Unidad Especial de Intervención

The Unidad Especial de Intervención (UEI) (Special Intervention Unit) is the police tactical unit of the Guardia Civil (Civil Guard), the Spanish gendarmerie.

Overview
UEI was established in 1978 to respond to high risk situations and including those involving hostages. Its motto is Celeritas et Subtilitas Patrio. The exact scope of UEI operations and total number of personnel are not published. In 2008, on the occasion of the Unit's 30th anniversary, its commanding officer revealed that the UEI had until then participated in 375 operations, in which 563 hostages had been freed and 640 people arrested, of whom 141 belonged to terrorist groups. These operations included 11 high-sea missions against drug-trafficking. He also revealed that due to the demanding selection process, of the 26 applicants that had applied to join the Unit that year, only four had been admitted. The Unit has also intervened in 18 prison riots involving hostages. The UEI is part of the European Union-sponsored ATLAS Network.

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:


 * Heckler & Koch USP
 * Glock 17 Gen 3 equipped with a tactical flashlight
 * Glock Model 17 Gen 4 equipped with a tactical flashlight
 * Heckler & Koch MP5
 * Heckler & Koch MP7
 * FN P90
 * Heckler & Koch G36K
 * Heckler & Koch G41
 * Heckler & Koch HK416
 * Heckler & Koch HK417
 * 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.