If you’re into elite units you should know the Special Naval Warfare Force (FGNE) (heirs of the mythical UOE) whose motto is «Serenitas et Audacia»

The UOE (Unidad de Operaciones Especiales) was the Spanish Navy and Marine Corps special operations unit from the late 1960s until 2009. In June 2009 the UOE was integrated into the FGNE (Special Naval Warfare Force), a modern structure that brings together tradition, combat diving capabilities and specialized maritime operations. The FGNE operates in maritime, littoral environments and also on land missions when the operation requires it; it inherited the reputation and many traditions of the UOE. 

To sum it up: think of them as the Navy specialists for hard missions, sea-borne incursions, boardings, rescues in international waters and coastal reconnaissance — with history, their own selection school and an aura of “they go in because they can, not because they want to.” 

Real curiosities (direct to the reader) 

-The heritage has a name: although today they are called FGNE, many of the customs and the “attitude” come from the UOE. If you see the green beret or hear any mention of the Capacitación, it’s part of that legacy

-“La Unidad” was their nickname: the UOE was informally known as The Unit —a nickname that said a lot: discretion, tradition and a certain mythical air among people at the Ministry. 

-Real and varied operations: the FGNE has intervened in international missions (for example, the fight against piracy in Somalia with Operation Atalanta, and deployments in Lebanon, Haiti or rescues in the Indian Ocean). It’s not just “exercise”; they have carried out operations with real risk. 

-The Alakrana rescue left a mark: in 2009, units associated with the FGNE played a role in Spain’s response to the hijacking of the tuna vessel Alakrana off Somalia —that intervention showed the maritime projection and insertion capability of the force. 

-Hard and selective training: the selection and training of these operators is very demanding; the idea is not “enter if you want”, but “enter if you can.” That philosophy appears in the voices of veterans and in the force’s own culture. 

-Working together with allies: the FGNE participates in exercises and training with NATO units and other European special forces; it is a unit designed to operate in coalition when required. That explains why their routines and protocols sometimes sound familiar to those of other NATO forces.

-It’s not all glamour: day-to-day life is very technical: beyond the myth, much of the work is small, very practical tasks —beach reconnaissance, securing vessels, evacuations— that require great precision and stealth. That “fine work” is what really makes the difference.

-Tradition and modernity at the same time: the FGNE maintains rituals, names and certain inherited structures, but also equips and trains with modern technologies and techniques. It’s a mix of history and adaptation.