About this Unit
Special Boat Unit Eleven (SBU-11) was a unit of the United States Navy formed in 1972 as part of Naval Special Warfare. Based at Mare Island, California, SBU-11 specialized in riverine and coastal operations, utilizing small, fast boats for insertion, extraction, and patrol missions. The unit played a key role in supporting special operations forces, particularly in the Pacific theater, and regularly trained for missions involving interdiction and reconnaissance. In 1994, SBU-11 was decommissioned as part of a Navy reorganization and its legacy continued through the establishment of Special Boat Team Twelve.
Historical Facts
•
Origins in World War II: Special Boat Unit Eleven (SBU-11) traces its lineage to the PT boat squadrons and Naval Combat Demolition Units of World War II, which were precursors to modern naval special warfare.
•
Created in 1979: SBU-11 was officially commissioned in 1979 as part of the Naval Reserve, focusing on coastal and riverine special operations.
•
Primary Mission: The unit specialized in maritime interdiction, insertion and extraction of SEALs, and conducting patrols in shallow coastal waters using small, fast boats.
•
Key Vessel – The PB Mk III: SBU-11 operated the Patrol Boat, Riverine (PBR) and later the Patrol Boat Mark III, which were agile, armed boats designed for high-speed operations in littoral environments.
•
Vietnam War Legacy: While SBU-11 formed after Vietnam, many of its practices and tactics were influenced by the Riverine operations of Task Force 116 ("Brown Water Navy") during the war.
•
Reserve Force: SBU-11 was unique in that it was a Naval Reserve unit, with many of its members serving part-time while maintaining civilian careers.
•
Role in Drug Interdiction: In the 1980s and 1990s, SBU-11 participated in counter-narcotics operations, working with the US Coast Guard and other agencies to intercept drug traffickers.
•
Gulf War Service: Members of SBU-11 were activated for service during Operation Desert Storm, providing maritime security and support for coalition naval operations.
•
Disestablishment and Legacy: In 2002, SBU-11 was decommissioned and its personnel and responsibilities were absorbed into other Naval Special Warfare units, notably Special Boat Team 12.
•
Unit Motto: The unofficial motto of SBU-11 was "Swift, Silent, Deadly," reflecting their capability for rapid, covert, and effective maritime operations.
