PINOY AVIATORS: (PHILIPPINES FINEST SPECIAL FORCES) Naval Special Operations Group (NAVY SEALS) The Naval Special Operations Group (NAVSOG) (also referred as the Philippine Navy SEALs) is the smallest elite unit of the Philippine Navy trained in special operations, sabotage, psychological and unconventional warfare which is heavily influenced by the United States Navy SEALs. It specializes in SEa, Air, Land (SEAL) operations ranging from reconnaissance, close combat, demolition, intelligence and underwater operations in support of overall naval operations. The unit gained prominence in a number of counter-terrorism operations, most notably against the Abu Sayyaf Group, and is known for its highly-demanding physical training program which is based on the United States Navy SEAL program. The NAVSOG training program is known as Basic Naval Special Operations Course (BNSOC). The program is physically and mentally demanding and is regarded as one of the toughest military selection programs in the entire Philippine military. Candidates have to swim two miles and run 10 kilometers everyday. Furthermore, they must swim 27 kilometers from Roxas Boulevard in Manila to the naval base in Sangley Point without any rest. They also undergo Hell Week, which is the most demanding weeks of NAVSOG training. Candidates have to carry out demanding physical team events with their boat crews with as little as a couple of hours sleep for the entire week. In one BNSOC class, only 21 students remained from 79 applicants who originally started the NAVSOG training program. The predecessor unit to the NSWG/SWAG (the Underwater Operations Team or UOT) was activated on 5 November 1956 as a special forces of the Philippine Navy. Patterned after the US Navy Underwater Demolition Teams and the Italian Decima Flottiglia MAS with modifications for Philippine conditions, the UOT was charged with conducting underwater operations in waterways, beach areas and harbors in support of Philippine naval operations. These operations included underwater explosive disposal, mine countermeasures, salvage and search and rescue. In 1959 the UOT was expanded and redesignated the Underwater Operations Unit, then as the Underwater Operations Group (UOG). The UOG was then finally renamed the Naval Special Warfare Group. The units tasks were also expanded to cover all facets of unconventional warfare in a maritime and river environment. This includes but is not limited to demolition, hostage rescue, harassment, force protection and maritime tactical operations. The Naval Special Warfare Group is headquartered at Sangley Point, Cavite City and has a complement of 450 officers and 3,650 enlisted personnel. It has eight units located across the Philippines, from Naval Station San Vicente in the north to Naval Station Zamboanga in the south. Each unit is attached either to a task force or a naval force and has a complement that varies from 3 to 6 SEAL Teams, with each team consisting of an officer and seven enlisted men. All team members …are trained tactical divers, parachutists and demolition and in the execution of Special Warfare Operations from the Sea, Air and Land.” To become a qualified Philippine Navy SEAL, officers and enlisted men must successfully complete the six-month Basic Naval Special Warfare/SEAL Course. REFERENCE: Naval Special Operations Group Philippine Fleet Historical Events Photo courtesy of NAVSOG
Posted on: Wed, 29 Oct 2014 14:07:05 +0000