Monthly News and Intel | February 2025

Museum Updates

The National Navy SEAL Museum is pleased to announce the appointment of Mr. Ken Corona as Interim Executive Director. Ken Corona previously worked with the Navy SEAL Museum as Assistant Executive Director from 2014 – 2022, and we are pleased to welcome him back into the fold.

Ken’s first assignment to the Naval Special Warfare Community was in 1986 when he reported to SEAL Delivery Vehicle Team TWO at Little Creek, Virginia where he served until 1991. Due to his naval experience and work ethic, after three years onboard, he was selected as SDVT-2 Command Master Chief; the only non-SEAL to hold the coveted CMC position at any active SEAL Team. Following that tour, he was selected and reported to Naval Special Warfare Development Group (NSWDG) reporting in 1991.

Ken remained on active duty for more than ten years at NSWDG until his retirement in 2001 after almost 32 years of naval service. Upon his retirement he continued to serve at NSWDG as a civilian government employee (GS) assigned to the Operations Department as the Assistant Current Operations Officer. Ken served in that position from 2001-2006 where he assisted in the overseeing and management of multiple combat deployments (post 9-11) of NSWDG personnel to Afghanistan, Iraq, Africa and numerous other locations around the world. In 2006, Ken changed positions at NSWDG and became the Assistant Chief Staff Officer – totalling over 27 years in NSW.

Upon retiring from the Navy, Ken assumed the position of Assistant Executive Director, where he managed the day to day operations of the Museum. During this time, Ken was invaluable in raising the profile of the Museum to one of national stature and prominence.

Artifact of the Month

UDT Team 11: The Warriors of the Water

The waters of the Pacific were never meant for the weak. For the men of Underwater Demolition Team 11 (UDT-11), the ocean was their battlefield, proving ground, and, in many ways, their home. Before the SEALs were officially formed, UDT men were America’s elite combat swimmers—experts in amphibious reconnaissance, demolition, and survival in hostile waters.
Founded in the post-World War II years, UDT-11 carried the torch of the legendary Frogmen who braved enemy-controlled beaches wearing nothing but swim trunks, fins, and Ka-Bars strapped to their legs. These men cleared obstacles under fire, swam through dangerous surf zones, and set the stage for amphibious landings during the war in the Pacific.

But UDT-11 was not just about combat; they were fiercely competitive swimmers. Recognizing their unmatched endurance and watermanship, the Navy selected UDT swimmers to represent the service in Armed Forces Sports swimming competitions, pitting them against the best from the Army, Marine Corps, Air Force, and Coast Guard. As part of the Armed Forces Sports Program, the UDT-11 Swim Team became an elite squad within an elite unit, competing in national and international military swim meets, where they often dominated the open-water and distance events. UDT-11’s reputation grew, and the public took notice of their performances in races against the Marines and the Coast Guard, further cementing their status as the toughest swimmers in the U.S. military.

By the early 1950s, as the Korean War intensified, many swimmers were deployed for real-world operations. They conducted amphibious reconnaissance missions along the Korean coastline, cleared mines, destroyed enemy supply lines, and executed daring nighttime infiltration swims. Their skills were not just for sport; they were vital to the success of U.S. Navy and Marine Corps operations in the conflict.

As the UDTs evolved into the SEAL Teams in 1962, many of the men from UDT-11 carried their waterborne expertise into this new era of special operations. Yet their legacy—the brotherhood forged in the waves; the grit tested in the currents—remains a cornerstone of Naval Special Warfare to this day.
And so, the legacy of UDT-11’s Swim Team lives on—not just in history books, but in every Frogman who still hits the surf before sunrise, carrying on the tradition of the warriors of the water.

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Surviving Black Hawk Down

Netflix to Premiere new “Surviving Black Hawk Down” Documentary Series on Monday, February 10.

This three-part docuseries will chronicle The Battle of Mogadishu, also known as “Black Hawk Down,” which occurred on October 3, 1993. The Battle of Mogadishu is widely regarded as one of the most intense urban engagements by American forces since Vietnam. The firefight, one of the bloodiest battles in decades and lasting more than seventeen hours, resulted in the death of eighteen American soldiers and more than 500 local Somali militia and citizens.

In an interview with CBS 8, CEO Rick Kaiser, a retired Navy SEAL Master Chief who was in the Battle of Mogadishu, shares his firsthand experiences and inspiring perspective on the intense sacrifice and bravery displayed that day.

Mr. Kaiser emphasizes “he is not a survivor, but a warrior: a message he hopes will resonate with viewers.”

Master Chief Kaiser received the Silver Star for Valor for his heroic actions during the Battle of Mogadishu (Black Hawk Down).

Today, Rick Kaiser, continues to honor and preserve the legacy of the Navy SEALs and their predecessors through his work at the Navy SEAL Museum in Fort Pierce, Florida.

Events on the Horizon

The Rescue of Captain Phillips

Join us on Monday, February 24 at 5:00 PM for an extraordinary evening highlighting the rescue of Captain Phillips and gain an exclusive inside look at one of the most daring Navy SEAL rescue missions in modern history.

On April 8, 2009, just off the Somali Coast, four Somali pirates attempted to seize the Maersk Alabama, a United States cargo ship transporting humanitarian aid to Kenya. Overpowered by the crew, the pirates fled the Maersk Alabama in a lifeboat, taking Captain Richard Phillips hostage. Today, the Maersk Alabama lifeboat is on display in our very own Navy SEAL Museum in Fort Pierce, Florida.

Don’t miss this remarkable opportunity to witness history from those who have lived it.

Quail Valley River Club
2345 Highway A1A
Vero Beach, Florida 32963

The Fourth Annual Heroes on The Bluff

This unforgettable event is just around the corner! Join us for The Fourth Annual Heroes on The Bluff: Where Low Country Meets High Caliber, in support of the Navy SEAL Museum.

Mark your calendars for Sunday, March 30, 2025, and experience a weekend of camaraderie, patriotism, and purpose amidst the serene beauty of Bluffton, South Carolina.

Shoot with Navy SEALs at Palmetto Bluff Shooting Club | 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM

Kick off the day at the Palmetto Bluff Shooting Club with a rare opportunity to shoot alongside Navy SEALs. Whether you’re an experienced shooter or new to the sport, this shotgun start competition, followed by a gourmet lunch and awards ceremony promises an exhilarating experience for all.

An Evening of Elegance at Montage Wilson Ballroom | 5:00 PM

Head to Montage’s Wilson Ballroom for a sophisticated evening featuring cocktails, an exclusive auction with one-of-a-kind items, and southern-inspired cuisine. The night’s highlight will be a keynote address from Dave Cooper, Master Chief SEAL, USN (Retired) a powerful speaker whose firsthand experiences and insights will leave you truly inspired.

Stay tuned for ticketing and sponsorship details. Be a part of this memorable event as we honor the past, celebrate the present, and invest in the future of the Navy SEAL Museum.

You won’t want to miss this exclusive opportunity to stand in support of our nation’s heroes.

Montage Palmetto Bluff
477 Mt. Pelia Road
Bluffton, South Carolina 29910