RWA in San Diego - SEALS storm the beach

Reminder: I have a special giveaway to celebrate June at this link.

In two weeks, I'll be in San Diego for the RWA Annual Conference (link). I will soak up the sights of "America's Finest City" until Wednesday, when I am cohosting the bus tour of the Navy Base Coronado (link).

I've shared the history of NBC ...

- The Army Comes Flying Along (link)
- A Future Duchess Lands (link)
- Aircraft Carriers Pull Into Port (link)

U.S. Navy SEALs conducting training with SCAR rifles.

Public Domain (link)

But it is San Diego's connection to Navy SEALs which interest the authors on our tour.  From Navy.mil (link),

During the 1960s, each branch of the armed forces formed its own counterinsurgency force. The Navy utilized UDT personnel to form separate units called SEAL teams. January 1962 marked the commissioning of SEAL Team ONE in the Pacific Fleet and SEAL Team TWO in the Atlantic Fleet. These teams were developed to conduct unconventional warfare, counter-guerilla warfare and clandestine operations in both blue and brown water environments.

Concurrently, Naval Operations Support Groups were formed to aid UDTs, SEALs, and two other unique units — Boat Support and Beach Jumpers — in administration, planning, research, and development. During the Vietnam War, UDTs performed reconnaissance missions and SEALs carried out numerous offensive operations. In 1967, the Naval Operations Support Groups were renamed Naval Special Warfare Groups (NSWGs) as involvement increased in limited conflicts and special operations.

Two members of SEAL Delivery Team 2 conduct lockout 

training with USS Hawaii in 2007.
Public Domain (link)

In 1983, existing UDTs were redesignated as SEAL teams and/or SEAL Delivery Vehicle Teams and the requirement for hydrographic reconnaissance and underwater demolition became SEAL missions.

The Naval Special Warfare Command was commissioned April 16, 1987, at the Naval Amphibious Base, Coronado, Calif. Its mission is to prepare Naval Special Warfare forces to carry out their assigned missions and to develop special operations strategy, doctrine, and tactics.

SEALs (Sea, Air, Land) teams go through what is considered by some to be the toughest military training in the world. Basic Underwater Demolition/ SEAL (BUD/S) training is conducted at the Naval Special Warfare Center in Coronado. Students encounter obstacles that develop and test their stamina, leadership and ability to work as a team.

UDT members using the casting technique from a speeding boat

Public Domain (link)

Will I see any SEALs?  I'll let you know when I return from San Diego! I am giving away a book choice from my convention stash to one randomly selected commenter. To enter the giveaway,

1. Do you have a favorite book or movie featuring Navy SEALs? This is a tough answer for me ... so I share the first book I read with a (former) Navy SEAL as the hero - Pamela Clare's BREAKING POINT.  Check out my review at this link.

2. Comments are open through Saturday, July 2, 10 pm in Baltimore. 

3. I'll post the winner on Sunday, July 3.

Mahalo,

Kim in Baltimore
Aloha Spirit in Charm City