Detachment November

The Unclassified Story of U.S. Navy Seabees in Diplomatic Security

by Timothy Dahms

In 1964, as the Cold War raged, a clandestine team of U.S. Navy Seabees embarked on a high-stakes mission in the heart of Moscow. Code-named Detachment November, their mission was to protect American secrets in a hostile land. That mission forged a partnership between the State Department and the Seabees that has safeguarded U.S. personnel and classified information for over 55 years.

Detachment November is the untold story of that partnership—the Naval Support Unit (NSU).

Organized into three riveting parts, this book takes you from the Cold War origins of the NSU to its critical role in today’s escalating global tensions. You’ll meet the highly skilled Seabees who operate in 50 locations worldwide, uncovering their involvement in world-changing events:

The Prague Spring (1968)
The Khartoum assassinations (1973)
The fall of the U.S. Embassy in Tehran (1979)
The Salvadoran Civil War (1979)
The Beirut Bombings (1983-84)
The Dar es Salaam and Nairobi Bombings (1998)
The war zones of Afghanistan and Iraq (2001-Present)

Drawing on exclusive access to classified archives and firsthand accounts from NSU veterans, former NSU Officer in Charge Timothy Dahms reveals the leadership lessons, harrowing experiences, and cultural encounters that have shaped this remarkable unit.

Detachment November is a thrilling journey through history, a testament to the enduring power of partnership, and a tribute to the unsung heroes who work in the shadows to keep America safe.