This is the latest in a series of books about the battle gear of American special operations units and concentrates on the weapons used by the elite US Navy SEALs (SEa, Air & Land).  The SEALs are basically a continuation of the WWII UDT (Underwater Demolition Team) organization that was responsible for ensuring that landing craft were able to make it to the beaches during the island campaigns of the Pacific war. They were charged with destroying underwater obstacles and general reconnaissance prior to an invasion. Usually delivered by submarine or by high speed motor launch, these men would dive off the boats with early aqua-lung underwater gear, perform their mission and then swim back out to the drop off point for pickup. A very dangerous mission indeed. These men were also used in Korea  for the same purposes though by that time the mission had broadened to include guerilla infiltration and ops.

The SEALs were borne in 1962 and used in the Caribbean, but their real test was during the Vietnamese civil war. The UDT organization was officially disbanded around 1983 and all their operations were taken over by the SEALs.

The book covers a brief history of the SEALs, including their use in more recent conflicts, the heroics of some of their members and then goes into the training regime required to be a SEAL. During my Navy career, I would often see these recruits undergoing hell week at NAB Coronado during my commute to and from work at NAS North Island. That is followed by a section on organization and then gets into the meat of the book. As a note, I have to say that I've not met a SEAL I've not liked. It seems that when a person gets the kind of training these folks do, that training weeds out the hot-shots and jerks. Those men who get to put on the insignia are just plain nice folks.

Then follow chapters on the modes of transport. Sea covers the various watercraft, Air the many special aircraft used and Land some of the assault weapons that are use. The final two chapters covers the armory (and in this case it means pistols, shotguns, rifles, knives and special purpose explosives. The final chapter is on tactical gear such as various clothing, radios, helmets and other similar materials.

There is extensive color photo coverage of each of the chapters on all the equipment used. I'm particularly surprised by the wide variety of items covered; everything from C-130s to bolt cutters! It is a fully in-depth coverage of the entire arsenal used by the SEALs. An absolute must of a book for those whose interests lie in the this realm.

Available in bookstores everywhere, through Classic Motorbooks at (800) 826-6600 or at www.motorbooks.com.

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