[Defense Commentary] Support for Under-equipped Naval Special Warfare Helicopters

[Monthly Aviation Editor-in-Chief Kim Jae-han] The Naval Special Warfare Group, considered one of South Korea’s representative special forces units alongside the Army Special Warfare Command, is commonly known as UDT (Underwater Demolition Team). However, due to its all-weather operational capabilities spanning land, sea, and air, it is also called SEAL (Sea, Air and Land). In reality, though, helicopter support?essential for mission execution such as training?is inadequate. This has made it very difficult to maintain operational proficiency, rendering the term “all-weather” somewhat hollow.

◆ Growth into a World-Class Special Forces Unit = Celebrating its 66th anniversary this year, the Naval Special Warfare Group (hereafter NSWG) began in 1955 as the Underwater Demolition Team (UDT). Over time, it has taken on various special warfare missions including Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD), all-weather special operations (SEAL), and maritime counter-terrorism (CT), growing into one of the core forces of the South Korean military.

Currently, its main missions include reconnaissance and preemptive operations by infiltrating enemy coasts and inland areas during amphibious assaults, all-weather special operations in enemy depth areas, explosive ordnance disposal by removing underwater obstacles and mines, and counter-terrorism operations such as rescuing kidnapped nationals and maritime blockade operations?major missions capable of changing battlefield situations.

The unit’s special warfare capabilities are highly regarded. For example, on January 21, 2011, when the Samho Jewelry vessel was hijacked by pirates near the Gulf of Aden off Somalia, special forces operators were urgently deployed and successfully rescued 21 hostages without casualties. Known as the “Gulf of Aden Dawn Operation,” this mission received widespread media acclaim worldwide.

Today, the U.S. Navy SEALs, considered the world’s strongest, also highly evaluate the NSWG’s capabilities through regular joint training exercises. A retired former NSWG commander stated, “The U.S. Navy SEALs have conducted joint training with the NSWG for a long time,” adding, “The U.S. Navy SEALs’ assessment of the NSWG’s capabilities is at the highest level.”

◆ Inadequate Helicopter Support = Special warfare forces like the NSWG are deployed to achieve national strategic objectives when unexpected situations arise, whether in wartime or peacetime. Therefore, maintaining a high level of combat readiness at all times to prepare for unforeseen contingencies is essential. A former NSWG commander emphasized, “Special warfare forces must always maintain operational capabilities to respond to real combat during peacetime,” adding, “This requires continuous training to master missions.” Indeed, the NSWG dedicates an extensive amount of time to training precisely for this reason.

However, the reality is challenging. Due to insufficient continuous helicopter support, the NSWG cannot properly conduct key training necessary for mission mastery. Regarding this, a former NSWG commander said, “For smooth training and deployment, support helicopters should ideally be on standby at all times, but the reality is far from that.” He further explained, “Because helicopter support is not smooth, there have been times when training had to be concentrated on days when helicopters were available.”

Because of this, the NSWG has repeatedly requested that some naval helicopters be dedicated exclusively to special warfare support, but these requests have reportedly not been reflected. However, the Navy’s 6th Air Wing (hereafter 6th Wing), which operates aviation assets, is also criticized for lacking suitable conditions to provide helicopter support. In fact, the only helicopters the 6th Wing can provide to the NSWG are UH-60P Black Hawks operated as maritime maneuver helicopters. Out of eight currently operated, after accounting for maintenance and primary mission requirements, there is practically insufficient capacity to support the NSWG.

Night helicopter support, a core element of special warfare, is even more inadequate. A retired officer who was in charge of training said, “Night training or operations are more demanding and dangerous than daytime ones, so helicopter performance and pilot expertise are crucial,” adding, “Since most special warfare operations actually take place at night, night proficiency training is necessary.” He particularly noted, “In the U.S. military, pilots are highly proficient in night environments, and helicopters are equipped with the necessary gear for night operations,” but “currently, the South Korean Navy’s existing helicopters inevitably have limited support capabilities.”

Given this situation, the NSWG envies the Army Special Warfare Command’s dedicated support unit, the Special Operations Aviation Group (hereafter SOAG). The Army established the SOAG in 2017 and subordinated it to the Special Warfare Command in 2019. Currently, it is preparing a project to convert 36 Black Hawk helicopters for special operations use.

◆ Need for Dedicated Special Warfare Support Helicopters = There have been ongoing calls inside and outside the NSWG to improve the poor helicopter support and strengthen naval special warfare capabilities by introducing dedicated support helicopters. For example, the U.S. Navy SEALs have a well-established system where a helicopter squadron within the Navy and special warfare-dedicated support aircraft from the Army and Air Force under the U.S. Special Operations Command provide support.

According to retired officers who served as company commanders in the NSWG, securing dedicated support helicopters within the Navy was suggested first. One retired company commander said, “Considering realistic conditions such as the number of helicopters, securing dedicated support helicopters seems unlikely at present,” but added, “If some helicopters were operated exclusively for special warfare support, training opportunities would increase significantly, greatly aiding mission mastery.”

Increasing helicopter support from the Army Special Warfare Command was also proposed. Since both are special warfare units with similar operational concepts and a high understanding of special warfare, it is judged that joint operations would be advantageous. Furthermore, since the SOAG was subordinated to the Special Warfare Command last year, the possibility of joint training seems sufficient. There was even an opinion that a joint force concept similar to the U.S. Special Operations Command?where Army helicopter units support the Navy SEALs?could be possible.

Regarding this, another retired officer who was in charge of training said, “Since the SOAG is specialized in special warfare support, activating support for the NSWG would have a great effect,” adding, “It would also be a good opportunity for the SOAG to gain naval special warfare experience to enhance its expertise.”

However, another retired company commander pointed out, “Operations involving helicopters depend heavily on teamwork between helicopter crews and special forces operators,” and “Based on past experience, it was difficult to build teamwork due to a lack of continuous exchanges and joint training opportunities between Army helicopter crews and the NSWG.”

Additionally, as the UH-60P helicopters of the Navy’s 6th Wing are aging, there was an opinion that if a maritime maneuver helicopter acquisition project proceeds in the future, the requirement for dedicated special warfare support helicopters should be reflected. However, since smooth helicopter support is urgently needed, operating some Navy helicopters as dedicated special warfare support helicopters was considered the most rational option. Still, a retired company commander said, “With current performance, support would be limited for professional special warfare support,” adding, “Performance upgrades are necessary to acquire actual special warfare support capabilities such as night infiltration.”

In fact, the UH-60P helicopters owned by the 6th Wing can support training for mission mastery but are limited in performance for strict operation as special warfare support helicopters. Military experts point out that special warfare support helicopters must have several key capabilities to perform missions in all-weather environments.

First is night and low-altitude flight performance. Since stealth is critical in special warfare, operations mainly occur at night, so helicopters must have night flight capabilities and the ability to fly at low altitudes to avoid air defense networks. They must also be equipped with all-weather navigation systems, long-range communication, and satellite communication equipment to support operators in adverse weather. Additionally, auxiliary fuel tanks for long-distance flights, refueling devices for aerial refueling, self-defense equipment, and decoy systems to counter air threats are also necessary.

◆ Support Reflecting the Value of Special Warfare = Special warfare often involves small numbers of personnel and equipment conducting covert operations. However, its impact is broad and powerful enough to change the course of war. This is evident in how the U.S. military employs highly trained elite special forces as strategic assets.

Of course, support is comprehensive. The special warfare-dedicated aviation assets under the U.S. Army Special Operations Command alone exceed 230 aircraft, including assault helicopters, attack helicopters, and unmanned aerial vehicles for ground strike and intelligence surveillance reconnaissance. This accounts for about 40% of the total helicopters owned by the U.S. Army. Moreover, these aircraft have been modified with the latest equipment tailored to special warfare environments. This is the result of the U.S. Department of Defense’s full support, considering the military value of special warfare.

At an event commemorating the NSWG’s 60th anniversary in 2015, then-Chief of Naval Operations Jung Ho-seop stated, “Even amid increasing transnational threats in the current security situation, I hope you continue to develop new knowledge and tactics to successfully complete missions and maintain the status of the world’s strongest unit.” To maintain such a world-class status, strengthening the capabilities of special forces operators is fundamental, but appropriate policy support is also essential.

Regarding this, former Commander Han Geun-seop of the Naval Special Warfare Brigade emphasized, “Given the NSWG’s battlefield environment characteristics, the urgent introduction of special warfare-dedicated helicopters for all-weather mission execution is critical,” adding, “Using special warfare helicopters to conduct sufficient training regularly and to be immediately deployable in actual situations requires revolutionary changes and advancements in operation and command systems.”

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.