The U.S. Navy issued the following press release:

By Sophie Platt

Naval Historical Center Public Affairs

A new exhibit dedicated to the Navy SEALs (Sea, Air, Land) was officially opened to the public April 14 at the U.S. Navy Memorial in Washington.

The exhibit entitled "Sea, Air Land: The Navy's Special Operations Sailors," will run through April 2008 and was commissioned by the U.S. Navy Memorial to recognize the valuable role the Navy SEAL has played within America's defense. It also marks the beginning of a series of special activities and events which honor 2007 as "The Year of the Navy SEAL."

The memorial also pays tribute to the dedication, valour, and sacrifice of the Navy's SEAL and Special warfare Combatant-Craft Crewmen (SWCC) teams who take on the nation's most dangerous and demanding missions.

"This community, more than many, is taking the fight to the enemy on a daily basis. Their dedication under such adverse conditions demands respect and attention", said Master Chief Hospital Corpsman (FMF) Mark Hacala, historian and education director of the U.S. Navy Memorial.

A gala event to preview the exhibit was held April 12 and was attended by Secretary of the Navy Dr. Donald C. Winter, along with Vice Adm. Albert M. Calland III, Deputy Director for Strategic Operational Planning, National Counterterrorism Center, and Rear Adm. Joseph Kernan, Deputy Commander, Naval Special Warfare Command.

The most important trait that distinguishes Navy SEALs from all other military forces is that SEALs are maritime special operations forces, uniquely capable of striking from and returning to sea. They train in all environments worldwide and their qualifications include diving, parachuting and demolitions.

SWCC teams are the experts in the maritime insertion and extraction of special operations forces. They are highly trained in numerous types of navigation, radio communications, engineering, weapons, parachuting, first aid and tactics.

For more news from around the fleet, visit www.navy.mil.