Retired Rear Admiral McRaven speaks to the crowd at Silver Strand Training Complex in San Diego. May 22, 2025 Image Credit: Petty Officer 1st Class Alex Perlman
On May 22, 2025, Naval Special Warfare Group ONE (NSWG-1) hit a milestone not many military commands can claim: 50 years of operational excellence. The occasion brought together retired and active-duty SEALs, combat support personnel, and civilians—representing every era from Vietnam to today’s global counterterrorism efforts—for a reunion that celebrated legacy, resilience, and camaraderie.
NSWG-1, headquartered at Naval Amphibious Base Coronado in San Diego, was officially established on April 1, 1975. It emerged during a time when the U.S. military was recalibrating after Vietnam and recognizing the growing importance of specialized maritime capabilities. Today, with nearly 1,700 Sailors, government civilians, and contractors working across 11 program offices, the Group remains a cornerstone of American special operations.
From the Shadows of WWII to the Beaches of Coronado
Though NSWG-1 was formed in 1975, its origins trace back much further. In 1942, the Navy established the Amphibious Scouts and Raiders and the Naval Demolition Units to support Allied operations in North Africa. These precursors evolved into the Underwater Demolition Teams (UDTs), which would later become the SEAL Teams in 1962 at the direction of President John F. Kennedy.
NSWG-1 was created to consolidate these capabilities under a single command in the Pacific Fleet. Its mission: to support, train, and deploy SEAL Teams capable of executing strategic maritime special operations. That mission hasn’t changed—only the gear, the global footprint, and the growing complexity of warfare.
A Legacy Forged in Combat
“Having spent many years on both the active-duty side and in the private sector, I can say with utmost confidence that there is no other community like NSWG-1,” said retired NSWG-1 Command Master Chief Jason Tuschen during the anniversary event. “We demand excellence and uphold our values.”
That excellence has been tested repeatedly over five decades.Operators from NSWG-1 have fought in nearly every American conflict since Vietnam.From clearing waterways in the Mekong Delta to hunting high-value targets in Iraq, Afghanistan, Somalia, and beyond, the Group’s operational history reads like a modern chronicle of American warfare.
Retired Admiral William McRaven, who once commanded NSWG-1 and later oversaw U.S. Special Operations Command, summed it up best: “While our weapons, boats, and teams have evolved, one constant remains: our people. The men and women of Group ONE are as professional, committed, and honorable today as they were in 1975.”
April 18th, 2025. Naval Special Warfare operators attend a ceremony posthumously awarding the Navy and Marine Corps Medal for heroism to Special Warfare Operator 1st Class Nathan Gage Ingram. Image Credit: Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Chelsea D. Daily
Sea, Air, and Land Specialists
Over the decades, NSWG-1 has quietly expanded its global reach and capability. Today, it plays a central role in supporting U.S. interests through Maritime Special Operations Task Forces, often operating in the world’s most contested regions. The Group delivers both kinetic and non-kinetic maritime effects, supporting Joint Force lethality in places where conventional forces either cannot go or should not be seen.
On May 22, 2025, Naval Special Warfare Group ONE (NSWG-1) hit a milestone not many military commands can claim: 50 years of operational excellence. The occasion brought together retired and active-duty SEALs, combat support personnel, and civilians—representing every era from Vietnam to today’s global counterterrorism efforts—for a reunion that celebrated legacy, resilience, and camaraderie.
NSWG-1, headquartered at Naval Amphibious Base Coronado in San Diego, was officially established on April 1, 1975. It emerged during a time when the U.S. military was recalibrating after Vietnam and recognizing the growing importance of specialized maritime capabilities. Today, with nearly 1,700 Sailors, government civilians, and contractors working across 11 program offices, the Group remains a cornerstone of American special operations.
From the Shadows of WWII to the Beaches of Coronado
Though NSWG-1 was formed in 1975, its origins trace back much further. In 1942, the Navy established the Amphibious Scouts and Raiders and the Naval Demolition Units to support Allied operations in North Africa. These precursors evolved into the Underwater Demolition Teams (UDTs), which would later become the SEAL Teams in 1962 at the direction of President John F. Kennedy.
NSWG-1 was created to consolidate these capabilities under a single command in the Pacific Fleet. Its mission: to support, train, and deploy SEAL Teams capable of executing strategic maritime special operations. That mission hasn’t changed—only the gear, the global footprint, and the growing complexity of warfare.
A Legacy Forged in Combat
“Having spent many years on both the active-duty side and in the private sector, I can say with utmost confidence that there is no other community like NSWG-1,” said retired NSWG-1 Command Master Chief Jason Tuschen during the anniversary event. “We demand excellence and uphold our values.”
That excellence has been tested repeatedly over five decades.Operators from NSWG-1 have fought in nearly every American conflict since Vietnam.From clearing waterways in the Mekong Delta to hunting high-value targets in Iraq, Afghanistan, Somalia, and beyond, the Group’s operational history reads like a modern chronicle of American warfare.
Retired Admiral William McRaven, who once commanded NSWG-1 and later oversaw U.S. Special Operations Command, summed it up best: “While our weapons, boats, and teams have evolved, one constant remains: our people. The men and women of Group ONE are as professional, committed, and honorable today as they were in 1975.”
April 18th, 2025. Naval Special Warfare operators attend a ceremony posthumously awarding the Navy and Marine Corps Medal for heroism to Special Warfare Operator 1st Class Nathan Gage Ingram. Image Credit: Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Chelsea D. Daily
Sea, Air, and Land Specialists
Over the decades, NSWG-1 has quietly expanded its global reach and capability. Today, it plays a central role in supporting U.S. interests through Maritime Special Operations Task Forces, often operating in the world’s most contested regions. The Group delivers both kinetic and non-kinetic maritime effects, supporting Joint Force lethality in places where conventional forces either cannot go or should not be seen.
Its operators are trained in everything from underwater demolition to advanced intelligence gathering. But what truly defines the command isn’t technology or tactics—it’s the unwavering ethos of selfless service.
A Look Ahead
While this anniversary offered a moment to reflect on the past, NSWG-1 remains firmly focused on the future. In today’s strategic environment, threats are less about massed divisions on a battlefield and more about gray zone conflicts, asymmetric actors, and cyber warfare. NSWG-1 is adapting accordingly, investing in long-range fires, cyber capabilities, and advanced maritime platforms.
“What will keep the organization relevant for another 50 years is its people,”
said Tuschen. And those people are evolving too, with a new generation of SEALs and support staff being shaped by conflicts not yet fully visible on the horizon.
The Brotherhood Endures
The 50th anniversary celebration was more than a mere reunion. It was a tribute to those who never came home, a toast to those still in the fight, and a reminder that the bonds forged in combat don’t wear thin with time.
NSWG-1 remains a tight-knit community of warriors who believe in the mission, the brotherhood, and the values they uphold. Whether operating in the jungles of the Philippines, the deserts of Yemen, or the icy waters off the Korean Peninsula, the legacy of Naval Special Warfare Group ONE is about more than a stellar history—it’s about enduring relevance.
As they look to the next 50 years, one thing is certain: the fighting frogmen of Group ONE aren’t slowing down. They’re just getting started.
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Brandon Webb former Navy SEAL, Bestselling Author and Editor-in-Chief
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