Lebanese Navy SEALs Regiment
| Lebanese Marine Commandos | |
|---|---|
Lebanese Marine Commando Flag
|
|
| Active | 1997–present |
| Country | Lebanon |
| Branch | Lebanese Navy |
| Type | Maritime Special Operations Force |
| Role | Maritime and Riverine special operations |
| Part of | Lebanese Navy Command, Lebanese Special Operations Command |
| Garrison/HQ | Amchit, Lebanon |
| Motto(s) | "Who Dares Joins" |
| Engagements | |
| Decorations | Arab and non-Arab Military awards and decorations |
| Commanders | |
| Current commander |
Colonel Mouhamad Moustafa Colonel Johnny Akl |
| Notable commanders |
General Abdul Karim Hachem General Georges Chraim |
| Insignia | |
| Shoulder badge |  |
| Commando Course Badge |  |
Colonel Mouhamad Moustafa
General Abdul Karim Hachem
The Marine Commandos (Arabic: مغاوير البحر Maghāwīr al Baħr = "marine commandos"/"commandos of the sea"; singular مَغْوَار maghwār = Levantine Arabic "commando", from غَارَ ghāra = "he invaded"; البحر = al Baħr = of the sea) are an elite unit of the Lebanese Navy. They are part of the Lebanese Special Operations Command. Established with assistance from the United States Navy SEALs and the British Royal Marines and tasked with conducting a variety of missions, particularly in a maritime environment, which include: sabotage, raids, beach landings and maritime counter-terrorism. The Marine Commandos were established in 1997, then got their administrative independence in July 2001.
Until 1997, the only Special Operations Force in Lebanon was the Commando Regiment. However, in 1997, as part of the reconstruction and the modernization of the Lebanese Army, the army command decided to establish a designated regiment for maritime special operations.
Contacts to establish and train this new, multi-purpose special unit started by approaching the U.S.A and by contacting the British Ministry of Defence. Eventually a number of officer candidates were sent to train with the Royal Marines in the UK. Lower ranks were put through their paces in Lebanon by Royal Marines commandos specially brought in for the task. On the other hand, it is confirmed that U.S. Navy SEALs contributed to the training in both the U.S. and Lebanon.
The tasks of the Lebanese Marine Commandos in general are to counter enemy watercraft, conduct under-water raids, deploy and dispose of naval mines, underwater demolition, conducting joint operations with the navy, land, and air forces, and maritime counter-terrorism. In addition, the regiment is tasked with sustaining the internal security and performing search and rescue missions.
The regiment's uniform consists of black or U.S. style Woodland Camouflage fatigues, desert combat boots and a bordeaux beret with the regiment's insignia. In 2008, the unit also adopted the U.S. Digital Desert Camouflage to become a part of their uniforms.
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Wikipedia