Fuerza de Guerra Naval Especial

The Special Naval Warfare Force (FGNE) (Spanish: Fuerza de Guerra Naval Especial) is the special forces unit of the Spanish Navy. It was created on June 10, 2009 through the fusion of the Special Operations Unit (UOE) of the Spanish Navy Marines and the Special Combat Divers Unit (UEBC) of the Navy Diving Center. Before the merger, between 2004 and 2009, the two units operated under a single Special Naval Warfare Command.[1] Between 1967 and 2009, the special operations of the Spanish Navy were conducted by the UOE, whose many traditions the FGNE adopted – including the use of the special forces "green beret", the Capacitación selection course, and the organization of operational units into Estoles.[2] Inheriting the reputation and continuing the record of the UOE, the FGNE "has long been one of Europe's most respected special forces."[3]

Special Naval Warfare Force
Fuerza de Guerra Naval Especial
Shield of the FGNE
Active10 June 2009
Country Spain
Branch Spanish Navy
Type Special forces
RoleSpecial operations
Part of Spanish Marine Infantry
Garrison/HQLa Algameca Naval Station, Cartagena, Murcia,  Spain
Nickname(s)Hombres rana (Frogmen), Boinas verdes (Green Berets)
Motto(s)Serenitas et audacia
Commanders
Current
commander		Colonel Pedro R. De Lema
Special Naval Warfare Force operator during a training with dummy rounds

Mission and organization

The Special Naval Warfare Force is the special forces unit of the Spanish Navy specialized in operations in maritime, land and coastal environments. The unit is composed mainly of members of the Marines.

It is composed of a Command and Control unit, a support unit for the Command and Control unit, combat units and their support units, and the services combat units (health, supply, transportation, weapons, material, etc.).

Jobs assigned to them:

  • Reconnaissance of maritime coastlines and beaches
  • Inland reconnaissance in depth
  • Direct actions on terrestrial targets, such as the destruction of enemy installations or the capture of enemy personnel
  • Assault on ships
  • Military assistance
  • Non-combatants evacuation operations
  • Hostage rescue
  • Counter-insurgency and counter-terrorism operations

Commander

The Special Naval Warfare Force is under the command of a colonel or a ship-of-the-line captain who receives the title of Commander of the Special Naval Warfare Force. As a force integrated into the Spanish Marines, it is under the purview of the General Commander of the Marines.

Deployments

The FGNE has been deployed across several operations, including Atalanta in Somalia, United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon and Hispaniola in Haiti.[4]

The Special Naval Warfare Force also took part during the hijacking of the Spanish fishing vessel Alakrana in October 2009, parachuting into Somali waters and being recovered after by the frigate Canarias.[4]

They have also seen action in Iraq and Afghanistan as well as being deployed to Senegal and Cape Verde. [5]

Equipment

References
  1. "Fuerza de Guerra Naval Especial (FGNE)" (in Spanish). Armada Española. Archived from the original on 2017-06-02.
  2. "Sobre Nosotros" (in Spanish). Asociación de Veteranos Boinas Verdes de la Fuerza de Infantería de Marina.
  3. "The 8 most elite special forces in the world". The Independent. 28 April 2017. Retrieved 2019-08-13.
  4. "¿Cuáles Son Las Principales Operaciones Y Ejercicios En Los Que Hemos Participado? - Fuerza de Guerra Naval Especial (FGNE)". armada.mde.es (in Spanish). Retrieved 10 October 2018.
  5. Un día con los 'Boinas Verdes' de la Armada, los militares con las misiones más duras: "Entra quien puede, no quien quiere"
  6. Maíz Sanz, Julio (17 October 2018). "La Fuerza de Guerra Naval Especial de la Armada se dota con fusiles de asalto HK416". Defensa.com (in Spanish). Retrieved 10 November 2018.
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