Dominican Navy

The Navy of the Dominican Republic or Armada de la Republica Dominicana (A.R.D), is one of the three branches of the Military of the Dominican Republic, together with the Army and the Air Force.

History


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 in 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 afraid of "Hombres Ranas" taking control over "Las Calderas" Naval Base. 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 Domingo, 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
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.

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 rifle 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.

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 Chica. There are also plans for the construction of a new building in Santo Domingo that will house the Chief of Staff.