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DESERT OPERATIONS

The purview of SEAL Teams THREE (Centcom) and EIGHT (Mediterranean and Africa). The SEALs proved themselves in this climate during the Gulf War an in Somalia. Overcoming the heat and arid climate poses special challenges. Mobility is a key factor, and Special Warfare relies on the Desert Humvee and the Desert Patrol Vehicle to move over long distances in the desert. Camouflage is also a challenge, as the desert provides little cover and concealment. Camouflage Netting is a must, as well as observation posts and a strong communications plan. Desert ops require stamina and a good working knowledge of the principles of hydration and survival in a temperate environment. 

Additionally, many team members attend basic and advanced language courses in Farsi and Arabic. This gives them the ability to converse at a base-line level to natives, which comes in handy if on a Foreign Internal Defense Mission. Often the forward deployed element will be assigned to a Naval Special Warfare Task Unit, which is comprised of members from the SEAL Team and the Naval Special Warfare Detachment nearest the deployment (Det Baharain for example). The NSWTU can be on land, or as in the case of the 87/88 operations in the Persian Gulf from a barge, surface vessel or submarine. The platoons utilizing the desert equipment such as the Humvee and Desert Patrol Vehicle will normally operate from a land based NSWTU due to the logistical complexity of coordinating an airdrop of this equipment.

DESERT HUMVEE

The familiar HumVee outfitted for the desert terrain. This vehicle is a workhorse and is utilized more often by the SEALs Special Forces counterparts, but it's seeing some acceptance by SEALs due to its versatility and durability. This vehicle is good for troop movement in a low-threat environment.

DESERT PATROL VEHICLE

Formerly called the Fast Attack Vehicle; the DPV was reoriented to its less threatening role, due to the vulnerability of the men while in the DPV. The vehicle has no armament whatsoever to stop a bullet. It is terrific for long-range reconnaissance and for strike warfare (downed pilot rescues). The DPV is very fast and agile and can traverse just about any terrain features it comes across. It is basically a lightweight, highly armed, highly maneuverable dune buggy for the modern era rat patrol. The DPV saw extensive action in the Gulf War, and operators from SEAL Team THREE were the first to enter Kuwait City after it's liberation, driving DPV's of course. Coverage of this event by CNN earned the DPV's prominence in Desert Warfare history!

STANDARD DESERT OPERATOR LOAD OUT

The SEAL operators adapt to the cruel environment of the world's deserts by outfitting themselves with long range M-14's, desert camouflage fatigues, dust goggles, sat-com radios, gps, night vision devices, camelback hydration systems (see the Commissary for more information) and a host of other specialty gear.

Equipment Information provided by NavySEALs.com ©2004