SEAL Team Six

Naval Special Warfare Development Group
FoundedNovember 1980
Country United States
Branch United States Navy
TypeSpecial Operations Forces
Special Mission Unit
RoleSpecial operations Counterterrorism
Size1,787 personnel authorized (2014):
  • 1,342 military personnel
  • 445 civilian personnel
Part of Joint Special Operations Command
United States Naval Special Warfare Command
HeadquartersDam Neck Annex
NAS Oceana, Virginia Beach, Virginia, U.S.
Nickname(s)"SEAL Team Six", "DEVGRU", "Task Force Blue", "NSWDG"
Engagements
Unit awardsPresidential Unit Citation

The Naval Special Warfare Development Group (NSWDG), abbreviated as DEVGRU ("Development Group") and unofficially known as SEAL Team Six, is the United States Navy component of the Joint Special Operations Command (JSOC). The unit is often referred to within JSOC as Task Force Blue. DEVGRU is administratively supported by the Naval Special Warfare Command and operationally commanded by JSOC. Most information concerning DEVGRU is designated as classified, and details of its activities are not usually commented on by either the United States Department of Defense or the White House. Despite the official name changes and increase in size, "SEAL Team Six" remains the unit's widely recognized moniker.

DEVGRU (along with its Army and Air Force counterparts, Delta Force, Intelligence Support Activity, the 75th Ranger Regiment's Regimental Reconnaissance Company and 24th Special Tactics Squadron), are the U.S. military's primary Tier 1 special mission units tasked with performing the most complex, classified, and dangerous missions directed by the President of the United States or the Secretary of Defense. DEVGRU conducts various specialized missions such as counterterrorism, hostage rescue, special reconnaissance, and direct action (short-duration strikes or small-scale offensive actions), often against high-value targets.