Unidad de Operaciones Especiales

The Special Operations Unit (Spanish: Unidad de Operaciones Especiales, UOE) was the elite special operations force of the Spanish Navy and marines from 1967 to 2009. In June 2009, the unit was absorbed into the newly formed Special Naval Warfare Force, which inherited the reputation and which continues the record of the UOE. The UOE was formerly garrisoned in the Tercio de Armada in San Fernando, Cádiz and operated under the direct control of the Admiralty and Special Naval Warfare Command. It was thought to comprise approximately 100 men organized into three Operational Teams (Estoles) as well as command and support personnel. The unit (and today's FGNE) has long been one of Europe's most respected special forces.

The UOE was tasked with Special Operations in maritime, coastal, and inland environments usually up to 50 km from the sea, though this was not a restriction and its teams were known to operate deep inland. The unit's remit covered all aspects of modern Naval Special Warfare, including: Maritime Counter-Terrorism, ship boarding (MIO non-compliant), combat diving and swimming, coastal infiltration, airborne insertion, special reconnaissance, direct action, VIP protection and escort, and combat search and rescue (CSAR).

For these purposes, the UOE employed a wide range of naval and other military platforms, including submarines, frigates, soft- and rigid-hull inflatable boats, land vehicles, as well as helicopters and airplanes for airborne insertions.