How did Navy SEALs operate during the Vietnam War?

Created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.

U.S. Air Force Special Operations Command training mission — special operations warfare Members of the U.S. Air Force Special Operations Command training for water rescue, 2007.

During the Vietnam War, Navy SEALs played a significant role in special operations warfare by conducting a variety of unconventional missions.1

Their operations during this conflict included:

Training: SEAL units were responsible for training South Vietnamese naval commandos.1
Counterguerrilla Operations: SEAL teams and Underwater Demolition Teams (UDTs) carried out numerous counterguerrilla missions.1
Operational Environments: These activities were conducted across diverse terrains, including riverbanks, beaches, and the hinterland.1

These efforts were part of a broader initiative, initiated by President John F. Kennedy in 1961, to expand and utilize specialized forces for unconventional warfare.1