| Unit Name: | Special Naval Warfare Force |
| Native Name: | Spanish; Castilian: Fuerza de Guerra Naval Especial |
| Dates: | 10 June 2009 |
| Branch: | Spanish Navy |
| Type: | Special forces |
| Role: | Special operations |
| Command Structure: | Spanish Marine Infantry |
| Garrison: | La Algameca Naval Station, Cartagena, Murcia, |
| Nickname: | Spanish; Castilian: Hombres rana (Frogmen), Spanish; Castilian: Boinas verdes (Green Berets) |
| Motto: | Serenitas et audacia |
| Commander1: | Colonel Pedro R. De Lema |
The Special Naval Warfare Force (FGNE) (Spanish; Castilian: Fuerza de Guerra Naval Especial) is the special forces unit of the Spanish Navy. It was created on June 10, 2009 through the fusion of the Special Operations Unit (UOE) of the Spanish Navy Marines and the Special Combat Divers Unit (UEBC) of the Navy Diving Center. Before the merger, between 2004 and 2009, the two units operated under a single Special Naval Warfare Command.[1] Between 1967 and 2009, the special operations of the Spanish Navy were conducted by the UOE, whose many traditions the FGNE adopted – including the use of the special forces "green beret", the Spanish; Castilian: Capacitación selection course, and the organization of operational units into Spanish; Castilian: Estoles.[2] Inheriting the reputation and continuing the record of the UOE, the FGNE "has long been one of Europe's most respected special forces."[3]
The Special Naval Warfare Force is the special forces unit of the Spanish Navy specialized in operations in maritime, land and coastal environments. The unit is composed mainly of members of the Marines.
It is composed of a Command and Control unit, a support unit for the Command and Control unit, combat units and their support units, and the services combat units (health, supply, transportation, weapons, material, etc.).
Jobs assigned to them:
The Special Naval Warfare Force is under the command of a colonel or a ship-of-the-line captain who receives the title of Commander of the Special Naval Warfare Force. As a force integrated into the Spanish Marines, it is under the purview of the General Commander of the Marines.
The FGNE has been deployed across several operations, including Atalanta in Somalia, United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon and Hispaniola in Haiti.[4]
The Special Naval Warfare Force also took part during the hijacking of the Spanish fishing vessel Alakrana in October 2009, parachuting into Somali waters and being recovered after by the frigate Canarias.
They have also seen action in Iraq and Afghanistan as well as being deployed to Senegal and Cape Verde. [5]