SAUDI NAVAL EXPANSION PROGRAM (SNEP)

SAUDI NAVAL EXPANSION PROGRAM (SNEP)

FLEET INTRODUCTION TEAM 1975

The Saudi Naval Expansion Program (SNEP) was the main program for matching that of the ongoing training of the Imperial Iranian Navy. The Iranians were being trained in the USN schools at Great Lakes Naval Station (Service School Command) and at Groton, the Submarine School.  The goal was to develop fleets to patrol the two coasts of Saudi Arabia and to defend the shipping and supply lines in the region.  The SNEP program began circa 1975 prior to the Iranian Revolution & hostage crisis (1979).  

With the loss of our ally, the Royal Iranian Navy, the USN began to rapidly equip and train the Saudi Arabian Navy in the 1980's with US gear.  The Fleet Introduction Team training was primarily undertaken by the staff at Naval Amphibious Base, Little Creek, Virginia 1979-1984