GERMAN SPECIAL OPERATIONS
Kommando Spezialkräfte (KSK)
The Kommando Spezialkräfte (Special Forces Command, KSK) is part of Germany's Special Forces. It is closely modeled on the British Special Air Service (SAS). History The KSK was established in 1996 and was activated on April 1st, 1997, to face the new threats emerging after the end of the Cold War. Before that, (West) Germany had placed ... FULL STORY
Kampfschwimmer
Germany's postwar commando frogman force are called the Kampfschwimmer ("Combat Swimmers") or Official Usage Group 3402. They are the only special-purpose force of the German Navy. History The Kampfschwimmer were set up particularly because Germany joined NATO and there was felt to be risk of war with the Soviet Union. A unit was needed which could help ... FULL STORY
Fernspähkompanie
Fernspäher are members of Germany's elite reconnaissance units. Nomenclature The term Fernspähkompanie denotes a Long Range Reconnaissance Patrol unit of company size of the Bundeswehr. Until the foundation of the KSK in 1996/1997, the German Army disposed of three Fernspähkompanien, one for each Corps of the Army. Later, the 100st and 300st companies were disbanded and the ... FULL STORY
Grenzschutzgruppe 9 (GSG9)
The GSG 9 (formerly the German abbreviation of Grenzschutzgruppe 9, Border Guards, Group 9) is the counter-terrorism unit of the German Federal Police, and is considered to be among the best of such units in the world. Many later counter-terrorism units of other nations were modeled after the GSG 9. History and Name In 1972, the Palestinian ... FULL STORY
GEN III ECWCS
The multi-layered insulating system of the Generation III Extended Cold Weather Clothing System (GEN III ECWCS) allows the wearer to adapt to varying mission requirements and environmental conditions. ... FULL STORY
