Dominican Navy
Encyclopedia
The Navy of the Dominican Republic or Marina de Guerra Dominicana (MdeG), is one of the three branches of the Military of the Dominican Republic
, together with the Army
and the Air Force
.
After the Dominican Republic
gained its independence from Haiti
on February 27, 1844, there was a need to create a Naval fleet. Three schooners were commissioned for this, the "Separación Dominicana
" (flagship), the "María Chica" and the "Leonor". These were the original three Dominican vessels which were incorporated in the newly created Dominican as authorized by the Junta Central Gubernativa
with the Naval Act of 1844 on April 23, 1844, the same day the Navy was created. Even though, the three schooners had been in action since April 15 at the Battle of Tortuguero, where they were led by Adm. Juan Bautista Cambiaso and sank 6 Haitian ships.
During the Dominican Civil War
, a part of the Navy opposed the "Return to the Legitime Government" which was victim of a Coup d'état on September 1963 and used the frigate F-451 "Mella" to bombard the National Palace with the help of the Air Force.
On the other side of the conflict, The Elite Navy Force "Hombres Ranas" (Frog Men) under Commander Ramon Montes Arache, fought to bring the 1962 Democratically Elected President back in office. The other navy commanders were affraid of "Hombres Ranas" taking control over "Las Calderas" Naval Base. As per local residents in that community, people made jokes on how scared they were, after they killed a Dolphin, which they mistakenly thought was a "Frog Man". See United States occupation of the Dominican Republic (1965–1966)
! style="text-align: left; background: #aacccc; width:22%;"|Class
! style="text-align: left; background: #aacccc; width:12%;"|Name
! style="text-align: left; background: #aacccc;"|Origin
! style="text-align: left; background: #aacccc; width:7%;"|In service
! style="text-align: left; background: #aacccc;"|Notes
! style="text-align: left; background: #aacccc;"|Image
|-
! style="align: center; background: lightgray;" colspan="7" | Patrol Division
|- style="background:#efefef; color:black"
|-
|USCG 180' Class Seagoing Buoy Tender Cutters
(Cactus Class A)
|PA-301 Almirante Juan Alejandro Acosta
|
|1
|The Flagship of the Dominican Navy, transferred to the Navy by the USCG in 2001. It is used for coastal patrol, navigational aid maintenance, midshipman cruises, humanitarian assistance, naval training exercises, troop transport, and at sea refueling. It is armed with two M-2 0.50 caliber machine guns and two single Oerlikon 20 mm cannons
, but it can also be armed with two extra 0.50 cal. machine guns, two M-60 machine guns and one 3/50 (single) gun.
|
|-
|USCG 133' White Class Coastal Buoy Tender
|PM-203 Tortuguero
PM-204 Capotillo
|
|2
|The Tortuguero and the Capotill were transferred to the Navy by the USCG in 1999 and in 2002, respectively. They are used for coastal patrol, navigational aids maintenance, midshipman cruises, humanitarian assistance, naval training exercises, and at sea refueling. They are armed with two M-2 0.50 cal. machine guns.
|
|-
! style="align: center; background: lightgray;" colspan="7" | Coast Guard Division
|- style="background:#efefef; color:black"
|-
|USCG Point Class Cutter
s
|GC-101 Aries
GC-105 Antares
GC-110 Sirius
|
|2
|They are used for coastal and riverine patrol, search and rescue operations, anti-narcotics operations. They are armed with two M-2 0.50 cal. machine guns.
|
|-
|Seaward Class Patrol Boat
|GC-103 Procion
GC-104 Aldebarán
GC-106 Bellatrix
GC-108 Capella
|
|4
|Were acquired between 1968 and 1971. Between 2003 and 2005 they underwent a general renovation, receiving new engines,new generators, new radars, GPS navigation system, auto-pilot system, etc. They are used for coastal and river patrols, search and rescue operations, and anti-narcotics operations. They are armed with three M-2 0.50 cal. machine guns.
|
|-
|Swiftships 110' Class Patrol Boat
|GC-107 Canopus
GC-109 Orión
|
|2
|Built in 1984 by the Swiftships shipbuilders. Between 2003 and 2005 they underwent a general renovation, receiving new engines, new generators, new radars, a GPS navigation system, and an auto-pilot system. They are used for coastal and river patrols, search and rescue operations, and anti-narcotics operations. They are armed with two M-2 0.50 cal. machine guns, one Oerlikon 20mm cannon (single) and one M-60 machine gun.
|
|-
|Swiftships Interceptor Class Patrol Boat
|GC-112 Altair
|
|1
|Built in 2003 by the Swiftships shipbuilders. It is used for coastal and river patrols, search and rescue operations, and anti-narcotics operations. It is armed with two M-2 0.50 cal. machine guns and one Oerlikon 20mm cannon (single).
|.jpg)
|-
! style="align: center; background: lightgray;" colspan="7" | Salvage and Rescue Unit
|- style="background:#efefef; color:black"
|-
|Damen Stan Patrol 1500 Class Patrol Boat
|LR-151 Hamal
LR-152 Vega
LR-153 Deneb
LR-154 Acamar
|
|3
|These patrol boats were built in The Dominican Republic by Astilleros Navales Bahia Las Calderas (ANABALCA) in 2004. They are used for coastal and river patrols, search and rescue operations, anti-narcotics operations. These patrol boats are unarmed, but they carry M-16 rifles and can be fitted with a M-60 machine gun. LR-152 Vega sank while underway to Las Calderas Naval base.
|
|-
! style="align: center; background: lightgray;" colspan="7" | Interceptor Boat Division
|- style="background:#efefef; color:black"
|-
|Interceptor Nor-Tech 4300 Class
|LR-155 Castor
LR-156 Pollux
LR-157 Atria
LR-158 Shaula
|
|4
|These Nor-techs were built without bunks and water tanks to fit 100 extra gallons of fuel and other equipment, such as a FLIR camera and communications equipment. They are used for coastal and river patrols, search and rescue operations, anti-narcotics operations, and go-fast interdiction. These patrol boats are unarmed, but the carry M-16 rifles.
|
|-
| 32' Defender Class Boston Whaler Justice Speedboat
|LI-161 "Elnath"
LI-162 "Polaris"
LI-163 "Nunki"
LI-164 "Dubhe"
LI-165 "Denebola"
LI-166 "Regulus"
L-167 "Acrux"
|
|7
|They are used for coastal and river patrols, search and rescue operations, anti-narcotics operations, and go-fast interdiction. They are armed with a M-60 machine gun(165-166-167 are fitted with 3 M-60 mounts) and they carry M-16 rifles.
|
|-
| 28' Speedboat
|LR-159 "Enif"
LR-160 "Rigel"
|
|2
|
|
|-
! style="align: center; background: lightgray;" colspan="7" | Auxiliary Vessels Division
|- style="background:#efefef; color:black"
|-
|Ocean Tug ATR 165´Class
|RM-1 Guarocuya
|
|1
|Before serving in the Dominican Navy, it was civilian tug used by smugglers to transport illegal drugs. After being confiscated by the Navy it underwent a general renovation and was incorporated for Naval operations.
|
|-
|Damen Stan Tug 2608 Class
|RM-2 Guarionex
RM-3 Guaroa
|
|2
|Built in the Dominican Republic by ANABALCA. They are currently being operated on a lease by the company "Remolcadores Dominicanos".
|
|-
|Dredgers Ships
|BD-12 San Pedro
|
|1
|
|
|-
|Oil Fuel Barge
|BC-1 Mencia
|
|1
|
|
|-
|Landing Craft Utility LCU-1600 Class
|LD-31 Neyba
|
|1
|
|
|-
|Floating Docks
|DF-1
|
|1
|Refurbished and operated by ANABALCA.
|
|-
Notes:
The organization operates private boats, barges and aircraft made available to the Navy, in order to assist with non-military activities or public order and safety at sea. The Dominican Naval Auxiliary has a presence in the north, northeast, east, south and center of the country.
with the M203 grenade launcher
, the Colt M-4A1
, M-14 rifle, Mossberg 500
shotgun, the M-60 machine gun and small arms. The team operates inflated zodiac boats, RHIBs, and night vision goggles, among other equipment.
Some team members first saw action during Operation Iraqi Freedom. Dominican troops, comprising a battalion of special components of the Dominican Armed forces, were under constant mortar attacks but suffered no casualties. While in Iraq
, the troops were serving in the Plus Ultra Brigade
, which was under Spanish command and operating in Southern Iraq.
. There are also plans for the construction of a new building in Santo Domingo
that will house the Chief of Staff
.
Military of the Dominican Republic
The Military of the Dominican Republic or Fuerzas Armadas de la República Dominicana consists of approximately 44,000 active duty personnel, about 40 percent of which are utilized for non-military operations, including security providers for government-owned non-military facilities, toll security,...
, together with the Army
Dominican Army
The Army of the Dominican Republic or Ejército Nacional de la República Dominicana, is one of the three branches of the Military of the Dominican Republic, together with the Navy and the Air Force....
and the Air Force
Dominican Air Force
The Air Force of the Dominican Republic or Fuerza Aérea Dominicana, is one of the three branches of the Military of the Dominican Republic, together with the Army and the Navy.- History :...
.
History
Dominican Republic
The Dominican Republic is a nation on the island of La Hispaniola, part of the Greater Antilles archipelago in the Caribbean region. The western third of the island is occupied by the nation of Haiti, making Hispaniola one of two Caribbean islands that are shared by two countries...
gained its independence from Haiti
Haiti
Haiti , officially the Republic of Haiti , is a Caribbean country. It occupies the western, smaller portion of the island of Hispaniola, in the Greater Antillean archipelago, which it shares with the Dominican Republic. Ayiti was the indigenous Taíno or Amerindian name for the island...
on February 27, 1844, there was a need to create a Naval fleet. Three schooners were commissioned for this, the "Separación Dominicana
Separación Dominicana
The schooner Separación Dominicana was the first armed Dominican naval vessel of the Dominican War of Independence and is claimed to be the founding vessel of the Dominican Navy. She was captained by Commander Juan Bautista Cambiaso.-See also:...
" (flagship), the "María Chica" and the "Leonor". These were the original three Dominican vessels which were incorporated in the newly created Dominican as authorized by the Junta Central Gubernativa
Congress of the Dominican Republic
The Congress of the Dominican Republic is the bicameral legislature of the government of the Dominican Republic, consisting of two houses, the Senate and the Chamber of Deputies. Both senators and deputies are chosen through direct election...
with the Naval Act of 1844 on April 23, 1844, the same day the Navy was created. Even though, the three schooners had been in action since April 15 at the Battle of Tortuguero, where they were led by Adm. Juan Bautista Cambiaso and sank 6 Haitian ships.
During the Dominican Civil War
Dominican Civil War
The Dominican Civil War better known as Guerra de Abril took place between April 24, 1965 and September 3, 1965, in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic...
, a part of the Navy opposed the "Return to the Legitime Government" which was victim of a Coup d'état on September 1963 and used the frigate F-451 "Mella" to bombard the National Palace with the help of the Air Force.
On the other side of the conflict, The Elite Navy Force "Hombres Ranas" (Frog Men) under Commander Ramon Montes Arache, fought to bring the 1962 Democratically Elected President back in office. The other navy commanders were affraid of "Hombres Ranas" taking control over "Las Calderas" Naval Base. As per local residents in that community, people made jokes on how scared they were, after they killed a Dolphin, which they mistakenly thought was a "Frog Man". See United States occupation of the Dominican Republic (1965–1966)
Naval bases
The Navy maintaines several naval stations and detachments, but has two main bases:- Base Naval "27 de Febrero", located in the city of Santo DomingoSanto DomingoSanto Domingo, known officially as Santo Domingo de Guzmán, is the capital and largest city in the Dominican Republic. Its metropolitan population was 2,084,852 in 2003, and estimated at 3,294,385 in 2010. The city is located on the Caribbean Sea, at the mouth of the Ozama River...
, the Chief of Staff and the Naval Academy "Vice-Admiral Cesar de Windt Lavandier" are located here.
- Base Naval de Las Calderas, located in Peravia Province, is the largest Naval Base. The Bahia Las Calderas Naval Shipyard (ANABALCA)is located here. This shipyard is responsible for the maintenance of naval units of the fleet, as well as civilian vessels. Military and civilian vessels, such as tugs, boats, barges, pilot boats have also been built at this site.
List of current vessels
|-! style="text-align: left; background: #aacccc; width:22%;"|Class
! style="text-align: left; background: #aacccc; width:12%;"|Name
! style="text-align: left; background: #aacccc;"|Origin
! style="text-align: left; background: #aacccc; width:7%;"|In service
! style="text-align: left; background: #aacccc;"|Notes
! style="text-align: left; background: #aacccc;"|Image
|-
! style="align: center; background: lightgray;" colspan="7" | Patrol Division
|- style="background:#efefef; color:black"
|-
|USCG 180' Class Seagoing Buoy Tender Cutters
USCG Seagoing Buoy Tender
The Seagoing Buoy Tender is a type of U.S. Coast Guard cutter originally designed to service aids to navigation, throughout the waters of the United States, and wherever U.S. shipping interests require. The Coast Guard has maintained a fleet of seagoing buoy tenders dating back to its origins in...
(Cactus Class A)
|PA-301 Almirante Juan Alejandro Acosta
USCGC Citrus (WLB-300)
USCGC Citrus was a Cactus -class seagoing buoy tender built in 1942 in Duluth, Minnesota, and now operated by the navy of the Dominican Republic....
|
|1
|The Flagship of the Dominican Navy, transferred to the Navy by the USCG in 2001. It is used for coastal patrol, navigational aid maintenance, midshipman cruises, humanitarian assistance, naval training exercises, troop transport, and at sea refueling. It is armed with two M-2 0.50 caliber machine guns and two single Oerlikon 20 mm cannons
Oerlikon 20 mm cannon
The Oerlikon 20 mm cannon is a series of autocannons, based on an original design by Reinhold Becker of Germany, very early in World War I, and widely produced by Oerlikon Contraves and others...
, but it can also be armed with two extra 0.50 cal. machine guns, two M-60 machine guns and one 3/50 (single) gun.
|
|USCG 133' White Class Coastal Buoy Tender
|PM-203 Tortuguero
PM-204 Capotillo
|
|2
|The Tortuguero and the Capotill were transferred to the Navy by the USCG in 1999 and in 2002, respectively. They are used for coastal patrol, navigational aids maintenance, midshipman cruises, humanitarian assistance, naval training exercises, and at sea refueling. They are armed with two M-2 0.50 cal. machine guns.
|
! style="align: center; background: lightgray;" colspan="7" | Coast Guard Division
|- style="background:#efefef; color:black"
|-
|USCG Point Class Cutter
USCG Point class cutter
The United States Coast Guard Point Class Cutters were a class of 82-foot patrol vessels designed to replace the aging 83-foot wooden hull patrol boat being used at the time. The design utilized a mild steel hull and an aluminum superstructure...
s
|GC-101 Aries
GC-105 Antares
GC-110 Sirius
|
|2
|They are used for coastal and riverine patrol, search and rescue operations, anti-narcotics operations. They are armed with two M-2 0.50 cal. machine guns.
|
|Seaward Class Patrol Boat
|GC-103 Procion
GC-104 Aldebarán
GC-106 Bellatrix
GC-108 Capella
|
|4
|Were acquired between 1968 and 1971. Between 2003 and 2005 they underwent a general renovation, receiving new engines,new generators, new radars, GPS navigation system, auto-pilot system, etc. They are used for coastal and river patrols, search and rescue operations, and anti-narcotics operations. They are armed with three M-2 0.50 cal. machine guns.
|
|Swiftships 110' Class Patrol Boat
|GC-107 Canopus
GC-109 Orión
|
|2
|Built in 1984 by the Swiftships shipbuilders. Between 2003 and 2005 they underwent a general renovation, receiving new engines, new generators, new radars, a GPS navigation system, and an auto-pilot system. They are used for coastal and river patrols, search and rescue operations, and anti-narcotics operations. They are armed with two M-2 0.50 cal. machine guns, one Oerlikon 20mm cannon (single) and one M-60 machine gun.
|
|Swiftships Interceptor Class Patrol Boat
|GC-112 Altair
|
|1
|Built in 2003 by the Swiftships shipbuilders. It is used for coastal and river patrols, search and rescue operations, and anti-narcotics operations. It is armed with two M-2 0.50 cal. machine guns and one Oerlikon 20mm cannon (single).
|
! style="align: center; background: lightgray;" colspan="7" | Salvage and Rescue Unit
|- style="background:#efefef; color:black"
|-
|Damen Stan Patrol 1500 Class Patrol Boat
|LR-151 Hamal
LR-152 Vega
LR-153 Deneb
LR-154 Acamar
|
|3
|These patrol boats were built in The Dominican Republic by Astilleros Navales Bahia Las Calderas (ANABALCA) in 2004. They are used for coastal and river patrols, search and rescue operations, anti-narcotics operations. These patrol boats are unarmed, but they carry M-16 rifles and can be fitted with a M-60 machine gun. LR-152 Vega sank while underway to Las Calderas Naval base.
|
! style="align: center; background: lightgray;" colspan="7" | Interceptor Boat Division
|- style="background:#efefef; color:black"
|-
|Interceptor Nor-Tech 4300 Class
|LR-155 Castor
LR-156 Pollux
LR-157 Atria
LR-158 Shaula
|
|4
|These Nor-techs were built without bunks and water tanks to fit 100 extra gallons of fuel and other equipment, such as a FLIR camera and communications equipment. They are used for coastal and river patrols, search and rescue operations, anti-narcotics operations, and go-fast interdiction. These patrol boats are unarmed, but the carry M-16 rifles.
|
| 32' Defender Class Boston Whaler Justice Speedboat
|LI-161 "Elnath"
LI-162 "Polaris"
LI-163 "Nunki"
LI-164 "Dubhe"
LI-165 "Denebola"
LI-166 "Regulus"
L-167 "Acrux"
|
|7
|They are used for coastal and river patrols, search and rescue operations, anti-narcotics operations, and go-fast interdiction. They are armed with a M-60 machine gun(165-166-167 are fitted with 3 M-60 mounts) and they carry M-16 rifles.
|
| 28' Speedboat
|LR-159 "Enif"
LR-160 "Rigel"
|
|2
|
|
|-
! style="align: center; background: lightgray;" colspan="7" | Auxiliary Vessels Division
|- style="background:#efefef; color:black"
|-
|Ocean Tug ATR 165´Class
|RM-1 Guarocuya
|
|1
|Before serving in the Dominican Navy, it was civilian tug used by smugglers to transport illegal drugs. After being confiscated by the Navy it underwent a general renovation and was incorporated for Naval operations.
|
|-
|Damen Stan Tug 2608 Class
|RM-2 Guarionex
RM-3 Guaroa
|
|2
|Built in the Dominican Republic by ANABALCA. They are currently being operated on a lease by the company "Remolcadores Dominicanos".
|
|Dredgers Ships
|BD-12 San Pedro
|
|1
|
|
|Oil Fuel Barge
|BC-1 Mencia
|
|1
|
|
|-
|Landing Craft Utility LCU-1600 Class
|LD-31 Neyba
|
|1
|
|
|-
|Floating Docks
|DF-1
|
|1
|Refurbished and operated by ANABALCA.
|
|-
Notes:
- The Dominican Navy has other vessels of less draft.
Ranks
In the Dominican Navy, the ranks are organized in Admirals Officers, Senior Officers, Junior Officers and Enlisted.| Admirals Officers | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Insignia | ||||||||||||
| Title | Admiral Admiral Admiral is the rank, or part of the name of the ranks, of the highest naval officers. It is usually considered a full admiral and above vice admiral and below admiral of the fleet . It is usually abbreviated to "Adm" or "ADM"... (Almirante) |
Vice Admiral Vice Admiral Vice admiral is a senior naval rank of a three-star flag officer, which is equivalent to lieutenant general in the other uniformed services. A vice admiral is typically senior to a rear admiral and junior to an admiral... (Vicealmirante) |
Rear Admiral Rear Admiral Rear admiral is a naval commissioned officer rank above that of a commodore and captain, and below that of a vice admiral. It is generally regarded as the lowest of the "admiral" ranks, which are also sometimes referred to as "flag officers" or "flag ranks"... (Contralmirante) |
|||||||||
| Senior Officers | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Insignia | ||||||||||||
| Title | Captain Captain (naval) Captain is the name most often given in English-speaking navies to the rank corresponding to command of the largest ships. The NATO rank code is OF-5, equivalent to an army full colonel.... (Capitan de Navio) |
Commander Commander Commander is a naval rank which is also sometimes used as a military title depending on the individual customs of a given military service. Commander is also used as a rank or title in some organizations outside of the armed forces, particularly in police and law enforcement.-Commander as a naval... (Capitan de Fragata) |
Lieutenant Commander Lieutenant Commander Lieutenant Commander is a commissioned officer rank in many navies. The rank is superior to a lieutenant and subordinate to a commander... (Capitan de Corbeta) |
|||||||||
| Junior Officers | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Insignia | ||||||||||||
| Title | Lieutenant Lieutenant A lieutenant is a junior commissioned officer in many nations' armed forces. Typically, the rank of lieutenant in naval usage, while still a junior officer rank, is senior to the army rank... (Teniente de Navio) |
Lieutenant Junior Grade (Alferez de Navio) |
Ensign Ensign An ensign is a national flag when used at sea, in vexillology, or a distinguishing token, emblem, or badge, such as a symbol of office in heraldry... (Alferez de Fragata) |
Cadet Cadet A cadet is a trainee to become an officer in the military, often a person who is a junior trainee. The term comes from the term "cadet" for younger sons of a noble family.- Military context :... (Guardiamarina) |
||||||||
| Enlisted | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Insignia | ||||||||||||
| Title | Chief Petty Officer Chief Petty Officer A chief petty officer is a senior non-commissioned officer in many navies and coast guards.-Canada:"Chief Petty Officer" refers to two ranks in the Canadian Navy... (Sargento Mayor) |
Petty Officer 1st Class Petty Officer 1st Class Petty officer, 1st class, PO1, is a Naval non-commissioned member rank of the Canadian Forces. It is senior to the rank of petty officer 2nd-class and its equivalents, and junior to chief petty officer 2nd-class and its equivalents. Its Army and Air Force equivalent is warrant officer .The French... (Sargento) |
Petty Officer 2nd Class Petty Officer 2nd Class Petty officer, 2nd class, PO2, is a Naval non-commissioned member rank of the Canadian Forces. It is senior to the rank of master seaman and its equivalents, and junior to petty officer 1st-class and its equivalents... (Cabo) |
E1 E1 - Trains and locomotives :* E1 Series Shinkansen, a Japanese high-speed train* Bavarian E I, a German steam engines locomotive model* EMC E1, a diesel locomotive* LB&SCR E1 class, a 1874 British 0-6-0 steam locomotive... (Marinero) |
||||||||
Dominican Naval Auxiliary Corps
The Dominican Naval Auxiliary Corps is a civilian force that possesses its own resources to assist in search operations, rescue and environmental protection. This organization was created by the Executive by Decree 887-09 and it is composed of a group of business and professional volunteers.The organization operates private boats, barges and aircraft made available to the Navy, in order to assist with non-military activities or public order and safety at sea. The Dominican Naval Auxiliary has a presence in the north, northeast, east, south and center of the country.
Naval Commandos
The Naval Commandos are the Special Operations component of the Dominican Navy and are only employed in emergency situations. The Naval Commandos are capable of undertaking unconventional warfare, hostage rescue, counter-terrorism, VBSS (Visit Board Search and Seizure) and are experts in handling explosives and amphibious operations. They are also trained in parachuting, hand to hand combat, CQC and other key skills. The team's armament includes the M16 rifleM16 rifle
The M16 is the United States military designation for the AR-15 rifle adapted for both semi-automatic and full-automatic fire. Colt purchased the rights to the AR-15 from ArmaLite, and currently uses that designation only for semi-automatic versions of the rifle. The M16 fires the 5.56×45mm NATO...
with the M203 grenade launcher
M203 grenade launcher
The M203 is a single shot 40 mm grenade launcher designed to attach to a rifle. It uses the same rounds as the older M79 break-action grenade launcher, which utilize the High-Low Propulsion System to keep recoil forces low. Though versatile, and compatible with many rifle models, the M203 was...
, the Colt M-4A1
M4 carbine
The M4 carbine is a family of firearms tracing its lineage back to earlier carbine versions of the M16, all based on the original AR-15 designed by Eugene Stoner and made by ArmaLite. It is a shorter and lighter variant of the M16A2 assault rifle, with 80% parts commonality.It is a gas-operated,...
, M-14 rifle, Mossberg 500
Mossberg 500
Mossberg 500 is a series of shotguns manufactured by O.F. Mossberg & Sons. The 500 series comprises widely varying models of hammerless, pump action repeaters, all of which share the same basic receiver and action, but differ in bore size, barrel length, choke options, magazine capacity, and...
shotgun, the M-60 machine gun and small arms. The team operates inflated zodiac boats, RHIBs, and night vision goggles, among other equipment.
Some team members first saw action during Operation Iraqi Freedom. Dominican troops, comprising a battalion of special components of the Dominican Armed forces, were under constant mortar attacks but suffered no casualties. While in Iraq
Iraq
Iraq ; officially the Republic of Iraq is a country in Western Asia spanning most of the northwestern end of the Zagros mountain range, the eastern part of the Syrian Desert and the northern part of the Arabian Desert....
, the troops were serving in the Plus Ultra Brigade
Plus Ultra Brigade
The Plus Ultra Brigade, or Brigada Hispanoamericana, was a military contingent of mixed personnel from Spain , the Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Honduras, and Nicaragua , which was commissioned to support coalition troops in the Iraq War. The deployment started in July 2003...
, which was under Spanish command and operating in Southern Iraq.
Future plans
The Navy plans to build a ship called a "Multipurpose Platform", which will be between 164 and 190 feet long. Its construction will be in Bahia de Las Calderas, at the "Astilleros Navales Bahia de Las Calderas" (ANABALCA) shipyard. All the installations of the Dominican Navy located in Santo Domingo: the Naval Base, the Naval academy, the military docks and the Dredging, Dams and Beacons department, will be transferred to the municipality of Andres Boca ChicaBoca Chica
Boca Chica is a municipality of the Santo Domingo province in the Dominican Republic. Within the municipality there is one municipal district : La Caleta....
. There are also plans for the construction of a new building in Santo Domingo
Santo Domingo
Santo Domingo, known officially as Santo Domingo de Guzmán, is the capital and largest city in the Dominican Republic. Its metropolitan population was 2,084,852 in 2003, and estimated at 3,294,385 in 2010. The city is located on the Caribbean Sea, at the mouth of the Ozama River...
that will house the Chief of Staff
Chief of Staff
The title, chief of staff, identifies the leader of a complex organization, institution, or body of persons and it also may identify a Principal Staff Officer , who is the coordinator of the supporting staff or a primary aide to an important individual, such as a president.In general, a chief of...
.