thumb|Some UEI members pictured at the [[Valdemoro garrison]]

thumb|Spanish Civil Guard Eurocopter EC-135P-2 carrying members of the UEI (Special Intervention Unit)

The Unidad Especial de Intervención (UEI) () is a police tactical unit of the Spanish Civil Guard that specialized in counterterrorism and hostage rescue crisis management, high-risk tactical special operations, quick raid to capture or kill (if necessary) high-value targets, and VIP protection.

The unit's missions primarily involve anti-irregular military, apprehension of armed and dangerous criminals, counterterrorism and hostage rescue, executive protection, high-risk tactical law enforcement situations, operating in difficult to access terrain, protecting high-level meeting areas, providing security in areas at risk of attack or terrorism, special reconnaissance in difficult to access and dangerous areas, support crowd control and riot control, and tactical special operations.

Overview

UEI was established in 1978 to respond to high risk situations and including those involving hostages and terrorism situations. The UEI is part of the European Union-sponsored ATLAS Network.

Equipment

Uniform

In assaults operations:

  • Green assault coveralls 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 coveralls 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:

{| class="wikitable"

!Model

!Type

!Origin

|-

|Heckler & Koch USP Compact

| rowspan="3" |Semi-automatic pistol

|

|-

|Glock 17

| rowspan="2" |

|-

|Glock 19

|-

|Heckler & Koch MP5

| rowspan="3" |Submachine gun

| rowspan="2" |

|-

|Heckler & Koch MP7

|-

|FN P90

|

|-

|Heckler & Koch G36

| rowspan="3" |Assault rifle

| rowspan="4" |

|-

|Heckler & Koch G41

|-

|Heckler & Koch HK416

|-

|Heckler & Koch HK417

| rowspan="3" |Sniper rifle

|-

|Barrett M82

|

|-

|Accuracy International Arctic Warfare

|

|}

Organization

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

  • Operative Groups
  • Technical Support Groups.

See also

  • Grupo de Operaciones Especiales (Spain)

References