Unidad Especial de Intervención

The Unidad Especial de Intervención (UEI) (English: Special Intervention Unit) is the Police Tactical Unit of the Guardia Civil (English: Civil Guard), the Spanish gendarmerie.

Special Intervention Unit
Unidad Especial de Intervención
Coat of Arms
Patch
Service Badge
AbbreviationUEI
MottoCeleritas et Subtilitas Patrio
Speed and Precision for the Fatherland
Agency overview
Formed1978[1]
Jurisdictional structure
Operations jurisdictionSpain
General nature
Specialist jurisdiction
  • Counter terrorism, special weapons operations. Protection of internationally protected persons, other very important persons, and-or of state property of significance.
Notables
Person
Anniversary
  • June 3rd
Some UEI members pictured at the Valdemoro garrison
Spanish Civil Guard Eurocopter EC-135P-2 carrying members of the UEI (Special Intervention Unit)

Overview

UEI was established in 1978 to respond to high risk situations and including those involving hostages.[2] Its motto is Celeritas et Subtilitas Patrio. The exact scope of UEI operations and total number of personnel are not published. In 2008, on the occasion of the Unit's 30th anniversary, its commanding officer revealed that the UEI had until then participated in 375 operations, in which 563 hostages had been freed and 640 people arrested, of whom 141 belonged to terrorist groups. These operations included 11 high-sea missions against drug-trafficking. He also revealed that due to the demanding selection process, of the 26 applicants that had applied to join the Unit that year, only four had been admitted.[1] The Unit has also intervened in 18 prison riots involving hostages.[2] The UEI is part of the European Union-sponsored ATLAS Network.[3]

Equipment

Uniform

In assaults operations:

  • Green assault costume with the unit's shield on the right sleeve at shoulder height and the Spanish flag on the left sleeve at shoulder height.
  • Black balaclava that gives the informal nickname to the unit: black faces.
  • Bulletproof vest.
  • Tactical vest, dress on the previous one.
  • Helmet with ballistic protection visor for urban combat.
  • Protection of elbows, knees and shin guards.
  • Boots and gloves.

In boarding operations:

  • Black dry suit of naval intervention with autoinflatable life jacket. Shield and flag on the sleeves.
  • Black balaclava.
  • Bulletproof vest.
  • Tactical vest.
  • Protection of elbows, knees and shin guards.
  • ProTec lightweight half-head polyethylene hull.
  • Boots and gloves.

In riot control operations:

  • Equipment for riot control.

Weapons

These are a few of them:[4]

Organization

The Unit is commanded by an active lieutenant colonel of the Civil Guard and its divided on:[5]

  • Operative Groups
  • Technical Support Groups.

See also

References
  1. Sanz Ezquerro, David (5 June 2008). "Los héroes anónimos de la Guardia Civil". El Mundo (in Spanish). Retrieved 10 September 2017.
  2. (in Spanish) "La Unidad Especial de Intervención de la Guardia Civil perfecciona las técnicas antiterroristas en ámbito naval" Spain's Ministry of the Interior. Retrieved 19 July 2013.
  3. (in Spanish) "La elite de la Guardia Civil se perfecciona en antiterrorismo naval" El Mundo. Retrieved 18 July 2013.
  4. Núñez Calvo, Jesús N. (2008). "El armamento de la Guardia Civil (1844-2002)". Armas Especial. 3.
  5. Unidad Especial de Intervención. Guardia Civil. Archived 2011-09-16 at the Wayback Machine
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