About this Unit
Special Boat Unit TWENTY (SBU 20), later known as Special Warfare Combatant-craft Crewmen (SWCC) Team 20, was established in 1973 to provide maritime special operations support for U.S. Navy SEALs and other special operations forces on the U.S. East Coast. Based at Naval Amphibious Base Little Creek, Virginia, SBU 20 specialized in high-speed insertion and extraction, coastal patrol, and riverine operations using small, fast boats such as the Mark V SOC and Special Operations Craft-Riverine (SOC-R). During its service, SBU 20 played a critical role in missions ranging from counter-narcotics and anti-terrorism to support in major operations like Operation Just Cause and Operation Desert Storm. In 2002, SBU 20 was re-designated as Special Boat Team 20 (SBT-20) as part of the Navy's transition to the SWCC program, continuing its legacy of excellence in maritime special operations.
Historical Facts
• Origins and Name: Special Boat Unit 20 (SBU 20) was established in 1977 and later became Special Boat Team 20 (SBT-20) in 2002, reflecting its evolving mission and organizational changes in the U.S. Navy's Special Warfare Command.
• Early Missions: SBU 20 originally focused on coastal patrol, interdiction, and riverine operations, often deploying with SEAL teams for special operations during the Cold War era.
• SWCC Integration: SBU 20 is a key home for Special Warfare Combatant-craft Crewmen (SWCC), elite operators trained for high-speed maritime insertion and extraction missions in hostile environments.
• Gulf War Operations: During Operation Desert Storm in 1991, SBU 20 was instrumental in conducting reconnaissance, mine countermeasures, and diversionary operations along the Kuwaiti coast.
• Advanced Craft: The unit operates a range of specialized boats, including the Mark V Special Operations Craft and the Special Operations Craft – Riverine (SOC-R), capable of high-speed maneuvers and heavy armament.
• Global Reach: SBU 20/SBT-20 has deployed worldwide, supporting missions in the Persian Gulf, Caribbean, Africa, and Southeast Asia, often working alongside allied special forces.
• Training Pipeline: SWCC candidates undergo rigorous selection, known as Basic Crewman Training (BCT), which is considered nearly as demanding as Navy SEAL BUD/S, focusing on seamanship, weapons, navigation, and survival.
• Covert Insertions: SBU 20 specializes in clandestine insertion and extraction of special operations personnel, frequently operating at night and under adverse weather conditions to avoid detection.
• Decorations: Members of SBU 20 have received numerous awards for valor, including Bronze Stars and Navy Commendation Medals, for their actions in combat and support of counter-terrorism operations.
• Cultural Legacy: SWCC and SBU 20 have been featured in documentaries, books, and video games, helping to raise public awareness of their critical but often secretive role in U.S. Naval Special Warfare operations.
