SDVT-1

• Origins and Name: SEAL Delivery Vehicle Team One (SDVT-1) was established in 1983 and is based at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. It was originally known as SEAL Delivery Vehicle Team Pacific (SDVT-PAC). • Motto: The team’s motto is “Delivering the Warrior,” reflecting its mission of clandestine underwater insertion of SEALs into denied areas. • SDV Operations: SDVT-1 specializes in operating SEAL Delivery Vehicles (SDVs), small, submersible vehicles that allow SEALs to approach targets stealthily underwater. • Pearl Harbor Significance: SDVT-1 is headquartered at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, providing strategic access to the Pacific theater, making it a key unit for U.S. Indo-Pacific Command operations. • Cold War Missions: During the Cold War, SDVT-1 conducted classified reconnaissance and special operations missions in the Pacific, often shadowing Soviet naval activity. • Advanced Training: Members of SDVT-1 undergo specialized training in underwater navigation, combat diving, and vehicle piloting, in addition to standard SEAL qualifications. • Integral to Maritime Special Operations: SDVT-1 often works in conjunction with submarines, which can launch and recover SDVs while submerged, greatly expanding SEAL operational reach. • SDV Upgrades: SDVT-1 has transitioned from the older Mark 8 SDVs to the more advanced Mark 11 Shallow Water Combat Submersible (SWCS), offering improved range, stealth, and capabilities. • Real-World Deployments: SDVT-1 elements were deployed in support of the Global War on Terror, including operations in Iraq and Afghanistan, showcasing the versatility of SDV teams beyond maritime environments. • Unique Brotherhood: SDVT-1 maintains a tight-knit community, with a reputation for innovation and technical skill, often pushing the boundaries of maritime special operations tactics and technology.