[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 90 (Monday, July 8, 2002)]
[Senate]
[Page S6353]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




         TRIBUTE TO CAPTAIN (SELECT) BENNY G. GREEN, U.S. NAVY

  Mr. LOTT. Mr. President, I wish to take this opportunity to recognize 
and say farewell to an outstanding Naval Officer, Captain Benny Green, 
upon his change of command from Special Boat Unit Twenty-Two. 
Throughout his career, Captain Green has served with distinction. It is 
my privilege to recognize his many accomplishments and to commend him 
for the superb service he has provided the Navy, the great State of 
Mississippi, and our Nation.
  Captain Green enlisted in the Navy in September 1972. After an 
initial tour at the Aircraft Intermediate Maintenance Department at 
Barbers Point, Hawaii, he attended Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL 
Training in Coronado, California, and graduated with class 83, for 
further assignment to SEAL Team One. Captain Green received a Bachelor 
of Science Degree from the University of Louisville in 1980, and was 
commissioned an Ensign in 1981. He attended flight school at Pensacola 
Naval Air Station and upon graduation was assigned to Fighter Squadron 
Eleven at Naval Air Station, Oceana, VA as a Radar Intercept Officer. 
He flew numerous combat missions over Lebanon in response to the 1983 
terrorist bombing attack of the Marine Barracks in Beruit. In February 
1985, Captain Green returned to the Special Forces and was assigned to 
SEAL Team Four, in Little Creek, VA, as the Platoon Commander of the 
newly formed Sixth Platoon. In his next assignment, Captain Green was a 
plank owner of SEAL Delivery Vehicle Team One Detachment Hawaii, on 
Ford Island, Oahu, HI, where he served as Dry Deck Shelter Platoon 
Commander. Other operational tours in Naval Special Warfare include: 
Dry Deck Shelter Department Head, SEAL Delivery Vehicle Team Two; 
Operations Officer, SEAL Delivery Vehicle Team Two; Maritime Special 
Purpose Force Commander for Central Command Amphibious Ready Group 3-
91; Executive Officer, SEAL Delivery Vehicle Team Two; Naval Special 
Warfare Task Unit Commander for the Theodore Roosevelt Battle group 1-
96; Operations Officer, Naval Special Warfare Group Two; Chief Staff 
Officer, Naval Special Warfare Group Two; and Requirements Officer for 
Naval Special Warfare Development Group. Captain Green also completed a 
joint tour as the Counter-narcotics and Maritime Officer, Special 
Operations Command, Pacific.
  As Commanding Officer, SBU-22, Captain Green's leadership firmly 
established his unit as the premier facility to train special 
operations forces in the riverine environment. His determination and 
oversight hastened the construction of new state-of-the-art facilities 
that provide for the training in the maintenance and repair of 
combatant craft, an armory, a supply building, a swim training tank, 
and a detachment building/administrative headquarters, with plans under 
development for a land-water range, a 30-unit housing facility, and a 
mini Navy Exchange/gas station. His rapport with senior military 
leadership was essential to theater commander exposure to SBU-22 
capabilities in support of Special Operations Forces, SOF, throughout 
the world. During his tenure, SBU-22 hosted two major Joint Combined 
Exchange for Training, JCET, exercises, executed 13 counter-drug 
missions in South America, and trained over 450 foreign military 
personnel in all facets of riverine operations. His realignment of the 
Combatant Craft Training Curriculum fully addresses the requirements of 
the Naval Special Warfare Force-21 initiative and is typical of the 
exceptional foresight Captain Green demonstrated throughout his tour as 
Commanding Officer of SBU-22. His vast Special Operations experience 
proved to be a major resource in the identification, testing and 
implementation of the new Special Operations Craft-Riverine, SOC-R, 
that promises to revolutionize riverine tactics and capabilities.
  Throughout his distinguished career, Captain Green has served the 
United States Navy and the Nation with pride and excellence. He has 
been an integral member of, and contributed greatly to, the best-
trained, best-equipped, and best-prepared naval and special operations 
forces in the history of the world. Captain Green's superb leadership, 
integrity, and limitless energy have had a profound impact on SBU-22 
and will continue to positively impact the United States Navy, our 
Special Operations Forces, and our Nation. Captain Green relinquishes 
his command on July 12, 2002 and reports as Director, Concept 
Development Directorate at Special Operations Command Joint Forces 
Command, in Norfolk, VA where he will continue his successful career. 
On behalf of my colleagues on both sides of the aisle, I wish Captain 
Green ``Fair Winds and Following Seas.''

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