The 641st Naval Special Operations Brigade ( az, 641-ci Xüsusi Dəniz Əməliyyatları Briqadası) is a
special forces
Special forces and special operations forces (SOF) are military units trained to conduct special operations. NATO has defined special operations as "military activities conducted by specially designated, organized, selected, trained and equip ...
unit in the
Azerbaijani Navy. It is currently based in
Zığ. The unit has been described as an 'impressive new maritime special forces unit. It's polygon is on Wulf Island in the
Bay of Baku.
The modern unit was established in 2001 with the cooperation of the
Turkish Navy.
Cooperation
The training and organization structure of the unit may be similar to Turkish special forces,
Su Altı Taarruz
The Underwater Offence ( tr, Su Altı Taarruz), or SAT, is the special operations forces unit of the Turkish Navy. Turkish Navy's first and only navy commando unit consisting of highly skilled soldiers selected from among the officers and petty o ...
and
United States Special Forces who have a training relationship with them. In 2004, a
U.S. Navy SEAL
The United States Navy Sea, Air, and Land (SEAL) Teams, commonly known as Navy SEALs, are the United States Navy, U.S. Navy's primary special operations force and a component of the United States Naval Special Warfare Command, Naval Special Wa ...
team from
Little Creek Amphibious Base, participated in joint exercises unit. In 2005,
Blackwater USA's Maritime Division was contracted to conduct interdiction training for the unit. In addition, personnel of the unit have trained at the diving school of the
Latvian Navy in
Liepaja. Exchanges of personnel have also been carried out with a number of foreign countries.
Marine Sabotage and Reconnaissance Center of Special Purpose
The Marine Sabotage and Reconnaissance Center of Special Purpose is the training center of the unit.
The organizational and staff structure of the center in 1996 includes: 3 reconnaissance groups, 2 mountain groups and 1 diving group. Each group included 15-20 fighters each.
The personnel have participated in a number of joint military exercises with the
Turkish Amphibious Marine Brigade and
United States Marine Corps.
See also
*
Special Forces of Azerbaijan
The Special Forces of Azerbaijan ( az, Azərbaycan Xüsusi Təyinatlı Qüvvələri) is a military unit of the Republic of Azerbaijan.
History
It was established in April 1999 under the Ministry of Defense. The formation of the unit was attended ...
*
United States Navy SEALs
The United States Navy Sea, Air, and Land (SEAL) Teams, commonly known as Navy SEALs, are the U.S. Navy's primary special operations force and a component of the Naval Special Warfare Command. Among the SEALs' main functions are conducting sma ...
References
{{Azerbaijani Armed Forces
Special forces of Azerbaijan
Naval units and formations of Azerbaijan