The military action blockbuster Operation Red Sea, with its real life-based storyline and live action scenes, showcases the Chinese navy's operation in Yemen in 2015.

The "Dragon Commando" unit in the film belongs to the PLA Navy Marine Corps. Members of this special force have air, land, sea and underwater capabilities.

On April 9, 2017, the "Dragon Commando" unit sent 10 men to free the Tuvalu OS35 freighter hijacked by pirates, and three pirates were captured in the mission.

A cache of weapons and ammunition was seized and 19 Syrian crew members were rescued by the team.