as its flagship.
• 4th Fleet operated in the South Atlantic as an anti-submarine force during World War II and no longer exists.^[8]
• 5th Fleet's area of responsibility is the Middle East, including the Persian Gulf, Red Sea, Gulf of Oman, and parts of the Indian Ocean.^[10] Consisting of around 25 ships, including a carrier strike group and an amphibious ready group, 5th Fleet provides forces to NAVCENT, the naval component of Central Command (USCENTCOM). 5th Fleet is headquartered at Manama, Bahrain.
• 6th Fleet deploys in the Mediterranean Sea and Black Sea, serving as the naval force provider for European Command's naval component NAVEUR.^[11] 6th Fleet also commands NATO's Naval Striking and Support Forces Southern Europe (STRIKFORSOUTH), a multinational force supporting NATO objectives in the Mediterranean. 6th Fleet is based in Gaeta, Italy and its flagship is USS Mount Whitney (LCC-20).

• 7th Fleet, the largest forward-deployed U.S. fleet, operates in the Western Pacific and the Indian Ocean, stretching to the Persian Gulf and including much of the east coast of Africa.^[12] It forms the fully combat ready second half of the Pacific Fleet and provides naval units to USPACOM unified command. At any given time, 7th Fleet consists of 40-50 ships operating from bases in South Korea, Japan, and Guam. It is headquartered at Yokosuka, Japan with USS Blue Ridge (LCC-19) as its flagship.

Shore establishments

Shore establishment commands exist to support the mission of the afloat fleets through the use of facilities on land. Focusing on logistics and combat-readiness, they are essential for the full, smooth, and continuous operation of operating forces. The variety of commands reflect the complexity of the modern U.S. Navy and range from naval intelligence to personnel training to maintaining repair facilities. Two of the major logistics and repair commands are Naval Sea Systems Command and Naval Air Systems Command. Other commands such as the Office of Naval Intelligence, the United States Naval Observatory, and the Navy War College are focused on intelligence and strategy. Training commands include the Naval Strike and Air Warfare Center and the United States Naval Academy.

Ships

Main article: U.S. Navy ships

The names of commissioned ships of the U.S. Navy start with USS, meaning 'United States Ship'. Non-commissioned, civilian-manned vessels of the U.S. Navy have names that begin with USNS, standing for 'United States Naval Ship'. Additionally, each ship is given a letter-based hull classification symbol (for example CVN and DDG) to designate a vessel's type and a hull number. The names of ships are officially selected by the Secretary of the Navy and are usually those of U.S. states, cities, towns, important people, famous battles, fish, and ideals. All ships in the U.S. Navy inventory are placed in the Naval Vessel Register, which tracks data such as the current status of a ship, the date of its commissioning, and the date of its decommissioning. Vessels that are removed from the register prior to disposal are said to be stricken from the register.

The U.S. Navy pioneered the use of nuclear reactors aboard naval vessels. Today, nuclear energy powers most U.S. aircraft carriers and submarines. In the case of a Nimitz-class carrier, two naval reactors give it almost unlimited range and provide enough electrical energy to power a city of 100,000 people.^[13] The U.S. Navy previously operated nuclear-powered cruisers and destroyers as well, but all have since been decommissioned.

Aircraft carriers

Main article: List of aircraft carriers of the United States Navy

Aircraft carriers are the most important and most powerful warships in the United States Navy. Their ability to put most nations within striking distance of U.S. air power makes carriers the cornerstones of the United States forward deployment and deterrence strategy. Multiple carriers are deployed around the world at any given time to provide military presence, respond quickly to crises, and participate in joint exercises with allied forces. The power and operational flexibility of a carrier naturally lie in the aircraft of its carrier air wing. Made up of both fixed-wing and rotary-wing aircraft, a carrier air wing is able to perform over 150 strike missions hitting over 700 targets a day^[14], protect friendly forces, conduct electronic warfare, assist in special operations, and carry out search and rescue missions. In addition to their airborne capabilities, carriers are also important as command platforms for large battle groups or multinational task forces. A carrier is typically deployed along with a host of supporting vessels in what is called a carrier strike group. These ships, which usually include three or four Aegis-equipped cruisers and destroyers, a frigate, and two attack submarines, are tasked with protecting the carrier from air, missile, sea, and undersea threats as well as providing additional strike capabilities themselves. A carrier strike group also has a combined ammunition, oiler, and supply ship for ready logistics support. Modern aircraft carriers since USS John F. Kennedy (CV-67), with the exception of USS Nimitz (CVN-68), have been named for living or dead politicians important to the Navy. Previous aircraft carriers were named for battles and past famous fighting ships of the Navy.

• Kitty Hawk class (1 in commission, 2 decommissioned)
• Enterprise class (1 in commission)
• John F. Kennedy class (1 in commission)
• Nimitz class (9 in commmission, 1 under construction)

Amphibious assault ships

Amphibious assault ships are the centerpieces of U.S. amphibious warfare and fulfill the same power projection role as aircraft carriers except that their striking force is comprised of land forces instead of aircraft. They deliver, command, coordinate, and fully support all elements of a 2000-strong Marine Expeditionary Unit in an amphibious assault using air and amphibious vehicles. Resembling small aircraft carriers, amphibious assault ships are capable of V/STOL, STOVL, VTOL, tiltrotor, and rotary wing aircraft operations. They also contain a welldeck to support the use of Landing Craft Air Cushion and other watercraft. Recently, amphibious assault ships have begun to be deployed as the core of an expeditionary strike group, which usually consists of an additional amphibious transport dock and dock landing ship for amphibious warfare and an Aegis-equipped cruiser and destroyer, frigate, and attack submarine for group defense. Previous deployments had them organized into amphibious ready groups, which consisted of only amphibious warfare vessels. Amphibious assault ships are typically named after World War II aircraft carriers, a name source carried over from the earliest assault ships which actually were converted WWII carriers.

• Tarawa class (4 in commission, 1 decommissioned)
• Wasp class (7 in commission, 1 under construction)

Amphibious transport docks

Amphibious transport docks are warships that embark, transport, and land Marines, supplies, and equipment in a supporting role during amphibious warfare missions. With a landing platform, amphibious transport docks also have the capability to serve as secondary aviation support for an expeditionary group. All amphibious tranport docks can operate helicopters, LCACs, and other conventional amphibious vehicles while the newer San Antonio class of ships has been explicitly designed to operate all three elements of the Marines' "mobility triad": Expeditionary Fighting Vehicles (EFVs), the V-22 Osprey tiltrotor aircraft, and the previously mentioned LCACs. Amphibious transport docks are named for cities, except for USS Mesa Verde (LPD-19), which is named for the national park in Colorado, USS New York (LPD-21), which is named for the state of New York, and USS Somerset (LPD-25), which is named for Somerset County, Pennsylvania.

• Austin class (10 in commission, 1 decommissioned, 1 converted to an auxiliary command ship)
• San Antonio class (1 in commission, 4 under construction, 4 more planned)

Battleships

All U.S. battleships have been decommissioned and have been stricken from the Naval Vessel Register. The final chapter in the battleship's illustrious history with the United States Navy was closed in March 2006, when USS Iowa (BB-61) and USS Wisconsin (BB-64) were both removed from the register to clear the way for their use as museum ships. In their heyday, battleships were a navy's largest and most important warships and were designed to slug it out with other battleships in open sea battle. The rise of aircraft carriers in World War II dethroned battleships as the queens of the sea and the Navy relegated them to the roles of fire support and escort. Following a long period of inactivity, the Iowa class battleships were recommissioned in the 1980s to augment the Navy's size and were upgraded with Tomahawk cruise missile capability. They were decommissioned for the final time in the early 1990s as their high maintenance cost and the Cold War's end made continued operation unnecessary. All battleships except USS Kearsarge (BB-5) were named for states.

Cruisers

Guided missile cruisers can conduct anti-air/anti-missile warfare, surface warfare, undersea warfare, and strike operations in support of a carrier strike group or other types of battle groups. They achieve this capability through a combination of the Aegis combat system, the surface-to-surface Tomahawk missile, and the surface-to-air RIM-67 Standard Missile 2. Although they have been surpassed in technology by newer destroyers, cruisers remain an important asset for the U.S. Navy. All cruisers since CG-47 have been named for famous battles. The only exception is the USS Thomas S. Gates (CG-51). Previously, cruisers were either named for cities (until CG-12), former important navy figures (CG-15 to CG-35), or states (CG-36 to CG-42).

• Ticonderoga class (23 in commission, 5 decommissioned) the first class of ships to carry the Aegis combat system.

Destroyers

Destroyers are fast and maneuverable ships capable of sustained performance in a variety of missions. Its primary roles are to conduct anti-air, anti-submarine, anti-surface, and strike missions either independently or as a member of a larger battle group. Utilizing missiles, torpedoes, and the Aegis combat system, modern U.S. destroyers are extremely capable and are claimed by the Navy as ton-for-ton the most powerful vessels in its fleets, as well as its most advanced warships.^[15] To further increase their capabilities, U.S. destroyers utilize LAMPS Mk III Sea Hawks to assist in anti-submarine warfare and other operations. Destroyers have been named for important navy personnel and heroes since the USS Bainbridge (DD-1).

• Arleigh Burke class (48 in commission, 6 under construction, 8 more planned) the first U.S. ship class with a comprehensive design for stealth technology.^[16]

Dock landing ships

The dock landing ship is a medium amphibious transport that has a higher landing craft capacity than the amphibious transport dock at the price of less troop and equipment space and no helicopter hangar. As opposed to other amphibious warfare vessels, they were designed specifically to support and operate Landing Craft Air Cushions. Dock landing ships are named after locations in the United States.

• Whidbey Island class (8 in commission)
• Harpers Ferry class (4 in commission) - Modified Whidbey Island class that trades some landing craft space for cargo space and is thus closer to an amphibious transport dock in capacity.

Frigates

Modern U.S. frigates mainly perform anti-submarine warfare and escort for carrier strike groups, amphibious expeditionary groups, supply convoys, and merchant shipping. They are designed to be used in low to medium threat environments and provide limited anti-ship missile protection. Independently, frigates are able to conduct counterdrug missions and maritime interception operations. The U.S. Navy expects to retire its current class of frigates by 2020.^[17] As in the case of destroyers, frigates are named after naval heroes.

• Oliver Hazard Perry class (30 in commission, 20 decommissioned)

Submarines

Main article: Submarines in the United States Navy

The primary missions of submarines in the U.S. Navy are peacetime engagement, surveillance and intelligence, special operations, precision strikes, battlegroup operations, and denial of the seas.^[18] The U.S. Navy operates two types: ballistic submarines and attack submarines. Ballistic submarines have only one mission and that is to carry and launch the nuclear Trident missile. Attack submarines have several tactical missions, including sinking ships and subs, launching cruise missiles, gathering intelligence, and assisting in special operations. Sea attack submarines are typically named for cities while land attack submarines (Virginia- and converted Ohio-class boats) are typically named for states. Earlier attack submarines were named for "denizens of the deep", while earlier ballistic missile submarines were named for "famous Americans" (although many of them were actually foreigners).

• Ohio class (18 in commission) ballistic missile submarines, 4 to be converted into guided missile submarines
• Los Angeles class (49 in commission, 13 decommissioned) attack submarines
• Seawolf class (3 in commission) attack submarines primarily designed to destroy Soviet ballistic submarines^[19]
• Virginia class (1 in commission, 3 under construction, 7 more planned) attack submarines intended to be more flexible and cost-effective than the Seawolf class^[20]

Historically significant vessels

• USS Constitution Nicknamed "Old Ironsides," it became famous in the War of 1812 and is currently the oldest commissioned warship afloat.
• USS Monitor The first U.S. ironclad warship, it also pioneered the rotating gun turret.
• USS Merrimack Previously a wooden warship, it was captured and rebuilt by the Confederates into the ironclad CSS Virginia.
• USS Alligator It was the first submarine built by the U.S. Navy, but it sunk while being towed during a storm and never saw combat.
• H.L. Hunley Although technically never a part of the U.S. Navy, this otherwise American vessel was the first submarine to sink a ship in a combat engagement by hitting the USS Housatonic with a spar-mounted torpedo. Unfortunately, the ship itself was lost during the operation. It was built by Confederate inventor Horace L. Hunley, who lost his life while operating the ship during a trial run.
• USS Nautilus Commissioned in 1954, the USS Nautilus was the first nuclear-powered warship in the world.
• USS Long Beach USS Long Beach was the first nuclear-powered surface warship in the world and the first large ship in the U.S. Navy to have guided missiles as its main weapon.

Aircraft

Main article: List of US Naval aircraft

Aircraft are a critical component of the United States Navys fighting capacity. Together with the carriers from which they launch, aircraft form the core of the U.S. Navy's forward presence around the world. The ability to conduct sustained air attacks from anywhere in international waters provides United States leaders with significant diplomatic and crisis-management options. Through air power, the Navy is able to strike air, sea, and land targets far from a carrier strike group while protecting its own ships from enemy aircraft, ships, and submarines. Aircraft supply significant logistics support to maintain the Navys readiness and, through helicopters, provide platforms with which to conduct search and rescue missions and special operations.

The U.S. Navy began to research the use of aircraft at sea in the 1910s and commissioned the very first aircraft carrier, USS Langley, in 1922.^[21] United States naval aviation fully came of age in World War II, when it became clear following the Attack on Pearl Harbor, the Battle of the Coral Sea, and the Battle of Midway that aircraft carriers and the planes that they carried had replaced the battleship as the greatest weapon on the seas. Navy aircraft also played a significant role in conflicts during the following Cold War years, with the F-4 Phantom II and the F-14 Tomcat becoming military icons of the era. The Navy's current primary fighter and attack airplanes are the multi-mission F/A-18 Hornet and its newer cousin the F/A-18E/F Super Hornet.

Weapons systems

Main article: List of US Navy weapons

Shipboard systems

Current U.S. Navy shipboard weapons systems are almost entirely focused on missiles, both as a weapon and as a threat. In an offensive role, missiles are intended to strike targets at long distances with accuracy and precision. As unmanned objects, missiles also allow for attacks on heavily defended targets without risk to human pilots. Land and sea strikes are the domain of the BGM-109 Tomahawk, which was first deployed in the 1980s and is continually being updated to increase its capabilities. While the Tomahawk can be used in an anti-ship capacity, the Navy's dedicated missile for this role is the AGM-84 Harpoon. To defend against enemy missile attack, the Navy operates a number of systems that are all coordinated by the Aegis combat system. Medium-long range defense is provided by the Standard Missile 2, which has been deployed since the 1980s. The Standard missile doubles as the primary shipboard anti-aircraft weapon and is also being developed as a component for theater ballistic missile defense. Short range defense against missiles is provided by the Phalanx CIWS and the more recently developed RIM-162 Evolved Sea Sparrow Missile. In addition to missiles, the Navy also employs various types of torpedoes and mines.

Aircraft systems

The primary offensive aircraft of the U.S. Navy are the F/A-18C/D Hornet and F/A-18E/F Super Hornet. They employ much of the same weapons as the United States Air Force for both air-to-air and air-to-surface combat. Air engagements are handled by the heat-seeking Sidewinder and the radar guided AMRAAM missiles along with the M61 Vulcan for close range dogfighting. For surface strikes, Navy aircraft utilize a combination of missiles, smart bombs, and dumb bombs. On the list of available missiles are the Maverick, SLAM-ER, and JSOW. Smart bombs include the GPS-guided JDAM and the laser-guided Paveway series. Unguided munitions such as dumb bombs and cluster bombs round out the rest of the aircraft deployed weapons.

Nuclear weapons

The U.S. Navy is capable of deploying nuclear weapons through two means: ballistic missile submarines and aircraft. The Ohio-class submarine carries the latest iteration of the Trident missile, a three stage, underwater launched, nuclear ICBM with MIRV capability. The current Trident II (D5) version is expected to be in service past 2020.^[22] The Navys other nuclear weapon is the aircraft-deployed B61 nuclear bomb. The B61 is a thermonuclear device that can be dropped by strike aircraft such as the F/A-18 Hornet and Super Hornet at high speed from a large range of altitudes. They can be released through free-fall or parachute and can be set to detonate in the air or on the ground.

Special warfare

The major players in U.S. Navy special operations are Navy SEALs and Special Warfare Combatant-craft Crewmen (SWCCs, pronounced swicks). The SEALs take their name from the environments in and from which they can operate: SEa, Air, and Land. As befitting their title, the SEALs are a flexible group of elite warriors who are trained to conduct clandestine warfare in any setting, most often in small-unit actions. What sets them apart from other special warfare units in the United States military is their expertise in maritime operations striking from and returning to the sea.^[23] Working in conjunction with the SEALs are the SWCCs, who are the elite small ship and watercraft operators in the Navy. Organized into Special Boat Teams, SWCCs specialize in the insertion and extraction of SEALs in hostile territory, coastal patrol and surveillance, and the boarding and searching of vessels.^[24]

Navy special operations fall under the jurisdiction of Naval Special Warfare Command, the Navy branch of United States Special Operations Command. Within Naval Special Warfare Command are six operational entities: four Special Warfare Groups, the Special Warfare Development Group, and the Special Warfare Center.

• Naval Special Warfare Group ONE and Group TWO each consist of five teams of Navy SEALs and a few Naval Special Warfare Units. NSW units are charged with overall command and control and planning of special operations within their geographic jurisdiction.
• Group THREE is made up of SEAL Delivery Vehicle (SDV) Teams and one Special Boat Team that is shared with Group FOUR. SEALs who are assigned to SDV teams specialize in the use of SDVs and Advanced SEAL Delivery Systems (ASDSs). These watercraft are submersibles that are designed to insert SEAL operators from long distances offshore.
• Group FOUR is comprised of all of the Navy's Special Boat Teams.^[25]
• The Navy Special Warfare Development Group, also known as Dev Group or DEVGRU, is the United States military's premier maritime counter-terrorist unit. While the Navy confirms the existence of the unit, it merely states that the role of Dev Group is to test, evaluate, and develop technology and maritime ground and airborne tactics for Navy Special Warfare.^[26] No official mention of counter-terrorism concerning DEVGRU is made. Clearly then, much of the information regarding this unit is classified, but it is estimated that it contains approximately 200 active operators.^[27]
• The Naval Special Warfare Center, located in Coronado, California, is the main training center for Navy special operations personnel. It is here that SEAL recruits undergo the initial six-month-long Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL (BUD/S) course. Following three weeks of additional parachute training with the Army, recruits return to Coronado for the 19-week SEAL Qualification Training (SQT), after which they are officially named a SEAL.^[28]

Although not under the jurisdiction of NSW Command, Navy Explosive Ordnance Disposal Units often work closely with special operations teams. Trained to be combat-ready and highly mobile, EOD units are entrusted with nullifying hazardous ordnance in a number of different maritime environments.^[29] They are also able to conduct underwater anti-mine operations using marine mammals.^[30]

Coastal warfare

Protection of naval assets and coastal and harbor defense are placed under the jurisdiction of two Naval Coastal Warfare Groups: one for the Pacific Fleet and one for the Atlantic Fleet. Within these groups are Mobile Security Squadrons and Naval Coastal Warfare Squadrons. MSSs deploy Mobile Security Detachments that protect high value naval targets from terrorist attacks in ports and harbors where U.S. shore infrastructure is limited or does not exist. Naval Coastal Warfare Squadrons provide surveillance and security in harbors, coasts, and inshore areas. They are comprised of Mobile Inshore Undersea Warfare Units (MIUWUs) and Inshore Boat Units (IBUs). MIUWUs are charged with security, observation, and communications support for commanders oper