SEAL Team SIX was responsible
for US counterterrorist operations in the maritime
environment. SIX participated in a number of operations, both overt
and covert, throughout the 1980's.
In 1983, SEAL Team SIX members were also responsible for the rescue
and evacuation of Governor Sir Paul Scoon from Grenada during Operation
Urgent Fury. Four SEALs were lost to drowning during helicopter
insertion off shore. Other aspects of the operation included the
securing of a radio transmitter which resulted in heavy contact
with Grenadian forces.
The first and most controversial SEAL mission in Grenada was the
Salinas Airfield Operation.
During the predawn hours of October 24, 1983, in high winds, with
little intel, 12 operators from SEAL Team SIX and 4 Air Force Combat
Control Team members(CCT), were assigned to perform a night combat
equipment water jump in the ocean about 40 kilometers off the north-northwest
tip of Port Salinas, Grenada.
The SEAL/CCT team was to perform LAPES (Low Altitude Parachute Extraction
System) to enter the water DropZone with 2 Zodiac inflatable rubber
boats. They were to do an Over the Horizon (OTH) transit approximately
40 kilometers to the vicinity of Port Salinas. Once there they were
to scout out a suitable Beach Landing Site and send swimmer scouts
ashore, infiltrate the island and cache the boats. They were to
patrol the airfield, emplace the beacons and find a suitable hiding
place and wait for the Ranger's airdrop. All the time sending intel
reports back to the USS Guam.
Four SEALs were lost during the jump. It is not clear why they drowned
during the drop, but the hazards of jumping into the sea with a
heavy combat load in high winds could have been overwhelming. These
men were well trained for this type of operation, but even the best
laid plans sometimes go wrong.
The remaining SEALs searched in vain for their teammates, dis-hearted
they continued with their primary mission, however, half-way to
the shore they had to take evasive measures due to an approaching
Grenadan Patrol boat. As they cut their engines, the Zodiacs' motors
were swamped by the Patrol boat's wake and would not restart.
The SEAL/CCT team then drifted out to sea and made contact with
the USS Caron (DD970). The operation was aborted.
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Four Who Gave Their Lives In Grenada