The Special Warfare Combatant-craft Crewmen (SWCC)
is a United States Naval Special Warfare Command team
that operates and maintains small craft for special operations missions,
particularly those in support of the U.S. Navy SEALs.
Like SEALs,
SWCC sailors go through a special training program
based at Naval Amphibious Base Coronado.
SWCC are trained in boating and weapons tactics,
techniques,
and procedures that focus
on clandestine infiltration and exfiltration of SEALs
and other special operations forces.
Established on 16 April 1987,
the SWCC selection course sometimes draws comparisons
to the Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL training
that Navy SEAL candidates undergo.
However,
SWCC training has an entirely different mission set and focus.
Before being selected to one of three Special Boat Teams,
candidates learn to become experts in operating heavy weapons
such as 50-caliber machine guns and mini guns.
The crews must also become experts in special tactics,
as well as in operating advanced combatant craft.
In order to infiltrate and exfiltrate special operations teams,
today’s “boat people” remain steadfast to their motto:
“On time, on target.”
SWCC detachments have participated in nearly every major conflict since then,
particularly during in the Persian Gulf conflict in 1987–1988,
Operation Just Cause in panama in 1989-1990,
and the 1990-1991 Gulf War
to the more recent War on Terrorism along with counter narcotics operations
in South and Central America.
In August 1996,
while attached to USS Sides during counter drug operations in Colombia,
a SWCC team came under attack
in the Antioquia Valley region by members of FARC,
Colombia's revolutionary movement,
while conducting field operations.
Six team members held off a force of approximately 150 rebels.