By Chelsea Meiller.

It’s a bright, cloudless day. A gentle ocean breeze flows over the terrace as the crowd begins to take their seats. Officers, enlisted personnel, Gold Star family members and friends fill the seats on the Silver Strand Training Complex, the new home of West-Coast based Naval special warfare operators. Today, they gathered together to celebrate a very special occasion – the 40th anniversary of SEAL Team THREE.

SEAL Team THREE’s 20th commanding officer gave the opening remarks and gave the plankowners – the founding members of the team – his thanks.

“We are all here today because of your bold leadership and spirit of innovation. We stand on the shoulders of giants,” he said. “I am happy to report that the culture you established all those years ago is thriving in the troops behind you and the halls of Team THREE.”

Though SEAL Team THREE was formally established in 1983, the history of the SEAL teams predates Team THREE by more than 20 years. In his inaugural address in 1961, President John F. Kennedy quelled the fears of the nation facing a new-era of strife and conflict.

“Let every nation know, whether it wishes us well or ill, that we shall pay any price, bear any burden, meet any hardship, support any friend, oppose any foe to assure the survival and the success of liberty,” Kennedy said. “This much we pledge–and more.”

In January 1962, President Kennedy established the first SEAL Teams at Naval Amphibious Base Coronado, California, and Naval Amphibious Base Little Creek, Virginia. The teams were comprised of warfighters from the Amphibious Scouts and Raiders (Joint) and Special Mission Naval Demolition Units, lending to the name “SEALs”, which stands for “sea, air and land.”

The establishment of the first SEAL teams paved the way for Team THREE’s commissioning in October 1983. Though a path had been laid before them, the Team’s impressive record speaks for itself.

Retired Adm. William McRaven, former commanding officer of SEAL Team THREE and the ninth commander of United States Special Operations Command, spoke to Team THREE’s immense legacy and commitment to the country’s safety and security in the post-9/11 landscape.

“Some of the first units into Afghanistan were SEAL Team THREE,” said McRaven. “Between 2002 and 2005, the teams deployed to Iraq, Afghanistan, and the new hotspot – the Philippines. From the oil fields of the Al Faw peninsula to Fallujah, to Habbaniyah. From Zamboanga to the Horn of Africa, the operators of SEAL Team THREE were everywhere, contributing to ever single aspect of the war effort.”

The Team wasn’t just given those missions, though. From the onset, they had to work tirelessly to gather the resources and manpower needed to commission a team built for success. Retired Capt. Joe Quincannon, SEAL Team THREE’s first commanding officer, touched on the challenges he faced while putting together a combat-ready team.

“When the Navy gave me the opportunity to commission the command, my first priority was getting the right senior enlisted on board,” he said. “I was focused on people who had proven themselves fighting in Vietnam. A giant step forward in attaining this goal was when Master Chief Gallagher agreed to become the command master chief. His combat experience, reputation and common-sense approach to problem solving were instrumental in helping me attain the goal I had for the command – which was to fight and win if called upon by the country.”

Retired Capt. Joe Quincannon, SEAL Team THREE’s first commanding officer

People were not the only resource needed though. Funding allocated to outfit the command was imbalanced. The warfighters needed weapons, personal protective equipment, night vision gear and more.

“The main problem was the imbalance between the operations and procurement funds” Quincannon said. “Simply put, I couldn’t use the operations funds to buy the equipment we needed.”

Eventually, Quincannon was able to procure exactly what the command needed to be successful. And it paid off – he volunteered his new team for deployment based on their outstanding training record, and they got to go.

Though it’s been decades since that first deployment, the fabric of SEAL Team THREE remains the same. Woven into the command is an enduring legacy of selflessness, bravery and camaraderie.

“Our fallen brothers, those we will see on the other side, the never forgotten stewards will forever remind us – the duty bound – that we are the owners of our legacy,” said SEAL Team THREE’s current Command Master Chief. “It is our charge to honor them by passing down our lessons learned from conflict to conflict. To honor their sacrifice by our deeds and ensure that their names will forever echo.”

Whether it is routine training or large celebratory ceremonies, SEAL Team THREE’s permanent residents (fallen members) are woven into everything the team does. Each one has a command space dedicated to them, and each is spoken about and remembered. One of SEAL Team THREE’s current special warfare operators spoke about the sense of duty and honor that comes with being a part of a command so steeped in Frogman history.

“One of the first things we do as a ‘new guy’ on the team is give a presentation to our platoon about one of our fallen,” the operator said. “It really helps us all remember the immense legacy we are upholding. We’re just renters here. Our permanent residents – those are the owners. That brotherhood and sense of duty and connectedness is so deeply rooted here, and it’s a huge part of why we do what we do.”

As the current Frogmen of SEAL Team THREE go forward into a new era of ever-evolving uncertainty, one thing has remained unchanged for the past four decades – the heart and tenacity of the men who choose to become United States Naval Special Warfare Operators.

“A part of me hopes you never have to experience the harsh ugliness and realities of war, but a more familiar part of me understands, that if called, you will gladly welcome it. And if that call comes, be swift, violent and lethal to our enemies. But never lose your way. You are the 1% of the 1% not because you do the hard things no one else can, but because you do the hard things no one else can while holding yourself and your teammates to a higher standard of judgment and accountability than our enemies.”

Lt. Cmdr. Jonny Kim, a NASA astronaut and SEAL Team THREE alumni.

Since 1962, Naval Special Warfare has been the nation’s premier maritime special operations force – a highly reliable and lethal force –ready to conduct full-spectrum operations, unilaterally or with partners, in support of national objectives, and uniquely positioned to extend the Fleet’s reach, delivering all-domain options for naval and joint force commanders.

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This story by Petty Officer 1st Class Chelsea Meiller of Naval Special Warfare Group One was first published by the Defense Visual Information Distribution Service on August 10, 2023. DVIDS content is in the public domain.

Article by Chief of Naval Air Training, DVIDS.

Lt. Cmdr. Jonny Kim, NASA astronaut and Navy SEAL, earned his “Wings of Gold” during a winging ceremony, Friday, March 24, onboard Naval Air Station Whiting Field. Kim, alongside 22 new aviators in his winging class, completed advanced helicopter training resulting in his designation as a Naval Aviator.

The families of the newly designated Naval Aviators were in attendance to congratulate and “pin” the wings onto the uniform of their loved ones. Kim was pinned by his wife while his three children watched from close by.

After graduating on the “Commodore’s List” with distinction, Kim is now a “dual designator,” meaning he is one of a rare group of individuals who is simultaneously designated (qualified) as both a Navy flight surgeon and Naval Aviator as part of the Aeromedical Dual Designator Program.

Kim’s career is unique and may lead some to wonder how he ended up in a rural region of west Florida pursuing advance naval helicopter training after many years undergoing the rigorous challenges and requirements of the Navy SEAL Teams, the Harvard School of Medicine, and NASA. For Kim, his desire to be impactful and make a difference began in childhood.

“Growing up, I never thought about joining the military, but like a lot of young kids, I dreamt of being a hero and making a positive difference in the world. However, I didn’t believe in myself or have the confidence I needed to impact the world in the way I wanted to,” said Kim. “Then, at 16, I discovered the SEAL teams and the warrior spirit the teams cultivate. I thought maybe becoming a SEAL could change me to become the strong warrior I desperately wanted to be.”

In 2002, Kim enlisted in the Navy and sought out the most direct path to Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL (BUD/S) training.

“The quickest way to make it to BUD/S was to enlist in the Navy as a Hospital Corpsman,” said Kim. “Following SEAL training … I underwent Special Operations Combat Medic training from the Army Special Forces training center [U.S. Army John F. Kennedy Special Warfare Center and School], located in Fort Bragg, North Carolina … We learned how to stabilize and keep soldiers alive who were gravely wounded … until surgeons could give more definitive treatment. It was the best place to learn that kind of battlefield trauma medicine and where I really started to appreciate the gift that medicine can be.”

After completing SOCM training, Kim reported to SEAL Team 3 in 2005. He deployed to Iraq in 2006 where he engaged in over 100 combat operations which included his first experiences with combat medicine on the battlefield. His deployment experience influenced him to further his medical career with the Navy.

“We deployed to Ramadi, Iraq … in concert with various U.S.-Iraqi coalition forces in an effort to stabilize the region. Ramadi, at the time, was very unstable and we participated in almost daily combat operations, experiencing numerous firefights and suffering multiple casualties. I came back from there and thought that I couldn’t keep doing this for a long time, but I had some decent field experience, at that time, taking care of the wounded … I really appreciated that medicine could save lives, but I wanted to give back a little more to the SEAL teams, so I stuck around for another tour.”

Jonny Kim

Following a second deployment, Kim began to pursue options that could elevate his impact in the medical field. He applied to the Seaman to Admiral-21 Program (STA-21) which at the time included the option to pursue a Doctor of Medicine (M.D.) degree in order to join the Medical Corps.

“I wanted to continue serving but in a different way,” said Kim. “I made a promise to my fallen brothers that I would live my best life in a way that betters the world in their honor. For me, medicine was the answer to that.”

Through STA-21, Kim earned his undergraduate degree at the University of San Diego, then applied to Harvard Medical School. After graduating from Harvard in 2016, he focused on emergency medicine during his residency at Massachusetts General Hospital and Massachusetts Brigham and Women’s Hospital, both in Boston. It was during this time that Kim first became inspired to apply his new medical profession to an organization that, in Kim’s eyes, shares similar aspects with the Navy SEAL teams.

“The reason I wanted to be an astronaut is the same reason I wanted to be a physician – both fields serve others in a way that betters the world,” said Kim, who credits his interest in applying to NASA to physician and astronaut Scott Parazynski. “He was like ‘You should really think about being an astronaut. You get to serve the public, do really challenging things and work in a small team environment,’ and I thought ‘this sounds like the special forces of science and exploration.’ Serving as a NASA astronaut would allow me to continue to serve my community and the public in an impactful way.”

Kim joined NASA in 2017 and, along with the other astronaut candidates, reported to the Naval Introductory Flight Evaluation (NIFE) program at Naval Air Station (NAS) Pensacola. Astronaut candidates complete designated portions of the NIFE curriculum, as well as underwater survival training at the Naval Survival Training Institute. The candidates then must complete 12 flight hours in the front seat of a T-6A Texan II.

Kim admits that he “fell in love with every aspect (of aviation) including the challenges of the environment, the somatosensory experiences, pulling G’s, building situational awareness, communicating effectively and the CRM (crew resource management).”

Once complete with his training in the T-6A, Kim resumed training at NASA, becoming rear cockpit qualified in the T-38 Talon. However, he began to feel that more aviation training would maximize his effectiveness as an astronaut.

“Pretty early on I realized the closest analog to space flight was aviation training,” said Kim. “I wanted to be able to extend and apply as much of the operational experience I had as a combat-experienced SEAL into space flight. A lot of my operational experience does apply to space flight but there are some aspects that I didn’t have the right perspective on because I didn’t have pilot in command experience.”

Kim began to research the possibility of further pursuing Navy flight training, and realized that NASA has a precedence for cross-training astronauts. Before Kim, the most recent Navy physician-aviator selected for the astronaut program was Capt. David Brown. After completing training as a Navy flight surgeon in 1984, Brown was designated as a Naval Aviator in 1990. He flew the A-6E Intruder and the F-18 Hornet before being selected for the NASA astronaut program in 1996.

“He was a great astronaut … There hasn’t been a Navy-physician-aviator selected since,” Kim said of Brown, who died in the space shuttle Columbia crash in February 2003. “There is significant value in being able to wear multiple hats and provide multiple perspectives that bridges otherwise independent fields such as aviation and medicine. This jack-of-all-trades approach is familiar to me from my time in the SEAL teams and is one of the reasons Naval Special Warfare produces excellent, rounded warriors.”

After being approved to commence full Navy flight training, Kim left Houston in early 2022 to begin training in Corpus Christi, Texas, with the “Rangers” of Training Squadron (VT) 28. Already a trained astronaut, Kim enjoyed the challenges of life as a student Naval Aviator (SNA).

“Despite having hundreds of hours in the back seat of a T-38, I did not initially have the stick and rudder skills to gracefully land planes,” said Kim. “Building the necessary neuro-synaptic connections in my brain to properly coordinate sensory information with appropriate movements of the flight controls in coordination with the PCL [power control lever] while handling emergency procedures, coordinating ATC comms and navigation took time, study and repetition.”

In September, 2022 Kim moved on to advanced helicopter training with the “Hellions” of Helicopter Training Squadron (HT) 28 aboard NAS Whiting Field, Florida. While helicopter training may not seem the obvious path for an astronaut, Kim asserts that it teaches several skills that are applicable to space missions.

“NASA really values helicopter pilots for their perspectives and crew resource management mentality. Space flight is closely related to aviation, and proper crew resource management allocates human resources to accomplish the mission safely and effectively. By virtue of the helicopter cockpit environment, helicopter pilots bring an abundance of CRM to the spaceflight table. Another reason is that helicopter training is an excellent lunar analog with its vertical takeoff, and vertical landing characteristics in a side-by-side cockpit CRM setup. There are plenty of fixed-wing cockpits that offer invaluable CRM training for spaceflight readiness, but helicopter training provides a different perspective that is just as valuable, which is why Apollo astronauts trained with naval Helicopter Training Squadron 8 before their Apollo missions.”

Jonny Kim

Kim also addressed the challenge of advancing from the training in the T-6B fixed-wing aircraft to the TH-57 Sea Ranger helicopter: “Once I was becoming proficient in the T-6B, I moved to the TH-57 which completely ignored previously established fixed-wing flight control relationships and I had to relearn and remap what my brain wanted to do.”

Navy flight school provides students with confidence-boosting experiences that result from an unforgiving demand to be self-sufficient in the application of learned flight skills. To test their ability to operate alone and complete the mission, students must complete multiple “solo” flights in both primary and advanced flight training as the PIC (Pilot in Command).

“Accountability is a necessary ingredient for personal growth and leadership. It’s hard to get that sense of accountability when you are always flying with an instructor at your side that can fix anything you might need, anything that might go wrong. Going on those solos is a really symbolic experience for all aviators that [represents that] the training wheels are coming off. You need to rely on the training that you have acquired, up to this point, to accomplish the mission … I loved it.”

Jonny Kim

Advanced helicopter students are trained to fly under instrument flight rules (IFR) in addition to visual flight rules (VFR) for both night and daylight hours. At night, helicopter students utilize night vision goggles (NVGs) to amplify the available moon and starlight to see in greater detail. This night flight experience provided Kim an opportunity to reconnect with his previous time as a SEAL.

“The NVG training in the advanced syllabus for helicopters was amazing, especially because I have a lot of ground experience as a SEAL using night vision … but I didn’t have the experience of integrating a cockpit-NVG scan with degraded visual environments … That was really challenging and formative in my growth as an aviator.”

Jonny Kim

The new Naval Aviators earning their wings in late March brought the total number of individuals to earn the title of Naval Aviator, throughout U.S. naval history, to 36,416.

As Kim returns to NASA to prepare for his first space mission, he reflected on his family and how they enabled him to accomplish so much leading up to this point: “Often times when you see people accomplishing things, you don’t see the support network behind them.” Kim praised his wife and children for “always being there for me, and putting up with me through the long nights, long weekends and the many mornings I couldn’t be present to take them to school or do any of the dad things that many of their friends get to experience. I thank them, I appreciate them, and I love them.”

CNATRA trains, mentors, and delivers the highest quality Naval Aviators who prevail in competition, crisis, and conflict. Headquartered at NAS Corpus Christi, CNATRA comprises five training air wings in Florida, Mississippi, and Texas, which are home to 17 training squadrons. In addition, CNATRA oversees the Navy Flight Demonstration Squadron, the Blue Angels and the training curriculum for all fleet replacement squadrons.

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This ‘Courtesy Story’ was first published on the Defense Visual Information Distribution Service on April 17, 2023. DVIDS content is in the public domain.

Photo: By Bill Stafford, NASA. – https://www.flickr.com/photos/nasa2explore/44764444431/, Public Domain, August 2017, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=72846589

Story by Petty Officer 1st Class Alex Smedegard.

Naval Special Warfare forces deployed in support of U.S. Special Operations Command Pacific concluded a joint combined training exercise with Royal Thai Navy Special Warfare Command on Feb. 22.

The three-week exchange built upon the two forces’ long-standing relationships and cooperation within the Indo-Pacific region.

“We value our relationship with the Royal Thai Navy Special Warfare Command, and it is continued trainings like this that sharpen our tactics,” said the senior team leader of the U.S. Naval Special Warfare unit.

The exercise began with tactical training with weapons, close-quarter combat drills, tactical combat casualty care, explosive breaching, and maritime boat operations.

“Once we were able to share, establish and execute standard procedures, our two forces developed real-world special operations scenarios,” added the senior U.S. team lead. “This training enhanced our forces’ readiness and interoperability to successfully plan and execute modern-day missions.”

The realistic scenarios served as a capstone to the forces’ engagement and included maritime interdiction operations and visit, board, search and seizure rehearsals.

Personnel from U.S. Naval Special Warfare and Royal Thai Navy Special Warfare Command also exchanged culture history, traditions and customs.

“The bonds we formed while learning and understanding one another’s culture cemented the friendships during the training,” said the senior U.S. team lead. “Whether it was a traditional Thai BBQ one week or a traditional American dish the next, or Muay Thai training sessions together, and even the exchanging of patches, memorabilia and sharing the history of each other’s units and cultures – those deep personal connections are strengthened and forge a stronger shared interest of community.”

U.S. Naval Special Warfare is the nation’s elite maritime special operations force, uniquely positioned to extend the Fleet’s reach.

U.S. Special Operations Forces provide flexible response to contingencies in the Indo-Pacific. Integral to this capability is a forward-deployed posture and continuous engagement with partner and ally forces, heightening mutual interoperability and regional expertise.

“We have a strong, forward-looking U.S.-Thai defense alliance, rooted in history, which helps foster a region where all countries enjoy prosperity and peace,” said the senior U.S. team lead. “Our command remains committed to maintaining our enduring friendship with Thailand and the Thai people.”

The United States and Thailand have nearly two centuries of diplomatic relations and have been security treaty allies for over 65 years.

On Feb. 27, the two nations will participate in Cobra Gold 2023, a two-week-long multinational military exercise with thousands of service members and partners from across the Indo-Pacific.

This annual event increases the capability, capacity, and interoperability of partnered nations while simultaneously reinforcing their commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific.

The upcoming Cobra Gold 2023 exercise is the 42nd iteration and is set for a full-scale revival since the pandemic. The Thailand and U.S. co-sponsored exercise is conducted annually in the Kingdom of Thailand and will be held from Feb. 27 – Mar. 10, 2023, with seven full participants (Thailand, U.S., Japan, Indonesia, Republic of Korea, Singapore, Malaysia), three limited participants (Australia, India, China) and ten Multinational Planning Augment Team participants

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This article by Petty Officer 1st Class Alex Smedegard was originally published on February 23, 2023 by the Defense Visual Information Distribution Service. DIVIDS content is in the public domain.

Photo: U.S. Naval Special Warfare and Royal Thai Navy Special Warfare operators conduct maritime interdiction operations during FLASH TORCH 2023-1, a joint combined training exercise built upon the two forces’ long-standing relationships and interoperability in the Indo-Pacific. (Photo by Petty Officer 1st Class Alex Smedegard, Naval Special Warfare Group One, Sattahip, Thailand, 16 Feb 2023.)

A report entitled Navy Irregular Warfare and Counterterrorism Operations: Background and Issues for Congress has been published by the Congressional Research Service. Ronald O’Rouke, a specialist in naval affairs, is the author of CRS Report 7-5700, RS22373 dated October 2, 2017.

The 47-page report is provided to Congress to assist it with the oversight responsibilities it has for Navy budgets. Specifically this report will help Congress decide how much emphasis (you could say money) to place on IW and CT activities within the Department of the Navy.

The Naval Special Warfare (NSW) community – as is the case with the Army and Air Force special operations forces – has grown significantly in size and in operational capability since the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001. The most visible of these operations are those conducted in the Middle East and in Afghanistan. Of course, NSW is conducting operations worldwide – both operational missions and training.

From an organizational standpoint NSW has expanded. In 2005 the Navy established the Navy Expeditionary Combat Command (NECC). The NECC consolidated a number of Navy Irregular Warfare (IW) organizations. In 2008 the Navy established the Navy Irregular Warfare Office. In addition, the expenditure of funds for specialized equipment, weapons, and boats for the NSW community has increased significantly.

Topics covered in the report include:

• Navy Irregular Warfare (IW) Operations
• Navy Counterterrorism (CT) Operations
• Navy Initiatives to Improve its IW and CT Capabilities
• FY2018 Funding Request
• Potential Oversight Issues for Congress
• Legislative Activity for FY2018

In addition there are several appendices:

• November 2011 Navy Testimony on Navy IW Activities
• 2012 RAND Corporation Report and Findings
• Detention of Terrorist Suspects on U.S. Navy Ships
• 2010 Navy Irregular Warfare Vision Statement

The report can be read online or downloaded at the website of the Federation of American Scientists (FAS): https://fas.org/sgp/crs/natsec/RS22373.pdf

JSOU Publications – for the intellectual special operations operator who is still out there on the ground and the former action guy (FAG) who now works on staff. The Joint Special Operations University or JSOU located at the United States Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) at MacDill Air Force Base has an extensive library. The JSOU also publishes papers, books, and reports about special operations. Many of these documents are available to the public online. Some of the JSOU publications presented during 2016 include:

IS and Cultural Genocide: Antiquities Trafficking in the Terrorist State

Cultural Intelligence for Special Forces Personnel

The Evolution of Global SOF Enterprise from a Partner Perspective

SOF and a Theory of Modern Terrorism

A Comprehensive and Proactive Approach to Unconventional Warfare

You can visit the JSOU Press Publications site:

https://jsou.libguides.com/jsoupublications/home

The Navy SEAL Foundation is taking a leading role in the health of combat veterans with traumatic brain injuries (TBI) with its Whole Warrior Health program. The organization recently held a conference on this issue. The Navy SEAL Foundation Collective Impact Forum 2016 was held in San Diego, California on November 1-2, 2016. The conference was focused on improving service delivery and well-being outcomes for military personnel and their families.

This two-day event gathered together leading experts in their respective fields of TBI, PTS(D), suicide, relationship challenges, and family issues. The goal was to inform the audience of the connections among these complex topics and highlight the practical application of tools, techniques and solutions in response to these challenges.

Video – The Navy SEAL Foundation has published a powerful 6-minute long video on the topic of brain injuries and other associated challenges. Watch NSF Whole Warrior Health Collective Impact Forum 2016 (NSF YouTube.com Channel, November 14, 2016) at the link below.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=-ECw-wHMp9I

The U.S. Navy SEALs are debating which type of combatives training prepares them for hand-to-hand combat. Some favor the Close Quarter Defense (CQD) while others embrace the mixed-martial-arts (MMA) style. In 2011 the Navy Special Warfare Command (NSW) dropped the CQD program. Currently the SEALs train like UFC fighters in the MMA style. Read more in “Controversial MMA training causes rift in Navy SEALs program”, Bloody Elbow, July 25, 2016.