Insertion and extraction are so crucial to Navy SEAL missions, that the elite maritime Special Operations force was named after the environments from which they descend on their targets: Sea, Air, and Land. Insertion and Extraction platforms include state-of-the-art, high-tech and high-speed combatant craft; specially-modified submarines; wet and dry submersibles; aircraft; fixed wing and helicopter boat drops; helicopter fast rope; parachute from exceptionally high altitudes; and Desert Patrol Vehicles.
Navy SEALs depend on Special Warfare Combatant Crewmen (SWCC) for maritime insertion and extraction on time, on target, worldwide. SWCC are an indispensable part of the Naval Special Warfare team, as they operate and maintain the high-speed craft specially designed to execute SEAL missions. NSW maritime platforms are equipped with state-of-the-art navigation, communications, engineering and weapons systems. They operate day and night in extreme weather and sea states to achieve the ultimate element of surprise against enemy forces.
Navy SEALs also utilize Army Blackhawk helicopters and Air Force Special Operations aircraft when they need to clandestinely infiltrate and exfiltrate target areas by airdrop or airland. Navy SEALs are an exceptionally lethal and feared force, made even more so because the enemy never knows from where they strike next: Sea, Air, or Land.