by @javiersutil and @luciamenafuentes
1.0 Background
The Fuerza de Guerra Naval Especial (FGNE), or Special Naval Warfare Force, is a Spanish Navy elite unit composed of Marines and Navy personnel. The FGNE defines itself as a special operations force prepared and equipped to act in the maritime environment, although it can also do so on land. This unit has been deemed one of the most capable and elite operating SOF in the world (source).
Although the tradition of SO in the Spanish Navy traces back to the 50s, the FGNE is the most modern SO organization. It resulted from the combination of two former SO Units in the Navy. Despite its novel character, after a full professionalization process, adopting the demanding NATO and EU criteria, the FNGE is as proficient as such experienced units as the U.S. Navy Seals (source).
2.0 Motto, Symbols, Patches and History
2.1 Motto
The FGNE motto is “Serenitas et audacia” (Serenity and audacity) (Source).
2.2 Symbols
The FGNE coat of arms consists of a rectangular shield, called “Spanish type”, lacerated gold in the upper right angle and azure in the lower right. These colours allude to its scope of action and the old Marine Infantry motto: by land and by sea.
The shield is supported by two crossed anchors, sable, the historical emblem of the Navy and its troops. The ensemble incorporates the Royal Crown as a stamp, a symbol of the title and privilege of the Corps.
As a figure, it incorporates a “machete model 1941”, the symbol of Special Operations in the Navy and the Armed Forces, arranged vertically.
Finally, the motto “serenity and audacity” and the name of the Unit “Naval Special Warfare Force” are included outside the field of the shield.
(Source)
The unit’s distinctive consists of a “machete model 1941” superimposed to two golden crossed anchors. Above it is the Spanish royal crown.
2.3 Patches
The following is a series of FGNE patches in different versions.
The FGNE patch in an arid desert version.
Another version.
FGNE patch in a round shape.
FGNE patches (arid and colour versions) from Operation Atalanta in Somalia.
Note that the operatives serve on the BAM “P-43 Relampago”. The ship is equipped with an SH-60 helicopter from the 10th Naval Squadron.
FGNE patch belonging to the commandos.
2.4 History
Origins
The Special Naval Warfare Force (FGNE) was created in 2009 as the result of the merger of the Special Operations Unit (UOE) of the Tercio de Armada, known for years as “the unit”, and the Special Unit of Combat Divers “Comandante Gorordo” (UEBC) of the Navy’s Diving Centre. Therefore, despite being a relatively modern unit, it has more than 50 years of history. These units were under the command of the Special Naval Warfare Command.
The origins of the special operations units in the Marines, and therefore in the Navy, date back to the creation in 1952 of the Amphibious Climbers Company in the Tercio Norte de Ferrol (La Coruña) at the hands of the first Marines who graduated in mountaineering at the Escuela Militar de Montaña (Jaca). Its first commander was Captain IM Diaz del Rio.
The Special Operations Unit (UOE)
In 1966, under the command of Marine Captain D. Julio Yañez Golf, the Special Operations Unit was created. Julio Yañez Golf, the Special Operations Unit was created by the Amphibious Climbers Company and within the then-called Support Group.
In 1967, its members were distinguished with the green beret characteristic of special operations units and the following year the Tercio de Armada was created and the UOE was included in it as part of its Agrupación de Desembarco (Landing Group).
Six years later, the need arose to give an appropriate name to the teams that made up the unit, which despite having the status of a section, were commanded by captains due to the special nature of their tasks. The name chosen was “ESTOL”.
Special Unit of Combat Divers (UEBC)
In 1967, Commander Gorordo Álvarez was commissioned to create the Experimental Unit of Combat Divers (UEBC), based on the core group of divers from Illetas, within the Navy’s Diving Centre in Cartagena.
In 1970 the unit officially took the name of Special Unit of Combat Divers and in 1975, the Navy, wishing to perpetuate the name of the founder of this unit – who died in an accident in 1972 – added the nickname of “Comandante Gorordo”, and from then on it became known as the Special Unit of Combat Divers “Comandante Gorordo”.
The coexistence in the Navy of two units with very close tasks, which sometimes duplicated efforts, led to the need to develop a concept that would achieve the necessary synergy and improve efficiency in the use of resources.
Special Naval Warfare Command.
In 2004, the Navy decided to create a new body to coordinate the training and activities of the two special units and also can command special naval warfare operations when necessary. Thus, by Instruction 149/2004 of the Admiral Chief of Staff of the Navy, the Special Naval Warfare Command was created, which was subordinated to the Admiral of the Fleet and would be commanded by a Colonel or Naval Captain.
This command, which constituted a senior staff, was not subordinate to the UOE and UEBC, which continued to depend on their previous organic commands. However, it did receive, temporarily assigned, operational organisations from both units, which underwent periods of training and high readiness enlistment, ready to deploy under the orders of the Special Naval Warfare Command.
The Merger: FGNE
After almost five years of experience with this organisational model of special naval warfare capability, based on a command and two independent units, the Navy decided to merge these three units into a single organic unit. Thus, AJEMA resolution 600/07818/2009 creates the Special Naval Warfare Force (FGNE), establishing its base at the Algameca Naval Station in Cartagena (Murcia). Since then, the FGNE has participated in various operations with the task of executing special operations missions both at sea and on land.
Both the UOE and the UEBC, predecessor units of the FGNE, have participated in all the conflicts and crises in which the Navy has been called upon, both in the past and more recently. These include the Sahara, Bosnia, Perejil, Haiti, and Lebanon among others.
Since its creation, the FGNE has been involved in several actual operations abroad. For example ATALANTA (in Somali waters, Indian Ocean), FINUL in Lebanon and HISPANIOLA in Haiti.
Video about the FGNE. Credits: SPANISH SPECIAL FORCES
3.0 Organization
The FGNE is commanded by a colonel or naval captain who receives the title of Commander of the Special Naval Warfare Force. As an integrated force within the Spanish Marines, it reports to the Commander General of the Marines.
3.1 Structure
The FGNE is structured into different units according to the main tasks and functions they perform:
- Command and Control: Command Group (COMNAVES and its Command Staff).
- Combat (Special Operations): 6 Estol and a Boat Unit.
- The basic combat unit is the ‘Estol’. These units would be equivalent to a company. They are composed of a small group of operators commanded by a captain.
- Each member is trained in multiple skills, such as diving and parachute infiltration to carry out, among many others, close combat and rescue missions.
- Currently, there are six ‘estols’, each with around 16 troops. The most recent one, ‘Illetas’, was established in 2022 (source).
- Support:
- Combat Support (CS): Parachute, Dive and CIS Platoon.
- Combat Services Support (CSS): Health, Supply, Transport, Weapons, Materiel and Cargo.
Based on these units, there are established different operational organisations characteristic of Special Operations: SOTU/SOMTU/UGNE, and SOTG/SOMTG/GRUGNE.
- SOTU/SOMTU/UGNE is a third-level operational organisation established based on a reinforced Estol with the Command and Control, Combat Support and Combat Services Support resources deemed necessary.
- SOTG/SOMTG/GRUGNE second level operational organisation, comprising a command and control structure. It has at least two SOTU/SOMTU/UGNE and such combat support and combat service support units as deemed necessary.
3.2 The Joint Special Operations Headquarters (MCOE)
The Joint Special Operations Headquarters (MCOE) controls the three SOF branches in Spain; the Army’s MOE, the Navy’s FGNE, and the Air Force’s EZAPAC. These three wings possess different characteristics and objectives but sometimes conduct joint exercises at both national and international levels. An example is the counterterrorism operation ‘Flintlock 19’ in which SOF from all three branches cooperated to train African units in the Sahel (source)
The MCOE is, in a sense, a command designed to carry out missions with the joint contribution of the specialised SO personnel from the Army, Navy, and Air Force. Operators in MOE, FGNE, and EZAPAC are trained and prepared by their respective bodies and are ultimately expected to operate efficiently in all environments. Their capabilities should allow them to conduct all kinds of operations, under all meteorological conditions. Thus, they undergo a tough training process in which they learn diving, climbing, skydiving, skiing, and other specific skill sets that allow the operators to conduct their missions successfully.
3.3 Recruitment
The FGNE is located at the Algameca Naval Station in Cartagena (Murcia).
Other important Navy units are also located at the Algameca Naval Station, including the General Albacete Fuster Marine Infantry School (EIMGAF), the Tercio de Levante (TERLEV) and the Diving Centre of the Navy (CBA).
FGNE facilities include a submarine base, firing ranges, varied terrain, beaches and a port such as Algameca, which greatly facilitates the daily training of this unit.
(Source)
Selection
The training period is highly selective and demanding, with only 40% of applicants passing.
Specialities
The GNE complementary speciality/aptitude is composed of different phases with an approximate duration of 14 months for Officers/NCOs (speciality) and 9 months for MPTM (aptitude):
- 1st Phase for Officers/NCOs at the EMMOE of the ET (Jaca) and Special Naval Warfare Aptitude Course (formerly known as Training) at the EIMGAF for MPTM. In this phase, the trainees must pass a strict selection based on their ability to suffer and overcome, resistance to fatigue and physical and mental strength in extreme circumstances and conditions.
- 2nd Phase for Officers/NCOs and MTMs in the CBA. Training in diving with autonomous and closed-circuit equipment. This phase also provides specialisation in the use of naval and naval air platforms and the planning and execution of specific GNE operations.
Upon completion of the speciality/aptitude, FGNE members are qualified in:
- special reconnaissance techniques.
- direct action.
- military assistance.
- oxygen diving.
- explosives handling.
- parachuting.
- evasion and escape.
- ground combat.
- infiltration and exfiltration.
- self-defence.
- precision and instinctive shooting.
Training
Subsequently, once integrated into the ESTOLs, their training is complemented with different courses:
- Manual Opening.
- HALO/HAHO.
- Guide Signaller.
- Jump Leader.
- Combat Vehicle Driver.
- JFAC (Joint Forward Air Controller).
- Communications.
- Intelligence.
- Languages.
- Sniper.
- Tactical Casualty Combat Care.
- CQB (Closed Quarter Battle).
- Breacher.
Cooperation with other Units
Part of the training is joint work with the Air Force Escuadrón de Zapadores Paracaidistas (EZAPAC), the Escuadrón de Apoyo al Despliegue Aéreo (EADA), the Army Special Operations Groups (GOE) or the Police’s Special Operations Group (GEO). The GOE has also provided support to the CNI (Centro Nacional de Inteligencia) in its foreign operations. The mission of the Green Berets is to protect and increase the survivability of national counterintelligence elements (source).
Possible Foreign Recruitment
To join the Spanish Armed Forces is required to have Spanish nationality. However, nationals of certain Latin American countries and Equatorial Guinea can also participate in the selection process for entry into the rank of Troops and Marines.
(Source)
4.0 Equipment
The FGNE has a variety of equipment, ranging from state-of-the-art CIS systems, semi-rigid combat vehicles and vessels, to precision weaponry, to electro-optical intelligence gathering elements, including sensors in its drone systems.
While tactical information and equipment details are usually classified, the following weaponry is recorded:
Weapons
- Glock 17.
- M870.
- MP5.
- HK G-36KV.
- HK-416.
- HK-417.
- AX Multi Calibre.
- M95.
- FN Minimi.
Other
The FGNE can make use of all types of means available to the Spanish Navy. This includes ships, boats, and helicopters of various types.
5.0 Tactical-Operational Information
As a Marine Corps unit, it is trained and ready to conduct operations on the ground, either independently or with other special operations units. It is therefore capable of operating in small groups, at long range from its base, in all weather and terrain conditions, with or without very limited support from its forces.
(Source)
5.1 Operations
Since its creation, the FGNE has been involved in several actual operations abroad. For example ATALANTA (in Somali waters, Indian Ocean), FINUL in Lebanon and HISPANIOLA in Haiti.
Among the main highlights of this unit’s actual operations are the following:
ALAKRANA
Its participation in the hijacking of the ALAKRANA. When it became known that the Spanish tuna boat “Alakrana” had been hijacked on 2 October 2009, within a few hours a force was enlisted to reinforce the capabilities established there, being parachuted into Somali waters and picked up by the frigate “CANARIAS”.
Rescue of Evelyne Colombo
The rescue of the French citizen Evelyne Colombo in the waters of the Indian Ocean. On 10 September 2011, an FGNE marksman aboard an SH3D helicopter of the 5th Squadron neutralised the engine of the boat of Mrs Colombo’s captors, thus allowing the rest of the members of the Estol to board by surface and be rescued. For this action, several members of the FGNE were exceptionally decorated and congratulated, by the President of the Government, and the French President Nicolas Sarkozy. Furthermore, at the national level and in the Navy, were decorated with the Cross of Naval Merit with a red badge.
Current Operations
The FGNE is currently deployed in the following Theatres of Operations:
- Operation Atalanta. The unit has continuously contributed to maritime security operations in the Indian Ocean since the start of the operation in 2009.
- Cape Verde. In cooperative security actions, carrying out advisory and military capability development tasks in the field of special operations in this country, which has served as an example for other similar operations led by the Operations Command in Senegal (in which it has also participated) and which it intends to carry out in other African nations.
- Operation Iraq Support, deployed in Baghdad and part of the Spanish Special Operations Task Group (SOTG). The mission of these units is the military defeat of DAESH through Military Assistance to the different Iraqi Special Operations forces.
Moreover, the FGNE partakes in joint SO “Flintlock” Operations in the Sahel, providing military training to African troops (source).
5.2 Core Purposes
The FGNE is capable of performing all Special Operations doctrinal tasks. Its core tasks are:
- Direct Action (DA).
- Reconnaissance and Special Surveillance (SR).
- Military Assistance (MA).
Its additional tasks are:
- NEO Operations.
- Hostage Rescue (HRO).
- Counter-insurgency and counter-terrorism operations (COIN and CT).
The FGNE is also part of the Navy’s projection, protection, freedom of action and maritime action capability. It can therefore generally be employed in support of naval operations, subordinated to a Maritime Component Command or integrated into a Special Operations Component Command. To the latter, it provides, when required, a unique and specialised capability in the maritime domain.
In this regard, the FGNE’s contribution to the Navy’s capabilities can be summarised as follows:
- Projection: Selective attacks on limited but strategically or operationally important targets, Reconnaissance and Special Surveillance, Terminal Guidance of aircraft and munitions and Fire Conduction.
- Protection: Information gathering.
- Freedom of Action: Threat Neutralisation, Terminal Guidance and Obstacle Destruction.
- Maritime Action: Maritime interdiction operations in the highest risk modes (MIO-OB) and direct anti-piracy actions Hostage Rescue (HRO), and abandon ship.
5.3 Personnel size
The exact number of operators is not public. However, taking into account that there are 6 “estoles” of 16 soldiers each, there should be a total of 100 operatives plus support staff.
6.0 The future of the MOE
Seeing the body’s need to adapt to the rising needs of new scenarios, the Spanish Navy’s FGNE will likely face in the coming years a process of redefinition to face the evolution of threats in the future scenarios, which will entail the assumption of new activities and the necessary arrival of new means and capabilities. For instance, more effort will be put into adapting new technologies such as intelligent ammunition and exoskeletons to better face high-intensity threats. (source)
The importance of adequate military resources to operate efficiently in areas such as the Sahel and fighting piracy in the Horn of Africa will increase, calling for closer relationships and cooperation with SOF all around the world. The FGNE, as part of the most capable and versatile operators acting in all environments, constitutes a crucial factor in terms of capability and enhancing security worldwide.
7.0 Conclusion
The FGNE’s track record and capabilities demonstrate that it is a highly effective elite unit in its field. It has demonstrated that its preparation and training are essential for Spain’s internal and external security. Its interoperability with other units and its experience makes it useful and necessary. This is why the high command considers it essential to its plans. While the unit is likely to evolve as needs change, as it did a decade ago, it is certain to continue to serve the country for many years to come.
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