The Croatian Special Forces and US Navy SEALs recently conducted a joint maritime exercise in the Adriatic Sea to hone their abilities in dealing with complex tasks in difficult environments. The bilateral training offered an opportunity to exchange insights on tactics and equipment, as well as demonstrate the progress of the Croatian Special Forces since their inception in 2000. 

Key Points: 

1. The exercise involved a simulated hijacking scenario, with the Special Forces teams successfully boarding, securing, and taking control of a ship in a brief period.
2. For the Croatian Special Forces, also known as the Zapovjedništvo Specialjalnih Snaga (ZSS), the ability to train alongside the Navy SEALs reflects their significant development since their establishment.
3. Following the ship exercise, the teams engaged in underwater long-distance swims and simulated beach infiltrations using stealth rebreathers for invisibility from the surface.
4. In a separate drill, the operators practiced seizing a bridge, using a caving ladder secured to a bridge pillar, highlighting the versatility of their training.
5. The ZSS commander emphasized the importance of developing a robust maritime capability to operate in the predominant seawater regions of the globe, with the next step being to better integrate air mobility with naval missions.

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