Brazilian commando frogmen

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The Brazilian Navy has two frogman units:-

  • The "GRUMEC" (Grupo de Mergulhadores de Combate - Combat Divers Group) attached to the Submarine Force.
  • The "RECONANF" ("{Companhia} de Reconhecimento Anfíbio - Amphibious Reconnaissance Company) attached to the Special Operations Battalion (Batalhão "Tonelero") of the Fleet Marine Force (Brazilian Marine Corps).

[edit] Cronology

  • 1964: The first Brazilian MECs (Mergulhadores de Combate = Combat Divers) were two officers and two privates who had been through the USA UDT course.
  • 1970: From their experience, the Divisão de Mergulhadores de Combate (= Combat Divers Division) was created in the Base Almirante Castro e Silva.
  • 1971: Two more officers and three privates qualified for the French Navy as "nageurs de combat".
  • 1974: At what is now the Centro de Instrução e Adestramento Almirante Áttila Monteiro Aché (CIAMA) in Brazil was trained the first group of combat divers.
  • 1983: Because this frogman unit were getting more calls, Combat Divers Division was transformed into GRUMEC, as an integral part of the Comando da Força de Submarinos (= Submarine Force Command).
  • 1997 Dec 12: The Minister of the Navy created GRUMEC, whose headquarters are in Rio de Janeiro city and is directly subordinate to the Submarine Force Command.
  • 1998 March 10: GRUMEC was activated.

[edit] External links