paragraph_text: USS "Kane" (DD-235/APD-18) was a "Clemson"-class destroyer in the United States Navy during World War II. She was the first ship named for Elisha Kent Kane.

paragraph_text: The first major warship produced by the U.S. Navy after World War II (and in the Cold War) were "frigates"—the ships were originally designated destroyer leaders but reclassified in 1975 as guided missile cruisers (except the became guided missile destroyers). These grew out of the last all-gun destroyers of the 1950s. In the middle 1970s the s entered service, optimized for anti-submarine warfare. A special class of guided missile destroyers was produced for the Shah of Iran, but due to the Iranian Revolution these ships could not be delivered and were added to the U.S. Navy.

paragraph_text: USS "MacLeish" (DD-220/AG-87) was a "Clemson"-class destroyer in the United States Navy during World War II. She was named for Lieutenant Kenneth MacLeish.

paragraph_text: HMAS "Vendetta" was one of three "Daring" class destroyers built for and operated by the Royal Australian Navy (RAN). The destroyer was built by Williamstown Naval Dockyard and entered service in 1958. During her early career, "Vendetta" was deployed to the Far East Strategic Reserve on multiple occasions. In 1965 and 1966, the destroyer undertook deterrence patrols during the Indonesia-Malaysia Confrontation. Along with several runs escorting the troop transport to Vietnam, from late 1969 to early 1970 "Vendetta" was assigned to combat operations, and became the only Australian-built warship to serve in a shore bombardment role during the Vietnam War.

paragraph_text: USS "Catbird" (AM-68) was the lead ship of her class of two naval trawlers, which were operated as minesweepers by the United States Navy during World War II.

paragraph_text: HMS "Seal" was a B-class torpedo boat destroyer of the British Royal Navy. She was completed by Laird, Son & Company, Birkenhead, in 1897.

paragraph_text: USS "Kilty" (DD–137) was a "Wickes"-class destroyer in the United States Navy. She was the first ship named for Admiral Augustus Kilty.

paragraph_text: The United States Navy's ``Sea, Air, and Land ''Teams, commonly abbreviated as the Navy SEALs, are the U.S. Navy's primary special operations force and a component of the Naval Special Warfare Command. Among the SEALs' main functions are conducting small - unit maritime military operations that originate from, and return to, a river, ocean, swamp, delta, or coastline. The SEALs are trained to operate in all environments (Sea, Air, and Land) for which they are named.

paragraph_text: USS "Sanderling" (AM-37) was an acquired by the United States Navy for the dangerous task of removing mines from minefields laid in the water to prevent ships from passing.

paragraph_text: USS "Rhodes" (DE-384) was an "Edsall"-class destroyer escort built for the United States Navy during World War II. She served in the Atlantic Ocean and the Pacific Ocean and provided destroyer escort protection against submarine and air attack for Navy vessels and convoys. Post-war she served the Navy as a radar picket ship.

paragraph_text: The California Golden Seals were a team in the National Hockey League (NHL) from 1967 to 1976. Initially named California Seals, the team was renamed Oakland Seals partway through the 1967 -- 68 season (on December 8, 1967), and then to California Golden Seals in 1970. The Seals were one of six teams added to the league as part of the 1967 NHL expansion. Based in Oakland, California, they played their home games at the Oakland -- Alameda County Coliseum Arena. However, the Seals were never successful at the gate, and eventually moved to Cleveland to become the Cleveland Barons in 1976.

paragraph_text: USS "Brownson" (DD-868), a "Gearing"-class destroyer, was the second ship of the United States Navy to be named for Rear Admiral Willard H. Brownson, USN (1845–1935).

paragraph_text: USS "Daly" (DD-519), a "Fletcher"-class destroyer, was a ship of the United States Navy named for Marine Sergeant Major Daniel Daly, (1873–1937), one of the very few people to be twice awarded the Medal of Honor.

paragraph_text: USS "Goff" (DD-247) was a "Clemson"-class destroyer in the United States Navy during World War II. She was named for Secretary of the Navy Nathan Goff, Jr.

paragraph_text: USS "Pegasus" (PHM-1) was the lead ship of her class of hydrofoils operated by the United States Navy. "Pegasus" class vessels were designed for high speed and mobility, and carried a powerful armament for their size.

paragraph_text: John Walfrid Nyquist (born February 11, 1933) is a retired a vice admiral in the United States Navy. He was born in San Diego, California, the son of rear admiral Nels Walfrid Nyquist and Irma Beske. He attended the University of Minnesota and United States Naval Academy, graduating from the latter in 1955. He is a former commander of Destroyer Squadron 26, Destroyer Squadron 20, USS "Semmes" (DDG-18) and Cruiser-Destroyer Group Five. He also worked in the Office of the Chief of Naval Operations as Assistant Deputy Chief of Naval Operations, Surface Warfare, and Assistant Chief of Naval Operations, Surface Warfare. He retired in 1991. His awards include the Distinguished Service Medal, the Legion of Merit, the Bronze Star, the Meritorious Service Medal, the Navy Commendation Medal two Meritorious Unit Commendations. In retirement he worked for Trex Enterprises Corporation, and is currently a defense consultant. He resides in Coronado, California, with his wife Penelope Ann Lyon.

paragraph_text: USS "Balch" (DD-363) was a "Porter"-class destroyer in the United States Navy. She is named for Admiral George Beall Balch.

paragraph_text: The third USS "Macdonough" (DD-351) was a "Farragut"-class destroyer in the United States Navy during World War II. She was named for Thomas Macdonough.

paragraph_text: Boesch was born and raised in Rochester, New York, and enlisted in the United States Navy at age 17. He became a Underwater Demolition Team (UDT) Frogman in 1951, serving on two UDT Teams. He was chosen as one of the first SEALs, becoming Chief of the Boat of newly created SEAL Team TWO in 1962. Starting in 1968 and 1970, Boesch completed two combat deployments during the Vietnam War, where he earned the Bronze Star for heroic action. During that time and later, Boesch set physical and operational standards at SEAL Team TWO. In 1987, he became Senior Enlisted Advisor for United States Special Operations Command. Designated the "Bullfrog", the longest-serving SEAL still on active duty, Boesch achieved considerable renown within the force for his physical fitness training regimens and his military appearance. After 45 years of continuous service, he retired from the Navy in 1990 as a Master Chief Petty Officer.

paragraph_text: USS "Watts" (DD-567) was a "Fletcher"-class destroyer of the United States Navy. It was named for Captain John Watts ("ca."1778–1823), who fought French privateers during the Quasi-War with France.

Question: The military unit that operates destroyers and once had a ship named the USS Sanderling has a force called the seals. What does seal stand for?
Answer: Sea, Air, and Land