THE MEM, THE WEAPONS AND THE OPERATIONS
vid Miller
K#»t»
is
Special Forces
Special Forces
David Miller
§
PUBLISHED S
\
I
\
M
\
\
1)
R
1
I
ii
l(
\
(i (J
DO
BY K
N
S
LIMITED
A Salamander Book Published by Salamander Books Limited
Blenheim Court
8
Brewery Road
London N7 9NT
©
Salamander Books
ISBN
I
rights
All
reserved.
No part
of this
2
84065 021 4
I
4
3
6
5
9
8
7
may be reproduced,
publication
1999
Ltd,
10
stored
in
a
system or transmitted
retrieval
by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without the prior permission
correspondence concerning the content of
All
volume should be addressed
this
to
of
in
any form or
Salamander Books.
Salamander Books
Ltd.
CREDITS Project
managed by Ray Bonds
Designed by Megra Mitchell Picture research by
TRH
Pictures
Colour separation by Studio Technology Limited
Printed
in Italy
THE AUTHOR David Miller Islands.
a former
is
British
Army
officer,
who spent most
of his
service
in
the
Far East, Central
He subsequently worked as a freelance author and then spent three years
as
Group, where he was a staffer on International Defense Review, before producing the Warships. He
is
now
a freelance author once
many
Europe, and the Falkland
a journalist with Jane's first
edition
of Jane's
Information
Major Surface
again, writing on a wide variety of defense subjects. He has contributed to
international military journals and
has had some 35 books published.
ADDITIONAL CAPTIONS Jacket front:
US Army Ranger, a
variety of missions in
arctic,
member
of
an
elite
unit trained
to
conduct a
mountain, jungle, urban, and amphibious warfare.
Page
I:
Black-clad special forces with
respirator
masks
typify
the
deliberately
formidable appearance of such international units on a counter-terrorist training mission.
Jacket
back: Top,
Land Rover Multi-Role Combat Vehicle, specially designed
rapid-reaction forces. Bottom
left,
Operaciones (GEO) preparing to special
forces
member
a
fire
of Spain's
for
Grupo Especial de
during abseiling. Bottom right, French
trooper armed with silenced sub-machine gun.
Pages 2-3: Soldiers
Pages 4-5: terrorist
Endpapers:
Dutch Marines race ashore under realistic-looking
training exercise. This elite forces.
unit
is
fire
during a
an important element of NATO's amphibious
of the
French
Army
ler
RPIMA (Regiment de Parachutistes
d'lnfantene de Marine) storm a house during training for hostage rescue,
Members
unit.
of Canada's
300-strong Joint Task Force 2 counter-
Contents
Foreword
Page
6
Introduction
Page
8
Part
I:
Special Forces
Page 14
Part
2:
Operations
Page 74
Part
3:
Weapons & Equipment
ndex
Page Page
I
I
10
72
Foreword is not the first book that has been written about the elite forces that exist in various However, this countries throughout the world. highly researched and authoritative volume is
This
one of the most definitive of its kind written to date, and most likely will remain so for certainly
the foreseeable future.
The authors have compiled misunderstood
been
exaggerated, misrepresented.
The establishment
World War
recognized and documented by
many reasons
has greatly
forces
of elite
increased since the end of
for this growth,
or
II
-
a fact
book,There are
this
among them:
organizations,
process
selection
this
assessment system which helps determine whether individuals measure up to the as
an
standards of the organization.
meet those standards
to
In fact,
selection process that those
initial
during this
it is
who
aren't likely
are separated from the
unit.
Some
an extensive presentation of organizations that have
often
most
In
serves
when not
organizations,
selecting certain
whatever reason) return them to their parent unit or to another organization, usually a support type, with high praise and as much good will as possible. This is done to ensure that non-acceptable volunteers do not poison the recruiting well throughout the regular individuals within their ranks (for
formations. •
Improvements in the sophistication and lethality of weapons and the quantum jump in the complete spectrum of conducting conventional increased
warfare, concomitant with
required to
costs
sizable modern forces. •The recognition by many
man and equip
and judicious
committed
manner, could
in
a
possibly
deter an aggressor. This has the added benefit of preventing the
•
assistance to individual countries. This
whose
nation
commitment
of
much
larger
externally, they call
missions.
Some
respond to terrorist threats or
extensive
conflict
nations recognize the requirement to form,
and
peacetime so that they can do so, in all phases of pre-
directed to
conflict.
They must be prepared to conduct operations during this period of "violent peace," and they must also be ready to conduct their wartime missions without having to take the time for extensive training after conflict starts, as
World War Many of the requirements book which differentiate
was the case during
II.
are discussed elite
forces
in
this
from
should be since selection and training are so critically important to the successful performance of any elite unit. conventional forces.
This
is
as
it
these units are for the most part
Personnel
in
volunteers
who undergo some form
assist
in
when committing them strategic
forces are controlled and supported
commitment, there
of
exists
phases of special operations the need for
all
planning so that psychological and deception operations are an integral part of the
acts.
organize, equip, train and support elite or special in
to any
vital
to
upon them to perform
command. Whatever the mode
in
when
is
is
by operational commanders, while others may be committed independent of the conventional force chain of
operate,
it
nations control their elite forces at the
Recognition that a requirement exists to have a highly trained organization that can rapidly
operations forces
policy
highest national levels, and,
conventional forces at a later time.
Many
national
obtaining or preserving freedom.
Many nations that a highly
trained, truly professional force,
timely
the
Those who do go forward are language-trained, area-oriented forces capable of providing sustained
whenever possible. believe that most important factors in planning and
overall operation
some
of the
I
conducting these kinds of operations are the need
good security. The authors have done exceptional research on the various elite forces. While some information is readily available from open sources in the Western countries, the Communist nations have not been as
for timely, accurate intelligence and
open with information limitation, the
in
this
area.
Despite
this
work
that
authors have produced a
should be indispensable for the practitioner and student of elite forces and special operations organizations, I
predict that anyone
operations, terrorism
welcome
this
associated with
or
book and use
special
counterterrorism it
as a reference
will
many
times.
of selection
process which greatly tests individual physical
ability,
stamina and the capability to plan and operate under great mental and physical strain,
by Robert C. Kingston, US Army (Ret.)
General,
Robert C. Kingston, General, General Kingston enlisted
in
platoon, a company, a battalion, conflicts.
He wears
US Army
(Ret.)
the US Army in 1948 and has commanded a two brigades and special operations forces in two
16 battle stars
and also earned the
Combat
(two awards); the Master Parachutist Badge (US); Ranger Tab;
Badge
Infantry
Gliderman Badge;
Korean Parachutist Badge; Parachute Wing (UK); Cambodian Parachutist Badge; Vietnamese jumpmaster Badge;Vietnamese Ranger Badge; and 12 overseas His special operations experience includes a tour officer,
Far East
in
Korea
as
bars.
commanding
Command
the Ranger Mountain
Special Mission Group. He was executive officer of Camp, Dahlonega, Georgia (1954-55). In 1960-1961, he
served as the exchange airborne officer with the 16th Independent Parachute
Group, UK. General
Kingston
was
also
Command
(1966) and
1st Special
Forces, Fort Bragg,
In
senior
commander
advisor
to
the Vietnamese
of the 3rd Special Forces
North
Group
Ranger
(Airborne),
Carolina.
command
January 1973, General Kingston assumed
of the joint Casualty
Nakhon Phanom, Thailand, In October 1975, he became commander of the US Army John Kennedy Center for Military Assistance and the US Army Institute for Military Assistance at Fort Bragg, The general Resolution Center,
F.
pinned on
his
fourth star and assumed
command
Command,
MacDill Air Force Base, Florida, on
active duty
on November
30, 1985.
I
of the United States Central
January, 1983.
He
retired
from
Special Forces
INTRODUCTION
Above: The terrorist
airliner
image
traditional
attacks
is
a
of
burning on a Middle
East airfield. Constant vigilance
mission,
airlines
has reduced
the
prevalence of such attacks but the threat
is
ever-present.
who
dash
enemy territory, create utter havoc and, having successfully completed the return to camp to prepare for yet another foray. It is the stuff from which legend
deep
into
springs.
these warriors — — viewed with glamor attaches to —opprobrium comes
Even
and firm action by governments and
HAS always been a fascination with the exploits of uniformed warriors
There
hijacked
so,
formations of
members
usually
that success;
publicized
Make no mistake about
it:
all
when
too
there
is
they are not
unconventional
military
—
particularly
when
the failure
is
in
open and democratic elite
societies.
It is
a distrust
or special forces to wax and wane.
and "special" are simply ways to describe unconventional or supreme and
paramilitary formations.
commando, paratrooper, embracing
or
they are successful, a certain aura
an inherent distrust of secret or "special" operations
deep and which causes the fortunes of
"Elite"
special
When
swiftly.
and those associated with them, particularly that runs
of
skeptical ambivalence.
are
—
Other
labels that have
irregular, guerrilla,
special operations forces.
Whatever the choice
forces have always had an important role to play historical legacy
The Roman
is
been applied, with various relevance, are
even "cowboy," or simply
in
—and
perhaps more
of designation, however, these
their nations' defense forces, and their
particularly rich.
legions, for
example, were denied success by irregular African forces using
camels and arrows. They were also thwarted
in Great Britain by the guerrilla tactics of a America the sharpshooting Minutemen played an undeniably significant role in the outcome of the Revolutionary War. General George Washington's famous crossing of the Delaware on Christmas Eve just prior to the Battle of
female warrior
named
Boedicia.
In
in Britain, what we now know as the Special Air Service North Africa in 1941, where it performed daring raids behind German lines during World War That undeniably elite and special force performed just as spectacular feats toward the end of the 20th Century, notably alongside American Delta and
Trenton was a special operation. And (SAS) had
its
genesis
in
II.
other special forces
Today
it is
The
in
influential in
post- World
the Iraqi desert
in
1
99
1
,
and, undoubtedly,
the training, actual and by example, of
War
II
era saw a decline
in
in
many
the trouble-torn Balkans. elite units
special forces; in fact,
the world over.
many were disbanded.
Introduction
Without
argument went, there was no mission. Marry to that the distrust of uneasy tolerance accorded them by the regular forces, and it's
a war, the
special forces, as well as the
why
easy to see
elite
forces
seemed to be approaching
their nadir.
must be an
integral part of any nation's defense forces and, as such, will always have
defending the sovereign. These forces are
a role in
now
stronger than they ever were, and
the reasons for this are both practical and historical. In
the 1960s, a netherworld existed
war" developed. in
It
in
which
of revolutionary
a state of
neither "true peace" nor "true
it.
In
fact,
in
Africa, East Asia,
itself out.
By the
1
970s, these postwar
and the Middle East and hands previously
at the tiller
movements were now firmly on the reins of power. mean that the use of upheaval and instability had been abandoned. highly
will, this
dangerous situation
represented a more deliberate type of conflict with severe consequences for the security of nations, large and small.
In
the past 30 years, conflict
government them, in
like
in
many
in
one form or another has
countries. During the Cold
the Vietnam War, on
—
a large scale
War
led to violent
there were
many
in
particular, with the
States as the only
conflicts
changes of
—some
of
but the need to avoid global conflict resulted
a variety of pressures to localize their impact. With the ending of the
and,
Cold War, however,
demise of the Soviet Union and the emergence of the United
—and frequently
reluctant
— Superpower, such constraints have been
lifted
and conflicts of one sort or another continue unabated. In
the
words of one observer, "World War
III
has already begun and. ..is comprised of
brush-fire conflicts, assassinations, terrorist bombings, coups, revolutions, and
prophetic views of George Orwell
come
he
our time
claimed,
but
characteristics.
instantaneous, as
discovered
States
by
a
of
United
the
when
seriously
lorry-bomb
in
its
Beirut
damaged
1983.
the
peace
of
pretty close to the mark.
has
assumed
civil strife.
War may
"The
not be peace,
some unmistakably
Above: Typically fighters
man
clad
a
Beirut street
barricade,
wearing US webbing but
Far
the distorted and grotesque outrages of terrorism, state-sponsored and
otherwise, plagued the globe. As an instrument of national
many
lapses
of
are severe and
Embassy was
But that did not
from
vigilance
the never-ending terrorists, the
featured so-called "wars of national liberation" characterized by conflict
which the postwar process of decolonization played
spasms were over
left: In
war against consequences
But the mission for special forces can never truly go away for one very basic reason. They are and
Above
warlike
carrying Russian assault
rifles.
Kalashnikov
Special Forces
That
is
change
unlikely to
the near future. Just as
in
1999, the early decades of the 21st Century
number
seem
of situations requiring responses short of
One
it is
definition
elite
claims that low intensity conflict states or groups
among
below the states.
It
which to put low intensity
in
The spectrum conflict, readily
formed
in
1986. Like a number of such forces,
it
is
a
police
unit,
answering directly to the police chief in
Buones Ayres.
It
is
responsible for counter-terrorist duties and VIP
10
protection.
level
in
is
no
represents
is
critical
to
is
a
political-military
of conventional
in
confrontation
war and above the
involves protracted struggles of competing
political,
force.
It is
waged
economic, informational, and military
nature, but contain regional and global security
implications. Accepting this definition, imperfect
framework
it
from subversion to the use of armed
instruments. Such conflicts are often local
Halcon,
Kosova
forces and their roles.
by a combination of means employing
Argentina's
in
a universally appropriate definition of
although an understanding of what
conflict,"
routine, peaceful competition
These are from
and
I940s-style disgraceful "ethnic cleansing" characteristics), and special operations
principles and ideologies and ranges
forces.
1,
intensity conflict" (along
its
bewteen contending
operations
99
However,
understanding special and
special
1
conflict they represent.
need to be considered together. Nobody has devised
its
in
mobilization to address. There
full
way to categorize these crises and the types of clear that terrorism and what has been dubbed "low
"low intensity
Below: Virtually every country
the Gulf
clean and easy
with
now has
in
certain to bear witness to an increasing
though
it
may
be, at least provides a
working
conflict.
of potential conflict ranges from terrorism through mid- and high-intensity
recognized since they involve the application of conventional military power,
to strategic nuclear warfare. Terrorism, properly identified as a form of warfare, cuts across
the entire spectrum. So, too, can elite and special forces be employed anywhere across the
spectrum.
But even the most
elite
of special forces can deal with only a small portion of the threats
criminality, and terrorism. This is why more of these forces why nations are cooperating in framing strategies to deal with the why there is increasing recognition that terrorism is a form of
posed by subversion, international have
come
into being;
problems of conflict that
conflict;
it
is
must be met by forces
There are handful of
it is
literally
hundreds of
members, some with
specially trained for the counter-terrorist mission.
special
a cast of
and
elite
formations
in
— some
existence
with a
thousands. Many, despite the sensitive nature of
Introduction
their missions, are relatively easy to identify, explain, and describe
these units operate units
in Britain,
some
In
Army
in
open
societies
New
Australia, and
—the French Foreign Grenada
in
Most
detail.
of
1983.
in
two missions are combined
9 and the French
one
in
character
—
like
other cases, the mission
In
GIGN.
is
the
US
strictly
yet other
In
force, such as with the British
SAS
and American Delta. Units such as
Italy's
COMSUBIN
counter-terrorist activity second It
would be
guide to elite
elite
blatantly
—
are charged with military responsibilities
unless that mission
is
force truly
is
reversed
beyond the
—
fact that
generally
—
it
is
An
Italian
first
and
COMSUBIN
trooper with the highly
pistol.
H&K
PI
I
underwater
The 5-round weapon
electrically
is
operated, with power
provided by two 24-volt batteries.
Out
of
water the
weapon has a
similar effect to
a conventional
7.62mm
pistol.
the national interest.
in
presumptuous to claim that one has come up with
and special forces. To begin with, there
Above:
specialized
strictly military in
is
German GSG
counter-terrorist, such as that of the cases, however, the
some
Zealand are examples.
cases, the mission of an elite force
Rangers, and their operation
in
Legion, and the Special Air Service
no accepted
a
comprehensive
definition of
what an
has a quite different mission from that
of a conventional force. Moreover, these units are constantly being formed, disbanded, and realigned to
meet
security factor; for
individual
some time
circumstances. Bulking large
force. Delta, received the standard reply, "Delta
the
most famous
British
front of the world's
TV
in
the overall equation
is
the
questions about America's premier counter-terrorist special
SAS operation, the cameras,
it is
is
an
Iranian
airline,"
and because what was probably
Embassy Siege
in
1980,
was played out
in
quite understandable that there has been a reluctance
on the part of the authorities to provide information to the media
lest future
become compromised. This book is divided into three main sections, which describe, respectively, the elite forces, some of the major operations in which they have been involved, and
special
operations
of their weapons.
comprehensive.
unknown
must be appreciated that elite
coverage cannot, by definition, be
units are so secret that even their very existence
is
totally
number of operations, even by acknowledged units, some weapons and techniques are secret in order that an
classified. Similarly,
can achieve tactical surprise over
Four major points emerge from demonstrated, special forces have ability
this
and
a selection
to the general public, while a
remain highly elite unit
It
Some
special
to operate clandestinely
in
its
opponents.
this study. The first
is
that, as the
Gulf War conclusively
a firm place in conventional war. In
the enemy's rear enables
such conflicts, their
them to attack
targets which
11
Special Forces
I
I
1
r
Above:
A defining moment
counter-terrorist warfare was British
rescue
in
tale. This
the
to
to
tell
the
event was widely
TV, serving
terrorists
London
hostages; only one
terrorist survived
shown on
cannot be reached by any other means, and to exert an influence out of
notice
that
meted out
to
their victims.
proportion to
Secondly, elite forces involved
in
the counter-terrorist mission face a unique challenge.
Their successes dissuade their opponents from trying again, leading to long periods without action,
making
harder to maintain the essential high degree of training and readiness.
it
addition, protracted periods of apparent inactivity result
in
government
question the large expenditure necessary, sometimes even resulting that the terrorists strike again, often using Thirdly, there
would be treated with
same violence that they
all
the actual numbers deployed.
SAS attack on the
Embassy
Iranian
in
the
is
some
totally
a high degree of lateral cooperation
new
In
financiers starting to is
then
special forces, ranging
from
in
cutbacks.
It
technique.
between
exchanging information, through conducting joint exercises and the exchange of personnel to taking part
in
each other's operations.
the great majority of special forces traditionally find their recruits from elsewhere
Finally,
armed forces. This ensures that their operators have experience of the whole and are a known quantity when they start the selection process. However, the rapid down-sizing of most military forces since the end of the Cold War means in
their country's
armed forces
as a
that the size of the pool from which such volunteers can be found
As
this
book
will
value lying not just
show,
in
elite units
their capability
have a very important task in
is
in
also diminishing.
modern
conventional warfare, but also
in
society, their
the clandestine
world of counter-terrorism, where they must be ready to meet any threat at any time. In addition, while most counter-terrorist forces are confined to their national homelands, some others, like those of the
world.
It is
USA, UK, France, and
Israel,
may be committed anywhere
in
a daunting challenge.
12
M
the
Introduction
Special Forces Special Forces of the NATO Alliance countries were in early 1999 as war erupted in the Balkans
called into action
when
Europe,
in
War, 1999
the Balkan
in
NATO bombing
identify Serbian targets for
SAS
raids.
soldiers fluent in
Albanian and Serbian were said to have skirted minefields and Serbian
Serbian forces pursued a two-pronged campaign of forcing hundreds
patrols
of thousands of ethnic Albanians from the neighboring province of
Albania and Macedonia to enter the Kosovo province on surveillance
Kosovo and engaging
Army
Liberation
a brutal offensive against the rebel Kosovo
in
repeated threats that
would use
it
force
Serbia failed to comply with
if
ethnic-Albanian province of Kosovo and to agree to the deployment of
an
NATO-provided
international,
implementation. The Balkan Force)
monitoring
War (NATO
air
-
supervize
to
Operation Allied
and
forces
missiles
defense assets, including missile bases, radars, and
command/control centers. NATO's
was
their intention
force
designation
was launched during March, with NATO
striking Serbian air
from the
air,
and
the conflict. Cruise missiles were
aircraft into
US
entirely
aircraft
and surface warships, and from
British
and US submarines. The
power alone would not
attack aircraft
were
limited by a
was considered
launched
air
suffice.
number
targets
when
importance
Albanian
positively,
was
it
a
bomb from
observation,
First,
some
specifically
One
of
them
had happened
fiber
or
As
problems and
this
was being
it
had
forces
them almost
were
Kosovo.
NATO
forces
Milosevic had capitulated to
NATO
under K-FOR entered Kosovo to return the
in
Former Yugoslav
it
quickly
Serb "General" Radko Mlavic,
it
was
publicly
had been shrouded
activities
in
identified in
Kosovo
in
(also
known
as "Arkan")
in
who had formed
a paramilitary unit
which had reportedly been involved
Bosnia and Croatia
preparing to
become
NATO
in
who was
1991/92, and
involved
in
the
in
Kosovo
in
said to be
1999;
personnel and any hostages taken by the Serbs;
and advisory
roles,
by
NATO
special forces with the
Kosovo Liberation Army.
As NATO forces were
some
who was
1999, and possibly also the villainous Zeljko Raznatovic
most murderous ethnic cleansing operations against the Muslims
difficult.
essential to the resolution of
their mission could
April
called the "Tigers"
hilly
became apparent
and
• snatching war criminals, including Milosevic and the Bosnian-
had to
the
crucial,
include:
difficult or, at times, clear,
remained
role of the special forces
exodus of ethnic-
was not long before
KLA
trying to
keep the retreating Serbs and the
apart, attempting to disarm the latter,
and systematically clearing
the province of unexploded munitions, Serb-laid mines, and booby traps,
there task will be difficult and their deployment, and that of the
special forces, could last for decades.
deployed,
actually
Kosovo.
inside
certainly
Such forces were based
and the
written,
pressure and, after protracted negotiation, pulled his Serb forces out of
problem was further
This
the Gulf War,
although their
that,
special
which cannot be intercepted by signals
optics,
means.
intelligence
to possess,
pilots
Kosovo made target acquisition in
that special operations forces
of
use by special forces.
for
War) was to locate and destroy
Serb ground communications systems, particularly those using metal
over 10,000ft (3,000m).
realized that a massive
terrain over large parts of
some
designed
particular role (again, as in the Gulf
cables
since aircrew
known
even impossible. Then, even when the weather was
secrecy,
was as
markers,
• direct action,
these
the region
in
(FAC) using the latest range of laser target
• rescue of
acknowledged
and rescuing downed
air controllers
which made target acquisition and actual attacks
of
surveillance,
primary role of the special forces
complicated by the bad weather over the Balkans, especially clouds,
So, as
One
villages.
forward
which assumed even greater
factor
was under way.
refugees
became
rapidly
However, the Rules of Engagement (RoE) stipulated that identify
Apart from aircrew, a
a need to avoid shoulder-
defense missiles which the Serbs were
which meant that they had to
it
The capabilities of the
of factors.
was
there
vital,
but
initial effect,
clear that air
safety
the
in
province to order and to safeguard the returning Kosovo Albanians. The
had considerable
air strikes
and report on Serbian
said to be to locate
and patrols hidden
posts,
Kosovo to target Serbian "death squads."
ground attack, bomber, reconnaissance,
thrust thousands of fighter,
and electronic warfare
leaders proclaimed that
political
campaign
to conduct the
also launched from
command
unconfirmed report stated that 80 SAS soldiers had been sent deep into
requirements for internal self-government for the
United Nations'
was
missions. Their mission tanks,
(KLA).
hard-man President Slobodan Milosevic ignored NATO's
Serbia's
around the devastated villages along Kosovo's borders with
neighboring Albania Republic
(FYR)
of
Macedonia, with further bases across the Adriatic in Italy.
Among
the
first
special forces to be
were personnel and 1st Special
aircraft of the
Operations Wing
deployed before the
were able
7A SAMs 1 1
those
"
employed
Air Force's
SOW) which had
start of the operation
and
when a USAF bomber was shot down
to swing into action
stealth
"
fighter
over Bosnia early involved
in
in
the
rescue operation were
MH-60K
(1
US
the campaign.
totally
F-
by
Among
successful
HH-53H Pave Low
III
pilot
and
helicopters, both specifically designed for
such missions.
Other special forces deployed included units of varying
sizes
and
capabilities
from
»
France,
Germany, Norway, and the UK, although there
may in
well have been others. French special forces
the Balkans included elements of
Dragoon Regiment, Marine British sent in It
1
3th Airborne
Infantry,
and
parachutists,
while the
was reported
working under cover
that British in
and American
Men to
elements of the SAS. special forces
were
Kosovo with the Kosovo Liberation Army to
of the
US Army's Special Operations Forces undergo rigorous training
be ready for all-terrain, all-weather operations worldwide.
It
has been
reported that US S0F, together with other NATO special forces, have
operated
in
Serbia and
Kosovo.
13
Special Forces
X
14
Special Forces
Part
1
Special Forces Most
countries have at
forces, although
one
least
unit
"elite"
armed
their
in
there are various types of
Some
elite.
are
selected and trained for a special role, for which conventional troops
do not have either the are
elites
given
weapons or
special
meritorious performance
by
a
particularly
and are then expected to set an
battle
in
Other
training needed.
earned
designation
special
a
example which other elements should follow;
thus, for example, the
among
designation "guards" used by the British and Russian armies, others.
Other
elites are
known
best
formed on an ethnic or
units of foreigners: the French Foreign Legion
However, of
worth noting that both contain
it is
Frenchmen and Spaniards,
The majority of
which the
tribal basis, of
Two well-known
are the Gurkhas.
elites are
formed by
and the Spanish Legion. a substantial
proportion
respectively. units
special
however, associated
are,
with
countering modern terrorism, and there have been two events of great significance
was the
First
1
in this
some members
publicity.
terrorists kidnapped
Israeli team and then forced the German them with transport to a nearby airfield where
rescue attempt by the
considerable loss
i
which attracted huge
of the
authorities to provide
a
area, both of
972 Munich Olympic Games when
terrorists would,
of-
life.
German
and troops resulted
police
in
This gave the public the impression that
one way or another, achieve
their goal, but
also
it
spurred governments, armed forces and police into seeking an answer to this increasingly powerful threat. This resulted a
number
of totally
new
re-roling of existing units (eg, the British SAS).
that
some
in
the setting up of
German GSG
forces (eg, the
elite
It
9)
or
in
should be noted,
countries decided to place this role on their
the
also,
civilian forces,
rather on their military forces.
The second
significant
event was the British assault by the SAS on
the terrorists occupying the Iranian Embassy place it
in
was
the
full
glare of publicity but, unlike
London. This also took
many
earlier operations,
not only demonstrating the value of
totally successful, thus
special units but also giving
in
governments and the public some hope
that terrorists could be beaten.
Many role, are
I
special forces, particularly those with a counter-terrorist
shrouded
except that they existence
is
in
secrecy and
exist: indeed,
totally
little
is
known about some units whose
there must be other units
unknown. This
is
for security reasons
if
no
other,
and to maintain their surprise and shock elements of their actions.
An assault team
of
the
Brazilian Army's
during a training exercise. special
forces
to
In
1st
Special
Forces
Battalion about to rush a building
the absence of actual emergencies,
keep their units trained
in
it
is
a
major task
of
all
operations and use of weapons so that they
be at the peak of their performance when they are needed for
will
real.
15
Special Forces
Argentina Brigada Especial Operativa Halcon Argentina's
principal anti-terrorist unit
Special Operations Brigade
Falcon),
commander
answering directly to the
Apart from counter-terrorist
© m z H Z
-
duties,
of the police
The
unit
I
;
intelligence
wears
locally
& Koch HK G3
I
;
who
is
a police unit
are organized into five 15-man teams. The
negotiator -
I
medical -
;
;
I
and snipers -
manufactured uniforms and protective
Glock 17 and the Franchi SPAS
foreign and include
H
-
It
8 troopers and 7 specialists: communications
identically organized, with
explosives -
1986.
in
the national capital, Buones Ayres.
in
also responsible for VIP protection.
it is
Brigada Halcon has a strength of 75 men,
teams are
the Brigada Especial Operativa Halcon (=
is
which was formed
gear.
-
I;
2.
Weapons
are mostly
12 shotgun. The snipers use the Heckler
GS/I.
Australia
Special Air Service Regiment
Australian troops Communist British
in
the Malayan Emergency, the fight against the
insurgents which lasted from
1949 to 1961. During that campaign the
played a significant role
re-formed their Special Air Service
deep-jungle operations and the Australian
(it
Army
used
Company, on July SAS Company was absorbed I
(Royal Australian Regiment [RAR]), but separated again
Sarawak
in
in
1
for
1
into the regular infantry
964 and expanded to become the
Regiment (SASR) with three "Sabre" squadrons. Sub-units of the SASR
Special Air Service
took part
in
II)
model when it formed its first 957. With the termination of
this as a
special forces unit, 1st Special Air Service
the Malayan campaign, however, the
War
had been disbanded after World
Indonesia's Konfrontasi (= confrontation) campaign
Borneo, Brunei, and
in
the early 1960s, and then also took part, with other Australian troops,
in
the
Vietnam War, between 1966 and 1971. Following disengagement from Vietnam one squadron of the terrorist
bomb
not immune to such
activities
and on February 23 the SASR was formally designated the
national counter-terrorist unit.To help in
SASR was disbanded, but a showed that Australia was
attack on the Sydney Hilton on February 13 1978
meet the new
tasks the third squadron
was reformed
1982 and since then, while other elements of the Australian Defense Forces have been cut
back, the
SASR
has remained virtually untouched.
Recent operations have included the Gulf deployed to Kuwait
in
War when one SASR
February-May 1991 where
it
squadron (110 men)
men from
joined with 23
the
New
ANZAC
SAS Squadron, which was part of a joint force with British and US special forces. Another deployment was to Somalia, where a 10-man close-protection group from the SASR formed part of the 67-strong Australian Contingent. As of 1999 Australian special forces comprised: Zealand SAS to form the
Special Air Service Regiment (SASR), consisting of 1,2, and 3 "Sabre" Squadrons, 152
•
(SASR) 1st
•
Squadron.
Signal
Commando
(Commando)
Regiment
Signal
(I
Cdo
Regt), consisting of
Squadron. These are reserve
I
Commandos
and 2
and 126
units, consisting of mainly reservists
with a small regular cadre. •
4th Royal Australian Regiment,
Commando (4RAR Cdo)
(four companies), including
an air platoon. •
In
Navy Clearance Diving Branch (two
regular and
one reserve clearance
diver teams).
addition, each state and the capital territory (Canberra) has a counter-terrorist force,
known
variously as "special operations groups" or
"emergency response teams."
Organization
Above: Australian
coming
in
to
Air parachute silent
landings to
SAS trooper
land using a
and extremely precise be
made. Note pack under
16
Ram-
which enables
his
feet.
SASR is approximately 550 strong, with its main base at Campbell Barracks, Swanbourne, Western Australia, and comprises a Regimental Headquarters (RHQ) and six squadrons. There are three "Sabre" squadrons, which operate a thee-year training/operational cycle, starting with a work-up year, during which volunteers are inducted and more experienced soldiers attend advanced courses. The second year sees the squadron training for overt commitments, including special operations in a conventional war, while in the third year it trains for clandestine tasks, and forms the counter-terrorist Tactical Assault Group (TAG) (see below). Base
Squadron provides administrative and
Support Squadron
is
logistic
responsible for specialist training and
support, while Operational
trials
equipment. The highly specialized communications needed by such 152 (SASR) Signals Squadron.
of
new
techniques and
a force are
provided by
Special Forces
ft
m z H Z
H
Tasks peace-time the SASR's main task
In
emphasis
in
is
counter-terrorism, which
2000. Prime responsibility for counter-terrorism "Sabre" squadron
in
bombers,
assassins,
the third year of
its
lies
being given special
is
the run-up to and during the Olympic Games, being held
in
Sydney
with the Tactical Assault
operational cycle).
the year
in
Group
The enemy could
hijackers, kidnappers, or snipers. Tasks to be
(ie.the
include
performed against such
targets could include the neutralization and/or capture of individuals or groups
on the land
or at sea; the neutralization of hostile aircraft or ships; the safe recovery of hostages; and terrorists
evicting
from
buildings,
an Australian interest
ships
installations,
captured. Such tasks could take place anywhere
or aircraft which they may have
continental Australia or overseas
in
Counter-terrorism training includes Close Quarter Battle (CQB) using frame or
water charges, tubular assaults as
rise structures,
(OAT)
where
involved.
is
in
tactics,
explosive entry
vehicles, buses, trains, aircraft
and high
and room and building clearance operations. The Offshore Assault Team
TAG
where the
terrorist
incident could involve ships, or gas/oil platforms, of which there are appreciable
numbers
part of the
is
and
is
responsible for similar tasks, but at sea,
around the Australian coastline.
The SASR
is
trained
in
counter-insurgency operations which provides troopers with the
in wartime such as the SASR did in Borneo to them gather information about the enemy or to help them fight the enemy.The SASR trained in Southeast Asian languages, customs and traditions and has many Southeast Asian
skills
necessary to recruit indigenous people
help is
experts
in
the regiment.
conventional war, most of the SASR's tasks
In
will
be
in
the enemy's rear areas, and would
include reconnaissance and surveillance, as well as ambushes, sabotage, raids
on important
HQs, airfields, communications centers), and target designation for air strikes. The SASR works and trains in close liaison with US, British, and New Zealand special forces. Since 1992 there has also been considerable, and politically more controversial, targets (eg,
contact with the Indonesian special forces, Kopassus, which has included annual special forces' exercises
in
the other's country.
Above:
for
Uniforms and Equipment SASR
parade, working and
field
uniforms are the same as those of the Australian Army, but
Special uniforms (eg, black coveralls) are
worn according
worn by
the British SAS.
to the tactical situation.
M 6A3 1
or the F88 Austeyr
66, or
SR98 Accuracy
(locally
H&K PSG
I
International
,
manufactured version of the Steyr AUG), but could
Parker Hale 82, Finnish Tikka Finlander .223, Mauser SP
AW-F
sniper
rifles,
or Beretta or Remington shotguns.
For road transport specially modified Nissan Patrol 4-wheel drive vehicles are used, while
most or
air insertions
Army UH-60
are
Black
done by
drink
atop a
helicopter, usually naval
Hawks or CH-47 Chinooks.
UH-60
Sea
Hawks or CH-3
getting the laden
pmnade
in
Seakings,
pack up must
have been quite a struggle. Note the
Equipment includes the whole range of normal Australian weapons and equipment, but with some specialist equipment according to the role. For example the normal rifle is either include Ta'as 7.62 Galil,
a
the Australian Stirling Range;
with a sand-colored beret, cap-badge and wings similar to those
the
An SASR trooper adopts a
nonchalant pose, as he pauses
7.62mm
Self-Loading
Rifle
(SLR).
Top; All
special
courses are
more
forces'
selection
rigorous, but few
so than for these
members
of Australia's
Special Air Service
aspiring
tough
Regiment
(SASR)
17
Special Forces
Austria Gendarmerieeinsatzkommando Cobra n the
late
1960s and early 1970s there was a wave of terrorist
incidents, particularly in Europe, with the small, neutral
country of
Austria being particularly badly affected. At that time Jewish refugees
H
were being allowed to
Union but they were not
leave the Soviet
permitted to travel direct to their ultimate destinations • Israel
(usually, either
or the USA) and the great majority staged through Austria.This
m r£
Austrian
09
occasion
led to several Palestinian terrorist operations
which resulted
in
the
government ordering the formation in 1973 of Gendarmeriekommando BadVoslau (BadVoslau was the name of the unit's base). It was put on high alert during several crises, once when terrorists seized hostages but were allowed to leave, and on another
50
ft
when
OPEC
several
the international terrorist, Carlos Sanchez, seized
oil
The assault
GEK operator with
Above:
SSG69 5.56mm
rifle,
Steyr
an Austrian
weapon proving very popular with special
around the world.
forces
Gendarmerie Royale.At
terrorist Italy's fire
GIS (see
team under
(left)
workshop" hosted by
(right) fire,
comes
p.
the
into
34). As the
brings the bus assault
action
team
from a
9
Games
first this
into forming
own
its
counter-terrorist unit as part of the
was given the cover-name "Diane" but although
changed to Escadron Special d'Intervention used
(ESI)
European nations, Belgium was shocked by the terrorist attack on the
1972 Munich Olympic
rescue exercise at an "anti-
German GSG
Mogadishu showed that determined action
Escadron Special d'Intervention Like many other
storm a bus during a hostage-
rescue mission at Entebbe and the airliner at
by well-trained and properly equipped men could overcome even the most fanatical terrorists. This led to a restructuring of Gendarmeriekommando Bad Voslau in 1978 and the new unit was redesignated Gendarmerieeinsatzkommando (GEK) (= police commando unit) "Cobra." The GEK's first commander, Oberst Pechter, established close ties with other counter-terrorist units, including, among others, the Israeli Sayeret Mat'kal and the (then) West German GSG 9.
Belgium Below: Belgian ESI troopers
Israeli
on the
who were meeting in Vienna, but was paid ransom and given a passage out of the country.
ministers
a multi-million dollar
(ESI) in
this
was
l974.The name "Diane" continues to be
unofficially.
ESI's
primary mission
is
counter-terrorist operations, but
also used to fight organized
it is
where the criminals are armed, and anti-narcotics work.Volunteers for the ESI must undergo a two-week selection process, following which they attend a three-month course. The ESI also has an amphibious capability. Weapons used include the Heckler & Koch MP5 sub-machine gun. Remington 12-gauge shotguns and the SakoTRG-21 7.62mm sniper rifle. crime, particularly
Range Rover, with ladders being extracted for use
in
entering the
Para
Commando
Brigade
target vehicle.
The and
Belgian Army's
elite
military unit
is
the
Para-Commando
Brigade. Separate parachute
commando
were formed by the Belgian Britain during World War
units
government-in-exile
and continued
in
in
II,
existence after the war.
they were amalgamated into the
Regiment, which continued
when,
in
the
in
1952
Para-Commando
existence
reorganization
In
and
following the end of the Cold War,
until
1991
realignment
new
units
were
added, enabling the regiment to be upgraded to the
has
Para-Commando a
peacetime
Brigade.
strength
The of
brigade, which
about
3,000,
comprises:
I
NFANTRY 1st
and 3rd Parachute
Commando
Battalion,
Battalions and the
each
(despite the different titles identically).
18
all
2nd
some 500 strong three are organized
Special Forces
Reconnaissance: 3rd Lancers Parachutists Battalion
•
Para-Commando
•Artillery:
Field Artillery Battery, 35th
Para-Commando
Anti-Aircraft
Artillery Battery.
>
Support: Engineer, Logistics and Medical Companies.
•
fZ>
The Para-Commando Brigade
part of Belgium's contribution to
is
and Rapid Reaction Forces, but also takes part
in
H
NATO's Immediate
50
national and United Nations missions.
•
09
Selection and Training All
members
m r-
of the brigade are volunteers and after a thorough medical examination they
£
commando course. On graduation they are entitled to wear the They then proceed on a one-month parachute course, which involves seven jumps, which must include at least one balloon jump, one night jump, one from a C130 aircraft and one with full equipment.To remain current every member of the brigade must attend
commando
five-month
a
badge.
must carry out four jumps every During World
War
part of the British
SAS
I
950s,
when
Battalion
is
II
the Belgian
Army
Brigade. The Belgian
converted to
it
directly
raised an
SAS Regiment, which was an
SAS was reduced
descended from
and wears the SAS Dagger as
this unit
s
integral
r-
to battalion size until the early
conventional parachute battalion. The present
a
05 -
year.
its
1st
Parachute
cap-badge, but
with the paratroopers' red beret.
The Belgian Navy
T
he Belgian
men
Navy operates
strong and similar
in
a small
frogman section, which
is
believed to be about 30-
organization and training to the British SBS.
Brazil
Left: Special
Brazil's
/
forces'
troopers of
Batalhoo de
Forcas Especials undergoing training areas.
in
fighting
One man
is
in
built-up
spraying
chemical smoke into a man-hole,
which provides access to an
underground sewage system,
in
order to flush out terrorists sheltering there.
1st Special
The I
in
st
first
Brazilian counter-terrorist group was formed
Special Forces Battalion,
other armies,
civilians direct, is
Forces Battalion
/
was
raised
in
Batalhoo de Forcas Especials
I
(
983.
In
1st Special
but takes volunteers only from other units
very severe and
is
followed by
a
I
3-week
in
1
953 but the present
common
with
Forces Battalion) does not recruit in
the
Army.The
(=
combat
Especiais
(GOE)
selection process
divers group).
Comandos Anfybios (COMANFI) (= amphibious commandos). Comandos de Reconhecimento Terrestre (RECONTER) (=
PARASAR
unit,
units
training course.
Other Brazilian special forces units include: Grupo de Mergulhadores de Combate (GRUMEC)
commandos). Grupos de Operaces
CT
many other such
land
reconnaissance
(= special operations groups).
(paratroops).
19
Special Forces
Canada Joint Task Force
The present-day Canadian special operations force was formed
s?
z >
in
responsibility of the Royal
which
2),
were the
Canadian Mounted
War
Below: A stick of paratroopers
•
descend from a Canadian
Lockheed
team awaits ground. The
C-
1
30, as
a
their arrival
men belong Task Force
marker on the to Joint
2, a
new
organization, which was raised
in
the mid-1990s as a successor to the Canadian Airborne Regiment (CAR), which
had been disbanded.
(RCMP)
Special
Army
airborne
there were two Canadian
II
Parachute Battalion, raised at
F m
Police's
Emergency Response
(SERT).
During World
o X O
Force 2" (JTF
"Joint Task
is
of the past 50 years special operations
prerogative of the "Special Service Force," with counter-terrorist operations being the
Team
m z
most
1993. For
April
2
formed
later in
Camp
Shiloh
in
USA
the
in
units:
Canadian
1st
942; and 2nd Parachute Battalion,
1
Canada. Following the war the Canadian parachuting capability was reduced
when it was expanded and the Canadian Airborne Regiment (CAR) was formed, which was intended to be a light, independent, all-arms unit for deployment in low-intensity operations in jungle, desert or arctic warfare conditions. The capability was later expanded yet again with the formation of the Special Service Force, whose "teeth" elements comprised an armored battalion, an infantry battalion, the CAR, plus artillery and engineer battalions, and communications and logistics support. It also included the Canadian SAS, which had been formed in 1946 as a company-sized unit, closely modeled on the British to cadre level until 1968,
SAS.
The
CAR was
elements during
disbanded
its
in
some component
the mid- 990s as a result of an enquiry into activities of 1
participation
UN
the
in
operation
Somalia, and
in
its
three
companies were dispersed to form airborne companies
in
three
conventional infantry battalions. Joint Task Force 2 (JTF 2)
US
of
come
Volunteers can
whom
may government services believed that
(CSIS).
It
is
it
lines
maintains close contact.
only from those already within the Canadian
Forces (CF) and their tour length is
on the
a counter-terrorist unit
is
Delta and British SAS, with
it
is
normally 4-5 years, although
also include people eg,
it
from other Canadian
Canadian Security Intelligence Service
approximately 300 strong and
commanded by
is
a
lieutenant-colonel.
Volunteer Standards Volunteer standards are not normally specified, but the Canadian
Forces
made
have
(CANFORGEN
requirements
their
JTF
for
078/97 Adm(per) 056 30I330Z
Jul
2
public
97) and these
are summarized below: •
Ranks: Volunteers must be soldiers
-
warrant
in
officer,
the ranks
of: officers
captain only;
-
sergeant, master-corporal, corporal,
private. •
General qualifications: At engaged for
a
years' service and
least three
re-
second three-year engagement; no known phobias
of heights, water or enclosed spaces); a valid civilian
(eg, fear
driving license; and a
demonstrated wish and
ability
to learn a
second language. •
Physical requirements:
demonstrated
A
high standard of medical fitness
capability of: running
1.5
and a
miles (2.5km) inside
I
I
minutes; 40 consecutive push-ups; five consecutive overhand grip, straight-arm pull-ups; 40 sit-ups
in
60 seconds; 1431b (65kg) bench
press. •
Commanding
Officer's recommendation:
volunteer has achieved
assessment of
•
A
statement that the
the above requirements plus a general
his suitability for special forces, in
maturity, stability •
all
lifestyle,
and
areas such
as:
financial.
Preliminary screening: by a qualified JTF recruiting team.
Phase
3:
course
Those passing Phase
in
which their
2 then participate
levels of physical fitness,
in
a
three-week
weapons
handling,
and confidence are improved, following which they undergo a one
week assessment
of suitability for special forces. Officers have an
additional four-day assessment of their planning and leadership skills. •
20
Phase
4: five
months of
training.
Special Forces
Operations not known for certain where and when JTF 2 may have been deployed, although press
It is
reports suggest that elements were sent to (but not used
on stand-by for
Grupo
Grupo
operation
a possible
Operations) was formed
and
in
1
commitment
Especiales
is
UAT
to support the
(GOPE)(= Group
for
Special
forces/commando duties but
(see below)
counter-terrorist operations
in
it
in
Police
m
Its
also has a
government
O z
and diplomatic buildings.
Unidad Anti-Terroristes (UAT)(= anti-terrorist the National Police Force.
It
is
unit), also
known
approximately 120 strong and
teams, each led by an officer.The unit
based
is
as "Cobra," belongs to
divided into seven-man
is
S
German
currently believed to be approximately 100 strong.
to undertake military special
is
Z
Chile
980. Chilean personnel were originally trained by
instructors and the unit
Israeli
principal task
was
crisis
Operaciones Policiales Especiales
de
Operaciones Policiales
de
Bosnia, and that the unit
in)
Peru during the Japanese Embassy hostage
in
s» SO
just outside Santiago.
comprise two groups:
Military Special Forces
BuzosTacticos del Ejercito (Army SF commandos). BuzosTacticos de
la
Armada (Navy SF commandos).
Denmark
Jaegerkorptset
Left:
An observation post (OP)
manned
by
men
of the
Danish
Jaegerkorptset (Ranger Corps).
Faced
with a growing threat of international terrorism
Army
number
sent a
in
the
late
1950s, the Danish
US Ranger School and on attachment to the 960/6 .These officers were then used to raise a new body, the
of officers to the
British Special Air Service in
1
1
Jaegerkorptset (= Ranger Corps), which was trained for counter-terrorist duties
in
support
of the Danish police's Aktions-Styrken (Action Force) and for long-range patrol and sabotage duties
in
conventional war.
The Jaegerkorptset
is
based at Aalborg
in
North
Jutland,
with other special forces, particularly the British SAS.
from the
British Royal Air
from Danish sources
Weapons known
H&K
MP5,
H&K
is
the
German Army, Hughes MD-500 Force and
to be used include: pistols
MP53;
rifles
-
H&K G4
1
;
-
sniper
It
works and
and
trains closely
also receives helicopter
support
since the largest helicopter available
SIG P-210 7.65mm "Neuhausen;"
rifle
-
H&K
PSG-
1
7.62 sniper
SMC
-
rifle.
Froemandskorpset (Frogman Corps)
The
Royal Danish Navy's Froemandskorpset was created
diving
school,
headquarters diving;
in
1
but
it
was taken
away
and
made
in
1957 as part of the naval
directly
subordinate
to
naval
970. The unit's tasks include: beach reconnaissance; boarding suspect ships;
underwater demolition; and ship underwater
the Gulf War aboard ships of the Royal Danish
security.
The
unit
was deployed during
Navy 21
Special Forces
Egypt Task Force 777
Faced with had
split
credible threats from extremists such as the
PLO
from the
in
strength of three officers, four in
Si
Below: The aftermath of a rescue
attempt that went wrong. This Egyptair Boeing 737 was hijacked to Malta, where
50
assaulted
it
was 777.
by Egypt's TF
Scorch marks show where the
n m
engineers blew a hole roof, but
in
they added so
extra explosive as
the
much
went
in
the rear
cabin were killed. A further 37
passengers were killed
main
in
the
assault.
into action
and
on February
The
incident resulted
19 1978,
1977, with an
in
initial
PLO,
an Egyptian newspaper
killed
and then seized 30 hostages. Task Force 777
Guard and in
in
actually reinforcements for the terrorists, an
police resulted
members ofTF
the deaths of 15
in
major row between the governments, with the Egyptians
a
accusing the Cypriots of a lack of cooperation and
accused the Egyptians of
777
the terrorists but then, due to misunderstandings on the spot
killed
attack by Cypriot National
777.
Nidal Organization (which
soldiers. They received an early baptism of fire
terrorists, claiming to represent the
Nicosia, Cyprus,
in
NCOs, and 40
which the Cypriots thought the Egyptians were
to inform
failing
killing their
them of the
troops, while the Cypriots
arrival of
Task Force 777 and of
blatantly disregarding their national sovereignty.
Unfortunately, even worse
insurance that
some 20 passengers
when Arab
1978
editor
Abu
1974), Egypt established Task Force
aftermath of the airliner. Flight
was to follow
Achille Lauro hijacking
its
a
second operation
way.
October 1985
in
in
Palestinians hijacked an Egyptair Boeing
648, and forced the pilot to land at Luqa
in
the
737
Malta. Egypt promptly ordered the
knew that it The operation was botched, however, probably due to pressure on the commander of TF 777 to
despatch of Task Force 777 and
was on
in
when
this
time ensured that the Maltese authorities
effect
very rapid
a
solution.
Although TF 777 did not have a plan of the internal layout of
the Boeing 737, even though
belonged
to
national airline,
create
to
blowing a
diversion
hole
would
which
was decided
it
a
in
the
distract
by roof
the thus
attention,
terrorists'
it
own
Egypt's
enabling the main attack to go in
through
doors.
the
The
explosives team got on to the
roof without being detected
by
the
Unfort-
terrorists.
unately, they then
explosive
to
added extra
ensure
success
with the result that the blast
was so
violent that
passengers
immediately killed.
At
this,
commenced
some 20
the
in
beneath
rows were
the main attack
but the
TF 777
men used high-explosive grenades and fired indiscriminately into the interior of the cabin, while some of the passengers who did actually get out of the aircraft were then mistaken for fleeing terrorists byTF 777 snipers outside the aircraft and several were shot. The result of all
these errors was that 57 hostages were
killed,
making
it
one of the most
costly rescue
operations ever undertaken. failure of these two missions, however, it was clear that the Egyptian were determined to take immediate and forceful action against terrorists and it should be noted that there has been no major airliner hijacking incident since. Nevertheless, Task Force 777 has been kept busy by Egypt's internal war against the "Brotherhood" in which they have undertaken numerous actions and lost several men.
Despite the
authorities
Weapons and Equipment Like
all
such
units, Task
Force 777 maintains a "rapid reaction force" at very short notice to
move, with further elements Westland
Commando
Task Force 777
is
at longer notice. The unit
is
supported by
a
number
of dedicated
troop-carrying helicopters at similar degrees of notice.
known
to have received training from
US
special operations forces
(Delta and SEALs) as well as from European forces, including the British SAS, French
and the
22
German GSG
9.
GIGN,
France HAS TRADITIONALLY
FRANCE
created
armed forces 50 years the two
groups within
elite
and over the past
its
groups have been the Legion
leading
Etrangere (Foreign Legion) and
paras
/es
There are also a number of "marine" units, which despite (the
"paratroops").
their
name
as
are not amphibious troops
understood
American and
in
British
usage, but are elite units which
Century were raised
19th
One example
for overseas land service. er Regiment
de
6
is
Marine
de
d'lnfanterie
Parachutistes
size
in
Armed
Parachute
(6th
Regiment of the Marine French
the
in
specifically
Infantry).
The
Forces are being reduced
and reorganized according to Plan 2002. While
have
this will
some
on the
effect
size
of the Foreign Legion and the Paras, they will be affected less than other parts of the army.
The French
police counter-terrorist unit
the Groupe
is
d' Intervention
de
la
Gendarmerie
whose most recent success was the rescue of hostages from airliner at Marseille-Marignane airport in December 1994. French military special forces are under the command of Commandement des Speciales (COS) (= Special Operations Command), which was formed after the Nationale (GIGN),
War, and comprises units from Army, Navy, and Air Force. of the Joint er (
I
special force
1991 Gulf
answerable direct to the Chief
the Premier Regiment de Parachutistes d'lnfanterie de
is
most respects to the British SAS.This is not surprising, stem from the French SAS units raised in England during World War
RPIMa), which
similar in
is
II.
Missions include counter-terrorist operations
below) and special operations
SOFD-Delta and the
commando
in
in
conjunction with
GIGN
and RAID (see
conventional war, similar to those conducted by the
US
SAS.
British
forces
special
(GROUFUMACO)(= of four assault
in
a specially adapted training
house. A grenade has been
board by the man
the
in
center,
while his two colleagues cover
doorway, ready
the
arrest or
to
shoot anyone emerging. GIGN,
since their traditions
Naval
French
the
of
GIGN attack a simulated target
thrown into an understair cup-
Operations
Staff.
The primary Army Marine
It is
a hijacked
Members
Above:
Nationale,
terrorist
known
Groupement des Fusiliers-Marins which is composed
Commandos
one
is
professional
of
designated
are
part of France's Gendarmerie of
units,
its
the most
counter-
of all
most recent
success being the
rescue
hostages from a French
airliner at
Marseille
1994.
in
Commando Group)
Naval
commandos
(= teams or companies), plus a special
of nageurs de combat (- underwater swimmers). Their
missions and tactical methodology are similar to those used by
SEALs and
British SBS, with
The Gendarmerie
whom
Nationale
is
US
they have frequent exchanges.
a national paramilitary police force
administered by the Ministry of Defense. This organization includes its
own
special
Gendarmerie
forces,
Nationale
Groupement
(GSIGN) which
Gendarmerie),
National
Speciale
(Special
has
d'lntervention
de
la
Action
Group
three
company-sized
of
the
components: Groupe d'lntervention de strength of 87, the
la
Gendarmerie Nationale (GIGN). With
GIGN
is
commanded
by a
a
commandant
(major).
Groupe de Securite du President de
la
Republique (GSPR) which
is
responsible for the personal safety of the president.
Escadron Parachuttste d'lntervention de
la
Gendarmerie Nationale
(EPIGN).
RAID
Above: Marines
naval
RAID
is
a highly secretive group,
among
formed
in
1985, and appears to counter the general
special
of the
French
forces
GROUFUMACO (Groupement de
counter-terrorist forces by recruiting direct from the public, rather
Fusiliers-Manns
Commandos)
than from already-trained soldiers or police. The unit has a strength of 60: headquarters and
coming ashore
in
support
dinghy. These
practice
-
10
-
1
each.
0; special
elite
task group (negotiators, explosives disposal, etc)
The normal operational uniform
is
a
-
1
black coverall and
0;
four assault teams
mask (hence
their
roles
an
inflatable
men have
similar
the US SEALs and
to
nickname "Black Panthers") and the operators are permitted to make personal selections of
British
weaponry, either foreign or French. The selection tests are very severe and are followed by
conduct frequent training.
a
SBS, with
which they
nine-month training course.
23
Special Forces
Legion Etrangere
The
Legion Etrangere (= Foreign Legion) forms
soldiers at the center of the French
Army.
In
a
core of highly professional
solid
March 1988 the French government
announced the outcome of a thorough review of the nation's defense requirements, as a result of which the Army is being reduced from 200,000 to 36,000 (-47 percent). Of this, however, the Legion's share of the cut is only from 8,300 to 7,500 (-10 percent), although Legion units will withdraw from many overseas bases. The Legion continues to attract I
and according to current
recruits,
the national origins of
statistics
roughly divided into: Eastern Europe - one-third; France
n
-
itself
its
manpower
can be
one-third; and the rest of the
world (103 nations) - one-third.
Training the Legion The Legion
is
responsible for
its
own
administration, including recruiting, recruit training,
specialist training (eg, radio operators),
To achieve er l
this,
there are
NCO
training,
career management, and discharges.
two regiments:
Regiment Etranger (IRE) (1st Foreign Legion Regiment). Located at Caserne Vienot
in
RE is responsible for the administration of the whole Legion. It also runs the band and the museum, and administers the large training camp. Of even greater importance, RE
Aubagne,
I
I
the senior regiment of the Legion and the custodian of the Legion's traditions and keeper
is
of
its relics.
For the individual legionnaire,
service begins and ends at Aubagne.
his
4 er Regiment Etranger (4th Foreign Legion Regiment [4RE]).
where
responsible for recruit and
it is
NCO
4RE
is
based at Castelnaudary,
training.
Below: Foreign Legionnaires at
range practice with their
5.56mm The MAS normally
FA
is
MAS
unusual
fired
assault in
that
rifles.
it
is
using the built-in
bipod, which compels the firer to
There are 2
er
five
major combat
units:
Regiment Etranger d'lnfanterie (2REI) (2nd Foreign Legion Infantry Regiment). Stationed at
Nimes,
France, 2REI has had a very busy time.
in
virtually
It
was
raised
in
1841 and has served
firing
3 er Regiment Etranger d'lnfanterie (3REI) (3rd Foreign Legion Infantry Regiment)
than with other
rifles.
at
Note the flash suppressor at the
Kourou
although
it
in is
French Guyana.
composed
carrying handle/sight protector,
French missile launching
handle beneath.
er I
the
of
specializes
It
normally reinforced by a
end of the barrel and the long
with the prominent cocking
in
every one of France's colonial campaigns since then.
adopt a rather higher
position
24
The Combat Units
two
infantry companies, site,
in
fifth
whose
is
company from another Legion
basic responsibility
plus an air defense
is
company and an
unit.
in
6
eme
3REI
is
that of the security of the
administrative company.
Regiment Etranger de Cavalerie (IREC) (1st Foreign Legion Cavalry Regiment)
two armored regiments
stationed
jungle warfare and consists of four companies,
Division Legere Blindee (6th Light
Armored
is
one of
Division) and
SPtCIAL roRtts
Leu:
Combat frogmen
of the
Detachment d'lnter/ention Operationelle Subaquatique, a special
forces
manned
unit
by
engineers from the Legion's 6th
Engineer Regiment. One frogman is
SB S»
Z m
P5
checking their direction with
his
compass, while the other
stands guard, carrying a
standard FA MAS assault
is
stationed at Orange, France.
consists of three
It
5.56mm
rifle.
armored car squadrons and an APC-borne
infantry company. It is one of the spearhead units for the French rapid deployment force. er Regiment Etranger de Parachutistes (2REP) (2nd Foreign Legion Parachute Regiment) is a 2
rapid
deployment airborne-commando regiment, stationed
The regiment
is
form of combat, although there
particular
are six companies:
mountain and
Company
Company
I
is
Company
sabotage,
-
sniping,
is
island of Corsica.
specially trained in a
between companies. There
regular cross-training
night combat, anti-tank, urban
-
warfare; 3
arctic
demolition,
-
on the
at Calvi
divided into specialized companies, each of which
combat; 2
Company
Below: Like other special forces, the
Foreign
operate
in
Legion
-
terrains. In
this
amphibious warfare, combat swimmers; 4
desert, the
legionnaire
unconventional
warfare;
HQ
Company
-
carries
but the second
support company.
and
5 er Regiment Etranger (5RE) (5th Foreign Legion Regiment). The Legion's 5th Regiment
7.62mm
in
Indochina, but
labor duties on French islands
in
where French nuclear weapons
tests
6 eme
Regiment
Regiment)
is
recently as
the
Etranger
1984, although
it
is
former 6 eme Regiment Etranger
when
it
in
man
armed with sniping
a
is
front rifle,
a sniper
French
rifle.
security and
Mururoa
were carried out. de Genie (6REG) (6th Legion
the most junior unit
France, until recently
now performs
Pacific, including
is
rock-strewn
an FA MAS assault
administration, communications, medical, maintenance, and supply; and reconnaissance and
served with distinction
ready to
is
a wide variety of
Atoll
Engineer
the Legion, having been raised as
in
the bearer of the traditions of the
d'lnfanterie.
moved
which was formerly the base for
6REG was
based at Nimes,
camp on the Plain d'Albion, the French IRBM missiles. 6REG to the
maintains engineer detachments overseas and includes Detachement
d 'Intervention
Operationnelle
Subaquatique
which
is
responsible
for
combat swimmer operations and underwater explosive ordnance disposal. It
It is
the engineer regiment for 6th
DLB
(= 6th Light Division).
consists of five companies: three field engineer companies; a bridging
company; and command/support company. I3 eme Demi-Brigade Legion Etrangere
the Foreign Legion)
"Horn of
is
stationed
Africa," a location of
in
(I3DBLE) (13th Half-Brigade of the Republic of Djibouti on the
major strategic importance.
13
DBLE
armored car squadron; an infantry company; and a headquarters and support company, armed with mortars and anti-tank
consists of an
missiles (Milan),
and
a
medical section.
Detachement de Legion Etrangere a Mayotte (DLEM) (Foreign Legion
Detachment the Indian
-
Mayotte).
Ocean
The DLEM
is
responsible for the security of
island of Mayotte, in the
Comoros group
of islands,
an important staging post on the route to the Pacific.
Selection and Training Legionnaires come from any country
except,
in
theory, France
always contained a large proportion of Frenchmen, claiming to
who
itself.
However, the Legion has
circumvent the regulations by
On enlisting the new recruit is whose use is mandatory for three years. If he survives the first and he may either leave or be expelled in that period - he is then
be Belgians, Swiss or French Canadians.
immediately given an
alias,
three weeks of training
-
25
Special Forces
remaining
a legionnaire for the lasts for
one
year, being
island of Corsica. it is
five
years of his contract. Training
conducted by 4RE
Great importance
camp
at a
at Bonifacio,
extremely thorough and
is
on the southern
claimed, goes through Legion training without soaking his socks
in his
own
once. Forced marches are frequent and a high standard of marksmanship live firing
two days
taking place
a
tip
of the
placed on obedience and physical condition; nobody,
is
week
is
blood at
least
required, with
for 13 weeks.
39
and Advanced Training
Specialist
Once
the basic training has been completed selected legionnaires proceed to advanced
training (for example, as a
communicator or
one of the
as an engineer) at
special schools in
or near Castelnaudary. Potential non-commissioned officers must attend the Corporal's course, which
lasts for eight
demanding courses
week course
weeks and
considered to be one of the physically most
is
any army. The successful corporal would then expect to attend a 14-
in
prior to promotion to sergeant.
Uniform The Legion wears standard French Army uniform, but with famous of which are the greatly prized
most worn on parade, and
several special items, the
kepi blanc (= white hat),
which
is
the green beret used for daily and operational wear and by the Legion's paratroops,
not wear a red beret. The kepi blanc
is
actually a standard blue kepi, with a red top
badge, but with a white cloth cover, which officer.
is
who do
and gold
permanently removed on promotion to sous-
Special items of parade dress are the kepi blanc, green shoulder-boards with red
tassels, a
green
waistcoat.
tie,
white belt over a blue sash, and white gauntlets. Officers also wear a green
Members
of the assault pioneer platoon also
wear
a white, hide apron, carry a
ceremonial axe with a chromed blade, and are permitted to grow a beard.
Paratroops
Below: French paratroops
deploying from a helicopter. Apart
Puma
from conducting
more operational parachute
parachute corps
drops than any other army, the
with others since
French paras also pioneered the
detriment.
tactical
use of helicopters
in
ground wars during their
campaign against the Algerian FLN
26
The French paratroops have probably carried out more operational jumps than any other
in
the
late
1950s.
in
(eg,
the world
in
their campaigns
Kolwezi).They have also
They were among the
units in the French
156 operational drops, but were defeated
in
at
in
times
campaign
Indochina, Suez (1956) and Algeria,
become in
Indochina and carried out
the battle of Dien Bien Phu
Following the Indochina ceasefire and the French withdrawal
went to
Algeria, arriving just as the
heavily politicized, to their
war there
started.
in
1
in
some
1954-55.
955, the paratroop units
Special Forces
n m
Left:
French special forces on a running civilian.
patrol, passing
Note the black helmets with the built-in
radio, giving
communications
to
every
man
in
the unit. The black uniforms,
covered faces, and aggressive attitude are a
intended to present
daunting impression.
was virtually two months restored control. Their methods were seriously questioned, however, and there were many allegations of torture. To this day, an element of distrust of /es paras remains; for example, the number of years an officer may In
January
1
957
I
Oth Parachute Division took over the city of Algiers which
the hands of the FLN, and inside
in
serve with paratroop units
now
is
limited.
war the paratroops returned to France, but the French have
After the Algerian
maintained a strong parachute capability, and have regularly used these excellent troops
overseas
in
what
pursuit of French diplomatic policies. Units of
Division have served
in
Zaire, Mauretania, Chad, and Lebanon,
now
is
among other
Nth Parachute locations. Below: Close-up of a French
Organization
special
The approximately 14,000-man Nth Parachute Division is based atTarbes.At least one-third of the Division is abroad, either on training missions of one kind or another, or maintaining a visible
presence
in
Africa or the Indian Ocean.
force, together with 9th
It
is
part of the French rapid-intervention
er RPIMa)
is
under
trooper. Note
his
the
large
silencer
on
his
sub-
machine gun.
Marine Light Infantry Division, 27th Alpine Division, 6th
Armored Division, and 4th Airmobile Division. Nth Parachute comprises two brigades, with seven battalion-sized parachute units, one Light
(l
forces
face-mask, personal radio, and
Division of which
and has a para-commando/special forces
divisional control
role.
The other
six units are: 3,
paratroop
units);
parachute
unit).
I
6 and 8
RCP
and 9
RPIMa
(equivalent to the former "colonial"
(chasseurs or light infantry); and 2
REP
(the Legion
Selection and Training All
French paratroops are volunteers and undergo the same sort of selection
and training as other parachute forces. The standard of training certain volunteers can er l
go on to
join
high and
is
one of the para-commando
units (eg,
RPIMa).
Weapons and Equipment For many years the French have
FA
now
MAS
receive
Army was
using the
MAS
re-equipped with the revolutionary short,
"bullpup" assault
rifle,
49/56 7.5mm light
rifle,
but they
but effective
5.56mm
with the parachute units being
among
the
first
to
it.
Uniforms French paratroops wear standard French is
Army
uniforms. Their parachute status
indicated by their red beret (except for Foreign Legion paras
green beret). Para wings are large and
in silver,
and are worn on the
who wear
a
right breast.
27
Spk
ial
Forces
Germany GSG
AN
appropriate characterization of the special operations forces
"defensive," both with respect to
and
company),
reconnaissance
Grenzschutzgruppe 9 (GSG
The Fernspahkompanie,
Army
C5
m
9
corps.
It
is
paramilitary
its
in
Germany would be
Fernspahkompanie (long-range
military elements,
its
border
national
arm,
police
the
9).
said to
be about 140-150 personnel,
assigned to each
is
German
oriented toward stay-behind operations against forces that have passed
beyond them, or insertions behind
enemy
reconnaissance, they
out sabotage missions
Apart from
lines.
performing
long-range
30 Below: GSG 9 troopers descend
from a balcony using an ikar descender during a training exercise.
The
men
are
all
wearing "flak jackets" and carry
MPS sub-machine in
GSG
9
guns. The
men
are required to be
physically very tough, but also
receive in
intense academic training subjects as diverse as law
and
terrorist theory
and
practice.
can
carry
also
required.
if
US
operational concepts closely parallel those of the missions of the Forces. Basic training training
is
conducted
is
conducted
parachute and ranger course
at the
Special Operations
in
Schongau. Further
Long Range Reconnaissance Training Center
at the
their
fact,
In
at
Neuhausen ob
Eck.
West
Following the Black September terrorist attack at the 1972 Munich Olympics, the
Germans
created
a
new
totally
group,
counter-terrorist
Bundesgrenzschutz (the Federal Border
and designated
Police),
but
part
as
of
the
Grenzschutzgruppe 9
it
(GSG 9). This unit proved itself in October 977 at Mogadishu in Somalia when a team of 27 men took part in a six-minute assault on a hijacked Lufthansa airliner and released all 87 1
GSG
no overt
hostages. Since then there have been
9 operations, although there have been
rumors of clandestine successes.
Organization The
was 180 strong at the time of Mogadishu and as a result of it was decided to increase it to 300, but recruiting difficulties kept the strength at about 160 to 200 for some time. unit
that operation
GSG
9
is
combat unit; a
the process of increasing the unit strengths of
in
units to
42 each. Overall,
GSG
communications and documentation
training unit that can be used as another flight
unit.
of three helicopters and
GSG
pilots
unit;
9/3 specializes
GSG
an engineer
combat
unit; a
9/2 specializes
GSG
in
unit; a
a supply
9/1, the counter-
maritime operations;
airborne missions. Total strength
in
four
helicopter
and mechanics; and
9 has three operational sub-units:
terrorist assault group;
GSG
I
I
its
9 consists of a headquarters
about
is
250.
Selection and Training All
members
Police or first
of
GSG
Border
leave the
9 must be volunteers from the ranks of the
Police. Thus,
Army and
22 weeks long and
is
weeks are devoted to
any soldier
join the
Border
who
wishes to join must
Police. The training
course
The first 13 weapons skills,
directed at mind and body.
is
police duties, legal matters,
and karate. Training takes place
in a
variety of locations as befits a unit which
does not necessarily know
in advance where it will be committed. The second part of the course comprises a detailed examination of terrorist movements combined with a final development of
individual
skills,
communications
including industries.
new developments in The students become
the optics and
acquainted with
sharpshooter tools such as night vision devices, observation glasses
and the
like.
Failure
Evasive driving techniques are also taught.
rate
on the course
stronger emphasis on academic
is
about 80 percent. There
work
than
in
is
a
most such counter-
terrorist units.
Weapons and Equipment A
wide variety of weapons are used, but the basic weapon is the - the Heckler and Koch MP59mm
standard police sub-machine gun -
I
but ,
when used
sniper missions.
28
by
GSG
9
it is
fitted
Mauser SP-86. and Mauser SP-66,
The men
with a silencer.The
7.62mm
H&K
PSG-
caliber,
are used for
are allowed to select their
own model
all
Special Forces
pistol, a rare
9mm
P7
release
degree of choice
pistol
and the gun
it
such
in
units.
Most unusual
of the
weapons
is
the
H&K
P9P
which features a unique cocking device operated by gripping the gunframe
-
totally safe!
is
Below:
GSG
position
building. His
silenced
Uniforms GSG 9 members wear standard Bundesgrenzschutz uniform a green battledress with a dark worn, together with green beret. On operations the standard German paratrooper helmet a flak jacket where necessary. No special unit identification is worn, although the wearing of -
is
a
at
parachute qualification badge by a policeman may be an indication of
his role.
trooper
9
a
in
fire
corner of a
the
weapon
Heckler
is
a
& Koch MP5,
one of the most widely used special
pages
forces'
weapons
(see
116-117).
Bottom: Unusual
ball-mounting
in
m
the armored-glass windscreen of
KOMMANDO
SPEZIALKRAFTE
a
Mercedes-Benz
enabling an
Kommando
Spezialkrafte (KSK) (= special
became operational year 2000. Unlike
wartime
GSG
in
1997, although
9, this
it
a military unit,
is
commando
unit)
not reach
its full,
will
was formed
which serves two functions. The
military function of long-range patroling, with surveillance, sabotage,
missions against command-and-control and logistics targets deep
second, however, conflict
is
in
1994 and
trained strength until the
in
first
is
and disruption
hostile territory.
German
the peacetime mission of protecting or rescuing
the
The
citizens in
zones overseas, with special emphasis on rescuing hostages or downed aircrews.
gun
to
of the
Z
field-car,
MPS sub-machine
be fired straight ahead vehicle
(the
distance
between the mounting plates shows how thick the glass This
mounting would be
great value driving
into
when
is).
of
deliberately
a terrorist position.
The KSK was formed by removing the commando companies from the two of the three independent long-range
three airborne brigades and
reconnaissance and
(LRRP) companies, one of which had been
patrol
allocated to each corps (the third a brigadier-general, will
company,
reconnaissance logistic
was disbanded). The KSK, commanded by
comprise four a
commando
companies, a long-range
headquarters/communications
company, and a training center. Within the
companies the organization
The KSK
will
be the
company, a
commando and LRRP
be based on four-man teams.
will
German
equivalent of the
US
Delta and British SAS,
with similar organization, and selection and training procedures. The unit
will
probably use the black operational outfit pioneered by the British SAS and
German weapons, although the German adaptation of the Accuracy International AW (known in Germany as the G22 Sniper Weapon System). The difficulty with GSG 9 has been that it is a unit of the German
will
be armed with predominantly standard
sniper
rifle will
be a
Bundesgrenzschutz interpretation of the
though
it
however,
(Border
German
Security
Police)
and
thus,
undertook the Mogadishu operation). Being
KSK overcomes
German government and Delta and the SAS.
by
a
strict
Law, ineligible for overseas missions (even
this legal nicety.
It
will also,
a
military
unit,
of course, enable the
military to deploy a direct national equivalent of
^K
St
29
Special Foiu is
Hungary Police Special Force
The Police Special Force (PSF) was formed
two
1991 with
in
terrorist activities, and, second, to aid conventional police
crime. The PSF service,
who
is
recruited only from police officers
are physically and mentally
and, as
fit,
who
have given three years unblemished
usual
is
counter any
roles: first, to
their fight against organized
in
in all
such forces, pass stringent
security checks.
The PSF looked to Israel for much Israeli equipment.
help
in
forming and training the
which, as a result,
unit,
now
uses 30
i
India
a
AS
IS
TO
BE expected in such a large
also large, with 1,100,000
and every one of them Below: Special forces of India's National Security Guard
Sikhs'
Since Independence
a volunteer.
Kashmir to numerous
involving terrorist tactics. Finally, there has
in
many such
to
action,
10.000
I
1947 the Indian
in
India are
the Air Force,
in
Army its
has seen a traditional
enemies, Pakistan and China. There are also numerous internal problems, ranging from the long-running dispute
As
the Navy and
in
great deal of active service and aggressive confrontation, particularly against
Golden Temple at Amritsar
operations they are awaiting the call
and populous country, the armed forces of
the Army, 55,000
on deployment outside the
May 1988.
in
1NSG1
in
including operations Indian
armed
in
in Sri
many
internal anti-guerrilla campaigns,
of
them
been a variety of other military commitments,
Lanka and the Maldives.
not surprising, therefore, that the
is
It
number
forces should have given birth to a large
of special forces.
which sometimes
Commandos
Para
can be a long time coming and, without good leadership, can result
in
a loss of morale
here are three Parachute/Commando battalions, the
and
efficiency.
T:Cdo Bn
in
1
966, followed by
1
Cdo Bn
0th Para
in
1
converted from
1
Cdo Bn
0th Bn
st
I
Some
mid-1970s. Para
to be raised being the 9th Para
first
967; the third, 1st Para
in
the
years after being formed 9th
specialized
desert warfare and
in
mountain warfare, but
in
Cdo Bn.was
Parachute Battalion
Cdo Bn
Para
I
has not specialized and remains as a strategic reserve.
The primary mission battalions
in
operations
in
disrupt
his
of the Para
wartime
Commandos
conduct covert
to
is
the enemy's rear areas
and
operations
command-and-control and peacetime their mission
order to
in
attack
to
logistic
enemy In
facilities.
to serve as a highly
is
capable and flexible, rapid-reaction force. All
the para
Commandos part
of
commandos saw
active service in
Indo-Pakistan war. 9th and
the 1971
deployed to
the
beleaguered
Indian
Lanka
Sri
government's
government
in
in
0th Para
1
1987-88 as aid
to
the
Colombo, where
they conducted several heliborne assaults, albeit with varying degrees of success. 10 Para also
took part
in
the Maldive islands
commandos
have also taken part
in
numerous
Cdo Bn
the peace-keeping operation in
November
1
988.
in
The para
internal security operations including the
1984 attack on the Sikh Golden Temple, although they lost 17
and many wounded.
killed
National Security Guards The National forces groups
Security Guards in
(NSG) were
raised
in
1985 and form one of the largest special
the world, with a current strength of
whereas other countries have
units
which are either
all
some
7,000.
military
or
It
all
also unusual police, India's
in that,
NSG
is
two elements: the Special Action Rangers Group (SRG).The SAG, which is slightly the larger of
a mixture of the two. In overall
terms
it
is
divided into
Group (SAG); and the Special two and composed entirely of soldiers, is responsible for offensive action, while the SRG, whose task is to support the SAG, particularly by cordoning off the area of the intended action, is entirely composed of policemen. Men serve with the NSG for 3-5 years and are the
30
l^^^H
Special Forces
then rotated back to their parent
The main operations
in
NSG
of the
tasks
many other modern units they wear an them the nickname of the "Black Cats."
unit. Like
operational uniform, which has earned
counter-terrorist
include:
to an incident depends upon the
SAG
and so on. The
which
on
commanded
is
in "hit
hijacking
by a captain. The
one occasion has
visits.
The
specialist.
NSG
scale of
SAG commitment
of terrorists, the surrounding situation,
teams," each of which
support
a technical
number
the
site,
committed
is
and
pairs,
at least
resolving
the air or the ground, rescuing hostages, explosive ordnance disposal (EOD),
VIP protection, and anti-sabotage checks prior to VIP
two-man
action,
all-black
Four
"hit
is
composed
of five men:
can, however, deploy in
much
larger units and
fielded an entire battalion.
most
other countries and
some
are
Indian Navy's Marine
(MCF) was
known
maintains close links with similar organizations
to have visited Israel for additional training.
in
Army paratroopers
await to emplane for the the
flight
Maldives, following the
attempted coup
in
October
1988. Indian armed forces have
been involved
in
many
operations since Independence
in
1947, with the special forces being kept particularly active.
Commando Force
Marine
The
NSG
special forces, the
J* Below: Indian
to
Three occasions when the NSG is known to have deployed were twice against the Sikh Golden Temple in Amritsar in 1986 and 1988 when they deployed in considerable strength, and once in an aircraft hijacking incident at Amritsar in 1994 where a lone hijacker was successfully overcome. Like
O
two
teams" make an "action team"
raised
for special operations
Force
elite
force
maritime environment,
a
in
Commando
1987 as an
in
with tasks which include reconnaissance, raids,
and
operations
counter-terrorist
coastal,
in
beach, and riverine environments.
MCF
Volunteers for the
month
following training
over a period of
which
start
they
course. This
operational
a
followed
is
on
unit
undergo further
on
posting
probation which,
training,
to
an
where they they pass, ends
if
qualified
fully
some
after starting.
Strength of the
over
a
by
with them being declared
two years
undergo arduous
nine-month
physical tests
MCF
is
believed to be well
and these are divided into three
1,000
each naval command:
groups, one with
West
(Bombay); South (Cochin), and East (Vizag). Each
group
includes
Reaction
a
Quick
platoon-sized
small
(QRS), responsible
Section
the
for
counter-terrorism commitment.
One
of the
unusual
MCF
elements of the
is
undertaken
roles
sabotage, for which they are equipped with
two-man
submarines
by
harbor attack and ship capable
of
I
I
carrying
explosive charges or magnetic anti-ship mines,
and being delivered to the operational area by conventional,
MCF
diesel-electric
submarines. The
can also deploy using the Indian
Navy's
small force of landing-ships, landing-craft, and air-
cushioned vehicles, as well as helicopters.
Group
Special Protection
The
not without lost
its
two prime
Gandhi
in
Group (SPG)
Protection
Special
responsible
guarding
for
difficulties in a
VIPs,
is
task
a
country which has
ministers by assassination: Indira
1984
and
Rajiv
Gandhi
1991.
The SPG numbers approximately
who
are
believed
to
come
principally
in
3,000,
from
the police.
31
Spicial Forces
Indonesia KOMANDO PASUKAN
The 6000 strong
KlHUSUS
Komando Pasukan Khusus (KOPASSUS)
command)
(= special forces
has been at the center of Indonesian counter-terrorist activities, recent operations including those
in
the disputed territory of Irian Jaya.
Movement (FPM) kidnapped months of negotiations although the terrorists
a
number
1996 the Free Papua
January
In
of Indonesian citizens and foreigners and after four
was successful
special forces attacked the terrorist hideout. This killed
two of the Indonesian
hostages.
Republic of Ireland Army Rangers Wing he
Defence Forces started to send
Irish
t:number Army
the early 1970s.
in
the
establish
Rangers
Some
US Army Ranger
conventional warfare and Missions
operations
roles can
fully
operational
be divided into
counter-terrorist missions.
conventional
a
in
were used to Airm (= Army
an
Wing [ARW]), which became
March 1980, The ARW's
war comprise
hostile territory, such as raids,
in
small
of these
Fianoglach
Sciathan
a
branches of the Army,
all
Air Corps, and Navy to the
School
in
men from
of
offensive
ambushes,
sabotage, and the capture of key personnel, as well as
long-range gathering.
surveillance,
patrols,
and
the counter-terrorist role
In
intelligence
ARW's
tasks
could include: VIP protection; anti-hijack operations
Above:
Men
of
the
forces, the
Irish
special
Army Rangers
Wing, on exercise Irish
in
the
Republic.
operations; pursuit operations; and the
offshore gas/oil rigs or buildings. The in
other countries, including
GIGN
in
buses or trains; hostage rescue; search
ships, aircraft,
recapture of terrorist-held objectives such as
ARW
is
regular contact and trains with similar units
in
GSG
(France),
9 (Germany), and Royal Dutch Marines
(Netherlands), although political sensitivities probably exclude contacts with the British SAS.
The ARW uses the same weapons as the Irish Army, in particular the Austrian-manufactured 5.56mm Steyr Aug A assault rifle, which came into service in 988. The sniper rifle is the latest 1
I
Accuracy International .308-caliber AI96, which
is
an improved version of the L92AI.
Zahal
As A
result OF
experiences, Israel has devised
its
an organization
units
placed
are
which
in
counter-terrorist
its
one
into
of
three
functional
categories:
"First-on-scene" units are those with a secondary
counter-terrorist function, but which, because of their
geographical spread, are
likely
terrorist incident. Their task
control
in
to arrive
first
pending the scene" unit
possible, to
arrival of is,
stabilize
an "assault"
the
situation
A
"first-on-
unit.
however, allowed to take direct action
the terrorists actually start
killing
hostages before
the arrival of an "assault" unit. There are nine
on-scene"
at a
to exert immediate
the general area, to cordon off the scene,
and, wherever
if
is
units,
three
in
each of Zahal
(Israel
"first-
Defense
Forces [IDF]) territorial commands. "Assault" units are those with counter-terrorism as their principal task and action.
32
they
will
normally carry out the direct
There are three known
units
in this
category:
Special Forces
Sayeret Matkal, which
•
and
chief-of-staff,
Included within the cover
name
Shayetet 13
•
is
is
ranks
its
known
also
is
as "Unit 262,"
most important,
given the
is
is
under the direct control of the IDF
highly classified,
a specialist counter-terrorist
and
difficult
missions.
and hostage-rescue team with
O Z m
Commandos and
>
"Unit 269."
the
Israeli
the qualifying course
is
Navy
elite unit.
It is
known
also
as the Naval
reputed to be even more exacting than that for land-based
units.
As with Sayeret Matkal, there is an integral hostage-rescue and counter-terrorist team. Yamam, a civilian-manned group under police command. The basic division of responsibilities is that the civilian Yamam group undertakes
•
operations inside
borders; Sayeret Matkal external land operations; and Shayetet 13
Israeli
external maritime incidents.
Not
Weary
left:
paratroops
in
Israeli
Sidon
front of a Centurion
passing
in
m •a e CD
tank and
an armored personnel carrier.
"Support" units provide direct on-scene support to the "first-on-scene" and "assault" units.
50 Below
surprisingly, these units are highly classified, although several have
been
identified.
They are heavily armed with a variety
weapons, including
of
53
Sayeret Yael
is
an engineer corps special unit which provides "hot entry," demolition, and
explosive ordnance disposal support to the IDF's "assault" units, Sayeret Matkal and Shayetet
There
13.
is
a
similar,
trooper from front) the
(third
Israeli-built
communications, and electronic warfare.
Below: Naval Shayetet
Other
Elite Units
the IDF maintains three regular paratroop brigades (202nd, 890th and 50th
Na'ha'l) as well as three reserve brigades.
branch that the proliferation of sayeret (reconnaissance) units,
were
outgrowth of regular paratroop
command
unit of the paratroops. Sayeret
elite units
has taken place.
formed for
originally
units.
within these formations and the infantry
It is
They are
Tzanhim
Most of these are designated border defense, and were an
set up according to their roles
of the brigade. Sayeret
Orev
is
in
special
the reconnaissance anti-tank
the unit employed
is
13
m
rifle.
commandos are
among
most highly trained special
operations under the
assault
but separate, police-manned unit which supports Yamam. Other
specialist units provide intelligence,
Today,
Galil
in
forces. All
are
of
of
the all
Israeli
armed
33 £»
m
with the Russian AK-47 assault rifle.
Special
variety
of
forces use
a wide
weapons, partly
to
obtain the best weapons, but also
to
avoid leaving a
"signature."
the
capacity of "shock troops"; and the Sayeret Shaldag handles infiltration
and demolition.
There are numerous other paratroop-trained connected to the paratroop brigades, one of which which in
manned by Druze Muslims and serves
is
units that are
not
Sayeret Hadruzim,
is
as a reconnaissance unit
border areas under the IDF Northern Command.
sensitive
Selection and Training There
a six-month basic training course for
is
the training for those training
geared
is
proficiency. In the
in
the sayeret units
towards physical
is
all
regular paratroops and
similar.The
fitness
and
first
phase of the
personal
two months of the second phase, the
weapons soldier
is
assigned his role within the unit (machinegunner, ammunition carrier, or in that task, and learns to apply it. APC and helicopter training are introduced - with heavy emphasis on night
whatever), becomes proficient
fighting
and urban area combat. The
Nof Jump becomes
phase of training
paratrooper. Advanced training
a full-fledged
with the units and
it
is
is
at this stage that the relationship
commanding
soldier and first
last
is
at the Tel
School. After five static line jumps the soldier earns wings and carried out
between the
addressed by their
officer relaxes. Officers are
names.
For the infiltration,
HALO
Naval
Commandos,
training
given
is
in
Scuba
diving,
demolitions, sabotage, intelligence gathering, parachuting and
techniques. Medical techniques and driving
skills
are also taught
at an intense pace.
Air Force Special Operations Units
The
Israeli
One
is
Air Force maintains at least four special operations units.
Unit 5101,
whose primary mission
is
laser designation of
targets for air attack, with a secondary, counter-terrorist capability.This
believed to have been responsible for marking the targets during
unit
is
the
Israeli
669, which
attack is
on an
Iraqi
nuclear reactor
responsible for rescuing pilots
in
1
98
downed
1.
in
Another
is
Unit
hostile territory.
33
Special Forces
Italy Gruppo d'Intervento Speziale Italy's primary counter-terrorist team, the IOO-strong Gruppo d'Intervento Speziale (GIS) (= Special Operations Group) was raised
in
1978 and
is
found from volunteers from the paramilitary
police force, the Carabinieri.
groups
any
in
It
is
having
country,
one of the most experienced been involved in numerous
operations against the Red Brigade, the Mafia and,
3
more
recently,
northern separatists. The most recent known event took place
in
May 1997 when
in
St.
a
Mark's Square
group of separatists occupied the belltower in
Venice.
Selection The
selection
process
rigorous
is
and,
with
as
any
elite
organization, starts with an exhaustive security check, which
is
followed by a stringent medical examination and an interview with a panel of GIS officers.
More
unusually,
it
also includes an
interview with a psychiatrist. Successful candidates then undergo
two-week
a
selection board and the relatively few
who
pass that
hurdle then attend a 10-month training course.
Weapons GIS operators have a large choice of weapons for their counter-
& Koch weapons such as the Beretta and the Beretta Model 92 SB 9mm automatic pistol. Some
terrorist operations, including the widely used Heckler Above: Italian
GIS troopers carry
out a simulated building assault
MP5 sub-machine gun SC70/90 5.56mm
family.
assault
rifle
The group
also uses
Italian
& Wesson .38 caliber and .357 & Koch PSG-I, Mauser SP86 7.62 rifle and the
in
a training area, using
operators prefer revolvers, using such types as the Smith
specially
adapted Range Rovers
magnum. Sniper
with ladders to climb the wall.
Barret
M82
.50in
rifles
include the Heckler
(12.7mm)
caliber.
Note the helmets and army
COMSUBIN
combat uniforms. Some are
armed with Beretta SC90 assault
rifles,
others with
MPS
The USE OF swimmers
in
ancient times. But the
sub-machine guns.
combat Italian
can rightfully be considered
is
anything but
new -
it
has been a part of warfare since
Naval Assault Divisions of World
among
the pioneers of
War
modern warfare
I
and World
War
II
of this type. Their
record at Trieste, Pola, Suda Bay, Gibraltar, and Malta only serves to under-score the point. Heirs to this legacy are the as
and Raiders Group.
Right:
COMSUBIN trooper
immediately after landing from an Italian Navy Agusta-Sikorsky AS-61
Sea King.
COMSUBIN
descended from the Navy's
I
Oth MAS,
is
Italian
known
as
"Decimo," one of the most successful
special
World War
II,
forces unit in
which had many
spectacular raids against British targets
34
to
its
credit.
Italian
Commando Raggruppamento
Navy's current special operations force,
Subacqui ed Incursori
(COMSUBIN), or
known
formally
the Navy Frogmen
Special Forces
Left:
A major development sniping business
the
in
5
this
is
command
station, using Sinco
and
equipment, which
Elbit
takes video feeds from
individual
sniperscopes to enable the
commander
to
control
and
coordinate his men's shooting. is
It
being used by GIS; note their
black balaclava helmets, black
uniforms, and the distinctive GIS unit shoulder badge.
As
operations force,
special
a
missions
its
and underwater obstacles from
explosives
include
mines,
clearing
waters; landings
Italian
on
friendly or foreign territory for reconnaissance purposes; clearing beaches
commando
of obstacles prior to amphibious landings; and ships,
Rumors surface
was
raids to destroy
dry-docks, and fuel storage areas. of a counter-terrorist role for
COMSUBIN
1978 and were substantiated the following
in
out when a hijacked
called
Involvement
in this
deployed on
Italian
from Beirut was brought to Rome.
role continues: for example,
vessels near
COMSUBIN
Elements of
airliner
COMSUBIN
Lebanon during the
have taken
part
headquartered
COMSUBIN
elements were
Achille Lauro incident.
recent operations
in
Albania, the Lebanon, Persian Gulf, Ruanda, Somalia, and
Organ ization The 200-man strong
came to the when the unit
first
year,
reports to the Navy Chief of Staff and
just outside La Spezia.
From an
in
former Yugoslavia.
is
organizational standpoint,
Group has responsibility for offensive operations, Group provides Italian coastline support. Personnel for are drawn primarily from the crack San Marco naval infantry the 1,000-man Italian "marine corps." San Marco battalion
the Raider Operations
while the Frogman
both units battalion
-
personnel receive general
commando training from the COMSUBIN but when they volunteer for service with The -
they must leave the battalion
Operations
Raider
it.
Group (Gruppo Operativo Subacqui) support
is
provided by a schools group, research and study group, and a special naval group.
Selection and Training Currently, the all-volunteer Incursori (mostly from the San
Marco
battalion)
are required to complete a 10-month training course. Rigorous physical tests are a part of it
and,
in fact,
remain
in
are required every three
the
months
for everyone
in
the unit for as long as they
The program includes ranger, parachute, hand-to-hand combat, weapons training, of course. These are in addition to Scuba and other
unit.
demolitions, and
swimming skills. Those who go on to be part of the Raiders Group get an additional 42 weeks of specialized training with emphasis on parachuting, mountain climbing and vigorous physical endurance tests. This is capped off with a six-week command course. The COMSUBIN unit, not surprisingly,
The
9mm
is
rated quite highly by those
Incursori use the
Model
12
same weapons
sub-machne gun
as
who
other
have observed Italian units in
a particular favorite
because of
it.
the main, with the Beretta its
compactness.
Above:
COMSUBIN troops on
training
range,
a
armed with
ubiquitous Heckler
the
& Koch
5.56mm MP5 sub-machine
gun.
Most COMSUBIN personnel come
from the San Marco marine battalion, in
some from elsewhere
the navy, but
volunteers and
all
all
are
must pass the
very demanding entry tests and training course.
35
Special Forces
North Korea Communists ruling North Korea is number of special forces, estimates of
he paranoid nature of the
t:reflected whose
by the large
vary from 50,000 to 100,000, the width of the bracket
size
knowledge about
reflecting the lack of
most
this
secretive regime.
Within the Ministry of Defense there are two bodies involved Infantry Training
The
Guidance Bureau.
Bureau
Reconnaissance
responsible
is
each (normally divided into 2-10
brigades,"
six
Staff
some
men teams) and
supporting units.
which are airborne, two amphibious and
of
appears much more for
self-
10 battalions
Directorate controls the efforts of 14 "sniper
conventional. These brigades could,
battalions
collecting
and small teams. The bureau also controls four
contained reconnaissance brigades, consisting of
The General
for
which involves despatching and controling both
strategic intelligence, individual agents
in
Reconnaissance Bureau and the Light
special forces operations: the
would disperse
that they
likely
independent
six
theory, fight as an entity, but
in
The
operations.
it
their
5-10
airborne
and
conventional brigades are approximately 3,500 strong, but the two
amphibious brigades are somewhat stronger
men Above: A forces'
is
kept afloat
by flotation bags. The hatches
were sealed from inside and the South Koreans eventually gained access through the
torpedo
all
occupants dead; most
had been colleagues, while
killed
supported by
suicide.
Below: South Koreans struggle to
keep the captured Sang-0 in
class
September
war
for
engineered" Yugoslav prototypes six
purpose" brigade, with,
enemy
infiltrating
communications and submarines
in
These
positions,
and
one
addition,
in
"special
"special
purpose" battalion
purpose" troops would be responsible
attacks
in
enemy command-control-and-
on
logistics facilities.
Navy: There are a
number of
naval special forces units, including those
which operate
support of Reconnaissance Bureau operations.
Selection and Training The North Korean and 21, and
combat swimmers.
soldier
is
a highly disciplined
Korea since childhood, he
will
remain
in
is
likely
and well trained
fighter.
Indoctrinated
to be conscripted between the ages of 17
service until the age of 27. Annual training
is
between March and
August and consists of a month-long basic training program. Once assigned to
his unit,
the
trainee goes through further basic unit, small unit and large-scale unit training exercises. Soldiers
1996. These small submarines
were developed from "reverse
and carry
a "special
allocated to each infantry division.
against South
submarine afloat
the "special purpose" units are roughly
levels
by their
the final few
committed
tactical
equivalent to the "Spetsnaz" units of the former Soviet Army. Each forward corps would be
tubes to find a gruesome scene with
approximately 5,000
-
with one brigade on each coast.
-
Corps: At the operational and
North Korean special
submarine
each
in
the special warfare units get special emphasis on
gathering, sabotage,
infiltration, Intelligence
underwater demolition, hand-to-hand combat, night operations, surprise
attack and political education. Specific indoctrination and information sessions on
of
communist ideology are carried out on
all
aspects
a daily basis.
Weapons and Equipment Equipment
Common
flexible
is
to
all
pistols, including
9mm
and varies considerably.
are a dagger and/or bayonet:
the silenced versions of the
Browning automatic and the Soviet
Tokarev 7.62mm automatic; the AK-47 or
MI6
rifle;
hand grenades and demolitions;
rocket launchers, either the 3
Sagger; and
60mm
RPG-7 or
the AT-
mortars.
Uniforms The
light
infantry,
during
are
training,
provided with the same standard uniforms as the infantry of the North Korean People's
Army. However, during combat operations they can be attired
Korean
Army
in civilian
uniforms
clothing.
(usually
South with
incorrect ranks for the personnel wearing
them), mottled
camouflaged
summer, and an
all-white over
winter.
36
uniforms
garment
in in
Special Forces
Republic of Korea 707th Special Missions Battalion
ROK Army first
The
raised "special warfare" units
but the dedicated counter-terrorist
O 1958,
in
707th Special
unit,
was not formed until hostage-taking at the Munich Olympic Games showed the need for such a unit. The unit was on stand-by throughout the Seoul Olympics in 1988, but was not used. The unit is about 200 strong and Missions Battalion,
comprises
headquarters, support and specialist
a
two companies, each Warfare"
come from elsewhere
and
all
men
undergo
and
organization
Once
selection and training procedure. particularly tough
00
5
and
re
the
00
m o
consisting of four 14-man teams.
Volunteers for the unit must "Special
staff,
o
a
in
rigorous
the unit, training
in
is
are trained as underwater
swimmers.
©
707th Special Missions Battalion uses Korean weapons
wherever
Daewoo
and
Daewoo 9mm
the
including
possible,
and K2 assault
Kl
so
pistol
However, foreign
rifles.
weapons, such as the Heckler & Koch MP5 sub-machinegun, are also used.
National Police Unit 868 IN
ROK
the lead-up to the 1988 Seoul Olympics
National
Force formed a special counter-terrorist squad,
Police
868, intended
Unit
designated
counter-terrorist
for
hostage rescue missions. Strength
about
is
1
and
00, with the bulk
organized into 12 seven-man teams.
Special
Warfare Brigades
Above:
Korean special forces,
S.
having come ashore from
The
ROK
has seven special warfare brigades organized on the same
whom
forces groups, with
brigades are often used
in
there
is
a close
working
The
enemy
lines as
The
US
special
battalions of these
the ranger role for the destruction of tactical targets. These
ROK
continuous guerrilla operations from bases
special forces units are capable of using either
within
relationship.
canoes, ascend a soldier
is
cliff
armed with
face. Lead
Uzi
SMG,
designed for police and special forces
use.
Below:
All
or carrying out single operations from bases within friendly territory.
territory,
usual allocation of the special forces
is
one
battalion to each
Army
corps.
members
of the
South
Korean special forces must
Selection and Training
reach "black belt" standard
Following the usual physical and psychological tests, the volunteers undergo a hard training
the
traditional
course which includes weapon handling
Do
or similar martial
All
ROK
similar martial art,
skills
to a very high standard and parachute training.
troops must also reach black belt standard
special forces
and when not on operations some four to
They are
practise of such arts.
also trained
five
in
Tae-Kwon-Do or
hours
a
day are spent
a in
are
required
several
to
in
Korean Tae-Kwonart.
practise
They
for
hours every day.
in
tough, realistic exercises for dangerous missions
along the
DMZ,
such as clearing North Korean
tunnels. They have also
when North Korean
been used
as pursuit units
raiders have infiltrated the
South.
Uniform Normal uniform
is
with the SF badge
equipment are
all
combat suit.The mark is a black beret
a camouflage
Special Forces distinguishing in silver.
of
US
Weapons and
origin.
sometimes worn for each brigade: special
warfare
Brigade's; a
7th's;a
patch;
an
dragon on the
winged cat on
I
a lion
on the
on the 3rd Pegasus on the
eagle
5th's; a
a parachute
bat over a lightning bolt on the
panther on the
personal
Pocket patches are
on the I
Ith's;
9th's; a
and a
3th's.
37
Special Forces
Mexico Force
m x n c
Force
F
is
an all-volunteer
unit of the
F
Mexico City
Police and
was formed
in
the early
1980s as a specialist unit to counter drug-related crime and armed gangsters, but has since also been tasked with counter-terrorist and hostage rescue missions.
between 300-400 strong, and
is
It is
quite large,
divided into three special-to-task elements, responsible for
explosive disposal, snipers and assault missions. The unit has the nickname "The Zorros."
Netherlands a
N
Right:
The Royal Dutch Marines
are one of the most efficient
marine troops
in
NATO and,
together with the British Royal Marines, form the Anglo-Dutch
Amphibious Warfare Group. Here they assault over dunes on the
North Sea coast, watched by observers
in
a Dutch Navy
Westland WG.I3 Lynx.
BlJZONDERE BlJSTANDS EENHEID
The main Special
Dutch counter-terrorist group
Support Unit) which
is
is
the Bijzondere Bijstands Eenheid (BBE) (=
part of the Royal Dutch Marines'
I
a small
man
specialists,
teams.
The
unit includes the usual
explosives experts, but
is
also
known
complement of
the Royal Dutch Marines
week course. The BBE uses
who must complete
a variety of
headquarters and
to include psychologists, trained
terrorists, particularly in hostage-taking situations. The
BBE
is
Amphibious Combat
st
Group. The unit has three 30-man platoons, organized into
five 5-
such as snipers and
in
communicating with
composed
of volunteers from
the usual selection process, followed by a 48-
weapons, although
it
has a publicly declared policy of seeking
possible. Weapons used include Lawman .357 revolver or SIG-Sauer P-226 pistol, and the almost inevitable Heckler & Koch MP5 sub-machinegun. Snipers use either the Heckler & Koch G3 MSG or Steyr SSG. The BBE has seen action on a number of occasions. In 1974 it regained control of
to solve terrorist situations by non-violent means,
wherever
the Colt
Scheveringen prison from armed Palestine terrorist prisoners, using only stun-grenades and
hand-to-hand combat.Then.on June
I
I
1977, they rescued hostages
who
South Moluccan terrorists. Six terrorists and two hostages were hostages were released. Small elements of the ships to the Adriatic
38
in
the early 1990s.
had been seized by
killed,
but over 200
BBE were deployed aboard Royal Dutch Navy
Special Forces
Amfibisch Verkennings Peloton
The Royal Dutch Marines have
working closely with the
British Royal is
mission and structure to the British Special Boat Service (SBS).The Dutch unit
is
similar
in
strong and
25
a long tradition of
Marines, and the Amfibisch Verkennings Peloton (amphibious reconnaissance platoon)
divided
is
teams for boat-handling; underwater
mission-oriented
into
operations; and counter-terrorist operations.
As with the
British
SBS, the
responsible for the security of Dutch passenger-carrying vessels and
and for intelligence gathering and sabotage missions including
Glock and Browning
the Steyr
SSG
sniping
A
war.
in
Uzi and Heckler
pistols,
s c
oil
variety of
Dutch
rigs in
unit
is
X m
peacetime,
weapons
& Koch MP5 sub-machine
is
used,
guns, and
so Left:
Dutch marines storm
ashore under simulated artillery
rifle.
fire.
Mk2.
The landing craft
> D
an LCA
is
which can carry either 25
troops or one vehicle (Land-
Rover or BV-202 tracked over-
snow transporter) and a
number
of
lesser
N
men. Alongside the
LCA are two inflatable two-man canoes.
Below: A
New Zealand
SAS
moment
trooper at the
his
drogue parachute deploys. This unit has
carried
out
many
overseas deployments, for
example,
to
Emergency,
Malaya during the to
Thailand and
South Vietnam during the Indochina War, and to Saudi Arabia during the Gulf War.
Many exchanges (eg,
New Zealand
Special Air Service
initial
in
Malaya. As
volunteers were taken straight from
accepted from a
some
of
list
they were trained
when
Squadron was formed
SAS
to join the British and Rhodesian
New
in
and
Zealand from June
until
1
954
38 were
I
800. With 40 regular officers and
were sent to Singapore
the survivors
in
Rhodesia, the
in
civilian life
take place
New Zealand
Special Air Service
The
also
with the British SAS).
NCOs,
November 1955 complete their
to
parachute and jungle training. They soon deployed onto operations
and spent
1
7 months out of the next
two years
in
the jungle,
own soldiers. New Zealand in November
killing
26 terrorists for the loss of just one of their
The squadron returned to
be disbanded, but was resuscitated
men was
sent to Korat
support of SEATO. Squadron,
New
In
in
in
August 1958.
Thailand from
A
1957 to
troop of 30
May to September 1962
1963 the unit was redesignated
1st
in
Ranger
Zealand Special Air Service, and shortly afterwards
Borneo where it served, once again, along-side from time to time with Britain's SBS. 4 Troop NZSAS served in Vietnam from November 1968 to February 1971, where it served with the Australian SAS Squadron. The unit is now stationed near Auckland, New Zealand. It has five
the unit deployed to
the British SAS.
It
also operated
troops, a headquarters, and a separate small training establishment. Its
task
is
to
operations and,
commitment
New
support like
the
New SAS
in
Zealand
defense
forces
in
their
the United Kingdom, has a major
to counter-terrorist missions. The uniform
is
standard
Zealand Army, but badges are similar to those of the British
Special Air Service.
39
Special Forces
Norway Army
o so
Forsvarets
Spesial
Kommando
(FSK) (=
Armed
Commando)
Forces' Special
the Army's
is
manned mainly by former members of the Fallskjermjeger Kommando (parachute-hunter commando) and the Marinejeger Kommando (naval hunter commando). The FSK has close links with the British SAS. Its roles include hostage rescue and the protection of North Sea oil rigs. counter-terrorist team, and
is
Navy
Marine •v
Jegere (= naval hunters) are equivalent
British
o
function and organization to the
in
whom
SBS and US Navy SEALs, with both of
they regularly
enemy
missions are deep penetration reconnaissance and sabotage on
and during the Cold
War
their main targets
train.
would have been Soviet Northern
on and around the Kola Peninsula. They can be delivered to submarine or canoes.
Their main
naval installations
Fleet bases
their targets by parachute,
o H e >
Police
There
ISA special unit of the National Police Force which specializes
and hostage-rescue missions.
Pakistan
It is
Group
Special Services
Since the acrimonious India spilled
split
when
counter-terrorist
in
designated the Beredskaptrop.
the
two countries obtained
independence
their
in
1947,
and Pakistan have maintained a state of armed confrontation, which has sometimes
over into actual warfare. This has dominated Pakistani defense thinking for the past
50 years, but problems on
its
northern and western borders have also begun to merit
made
greater attention, and the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan
paramount geostrategic importance. Pakistan has developed
its
Pakistan
country of
a
special forces in this context,
although the long periods of military rule have also affected the way
in
which such forces
have developed.
There
is
one
Special Forces
terrorist company.
The
Group
of three battalions and an independent counter-
tasking of these units
is
the responsibility of three top-level bodies:
the Army's Directorate for Inter-Services Intelligence Intelligence
Bureau
[IB].
Military Intelligence [Ml],
(ISI),
and the
Ever since their inception there has been a large degree of overlap
between them. A further complication has been that they have tended to become involved in political
Poland
1999 and
March
equipment
is
military
its
I
becoming Western-
permit.
GROM's international
and
1994.
Democracy
in
Haiti
estimated
is
number
rescue
and VIP
are trained as
Despite
appearance
their
on
GROM
are
the
the
trained
40
994,
in
including
protection.
A
combat swimmers. recent
relatively
counter-terrorist
participated
the USA's
in
Operation Restore Democracy 1
great
four-person
techniques,
counter-terrorist
hostage
in
The
some 300
women,
whom work
The operators
teams.
scene,
have
to
including
majority of in
Przez-
Commando
(1st
Regiment) and combat swimmers from
members,
Restore
PSK)
in
from
7th Lujcyka Naval Assault Division.
when
provided VIP protection
forces'
of volunteers
consists
(I
unit
during the US-led Operation
armed
Polish
Komandosow Specalnego
Pulk
naczenia
reputation was strengthened it
the
counter-terrorist unit was formed 1991
in
oriented as rapidly as finance will
GROM,
and AK-74 assault
Poland joined NATO
rifle.
Grom
paratrooper with
Right: Polish flak jacket
matters, particularly during the periods of military rule.
where one of their main
in Haiti in
roles
was
in
.
Special Forces
VIP protection.
It
also believed that approximately
is
50 members of
GROM
accompanied
o -
the Polish battalion to Bosnia.
Weapons Tantal
5.45mm
assault
& Koch MP5
Heckler
include
rifle.
Sniper
rifles
sub-machine guns and
Polish-designed
the
are usually either the Mauser 86 or Heckler
& Koch
PSG-I
I
Portugal
o
o so H ft
Grupo De Operacoes
Especials
Above: Four RIBs (rubberized inflatable
Portugal took
several years to absorb the lessons of the 1972 Munich Olympic
disaster and did not start to
Operations Group)
until
groundwork, most of
it
form
its
Grupo De Operacoes becoming
1979, with the unit
in
fully
Especiais
operational
in
(GOE) (= 983. The 1
Games
its
relatively
Following the end
careful
colonial wars, Portuguese forces
Personnel are they
undergo
an
all
intensive
eight-month
training
course. This
aircraft, buildings, buses,
and
covers
their
off,
and special forces (Grupo de Operacoes Especials) are now totally
volunteers and after the usual rigorous vetting and selection process
techniques against targets such as
of
short existence.
believed that close ties with Israeli special forces have also been established.
It is
of the
Special
close liaison with the British Special Air Service (SAS), did pay
however, and the unit has established a fine reputation during
boats)
Portuguese Marine Battalion.
committed
to
national
and NATO missions.
hostage-rescue
trains, as well as
maritime
assault and VIP protection.
Weapons used PSG-I sniper
rifle,
include Heckler
although
some
& Koch MP5 sub-machine guns and
Israeli
weapons, such
may also be used. The only known GOE operation was
the
same company's
as the sniper version of the
7.62mm
Galil,
terrorists holed-up in the Turkish terrorists
blew themselves
Embassy
a in
hostage rescue attempt against a group of Lisbon. This
ended unsuccessfully because the
up, apparently by accident.
41
Special Fori
i
>>
Russian Federation
-
Right: Russian
deplane from a
en
> z
n m O m 30
armed
helicopter
Spetsnaz troops Mi-8
Mil in
"Hip"
mountainous
country. The (then) Soviet
Army
brought such operations to a high degree of efficiency during the
war
in
Afghanistan, even
though they
H
overall
lost
the
campaign.
Below: Spetsnaz troops
undergoing urban warfare training. These
troops established
a fearsome reputation during the latter years of the Cold
War
Spetsnaz
and would have been a major threat to NATO,
particularly to
HQs and nuclear conflict
units,
had
broken out.
During the
1
970s,
when
the Cold
War was
at
its
height, the
West became aware of the known as
existence of Soviet Spetsnaz troops, which were grouped into what were 'diversionary brigades." Today, although the still
part of the
Cold
War
is
long since ended, Spetsnaz units are
order-of-battle, although
Russian
their
missions have
changed.
Spetsnaz (Spetsialnoye nazranie = troops of special purpose) were raised as the troops of the
Glavnoe razvedyvatel'noe upravlenie (GRU) (=
main intelligence directorate [of the General
Staff])
and
in
the
1980s
numbered some 30,000. These were deployed: one Spetsnaz company per Army; one Spetsnaz regiment in each of the three "theaters of operations"; one Spetsnaz brigade in each of the four Soviet Fleets; and an independent Spetsnaz brigade in most military districts of the USSR. There were also special Spetsnaz intelligence units, one to each Front and Fleet: total 20. A Spetsnaz company was 135 strong, normally operating in 15 independent teams, although they could also combine for specific missions. A Spetsnaz brigade was 1,000-1,300 strong and consisted of a headquarters,
three
or
four
parachute
company, and supporting troops.
It
battalions,
a
communications
also included an anti-VIP
company,
composed of some 70-80 regular troops (ie, not conscripts) whose mission was to seek out, identify and kill enemy political and military leaders. A naval Spetsnaz brigade had a headquarters, two to three battalions of combat swimmers, a parachute also had a
It
battalion, supporting units,
and an anti-VIP company.
group of midget submarines, designed to deliver combat
swimmers to distant targets. The existence of Spetsnaz was a closely guarded secret within the Warsaw Pact and individual troops were not allowed to admit membership, to the extent that army Spetsnaz wore standard airborne uniforms and insignia, while naval Spetsnaz wore naval infantry uniforms and insignia.
Spetsnaz in 1999 Some of the republics which
broke away from the old Soviet Union took
over the Spetsnaz units within their borders or have converted parachute units to the Spetsnaz role. Within the Russian Federation Spetsnaz units are less well trained
and equipped, at
a
lower strength, and at a lesser degree of readiness than during the 1970s
and 1980s. Despite
that,
they continue to exist, although their numbers are not
known
for
certain.
Naval Spetsnaz also continue to serve
in
the Northern, Baltic, Black Sea, and Pacific
fleets.
Most of these are subordinate to the Fleet commanders, but some are under the direct control of the Naval Commander-in-Chief in Moscow. Again, their manning levels are not known and it may be that, like other areas in the Russian armed forces, they are seriously under strength.
42
Special Forces
Missions Although Spetsnaz units may be used for other purposes during peacetime, their primary to carry out strategic missions during the
role
is
war
itself.
These wartime tasks would
days prior to
final
war breaking out and
deep reconnaissance of
include:
in
strategic targets; the
destruction of strategically important command-control-and-communications (C3)
facilities;
50
the destruction of strategic weapons' delivery systems; demolition of important bridges and
transportation routes; and the kidnapping or assassination of important military and political
Many of these missions would be some even before war had actually broken
carried out before the
leaders.
enemy could
C/5
react and
out.
m D m
Uniforms The Russian Federation now acknowledges the existence
t:
of Spetsnaz units and, as a result,
<6»
special
badges are
now worn,
identifying such troops.
Weapons On
Below: Russian airborne troops
operations the majority of Spetsnaz soldiers would carry
5.45mm
PRI automatic pistol. All would also carry
designed for Spetsnaz troops.
One
such design
is
a
combat
5.45mm AKS-74 knives,
rifle
which are
and
a
specially
the NR-2, an ingenious device which
in
by clipping the scabbard and knife
7.62mm caliber barrel in the handle and is fired together to give some control. Quite when such a weapon
would be used instead of
or
addition to the blade incorporates a short
trained
in all
a knife
a pistol
is
open to question. Spetsnaz troops are
also
types of foreign weapons.
(note the
blue
Despite the
conduct
beret)
unarmed combat
training.
post-Cold
War
rundown the Russian Federation maintains several parachute divisions, together with
massive air transport
the
to
deliver them.
Training Those
joining Spetsnaz with
no previous
the normal recruit's basic training handling and range work. training,
Once
however, the pressure
military experience
must be given
weapon moves on to proper Spetsnaz
discipline, marching, fieldcraft,
in
the recruit
ap
a
intensifies:
cr jicKOMyMmw*#zw 5k,/
•
weapon
handling,
the
including
use
of
foreign
weapons and
marksmanship; emphasis on endurance and strength;
•
physical fitness, with an
•
tracking, patroling, camouflage, survival
•
in
a variety of harsh
and surveillance techniques, including
environments;
hand-to-hand combat, both unarmed and with knives (both hand-held
and throwing), and assassination of designated targets; •
sabotage and demolitions;
•
language training and prisoner interrogation;
•
infiltration
by
air,
including parachuting for fixed-wing aircraft, and exit
from helicopters by parachute or ropes. Naval Spetsnaz must,
in
addition, learn
combat swimmer techniques, the
use of underwater weapons, canoeing, arrival and exit over beaches, exit and entry to submerged submarines.
Other Spetsnaz Troops During the 1970s and 1980s special operations troops became increasingly the vogue various ministries of the (then) Soviet Union. Further, such
was the
in
large and disorganized
were Committee for State (MVD). These special troops went under
nature and wastefulness of the Soviet system that similar bodies with similar missions set up by different parts of the
Security
(KGB) and the Ministry
the generic
title
same
ministry, particularly within the
of Internal Affairs
of Spetsgruppe and
were
paramilitary forces which received special training
and indoctrination for a variety of missions. Many of these units served in
the
war
in
Afghanistan but for most of them a defining
reached during the 1991 coup,
when
in
personal control
ministries.
Many
to have been
they were forced to take sides, or at least to refuse to
take action. After the coup had been defeated President Yeltsin transferred his
a variety of roles
moment seems
but they have since been transferred yet again
of the groups have been involved
in
most
of
them to
back to various
the recent conflicts
in
the Russian
Federation, including Chech'nya.
Spetsgruppa
"Al'fa" (= special
group A) was set up by the KGB's Seventh Directorate
1974 and appears to have been inspired by the British SAS and
US SFOD-D
in
(Delta) as a
43
Spe<
ul Forces
counter-terrorist and hostage-rescue group. Al'fa that attacked the
palace
Presidential
murdered President
Amin and
Hafizullah
generally credited with being the unit
is
his
family. Al'fa
the USA's FBI. Current strength
Moscow and
3»
Vympel whose mission was to
The the (if
5
in
time the
this
controlled by the FSB
general terms, equivalent to in
the federation.
Chief Administration, was Spetsgruppa
First
the KGB's wartime role of assassinations and kidnapping.
fullfil
After the collapse of the Soviet Union
FSB with
in
estimated to be about 300, with the main group
is
three smaller groups elsewhere
Also raised by the KGB, but
now
is
(Federal'naia sluzhba bezopasnosti = Federal Security Service)
30
December 28 1980 and
Kabul, Afghanistan, on
in
it
was transferred to the
MVD
but
is
now
with the
a primary responsibility for a hostage rescue.
Ministry of Internal Affairs also has at least
Omsn
(= black berets),
which were
necessary) hostage rescue at the 1980
two groups of
special troops
known
Moscow
Olympics. Since then they have been used
armed
for counter-terrorist activities and defeating
as
and
originally raised to provide additional security
criminals,
and are currently involved
in
campaigns against drug cultivation. Symbolizing the disorganized nature of contemporary Russia
Below: During the Soviet era, the Naval
Infantry
pekhota
-
-
morskaya
was a large and
well-organized force, with superb
equipment, including the class
Company, which is a Federal Government.
is
GROM
the
Security
quasi-private organization working under exclusive contract to the
GROM
word for "thunder" and with no relationship to manned by former troops of the various KGB special
(the Russian
same name)
the Polish group of the
is
forces and provides security for selected government personnel and buildings, as well as for trains
and
aircraft.
Aist-
air-cushion vehicle and
Naval Infantry
PT-
76 amphibious tank shown here,
some service. All
of
which remain
found from volunteers serving units
of
in
Russia's Naval emphasis
naval Spetsnaz are
the
in
naval infantry.
is
Infantry, "morskaya pekhota,"
it
graded as a "Guards"
is
placed on the elite status this confers, a status reflected
and accoutrements. Like many
elite
"Polundra," which roughly means,
forces the Russian Naval Infantry has
unit,
and great
special
in its
own
uniform
battlecry:
"Watch out below."
Organization The
basic amphibious assault unit
composition was described
motorized
infantry
is
a
in
the battalion group, and Russian
detailed
battalion
to
its likely
journal
military
operate
as,
"A
advanced
as
detachment was reinforced with an artillery battery, an ATGM battery, AA, frogman and engineer platoons. It also included reconnaissance and obstacle-clearing parties, road-building teams, communications facilities, transport vehicles, and landing craft to perform transportation missions. The advanced detachment was to be supported by
aviation, tactical airborne troops,
support ships and
minesweepers."
Selection and Training While some members of the Naval are conscripts, although, as befits is
its
Infantry
may be
elite status as a
also
know something about
life
on board
Physical training for the Black Beret
wrestling, training
is
drill
is
in
like all
it
in
marines, must
emphasized during routine
program
is
devoted to
with the bayonet, and the techniques of knife attack.The
identical for
both officer and enlisted man. Marines are also
required to undergo training
country rush; a swim
unit,
ship as well.
unit training. Forty percent of the training
skills
"Guards"
allocated high quality men. Units and individuals are highly trained
amphibious operations and land warfare, and,
master the set of
most
volunteers,
in
the Military Sports
offered there, such as horizontal bar work; sprint
uniform with assault
rifle;
and
in
Complex and
uniform; a cross
a longer version of the cross
country
rush.
Weapons and Equipment In
the platoon the
while the
APC
officer,
NCOs
driver has the
and most marines are armed with the
AKMS
AKM
assault
rifle,
folding-stock version. Each squad also has an
RPK
machine gun and an anti-tank rocket launcher. Sniper teams are armed with the effective
44
SVD 7.72mm Dragunov
sniper
rifle.
highly
Special Forces
50
m O m -
Frogmen from a Naval
Left:
Infantry
Such
unit.
be the
men would
ashore
first
an
in
J* amphibious operation, being responsible for beach
reconnaissance; the location,
and demolition
identification
of
beach obstacles; destruction of
enemy
positions
interfere
setting
to
up beacons
guide the
to
waves of the assault onto
first
the
likely
with a landing; and
correct beaches.
Uniforms The uniform
of the Naval Infantry
is
unique embellishments of their own.
a
combination of
Combat
type blouse and calf-length black leather boots.
appropriate fleet badge on the buckle. standard with officers
anchor
and is
all
A
Army and Navy
items, with a
A
black leather belt
is
men wearing the
the "Guards" badge.
left
worn, with the
also
horizontally striped blue and white T-shirt
forms of dress. The usual range of metal award brooches
worn on
few
dress consists of black fatigues, with a "bush"
A
is
worn, with
is all
round cloth badge with an embroidered
sleeve just above the elbow.
Various items of headgear are worn.
In
assault operations a black steel helmet
is
worn
with a large five-pointed red star on the front, and a stenciled anchor inside a broken anchor
on the
left.
On
other occasions
ear; the
the
left
for
NCOs and
main badge
is
a soft black
a large
beret
enameled
worn with
is
naval
a small
anchor badge above
badge for officers and a small red star
marines.
Amphibious Shipping The Naval
Infantry
would be of
limited value without special-role shipping, and a
of purpose-built craft has been developed. Largest of these
ton Landing Platform
Dock
(LPD), of which one
is
now
capable of carrying a complete battalion group with
There are also some Ropucha
class
and Alligator
all
class
some 4,500 tons displacement, and a number of smaller been made in the area of air-cushion landing craft
is
in
service and
its
whole range
the Ivan Rogov class of 14,000-
two
are
in
reserve,
vehicles and supporting arms.
Landing Ship Tanks (LST), both of vessels. Particular investment has
and
Above: Confident
men wear Infantry
the
alert, these
Naval
typical
uniform of black
coverall, black
boots, blue
calf-length
leather
and white striped
T-
"guards" badge, and black
shirt,
beret.
Left:
Naval Infantry trainees
emerge from a tunnel complex wearing camouflage pattern coveralls, rather
than the
considerably more menacing black. Training standards
among
Russian units has dropped since the end of the Cold the
dissolution
Union, but
elite
War and
of the
units
Naval Infantry are
still
Soviet like
the
forces
to
be reckoned with.
45
Special For< is
Spain many YEARS
FOR
following
War
Civil
its
Spain held
apart
itself
from the rest of Western Europe, but following the accession
democracy
of King Juan Carlos and the restoration of
become is
to
increasingly integrated.
NATO,
but
it
has
primary defense commitment
also has to deal with internal strife involving
it
Basque
long-running
the
Its
movement, which
separatist
has
frequently employed terrorists tactics, and also has a national
commitment
to the defense of
two remaining enclaves on
its last
the North African coast at Ceuta and Melilla.
The Spanish armed special forces.
Some
forces and police maintain a
number
of
of these are either earmarked or assigned to
the Fuerza de Action Rapide (FAR) (= rapid action force), which
NATO's
part of Above: A Spanish
legionnaire
through an assault course
crawls
under
live
fire
from instructors.
The men are carefully selected
special
Rapid
Allied
operation forces include the army's Brigada Paracaidista (BRIPAC)(=
brigade) and the Navy's Unidad Especial de Buceadores de Combate
here two specific organizations
(UEBC)
parachute
(= SEALs), but
be covered: the Spanish Legion and the Garda
will
is
Corps (ARRC). Such
Reaction
Civil's
Unidad Especial de Intervention (UEI).
and highly trained and the Spanish Legion has
somewhat
ethos. Although a
foreigners
are
number
admitted to
some 90 percent
ranks,
men
Spanish Legion
own,
its
idiosyncratic, military
are of Spanish
of
In
of
its
nationality.
contrast to the better-known French Foreign Legion, the Spanish Legion
almost entirely (90 percent) of native Spaniards. Following the Moroccan
its
War
consists
(1920-27),
the Legion continued to guard Spain's remaining African possessions. These included small enclaves still
-
Melilla
and Ceuta -
in
based today. Ultimately, the decolonization process played
battles
out,
itself
erupted with the Algerian-backed Polisario Front, and by 1981 the
monuments commemorating African
two
northern Morocco, where Spanish Legion units are
last
armed
conflict
of the Legion's
was dismantled.
Organization The Spanish Legion of which is named man
Below: Legionnaires
a
Spanish-manufactured version of the
German 7.62mm MG3 machine gun, which,
setting,
light
in
this
mounted on a tripod
is
and has the butt removed use
in
which of
for
the sustained-fire role, in it
has an effective
range
2,400yd (2,200m). This highly effective
development
weapon of the
is
a direct
World War
II
7.92mm MG42.
is
approximately 7,000 strong and
person famous
after a
banderas (battalions), each of a
number
in
is
made up
of tercios (regiments), each
Spanish history. These are
addition, Legion headquarters, stationed at Almeria,
is
of four In
responsible for the selection, training
and administration of the Legion, but also provides the operational
staff for
Brigada de
la
committed to the FAR. This brigade would comprise VII, VIM and Banderas, supported by artillery, logistics, and communications elements. The permanent
Legion Alfonso XIII,
X
made up
of companies, depending on the unit's role.
which
elements of the Legion IstTercio
Gran Capitan
and consists of
I
is
is
are:
stationed
in
the Spanish enclave of Melilla on the north African coast
Bandera Legionaria Mecanizada (1st Legion Mechanized Battalion),
Motorized
Legionaria Motorizada (2nd Legion
Battalion), each of three
rifle
Bandera
II
companies, a
headquarters company and a service support company. There is also an anti-tank company armed with MILAN missiles. Its primary mission is the defense of Melilla. 2nd Tercio Duque de Alba is stationed at the second Spanish enclave of Ceuta. It is organized the same as 1st tercio, with one mechanized battalion (V Bandera) and one motorized battalion and an anti-tank company. 3rd Tercio Juan de Austria distant
Canary
Islands.
It
is
stationed at Fuerteventura
earmarked for the FAR, although time for
in
the
consists of VII and VIII Banderas and it
is
would obviously take some
to return to the mainland prior to an operational
it
redeployment. 4th Tercio Alejandro Farnesio, which
of which,
XIX
X
Bandera,
is
a
is
Bandera, has the additional
Especiales
(BOEL)
(=
assigned to the
is
FAR,
is
two banderas, one parachute-assault unit. The second unit,
stationed at Ronda, Malaga, and
composed
title
of
of Bandera de Operaciones
operations
special
amphibious, mountain, parachute
and
battalion)
long-range
and
has
patrolling
capabilities.
Weapons and Equipment The Spanish Legion uses the 7.62
46
CETME Model
68
basic infantry rifle,
the
9mm
weapons, which include Star
Z-70B sub-machine
Special Forces
60.7mm ECIA
gun, and the
AML-90
mortar.
armored cars, as well Rovers, and Nissan 4x4 field cars.
The Legion also has M4! and AMX-13 light tanks, and number of American eight-ton trucks, British Land
as a
light
Selection and Training Enlisting in the Legion
an easy and relatively straightforward process. A passport
is
or the applicant need only certify to the information he or government building, police station or
a military
Spanish national territory or
city within is
its
years
five
minimum
desired. Training
if
guard station at any port, airport or
Ronda and
takes place at
-
a
upon being
term he can expand to four or
short, intensive and strict. The Legion's objective
is
includes
drill,
-
the usual training period
physical courses
traditions and disciplines of the Legion. Discipline
work,
After a thorough briefing, the candidate
obligation of three years
basic military skills in as short a time as possible
will
he need only go to
given the option to quit; however, after passing a medical examination and
accepted, he incurs a
It
civil
islands.
gives. To enroll,
is
is
is
to
instill
three months.
and familiarization with the
harsh and based on
fear.
Offenders are
liable
to find themselves
in
prison (not a desirable thing since prisoners sleep on concrete
slabs
and can be beaten
at
whim
head for poor shooting at
punishment
is
mild
by the guards), or the recipient of a rain of blows to the
standard target. All things
a
compared to
earlier times
being
relative,
however,
this
when, under some circumstances and for
certain offenses, the legionnaire could be shot.
Much time rough terrain
devoted
is
either
-
the
in
field
to the route march. Long distances are covered over
order or with heavy pack, depending upon the individual
light
in
commander.
The
however,
and
things as navigation, tactics
modern forms
of warfare
first aid in
the
field.
His training
his officers for in
such basic
advanced weaponry and
something that may change with the anticipated
negligible,
is
dependent upon
heavily
is
modernization of the Army.
To become an
officer,
it
one can be promoted
as a legionnaire
become is
a Spanish citizen.
The
highest rank
that of major.
The caps
are specially designed and
and hood for cold
collar
versions found
nights.
the rest of the Spanish Army.
in
collar.
Breeches
wear gauntleted gloves and white-lined capes with a fur Webbing straps and belts are used instead of the leather
jodhpurs, and legionnaires
like
uncompromising
motto: "Todo Por La Patria"
cap
the hallmark of the
is
Legion,
with a red tassel and chinstrap.
have a small red tassle. Short sleeve blouses are worn, which are open at the are
Legion's
him the arch carries
Below: Spanish special forces
the traditional color of the Legion's uniform.
is
barrack
front of the
gate. Behind
the
Spanish Legion
of the
in
(death for the motherland). His
necessary to
first
is
Uniform Green
member stands
typical legionnaire,
to which
A very smart and confident
Above:
their
face
camouflage
in
helmets,
masks, and body armor. The
soldier
on the
a Heckler silenced
left
& Koch
SMG
while the
Unidad Especial de Intervencion (UEI)
suits,
with
man on
is
armed with
9mm MPS
SD4
night-sight,
the right
carrying a Mossberg
is
12-gauge,
automatic shotgun.
Unidad
The
Especial de Intervencion
(UEI) (Special Intervention Unit) elite
unit of the
Guarda
any
Civil
is is
the
the
country's premier counter-terrorist unit. is
It
responsible for countering any foreign
who may commit
terrorists
Spanish
territory,
but also
crimes
has
a
on
major
domestic commitment in the continuing war against the Basque separatist movement, ETA. Although its strength is secret
it
50 men, Civil
believed to be
is
who
in
the region of
volunteers from the Guarda
all
have passed stringent selection
tests.
The February
Guarda
unit
Civil
operations, black
was
officially
formed
in
1982 and troops wear normal uniforms, except
when they
Nomex
will usually
coveralls
counter-terrorist squads.
wear the
adopted by most
Weapons
usual mixture of Uzis, plus
and Mauser sniper
when on
Heckler
are the
& Koch
rifles.
47
Special Forces
Sweden ONI
Below: Sweden has a very long coastline, for
m O
special
whose defense
troops are
special
trained
and
These soldiers are coming ashore
from a Stridsbat (combat boat)
r-
90H, which carrying 20
5
is
capable of
fully
equipped
ONI
(= national rescue unit)
is
part of the Stockholm City Police Force and
estimated to be 50-strong, divided into
five
intelligence-and-negotiating team; a sniper team; and
The Stockholm unit,
two
it comes under the direct orders of way to change this. Even if changes are
but on deployment on a counter-terrorist mission
the Prime Minister, although discussions are under
made, however, the Prime Minister
unless the lives of the hostages are perceived to be
speed of 30
onto a beach over the bow
ramp, as shown here.
assault teams.
Police Force has overall responsibility for the day-to-day running of the
km) range
at a
is
teams: a command-and-control team; an
troops over a 240 mile (385
knots and then discharging them
m a
The
equipment procured.
will
remain the sole authority for the use of weapons, in
immediate danger, when a
local
decision could be taken.
Weapons
include SIG
guns, and Heckler
& Koch
P226 automatics, the sniper
inevitable
Heckler & Koch
MP5 sub-machine
rifles.
O
Turkey Turkey
has large armed forces to face up to
a
number
shared borders with Armenia, Azerbajan, Georgia,
problems with Kurdish separatists
Right: Turkish
amphibious troops
come ashore
in
a
rubber
dinghy. Turkey has a very long coastline facing the
Black,
Aegean, and Mediterranean Seas, the latter two being areas of potential conflict.
48
in
of major threats. These include;
Iran, Syria,
and Greece; the continuing
the east; and confrontation with Greece on the island
Special Forces
of
Cyprus
well over
Mediterranean and Aegean seas. The
as well as in the
500,000 and
it is
armed forces number
total
not surprising that these should include a large number of special
forces.
Army
The Turkish Army strong.
It
Commando
Brigade,
underwater defense). This
150
SAS
brigades:
whose mission
unit
is
and
similar characteristics
commando
and US Delta.There are also three 1st
some
capabilities to British
has at least one counter-terrorist special forces battalion,
may be assumed to have
based
in
described as Su
is
Alti
Savunma (SAS) (=
Kayseri, but has recently operated
in
Southeast
Anatolia against separatist terrorists.
Commando
2nd
underwater attack)
Commando
3rd
infiltration
and
its
is
described as Su Alti Taaruz (SAT)
(=
based at Bolu.
Brigade
from the
whose mission
Brigade,
is
is
responsible for conventional amphibious operations, including
sea, intelligence gathering,
and sabotage.
wartime missions could include operations against
It
based at Foca and Izmir
is
island targets
-
eg, in
the Aegean
and Mediterranean.
Air Force
Above: A Turkish
soldier
crossing
a single rope bridge. Turkish
A
number of Turkish Cougars, have been
force
air
fitted for
UH-60 Blackhawks and AS-90 And Rescue) missions and are also
helicopters, including
CSAR (Combat
Search
used for covert insertion and extraction.
evident.
The
and 1816, which resulted
two short wars
fought
Gurkhas
against the
mutual respect for each other's martial
qualities.
As
a result
self-
1813
three battalions of
Gurkhas were immediately raised (1815) and Gurkhas have served the
Crown
is
in
very hard-won British victory and considerable
a
in
and would make
of Nepal with the
hills
are slightly difficult to understand, but their strength
British in India
trained,
United Kingdom
The bonds which link the legendary Gurkhas from the Army
well
formidable opponents.
Gurkhas
British
troops are tough, loyal and very
British
ever since.
Organ ization The
original three battalions
basically there have
been
of the Gurkhas' history.
and 9th Gurkha
Rifles
expanded and changed
titles
over the years, but
regiments (of varying numbers of battalions) for most
1
In
1
947 when the
went to the
Indian
British left India, the
Army, and the balance
-
I
st,
4th, 5th, 8th
2nd, 6th, 7th, and
Gurkha Rifles - to the British Army. Still serving in the British Army are the Gurkha Rifles (IRGR) stationed in Brunei (and paid for by the Sultan) and 2RGR in Shornecliffe, England. Individual battalions are on the standard British Army organization, with some very minor amendments to comply with 1
0th
1st
Royal
Regimental custom.
The
infantry battalions have very
Queen's Gurkha Officers
who
few
British officers, the great majority being
have worked their way up through the ranks to
Warrant Officer before being commissioned. The most senior is the Gurkha Major, a figure of immense prestige, who is the Commanding Officer's adviser on all Gurkha matters. In
addition there are five
Gurkha
infantry companies,
one each attached to 2nd
Battalion Parachute Regiment, 1st Battalion Royal Scots, and 1st Battalion Prince
of Wales's Royal Regiment, plus Demonstration Companies at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst and the Infantry Training Center at Brecon in Wales. There are also Gurkha-manned engineer, signals, and transport regiments.
Selection and Training
Above: British Gurkha troops
Gurkhas are recruited from the signed up at the age of
1
hill
tribesmen
in
the Himalayan kingdom of Nepal. They are
7 by itinerant gallah-wallahs (ex-Gurkhas
successful sign-up) and serve a
minimum commitment
Instead of being called by name,
who
get a bounty for each
of 15 years.
Gurkhas are referred to by
serial
rapelling from
Washington
numbers
-
the
last
two
a
US Army UH-I
during training at Fort Lewis state.
in
These soldiers
have a reputation second
to
none.
49
sin
ial
Forces
D
o o Right:
A British Gurkha infantry
company headquarters on in
the
company commander right
patrol
Brunei jungle. The
(note his
M 6 1
is
on the
rifle),
while
the operator sends a message
over the company radio net.
Although they come from a
mountainous country, Gurkhas have proved especially adept as jungle fighters.
digits of this life.
A
number becoming "nicknames." Gurkha
tribal
names are
left
concept called kaida, which translates into a system of order,
officers
and each other that
unquestioned,
is
might be expected, boot camp
from an often world's
illiterate
most unusual
-
is
is
Gurkha
and barefoot mountain tribesman into -
and loyalty to
the secret of their training and fortitude. As
rigorous and transforms the
and ferocious
new
behind for the
ritual,
a solid
recruit
fighting forces. Recruits arrive in the
months one of the
nine
in
member
of
UK
in
January
of every year to begin training.
Uniform and Weapons Gurkhas wear
their
own
of British
variations
Army
uniform.
Combat
kit
is
standard
camouflage pattern smock and trousers, with green canvas webbing, except, of course, for the addition of the famous kukri weapon. Parade uniform
and white
in
is
rifle-green in
temperate climates
the tropics, with black, patent-leather waist belts for soldiers and cross-belts for
Buttons and badges are black. Soldiers wear a black pill-box hat on parade or the Gurkha slouch-hat, and a green beret in other forms of dress. The kukri is the subject of many myths. The knives come in various sizes, but the doglegged shape is constant. The rear edge is thick and blunt, making the knife quite heavy, but the cutting-edge is razor sharp. The kukri is in no way a throwing knife, but it is quite excellent for hand-to-hand fighting and is the Gurkhas' preferred close-combat weapon. It is therefore always carried in war and there are many stories of its use against Germans, Japanese, and Malayan Communists, to mention but a few of the Gurkhas' more recent officers.
enemies.
The Gurkhas' Future It
would be
Crown
a
very sad day were the
ties
between these legendary
they have served so well to be severed.
relationship
more
clearly described than
in
(of
language dictionary compiled by Sir Ralph Turner
words, my thoughts return to you peasants of Nepal.
Once more trenches, now I
Once more
see you
in
I
who were my
all
Nowhere
soldiers and the British
the depth of
this
some 70
years ago: "As
I
write these
hear the laughter with which you greeted every hardship.
wet and
cold,
fires,
now scorched
on forced march or
by a
pitiless last
in
the
and burning sun.
your unwavering
smoke and wrath of battle. Bravest of the brave, most generous generous, never had a country more faithful friends than you." Or, in the words of a Gurkha commander, "They are just bloody good soldiers." 50
last
comrades, the stubborn and indomitable
Uncomplaining, you endure hunger and thirst and wounds, and at disappear into the
unique
places) the introduction to a Nepali
your bivouacs or about your
shivering with
is
lines
of the
Special Forces
The Parachute Regiment
The very name of The Parachute
Regiment (the "Paras") has come to
of soldiering and a certain "style"
would,
seems, always need to be fighting against heavy odds and either succeed
it
or suffer glorious defeats: the one performance that It
both
signify
was Winston Churchill who demanded that
German model, and
corps of parachutists on the
was formed in late 1940. There was a major reduction
a type
dramatic, forceful and with panache, Paratroops
-
never allowed
is
a slightly reluctant
after a
somewhat
is
brilliantly
an indifferent one.
War
Office establish a
hesitant start the first
m 3
unit
again
in
parachute troops
the immediate post-war years, and
in
the 1960s and 1970s. 16th Parachute Brigade existed
in
when
in
Aldershot from 1949 to
a a c
was redesignated 6th Field Force in one of the British Army's endless series of reorganizations, and only one battalion of The Parachute Regiment was left in the parachute 1982 6th Field Force became 5 Infantry Brigade and included among its role. On January units 2nd and 3rd Battalions The Parachute Regiment. With the South Atlantic War in 1982, these two battalions were hived off to 3 Commando Brigade and sent south with the Marines. In the Falklands these two units performed very well, and at Goose Green 550 men of 2 Para took on ,400 Argentines and defeated them utterly, even though their commanding officer, Lt. Col. "H" Jones, died in the 1977
it
I
1
men, personally leading an attack
battle. In
the finest Para tradition he died at the head of
against a
machine gun position that was holding up the entire
his
attack.
He was posthumously
awarded the Victoria Cross.
December 1982
In
Below: British paratroops
the British Secretary of State for Defence, Michael Heseltine,
announce
to Aldershot to
went
person that 5 Infantry Brigade was to be redesignated 5
in
reaffirmed
reputation
high
their
during the
1982
Falklands War.
The long-awaited British Strategic Defence Review was expected, The Parachute Regiment featured, although the effects of the Review on it were much less significant than had been feared in some quarters. The Review stated that "we can no longer identify circumstances in which Britain would
These
men
guard
in
need to undertake parachute operataions
general-purpose machine gun
Airborne
Brigade
published
in
a
forthwith.
1998 and,
July
smaller battalion-level
as
capability,
at greater
than battalion-group
level.
which confers important operataional
Maintaining
flexibility,
and
modernizing the role of the remainder of The Parachute Regiment to take advantage of their unique
As
skills
and ethos, has been central to the Review."
new 24 Airmobile
a result,a
Brigade
helicopter regiments, equipped with
being created, which
is
new
conditions; the right
is
2
Para are on Falklands foggy
soldier
armed with
a
on the
7.62mm
(GPMG), while the man on the left
carries
a
9mm
Sterling, a
sub-machine gun with will
consist of three attack
Apache AH-64 attack helicopters and two
The Parachute Regiment, which, together with parachute-capable support the
of
typical
battalions of
units, will
enable
notoriously poor stopping and
penetrating power except at very close quarters.
brigade to undertake a single battalion-
group parachute assault.A third battalion of The Parachute Regiment will
will
also be retained, but
be employed elsewhere
normal infantry turn to serve
in
the
battalion, although
it
Army will
as a
take
its
24 Airmobile Brigade.
in
Organization There are currently three battalions of The Parachute Regiment
in
the British Regular
Army
(1,2 and 3 Para), and a further three battalions in
the Territorial
Army
(4,
10 and 15 Para).
Two
of the three regular battalions are part of 24
Airmobile Brigade.
A
parachute battalion
is
organized similarly
to a standard infantry battalion, with three
companies and
a
rifle
support company. However,
it
has a far lighter scale of transport. Because the battalion
depends on the
fighting efficiency of
placed
physical fitness
the men,
upon selection and
and
more emphasis
is
effective training.
Selection and Training All officers and men must volunteer
for
The Parachute Regiment. Prospective
undergo thorough mental, educational, and psychometric tests
-
recruits
and then only the most
educationally and mentally alert are selected as candidates for the Regiment.
51
Special Forces
paratroopers on
Right: British
patrol. Despite
berets, the
the tactical
wear
setting, they
their red
symbol of their
prowess, high standard of
3 O
training,
and excellent morale.
Below: Soldiers of
1st
Battalion,
(I
Para) on
Parachute Regiment exercise
(note the
para wings
on their right shoulders). The
tripod-mounted weapon
M2HB
is
a US
0.50-cal heavy machine
gun with a blank-firing attachment (BFA), which enables the
weapon
realistically
to
during
be used semiField
training.
The extremely arduous training course of 23 weeks is similar in many ways to that for Commandos. The first eight weeks follow the lines of what is laid down for recruits for the Army: drill, weapons training, everything on the double, plenty of exercise, and map reading.The 12th week is the dreaded "P Company" week, in which members are selected for further training. About 80 percent of the recruits who have gone this far will Royal Marine
pass.
Following
completion
battalions.
men,
of training, the
"Spearhead of the Army" and on their
to fight
ability
who in
on
themselves
pride
any terrain and climate,
Only 35 percent of those who started the course
will
the
being
will join their
have gained their "wings."
Weapons and Equipment When
there was an independent parachute force (16 Parachute
demand for it to be economical When the commitment was reduced in
Brigade)
there was
to produce special equipment for paratroop units.
sufficient
the past few years to just
two
battalions
in
the
parachute role, with virtually no back-up from parachute-trained and -equipped supporting
arms and Individual
equipment
services, such special
currently use standard British
Weapon, an
weapon
excellent
UK
parachute units
such as the
5.56mm L70AI
virtually disappeared.
Army weapons and equipment,
Thus,
using the "bull-pup" design. This
rifle
is
neat,
compact and well-balanced and has proved very popular in service. ObviouslyThe Parachute Regiment is also able to take full advantage of advanced weaponry and equipment as it enters service with the British Army.
Uniforms The
British paratroops' red beret has
their nicknames of
been adopted around the world and has given
"The Red Devils" and "The Red Berets." (History has
it
rise
to
that Major-
General Browning and another general were arguing over the color of
a beret for the
paratroops and, unable to agree, they turned to the nearest soldier to ask
his views.
"Red,
worn only by members of The Parachute Regiment (throughout their service) and by members of other corps who are parachutequalified, but only when on service with a parachute unit. The sleeve badge is a winged sir,"
came the
instant answer.)
The
red beret can be
Pegasus.
Royal Marine Special Boat Service
TO
A large extent, the whole of the
Marine would certainly claim
number is
of smaller and
more
it
7,
so.
000 Royal Marines is an elite force in itself; every However, within the Royal Marines there are a
select groups of
which the best known and most
highly trained
the Special Boat Service (SBS), the Royal Marines' equivalent to the British Special Air
Service (SAS).
It
has
its
roots
in
the special units raised
in
World War
II
for raiding and
reconnaissance on the shores of the European mainland. The techniques evolved so painfully in
war were,
fortunately, preserved
in
peace, despite
Amphibious School of the Royal Marines "Small Raids Wing," which "Special
52
was
Boat Squadron," but
it is
at
many cutbacks and amalgamations. The
Eastney (now at Poole
later redesignated the "Special
known
in
Dorset) included a
Boat Company" then the
as the "Special Boat Service."
Special Forces
The SBS Its
the headquarters for the Special Boat Sections which are deployed under the
is
command
operational
Commando
of
units,
but can also act autonomously on special tasks.
and organization are always secret. The mission of the SBS can roughly be
activities
Men
Left:
equated with that of the Spetsnaz
in
the
Marines'
Russian Federation and the SEALs
in
the
(SBS)
US
Navy. They are responsible for coastal
underwater
reconnaissance
beaches
landing
potential
Royal
of
before deploying
onto a hostile shore, a task
of
in
which they have much
enemy
and
British
Boat Service
emerge from the hatch
a submarine
sabotage operations and ground, surface,
or
of the
Special
o
experience.
coastal facilities.They also have particular responsibility for security of Britain's off-
shore
and gas
oil
100 strong and
rigs.
it is
The
now
is
about
located at
Whale
unit
Below: SBS canoeists
collapsible
Portsmouth.
Island in
The SBS
Oman,
in
the
were
the SBS
fitted
is
which
is
tightened
early
internal
buoyancy bags are
inflated.
The canoe
from
latter,
UK
the
C- 30 and then submarine in the South
parachuted to a Atlantic.
a
in
for
1
The submarine took them
of
close
maximum
skin,
when the
ashore on South Georgia, having flown
In
z a o
a
tough rubber and polyester
Borneo, and during the Falkland Islands
War.
a
canoe has a wooden
frame over which
has seen action
in
Klepper canoe. This lightweight,
is
stability
designed
and ease
handling, both afloat and
ashore.
inshore and they then completed their long journey
The SBS
Gemini boats.
inflatable
in
also
is
rumored to have put
on the Argentine mainland,
patrols ashore
landing from the conventional submarine,
HMS
Onyx, although this has never been
confirmed, The SBS and SAS operated on the Falkland Islands
amphibious
before the
12 days
and
landings,
San Carlos Bay. They
SBS
the
reconnoitred the actual landing
at
sites
welcomed the
first
landing-craft to reach the shore, and also
silenced
on
outpost
Argentinian
the
Fanning Head, overlooking the landings.
the
The way in which the SBS fits in with much larger SAS organization is a
matter for speculation, particularly as the
SAS
is
similar
SBS.
known
to have a Boat Troop, with
equipment and
capabilities to the
Nevertheless, there
friction
between the two
therefore
assumed
be
responsibilities
is
units,
are
not
a
no known and it must the
that
problem
in
practice.
Selection and Training Recruitment to the SBS Royal Marine
is
from volunteers
Commandos. All such
and psychological
tests,
officer
who
have already had
followed by a three-week selection
go on a 15-week training course
in
two
years' service
in
the
and Marine volunteers undergo the usual physical test. Successful
candidates then
reconnaissance, demolitions, diving, and use of the
Klepper canoe or Gemini craft.They then complete a four-week parachute course, following
which they
SBS
join
officers
some other
an operational Special Boat Section.
and Marines are not compelled to leave the SBS after a set period, but
special forces they are usually forced to leave
if
like
they wish to obtain promotion
past a certain point.
Uniforms The SBS wear standard Royal Marine uniform and the Commando green indication
in
parade and barrack dress that
a
man belongs
to the SBS
is
beret.
The only
the wearing of Royal
Marine parachuting wings on the right shoulder and of the "Swimmer Canoeist" badge on
53
Special Forces
the right forearm. The latter has a
crown above the
parade dress both badges are embroidered
letters "SC," flanked by laurel leaves. In
gold on a black backing. Officers of the SBS
in
wear the wings, but not the "SC" badge (even though they are
wear
qualified to
it
by having
passed the course).
Weapons and Equipment The SBS four-man
half section patrols are usually
armed with the US MI6A2 Armalite
rifle
and M203 grenade launchers, although a special silenced version of the Heckler & Koch MP5 is
also used. Included
in
the patrol's equipment are plastic explosives, laser designators, and
burst-transmission radios.
SBS reconnaissance patrols belt,
and pack). Very
survival devices fishing line,
some
little is
and equipment hidden
water
and have three-layered
travel light
known about and
bottles, snares,
a
the escape and evasion
kits kit,
(escape and evasion,
which presumably has
clothing and other equipment,
in
food pouch are
in
the belt
kit.
A
handgun,
The pack
knife,
contains
kit
extra food, dry clothing and a waterproof poncho.
Boats used by the SBS include paddle-boards (akin to surfboards), specially produced
Klepper Mark 13 collapsible boats, and the somewhat larger Gemini boats powered by 40bhp outboard motors. The SBS can also be transported by "Rigid Raider" boats, a militarized version of the glassfiber "Dory" fishing-boat, powered by outboards of up to I40bhp, operated by the specialists of the Royal Marines' Rigid Raider Squadron, with the capacity to carry 10 personnel. There small
enough to be attached to the
dropped
separately, the Kestrel
suits
and dry
sacs.
The sacs are
weapons, explosives, ammunition,
and provisions, thus enabling marines to arrive ashore
"ready to
which
is
9.5hp motor, which
is
three-man
Powered by
a
collapsible,
by carbon dioxide.
Special Air Service
Rubber dry diving
invaluable for protecting
the
also the "Kestrel," a
inflated
is
Above: Royal Marine SBS use these Avon
is
leg of a parachutist.
fight." This
carrying a US model
commonly used
marine
M
1
by the
6
is
rifle,
British
SAS and SBS.
with the appropriate motto "Who Dares SAS was formed early in World War Wins" at a time when many "special" units were being raised. Known originally as "L Detachment," the unit grew to 390 men in 1942 and was redesignated 1st Special Air Service Regiment (I SAS). After various reorganizations and a period of further growth, an SAS Brigade was formed in Scotland in January 1944, consisting of two British regiments (I and 2 SAS), two French regiments (3 and 4 SAS), a Belgian squadron (later 5 SAS), and a signal
The
II
squadron.
At the end of the war in Europe the British Army divested itself of "private armies" (SAS among them), and it appeared the British Army had washed its hands of the "SAS idea" forever. It takes more than that to keep a good idea down, however, and within months it
was decided that there would be conversion of a Territorial
Regiment
(21
reversing the
Army
SAS) (Artists)
-
a future
(TA)
unit,
role for SAS-type activities. This led to the
"The
Artists' Rifles," into 21st Special Air Service
number 21 being obtained by combining and wartime SAS regiments (I and 2 SAS).
(Volunteers), the
numbers of the two
British
During the Malayan "Emergency" (1948-60) the "Malayan Scouts (Special Air Service)" quickly built up to regimental size.
In
1952, the Malayan Scouts
was formed and were
redesignated 22nd Special Air Service Regiment (22 SAS), thus marking the
official
return of
SAS to the regular Army's order of battle. The SAS carried out successful operations following which they moved to the UK where, after a short period in Malvern, they settled down in their now-famous home base at Bradbury Lines, Hereford. But by now they had been reduced to an HQ and two "sabre" the
squadrons. Far East soon beckoned again, however, with the "Confrontation Campaign"
The
Borneo, and a squadron of SAS arrived there
demands involved
in
regiment as
1
963. Their success led to
in
more
SAS and the third squadron was re-formed in mid- 963. All three were in Borneo and Aden during 1964-66 in a period known in the the "happy time." By 1967, these two wars were over and the SAS had a short
for the in
January
1
campaigns
period of consolidation and retraining.
1969 the
In
situation
in
Northern
Ireland
exploded and the SAS began
acquaintanceship with the Province. Simultaneously, renewed problems
Oman 1983
in
a
long
Malaya and the
The SAS remained in the Oman for many years and in August was disclosed that the SAS was training a similar unit for the Sultan of Oman's
led to a return there. it
"Special Force."
The anti-guerrilla campaigns of the 1950s, 1960s, and early 1970s were succeeded by a new role in which the SAS quickly built up an unrivaled expertise - counter-terrorist actions. 54
Special Forces
Spurred on by operations
Army
Republican
Irish
Army (INLA).the SAS
in
Northern
(IRA) and
Ireland against the
National Liberation
Irish
has developed techniques which are
copied throughout the Western world. This has led to the
SAS not only being consulted by overseas governments and special forces, but also
being directly involved
in
in
some "foreign" operations. Thus, in October 1977, two SAS men were with the West German GSG 9 unit at the attack to recapture a hijacked German airliner at Mogadishu, and SAS members were also involved in the Dutch operation against the Moluccan
earlier
who
m O
terrorists
had taken over a trainload of hostages.
c c 2
Most famous of all UK episodes was the London Iranian Embassy siege of May 1980 when the SAS had perforce to conduct the operation
TV
cameras.
In
strict
in
front of the world's
compliance with English
Metropolitan Police conducted the operation
law, the until
the
murdered one of the hostages and threw his body out on the street. The police then requested the SAS to take over, and the troops stormed in, using special weapons and tactics. The hostages were rescued, four of five terrorists killed, and not a single SAS man
Above: SAS soldier during the
was
operated deep inside Indonesian
terrorists
This spectacular success, while a godsend for the hero-hungry world media, gave
lost.
more publicity than it liked. By 1982 the SAS seemed to be settled in a counter-terrorist role when the FalklandsWar broke out with Argentina. 22 SAS was immediately involved, being given the opportunity to
the
SAS
far
remind the world that they are
first
and foremost professional soldiers, trained for war.They
spearheaded the return to South Georgia helicopters had to be aborted
boats and most to
men
in
island,
truly appalling
got ashore.
One
compromise the operation by
although the
boat, however, broke
calling for help
eastwards and were later rescued by helicopter.
headquarters and one troop of
submarine Santa Fe to rush
in
D
first
reconnaissance landing
weather.The second landing was by
down and
in
inflatable
the soldiers refused
on the radio and were blown
rapidly
Borneo campaign In
this
1960s.
the
in
"small war" the SAS
territory, causing
disruption
considerable
the
to
lines-of-
communication. They also the local
rallied
people, such as Ibans
and Dyaks, thus ensuring that they remained
government
loyal
the
to
newly formed
of the
Federation of Malaysia.
Meanwhile, at Grytviken, the squadron
Squadron took advantage of the crippling of the Argentine
and overwhelm the garrison, and South Georgia was quickly
back under British control.
The first SAS soldiers were ashore on East Falklands by May and remained there, close enemy and in foul weather, for some 30 days. They provided vital intelligence on troop movements and deployments, and also targeted enemy aircraft and naval gunfire support. On May 14 the SAS raided Pebble Island and blew up Argentine aircraft; they also reportedly operated on the mainland of Argentina itself, although this has never been I
to the
I
confirmed Their
I
officially.
final
role
in
the Falklands was to carry out a noisy and valuable diversionary attack
on the eastern end of Wireless Ridge on the day before the Argentine surrender.
Left:
the
SAS troops on the roof of Iranian
moments their
Embassy
successful
hostages and
the
terrorists first
London
operation to free
the
was the
in
they launched
before
kill
or arrest
holding them. This
time the
operational gear of black coveralls, hood,
and respirator
had been seen
in
use spread
public and
its
rapidly.
55
Special Forces
Right: SAS
of
a
scramble out
soldiers
Army Westland Scout
British
helicopter at Bluff Cove, during
_
the Falklands War. The battles
2»
H O
^ Z £ ©
against the Argentine
Army
showed that the SAS was capable it
was against that
influence
as
conventional war as
in
it
terrorists,
and
could exercise an
on the campaign out
of all
proportion to the
numbers
it
deployed.
SAS teams were
also inserted into Iraq during the Gulf
War
of 1991, their primary
missions being to seek out and destroy Scud missile launchers, to report on
movements from road watch destroy
enemy
patrols behind
Iraqi military
and to locate, report on, and
lines,
communications systems.
Iraqi
Also during the
990s,
1
reported that SAS teams operated behind Serb
it is
down
providing intelligence reports and calling
on Serb armor,
air strikes
lines in Bosnia,
artillery,
and
anti-
aircraft positions.
As these examples make
clear,
the principal
sabotage, raids, intelligence gathering, etc. counter-terrorist mission
and rescue forces when
Army
secondary SAS mission
is
in
SAS mission
one of
is
special operations
denied areas. Contrary to popular
not the sole province of the SAS;
have been seized
facilities
against the Irish Republican
A
UK
the
in
-
in
the
UK
belief,
-
the
provides assault
it
proper and operates covertly
(IRA).
to organize and train friendly resistance forces, as well as to
is
provide specialized security assistance training to friendly nations.
Organization The present organization
One
regiment (22 SAS)
is
includes three regiments of approximately all-regular,
while the other
belong to the Territorial Army. There (63 (SAS) Signal Squadron) with
is
two
a regular signal
theTA.These
(2
1
SAS
600 to 700 men each.
(Artists Rifles)
and 23 SAS)
squadron with 22 SAS and another
units are controled by Director Special Forces
whose headquarters are in London. Each SAS regiment is composed of four squadrons, each having around four 16-man troops that work, operationally, in patrols of four. Some variations in size exist, of course, to accommodate special requirements for elements such as the Mountain Troop and Boat (DSF), a brigadier
Troop.
There (Artists)
is
is
outstations
a
very close relationship between 22 SAS and the Territorial regiments. 21 SAS
based
in
London, with four outstations, and 23 SAS
Manchester,
in
Leeds,
regiments have a strong cadre of regulars, maintained, and
who
who
based
in
Birmingham, with
Glasgow. Both Territorial
ensure that professional standards are
pass on the benefits of recent operational experience.
22 SAS has been based Credenhill.a former
is
Newcastle, Dundee, and
RAF
Hereford for 40 years, but
at
station,
which
is
it
is
moving to
a
new
base at
only a short distance away.
Selection and Training
No
officer
come from
or soldier
enlists directly into the regular
accusation that the regiment officers
regiment (22 SAS). Instead, volunteers
the other regiments and corps of the British Army, which sometimes leads to the
and soldiers.
All
is
"poaching"
some
of the best and
volunteers for the SAS must
first
most enterprising young
pass the selection course, which
is based on the regimental depot at Hereford. The tests take place in the Brecon area of Wales and consist of a series of tasks designed to find out whether the individual has the
qualities of spiritual
mental resilience, physical stamina,
The process
starts with
bring everyone up to the
allowed to write
down map
its
basic standards. Typical of such training:
references or to fold is
followed
by
10
maps days
in
a
way
independence, and
missions.
10 days of fitness and map-reading training
same
are concerned with. This
56
self-discipline, initiative,
toughness which the Regiment has found necessary for
in
groups of 20 to
SAS members are not
that will reveal the area they
of solitary cross-country marching,
Special Forces
culminating
They must at
40-mile (64km) march
a
in
who
two. Those
least
in
20 hours carrying
551b (25kg) Bergen rucksack.
At the end of
badge, and are at long
courses
be expected to
members
last
parachuting, and other military
know now
parachute course and combat
a
phase the survivors are presented with their beret and
this
of the SAS, although the training continues with
medicine, demolition, shooting,
languages, field
signaling,
in
will
have not either voluntarily or compulsorily withdrawn
undertake 14 weeks' continuation training which includes survival training.
specialist
a
demonstrate an aptitude for languages, since they
also
Even after
skills.
a soldier
becomes
a fully fledged
free-fall
member
of
m O
the Regiment, there can be periods of high-intensity training for roles such as counter-
commandos. SAS the emphasis today
revolutionary warfare
Unlike the earlier years ot the
is
on
pulling
and encouraging
men
to get through the tests and course, but without relaxing the high standards, Nevertheless,
the pass-rate
only about 20 percent, although
is
must be appreciated that only
it
there any reason for any of the other 80 percent to are, of necessity, looking for a
can be developed
Once
fully in
in
feel
ashamed; the
fact
very special combination of talents which
is
is
that the
a
o
is
SAS
possessed by or
only a few people.
the Regiment, the normal tour of duty of several years
is
followed by return
to the parent regiment or corps. This ensures that the Regiment does not introspective and also serves to spread around the rest of the ideas and training
rarely
Army
become too
that curious blend of
which constitute the SAS.
Weapons and Equipment In
SAS used standard
the past the
variety of
weapons, foreign
British
or to blend
in
with
developed for SAS use
damage
some
arms but now
addition, the
SAS
it
regularly uses a
specialize
in
wide
training and
of local "scenery." Special "stun" grenades have been
bit
which the
in
small
In
weapon, either to take advantage of some particular
using virtually any type of foreign attribute,
Army
as well as British.
blast effect has
been maximized
at the
expense of
potential.
the
in
1992 Gulf
War, with their faces blanked out for security reasons. The
Since 1984 the
SAS have used two
Italian-built
Agusta 109 helicopters captured from the
Argentinians during the Falklands War. The aircraft, operated by the
up to seven troops and are equipped for many
The SAS have incorporated verify the
Below: British SAS troopers desert during the
Army
Air Corps, carry
roles.
"high-tech" into their arsenal of tricks: thermal imagers to
presence of personnel
buildings, satellite
in
communications systems, infrared night
equipment, and a host of surveillance, target acquisition, and sensory devices.
mission of "SCUD-busting"
in
the
Arabian desert harked back to the
function for which they were
originally aircraft
formed, destroying Axis
on the ground
in
the
Sahara.
Uniforms The SAS wear standard
Army
British
operations, though they do not
wear
uniforms on
insignia of rank,
with only the customary "regimental" items permitted
under
British practice.
The three
basic distinguishing
marks of the SAS are the sand-colored beret, the capbadge
(a
shoulder. officers'
black.
In
"Who
winged dagger with the motto
Dares Wins")
SAS-wings worn
and
on the
parade dress (No. 2 Dress)
Sam Browne
Combat
dress
belt, gloves,
is
right
buttons,
and shoes are
standard British
Army
all
pattern
with either the sand-colored beret or the peaked
camouflage hat with no badge. With there that
is
he
this latter hat
nothing about a soldier's uniform to is
idiosyncracy
member
a
of
of the
SAS uniform
is
SAS. that
One in
on
shew small
"pullover
worn in barracks) the rank worn on the shoulder straps,
order" (the popular dress
chevrons of
NCO
are
not on the right sleeve.
A
unique combat uniform
anti-terrorist operations. This
with a black flak-vest,
belt,
is is
available for use
on
an all-black outfit,
and boots. The standard
(made of black rubber) and gray antihood complete the outfit. Every item of this
issue respirator flash
dress
is
effect
is
worn
for strictly practical reasons, but the
awe-inspiring.
57
Special Forces
United States of America HE United States has a long and rich history of military
T
which predate the Revolutionary
special operations
War. However, the
truly integrated
first
operations organization
when
begin until April 10 1952,
3
H S» H m
Center was
established
psychological
warfare
modern
special
Army
did not
the United States
in
at
the Psychological Warfare
Fort
NC.
Bragg,
Army
the
in
consisted of unconventional warfare
also
legacy of the
a
-
Notably,
time
the
at
special operations of the Office of Strategic Services
(OSS)
Donovan during World War The Special Forces were resuscitated in the early 1950s, with 0th Special Forces Group being activated at
headed by Gen. "Wild
Bill"
II.
1
Fort Bragg on June 20
m F
1952, followed by 77th Special
Group on September 25
Forces
numbering
1953. (The
appears to have been entirely at random.) These were followed by
1st Special
June 24 1957 Above: Lead
scout of a Special
patrol group,
Forces a
5.56mm
assault
Colt
rifle.
armed with
Commando
Special
are also trained
soldiers
Forces in
the
use of foreign weapons, enabling
them their
use such weapons
to
own
are
damaged
if
or,
even
worse,
lost.
58 men of the South Vietnamese
train
association
between the
Army
in
Forces Group, which was raised on
Okinawa. This group sent
NhaTrang during
at
a small
team to
that year, beginning a long
Special Forces and the Republic ofVietnam. Next, 5th Special Forces
Group was raised on September 21 96 initially at Fort Bragg, but later and became responsible for all Special Forces activities in that country. 1
1
it
,
moved
to Vietnam
President John F. Kennedy was fascinated with the Special Forces and visited Fort Bragg, where he authorized the wearing of the distinctive and symbolic headress - the green beret - in 96 1. Also a result of the Kennedy visit: the first troops of the Special Forces deployed 1
to South Vietnam
in
November
1961.
would wage guerrilla operations against enemy troops in a conventional war. It soon became clear, however, that in Vietnam enemy himself was a guerrilla, forcing the Special Forces to revise their basic concepts.
The
original idea
was
that the Special Forces
regular Below: Special Forces trooper blends into the background on a jungle raised
in
operation. Originally
order to use guerrilla
tactics
against conventional
forces, Special
trained to fight
war,
in
all
Forces in
terrains, all
all
are
now
types of
and against
types of enemy.
the
One
of the principal programs was the raising and training of Civilian Irregular Defense Groups (CIDG).with more than 80 CIDG camps being set up in the years 1961-65. The Special Forces eventually operated throughout South Vietnam in a variety of roles, some of which have yet to be revealed. They had more extensive dealings with the ARVN (South Vietnamese Army) - and particularly with the Montagnard, or mountain people - than any other element of the US forces. They received awards for heroism and for dedication to
duty far out of proportion to their numbers. Despite
elements of the US chain-6f-command was not always
sometimes
this, their
and suspicion
interfering with their operations, an
Vietnam
in
too
all
elite force. The last soldier
frequent problem for any Special Forces left South
some
relationship with
easy, with mistrust
of the
March 1971.
The Special Forces have always operated throughout the US areas of responsibility. An early deployment was to Bad Tolz in Bavaria, Germany. Other groups operated in the Panama Canal Zone. Special Forces have also long been involved
in
"advising" friendly armies in Asia, Africa,
Central and South America, as well as
in
other parts of the
world. They have thus tended to be always just on the edge of the limelight.They are
Army's order of
battle
now
very firmly a part of the
and are
likely
US
to remain so.
Organization There are currently (Airborne) Ft.
Lewis,
Station,
-
five
1st Special
Wash, with
known Special Forces Groups Group (Airborne) (SFGA),
Forces IBn/l
forward-deployed to
0th SFGA, two Army National
Campbell, Kentucky; 7th SFGA, Fort Bragg; and Fort Carson, Colorado.There are also
Command is exercised Command (Airborne).
Guard groups. Forces
The
Torii
Okinawa; 3rd SFGA, Fort Bragg; 5th SFGA, Fort
traditional
organization
by
pattern
1
US Army
Special
of the
Special
Forces has been based on the Operations Detachment A,
more 58
popularly
known
as
the
"A Team." While the
Special Forces
individual
elements that make up the profile of a
to time, the group profile
commanded
itself
does not.
by a major, with a further
typical special
Ideally, five
five officers
A Teams
group may change from time
commanded
are
by a B team,
and 18 soldiers.
Selection and Training All officers
trained
and soldiers
in free-fall
have at least demolitions, trained
in
two
in
in
the Special Forces must be airborne qualified, and
specializations, eg, engineering, intelligence,
Many must
a m O
also be
foreign languages.
Training for the Special Forces
including political.
With the
special forces, this decline in
also
weapons, communications,
addition to the primary or military occupational specialty.
both thorough and tough. To some extent, the normally
is
rigorous training standards declined following the Vietnam
(now
many are
parachuting and/or for swimming roles. All enlisted personnel must also
is
-
for a variety of reasons,
>
many Western
m -
the process of being reversed and training attrition rates
in
the 60 percent plus range) are about
Further, like
War
increasing emphasis of recent years that has been placed on
what would be anticipated
US Army
special troops,
for a special force.
2
Special Forces troops frequently
attend courses with other armies; other armies also train with them.
Their training
is
designed to
them
fit
for six missions: Foreign Internal Defense (FID);
Special Reconnaissance; Direct Action; Unconventional Warfare; Counter-Terrorism (CT);
and Coalition Warfare. Particular emphasis
is
placed on the
ability
to operate with foreign
troops.
Weapons and Equipment The US
Special Forces are tasked to be the repository of
arms, and they are therefore trained on virtually every
operations anywhere
in
MI6A2
rifle
but
not see service
will
the world. Their
(the "Armalite"). Other, until after
more
own
knowledge on the world's small
Below: Green Berets "A-Team"
weapon
speeding towards their objective
likely
on the famed
to be found
personal weapon, however,
is
esoteric small arms are on the drawing boards,
the year 2000.
on board a River Patrol Boat (PBR|. These waterjet-powered
have a
craft
maximum
speed of
24 knots and some 500 were
Uniform The
built, principally
basic hallmark of the Special Forces
Kennedy, and has given is
worn on the
scroll
rise
surrounding the dagger
show
the green beret, which was approved by President
to the "Green Berets" monicker. The Special Forces crest, which
flash in a beret, is
combines crossed arrows with
"De Oppresso
reflects their mission. This crest
groups. Officers
is
their rank
is
in
remain are
Liber" ("Freedom from Oppression") which
the
normally set on a patch the flash
The motto
the
itself.
a dagger.
whose
in
colors vary with the
use
for
in
the
Vietnam War, although many
an
in
service. All
armed with Ml
man
6s
men
except for
with a helmet
M60 machine gun
large
the
who
has
with a
night sight attached.
59
Spk.ial FORCtS
As with other particular items
special forces the basic uniforms are those of the
may be added to
fit in
with a role. The Special Forces are
US Army,
although
fairly high-visibility
troops and tend not to act or dress covertly, leaving that to other and more recently formed units.
m -
1st Special
Forces Operational Detachment (DELTA)
Detachment - Delta (ISFOD-Delta), more familiarly was the brainchild of Colonel Charles (Charlie) A Beckwith, US Army, who, as a major, served on an exchange posting with the British SAS in 1962-63. On his return to the United States he sought to form a new unit with the same organization, ideals and functions as the SAS, and eventually overcame the resistance of a very conservative chain-of-command, with Delta being officially formed on November 9 977. Its credo, as laid down by Charlie Beckwith, was "surprise, speed, success." The title of this unit sometimes causes misunderstandings. ISFOD-D was a totally new unit and had nothing to do with the "Delta Project (Detachment B-52)" set up by the US Army Special Forces in Vietnam in the mid-1960s (and was, at one time, commanded by Beckwith), which was a totally different organization and concept. The reason for the name of the new unit was, in fact, quite simple. At
1st
a m
Special Forces Operational
known
as "Delta,"
1
m B
1
that time, according to
Beckwith, there
were
Special
three
already
Detachments,
(commanded by and
major), colonel).
a
Charlie
natural progression call
Alpha
Bravo (by
captain),
(by
in
titles
Beckwith, a
and ranks to
new detachment "Delta" and commanded by a colonel.
the
to be
was always intended
Delta
a
lieutenant-
a
was, suggested
It
Forces
designated
overseas, although even then
it
for
it
use
for
could only
be deployed at the invitation of the host
government, which,
as
be seen, has
will
not always been forthcoming. The main mission
and
counter-terrorism,
is
priority tasks are hostage rescue,
man
m
covert
"snatches,"
its
wanted-
reconnaissance,
and explosive ordnance disposal.
Organization Delta
is
based at Fort Bragg,
well-protected
Not
Stockade."
in
a large
known
area
as
the
surprisingly,
Delta
reflects
the
brought back to the
United
States
organization
Colonel
of
Beckwith. Thus,
composed
of a
and
"The
the
ideas
unit
Unarmed combat
essential
skill
for
most
an
is
special
forces. Delta volunteers
also
have to be highly proficient
many other
in
such as
skills,
signals, medical, engineering,
weapons handling,
of
two or more
troops, each of four
4-man squads. There are
squadron, a communications squadron, and a covert troop using special equipment and
The main
techniques.
aviation support for Delta
Aviation Regiment (160
SOAR)
comes from 160th
but Delta also has
helicopters with civilian color schemes and registration
SAS with
its
two Agusta A
1
its
in
own
Special
aviation
a similar
Operations
troop which uses
manner to the
British
22
09s.
name but
a few.
Selection and Training Delta is manned by volunteers who can come from anywhere within the US Army, although, in practice, the majority come from the Green Berets and Rangers. Under Colonel Beckwith's
command,
Delta's selection and training processes
those used by the British SAS, although
it
is
were
essentially similar to
reasonable to assume that these have been
refined and adapted over the intervening 20 years to
changed conditions.
60
is
also a support
resisting
interrogation, and escape/
evasion, to
composed
is
headquarters and three
operational squadrons, each of which Above:
by
meet the demands of a
larger
army and
Special Forces
H m r
H m
Left:
Modern operational
scenarios seldom
m
permit a
lengthy acclimatization
period, so
US Special Forces must be able to
go into battle almost as
soon as they arrive
in
new
a
theater. So, regular training in
such
conditions is
Deployments some
some
of which have appeared
in
of which have been learnt about through other means; there have also
deployments which remain
doubtless been
operations have been unsuccessful, but
in
totally
classified
to this
Some
day.
of the
most the aim has been achieved. Among the known
deployments have been: rescue of the
US
memorial wall
hostages
in
1
deaths, as does
has been
own
and space which
the
carefully
compound
left
for
future
in
OPERATION URGENT FURY
Air Garuda Boeing 737 (March
four
its
980. The attempted
the Embassy
Teheran.
killed
tells
story of deployments
casualties.
Operation Eagle Claw (24-25 April
team
swamps
Below: The US Special Operations
Delta has undertaken a host of operational deployments, the press and
these
as
essential.
hijackers
1981). at
A
single
Bangkok
-
GRENADA
4-man
airport,
OPERATION JUST CAUSE
successfully releasing the hostages.
PANAMA
-
Brigadier-General Dozier rescue (January 1982). Dozier
was taken hostage by Red Brigade terrorists. A Delta team deployed to Italy, but the Italians carried out the rescue, which was successful. Operation Urgent Fury (October 25 1983). Delta and Seal Team 6 took part in the US invasion of Grenada. Olympic Games, Los Angeles (1984). Delta played a major role
in
TWA
•
SOMALIA
OPERATION PROVIDE COMFORT
•
NORTHERN IRAQ
was the security consultant.
847 hijack (June 1985). Having been hijacked was flown to Algiers, where two US passengers were murdered. Delta was deployed to
the
OPERATION RESTORE HOPE
the security arrangements for the Los
Angeles Games, for which Colonel Beckwith, by then retired,
OPERATION DESERT SHIELD/DESERT STORM-SOUTHWEST ASIA
Flight
aircraft
OPERATION UPHOLD DEMOCRACY
-
HAITI
LATIN AMERICA
Europe but the Algerian government refused permission for
them to take
action.
(October 1985).
Achille Lauro Incident
Atlanta City prison
riots
deployed
quell
to
help
MIDDLE EAST
(1987). Delta forces
the
riot,
but
were
prisoners
surrendered before they arrived. 989). Delta and Seal Team 6 took part in the invasion of Panama, was to apprehend President Noriega. 990- ). Delta deployed to Iraq, where they worked alongside Operation Desert Storm British, Australian, and New Zealand SAS units in seeking out and destroying "Scud"
Operation Just Cause
where
(
1
their prime task
(
1
1
missile launchers.
"Branch Dravidian" siege (1993). Delta teams were sent to Waco, Texas, to join the FBI
and other agencies
in
breaking the siege of the religious sect's headquarters. Delta was
not used, possibly due to disagreements with the
FBI.
61
Special Forces
Operation Restore Hope (1993). Delta was deployed to Somalia where embroiled
it
became
the attempts to arrest "General" Aidid.
in
Operation Uphold Democracy (1994). Delta took part
in
the peacekeeping operation
in
Haiti.
Atlanta Olympic
-
incidents at the
Games
Bosnia (1996-1999).
H m
was
on stand-by to deal with
again
It
is
terrorist
SEAL Team was to arrest the
believed that Delta teams (possibly accompanied by
Six)
have deployed to Bosnia on several occasions.
war
criminal
that Delta
c/>
1996. Delta
Games.
One
possible mission
Radovan Karadzic, although, in the event, this has never happened. It is likely was involved in the rescue of the pilot of the F- 7 shot down over Belgrade. 1
1
O US Army Rangers (Airborne)
General
Creighton Abrams, former US Army Chief of
as follows:
battalion
in
"The Ranger battalion
to be an
is
the world, a battalion that can do things with
anyone. Wherever the Ranger battalion goes,
The US Army Rangers Robert Rogers,
a
it is
Staff defined the
elite, light its
Ranger mission
and the most proficient infantry hands and weapons better than
apparent that
is
it
the best."
are the spiritual descendants of the old Indian fighters led by Major
woodsman from New Hampshire, a tradition
the pre-Revolutionary colonial army,
in
which was revived
Merrill's
Marauders
Rangers
in
World War
in
Burma, and
in
Europe. The
units
remained
battle until the
were
in
end of the
quietly disbanded and
by
six
the United States
in
and which fought with distinction
Ranger
II
Darby's
comprised
latter
battalions raised and trained
by
in Sicily
and
Italy.
US Army's order of Korean War, when they
the
most of
their tasks
were
picked up by the special forces. In
the post-Vietnam trauma, the special forces
were reduced
drastically
and devoted most of their
energies to simply fighting for existence. The Ranger
School
had
been
operating
for
many years
maintain a high standard of leadership
and
in
1975
it
in
the
to
Army
was decided that two Ranger perform a number
battalions should be reformed, to
of unique missions.
The Rangers were prepared Iranian hostages rescue mission
are important to
Above: Medals all
soldiers, such
as
these
men
2/75th Rangers receiving
of
their
awards immediately
following their return from
Operation Urgent Fury
Grenada
Right:
Men
in
of
I
/75th Rangers
board a USAF C-I4I
Army
Airfield
in
November 1983.
in
at
Hunter
Georgia. They
are deploying to take part in
Operation Just Cause in
62
in
Panama
December 1989.
to take part
in
the
and were about to
Special Forces
O
H H m
m s J*
Left:
US Army Rangers. The
trooper a
in
5.56mm
front Colt
is
armed with
Commando
(note
the large cylindrical flash suppressor). The soldier behind
wears the which into
the
fly
into Iran
operational
when
the mission was canceled due to the disaster at Desert One. Their
opportunity did
therefore, arise
not,
spearheaded the landing on Port Salines variety of missions including the in
airfield.
US operation
in
Grenada
until
in
1982,
will
full
sniper outfit
enable him to blend
the background awaiting
chance to
fire.
first
when they
Since then they have deployed
in
a
wide
Panama and the United Nations operation
Somalia.
Ranger tasks are quick strike and shock action deep ambushes,
raids, interdiction,
mission for Rangers
is
in
enemy
territory.
and temporary seizure of priority targets.
A
These include less
common
the recovery of captured personnel and equipment.
Organization Today there are approximately 2,500 Rangers
in
one Ranger regiment, consisting of three
battalions, with a further three training units.
Headquarters 75th Ranger Regiment
Benning, Georgia, with
Hunter Army
I
st Battalion
(
I
/75) at
Field,
Washington, and 3/75 also with the regimental headquarters
is
at Fort
Georgia, 2/75 at Fort Lewis,
at Fort Benning. Each of these
three battalions has a battalion headquarters and three combat companies, each with three
63
Special Forces
rifle in
platoons and a weapons platoon. All
men
in
these units are volunteers from elsewhere
the Army, have passed the Ranger course and remain with the Rangers for a standard two-
year tour, which can be extended by six months, subject to recommendation by the
commanding
officer.
Selection and Training The US Army Ranger School is an
-
unusual institution which has existed for
has continued to function even at times
Army.This
a m
for
units.
The second, however,
many years and
there were no full-time Ranger units
because the course serves two functions, the
is
Ranger
when
first
of which
is
in
the
to train soldiers
to spread the "Ranger code" and training
is
excellence, and to improve the standard of self-confidence and leadership not only within
the
US Army and
within the other three
US services, which send a small number to Ranger whose students take up some 20 percent of the
School, but also of friendly foreign armies,
m
places
on each course.
To achieve
this
the course covers the whole gamut of Ranger
navigation, patrolling,
weapons
skills,
including land
handling, hand-to-hand combat, survival, and mountaineering.
During the course the trainees do not wear the rank badges they are normally entitled to and
all
take
it
in
turns to serve
the overall pass rate
The
is
in
various leadership positions. According to unofficial figures
about 35 percent.
selection and training process starts at the 4th Ranger Training Battalion at Fort
Benning. Having qualified there the trainees Below: Special forces' instructors
around the world take intense pleasure
in
devising ever
more
challenging obstacles for their trainees
ladder
is
to at
cross. This
the
Rangers base at
64
huge
Fort
Bragg.
move
Dahlonega, Georgia, where they receive training
Ranger Training Battalion
at Eglin Air
Force Base
warfare. Training exercises are conducted
all
in
in
to 5th Ranger Training Battalion
mountain warfare and
Florida for training
in
in
finally
to 6th
jungle and
swamp
over the United States, and abroad wherever
possible, with the aim of training in different climates and environments.
At the end of the course many return to
their units, but a small
number
of carefully
selected go to join the Ranger battalions for a two-year tour, which can be extended by six
months
if
the
commanding
officer agrees.
Special Forces
e z H rn -
H S» H m cr O Left:
Using the "buddy" system,
US Rangers paratroops at Fort
Bragg pair-up other with the
final
preparations
before a parachute jump. essential
in
specialized
units
as
team
place
for
a
It
is
such highly
work
a
> 2
each
help
to
that soldiers -
there
is
no
"loner."
Uniform During their time
at
Ranger School trainees wear jungle fatigues and patrol
soldiers, regardless of unit,
"Ranger"
a
on their
pass Ranger School are entitled to
right sleeve for the
wear the
cap.
Then,
all
highly prized
remainder of their military service. Within the
wear normal Army uniform and accoutrements and the "Ranger" the only other outward sign that they are full-time Rangers being the black beret with
Ranger flash,
flash
who
units the soldiers
Ranger capbadge.
Current Missions Today's Rangers have to prepared to conduct a wide variety of missions and must train
constantly to maintain their standards
75th Ranger Regiment
Operations
Command
is
an
in
unit,
a
month
example, on the
but operationally
at a time,
the world within 18 hours.
to operate on their
mountain, urban, and amphibious warfare. it
comes under the
(JSOC) and each of the three battalions takes
"Ranger Ready Force" for
anywhere
Army
arctic,
in
own
ill-fated
On
which requires
it
it
in
Joint Special
turn to be the
to be ready to deploy
deployment, the Ranger units can be required
or as part of a larger force
made up
Teheran Embassy rescue mission.
of different units,
as,
for
Below: A competition between
teams representing the Rangers and 82nd Airborne Division. Such competitions are essential to
improve
skills
and
to
foster a
healthy spirit of friendly rivalry, especially
when
there
are
no
operations under way.
65
Special Forces
Land (SEAL) Teams
Sea, Air
e z o
H > H m O
(/>
m
s
Above:
unidentified
Members
of an
SEAL team return
an amphibious ship after a recent exercise. The aircraft
is
a
Boemg-Vertol CH-46, a type
which entered service
in
the
1960s, and this actual aircraft
men
hopping" operations
it
is
transporting.
US Navy
the
in
the Pacific campaign,
in
started
in
1943 during the "island-
where Naval Combat Demolition Units
were formed to reconnoitre and clear beaches prior to an amphibious landing. In the late 1940s these evolved into Underwater Demolition Teams (UDT) which were employed during the Korean War in the same role - for example, in clearing beaches prior to the Inchon landings.
War
Faced with the problems of the Vietnam
is
almost certainly somewhat older than the young
The story OF special operations units
to
coupled with the increasing intensity of the
Cold War, US forces sought some of the answers
in "special operations forces" to which one was the SEaAir Land (SEAL) teams. The first of these were formed in January 1962: SEAL Team in the Pacific and SEAL Team 2 in the Atlantic. SEAL units became deeply embroiled in the Vietnam War, where they performed vigorously and
of the navy's major contributions
I
successfully
in
and other areas. Their missions included intelligence gathering,
riverine
sabotage, ambushes, and other counter-insurgency activities. train
They helped to organize and
South Vietnamese special forces, and then frequently worked with them.
In
Naval Operations Support Groups were renamed Naval Special Warfare Groups as
involvement increased
in
limited conflicts and special operations. In
reconnaissance and underwater demolition became
UDTs were
remaining Naval
control
SEAL
1
1967, the
(NSWGs)
983 the hydrographic
missions, as a result of which the
absorbed into the SEAL organization.
over the
(NAVSPECWARCOM),
which
SEALs is
exercised
is
by
Naval
Warfare
Special
Command
co-located with the Naval Special Warfare Center at the
Naval Amphibious Base, Coronado, California.
NAVSPECWARCOM's
mission
is
to prepare
Naval special warfare forces to carry out their assigned missions and to develop special
operations strategy, doctrine, and
NAVSPECWARGRU Fleet.
and
is
I
tactics.
There are two Naval
with the Pacific Fleet and
There are currently seven SEAL teams, of which SEAL Team 6
is
Warfare Groups:
2 with the Atlantic in a
special category
dealt with separately (see below).
A SEAL
team
is
typically
made up
of 10-12 platoons, each consisting of a
squads. There are also three Special Boat Units and
Delivery to the operational area can be by effective
the team
66
Special
NAVSPECWARGRU
is is
air,
two SEAL Delivery
Swimmer
of
parachute or surface warship, but the most
by submarine; these take the team to the destination and then taken ashore by
number
Vehicle teams.
Delivery Vehicles (SDVs).
lie
offshore,
where
Special Forces
m O H m Left:
Members
of a
US Navy
SEAL team, who have
down from inspect
a
roped
> m
deck cargo of ISO
containers on in
just
helicopter, start to
a
a
the Adriatic
merchant ship in
September
1995. Such inspections form an essential
part of blockade
operations.
Selection and Training Volunteers for the SEALs must
come from elsewhere
in
the Navy; there
is
no
recruitment. Having been accepted for training they then undergo a gruelling
course,
most of which
is
conducted
at the
Naval Special Warfare Center at Coronado, and
involves indoctrination, mental and physical toughening and extensive instruction.
and enlisted
men undergo
added responsibility of attrition rate
is
identical training, the only distinction being that officers
As with most special warfare between 55 and 70 percent.
class leadership.
high, varying
direct
15-week Officers
bear the
training courses, the
SEALs receive extensive training in combat swimmer techniques, advanced demolitions, field communications, and weapons handling and must also qualify as parachute jumpers. This expertise, combined with the basic skills, ranging from gunner's mate to signalman, which Navy SEAL into a they bring from their previous "regular naval service," molds the combination of frogman, paratrooper, and commando.
Right:
During Operation Desert
Storm
in
members final
the of a
Gulf
War
in
1991,
SEAL team make
preparations prior to
deploying. Note the unusual
helmet worn only by SEAL teams.
67
Special Forces
Naval Special Warfare Development Group
Operation
Eagle
the debacle, training.
H H m
SEAL Team 6 in October 1980 as a became operational in April 1981. At this designated Mobility Team 6 (known as "Mob 6"), was
unit,
and
SEALTeam
6 was an offshoot of
it
2 and had been developing counter-terrorist
techniques before Eagle Claw, but for a variety of reasons disband
it
changed
rather than to develop to
the
cover
(NAVSPECWARDEVGRU),
2
Below: The pilot's compartment
B
Vehicle
of a
role,
it is
it
into the
name although
new
Naval it is
unit.
Special
it
proved more practicable to
SEALTeam Warfare
quite clear that, while
it
was subsequently Development Group may have a developmental 6's title
basically an operational unit.
submerged SEAL Delivery (SDV), with
the
the pilot at
and a SEAL
controls
returning from a mission. The
US Navy has about
which are carried
IS
SDVs.
special
in
Dry
Deck Shelters on a number
of
SSNs and converted SSBNs. Latest version
is
SDV Mk
which carries a
Mod
I,
maximum
of
VIII
eight SEALs, each wearing a self-
contained underwater breathing
apparatus (SCUBA).
68
Mob
special operations and, following
to the creation of
this led
maritime counter-terrorist
disbanded.
US
a true turning point in
point an earlier counter-terrorist unit,
(/)
>
Claw was
services reviewed their counter-terrorist organizations, capabilities, and
Within the US Navy
specialist
O
all
Organization NAVSPECWARDEVGRU
is located on the east coast, at Little Creek, Virginia, where it comes under the command of Naval Special Warfare Command (NAVSPECWARCOM) although operationally it comes under Headquarters Joint Special Operations Command (JSOC) which is located at Pope Air Force Base, North Carolina.The strength of the unit has
never been published, but a reasonable guess would be about 2-300, organized into troops
which specialize (headquarters,
in
the unit's different roles.
logistics,
The
unit will
also
need
its
own support
medical, supplies, etc) which probably accounts for another 2-300.
Operations It
seems reasonable to assume that SEAL Team 6/DEVGRU has been involved
in
covert
operations, particularly involving submarines, which have never been publicly acknowledged.
Special Forces
:
«
.
H m -
m c/>
Left:
Another method used by
SEALs
the
is
(Inflatabe
IBS
Boat,
m 50
Small). These
can
craft
be
musclepowered, as here, or propelled
by a small
(7hp),
silent-running outboard
motor.
The IBS was originally deployed during the Vietnam
many
used on
However,
it
individuals,
is known that it has been involved in operations targeted at extracting some of which have been successful, including rescues of deposed, legal
War and
missions since.
specific
rulers
-
Scoones of Grenada (1985) and Aristide of Haiti (1991) - and the capture of Panamanian ruler, General Noriega (1 989). The unit is also reported to have been involved in attempts to capture alleged
war
criminals
in
the former Yugoslavia, although, as far as
SEAL Team 6/DEVGRU
of these has as yet been successful.
operations
for
which
never took
NAVSPECWARDEVGRU
known
is
place,
the Achille
including
is
known, none
has also deployed several times
Lauro
incident
(1985).
to cooperate closely with units of other nations with a
similar role, including the British Special
Boat Service (SBS) and
Italy's
COMSUBIN.
160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (Airborne)
One
Claw was
of the major lessons of Operation Eagle
assemble
operated and trained with each other
modes
that
it
was
inviting trouble to
and individuals needed to have
a force for a specific operation. Instead, the units
so that they understood their respective
regularly,
of operation, capabilities, strengths, and weaknesses. This particularly applied to the
helicopters and
in
the aftermath of the Teheran rescue debacle the
aviation unit to provide just this type of support.
It
came
formally
16 1981, designated 160th Aviation Battalion, but in
May 1990
it
US Army formed
into existence
a
new
on October
was reorganized, expanded
and redesignated 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (Airborne) and assigned to the part
US Army Special Operations Command (SOCOM). Aircraft of 160th SOAR have taken in US operations in Grenada, the Persian Gulf, Just Cause, Desert Shield/Desert Storm,
and recent actions
in
Somalia.
Above:
A SEAL team member,
with camouflage cream liberally applied,
Organization and Aircraft 160th SOAR comprises three aviation
battalions, with
1/160 and 2/160 at Fort Campbell,
Kentucky, and 3/160 at Hunter Army Airfield, Georgia Special operations helicopters are also
operated by
The
1st Battalion,
245th Aviation Regiment of the Oklahoma
smallest helicopter
use with 160th
in
Bird," the latest in a long line of is
known
SOAR
is
OH-6 developments
to serve with 2/160 and, considering
its
in
addition, the
Army
National Guard.
the McDonnell Douglas MH-6J "Little for special operations use. The
small size,
can be fitted with FLIR and a laser designator, and can be 0.50-cal Brownings;
comes ashore, ready
anything. He
it
is
MH-6J
a highly capable aircraft.
It
armed with 7.62mm Miniguns or
MH-6J is so stable in the hover that it can be used as a rifle. The tail can be folded for transportation in a fixedcan carry a crew of two and six special forces operators
Colt
is
Commando,
lighter, carbine
M 6 assault 1
armed with
the shortened, version of the
The US Navy's
rifle.
SEALs have proved to be the
most
highly Special
efficient
respected
for
a
among
and most
of the
US
Operations Forces
community.
platform for a sniper using a 0.50-cal
wing
aircraft,
while the MH-6J
itself
SOAR
on each side
externally.
WARDEVGRU
for maritime operations such as assaults
160th
The Sikorsky MH-60K is US Army, with deliveries to
also
provides
MH-6s on
in
support of
the definitive special operations version of the l/l
60th starting
in
late
1992.
NAVSPEC-
oil rigs.
The
aircraft
is
UH-60
for the
comprehensively
69
Special For( is
equipped for night/low I6B FLIR,
level
operations with
Stinger and Hellfire missiles and
Largest helicopter
is
AN/APQ-7
and
a night-vision imaging system,
1
4 terrain-following radar and
moving map
a
display.
Weapons
AAQ-
can include
two pintle-mounted M2HB 0.50-cal Browning machineguns. MH-47E (SOA) (= special operations aircraft) which has
the Boeing
terrain-following radar, FLIR, and an extensive array of early-warning devices. Defensive
-
Below: US Marine Corps Force
armament
Recon troopers help each other
helicopter
up a
cliff
a m
face
in
undoubtedly an taken part since
it
larger all
its
is
force, has
elite
in
every US war
was formed
and today
s
sandy terrain.
The Marine Corps, which
in
1775
ground force
and better equipped than
Marine Corps Aviation
dwarfs the majority of national air
is
Brownings and Stinger
probe and
also fitted with an in-flight refueling
The
air-to-air missiles.
deep penetration
a typical
mission could have a radius of 350 miles (570km) and an endurance of
some
6 hours.
MH-
47Es serve with 2/160 and 3/160.
While aircraft are allocated to and operated by specific units, it should be noted that SOAR's procedures enable mixes of types and numbers to be assembled to suit
160th
almost any operational requirement.
is
but a few national armies. while
M2HB
consists of pintle-mounted
forces.
Qualifications The
Officer Qualification
Qualification Qualified,
comes
Course
which
is
Course
lasts for
for 160th
SOAR
14 weeks, while the Enlisted Men's
lasts
three weeks. Two other qualification levels exist: Fully Mission
attained after 12-18
months
in
the unit, and Flight Leader, which only
after 3-4 years.
US Marine Corps US Department
The
of Defense does not formally
the Marine Corps as a part of Forces.
some
In
en
certainly
respects, however,
"elite"
not to
inappropriate
More
capabilities.
force
-
and
Force Reconnaissance
it is is one - and would therefore be
it
it
them
include
specifically.
list
Operations
Special
its
reviewing
in
such
Reconnaissance Marines (and
particular) have similar training
in
and missions as special operations forces
with training
-
parachute and other airborne operations, as well as
in in
Scuba and other underwater operations.
The Marine Corps indeed,
it is
the world's largest
is
countries. Since
November
it
was
raised by order of
1775, the
10
USMC
force:
"police" actions and
Congress on
has taken part
major war fought by the USA, as well
These
elite
even bigger than the total armed forces of most
as
in
every
numerous
in
armed interventions all over the world. have merged to produce an force whose maintenance is the raison
traditions
fine
amphibious assault
d'etre for today's Corps. Further, the evolution of Marine aviation
units
Corps with
has provided the
force. This overall capability enables the
its
USMC
own
air
to claim to
be a unique, combined-arms, ground-air force with
a special
competence in amphibious warfare. The missions assigned to the USMC fall into three broad categories. The principal mission is to maintain an amphibious capability for use
conjunction with fleet
in
operations, including the seizure and defense of advanced naval bases
the
and the conduct of land operations essential to execution
successful
addition,
the
Corps
is
detachments for naval warships.
Finally,
placed upon
A
it
of
a
maritime
required bases
to
campaign.
security
Navy's
principal
and the
the Corps carries out any additional duties
by the President.
major feature of the USMC's position
defense establishment to have
its
In
provide
is
unique
in
that
it is
in
the
US
the only service
basic corps structure defined by statutory law.
The amended National Security Act of 1947 tasks the Marine Corps with maintaining a regular Fleet Marine Force of no fewer than three divisions and three aircraft wings,
with the additional support units necessary.
70
Special Forces
ITED
States
Left:
it
is
With
world-wide mission,
its
USMC
that the
essential
is
capable of deploying into any
o n
i
>
type of terrain, with only the
most minimal notice. Jungle training, once
carried
out
in
*• i
Panama,
is
made
facilities
friendly
«.
I
.
SI
-
-
active duty personnel, including 9,300
services. This
is
women, and
organized into four divisions and four aircraft wings (three regular and
one reserve of each), but both organizations are particularly apparent
in
a
larger than their counterparts
Marine division which, with
in
the other
a strength of 17,000,
is
some 20 percent larger than a US Army division. The basic structure of the Marine division is essentially the traditional "triangular" model, with three infantry regiments, each of three battalions. The new infantry battalion, however, is smaller than before, with a headquarters company, weapons company, and three rifle companies, each of the latter being 20 percent smaller than its predecessors. Manpower and financial constraints prevented a fourth rifle company from being formed. Each Marine division has an artillery regiment, a tank battalion, an
armored
assault battalion (equipped with the
The standard Marine 315
aircraft, ranging
aircraft
)
plus supporting
(MAW)
has
1
by
armored amphibian
training in
is
Corps arctic
carried
California,
out at
and overseas
home in
Japan and Norway. During the Cold
War
the
Marines had a
major commitment
Norway
in
the
to
support
event of Soviet
aggression, where they would-
have fought alongside the British,
Dutch, Norwegian, and
other NATO troops.
battalion, a light
LAV), and other supporting units. 1
8 to 2
1
squadrons with
a total of
286 to
from fighter/attack (F/A-18), through medium attack (AV-8) and
tanker/transport squadron (KCI
wing
new
available
using
countries.
Above: Marine
is
practised
.••„.
Organization The Marine Corps strength - 174,000 40,000 reserves
now
30), to helicopter
squadrons (AH-I, CH-53, CH-46,
squadrons of electronic warfare, observation, and reconnaissance
a
UH-
aircraft.
71
Special Forces
Right:
a m
A US Marine practises the survival
art of jungle
O
area at Subic Bay.
He
Philippines.
the
in
the
cutting a
is
bamboo, which can provide
m
in
former United States' training
c/>
food,
water, serve as a container, or
be used to erect a shelter.
S
Special forces
expert at "living
must become the
land,"
especially in
hostile
off
environments, since they may
have
to
operate behind enemy
lines
for
lengthy periods.
Below: Despite the vast technological and industrial
resources of the its
in
United States,
most valuable military
war are this
its
member
assets
people, such as of the
Marines'
Force
Recon.
Weapons and Equipment The
dominant characteristic of Marine
single
doctrine
which applies to
action,
is
aspects of the Corps'
all
ethos has a major effect on the way the
activities. This
USMC
tactical
the emphasis on the principle of offensive
is
MI6
equipped. Improved
rifles
are being
issued as the basic infantry weapon, while each squad, 13 strong, has the new 5.56mm Squad Automatic Weapon (SAW) (M249) in each fire team. The
battalion
weapons company has
platoon with eight
"machine gun"
launcher 81
a
mm
in all
(actually,
but name).
mortar
is
also
in
heavy machine gun
teams, each of which mans a
HMG
equipped with a 0.5in
vehicle
40mm
firing
An improved
USMC
Recruits go to one of
version of the
service.
Selection and Training All members of the US armed forces and those for the
and the Mkl9
an automatic grenade
are volunteers,
enlist directly into the
two
Corps.
training depots, at San
where they undergo -week "boot camp." Despite its size, the USMC does not have its own officer academy, although some are accepted from the Diego, Ca, and Parris Island, SC,
the famous
I
I
Navy academy officers
is
at Annapolis.
through
Candidate School Class. All
officer
the
The main source
Naval
ROTC,
of
Officers
(OCS) or the Platoon Leaders candidates
(including
those from
Annapolis) must undergo a rigorous selection and training course at Quantico.Va, before being accepted
for a commission.
72
Special Forces
Fleet Anti-Terrorism Security
Team (FAST) number of elites within US Marine Corps. These units were formed in
The
Fleet Anti-terrorism Security
companies are one of
the
Team (FAST)
1987
response to the world-wide increase
in
US armed
to
threats
their
facilities,
prime
highly
additional,
periods,
a
when
forces
mission
the threat
being
protection
trained
beyond the
is
in
government
and
to
provide
over
short
capabilities of
the usual security forces. Following the principle that
"prevention
is
better than cure,"
however, FAST
companies are also responsible for carrying out threat assessments, for helping security officers to
prepare proper security plans, and for improving individual
standards
security
a
in
force
(eg,
of
surveillance, marksmanship).
The FAST companies are some 300-strong and when the need arises. Following the bombing of US troops in Saudi Arabia on June 25 996, in which 9 people were killed and 500 injured, FAST Marines from Norfolk, Va, were can be deployed very rapidly
1
1
actually on-site within
10
hours of the explosions.
They then not only provided deploying their
own
additional security by
Marines, but also carried out
security assessments, which,
in
many
cases,
found
the existing arrangements to be wanting.
FAST units hace deployed with US forces on numerous operations, including: the Gulf War; Liberia (Operation Sharp Ede); Panama (Operations Just Cause and Promote Liberty); Haiti (Safe Return); Cuban refugee evacuation (Operation Safe Passage); and the United Nations withdrawal
from
Somalia.
accomplished"
Above: "Mission
as
US Marines stand outside the re-
captured US Embassy City
in
February
marine on the
in
Kuwait
1991. The
left
particularly
is
MI6
equipped. He carries an
well fitted
M203 pump-action
with an
grenade launcher below the
weapon and
a
night sight to
its
He wears pouches carrying
left.
spare ammunition and grenades
on
his
chest,
on
his
left
instant
and a bayonet
is
shoulder, ready for
use.
LEFT: Operation Just Cause in
December 1989 and two Marines question a local inhabitant the town of Arraijan Pacific
The Marines are
coast.
members
in
on Panama's
the
of
Terrorist Security
First
team
Fleet Anti-
(FAST).
FAST companies have proved very
in
the
and have been
useful
deployed
in
every US operation
1990s
73
Special Fohc is
74
Special Forces Operations
Part 2
Operations Modern
honors have been earned
battle
in
places as far apart as
Entebbe, Djibouti, Grenada, the Iranian desert, the Falklands and
Mogadishu. What these battles have
conducted by
special/elite forces
"low intensity"
in
common
and were
environments.
It
all
is
importqant
is
were
that they
conducted
in
study
to
operations by special/elite units, since the operation
all
so-called
such
the pay-off,
is
where they carry out the job they were created and trained to handle. Of course, many lessons can be learnt from successes, but by no means all speical/elite operations have been unqualified triumphs, and it is important not to shy away from these. In other words, lessons must be learnt from failures as well as from successes. The prestigious Combat Studies Institute at the US Army's
Command
and General
Staff
College at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, has
studied special/elite force operations
in
great depth.
It
concluded
that,
"Many factors determined the conduct of such operations. ..and of these there are four that are important enough to merit special emphasis. These are: surprise; the quality of opposing forces; the
success
of friendly
forces
surprise
which
with
cooperating; and popular support."
the
Of these, the
was paramount.
Basic tenets and tactics
must be studied over and over
again, since,
taken as a general rule, they are sound and they work. great mistake to assume that what
however, be
a
situation will
work
Service
were
forces
elite
study concluded that
in
It
works
would, in
one
another. The tactics used by Britain's Special Air
during the siege of the
example, or those used by
GSG
9
Iranian in
Embassy
in
London, for
Mogadishu were very successful
on those two occasions, but may well not be suitable in future incidents. Nor, as the 1993 Mogadishu operations show, should the same tactical plan be used over and over again.
One
thing
all
these examples
special/elite force units
show
is
that the
men and women
in
must be very adaptable and able to respond
effectively to novel situations in unfamiliar places at very short notice. In
other words, they must be high caliber people, not only physically
but mentallly as well.
Two
A,
of the
publicized Iranian
make
their
move
across the roof during the most
rescue operation by special forces to date,
when
terrorists
12-man team
Embassy
in
of Britain's
London
in
SAS
held 29 hostages at the
1980
75
Special Forces
Rescue at Entebbe AT 0900 hours
June 27 1976, Air France
and crew aboard. The A300 Airbus
Athens and hours,
it
was on the second
was sky-jacked by
it
pilot
AF
139
left
its flight
when, at 1210
combination of Palestinian and
a
succeeded
through
aircraft staged
leg of
Baader-Meinhof terrorists led by
Boese.The
flight
en route for Paris with 254 passengers
Tel Aviv airport
a
German
called Wilfried
pressing the "hijack button" as
in
he turned for Benghazi, where, after a 6-hour delay, the plane
was
refueled;
then flew on to the terrorists' destination -
it
Entebbe, Uganda, which was under the erratic rule of "Field Idi Amin Dada. Amin purported to
Marshal"
maintain
apparently
an
neutral
posture, but covertly he supported the terrorists
demands
53
unless
that
prisoners held
in
a
Palestinians
number
July
I.
hostages and, after he had nationalities
insisted
On
on
hostages. left,
were released the would be shot at 1200
Amin even
in
fact
visited
the
the Israelis and Jews of other
were segregated, although the Air France aircrew
joining them.
the morning of July
for time,
flight
"keep the peace," but they
guarding the
in
their
terrorist
Ugandan troops were deployed to Entebbe
airport, supposedly to
assisted
other
of countries
hostages aboard the Air France
hours on
or
in
of Palestinian
I,
the
Israeli
government, playing
was willing to consider the release prisoners. The hijackers, increasingly confident
announced that
it
of eventual success, responded by extending their deadline by
three days. They also released
who were
flown to
French and
Israeli intelligence.
Paris,
all
the non-Jewish hostages,
where they were debriefed by
beginning, the Israeli planners had many was shortage of time to set up any form of rescue operation before the terrorists killed any of their hostages. The second was to find out just where the hostages were being held and under what conditions. Third, there was the problem of getting a rescue force to Entebbe and back. Fourth, there was the problem of what to do with the
From the
map
Above: The
port as
it
the Israeli
Entebbe
of
air-
was
at the
raid.
The Air France
time of
Airbus was parked at the end of the taxi-way (right), a short
distance from the old terminal building, in
which the hostages
problems. The
non-Jewish hostages. Fortunately, the problems resolved themselves
agreed to the use of Nairobi airport, and a coup
one in
after
another.The Kenya government
Sudan resulted
in
the closure of that
were being held. The main runway
country's air control radars. Intelligence on Entebbe airport and the local situation began to
new terminal
be processed, aided considerably by the debriefing of the released non-Jewish hostages. This
was on the
left;
the
and control tower
in
Right: Reconstruction
outside the old at
the center.
of the scene
terminal building
Entebbe. Speed and deception
were essential success. Heavily
the operation's
to
armed jeeps and a
Mercedes sedan were disguised
to
resemble the transport used by
Ugandan
dictator
Idi
Amin, and
thus temporarily mislead the air-
port security guards. C-130 No.
and No.2 (with the
I
command
team) landed several minutes apart and deployed troops, while No.3
carried
down
reserves and touched
after the
runway
lighting
had been extinguished. The task of No.4,
reserves,
which contained further
was
to
taxi
to
the
old
terminal building and to pick up the rescued hostages.
76
first clearly
C-
Special Forces Operations
chief-of-staff General
Left: Israeli
Mordecai Gur briefs the press,
commandos'
following the return.
On
his
left
is
General Dan Shomron,
commanded
Brigadier-
who
operation, but
the
Lieutenant-Colonel "Yoni"
Netanyahu, the ground force leader,
eased
the
problem
governments. US including
satellite
made
killed.
foreign
inform-ation,
photographs
of
Entebbe,
and France remained involved not only
available,
because
consulting
of
sources
was
it
had been an Air France
been hijacked but because
its
airliner that
had
courageous crew
had insisted on staying with the Jewish hostages.
The Rescue Lieutenant-General Mordecai Gur, staff,
chief-of
Israeli
considered that a raid on the airport was
feasible,
and
0730 hours on
at
Minister Rabin reviewed
all
July
3
Prime
the facts and then gave
the political go-ahead for the operation. Later that
morning
a full-scale dress rehearsal
was held
in
Drawn from the 35th Parachute Brigade and the Golani Infantry Brigade, the 100-plus force, commanded by Brigadier-General Dan Shomron, aged 48, performed well in an attack on a dummy layout manned by Israeli troops, and all seemed to augur well for the real thing, which was scheduled for the next day. The dress rehearsal lasted just 55 minutes northern
Israel.
from the time the rescue to take just 53).
and
aircraft landed to the
time
The primary weapons selected
Galil assault rifles, the latter
terminal and rescue the hostages
known throughout
the
Israeli
it
Army
off again (the actual
for the raid reportedly
equipped with night
was to be
took sights.
The
rescue was
were the MAC-
10
force to enter the airport
led by Lieutenant-Colonel Jonathan
Netanyahu,
as "Yoni."
(July 3), two hours after the full Israeli government cabinet made aware of the "go" decision, four Israeli C-130 Hercules took off for the long flight to Entebbe. The route took them down the middle of the Red Sea at high altitude in the hope that Saudi Arabian radars would treat them as unscheduled civil flights. There was, in fact, no reaction, so they were able to turn and fly down the Sudan-Ethiopia border and
At 1600 hours that afternoon
into Uganda.
Two Boeing 707s were also involved, leaving two hours after the slower Ccommand post fitted with special communications gear; it caught up
a flying
Generals Benny Peled and Yekutiel hospital, staff
went
in
Adam
ready for any
wounded from
1
30s.
One was
with the four
the area throughout the operation with Major-
aboard. The other 707, fitted out as an emergency
straight to Nairobi, arriving just before midnight;
C-130 carrying the
hostages taxis towards
rescued dispersal
at
following
its
Entebbe.
Lod airport, return
When
the
from
ramp was
lowered the passengers rushed out into the arms of their tearful
relatives; a
successful
outcome none had anticipated
had been
C-I30s near Entebbe and remained
Above: The
it
then waited,
the operation just across the border
in
its
medical
Uganda.
The four C-I30s arrived at Entebbe without incident and landed at precisely 0001 hours. The first aircraft landed close to the control tower, disgorging its paratroops in a Mercedes car and three Land Rovers while still moving.The men charged into the tower and succeeded in preventing the controllers from switching off the landing lights; even so, emergency lights were deployed, just in case. These were not needed and the second and third aircraft taxied up to the terminal where the hostages were being held and discharged their paratroops straight into action. The fourth C-130 joined the first near the control tower.
24 hours
earlier.
Special Forces
The main
squad brushed aside
Israeli
from the Ugandan Army guards and charged into the terminal building. The second group destroyed Ugandan Air Force MiG the
resistance
ineffective
fighters
when
prevent pursuit
to
the
raiders took off again and also as a noisy
and obvious diversion.
The
went
group
third
the
to
perimeter to cover the approach road, since
was known that the Ugandan
it
Army had
number Czech
a
and
tanks
personnel
some
20
miles
the capital, Kampala.
in
appeared,
this force
armored
OT-64
carriers
(32km) away
major
of Soviet-built T-54
Had
could have had a
it
effect since the
Israelis
had no
heavy weapons. The fourth group was
made up Israelis,
who, being
also well-trained soldiers
down
and brought
M^^^
doctors
33
of
were
covering
from
fire
the area of the C- 30s.
ryr^^^
1
With Shomron tower and
control
in
had been successful, Netanyahu's
turn
phase
was now "Yoni"
it
to
lead
assault
on the terminal
rescue
the
hostages.
leader, Boese,
the
in
satisfied that the first
the
crucial
building
The
to
terrorist
behaved with surprising
indecision, first aiming at the hostages
and
then
changing
his
mind, going
outside, loosing off a few rounds at the Above: The at
Lot!
celebrations continue
airport.
The spectacular
and very successful hostage rescue was devised, organized
and executed within one week, and, according to some reports, the Israelis took the concept of the US raid on prison
in
start
the
Son Tay
North Vietnam as the
and then heading back for the lounge; as he returned he was shot and killed. His German, GabrielleTiedemann, was also killed outside the building. The Israeli soldiers rushed into the lounge where the hostages were being held, shouting at everyone to get down on the floor; in the confusion, three of the hostages were hit by stray bullets, an almost inevitable consequence in such a situation. While some of the soldiers rushed upstairs to kill the two terrorists remaining there, the hostages were shepherded out to the waiting C- 30s. At this point "Yoni" Netanyahu emerged from the terminal to supervise the loading and was killed by one shot from a Ugandan solider in a nearby building, Israelis
fellow
1
a sad loss.
At 0045 hours the defensive outposts were
point for their plan.
the night with
its
called
load of rescued hostages on their
in
as the first
way to
C-130 roared
off into
Nairobi, with the fourth and last
leaving at 0054.
Apart from the hostages were
loss of
killed in
Colonel Netanyahu, three
Israeli
the rescue, while a fourth, Mrs
Dora
rescuers were wounded. Three Bloch,
who
had been taken off
was murdered by the Ugandans in revenge for the raid. On the addition to the terrorists, there were 20 Ugandans killed and more than 100
to a local hospital earlier,
other
side, in
wounded. The whole operation was unexpected direction. action,
It
conducted with great dedication and
became known
notice and
in
a
most
reputation for quick and determined "ad hoc"
Israeli
skill.
substantial foes, but the terrorists had obviously later
mounted on short
a brilliant success,
confirmed the
The Ugandans could not be described
been trained for their
task. Interestingly,
as it
Wegener of Germany's GSG 9 was with the Israelis the known presence of the two Germans with the
that Colonel Ulrich
on the operation, possibly because of terrorists.
The in
first
rescue attempt of
Vietnam, which the
terrorists and
Israelis
its
type - unless one considers the
US
raid
Ugandans completely
off guard.
Following Entebbe,
all
terrorists have to take
into account the possibility that a rescue mission could be carried out
over great distances.
78
I*
on Son Tay Prison
reportedly used as a model - the Entebbe rescue caught the
in
hostile territory
Special Forces Operations
Moluccan Train Incident Throughout
the Netherlands
incidents were used by the terrorists to press Dutch government support independence for their homeland - the now a part of Indonesia, but formerly a Dutch colonial possession. (They
demands
that the
Moluccan
Islands,
were
at
activity
the 1970s, repeated terrorist incidents by South
in
The
Moluccans grabbed headlines.
one time known as the Spice were generally the Dutch-born
forming guerrilla squads Indonesian embassy
killing
of a policeman
The Hague; the
in
radicals spearheading the terrorist
the late 1960s and accumulating arsenals of weapons.
in
Violence included the
The
Islands.)
children of Moluccan immigrants, and had begun
damaged The Hague Palace
itself;
and
in
1973
when South Moluccans
following year, South
seized the
Moluccans stormed and
1976, they killed three hostages during a train
in
hijacking.
But on May 23 1977, two groups of South Moluccan terrorists launched their most spectacular attack yet
in
become
the opening phase of what was to
The groups simultaneously
Dutch
hijacked a
train
a
three-week drama.
and occupied an elementary school
in a
northern part of the Netherlands,
The as
it
raid
began when two terrorists pulled an emergency cord to stop Express Train 747
traveled
between Assen and Groningen.
49 hostages into the Minutes forcing
I
and
a
a
few days
addition to
Five
masked gunmen rushed aboard, herding
compartments.
few miles away, seven terrorists invaded an elementary school,
10 hostages into the
unharmed In
later
first-class
main classroom.
Of
the
I
10 hostages, 106
were released
later after a virus struck the children.
demanding assistance
that they, as well as 21
planned kidnapping of
in
their
independence
other South Moluccans
Queen was
efforts, the
Moluccans
meet the
insisted
various assaults (including the
be allowed to leave the country.
Juliana),
handling the situation steadfastly refused to
negotiate with them. There
jailed for
terrorist
Dutch
officials
demands, but continued to
a reluctance to use force, despite the previous train seizure
only 18 months earlier.
However, the order for the June 10 rescue assault came only after negotiations dragged and as the Dutch public grew increasingly impatient
on for three weeks with no progress and bitter over the stalemate.
.
.
.
What was
to follow
was
later characterized, appropriately
enough, as a switch from psychology to technology.
On December
Above:
1975 a
8
previously unheard-of group of
Moluccan
terrorists
seized
Indonesian Consulate
the
in
Amsterdam. Here a masked terrorist
armed with
a sub-
machine gun forces one of the hostages to retrieve food
them by the
Left:
left
for
authorities.
The setting for the most
spectacular operation
conducted
by the South Moluccan terrorists. In
a two-pronged
attack, one
group seized the Assen-Gronmgen express train and
held 49
hostages, while a second group held in
1
10
children
and teachers
an elementary school some
miles away. The authorities
Dutch
played for time, but
eventually had
to
use force.
79
Special Foh<
i
s
Execution Even though the Dutch government was reluctant to use force, contingency plans had been in place from the start. To break the dual siege, it was determined that a dual attack would be required. If either the train or the school were taken individually, the terrorists at the remaining location seemed certain to exact vengeance on the hostages in their custody. Throughout the siege, the specially picked Royal Dutch Marines, and civilian and military police had been rehearsing assaults on an empty train at the nearby Gilze Rijin Air Force
put
Base.
Eight
combat swimmers had approached the
train
Special radar that could detect the heat differences
been put
in
place; this allowed the
through the metal
in
their
decision
for
troops await the
action. Special
prepared
to
forces
call
must be
spend much time
waiting for negotiations to break
down
before they can strike.
When
70 hostages were being
80
held.
a
20-minute attack. Six F-104 Starfighter in
aircraft
train,
and launched
immediately flew
in criss-
their afterburners in an attempt to
and encourage the hostages to keep their heads down. As the
and opened up with their weapons on areas of the
went
marines ring the building where
came. Marines wearing night-vision goggles approached the
jets
roared overhead, a force of Marine and police sharpshooters raced across a 100-yard (30m)
school sieges the terrorists struck
1978. Here Dutch
it
distract the terrorists
slept.
in
place.
Other sophisticated devices were used so that the hostages were likely to be should the "go"
cross patterns just a few feet above the train, kicking
field
again
in
hot and cold surfaces had also
know where the terrorists and be made for the assault.
what was to be
1977 train/
Below: Following the
in
Marines to monitor the movements of the terrorists
weapons.
Marines would
Above: Dutch
by way of a canal that ran within
(5m) of the tracks and had put sensitive bugging devices
15 yards
train
where the
terrorists normally
Shortly before 0500, the assault force blew the doors off with framing charges and in
with Uzis blazing.
Six of the nine terrorists
and stood up as
were
bullets blazed
Marines, and one terrorist
killed
during the assault;
about were
were wounded.
killed also.
two hostages who had panicked
Seven other hostages, two Dutch
Special Forces Operations
Simultaneously
with
the
assault
on
the
train.
Marines
assaulted
Bovensmilde, rushing the building with armored personnel carriers from
all
the
school
at
four sides, one
them bursting through a wall. The 10-minute attack met no resistance; four terrorists were captured (three were asleep in their underwear) and the four hostages were rescued unharmed. of
A classroom window
Above:
in
school-house of the normally
the
Dutch town of
quiet
Bovensmilde, the breeching of
its
symbolized by the
tranquillity
drawn curtains and the
Assessment The
assault
terrorism.
prevalent
protruding
demonstrated that the Dutch would resort to force
if
necessary to counter
This was particularly important to the government since the belief had been
among South Moluccans
Dutch were pushed. successful attack
that force
would not be used, no matter how hard the
Perhaps another salutory effect of the split-second, high-tech and
was that
it
helped temper
long-haired Dutch troops by their
some
of the derogatory remarks directed at
more conventional
1
muzzle (lower
rifle
Inside, the
left).
held
terrorists
hostages, but had to
10
release
106 children after a few days
when they were
struck by a
mystery virus.
colleagues from other European
nations.
Another point was eventually driven home: terrorism would not go unpunished
in
the
courts either. Seven of the terrorists, aged 18 to 28, received prison terms ranging from six to nine years, while another received a one-year term for helping plan the dual seizure. Two
Left:
terrorists
open doorway
sit
Number 747 awaiting
1
the
in
Express
of
their fate
Dutch special forces
after the
had broken
their
siege.
The
Dutch experience with the South
Moluccan
terrorists
proved once
again that the use of force and
heavy penalties that survive the
way
the only the
for
any
final
terrorists
assault are
of dealing with
problem and preventing
future
occurrences. Giving
terrorist
them
go
to
incident
in
to
demands and allowing free
after the
over only result
is
in
further problems. Another price to
be paid
of special
is
the maintenance
forces units
and
ensuring that they are always
ready to react to the unexpected.
gMHtaMMg||
81
Special Foim
i
s
Mogadishu Rescue Below: Lufthansa Palma-Germany flight was hijacked
(October red)
13
across
1977) and taken by a circuitous route the
Middle East, followed by GSG 9
(yellow/ green). They
met
at
Mogadishu, Somalia.
On
October
airliner
3
1
977
1
a Lufthansa
en route from Palma
Balearic Islands to
Germany was
by
over
terrorists
Mediterranean aircraft
were
five
the
French
board (two
aircrew
737
hijacked
the
On
coast.
in
the
pilots,
three stewardesses), 86 passengers, and four terrorists, hijackers'
two
of
them women. The
leader called himself "Captain
Mahmoud,"
and
identified
as
a
terrorist,
Zohair Youssef Akache.
ordered the
was
was
From eastwards
international
to
captain
aircraft
Fiucimino airport airliner
subsequently
notorious
fly
He to
Rome, where the
in
refueled.
Rome, the and
landed
airliner at
set
Larnaca
off in
Cyprus at 2038. Here, "Mahmoud" demanded that the aircraft be refueled again, or he would blow it up, the first of many threats to use explosives. After refueling, the airliner took off and overflew various Middle East countries. Permission to land at Beirut was denied
and the runways were blocked, so taken on to Bahrein
where the same
in
it
was
the Persian Gulf
thing happened.
It
was
flown on to Dubai, where, despite being refused permission to land, the crew were
forced to do so for lack of
At one point Mogadishu
Above:
by two
GSG
open the in
operators, assisted
9
SAS men, blasted
British
doors, threw
airliner's
stun grenades, and shot the hijackers.
The
British
involvement, only admitted later,
symbolizes the close operational liaison
between many special forces
Right:
Flight
units.
Boeing 737, Lufthansa
LH 747,
sits
forlorn
and
apparently abandoned on the
runway
at
Inside
Mogadishu Airport. are
5
aircrew, 86
passengers, and 4 terrorists, with
heat increasing, hunger pangs
growing, conditions worsening
and the
terrorists
becoming
increasingly agitated, and
unpredictable. The pilot had
already been murdered at Aden
and the future seemed bleak.
82
at
fuel.
Dubai the
airliner lost
power and the temperature inside rose to over I20°F (49°C); many of the
Special Forces Operations
some of them quite elderly, became very distressed. While here, the crew managed surreptitiously to signal that there were four hijackers. Then on Sunday, October 16, the passengers,
airliner
suddenly took
before the
first
off,
only 40 minutes
deadline for blowing
it
up.
was refused permission to land in Oman and arrived over Aden airport with It
another
on the
aircraft
minutes'
10
**
Despite warnings from
control, the safely
for
fuel
sufficient flying.
air
traffic
was brought down
taxi track.
Pilot Executed By
now
conditions inside the aircraft were
very bad, and increasingly
"Mahmoud" was unpredictable
acting
and
manner. Jurgen Schumann, the carriage,
and disappeared for
class cabin
was allowed to
pilot,
a
few minutes.
and made to kneel on the
instantly, directly as a result of
an
in
unstable
fl
When
leave the airliner to
"Mahmoud" then shot him
lor;
Schumann's
check the under-
he returned he was taken to the
earlier, successful effort to
in
the head,
first-
killing
him
feed information about
Above: The
body
of Lufthansa
Captain Jurgen Schumann
his
murder by the
carried
is
away from the Boeing 737
after
leader
terrorist
the terroists to authorities.
"Mahmoud."
The next morning the co-pilot,Jurgen Vietor, took off and flew the airliner to Mogadishu, German government spokesmen contacted the hijackers and terrorists held in jail and fly them to Mogadishu; said that they were prepared to release "Mahmoud" postponed his deadline to 0145 hours the next morning (October 18).
passing information over the radio
the capital of Somalia. There,
I
I
and "disappearing"
in
Cyprus
police, the
just as the
GSG
9
Still
terrorist
from
GSG
9
was
in
Boeing 737 was taking
team took
the off.
briefly
defiant, the
carried
away. She now
Following a brief discussion with the Cypriot
quietly
in
off in their aircraft again
and returned,
via
Ankara, to Frankfurt.
Meanwhile, a second aircraft containing Hans-Jurgen Wischenewski.West
German
Minister
while
sole
survivor, Suhaila
within hours of the hijacking and arrived
air
were
inspecting the undercarriage.
Below:
The Rescue A 30-strong contigent
His "crimes"
extradition
Norway and to
Germany
Sayeh,
is
lives
is
resisting
for
trial
on charges arising from Mogadishu.
83
Special Forces
GSG
of State, psychologist Wolfgang Salewski, and another 30-strong group from
commander
their
they
went
In
Ulrich Wegener, had
to Mogadishu,
left
where they were
West Germany and gone
by
9, led
From there
to Dubai.
given permission to land.
Mogadishu, Wischenewski took over discussions with the hijackers. As the 1600 hours
deadline approached and
it
was
"Mahmoud" would in all probability carry out his German minister said that the prisoners would be
clear that
threat to blow up the aircraft, the
"Mahmoud" gave them
I
I
0245 hours the following morning to produce the at Mogadishu. At 2000 hours the first group of GSG 9 who had gone to Cyprus and then returned to Germany arrived in Mogadishu and the rescue briefings began. At 0205 hours, just 40 minues before the deadline, Somali troops lit a diversionary fire released.
until
I
ahead of the aircraft.Two hijackers went to the cockpit to assess
whereupon
significance,
its
I
the tower contacted them by radio and started to discuss the conditions of the exchange.
They
said
it
would commence
in
the near future,
when
Germany
the aircraft arrived from
with the released prisoners on board.
At 0207 precisely the emergency GSG
Right:
members
9
doors
sprint
their return
to
successful
operation at
Mogadishu, thus relegating the fiasco
of the
attempted hostage Munich Olympic
rescue at the
Games
to
a distant memory.
the
party tossed
Frankfurt
following the completely
over
Sturtgan
*f
Intercont.neolalJet 707
The men
men
following the at
man the
welcome
for
GSG
9
reached the
9
continues to
have an extremely high reputation over 20 years later.
SAS
British
and climbed onto
aircraft
were taken
by surprise.
GSG
of
9 rushed into the
hostages to keep
aircraft shouting to the
down on wounded
the center of
in
two
government, had
hijackers (and the hostages)
with
GSG
"stun grenades."
with
the wings completely undetected; the
the
rifle
9,
lent by the British
Frankfurt Airport. Note the
picture.
some
in
GSG
of
The men Below: Welcoming VIPs disperse
were
wings
aircraft
blown open and members of the rescue
past the welcoming band on
the floor, and opened
the
in
on
fire
"Mahmoud" was
hijackers.
fatally
few seconds, but
first
managed to throw two hand-grenades before he died; fortunately, their effects
were cushioned because they beneath
One
seats.
the
of
second man
terrorists died also and the
was wounded died outside
wounded
the aircraft but
inside
it
few minutes
a
woman,
second
but did not
through
aircraft
later.
Sayeh,
Suhaila
passengers were
the
rolled
women
Meanwhile,
die.
herded
off
doors
the
The was the
and
emergency exits; three hostages had been wounded, but none was killed. The operation ended at 0212 hours and was entirely successful.
proved
itself
GSG
9 had
and the
men
heroes'
welcome when
well-merited
received a
they returned to Germany.
Mogadishu was,
at the very least, a
physical
and
mental training undertaken by the
GSG
to
tribute
9, as
the
intensive
well as to that unit's attention to
technological back-up, examples being
the special rubber-coated-alloy assault ladders used, and the stun grenades. a
new
standard for
rescue operations
in
that
no hostages
best,
were
it
killed
Djibouti
during the assault - unlike at
and
Entebbe which, though
outstandingly successful right,
had
resulted
hostage death.
84
At
formed
its
in
in
their
own
at
least
one
3
5
Special Forces Operations
Operation Eagle Claw
On
November 4 1979,
compound
444
in
a
group of
Iranian
"students" poured into the
US Embassy
Teheran and seized 53 occupants. They were to hold them hostage for
days.
From the
earliest days of the crisis
development was
one of the options under constant review and and military endeavors were
a military rescue, although both diplomatic
constantly bedeviled by the continuing chaos
in Iran,
the uncertain, ever-changing intentions
of the captors, and the vacillating position of the Iranian leadership.
An unchanging
factor
was the remoteness of Teheran from available US bases. The plan that was eventually decided upon centered on Colonel Charlie Beckwith and the elite Delta force, although it obviously involved many more resources both directly and indirectly.The overall codename was "Operation Eagle Claw," its helicopter element "Operation Evening Light." The plan was complicated mainly by the problems of time and space, and comprised
moves and
a
three-phase operation.
some
preliminary
Below: The plan required C- 30s 1
to
into
unexpected
"haboobs" dust storms
to
Desert One (red
arrows) to meet eight RH-53Ds
from USS Nimitz (green arrows). The
C-
1
3 0s
arrived
according to plan but two
RH-
53Ds aborted; one was abandoned, one returned to
Nimitz. The to
Leading RH-53DS
fly
survivors flew back
Egypt (brown arrows).
fly
Left:
The helicopter debacle. No.
-
suffered
equipment malfunction
and was forced
to
return to
Nimitz, while No. 6 had a rotor blade problem, landed, and was Disaster at Desert One,
as
RH-53D
C-130
collides with
abandoned,
its
crew being picked
up by No.8. The worst disaster
tanker, after
entire mission
had been
aborted. Eight servicemen
was
at
collided
Desert One where No. with a C-130.
are killed. Remaining
servicemen, including Delta Force, flown to
Masirah
airfield,
Oman
85
Special For( is
Preliminary Moves In
the preliminary
Oman. There
Oman
the Gulf of
moves Delta was to
fly,
via
Germany and
Egypt, to Masirah airfield
in
they would transfer to C-l 30s and, flying at very low level to avoid radar, cross
and southern Iran to land
at
Desert One,
a
remote
Karir Salt Desert, 265 nautical miles (490km) south east of Teheran.
site in
the Dasht-e-
Meanwhile, eight
US
Navy RH-53D helicopters, which had been deployed some weeks earlier via Diego Garcia, would take off from the carrier USS Nimitz and, flown (also at very low level) by US Marine Corps crews, join up with the main party at Desert One. Below: The Sea Stallion was the largest
helicopter in the
US
inventory and the -D version
had both the longest range and the
greatest carrying capacity, as
well
as
folding rotors
boom, enabling
down aboard basic
role
it
to
and
tail-
be struck-
a carrier. Since
its
was mine-sweeping,
its
presence aboard a carrier would not be considered unusual.
Phase
I
Insertion
:
At Desert
One
the plan was for the six C-l 30s (three troop carriers; three to refuel the
were scheduled to
helicopters) to land and await the helicopters, which
minutes
later.
Because Desert
Road Watch Team was the
When
One was
first
beside a road (judged to be
arrive
some 30
used), a 12-strong
to deploy to intercept and detain any passing Iranians.
they had refueled, the helicopters were to load the assault team and
towards Teheran, dropping helicopter hide
some
1
off the
men
at a landing
them to
Helicopters and
IIA:
men would
then rest
in
fly
zone and then proceeding to
on
their
The
5 miles (24km) to the north.
agents at the landing zone and guided by
Phase
little
a
assault group was to be met by two remote wadi, some 5 miles (8km) away.
their hides through the day.
The rescue
one agent would take the 12 drivers/translators to collect six Mercedes would take Colonel Beckwith on a route reconnaissance. At 2030 hours the complete unit would embus at the hide and drive to Teheran, the actual rescue operation starting between 2300 and 2400 hours. Having disposed of the guards and released the hostages, it was planned to call in the helicopters, either to the embassy After
last light
trucks, while the other agent
compound
if
an
LZ
surprise landing) or,
could be cleared (the "students" had erected poles to prevent a if
this
was impracticable, to
a
nearby football stadium.
Once
all
the
hostages were clear the assault party would be taken out by helicopter, the White Element being the
Phase
last out.
II:
Rescue at the Foreign Ministry
Concurrently with Phase
IIA the
13-man
special
team would
assault the Foreign Ministry,
rescue the hostages there, and take them to an adjacent park where they would
up by
all
be picked
a helicopter.
Phase
III:
Extraction
While the action was taking place in Teheran, a Ranger contingent would seize Manzarieh airfield, some 35 miles (56km) to the south, and several C-I4I turbojet transports would fly
86
Special Forces Operations
in.
Once everyone had been evacuated from Teheran
they would be flown out surviving helicopters
in
the C- 14
Is,
to Manzarieh
the Rangers leaving
would be abandoned
last. All
at Manzarieh.
Contingency Plans made
Various contingencies were foreseen and plans for example,
to
lift
in
accordingly;
the event that not enough helicopters were available
everyone out of Teheran
in
one
One
lift.
critically
important
condition had been agreed throughout the planning, namely that
there had to be an absolute of Desert
One,
minimum
of six helicopters to
since planners expected at least
one to
fail
fly
out
during
the mission.
Command and Control Ground
force
commander Colonel Beckwith reported
General James Vaught, the
who was atWadi Kena satellite
systems.
Commander Joint Task
airfield in Egypt;
to Major-
Force (COMJTF),
they were linked by portable
General Vaught had
a
similar
link
back to
Washington, DC, where General David Jones, then Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff,
throughout the
was
critical
in
session with President
hours of the operation.
In
Jimmy Carter a last-minute
change of plans. Air Force Colonel James Kyle was appointed
commander
at
Desert One.
Execution
Above; The
The C-I4I airlift of the ground party went according to plan, as did the C-130 flights to Desert One. The first aircraft, carrying Colonels Beckwith and Kyle, Blue Element and the Road Watch Team, landed safely and the Road Watch Team deployed, immediately having to stop a bus containing 45 people who were detained under guard, Minutes later two more vehicles appeared from the south; the first, a petrol tanker, was hit
by an anti-tank rocket and burst into flames, but the driver escaped
which drove briefly
in
the second vehicle
The first C-130 then took off, leaving those on the ground own. The second C-130 then came in and unloaded and, after the remaining
off at high speed.
on their
impressive bulk of the
RH-53D may have
led
misleading confidence capabilities. Like its
era,
it
all
a
to in
its
helicopters
of
had mechanical
weaknesses, which were
exacerbated by the unexpected sandstorms.
four C-I30s had landed, took off again for Masirah.The four C-I30s and the ground party
Below: Sea Stallions being readied
then waited for the helicopters and waited
for
....
The eight helicopters were, quite literally, the key to the operation. They had taken off from USS Nimitz some 50 miles off the Iranian coast at 1905 hours (local), as scheduled, and headed north for Desert One. At about 2 45 hours helicopter No. 6 indicated an impending catastrophic blade failure, one of the two really critical problems requiring an abort. The crew landed, confirmed the problem, removed sensitive documents and were then picked up by helicopter No. 8 which then followed the others some minutes behind. 1
Eagle Claw on
the
deck
of
USS Nimitz. Although the helicopters
had good range and
payload, lack of proper
preparation and non-availability of spares
contributed to the
failure
the
of
mission.
87
Special Foin is
Schaefer, US Army,
Above: Colonel
was the senior military hostage 144-day US Teheran
held in the
Embassy
siege.
Here he attends
the memorial service for the
men
eight
killed
during their
attempt to rescue him and fellow
hostages
in
his
Operation
Eagle Claw.
About one hour later the leading RH-53Ds ran into a very severe and totally unexpected all emerged from this, flew on for an hour and then encountered a second and even worse dust storm. (What they encountered was a haboob, a meteorological phenomenon in which gusts generated by thunderstorms kick up masses of dust many miles away. In Iran, where the dust is extremely fine, a haboob can linger in the air for hours.) The helicopter force commander - Major Seiffert, USMC - had earlier lost his inertial dust storm;
navigation system and, entirely blinded, flew back out of the first dust storm and landed,
accompanied by helicopter No. 2. Major Seiffert had a secure radio link to COMJTF, who told him that the weather at Desert One was clear; consequently, after some 20 minutes on the ground both
Above right: Five
USAF's
Wing and
of the
Operations
Special
1st
aircrew
members
three Marines
were
-
killed
-
in
all
the
catastrophe at Desert One. This is
the scene at the
24
service, April
home
memorial
1980, at their
base: Hurlburt
Field
in
the
United States.
aircraft
took
off again
and followed the others to Desert One.
Meanwhile, helicopter No. 5 suffered several problems, including the loss of
burnout of
its
tactical
its
With no
navigation system, and a radar receiver failure.
gyro, a
artificial
horizon or heading, and with mountains ahead, the pilot was compelled to abort, and barely
made it back to the Nimitz, thus leaving six helicopters to continue the mission. The first helicopter (No. 3) cleared the dust storm some 30nm (56km) from Desert One and, using the burning Iranian petrol tanker as a beacon, landed some 50 minutes late. The remaining aircraft straggled (except Nos.
I
and
2,
in
over the next half-an-hour,
all
coming from
different directions
which were together). The crews were shaken by their experience,
moved
but the helicopters were quickly
to their tanker C-I30s, refueling began, and the
assault party started to board their designated aircraft.
Colonel Beckwith was fretting on the ground, 90 minutes behind schedule, when he was Below: Iranian soldiers inspect a jeep,
one of the vehicles
abandoned
at
temporary
air-strip,
Desert One, the
(300km) south-east
185
miles
of Teheran.
informed that helicopter No. 2 had had
had continued on to Desert
One
in
a partial hydraulic failure during the flight; the pilot
the hope of effecting repairs, but these proved
the whole thing off was quickly reached. There was no
impossible.
The
problem
aborting at this stage, even though the rescue team had never practised an abort
in
decision to
call
order.The only minor complication was that helicopter No.
4,
which had been on the ground
needed to top up with fuel before setting Only one C-l 30 had enough fuel left and to clear longest,
helicopter No. 3 took off and banked to the height (5,000ft/l,525m) and
its
left,
off to the Nimitz.
a space for
but,
No. 4
because of the
weight (42,0001b/ 9,050kg), 1
it
could
not maintain the hover and banked right into the C-l 30.
The
was instantaneous and
effect
disastrous:
both
aircraft
exploded, debris flew around and ammunition began to cook Five
USAF aircrewmen
53D
died, but
in
the C- 130 and three Marines
64 Delta men
inside the C-l
in
the
off.
RH-
30 escaped quickly from
the aircraft and rescued the loadmaster.The decision was then
made
to abandon the remaining helicopters and the whole party returned to Masirah In
in
done more, eight, that
so on.
the three C-l 30s.
hindsight,
it
can always be said mission planners should have
that 10 helicopters should have been sent instead of
much more should have been known about haboobs, and Thomas Hayward,
But the Chief of Naval Operations, Adm.
summed it up rather cogently in an interview shortly after the attempted rescue. "There had to be some mistakes made," he conceded. But,
in
the end, the mission was affected at least as
by an incredible string of misfortunes.
88
much
Special Forces Operations
Iranian Embassy Siege The
of the Iranian Embassy
siege
the world and brought the
SAS
in
London
April-May 1980 caught the imagination of
in
into the limelight because the
denouement took
place
Below Cut-away showing the
room
and the success and sheer drama of the event established for the SAS
Princess
and created an expectation of success which
The at
I
I
Iranian
Embassy
at
two
9mm
grenades. There were six
men
others,
all
revolver,
in
endure for many years.
will
armed with three 9mm automatic pistols, sub-machine guns and a number of Chinese-made hand six terrorists
Oan, the leader (27 years old), and five from Arabistan, an area of Iran some 400
directly involved:
their early twenties.
They were
all
miles (643km) from Teheran, which had long resisted the rule of the
Aryan northerners.
Most had supported Ayatollah Khomeini's takeover from the Shah, only to
find
him as
to determine location
of hostages and terrorists
SAS men
Embassy
abseil
down
at
Gate, London. The
to
rescue
mission, but
the
size
building
of the
added
of
difficulties
the
microphones
and other sophisticated surveillance devices were essential
discovering the
to
whereabouts
the
of
6
and their 26 hostages escaped
Surveillance devices lowered
down chimneys
Iranian
and complexity
No. 16 Princes Gate, London, opposite Hyde Park, was taken over
30 hours Wednesday April 30 by
one 0.38in
a public reputation
five-storey, 50-
interior of the
before the gathered press photographers andTV.The eerie, black-clad figures, their efficiency,
in
the
first
terrorists (3
more
few
the rear wall of
the building, one becoming stuck and
having to be cut free
SAS assault squads usestun grenades
and shaped charges to gain entry
and
create shock. Fire
and smoke must
have added to the terrorists'
panic
Based on an
artist's
impression which appeared
The
Elite,
issue No.
by Orbis Publishing
1,
in
published
Ltd.
Spu.ial Fohm.n
ruthless a suppressor of minorities as his predecessor. terrorists
Revolutionary
(DRMLA), a cause was
Movement
for the Liberation
of Arabistan
whose autonomy (not independence) for
Marxist-Leninist group based regional
The
Democratic
represented a group entitled the
Libya,
in
Arabistan.
The occupants
of the
embassy
at
time of the
the
men and women, three of whom escaped during the early minutes. The terrorists' demands were initially that 91 prisoners in Arabistan be released by the Iranian authorities. The deadline was set for 1200 hours Thursday May Land during that night the terrorists had the first of many contacts with the London takeover numbered 29: four British and 22 Iranian
police and the media.
One
sick Iranian
woman was
released late on
Wednesday The first
night and a sick Englishman the following morning.
deadline was
postponed when the police transmitted
message from the terrorists to the
press,
deadline (1400 hours) passed without a
a
and a second
move from
either
side.
By Friday morning there had been numerous contacts
between the
terrorists and the police,
through intermediaries, but by being
made
now
some
direct and
some
specific threats
were
Negotiations
against the lives of the hostages.
continued throughout Saturday and a major advance was achieved in
when
the terrorists agreed to release
aims.
One
hostage was released
in
the early evening and after
the statement had been broadcast
90
two hostages
return for a broadcast on the radio of a statement of their
word
for
word another
Special Forces Operations
was
released.
meal sent
in
The atmosphere
in
the embassy
a
good
situation with various
Arab
became almost euphoric, helped by
by the police.
Throughout Sunday the
British
government discussed the
ambassadors, but no agreement could be reached on a possible role for them resolution to the
crisis. In
the embassy the major event
release of an Iranian hostage
who
had become
ill.
more nervous and a shouted discussion between two noon did little to ease the tension. At about 330, Oan's I
shot Abbas Lavasani, one of the embassy
staff, in
in
On Monday
in
reaching a
an anti-climactic day was the the terrorists
were noticeably
and the police at
British hostages
patience apparently snapped and he
the course of a telephone discussion with
the police. This was the turning point.
Any doubts about whether anyone had actually been killed were resolved just after 900 when the dead body was pushed through the front door of the embassy. SAS soldiers had visited the scene on the first day of the siege, and thereafter they stood by in an Army barracks some two miles away. The police had obviously tried their best to identify just where the hostages and their captors were and what they were all doing; many I
Two SAS troopers,
Far left. Top:
nondescript civilian clothes,
in
but wearing balaclava helmets hide their identity, stand-by
to
ready to give covering
from
fire
Iranian
the outside wall of the
9mm
Embassy. They are holding
Browning
there
picture)
this
but (unseen
pistols,
are
in
rifles,
tear-gas launchers and other
weapons
at
their
Far left: Below:
man
feet.
A black-clad SAS
climbs over the
the front of the
embassy. He
armed with
is
& Koch
Heckler
machine gun.
balcony at
Iranian a
9mm MP5 progress
His
sub-
was
covered by another squad at street-level
entire
above). The
(picture
operation was
external
conducted under the watchful gaze of TV cameras, which broadcast these events
Left:
Moments before
blasting
of the
two SAS
men
live.
the
front windows,
prepare to charge
through and rescue the hostages. The success of this
operation not only gave a boost to the
already high reputation
of the
SAS, but
notice
to
British
would not
to
also
served that the
terrorists
lightly
submit
hostage-taking operations,
and there have been no more incidents
<
»
»
«i
in
the
UK
since.
-
91
Special Forces
Above: Witnessed
on television
screens around the world, the siege at
Iranian
the
Embassy
in
highly classified surveillance devices
possible to be
were
the circumstances when,
in
used. in
The SAS were therefore
accordance with
as ready as
it
was
British legal practice, the police
formally asked the military to deal with the situation.
London ended abruptly on May 5
1980.
In
a
rescue operation
lasting just a few
SAS stormed
minutes, the the
building,
rescued every hostage and killed five
out of
six
terrorists.
The Rescue The
plan
was to use
just
teams were to take the
1
2
men
rear,
ground and the second the
in
three teams of the customary four-man SAS groups; two
descending by rope from the roof, one team to reach the
first-floor balcony.
Both teams would then break
in
using either
frame-charges or brute force. Team three was to be at the front, crossing from a balcony at
No.
15
Princes Gate to No. 16.
Once
inside
all
three teams were to rush to reach the
hostages before they could be harmed. Everything that could be done to heighten the impact of the attack was done. The 12 SAS men were dressed from head to foot in black, even including rubber anti-gas respirators, and looked extremely menacing. They would gain entrance using 4ft x 2ft (1.2 x 0.6m) frame-charges, followed by stun grenades ("flashbangs"). Teargas would also be used. The combination of explosions, noise, smoke, speed of action, and the appearance of the men was intended to strike confusion and dread into the minds of the terrorists - and it succeeded brilliantly.
The SAS men
had, naturally,
pored over the plans of the 50-room building
in
and had also spent many hours studying the photographs of the hostages. But, every soldier knows -
all
minute
in
detail
the end -as
the training and planning have to be translated into action.
At 1926 hours precisely the men of the rear attack force stepped over the edge of the roof and abseiled down. The first two went down each rope successfully, but one of the third pair became stuck, a hazard known to abseilers everywhere. In the front, SAS men appeared on the balcony of No. public an image
92
which
15
and climbed over to the embassy, giving the world's press and the
will last for years.
Special Forces Operations
Simultaneously, police spoke to the terrorists on the telephone and distracted their
moment the SAS burst in. Stun grenades exploded, lights went out, was noise and apparent confusion. Some parts of the embassy caught fire and the SAS man hanging on the rope at the rear was cut free and dropped onto a balcony - a risk
Below: As flames pour out of a
preferable to that of being roasted
window, a
attention at the critical
and
all
alive.
The SAS men swept through the embassy. Two
One
five
were
quickly shot and killed.
in
an upstairs room, but stopped after causing a few
of the six
gunmen were dead, with the sixth sheltering among were rushed downstairs into the garden, where the
started shooting the hostages
wounds. Within minutes
terrorists
the newly freed hostages. All survivors
remaining terrorist was identified and arrested.
The
entire operation
organization effects: first,
dealt with
in
in it
a severe,
•-.
its
start to finish.
While the SAS
is
the
well-heralded assault had at least
last
two
reinforced the message to potential terrorists that their activities could be
shot of national pride.
if
effective,
makes
his
moments
after
being released
from captivity by the SAS. One of the
primary aims of the
operation was to reach the
took eleven minutes from
the world to seek out publicity,
civilian
escape along the balconies,
manner; and, secondly,
it
gave the British public a healthy
hostages before they could be
harmed and
in
brilliantly, since
this
it
succeeded
although the
terrorists
shot a few, none was
seriously
wounded.
-
93
;
FoHds
SPECIAI
Wireless Ridge
wounded paras
Above: Three
show one
the is
ugly reality of war:
receiving a transfusion
(right); the
second, with a head
wound,
lies
on the rocks
and the third
lies
on
ground, tended by
his
(center),
the
comrades
(left).
As this picture
was taken an incoming shell
had
just
wounded man on
the
breathed
Right:
It
artillery
been heard and the his
left
last.
took British forces
10
hours to secure Wireless Ridge,
The battalion attack
of an action by a highly trained,
fit
War
and experienced infantry
in
1
982,
unit.
is
an excellent example
This action
is
of particular
was the only battalion in the Falklands War to carry out two battalion attacks, and thus the only one to be able to put into practice the lessons learned, in their case at high cost, at Goose Green on May 28. On June 11,2 Para was moved by helicopter from Fitzroy on the south coast to a lyingup position west of Mount Kent.At 2300 hours the battalion set off on foot to an assembly area on a hill to the north of Mount Kent, ready to support either 3 Para in their attack on Mount Longdon or 45 Commando Royal Marines, whose mission was to take the position known as Two Sisters. Both attacks were successful, leaving 3 Para, 45 Commando and 42 interest because 2 Para
Commando
firmly established.
Wireless Ridge, June 14 1982
which made the position of the remaining Argentine force
by the British 2nd Battalion, The Parachute Regiment (2 Para), on
Wireless Ridge, on June 13-14 during the Falklands
2 Para take position in
behind
Mt Longdon
015: A,
move
B,
and C Companies
0130: A and B Companies attack North Spur across enemy minefield under heavy fire. 0215: North Spur taken. 0245: C Company advances on
to Lower Pass aided by
artillery fire.
0045: D Company advances on Hill X and secures with Blues
&
Royals light tanks.
C Company move 'orward east
Port Stanley untenable and the
enemy
position east of
Murrell River.
Camp
found abandoned
commander, General Menendez, surrendered later that day.
Mt Longdon secured by 3 Para
0330: D Company towards first enemy position
on Wireless Ridge, with covering fire from A and B Companies and light tanks on North Spur.
1000: D
Company
takes
whole ridge 1
0400: Position secured
245:
A Company
into Port Stanley
•.
^^^^erkely
--VleSlfnTklands East
-Port Howari
Falklands
—
"~ c
:
^Jf*wbay
•'
"loose
C s free-
X"
94
Stanley
leads 2 Para
Special Forces Operations
On
June
12,
2 Para
Mount Longdon on
its
moved forward some
north-western
side,
some cover from
of a steep escarpment which offered artillery shelling.
Orders were received
Wireless Ridge that
night,
but
this
9 miles (15km), skirting
to an assembly area
in
was
in
the lee
the sporadic
mid-afternoon for an attack on
later
postponed to the following
night.
On
June
1
west. Intense
fire
aircraft flew in
from the ground prevented
home, but
pressed
forthcoming
Skyhawk attack
3 Argentinian
number
a
of
moves were
in
action
battalion
British
this
low from the
attack from being for
the
especially
the
preparation
delayed,
registration of targets by the artillery and mortars.
At Goose Green 2 Para had been very short of fire support. In this however, they were to have two batteries of 105mm light guns in
battle,
direct support, the mortars of both 2 and 3 Para, naval gunfire support
from ships within range,
MILAN
as well as the battalion's
own machine gun
no means
anti-tank missile platoons. Last, but by
(1x30mm cannon) and two Scorpion (1x76mm
Scimitar
of The Blues and Royals
were an
gun)
and
troop of
least, a
light
tanks
integral part of 2 Para's battle plan.
The battalion moved out at last light (2030 hours local). As they moved to the forming-up places (where the troops shake out into battle formations), the sort of report a commanding officer dreads was received: Intelligence had just discovered a minefield
Companies' objective. At
this stage,
in
front of
A
and B
however, there was no alternative
but to go ahead.
The
artillery
Company first
supporting
objective with
leaving a
fire
started at 00 5 hours on June 1
crossed the start-line at 0045 hours.
few dead
little
in
D Company
trouble, finding that the
their
slit
trenches. While
1
4 and
reached
D its
enemy had withdrawn,
D Company
reorganized,
enemy 155mm airburst fire began to fall on their position. Meanwhile, A and B Companies began their advance, B Company through the minefield.
Some
Above: A confused, frightened, and
came from a few trenches, but was quickly silenced, and 7 Argentine prisoners were taken and a number killed in this phase of the battle - the remainder fled. sporadic
Several radios
(still
fire
1
switched on), telephones and a mass of cable suggested that the position
had included a battalion headquarters. As fairly
intense
enemy
A
and B Companies started to dig
bombardment
artillery
began, which
was to continue
in,
accurate and
for
some
nine
hours.
away by a hardened
led
west end of the main
A
and B Companies,
D Company
ridge, while the light tanks
crossed
its
second
start line
and the machine guns moved to a
is
British
regular paratrooper. The
Argentinean wears a British probably looted from the
jersey,
stock
Following the success of at the
hungry Argentinean conscript
held
the
in
Moody Brook, Ridge, which
Royal
the to
just
below Wireless
was occupied by
Marines garrison prior
the Argentine
Left:
barracks at
invasion.
A paratroop company
briefed
prior to
is
the Wireless
Ridge assault, using a quickly constructed ground model. Such careful
and detailed briefings
were (and remain) essential the
success
of
to
military
operations.
95
Special Forc is
The ridge itself was a some 900 yards (300m)
flank to give covering fire.
long spine broken
middle, with each section
in
was taken unopposed and there was then artillery readjusted
to
MILAN
missile being used
Just as the attack
new by
in
this stage of
was about to
vigor,
in
the
feature
short delay while the British
fire
by the
light tanks,
the machine guns
start,
commanding officer received a enemy company at the other end
the
were two! This was hardly
likely
to impress the Paras
who
the campaign had established a considerable moral ascendency
over the Argentines, but
Company
first
a direct-fire artillery role!
piece of intelligence, that instead of one
of the ridge there
The
targets for the next phase. During this time the
its
second feature was kept under heavy and the
a
length.
received
the early minutes of this
in
some
withdrawing one bunker at
position, however, the
final
D
phase of the battle
enemy fought back with unexpected time. As the Paras poured onto the
casualties as the a
enemy suddenly broke and
ran, being
continuously
harassed off the position by the machine guns of the British Scorpions and Scimitars,
As
and chased by the exhilarated Paras.
D Company
began to reorganize they, too, came under
as well as remarkably effective small
arms
fire
artillery fire,
from Tumbledown Mountain and
Mount William to the south, which had not yet been captured by 5 Infantry Brigade. The enemy could be heard trying to regroup in the darkness below the ridge, and to the south
At daybreak Above: A captured
and
blindfolded Argentine officer led
away
for
Royal
Marines. The
is
interrogation by British
marines and paras were tough, fit,
well-trained, and
enabled them
aggressive, which to
very
overcome numerically superior
Argentine forces
every one of
in
the engagements during the
hard fought, and bloody
brief,
1981
Falklands War.
developed from the area of gesture.
It
petered out under a
hail
The key to
in
East Falklands lay retaining the
was
tactical
the advance across in
taking and
high ground, which
usually, as
here, capped
with granite outcrops. As with a surprising
troops
in
number
of
other
the war, one of these
smiling and relaxed paras has
managed
to
carry a Union
flag
throughout the campaign
and
is
now
displaying sign
96
it
as
a
of victory.
Moody
somewhat
Brook.
pathetic
enemy counterattack some sort of final
to have been
of artillery, small arms and machine gun
This seems to have been the signal to
many Argentines
that the
fire.
game was
up,
and shortly
afterwards ever-increasing numbers of disheartened and disillusioned Argentine soldiers
were observed streaming refuge
A
in
off
Mount William.Tumbledown and Sapper
Hill
to seek short-lived
Port Stanley.
and B Companies of 2 Para were
now
brought forward onto Wireless Ridge, and the
The Paras had lost three dead and wounded. Lack of time and opportunity precluded counting the Argentine casualties, but it has been estimated that, of an original strength of some 500, up to 100 may have been killed, 17 were captured, and the remainder fled. The taking of Wireless Ridge illustrates the standards achieved by a crack unit. In this night battle, it defeated a force of equal strength, which was well prepared and dug-in and occupied a dominant feature. No. 2 Para had learned the lessons of Goose Green well. They battalion's night attack
was
had also given the
to the allegation that parachute units lack "staying power."
this later
Right:
the area of
Moody Brook, which seems
lie
successfully concluded.
perhaps, unfortunate that the battle of
success
in
a rather brave, but
minor
classic at
Goose Green, deservedly famous,
Wireless Ridge.
I
It
I
is,
has overshadowed
Special Forces Operations
Rescue
in
Grenada
and men
Left: Officers
82nd Airborne
US
the
of
Division
move out
on patrol from Port Salines airfield
in
Grenada. President
Reagan saw the island as "a Soviet-Cuban colony being readied
as
a
major military
bastion to export and
undermine democracy."
Below the
left:
Grenada
lies
just
off
South American coast.
President Reagan was
determined that
it
would not
become another Cuba. The
member
Following
the end of the Vietnam War, American forces tried to keep
a
low
profile
on
the international scene. Two rescue operations release
were attempted in efforts to secure the of the crew of the Mayaguez and the Iranian embassy hostages. US troops also took
part
various peacekeeping forces such as those
in
in
the Sinai and
in
Beirut.
However, major
six-
organization of east
Caribbean States voted
to
intervene with force, although, unsurprisingly,
Grenada
abstained.
use of force was eschewed for both international and domestic reasons.
But
in
October 1983 President Ronald Reagan,
at the
request of the six-member
Organization of Eastern Caribbean States, sent troops to the island of Grenada "to restore peace, order and respect for
human
rights;
to evacuate those
the Grenadians re-establish governmental institutions." Minister,
Maurice Bishop, and several Cabinet members and
murdered by former by
Army
who
military associates.
A
wish to
On October labor
19,
leave;
and to help
Grenada's Prime
leaders
had
been
16-man Revolutionary Military Council, headed
Chief General Hudson Austin and Deputy Prime Minister Bernard Coard, took
24-hour curfew, warning that violators would be shot on
power.The council imposed
a
and closed the Port Salines
airfield.
sight,
Below: The island of Grenada,
showing the entry points used by the US paratroops, marines
and SEALs
in
Operation Urgent
Fury on October 25
mam the
1983. The
reason for the attack was
Port Salines airfield, which
was being
built
by Cuban
engineers.
Bedford
ANTIGUA &
GUADELOUPE
n.
DOMINICA
MARTINIQUE
ST LUCIAj
97
SPKIAI hlKIIS
US
Intelligence
reported Soviet/Cuban
backing for the revolutionary regime, with
Cubans
establishing
new
fortifications,
arms
caches and military communications on the island.
"a
President Reagan viewed Grenada as
Soviet-Cuban colony being readied as a
major
military bastion to export and undermine democracy." Of particular concern was the position of some 1,000 US citizens, especially the 600-odd young Americans at the True Blue Medical School near the Port Salines airfield. The prospect
of these youngsters being held hostage by
the Marxist government was serious and would have provided a far worse crisis than even that of the Iranian embassy staff. For
saw
their part, the Eastern Caribbean States
the violence and disintegration of political institutions
on
the
island
an
as
unprecedented threat to peace and security in
the region.
Information on the resisting troops and Above:
the the
MC-I30E Hercules dropped
first
sticks
morning
of
(on
hill
airport and
for
the governor
were able
to
homeward
flight.
US confirmed that the Soviets
and Cubans were endeavoring
island
said)
into
forces had three immediate
tower
an interrogation center. The
Reagan had
US
objectives within the overall mission of capturing the island and restoring a democratic
control
1,100 captured Cuban soldiers
(as
sparse, but the
government. These three tasks were the freeing of the 600 medical students, the release of
Below: A marine escorts one of
into
fairly
1983.
MC-I30E stands ready
cargo for the
Grenada was
battle
top), aircraft
land. This
in
fierce
October 25
After a short but for the
Rangers on
of US
their disposition
to
a
turn the
dangerous
military base.
(Sir Paul
Scoones) and the defeat of the Cuban troops on the
US Navy SEALs were
island.
responsible for capturing the governor's residence, and Marines for
the Pearls Airport on the island's east coast.The crucial task was, however, the taking of Port Salines airfield,
which was being constructed and guarded by Cubans. This task was given to
the Rangers.
Execution The
Amphibious Unit on Pearls Airport began at 0500 hours H-hour for the Rangers was 0536. This was the first major combat operation for the two participating Ranger units - the Fort Stewart, Georgia-based 1st Ranger Battalion, and the Fort Lewis, Washington-based 2nd. The Rangers left the staging airfield on Barbados in the early hours aboard MC-I30E Hercules aircraft of 8th Special Operations Squadron, 1st Special Operations Wing, USAF, based at Hurlburt Field in Florida. (The lead planes carried members of the 1st Battalion, with the 2nd following closely behind.) These aircraft were accompanied by AC- 30 Hercules gunships (the famous "Spectres" of the Vietnam War) of 16th assault by the 24th Marine
(local)
on October
25, while
1
Special Operations Squadron.
As they came in over Port Salines, were suddenly switched on, which quickly found the lumbering C-I30s and enabled the anti-aircraft guns to open descending aircraft and up on the parachutists. The AC- 30s were quickly called into action and silenced most of the Cuban guns. Among the lead elements in the 2-man team from the 3 7th assault was a Tactical Airlift Wing responsible for combat control of the drop, and these were quickly searchlights
1
1
1
inside the air traffic control building.
On
the ground, the
Rangers, told to
expect some 500 Cubans (350 "workers" and
a "small" military advisory
team) found
themselves under attack from some 600
armed professional Cubans were armed with
well
98
soldiers.
The
mortars
and
Special Forces Operations
machine guns, and
had
A
personnel carriers.
least
at
brisk
armored
six
developed
battle
in
which the Rangers quickly gained the upper hand, and by 0700 they were
runway was cleared vehicles, pipes)
complete control. The obstacles
and at 07 5 the
wave
second
in
of 1
was
first
able
(boulders,
C- 30 of the 1
to
with
land
reinforcements.
The Rangers then moved medical
out, heading for the
campus; brushing aside
snipers
and
scattered resistance, they reached their objective
some very The campus was secured by 0850, although the other medical school at Grand Anse was not liberated until the following day. by 0830 hours and were greeted by relieved
students.
Assessment The
liberation effort
to do.
accomplished what
The booty of the
intelligence reports that the
set out
it
US USSR and Cuba were
effort
confirmed
turning Grenada into a military base in the Western hemisphere. The long-term implications of this were that the island could eventually have become a staging area for the subversion of nearby countries; it would also have considerable value as a transit point for troops and supplies moving from Cuba to Africa and from Europe and Libya to Central America. Captured documents indicated that the USSR and North Korea, as well as Cuba, had made secret treaties with the Grenada Revolutionary Military Council, and had agreed to
more than $37.8
provide the leadership with
armored personnel
keep these arrangements secret.
In fact,
began that they established diplomatic
The convincing Grenada's
list
militia; a
of
wasn't
it
ties
documents found
summary
Grenadian double agent
who
million
in
artillery, anti-aircraft
of Political
attempted to
until
18
months
with Grenada. in
the aftermath of Grenada included a roster of
Bureau meetings; infiltrate
the
a
top-secret report from a
CIA operation in
Vietnam; and a training agreement between Grenada and Nicaragua.
from
a political standpoint.
and one
in
which US
From
still
the voices of those
who
in
themselves
well.
Barbados; rosters
Cuba and there was more
the USSR, In all,
criticized the
yet another standpoint, the military one,
special forces acquitted
in
it
was
of
82nd Airborne
stand watch on a hilltop
Grenada, surrounded by the
equipment
of their
who have gone
comrades
out on patrol.
Below: One of the justifications for of
and correspondence concerning the training of Grenadian troops than enough documentary evidence to
arms shipments
after the
Men
Division
weapons,
and ammunition. The Soviet Union had tried hard to
carriers, small arms,
Above:
operation
a success
-
the
operation was the safety
600-odd young Americans
the "True
at
Blue Medical School,"
which was located near Port Salines airfield. In
the event, none
was harmed and here some
of
them, happy and smiling, make their
which
way will
to
the waiting aircraft,
take
them back
to
the
United States of America.
99
Splcial FORCtS
Achille Lauro Incident when
he saga OF the Achille Lauro began
T!
Palestinian
four
armed with Soviet-made
guerrillas,
machine guns and brandishing hand grenades, took 80 passengers and 340 crewmembers hostage aboard the
cruise
Italian
threatened to
kill
liner
October
in
1985.
They
the passengers, beginning with the
moving on to Jews and British demands for the release of 50 Palestinians held in Israel were not met. What followed were 51 hours of threats and violence. Walls and ceilings were sprayed with bullets. The terrorists pulled pins from grenades and tossed them in the air. Gasoline bombs were placed in Americans, then citizens,
various
their
if
parts
of
the
the
Ultimately,
liner.
grisly
scenario led to the execution of Leon Klinghoffer, a 69-year-old handicapped American, murdered
in
his
wheelchair. Above: Aging liner Achille
terrorists
in
October
man, Leon
As these events were
Lauro
was seized by four Palestinian 1985. One
Klinghoffer, an
unfolding, the Achille Lauro
wandered along the north coast
-
after negotiations with Palestinian, Italian,
and Egyptian
officials
-
went ashore.
Americans, predictably, were demanding that the terrprists be brought to
Mubarak announced they had already
American jew, was murdered
Egyptian President Hosni
during the incident, with the
terms of an agreement struck before the murder of Klinghoffer was known. US
remainder being released when the
ship arrived
off
Port Said,
where the seajackers passed
into
of Africa
seeking haven. Ultimately, the cruise liner anchored off Port Said, Egypt, and the "seajackers"
however, indicated that the four hijackers were
nor the
PLO
still
in
left
justice,
and
Egypt allegedly under intelligence,
Egypt and that neither that country
had quite figured out what to do with them. This delay provided the United
States with an opportunity to shape a plan to help deal with the emerging situation.
Egyptian custody.
Below: The air chase. Carrier Saratoga (A) launches interceptors (C) against Egyptair Boeing 737
Cairo (B), compelling terrorist.
it
to
Abbas, reaches Rome, then
Belgrade and Aden to Baghdad.
100
from
land at Salerno (D). Main flies
via
Special Forces Operations
Execution The US Navy aircraft carrier USS Saratoga was cruising off Albania and was called into action just two hours before the mission. The Italian government, later to play a key role in dealing with the terrorists, was not notified until after the mission had begun. The plan involved calling in the Saratoga's aircraft to surprise the terrorists if they boarded an
over the Mediterranean, and force the
airliner to fly
Intelligence sources had in fact
planned to
confirmed that the hijackers were
aircraft to land in Sicily.
still in
Egypt, but that they
to Algiers aboard an Egyptair Boeing 737. Just 45 minutes after the 737 took
fly
it was intercepted. were E-2C Hawkeye radar aircraft, F- 4 Tomcat fighters, and EA-6B Prowler electronic warfare aircraft. At first, the F-I4s trailed the 737 with no lights on and with cockpits darkened. When they prepared to intercept, they turned on their lights and
off
from Al Maza Air Base, northeast of Cairo, Awaiting
it
1
surrounded the
The
airliner.
Egyptair
desperately
pilot
tried
radio
to
communications had been jammed by the EA-6B position, eventually agreed to follow
The formation approached to enter their airspace. that clearance
One
It
finally
was only
for
it
instructions,
but
his
airline pilot, recognizing his
Italian air traffic
NATO
installation
on
Sicily's
densely
controllers refused the 737 permission
after the Egyptian pilot declared an in-flight
emergency
received.
F-14 led the 737 into Sigonella while three others stayed
traffic pattern.
where
was
The
American orders.
Sigonella Air Base, a
populated eastern coast. However,
Cairo
aircraft.
in
formation up to the
Following the lead F-14, the 737 taxied to an isolated corner of the base,
was immediately surrounded by
Italian carabinieri. Its
passengers were taken into
custody.
Not only were the four hijackers aboard, but also Abul Abbas, a high-ranking aide to PLO Chairman Yasir Arafat. Abbas was not only the suspected mastermind behind the Achille Lauro incident, but the person who was instrumental in getting the terrorists off the liner when it
an
Above: In
Palestinian
Italian
terrorist,
courtroom, Abdel
Atif
Abbas later slipped out of Italy before he could be prosecuted. Because an American citizen was killed during the "seajacking," US chagrin at the escape of
accused of the "seajacking" of
Abbas was
the
finally
docked
in
Egypt.
great, creating diplomatic difficulties
between
Italy
and the United States.
Fatyer,
Italian
Lauro,
Assessment In
the eyes of
work
well
in
inside
many observers, the operation demonstrated that high technology can indeed a counter-terrorist situation. It was considered a triumph of electronics and
communications carried out on short notice under cover of darkness and
To
this day, a definitive
been made
available.
had the resolve to back citizens.
What
really
account of
However, its
it
all
the high tech that
worked and the United
went
who took
his
liner,
Achilk
attentively from
cage. No further
seajackings have followed the
"Achille Lauro
affair."
into the operation has not
threats to strike back at terrorists
counted was that terrorists
cruise
listens
at high speeds.
States clearly demonstrated that
who
it
attacked American
the law into their
whatever motive were ultimately brought before the bar of
one of the four men
own hands
for
justice.
Left:
Achille Lauro under guard
following the "seajacking."
101
Special Forces
Operation Desert Strike
O
peration
Desert
Coalition
war
concentration
largest
special forces in any
the
Strike,
against
of
1991
saw the
Iraq,
international
combat. Australian and
New Zealand provided a ANZAC SAS Squadron (133
combined men), while
the French contingent included elements of
the
Foreign
Division. The
and
Legion
UK
Parachute
6th
sent almost the entire
SAS
Regiment to Saudi Arabia: some 700 men of
D
A, B, and
Squadrons, plus
5
1
reservist
volunteers from R Squadron; indeed, the only
element omitted was
G
Squadron,
which was committed to other operations and on counter-terrorist stand-by
UK. Also
in
Marine
Royal
in
the
were a squadron of the SBS and RAF special
the Gulf
operations aircrew.
By
far
the
largest
from the United Special
States,
Operations
contribution
came
under the aegis of
Command (SOCOM)
and collectively forming the Joint Special
Operations Task Force (JSOTF). The naval Above: The sky above Tel Aviv as
Scud missiles attacked the
Iraqi Israeli
Saddam Hussein
by
into
Israel
attempt
a deliberate
city,
to
bring
the war. This would
have destabilized the Coalition, several Arab contingents
as
would have withdrawn rather than fight on the same side as Israelis. Coalition
the
special
operations forces played a key role
in
element was commanded by Naval
SEAL Teams boat units)
I,
2, 3, 4, 5,
II, 12, 13,
and
and
1
(special war group) ONE and included Teams and 2; and SPECBOATU (special terms of numbers was the US Army contribution
(special diver)
1st Special
in
I
Forces Group, 5th Special Forces Group, and
160th
Operations Aviation Regiment (SOAR). There were also large elements from 82nd
01 st Airborne Divisions. The
to the Gulf, under the five "special
command
Low
US Air Force
also deployed large special warfare elements
Wing (I SOW), which comprised SOS - MC-I30E Combat Talon; 9th SOS - HC16th SOS - AC-I30H Spectre gunships; 20th SOS - MH-53J SOS - MH-60 Pave low helicopters. The US Marine Corps of 1st Special Operations
operations squadrons" (SOS): 8th
I30H Combat Shadow Pave
SDV
and 20. Largest
which comprised: Delta, Special
8;
SPECWARGRU
tankers;
helicopters; and 55th
provided reconnaissance
specialists.
reducing the Scud threat.
Land Missions The
first
missions tentatively assigned to both the SAS and Delta were to rescue their
national hostages,
who
had been grabbed by the
Iraqis at the
outbreak of
conflict.
The
hostages were, however, released before any such operation could be mounted. Then, just before the ground war started, the British
Right:
commander
in
the Gulf, General de
la
Billiere,
The areas deep inside Iraq US
that were the main zones of
50 miles
Delta Force
operations
£l Qaim
("Scud Boulevard
activity
of the
units as
SAS and
Delta
they attacked and
reported on Scud missile
movements and major supply routes used by Iraqi
convoys. Baghdad
The special forces units destroyed some mobile Scuds
and
Iraqi
lines
of
communications, laser targeted the missiles or "talked air
tied
Iraq,
down"
attacks on them, and also
up
Iraqi
forces in western
denying their use against
main Coalition forces elsewhere. Coalition operational areas
Main road supply routes
102
Special Forces Operation
obtained General Schwarzkopfs agreement to deploy special forces
behind the
front line with the aim of distracting the enemy's
Iraqi
attention from the forthcoming operations, and duly deployed
on January 20
I
99
I
.
On
two squadrons
of
SAS
the 24th, however, their mission
was abruptly changed to the anti-Scud role, which it remained for the remainder of the war, and in which they were joined by the remainder
SAS deployed to the Gulf. Western intelligence staffs knew
r
lebanoh
f
Damascus
,.•
of the
(NATO
Soviet R-I7 missiles
some 200
missiles
that Iraq had received
= "Scud-B")
were launched
in
some 820
against Iran
1988. By
in
these missiles were
built,
which,
in
December 990 were 1
IRAQ
1990, Iraq
Scud
had developed a modified version, the al-Hussein, which had greater range, but at the expense of reduced payload (see box).
Some 400 located
in
\
V
/JORDAN
of
KUWAIT
'
28 SiuD:
static sites
IRAN
em
leasa
the early 1980s, of which
i
— *—
• \
turn
_
and on some 36 Russian-built 8-wheeled mobile launchers. ;
demonstrated
Iraq had shells against
a
serious
a willingness to use poison gas
in
artillery
both the Iranians and the Kurds, and there was therefore
possibility
that they
had managed to develop chemical
warheads for the al-Hussein. The
December
1990,
became more acute
situation
when
Saddam
launched
Above: The
in
demonstration
several
missiles.
major concentration of
Despite
18
this
evidence, the threat they posed
appreciated
fully
1991.
As
until Iraqi
Scuds actually started to impact on targets
a result. Coalition military
war
in
retaliation,
sites in
The only troops
in
The energetic campaign waged by the war. Both the their
order to prevent
a position to
forces of the British Special Air Service (SAS) and those of
launchers back out of range of
Israel,
SAS and Delta
British
system was too slow, with
entering
most of the Arab do this were the elite
US JSOTF,
and US special forces drove the mobile Scud
numerous
direct attacks
on
until
the end of
aircraft
down onto
this. In
clear daylight the
A major
role
Scud
Iraqi
of the
SAS and
Delta was to force Saddam's
Scuds to operate far enough away
from
Iraq's
western border so
that Israeli cities would be out of
range of the missiles.
Scud
Below:
but
left
the
fear
Iraqi
Scud launchers had
ground troops "talked"
their targets, while at night or against camouflaged targets they used laser
Israeli
troops and
civil
defense personnel view the crater
sites,
aircraft arriving long after the
overcame
sites.
air forces. Initially,
departed, but rapid changes, including "cab-ranks" of airborne ground-attack aircraft ready for immediate response, quickly
Gulf
including Delta.
although sporadic launches took place
carried out
Israel
a
in
main task was to locate and report potential targets to Coalition
air-tasking
in
-
commanders were suddenly forced to undertake
which would almost certainly have resulted
contingents leaving the Coalition.
was still not Israel on January
particularly psychological
-
search-and-destroy battle against the Scud launch the
highly volatile
region showing (shaded) the
by an Iraqi Scud. The great
was that these
missiles
would
be fitted with either chemical or biological
the
warheads
capability, this
Saddam Hussein
but, despite
was one step
did
not take.
103
Special Forces
a scene
Above: In
reminiscent of
the original SAS operating
in
the
Western Desert during World
War
a Gulf
II,
War
SAS Scud-
hunting patrol poses for the
camera.
target designators.
The SAS's operational area was around Iraq's H-2 airfield, and was designated the it was more popularly known as "Scud Alley." This was an area some 20 miles (32km) long by 17 miles (26km) wide (340sq miles/830sq km). Into this were placed three 8-man patrols on road watch, staking out the MSRs (Main Supply Routes) to watch for and report on movement by SCUD convoys. The US Joint Special Operations Task "southern Scud Box," although
Force (JSOTF) arrived
in
early February
and comprised Delta Force, SEALs, and 160th Special
Operations Aviation Regiment (SOAR), equipped with MH-60 Black Hawks and MH-47E Below: Based on a US Intelligence
map,
Force's
Iraqi Air
this
shows the
main operating
bases (red), dispersal airfields (blue),
and the Scud launch areas (shaded).
Chinooks. The JSOTF operated around Al Qaim,
in
the "northern Scud box," nicknamed
"Scud Boulevard."
A been
second target was the installed
surface.
communications cable system, which had recently
Iraqi fiberglass
and which consisted of one or more cables buried up to 30ft
(
1
0m) below the
These were used because they provided greater security than microwave systems,
since buried cables could not be located, intercepted or destroyed
-
or so the
Iraqis thought.
The weakness was that, for technical reasons, repeaters were required at frequent intervals, which were located at the bottom of manholes and it was these that were found and destroyed by SBS and SAS patrols. Both Americans and British made use of specialized light vehicles. Delta used Fast Attack Vehicles (FAV) while the British deployed four mobile groups, each
Unimog truck carrying fuel, supplies, and armament included Browning 0.5 cal machine guns, MI9 40mm grenade launchers, and 7.62mm GPMGs, but each group also carried a number of 66mm LAW (light anti-tank weapon) and Milan ATGW (anti-tank guided weapon). Operating so many vehicles gave rise to a need for resupply and repair, so the SAS produced a resupply convoy of some 12 4-ton trucks which was installed in a wadi some 75 miles (120km) inside Iraqi territory, where it carried out maintenance and repairs over a 5-day period and then drove consisting of eight Land Rover
launch area
I
10s, a
spares, and several motor-cycles. Typical vehicle
Scud
_ IRAN
^>
0*0
back to Coalition territory without incurring a single
KUWAIT
• •
Dispersal airfields
'.m operating bases
Air Missions The majority of special operations tasks
transporting
and
air
support was provided by the
supporting
SF
teams deployed
USA
and the
inside
Iraqi
was the task of MH-53Js, which were also able to use their night devices to look for Scuds. 1st SOW was also responsible for combat rescue
territory. This
vision
104
included
loss.
..
Special Forces Operations
SUBJECT: Letter of
Commendation
for
22d Special Air Service (SAS) Regiment 1. I wish to officially commend the 22d Special Air Service (SAS) Regiment for their totally outstanding performance of military operations during Operation Desert Storm.
Shortly after the initiation of the strategic air campaign, it became apparent that the Coalition forces would be unable to eliminate Iraq's firing of Scud missiles from western Iraq into Israel The continued firing of Scuds on Israel carried with it enormous unfavorable political ramifications and could, in fact, have resulted in the. dismantling of the carefully crafted Coalition. Such a dismantling would have adversely affected in ways difficult to measure the ultimate outcome of the military campaign. It became apparent that the only way that the Coalition could succeed in reducing these Scud launches was by physically placing military forces on the ground in the vicinity of the western launch sites. At that time, the majority of available Coalition forces were committed to the forthcoming military campaign in the eastern portion of the theater of operations. Further, none of these forces possessed the requisite skills and abilities required to conduct such a dangerous operation. The only force deemed qualified for this critical mission was the 22d Special Air Service (SAS) Regiment. 2.
.
3 From the first day they were assigned their mission until the last day of the conflict, the performance of 22d Special Air Service (SAS) Regiment was courageous and highly professional. The area in which they were committed proved to contain far more numerous enemy forces than had been predicted by every intelligence estimate, the terrain was much more difficult than expected, and the weather conditions were unseasonably brutal. Despite these hazards, in a very short period of time the 22d Special Air Service (SAS) Regiment was successful in totally denying the central corridor of western Iraq to Iraqi Scud units. The result was that the principal areas used by the Iraqis to fire Scuds on Tel Aviv were no longer available to them. They were required to move their Scud missile firing forces to the northwest portion of Iraq and from that location the firing of Scud missiles was essentially militarily ineffective.
When it became necessary to introduce United States Special Operations Forces into the area to attempt to close down the northwest Scud areas, the 22d Special Air Service (SAS) Regiment provided invaluable assistance to the U.S. forces. They took every possible measure to ensure the U.S. forces were thoroughly briefed and were able to profit from the valuable lessons that had been learned by earlier SAS deployments into western Iraq. I am completely convinced that had the U.S. forces not received these thorough indoctrinations by SAS personnel U.S. forces would have suffered a much higher rate of casualties than was ultimately the case. Further, the SAS and U.S. joint forces immediately merged into a combined fighting force where the synergetic effort of these fine units ultimately caused the enemy to be convinced that they were facing forces in western Iraq that were more than ten-fold the size of those they were actually facing. As a result, large numbers of enemy forces that might otherwise have been deployed in the eastern theater were tied down in western Iraq. 4
5. The performance of the 22d Special Air Service (SAS) Regiment during Operation Desert Storm was in the highest traditions of the professional military service and in keeping with the proud history and tradition that has been established by that regiment. Please ensure that this commendation receives appropriate attention and is passed on to the unit and its members.
H.
Above: General
Schwarzkopf*
acknowledgement
of the
role
was persuaded by played
by the SAS in the Gulf War. The
general was at
employ
special
first
reluctant
Nonnan Schwarzkopf General, US Amiy Commander in Chief
US
to
operations forces, but
De La
man
-
Billiere
British
in
General
himself an ex-SAS
that they could
vital, first
later in
-
be
reconnaissance and
Scud-hunting/busting.
105
Spk
ial
Fori is
and extracted several downed aircrew before the
One number
unusual mission was performed by the
BLU-82 "Daisy Cutter"
of
fuel/air
the Vietnam War, contained 6.7 tons
from the
ramp
tail
approximately 50ft
(
1
at
a
height
(
1
of
could capture them.
Iraqis
MC-130 Combat
bombs. These devices,
Talons, which
originally
Below: After the war,
some
6,000ft
(
,800m), achieving an
1
highly
for
UN arms
Losses
destruction.
Both American and
mobile, fast and
pursued by
having
shot
proportion
all
their
MH-60
helicopter
down
were
numbers.
by Iraqi ground
fire
sand-dune
hit a
occupants: four aircrew and three from Delta.
posed a threat to the
to
troops, during
Iraqi
February 21, when an
capability. Their
out of
some due to Iraqi action, others to An 8-man SAS team, for example, was detected and which four men died. The worst US losses occurred on
British special forces incurred losses,
the wild terrain and harsh weather.
being very
effective,
good off-road
In
addition, a
-.
attacks
town of
on the Scud
example of the use of Soviet
Union
Iraq
strategic
ISIONS
role.
of
Khafji;
1
6th all
seven
SOS was 14 aboard
Length
36.6ft (II.
Body diameter
2.9ft 1
16m)
(0.88m)
Israel
40.0ft (12.20m) 2.9ft
(0.88m)
outcome
of the
Gulf
sites
was an excellent
special forces being used in a
Had they
campaign against
failed
and the
Iraqi
Scud
been more successful, the
War
might have been quite
different.
4.0431b (6,370kg)
One
Warh HE, chemical.
HE. chemical
2.1711b (985kg)
1,1
nuclear
weight
1
during the battle to retake the
The
H
Country of
Type
visibility, killing all
USAF AC- 30
Assessment R-I7SCUD-B
Launch weight
bad
in
killed.
Russian
Max
some observers
were under the impression that tactical nuclear weapons were being used. British air support for special forces came from RAF Chinook.Army Lynx, and naval Sea King helicopters.
These Scud launchers proved
Coalition
accuracy of
5m). The effect of the enormous explosion was dramatic: the noise was
prepare Russian-made
MAZ 8x8 trucks
missiles
a
5,000lb/6.804kg) of high explosive and were dropped
stupefying and the blast caused death up to 3 miles (5km) distant. Indeed,
inspectors
dropped
developed during
021b (500kg)
of the problems facing the special forces
in
the Gulf was poor intelligence, at both strategic and tactical levels. At
the higher level this included a serious
underestimation of the Scud threat and
some very
PERTOF'
Maximum Accuracy
range
1
86 miles (300km)
404
miles
(650km)
(circular
analyses
of
the
492yd (450m)
1.094yd
Liquid
Liquid
Guidance
inertial
inertial
(1
km)
Iraqi
organization
and
At the lower level the SF were told it would be warm, so they took thin clothing, only to find it was bitterly cold and they suffered accordingly until Arab capability.
Propulsion
error probable)
misleading
coats
were sent
in
to them.
Special Forces Operations
The Battle for Mogadishu Left:
A US Marine Corps
"Hummer" equipped
with
loudspeakers takes part operation
Mogadishu
in
in
an
city.
Despite such efforts, the gulf
between the hi-tech Western forces
and the unsophisticated
citizens
wide as
of Somalia to
proved so
be unbridgeable.
Below: Somalia occupies a strategically
important position
on the "Horn
of Africa".
Bottom Center of
"downtown
Mogadishu". Between the main roads
is
a maze of tiny streets
where US SOF became
Operation
Restore Hope shows what happens when missions are unclear and special
forces are used
in
Somalia led to increasing international frustration as aid was
in
seen to be getting into the hands of gunmen and
who were
regularly seen
hostage by
some
which charged
1
ERITREA
which they were not intended. During the 1980s and early
roles for
1990s, unending violence
"lost."
failing
to reach the starving Somali people
on TV. This was hardly surprising
,000 young
aid authorities
as
Mogadishu port was held
gunmen belonging to five separate armed groups, each of "protection money" and then stole from the very convoys
they were being paid to guard. In late
1992 international indignation peaked and outgoing US President Bush committed
MOGADISHU Indian
what was planned to be a short, sharp operation, to be completed before incoming President Clinton took office in January 1993. US Marines carried out a tactical amphibious landing on the night of December 9 1992 - to be greeted by waiting pressmen equipped with
American troops to Somalia
cameras and
Ocean
in
floodlights.
became bogged down as troops and the - and failed - to understand Somali politics. Military attention - encouraged by the Press - concentrated increasingly on one warlord: "General" Aidid.Then, on June 5 993, 24 Pakistani troops of the UN force were killed, resulting in UN Resolution 837 ordering the "arrest and detention for prosecution of those responsible." In practical terms, that meant Aidid, but
The US force
quickly
Press corps tried
1
repeated attempts to capture him Pakistani troops fired into a
suspected arms dumps;
dead);
command
US
gunships attacked
were attacked
Italian soldiers
helicopters attacked Aidid's
and matters got worse:
failed
crowd (20
(3 dead);
US
post (70 dead); and Somalis
attacked pressmen (4 dead). Meanwhile, Aidid, despite an offer of a
US$25,000 reward for his capture, The senior UN administrator,
requested the despatch of Force
Ranger,"
arrived,
its
consisting
US
led a
charmed existence,
retired
US Admiral Howe,
Special Forces.
of Rangers
mission to capture Aidid;
in
and
The 400-man "Task Delta commandos,
other words, a man-hunt.
Intelligence passed to Task Force
Ranger was poor:
they
members
mistakenly arrested
development program and to be Aidid.
Not
eight
of a
in September UN-sponsored
later they "snatched" a Somali,
thought
only was he not Aidid, but he was also a well-
known US supporter. Then on September 23, a US helicopter was shot down and its crew of three were killed. Aidid's men carefully observed US special forces tactics in these actions and noted that raids always consisted of an assault
by heliborne troops, roping
down
in
two
parties:
one (Delta)
Indian
Ocean
entering the house, the other (Rangers) forming a cordon outside.
Meanwhile, helicopters
flew
overhead, observing, providing
107
Special Foh<
i
s
fire and summoning reinforcements. The Somali gunmen then devised a plan which combined attacks against the helicopters and the use of overwhelming ground forces. The Somalis were particularly adept at their specialized style of urban warfare. There were a few wide boulevards, but the greater part of Mogadishu was a labyrinth of narrow, twisting alleys, lined on both sides by houses, many with small, high-sided courtyards. The US troops, used to wide open streets and grid patterns of their home towns found these most confusing and frequently got lost. They also found the complex clan structure, which ruled
covering
Somali
lives,
impossible to comprehend, resulting
Somalis; the Americans
were
in
totally mystified at the
enormous gulf between them and the way of life and ingratitude of the Somali
an
in their affairs. On top of all Mogadishu was awash with weapons and the Somali clans could mobilize thousands of
people, while the latter bitterly resented outside interference this,
armed men, women and Then US intelligence second-floor
room
would attend, so
in
children
in
a
matter of minutes.
on October 3 1993 in a They were told that Aidid
learnt of a top-level meeting to be held
known
a building
a "snatch"
was
as the "Aidi house."
set up, involving
AH-
1
and
OH-6
gunships,
UH-60
troop-
carrying helicopters. Delta hit squad, Ranger cordon troops and a ground vehicle convoy.
Command was
Above:
A US Marine supervizes
the distribution of urgently
needed food which
is
hungry Somalis,
to
what Operation Restore
Hope was meant Unfortunately, seriously
it
to
be about.
all
went very
wrong and soon the
simple survival of the force
became is
primary issue
the
exercised by a Delta colonel
some
3,000ft (1,000m), with a
above
that.
US Navy
P-3
in
about 900ft (300m)
spun into a house then tumbled into an alleyway (Crash
arrived and
its
responding with
machine-guns and 0.50in cannon. Whenever the
close-range
vehicles stopped (usually because they had taken a
been well learnt.
helicopter circling at
aircraft
I). Another helicopter combat rescue troops roped to the ground, but while hovering it, too, was hit by an RPG and the pilot just managed to return to base. The US ground convoy of HMMMWVs en route to the Aidi house took casualties from
aircraft
-
hoped that the lesson has
UH-60 command
The battle started with Cobra gunships firing TOW missiles into the Aidi house, where some 90 men had assembled, although not Aidid himself. Then 120 Delta men and Rangers roped down beside the smouldering building: the Delta force stormed inside, while Rangers set up the cordon. Inside, many Somalis were already dead. Some managed to escape, but US troops captured 24. The Somali militia mobilized and the US troops were quickly brought under fire. One militiaman fired an RPG-7 miasile at a low-flying UH-60, destroying the tail rotor, and the
itself
it
a
Orion surveillance
fire,
rifles,
wrong turning) men jumped out to guard them and took yet more casualties. Despite this, the convoy reached the Aidi house and took the 24 prisoners on board, together with some wounded Delta and Rangers; men were packed inside
like
sardines, the remainder had to walk.
The convoy was about to move off when new orders were received. Instead of heading out of the city the convoy was to go to Crash I, which was only three blocks distant, and rescue any survivors
unwounded troops moved troops taking part
Right: Italian in
Hope.
Restore
of the
participants as
in
Italy
was one
numerous non-US the operation, but
the former colonial power
it
had more knowledge than most about the country. Their advice to the
top
command
was,
however, frequently either deliberately rejected
or simply ignored.
108
who
could be reached no other way, while the remaining
to the crash site on foot. Then news was received that a second
.
Special Forces Operations
UH-60 was down (Crash survivors at Crash
and they were ordered to proceed there after rescuing the
2)
Matters then got worse.
became very
the foot party, cooperation between Rangers and Delta
In
under constant
strained, although, despite being
the crash site and joined
wrong
Aidi house. Since he had
commander
fire,
they eventually reached
a defensive battle. The vehicle convoy, however, repeatedly
in
turnings and after 45 minutes ended up back
the convoy
Above: A Pakistani Army corporal faces
I
where
it
had started
-
in
took
front of the
many wounded and virtually all vehicles were seriously damaged, make another attempt to reach either helicopter crash
refused to
It
up
to
a crowd
in
Somalia.
was hoped that the Pakistanis,
being fellow Middle Eastern Muslims, would achieve a rapport
with the Somalis, but this failed to
happen and they suffered
numerous
casualties.
and he headed back to base.
site
HMMWVs;
Meanwhile, a second vehicle convoy (four
assembled
hastily
at the base 2 miles
three 5-ton flatbed trucks) was
(3km) down the beach to rescue the crew of the
second downed UH-60. This convoy also came under heavy
fire
and was forced to turn
round and take a different route, but that too was blocked. They then decided to go
around the
up to return to base, abandoning the rescue of the troops
By
there were
nightfall
commanders
but en route they met the original convoy and the two
city
A UH-60
various buildings.
in
the
right
joined
city.
some 90-odd men in and around Crash Site scattered between had dropped some medical supplies and ammunition, but their I
,
Below: A heavily armed US patrol in
downtown Mogadishu
early
in
the
days of the operation, with
everyone smiling. Unfortunately, the good
humor
long and
in
once-smiling as
the
did
not
last
for
fighting the
women
proved just
dangerous as their menfolk.
was desperate. At this point it was decided to commit the UN Quick Reaction Force (QRF). The force that was cobbled together comprised some 300 men from US 0th Mountain Division, with some situation
1
Rangers and Delta men, desperately eager to rescue their
comrades. Multinational contributions including
four
Pakistani
tanks
and
28
Malaysian
personnel carriers, the latter painted
convoy city,
rolled at
drawing
2320 and made
heavy
and
fire
UN
armored The
white.
way slowly
into the
encountering
several
its
roadblocks. However, part of the convoy eventually
reached Crash
and load reorganize
all
I,
where
it
took some time to locate
the dead and
for
the
journey
wounded and then out. This
was
to
finally
achieved and the weary survivors of Delta and the
Rangers reached the assembly temporary in
field hospital
a football stadium in the early hours of the morning.
US losses were 18 dead, 73 wounded and one wounded helicopter pilot held prisoner. Somali losses were far greater: some 500 dead and 1,000 wounded, many of them women and children. This was not peace-keeping.
109
Special Forces
110
Weapons & Eqlipmem
Part 3
Weapons & Equipment To
A large EXTENt
elite
and special forces use standard military
equipment, both because
do so and because
it
it
cheaper for their governments to
is
helps avoid the "signature" given by special or
"one-off' equipments. Sometimes, however, the requirement for such special
equipment cannot be avoided.
Special forces
around the world use
probably over 50 different types of
sub-machine gun - and only illustrated here. Thus, the
rifle,
a vast
range of equipment -
for example, and
a small selection of typical
equipment shown here
a
is
1
00 types of
items can be
combination
of:
Standard equipment used by both special forces and conventional forces, such as the
Vehicle
(HMMWV)
US High
Weapons and equipment such as the Mark 23
Mobility Multipurpose
specifically
(SOCOM)
problem. These include
and
the
armed versions of the
aircraft,
older weapons often used by terrorist
which may also be used by
Sterling,
Wheeled
rifle.
designed for special forces,
pistol,
Lockheed C-130 Hercules transport BVD infantry combat vehicle.
Some
MAS
and the French FA
and the Russian
movements and
special forces to avoid the "signature"
some sub-machine guns
(British
Sten
and Danish Madsen SMG),and the Russian RPG-7V
anti-tank rocket launcher.
to
The final pages are devoted to submarines, because it is important remember that these are among the most effective means of
delivering and recovering special forces, and
target
lies
it
will
not be often that
a
so far from a suitable coastline that submarine-delivery
cannot be used.
The world's special forces are equipped with a wide range
some
of
it
general-issue,
some
specially
use weapons of foreign forces. These are
MPS
silenced
submachine gun, and and
of
weapons and protective kit
developed for their use. Many units train with and
members fright)
of Spain's
Mossberg
1
special
forces
with
(left)
H&K
2-gauge shotgun.
111
Spkial Foiu
is
92F/M9
Beretta Specifications
The
Type: Double-/single-action, semi-
automatic
pistols.
Dimensions: Length overall: 92F/M9 8.54in (217mm); 92L
(198mm);
barrel,. 92F/M9
A
M9, the new
years. Designated the
US Army-led
which had served the US armed forces for
I,
pistol
entered service
in
1
985, the total order
amounting to well over 500,000 weapons.
The Beretta M9/92 P.38
and are loaded
in
locked-wedge design pioneered
series pistols use the
the orthodox
following which the slide grip
is
manner by
used to
pull
in
theWalther
inserting a charged magazine into the butt,
-
then released to chamber a round. rear,
On
the action to the rear, cocking the hammer, and
firing,
gas pressure drives the barrel and slide to the
locked together by a wedge, but, having traveled
some
0.3in
(8mm), the locking wedge
(3.81mm). Height: 92F/M9,
downwards, disengaging from the slide; the barrel immediately stops but the slide continues rearwards to complete the reloading cycle. Unlike many automatic pistols, these Beretta weapons are of an open-slide design: ie, the greater part of the barrel is exposed
5.51in (140mm); 92L, 5.3in
and not covered by the
4.92in (125mm); 92L
-
4.3in
(109mm). Width: both,
1.5in
(135mm).
Weights: Loaded,
92F/M9-
(1.16kg); 92L
2.
55lb
2.40lb
-
(1.09kg).
Empty,
92F/M9
2.09lb
-
(0.95kg); 92L
2.0lb
-
(0.91kg).
Caliber:
9mm
19 Luger/Parabellum.
x
Magazine 92F/M9- 15
capacity:
92L- 13
rounds;
rounds.
Right and
Below
right:
Beretta 92f was adopted
US forces as the M9, and the
standard sidearm
Italian,
been sights
the
is
now
the US,
in
The top example has
fitted
with
for use
in
non-standard competitions;
lower example
"as issued." Unlike the
The
by the
and many other armed
forces.
is
standard
many
pistols
Beretta has an open slide, leaving the barrel
112
some 70
I
-
7.8m
-
Pistols
Beretta 92F was the eventual winner of the long and hard-fought,
competition to replace the Colt MI9I
Origin: Italy/United States.
92L 9mm
and
exposed.
pivots
The Beretta 92/M9
slide. is
the standard sidearm
forces, including special forces.
Compact L version, which is which accommodates only
Some
slightly I
3
special
smaller and
rounds.
in
the US,
Italian,
and many other armed
forces, however, also lighter,
use the Beretta 92
with a shorter barrel and a magazine
-
Weapons & Equipment
SIG P-229 and P-239 INDUSTRIE
SCHWEIZERISCHE Gesellschaft Industrial
(=
Swiss
Company
[SIG]),
Specifications Origin: Switzerland/Germany.
Type:
based at Neuhausen Rhinefalls,
Army
pistols for the Swiss
many
Recoil-operated,
manufactured
Switzerland,
mechanically locked, semi-
for
automatic
was prevented
years, but
pistols.
Dimensions:
from exporting the
designs by
its
covering
regulations
the
the
-
6.77in (172mm); barrel,
P-229 -3.8in (96.5mm);
however, SIG
1960s,
(180mm); P-239
7.1in
export of military small arms. In
-
Length overall: P-229
government
strict
The SIG P-229
teamed up with the German Sauer company, based at Eckernforde, Germany, with
numerous
P-239
used by
is
special
forces.
It
(137mm); P-239
5.4in
the former doing design and
holding:
domestic
rounds; or 0.40m
S&W
0.357m
rounds.
9mm
1.26in
-
(32mm). Height: P-229
magazine
a
(92mm).
3.6in
(37mm); P-239
rugged and dependable
weapon with
-
Width: P-229- 1.46in
a
is
-
-
Parabellum
5.12in(130mm).
the
manufacture, while
undertook
latter
SIG
12
-
or
Weights: Without magazine, P-229
manufacture and marketing of SIG
designs
export
the
for
for
market. This arrangement has proved so successful that SIG has since acquired Sauer and
now P-2
by
1
operates as SIG-Sauer. 0,
A number
many
special forces (including those of
reliability
S&W
and 0.357
9mm Parabellum, S&W or 0.357 SIG.
Both
Secret Service).
as the Pistole 75.
manufactured
a
In
trend followed by most subsequent SIG-Sauer designs, the P-220
Both 6-groove,
9mm
Parabellum
in
is
ACP
three separate versions to take the 9 x 19mm, 0.38 Super, and 0.45
in
Rifling:
models was the SIG P-220, which entered service with the Swiss Army
of the early
accuracy and
The holding
was introduced
P-228, which 1
2 rounds of 9 x
1
1
in
9mm, while
1988,
is
the P-229
yet further improved.
It
0in -
1
in
13;
capacity:
-
SIG, 12 rounds.
uses a machined,
-
9mm Parabellum, 0.40 S&W and 0.357
P-229
essentially a P-225 with a larger magazine, is
1
S&W
(406mm).
16in
in
Magazine
but losing out on the grounds of cost.
reliability,
1
15in (380mm); 0.357 SIG
MI9I IAI successor program with their 9mm P-226 which became one of the two finalists (the other was the Beretta 92) and was very nearly selected, reportedly matching the latter in
-
(250mm); 0.40
US Army's Colt
rounds, to suit the needs of various customers. SIG-Sauer also entered the
SIG,
Caliber:
Denmark, Sweden, Switzerland, and the USA) and DEA [Drug Enforcement Agency] and the
0.40
One
Parabellum,
1.811b (0.82kg).
and accuracy, being used
the American FBI,
(eg,
9mm
1.721b (0.78kg); for 0.40
of designs have been marketed, starting with the
which have established an excellent reputation for
law-enforcement agencies
-
1.721b (0.78kg); P-239
P-239 -7
rounds.
(manufactured
stainless steel slide in
in
the USA), with an aluminum alloy frame manufactured
Germany. There are three control
muzzle
is
decocking
without
levers,
all
on the
side of the
left
weapon. Nearest the
the release lever for stripping; the middle lever, just below the lever. Like
all
SIG
pistols,
requiring a double-action trigger pull
pull.
On
when
shot
a traditional safety control lever, with the first
the single action, trigger
slide,
is
the
the 229 has an automatic firing-pin safety, operating the
the double-action, trigger pull
is
hammer 1
is
down
21b (5.44kg);
on
4.51b (2.0kg).
is
SIG-Sauer took a slightly different approach with their P-239. There are increasing numbers of women in both military forces (including special forces) and law enforcement agencies, and the company established that, because most women's hands are smaller than men's, they needed a pistol which packed the same performance in a physically smaller package. The smaller size also makes the pistol easier to conceal, whether being carried by men or women. This size reduction has
magazine from
1
been achieved by reducing the number of rounds
2 to 7
in
is
SIG
earlier
9mm
produced
in
parabellum, the American 0.40 Smith
developed 0.357 round, which
in single
action
is
smaller and
easier to
hold. The
reduction
in
the
mag
rounds to is
penalty
magazine 7,
but a
size,
is
a
reducing
I0-round
an optional extra.
the
recoil-operated, auto-loading
is
the P-239 has a machined,
and
is
black anodized. Like the
three versions, to
standard
fire
& Wesson, or
SIG's
more powerful and with
velocity than earlier rounds. Trigger pull
and
slightly
sight having six notches, while
pistols,
stainless-steel slide, with a light alloy frame, is
much
is
posts are available. Optional SIGLITE nightsights can
As with
P-229, the P-239
mind,
in
and
available as an optional extra.
The P-239 is a mechanically locked, weapon. The sights are adjustable, the rear also be fitted.
P-239 has been
order to eliminate the double-stacking of rounds,
although a ten-round magazine
five different foresight
in
Below: The SIG
designed with female users
in
double action
is
a higher 1
NATO
own, newly muzzle
0.351b (4.7kg)
4.631b (2.1kg).
113
Spicial Forces
MK23
Heckler & Koch Specifications Origin:
USA.
Type: Self-loading pistol.
Dimensions: Length without suppressor -
9.65in (245mm); length including suppressor
16.56in (421mm).
(socom) Pistol
The US armed forces had a long-lived affection for the Colt Model together with the
War
I
I
I9I
A
I,
.45 pistol which,
I
served from World
to the 1990s. Discussions over a possible replacement lasted over
eventually in
modified Colt Remington Model I9I
slightly
US
Command (SOCOM)
Special Forces
February 1990 for an Offensive
of three sub-systems: a handgun; a Laser Aiming
The main operational scenario was without alerting
his
many
years, but
new operational requirement Handgun Weapon System (OHWS), which was to consist for a
issued a
Module (LAM); and
a sound/flash suppressor.
weapon which could be used
to take out a sentry
comrades.
The program was development; Phase
III
divided into three phases: Phase
design and testing; Phase
I
II
full
production. The stated criteria included:
Weight: Empty -2.261b (1.03kg).
45
•
Loaded weight
ACP Ball M1911. Muzzle velocity:
0.45
850ft/s (260m/s)
ACP
•
Cartridge:
caliber,
with a magazine holding at least 10 rounds. less
than 5.51b (2.5kg) and length under 9.84in (25cm) without and
I5.75in (40cm) with the sound/flash suppressor. •
Only one
firing
malfunction every 10,000 rounds and one materiel malfunction every
30,000 rounds were allowed. •
A
5-round group inside
27.34yd (25m) using •
The
ability
to
mount
both of which,
a 2.5in
(6.35cm) circle at a range of
a fixed firing stand.
the
LAM
and the sound/flash suppressor,
their turn, had to
in
meet
tight criteria.
Any arms company world-wide was eligible to compete, but two actually submitted bids for this very demanding
only
Above: The
& Koch 0.45in
Heckler
Mk 23 Mod
automatic
usually
known
pistol"
-
the
as
with
pistol
-
"SOCOM
Knight's
its
suppressor attached. These
weapons are
in
the process of
being distributed to forces, initial
all
US special
orders having been
placed for 7,500 handguns and
1,950 suppressors.
was the US firm of Colt, which Double Eagle pistol, with a Knight's suppressor, while the Heckler & Koch bid was a development of their USP handgun, with a Heckler & Koch suppressor. Both requirement. The
first
of these
offered a modified version of
companies received
its
a contract to
which were delivered
in
program, the Heckler
1
992 and
& Koch
produce 30 Phase at the
I
prototypes,
end of a very taxing testing
entry was declared the winning
handgun. However, the Knight's design was declared the winning
114
1
suppressor, even though
was most unusual for a component The winning LAM was made
it
of a losing system to be selected.
by
Technology
Insight
Incorporated
Londonderry,
of
New
Hampshire.
The Heckler & Koch requirements by
MRBS.
under 500 test
the
reliability
excess of 6,000
in
met the accuracy requirements, and from a stand, Heckler & Koch
also comfortably
It
just
in
exceeded
design
wide margin, averaging
a
firings
averaged a group of l.44in (3.66cm), with 65 groups
pistols
being less than
in
I
(2.54cm) and 4 groups of 0.5in
(
1
77cm), with
rounds actually going through the same hole.
5
Heckler & Koch's success was crowned
in
July
1995,
when
was adopted under the official designation "Pistol, Caliber .45, Mark 23 Mod 0" although it is more usually known as the "SOCOM pistol." The Pentagon duly placed a US$12. their pistol
production
million
suppressors, the
contract for
first deliveries
pistols are being issued to
SEALs,
Army
and
Delta
Operations Wings and
The
all
made on May
SOCOM
Rangers,
I
1
1,950
996. The
units, including
and Air
Force
Navy
Special
Combat Control Teams.
Knight's suppressor consists of a straight tube with a
special internal surface. The device gives in
handguns and
7,500
being
the "dry"
mode
and 36dB
in
the "wet"
32dB noise suppression
mode
(for
comparison.
The complete SOCOM
Top:
with
pistol
suppressor and
Knight's
its
Laser-Aiming Module (LAM).
the
The LAM of the
mounted
is
front
in
trigger-guard and was
designed and manufactured by nsight Technology
inc, of
Londonderry, NH.
weapon
the
to
It
enables
be used with
great precision. Above: The
bare weapon, showing
the three levers for (from frontto-rear)
Far
disassembly, safety and
left::
with
the
A Special
SOCOM
Forces
pistol.
trooper
The
holding open. Note also the
Knight's suppressor enables the
screw thread around the muzzle
pistol
attaching the suppressor.
for
to
be fired with a
suppression of 32dB, resulting
no more noise than that air
normal conversation has Silencing the
ACP
round
(260m/s), I
,
I
OOft/s
Mk has
a
23 pistol a
somewhat
sound is
muzzle less
made
level of
approximately 65dB).
easier by the fact that the .45
velocity
of
approximately
Fitting
the
the
weapon
in
an
suppressor to
single
rounds, but the benefits of virtual loss
silence
of the
far
outweigh the
automatic
facility.
[340m/s]). This avoids the characteristic "crack" of a
supersonic
bullet. With
the suppressor fitted the pistol can only
single rounds, but the benefits of quietness far
automatic
850ft/s
than the speed of sound (approximately
rifle.
restricts
of
outweigh the
fire
loss of the
facility.
115
si'M
i\i
Forces
Heckler & Koch
MP5 Since
Sub-machine Gun its
introduction
in
the
960s. Heckler
1
& Koch's MP5
has
enjoyed a reputation as a weapon sophisticated enough to
most elite military units many police anti-terrorist squads. Using the same roller delayed blowback operating principle as its bigger brothers, the G3 and G4l,the MP5 features good handling qualities coupled with parts that are satisfy
the requirements of the world's
the British
SAS
for
example
as well as
-
interchangeable with those
wide range of heavier
a
in
assault
weapons.
The MP5
one of three modes: semi-auto,
fires in
three-round burst. Similar to the safety acts as
FN
full-auto
FAL's trigger, the
or
H&K's
selector.
its fire
Three-shot bursts are accomplished through a small ratchet "counting mechanism" interacting with the sear. Each time the
one notch
bolt cycles to the rear, the ratchet advances
Above: The is
a
firing
MP5K (= Kun
compact version
and spring
lever
MPS,
the
Firing pin
Cocking
[short])
of the
until
standard 9x19 Parabellum
Locking piece rounds. into
It
is
small enough
a briefcase and
is
to
fit
only
marginally larger than an
automatic
pistol,
but the
forward handgrip makes
much
greater accuracy possible.
Barrel
Handguard locking pin
Handguard
Chambered round
Specifications
J
Origin:
Dimensions:
(MP5A2 and MP5A3)
Barrel
Type:
(MP5SD1, MP5SD2 and MP5SD3)
Sub-machine gun.
(MP5K)-
Sin
overall length
(MP5A3)
(MP5A2)
6in
-
-
-
-
21.7in
304in (780mm);
24in (610mm); (MP5K)
-
(146mm);
26.8in (680mm);
(490mm); (MP5SD1)
(550mm); (MP5SD2)
(MP5SD3)
-
(115mm)
19.3in
-
(225mm);
9in
Federal Republic of Germany.
-
12.8in
(325mm).
Weights: (MP5A2)
5.6lb (2.5kg);
-
(MP5SD1)
((2.9kg);
6.8lb (3.1kg); -
-
(MP5A3)
6.2lb (2.8kg);
(MP5SD3)
-
-
6.3lb
(MP5SD2)
7.5lb ((3.4kg);
-
(MP5K)
4.4lb (2kg).
Caliber:
9mmx19
parabellum.
Feed:
10/15/30 round box magazine.
Muzzle
velocity:
1,320ft/s(400m/s). Rate of
fire:
(MPSA2)
750rpm; (MP5A3)
-
-
(MP5SD1)
-
650rpm; (MP5SD2)
(MP5SD3)
-
650rpm; (MP5K)
-
750rpm; -
650rpm;
840rprn.
Sights: Rear, four operative rotating barrel; front,
blade, non-adjustable.
116
hooded
Weapons & Equipment
third cycle allows
the
trigger
re-engagement of the sear or circumventing
released,
is
the
"counter" and ending the cycle before three shots are
fired.
These arms have great appeal to Third World countries, not only for their reliability and maintainability but also for their ease of manufacture. steel in 19
The
receiver, constructed of
operations (several combined),
by a trunnion which
is
stamped sheet
attached to the polygonal
is
rifled barrel
spot welded to the receiver and pinned to the barrel. The
trigger housing, buttstock,
and fore-end are high impact
plastic.
H&K
utilizes
metal stampings and welded sub group parts.
The MP5
has an impressive
a .22 cal. conversion
kit;
list
MP5
and various optical devices. The buttstock and the
of accessories. These include: a magazine loader;
a blank firing device; a
MP5A3
muzzle-mounted tear gas grenade launcher;
has various configurations.
features a retractable stock
-
The MP5A2
has a fixed
they are interchangeable.
MPA5 has an
Above: The
extendable stock and the selector includes a
3-round
Rear sight option.
assembly
It
seen here with a
is
15-round magazine.
Magazine catch lever
Follower The cutaway shows the
Left:
and spring
working parts the
\ gazine
The MP5K was introduced
1976 and
is
designed for special operations; the barrel
is
shorter, a vertical foregrip sight apertures
There
is
is
in
open notches.
blast.
is
that
it
fires
uses
It
blowback
0,
Far
15
left:
It
or 30
retractable stock.
The primary bullet
sight, lay
can be
fitted
The MP5SD a
is
fitted
special
which enables the
a laser
beam on
the
will
with
laser firer
to
target,
thus knowing precisely where
rounds
with
round magazines.
a silencer and
below the speed of sound, thus preventing
of
matched by ease of
is
manufacture.
to the
feature of the silenced version
MP5.
the
and the simplicity
rifles
operation
a receiver cap.
The MP5SD is a silenced weapon and is identical MP5A2/A3 with regard to functioning principle and bolt system. MP5SDI is the weapon with receiver cap; SD2, weapon with a fixed stock; and SD3, weapon with
of
roller-delayed
system as the Heckler & Koch
added, and the rear-
are replaced with
no butt-stock, only
same
the
hit.
117
Special Fokc is
Gl\
UZl/MlNII-UZI SliB-MACHINE young
army major named
Israeli
expert, designed and produced a
the Uzi in
an
Gal,
which has become one of the most
-
arms
prolific
-
SMGs
the western world today. Gal based his design on the
postwar
Czechoslovakian
machine guns,
9mm
Models 23 and 25 sub-
major departure from prewar and wartime designs.
a
were not known for accuracy, and to Czech designers developed a concept wherein the bolt actually
sub-machine guns
Early
overcome
Uziel
new sub-machine gun
this
telescoped the rear end of the barrel, enclosing the cartridge. Major Gal kept
and another clever Czech design
this
through the
meant
pistol grip.This
as
magazine was inserted
well: the
Origin:
rotate out of a cartridge
Dimensions:
Caliber:
and
.45cal.
is
cocked by drawing
open. The trigger mechanism
engagement with the bolt.The
bolt's
momentum
own
and
it
is
it
to the rear.The sear
also simple.
stop.
Its
spring then drives
two
it
changes made.
been added, and the Uzi
is
A
now
it
coil spring
is
forward, stripping
as the striker
it
A
move down and in
the bolt face
generated by the exploding cartridge then drives the
forward again
the years that Major Gal's
significant
coil spring drives
firing
bolt to the rear, extracting and ejecting the fired case
In all
9mm
it
from the magazine, chambering
impacts the primer. The
Weight 7.71b (3.5kg).
blowback design.The bolt
used to tension the sear; pulling the trigger to the rear allows the sear to
Israel.
Length 25.2in (640mm).
a simple
is
rotates up to engage and hold
Type:
Sub-machine gun.
point-fire
hip.
The Uzi Specifications
at the point of
more accurate
balance, but also just forward of the shoulder axis for
from the
was
that the bolt face/breech
9mm
in
Uzi has been
grip safety,
-
until
it
comes up
against the bolt
a repeat cycle. in
production, there have only been
which blocks the trigger unless depressed, has
available to fire the .45
Automatic Colt
Pistol Cartridge.
Rifling:
4 groove
r/h
(9mm); 6 groove l/h
Foresight protectors
(.45cal).
Cocking handle
Feed:
25/32/40 round box (9mm); 16 round (.45cal).
Muzzle velocity: 1,280ft/s(390m/s).
Cyclic
Rate of
fire:
600rpm (9mm);
cyclic
500rpm
(.45cal).
Sights: Flip,
110-219yd(100-200m). SMG.]
[Specifications for Uzi
Above: The
Mini-Uzi, with
folding stock extended.
its
wire
When
the stock
is
retracted the
weight
is
symmetrically
Forehand grip
disposed about the pistolgrip,
making one-handed
firing
much
small
that
easier.
It
is
so
addition to Israeli forces, the Uzi
In
use
in
is
Thailand, Venezuela, and other countries.
in
Belgium, Germany, Iran, the Netherlands,
has been ordered
It
in
the hundreds of thousands Trigger
it
can easily be
hidden under clothing or a brief-case and use on
is
ideal
in
for
clandestine and
special
and
is
probably the most widely used sub-machine gun
attachments include
a
may be screwed to the magazines,
if
In
operation
5.9lb/2.7kg),
it
front of the receiver
Industries has
firing
in
place of the barrel locking-nut.Two 32-round
fire capacity.
produced
exactly resembles
and
the western world. Optional
short bayonet and a barrel-mounted searchlight. A grenade launcher
clipped together, increase
Israeli Military
operations.
in
a smaller version
and designated
larger "parent," differing only
its
characteristics.
It
in
it
the Mini-Uzi.
size,
weight (only
accept a 20-round magazine for
will
its
9mm
parabellum pistol ammunition, as well as 25- and 32-round magazines. It
can easily be concealed under ordinary clothing, and carried
space, which
personnel, and or,
makes the Mini-Uzi in
commando
operations.
It
and accuracy set by the
There are three models requirements.
The heavy
bolt
-
useful
can be fired
with stock extended, from the shoulder, and
reliability
118
particularly
is
in
the
for security and full-
minimum
vehicle
law enforcement
or semi-automatic from the hip
said to maintain the high standards of
Uzi.
open model
bolt,
closed bolt, or heavy bolt
offers a
reduced rate of
fire
- to meet
specific
(750rpm) for situations
—
Weapons & Equipment
A stripped small
From top
showing the
Uzi,
number to
of
components.
bottom:
slide
cover
with cocking handle; bolt, with return-spring rod; and
on the
left,
barrel
body; and
and barrel
nut.
requiring easier control.
Even newer situation
Micro-Uzi rate of
is
requires is
less
the smallest Uzi ever offered, which
maximum concealment without
than lOin
fire.
(254mm)
is
designed to be used
sacrificing
9mm
when
firepower. This
the
new
long with shoulder stock folded, and has a l,200rpm
Backsight protectors
D t Bolt .
Sear
Chamber Slinq swivel
Trigger
guard
Left;
The interior of the
Uzi.
how
the blow-back bolt
fits
the internal end of the also
•Magazine catch
how
the
magazine
Note
around
barrel. fits
Note
inside
the
handle, with the drawing showing
the
top
9mm
Parabellum round
waiting to be fed into the chamber.
Butt (folded)
Magazine
119
Special Fok< is
9mm
L2A3/L34A1
Sterling
Designed Specifications
by A team headed by
Sterling began
Origin:
same magazine
the
life
W Patchett of the
G
end of World
at the
War
as the Sten, but the design
I
I
Sterling Engineering
Co, England, the
as the successor to the Sten.
was much more
efficient
and
It
effective.
took
It
United Kingdom.
formally adopted by the British forces
Type:
Well made and finished, the gun has
Sub-machine gun.
-
19tn
(483mm);
barrel
magazine, which sticks out of the
-
Sights
Weights: loaded
normal blowback mechanism, but
comprise
most adverse
semi-automatic or
fully
automatic.
unusual it
in
out of
conditions.
The
also available.
is
aperture that graduates to
a rear flip-type
is
accumulates and forces
it
side of the action (similar to the Sten), holds 34
200m), and a narrow blade (almost a post)
6.0lb (2.72kg);
-
left
rounds, although a 10-round version
77.9in (198mm).
Empty
a
the receiver. This allows the gun to function well under the
-
28in (690mm); (stock folded)
was
1954.
having a ribbed bolt which cuts away dirt and fouling as
Dimensions: Length (stock extended)
in
It is
front.
The gun
I
and 220 yards (100 and
10
capable of selective
is
fire,
either
also fitted for a blade bayonet.
7.6lb (3.47kg).
-
In
Caliber:
9mm
parabellum.
also a favorite
Feed:
who
34-round box magazine. Rifling:
6 grooves
is
The L34AI
Mk
fire:
for use in
is
in
The weapon was particularly Northern Ireland. Sterlings were
nations use the Sterling.
in
the Falklands
in
the
War
Mau Mau
and
in
uprisings
reliable
Kenya.
in
operations has commented,
sub-machine gun, simple,
have also been found
r/h.
1,287ft/s(390m/s).
Rate of
weapon
has used the Sterling
a nice field
Muzzle velocity:
Cyclic,
some 90
addition to Britain,
useful to British special forces
A
flows
"It
operator
special forces
like
when
syrup
fired.
It
and easy to control." Many of these weapons
terrorist arsenals.
the silenced version.
It
is
somewhat longer than the L2A3 and tops the (I kg). Many of its parts are interchangeable
4 version's weight, unloaded, by almost 21b
with those of the L2A3, thus keeping
down replacement
costs and ensuring
availability.
550rpm.
The
[Specifications for L2A3.]
barrel jacket
is
covered by
a silencer casing,
has 72 radial holes drilled through
it,
with front and rear supports. The barrel
which permits propellant gas to escape, thus reducing muzzle velocity of the
the
The
barrel
diffuser
has a metal
tube; the
bullet.
wrap and
extension
tube
goes beyond the silencer casing and barrel.
A
spiral
diffuser
beyond the
a series of discs,
barrel
is
a hole
through
its
which has
center that allows
passage of the round. Gas follows the round closely and
back by the end cap;
it
deflected
is
mingles with
the gases coming forward
-
with the
result that the gas velocity leaving
weapon is low. The silenced Sterling is used by many countries, and by terrorist
the
groups. Adjustable
Silencer
Expanded
foresight
casing
metal wrap
Top: Sterling its
Mk
VII
pistol
with
magazine. Note the lack of a
butt and the pistol
Spiral diffuser
assembly
additional forward
grip. In
this
picture the
Diffuser
weapon
is
working parts
cocked with the to
the
rear.
The
Above: The little
L34AI
Silenced
Sterling
makes very
sound, but the gas escapes
in
tube
the
Folded change lever has three positions: safe
(as
shown
here); single
rounds; and fully automatic.
120
diffuser reduce
the
round making
it
muzzle velocity of the a close-range weapon.
bun
Weapo\s & Equipment
Sten Gun World War
II
dictated an urgent requirement for a simple, British-produced sub-
machine gun, and by the middle of 1941
was its
in
limited production
name from
with
its
the
initial
development
letters of the
Major
-
Enfield, the location of
and undergoing user
RV
weapon had not only been designed but
a
This was the famous Sten, which took
trials.
surnames of the two people most closely concerned
Shepherd and
the factory where
it
was
H
STurpin,
first
provided an invaluable source of additional automatic
The Sten works on
a
allied
produced. fire
to the
power
first
two
letters of
various forms the Sten
In its
to the British forces.
spring and fires either single shots or bursts, the change lever being a circular stud above
the trigger.
a
MkV
Mkll, Mklll,
and MkVl.The Sten Mark
II
has
short barrel and barrel jacket, and a simplified buttstock.The second pattern (MkllS) has
a shorter barrel, silencer, a lighter bolt,
and a shorter recoil spring. Mklll does not have the
detachable barrel of the other models and
is
probably the most cheaply
made
of the Sten
made of a single welded steel tube, with the housing The MkV has a number of features that were not in the earlier models; among them are wooden pistol grip and stock, a front sight with protective ears, and lugs on the barrel for bayonets. The MkVI is the MkV fitted with a
guns.
Its
receiver and barrel jacket are
of the magazine welded to the receiver.
shortened barrel and
United Kingdom.
Type:
Sub-machine gun
Dimensions:
(762mm); MkllS (857mm);
Mklll
(762mm);
MkV
(857mm);
30.5in
30.5in
-
30.5in
-
(762mm); MkVI
-
34.3in
-
34.3in
-
barrel, Mkll
-
(197mm); MkllS-
3. 7in
(91.4mm); Mklll
7.9in
MkV
(197mm);
-
8.0in
-
(198mm); MkVI
7.9in
-
3.8in
(95mm).
Weights: Loaded, Mkll
-
7.6lb (3.4kg);
MkllS -9.lb (4.14kg); Mklll
a silencer.
Sten guns were manufactured
Origin:
Length overall, Mkll
simple blow-back system using a heavy bolt with a coiled return
The main production versions were the
Specifications
in
millions. Later
the world, but are no longer standard
weapons
in
models are
the UK. Built
still
in
widely used throughout
the
UK, Canada, and
New
8.41b (3.82kg); (4.54kg);
MkV
-10.01b
MkVI -10.91b
(4.96kg).
Zealand, the Sten gun
will
be encountered for years to
come
in
the hands of irregulars
around the globe.
Caliber:
9mm
parabellum.
Rifling: Above: The Sten
gun design
is
now some 60
6 grooves
years
10.2in old, but
it
was manufactured
in
numbers and
vast
r/h,
one turn
in
(254mm); Mkll has
is
two grooves. still
found
in
some armies and
in
many
and "resistance" groups. Shown here
is
terrorist
the Mark V
"top-of-the-range" version with wooden butt and two pistol
Return spring handle
lugs
grips, a
foresight with
on the barrel for
fitting
protective bracket, and
a bayonet.
Muzzle velocity: 1.205ft/s(366m/s); MkllS and
MkVI-1,007ft/s(304m/s).
Rate of Cyclic,
fire:
550rpm.
121
Spiual For<
is
Madsen Model 53
Specifications Origin:
Denmark. Type:
Sub-machine gun.
Dimensions: Length (stock extended)
The
sub-machine gun to be made
first
type of Finnish Suomi,
a
Danish Madsen Industrial Syndicate continued throughout World War by the
The
first
Finns. This same made all Danish sub-machine guns since then. weapon of the present series was the Model
wartime advances in was designed in such a way to be able to take advantage of these improved
1946, and the Danes, profiting from
ed)- 21.2in (528mm); barrel
mass production, made sure
Weight Empty -7.0lb
as
parabellum.
Feed:
32-round box. Rifling:
4 groove
r/h.
Muzzle velocity: 1,287ft/s(390m/s).
Rate of Cyclic,
fire:
it
techniques.
(3.2kg).
One
Caliber:
9mm
Production
1940.
in
with the gun being used
II,
31.8in (794mm); (stock fold-
-8.0in (198mm).
Denmark was license by the
Danes, the Germans and the
syndicate has
-
in
made under
most unusual sub-machine guns ever
of the
designed and produced, the Model 53
is
designed to lend
The made from two side so that the weapon can
to high speed production at extremely low cost.
itself
main body, including the
pistol grip,
pieces, hinged together at the rear easily
be opened for
repair, cleaning
is
or inspection.
however, have the disadvantage that the springs are
out unless care
fall
is
taken.
It
does,
liable
to
The Madsen works on the
normal blowback system and
single
rounds or
a grip safety
behind the
will
fire
550rpm. bursts.
One Above: Danish 1
Madsen Model
953. Note the 'grip safety' just
behind the magazine housing
and the tubular pivots
stock,
which
onto the right side of the weapon.
of
unusual features
its
is
magazine housing which (with the magazine
forward hand
grip.
function, which
The
Unless
makes
it
tubular metal stock
right side of the
this safety
is
impossible to is
on
a pivot
in,
itself)
the gun
fire
it
acts as a will
not
one-handed.
and folds onto the
weapon.
The Model 53 has been used by Danish police forces and some South American and Southeast Asian countries, as well as by several terrorist groups. It was made under Many of the design and license in Brazil in .45 caliber. in
Below: The unique stripping configuration, with the splitting
in
same
122
weapon
half, pivoting
bolts
as
the
on the stock.
manufacturing features lend themselves to ready application to other small arms designs.
Weapons & Equipment
9mm MAT49 Ml 949 sub-machine gun, which was built by Tulle (Manufacture d'Armes de Tulle), good reputation among French troops. First adopted by the French Army in 949, Indochina and Algeria. A large number of these weapons, it saw considerable service in incidentally, were captured in Indochina and later converted to fire the Soviet 7.76mm Type P round, and the cyclic rate was increased to 900 rounds per minute. These weapons can be
The
has a
Specifications
1
Origin: France.
Type:
Sub-machine gun.
Dimensions:
recognized by their longer barrel and 35-round magazine.
Of
conventional blowback design, the
The magazine housing
A
by dropping.
pistol-grip
The
squeeze safety
ejection
makes the weapon is
fitted,
port cover helps
and
keep
this
9.1in
particularly usable
It
is
Unloaded loaded
-
7.9lb (3.6kg);
-
9.2lb (4.2kg).
Caliber:
9mm
used by French forces and the armies of many former French colonies.
has also been found
-
(228mm).
Weights:
prevents accidental
mechanism of the gun.
The weapon
20.2in (460mm); barrel
-
instantly.
out of the internal
dirt
-
28.8in (720mm); (stock folded)
may be folded forward and
and has only to be swung back and down to be used
a telescopic steel stock, this feature
by parachute troops. discharge
-
Length (stock extended)
has several unusual, but useful, features.
(with magazine attached), for example,
clipped under the barrel
Combined with
MAT49
in
parabellum.
Feed:
terrorist arsenals.
32- or 20-round box
magazine. Rifling:
4 grooves
Muzzle
velocity:
1,287ft/s(390m/s).
Rate of Cyclic,
Left:
fire:
600rpm.
These French soldiers show
the two configurations of the
French MAT49 sub-machine gun.
The soldier on the
magazine
in
left
has the
the operating
position, while
the
man
in
the
center has the magazine housing folded forward, out of the way.
Above: MAT49. A is
located
MAT49 with
the
tubular stock
extended. The steeply canted pistol grip large
(with
built-in
its
foregrip give
control
when
making
this
fired
safety)
and
excellent
from the
an ideal
weapon
retracted
for
and
six
representative
9mm
rounds. There are two magazines; one takes also
hip,
safety"
The picture shows the stock
grip. Left:
large "squeeze
on the rear of the pistol
20 rounds, the other 32. Note the clip on
the
cooling sleeve, which the
magazine housing
operations such as house-to-
position. This
house fighting.
reliable
is
weapon.
underside of the
used to retain
is
in
its
forward
an excellent and
Spicial Foiu
I
S
5.56mm FA MAS French trooper wading
Right:
through a river with
length and this
light
is
weight
make
proved
and handle.
(Fusil
Automatique,
France's current service
short
an easy weapon to carry
MAS
FA
Manufacture d'Armes de
Its
ready.
the
at
rifle
The
MAS
his
Rifle
to
generally
be
a
highly
bipod
right:
legs,
feature
of
The MAS with
its
futuristic fact,
in
subsequently
modified),
the weapon, extended.
of the
been
in
it
has,
20
service for
prominent "bridge"
years. The
serves as a carrying handle
and
houses the sights.
also
piece
ordnance for general service and
placed into production
even today, but
and has
well-conceived
which are a standard
The design of the weapon looks
Etienne)
effective
forces use. First introduced Below
St.
rifle
in
in
the
and of
special
1973 (and rifle
was
1979. Delivery
first complement of 148,000 rifles was completed in 1983. Firing from the closed-bolt position, the method of operation is by means of
delayed
blowback, the
system
having
been adopted from the French general purpose machine gun.
A
AA52 black
Specifications Origin: France.
Type: Assault
rifle.
Dimensions: Without bayonet
(757mm);
barrel
-
30.28in
-
19.51in
(488mm).
Weights: Without magazines, bipod azine
-
-
sling or
7.94lb (3.61kg); mag-
0.33lb (0.15kg) empty;
0.99lb (0.45kg) loaded with
25 rounds; bipod
-
0.374lb
(0.17kg).
Caliber:
5.56mm
x
45mm
NATO;
M193-type ammunition. Effective range:
330yd (300m).
ST
Muzzle velocity: 3,168ft/s(960m/s).
Rate of Cyclic,
fire:
900-1, OOOrpm.
plastic
lower handguard, pinned to the barrel
and receiver, extends to the magazine well and
cannot be removed.
Because trigger
it
has a "bullpup" configuration, the
mechanism and
have been
pistol grip
mounted to the lower handguard, forward magazine well. The pistol grip the ergonomically
designed,
with
three
of is
finger
grooves and a storage trap that contains a bottle
of lubricant,
guard
can
retaining
gloves
be pin
under
The sheet metal
and
rotated
arctic
trigger
away from the
pulled
for
conditions,
firing
an
rear
with
obvious
advantage to mountain forces. The trigger
connected
to
a
metal which rides
the
receiver
mechanism.
124
long, in
and
thin
a slot
strip
on the
reaches
of
is
sheet
right side of
the
hammer
Weapons & Equipment
To remove
a magazine, a spring-loaded plastic catch
inserted by pushing
Among
them
cyclic rate (900-1
weapon.
Each
mounted on
a
mode is
are optional right- or left-side ejection
as an alternative to single
.OOOrpm), the three-shot burst
weapon
shot or
mode
is
fully
a real
automatic.
boon
equipped with an ambidextrous web
column pinned to the
barrel; the rear sight
is
also
sling.
on
a
in
With
its
high
controlling the
The
foresight
is
column, above the
return spring cylinder.
FA MAS have scopes integrated into the carrying handles, as are short (419mm) barrels. A new carrying handle that will accept any scope is under development. The weapon is widely used among elite
Versions of the
barreled models with I6.5in
NATO STANAG
MAS stripped
Above: The
cleaning. Although
MAS
the interesting features of the FA
and three-round burst
must be pressed back. Magazines are
straight into the well.
for
field
unusual
of
appearance, the basic construction
same
the
is
most modern assault
as
rifles,
the
major differences being the location
of the
and the
recoil
sights
trigger group,
system. Note the
on the body group.
normally covered by the handle.
troops such as France's naval infantry, Foreign Legion and paratroops.
A
short version
-
the FA
special forces. The barrel has
same
as the
MAS Commando
-
been shortened to
is
1
intended for use by 6.2in (4
1
I
mm), but
commando and in
similar
other respects
is
the
main service weapon.
An MAS
Left:
with
rifle
a
mounted
telescopic sight
carrying handle. This
in
the
not
is
intended to convert the weapon a sniper
into
but enables
rifle,
forces
special
when hostages combatants are
or nonthe
in
zone. Note that the the
firer
firing
adopt
a
high
example
is
profile
a
disadvantage.
Far left: The
weapon
killing
bipod makes
position, which
possible
targets
identify
to
as
MAS
is
shown by
fitted
in
a
compact
this
a car door.
125
Special Forces
5.56mm Steyr Aug The Steyr AUG when
did
it
looks as futuristic first
appeared
in
in
the late 1990s as
the early
it
1980s. This
weapon was designed by Steyr-Daimler-Puch AG of Steyr, Austria, to meet an Austrian Army specification and was designated the Armee Universal Gewehr (AUG = universal army rifle). It uses a "bull-pup" design in which the working parts are
the stock at the rear and the magazine
in
behind
is
the trigger, which combine to enable a full-length barrel to
be mounted
The
in
AUG
the shortest possible overall length.
is
mounted on The gas-regulator has
gas operated, with gas-cylinder
the barrel and a short-stroke piston.
three settings: one for normal operation; the second for
adverse conditions; and the third for rifle
grenades.
automatic;
safe;
The
safety
also
differ Above: The
AUG-P
machine gun version firing
9mm
a sub-
is
the
of
AUG
Parabellum
ammunition. Note the short used cartridge
barrel, the
ejection
and the revised
slot
magazine housing, which different from
5.56mm
Right: Austrian his
Steyr
AUG
the
in
hip firing
the use of the
hand on the forward
grip, right
grip
version.
paratrooper with
position. Note sling, left
is
that on the
hand on the
pistol
and stock firmly held by
the forearm
and elbow. The AUG
can be used by either right-handed
firers,
left-
or
-
needing only
the most basic adjustments.
126
(350mm); and
rifle
exactly
I6in
mainly
in
rifle
and
light
how many rounds
uses a 42-round magazine.
remain to be
is
made
fired,
semi-
AUG
-
sub-machine gun
machine gun (LMG)
-
which
the lengths of the barrel, which are I3.8in
(407mm); 20in (508mm); and 24.6in (626mm),
use a 30-round magazine, which
settings:
and three-round bursts.
There are four versions of the (SMG), carbine,
blank rounds or
firing
has three
respectively. The
SMG,
carbine
of clear plastic so that the firer can see
while the
LMG
is
fitted
with a
light
bipod and
Weapons & Equipment
Specifications empty
Origin: Austria.
Assault
Type:
loaded 8.51b (3.85kg).
SMG,
carbine, assault
Sustained
sustained-fire
rifle,
13.8in
-
(350mm);
overall
-
25in (632mm). 16in (407mm); overall
-
-
SMG/carbine/rifle:
27in (690mm).
overall
31
Sustained overall
-
20in (508mm);
barrel
fire:
-
24.6in (626mm);
6 groove,
6.5lb (2.95kg): loaded
7.3 lb (3.3kg); loaded
-
-
turn/9in (23cm).
1
AUG
optical.
328yd (300m).
Assault
rifle
Rate of
fire (cyclic):
-
680rpm.
8.051b (3.65kg).
The
plastic.
Effective range:
7.161b (3.25kg). Carbine: empty
handed
r/h,
Sworowski 1.5X -
clear plas-
Sight
Weights:
SMG: empty
-
Rifling:
36m (908mm).
-
30 round,
42-round
Sustained-fire:
(790mm).
in
10.81b (4.9kg).
tic.
barrel
rifle: -
-
Feed:
Carbine: barrel
Assault
empty
fire:
7.91b (3.6kg)
NATO standard 5.56mm ball round M193andM885(SS109).
Dimensions: barrel
-
Cartridge:
machine gun.
SMG:
rifle:
has been designed so that
firers. Thus,
the bolt
is
it
can be fired with equal ease by right- or
left-
replaceable and the ejection port can be set on either side of
Above: Three versions all
5.56mm
the receiver. Even the sling swivels can be adjusted to either side of the weapon, according
standard
to the requirements of the
and
firer.
The stock is a one-piece, greenish-colored unit, fabricated from a very strong, durable plastic; it accommodates the receiver group, the hammer mechanism and the magazine housing.The pistol grip is integral with the stock, and a transverse safety is located where it can be operated by the
The it
I
firer's right
cold hammer-forged barrel
/8th turn;
it
is
removing a hot
barrel.
A
carrying handle
if
chrome-lined and locks into the receiver by rotating
required, and can also be used to protect the firer's hand
flash is
hider
fixed
is
rifle,
with
long barrel
suppressor. Center
the carbine, basically the as the
the
is
rifle,
is
same
but with a slightly
shorter barrel. Bottom
is
the
sub-machine gun, with an
can safely be cooled by direct immersion into cold water.The cylindrical pistol
grip can be folded away,
The
thumb.
flash
AUG,
of the
Top
caliber.
ultra-
short barrel, designed for
paratroops.
when
attached to the muzzle.
and incorporates a I.5X sight which
is
fully
adjustable for
windage and elevation.
There
is
a
wide range of accessories, including such standard items
blank-firing attachment,
as a carrying sling,
and a muzzle cap. There are also two types of bayonet:
cleaning
kit,
one
multi-purpose tool which incorporates a wire-cutter and a screw-driver; the other
is
is
a
a light bayonet. In addition, a grenade-launcher, designated
AUG-8, can be attached under
US Army's M-203. The AUG has been adopted by numerous armies and many special of Australia, Austria, New Zealand and the Oman. the barrel and
is
similar
in
operation to the
forces, including those
Left:
An NC0
of the Austrian
Army shows how handy
is
the
light
and
AUG. Note that the
forward hand-grip
is
folded
forward out of the way. Note also
the bayonet/combat knife
which
is
carried
on
his
webbing.
127
Special For(
i
s
5.45mm AK-74 and AKS-74 Assault
Rifles
Receiver catch
Plastic
Below: A Polish
armed with
5.45mm
assault
Warsaw
of the
rifle,
members
of
Pact before the end
the
left
hand
grasping the magazine rather
An AKS-74 with a folding
stock, for use
which was
Cold War. Note the firing
position, with
Above:
Russian AK-74
widely exported to the
paratrooper
elite
the
by paratroops and
other special forces. The weapon
an take
AKM rechambered and rebored the
the
Russian
5.45mm
of blast
is
to
round. Note
cleaning rod and the
new type
compensator, which
is
intended to reduce the recoil forces
than the forward hand-guard.
on the
firer.
AS
INDICATED BY
assault
entered
probably
troops
in
rebored
AKM,
74 has a (giving
the is
it
it
to
has the
with
an
a
fire
l *r
"
Sf*.
^
r\
in
The
AKM
Moscow on
rechambered
5.45mm
cartridge.
same general appearance
two notable
distinctive,
differences: the
as
AK-
two-port muzzle brake
a
smooth
shorter and
plastic is
magazine which
curved to a lesser
extent than the grooved metal
W ^'
1977.
a slightly greater overall length than
AKM), and
slightly
AK-74
1974 and
seen with Soviet airborne
first
the Red Square Parade
Externally,
the
around
service
November 7 1977. The AK-74 is basically and
in
AKS-74, sometimes referred to as
AKD, was
the
DESIGNATION, the
ITS
was developed
rifle
folding stock
*£ »v
magazine
AKM.
It
uses the
same type bayonet as the AK series weapons. The folding stock version, designated AKS-74, has a Y-shaped tubular stock with an extremely
narrow
buttplate, as
opposed to the T-shaped,
stamped-metal buttstock of the AKMS.
The muzzle brake on the AK74 uses 128
a fluidic
Weapons & Equipment
Foresight assembly
Piston
Blast
compensator
Gas
port
Cleaning rod
Handguard
device to minimise recoil and muzzle climb. Although the the
AKM
when empty,
magazine and
its
its
loaded weight
is
slightly
less,
smaller caliber ammunition, which can
AK-74
is
somewhat
inflict a
particularly nasty
AKS now has a Russian version of the US M203 grenade launcher. Among limitations of the rifle are that the gas cylinder is in a vulnerable dented, plastic
may cause weapon malfunction, and
magazine does not lend
itself
heavier than
primarily because of the plastic
wound. The Specifications
position and,
if
that the reddish-brown or orange color of the
to camouflage,
Origin: Russian Federation.
Type: Assault
rifles.
Dimensions: Length (AK-74)
-
37in
(930mm); (AKS-74, with butt folded) barrel
28in (690mm);
-
16in (40mm).
-
Weight Unloaded (AK74/AKS-74) 7.9lb (3.6kg).
Rifling:
4 grooves
r/h;
1
turn
7.8in
in
(196mm). Caliber:
8.45mm
x 39.
Feed:
30-round
plastic
box
magazine.
Effective range:
495yd (450m).
Muzzle velocity: 2,970ft/s (900m/s).
Rate of Cyclic,
Left:
fire:
650rpm.
Russian paratrooper takes
aim with
his
5.45mm AKR
machine gun (SMG).
This
suba
is
shortened, lighter version of the
AKS-74, with a Y-shaped, tubular metal folding stock. Note that this
Russian soldier uses the
conventional grip with his
left
hand holding the forward handguard, as opposed
to
that
used by the Polish soldier opposite. Note the coveted
blue
beret and the paratrooper
badge on the
soldier's
left
sleeve.
129
SPtWAL
Ft)H<
S
I
M16A2/Colt Commando Below: Special Operations training at the John Special Warfare
F.
Kennedy
Center, Fort
Bragg, North Carolina, with a
5.56mm
trainee aiming a
Commando
assault
Commando
was designed by Eugene Stoner. It was first adopted for When first used in combat, numerous faults became apparent, most of them traceable to a lack of training and poor maintenance. The MI6 then
rifle.
The
shorter and lighter version
a of
forces
1
under license
in
5)
as the standard
rifle
of the United States forces.
Singapore, the Republic of Korea, and the Philippines.
Canada, which
in
1
Vietnam.
been manufactured, most by Colt Firearms. The weapon was also made
Millions have
adopted
in
7.62mm M 4
replaced the
The MI6A2 was
also
80,000 under license, but with full-automatic capability
built
in
place of the burst-control option.
The weapon
the Ml 6, and the changes
include a telescopic butt.
US
use by
Colt
essentially
is
The MI6 (previously the AR-
gas-operated and the user can select either full-automatic or semi-
is
automatic. Both 20- and 30-round magazines can be
can
fitted, as
a bipod,
bayonet, telescope,
Specifications Origin:
Foresight assembly
Flash suppressor
United States.
Type:
M16A2
-
rifle;
Commando
-
sub-machine gun.
Dimensions: Length overall (with flash
suppressor)
-
40in (1,000mm); barrel
-
19.8in
(508mm).
Weights: 7.5lb (3.4kg); with standard
30-round magazine (3.72kg); sling
Sling swivel
8.2lb
-
Plastic
handguard
5.3oz
-
(182g).
Caliber: 5.56mm.
and night sight.The weapon can also be
Feed: 20- and 30-round box
magazine.
Maximum
effective
barrel, telescopic butt, flash suppressor,
(710mm).
Muzzle
velocity:
3.280ft/s(1,000m/s).
Rate of 700-950rpm
(cyclic);
fire:
150-
It is in
The M23
range: 300yd (274m).
fitted
The Commando sub-machine gun model
M2
I
use with
US
a special
is
with the
M203 40mm grenade
of the MI6
is
and a telescopic
a special version
sight;
launcher
(q.v.).
with a shorter
the overall length
27.9in
is
Special Operations Forces.
model with no butt or
sights,
and can be
fired
from within the
Bradley Infantry Fighting Vehicle.
There was much dissatisfaction with the MI6AI in the US Army and US Marine Corps, one of the major complaints being its lack of effectiveness at ranges above 340 yards (300m). This came to a head with the increased emphasis on desert warfare. Combined with the 98 1. The resulting high average age of stocks at the time, this led to a major review in 1
200rpm
(auto);
45-65rpm
M 6A2 1
(semi-automatic). [Specificataions for
M16A2.]
full
a
circle to
The 130
is
rifle
that
where
is
it
barrel of the
actually a
throwback to the
should have begun
M 6A2 1
is
in
the
1
950s;
it is
first place.
It
heavier, with a thicker profile.
weapon
a
that has finally
entered inventories It
weighs
8.
1
in
come
1987.
51b (3.69kg) with
Weapons & Equipment
sling
and empty 30-round magazine compared to the 7.91b (3.58kg) of the MI6AI. Other
major changes include
a
three-round burst device, intended to cut
from the full-automatic operation on the A edged front
I
a
;
new
a flash
suppressor that doubles as
a
a
USAF guard on duty
left:
Operation
1991
Desert Storm, armed with a
and handguard made of
muzzle compensator; and
Above
during the
rear sight with a windage knob; a square-
sight post to give better target definition; a buttstock
stronger materials;
down ammunition waste
wedge-
5.56mm MI6A2
assault
shaped projection at the rear of the ejection port to deflect hot brass away from the face
and night
of the left-handed shooter.
immediately to the
Most importantly, the requirements rebarreling to use the
in
7in
Bolt
(
1
and
weapon have been met by
NATO 5.56mm round more effectively.The longer, heavier stabilized by the M 6A2's barrel, which rifled with a twist I
77mm). This improves the maximum
firing pin
longer-range
new
of these rounds are fully
turn
for a
is
effective range to
bullets
of
rifle,
complete with grenade launcher
foresight
sight.
left
of the
the
sight for
the
is
The device
grenade launcher.
one
about 550 yards (500m).
Above right: US
Army
MI6AI
rifle,
assault
soldier with
the
original
production version, which was
Carrying handle and criticised
rearsight shroud
for
its
by the US Army, mainly
limited .effective
range of
340yd (300m). MI6A2 has a heavier barrel, revised fires
the
and
rifling
NATO standard 5.56mm
round, increasing the effective
range
Above:
to
about 550yd (500m).
Cutaway shows the
sub-machmegun
version
Colt
of
the
Commando, Ml
6,
a
which was
developed for use by special forces. The operation, magazine, and to
MI6AI
the
but the
sighting are
Commando
identical
has a
shorter barrel, a flash suppressor, telescopic stock,
and revised handgrip.
with an
Hand
grip
M7 bayonet.
It
can be fitted
Special Fokcis
5.56mm & 7.62 GALIL ASSAULT RIFLE Specifications Origin: Israel.
:**?'- i±14&
Type:
Assault
rifle.
Dimensions:
Length (stock extended, 5.56
model)
-
38.6in (979mm);
(7.62 model)- 41. 3in
(1,050mm); (stock folded, 5.56 model)
29.2in
-
(742mm); (7.62 model)
-
31.9in (810mm); barrel
-
(5.56 model) 18.1 (7.62 model) -21
in
(460m);
(533mm).
in
Weights:
5.56 model
-
8.61b (3.9kg);
7.62 model -8.71b (3.95kg). Caliber:
5.56 model
-
.233; 7.62
model
Max 5.56 model
-
.308.
-
effective range:
550yd (500m);
7.62 model 660yd (600m).
Muzzle velocity: 5.56 model
-
3,230ft/s
(980m/s); 7.62 model
-
2,800ft/s (850m/s).
Rate of Cyclic,
fire:
Credit
both models, 650rpm.
FOR this
surname of combining the
rifle's
development
full-scale
Finnish
right:
aims the
An
Israeli
5.56mm
soldier
Note
Galil.
that the large capacity magazine
causes a high prone position to
be adopted, reducing the
firer's
accuracyand increasing threat from return
fire.
the 7,62
NATO
round
which would serve both the
5.
56
NATO
cartridge and
as well,
The operating system steel
given to an Israeli ordnance officer with the
Valmet M-60/62 receiver with a stout but not-too-heavy
barrel a system could be developed Above
is
along with Israel Military Industries (IMI). They realized that by
Galili,
breech cover, the
is
a rotating bolt gas
Galil
is
system and, with the exception of the stamped
machined. The handguard
fully
has ample clearance around the barrel for heat dissipation.
is
wood,
When
lined with Dural,
and
extended, the buttstock
has a positive latching system which prevents wobble by wedging the hinge end's tapered latching lugs into corresponding slots.
These are released by the simple expedient of squeezing with the right hand and folding The bipod folds and rotates into a slot on the underside of the handguard, where the legs then spread apart by spring tension to latch into retaining slots.
the stocl< outward. Below: The Galil's selector switch is
located
above the
pistol
"safety"
not "fire"
is
grip;
engaged
bythe natural forward push of the thumb.
132
The ambidextrous
member
trigger guard. rear.
on the
safety switch
left
side
is
a small lever, but
also acts as an ejection port cover. The magazine
When
To operate, the lever released, the carrier
is
is
is
its
reciprocal rightside
held by a catch
in
front of the
taken off "safe" and the cocking handle pulled to the
driven forward and the top round pushed from the
Weapons & Equpmim
magazine into the chamber. The bolt comes to
and the cam pin (engaged
a slot
in
a halt
the carrier)
in
rotates the bolt, which forces the cartridge forward,
whereupon the extractor gun
is
ready to be
The system mechanism the
AK
is
used
that
series and
Some
slips
the
for
employed
many
in
35 rounds are held
have
in
25
and
firing
Ml Garand
rifle,
the 5.56 magazine and
rounds,
produced
been
consequence of having
trigger
the
others.
that for the 7.62 holds
magazines
over the rim and the
fired.
but for
50-round it.
numbers of rounds
large
On is
a
long magazine, forcing the firer to adopt a high firing position.
Sights for the Galil are folding "L" rear with
two
peeps, one for 330yd (300m), and a second for 550yd
(500m). Unique to the system sights
is its
set of folding night
which use tritium for illumination. For close
quarter
work
at night or
in
a
dark jungle, these sights
are undetectable
The
Galil has
been adopted by
and has been produced
in
a
number
of armies
South Africa, with some
modifications, as the R-4.
Top: Israeli
paratrooper with
assault
Galil
rifle,
a
weapon developed
versatile
using Eastern
European
technology allied to
Israeli
ingenuity.
Above
:
section the
The 7.62mm
Galil
machine gun, which
gap between the
the belt-feed
rifle
fills
and
medium machine
gun. Apart from the straight has more than
magazine,
it
a passing
resemblance to
the
Russian-built AK-47, which
the Israelis captured
in
large
numbers. However,
is
in
it
every way a superior weapon.
Left
:
ready
Israeli in
troops at the
front of an APC. The
soldier on
the right
with a Galil
is
armed
rifle.
133
Special Forces
37
Royal Ordnance Arwen Specifications Origin: United Kingdom.
Type:
weapon.
Anti-riot
Dimensions:
Arwen
length: 29.9in-
33.1in(750mm-840mm).
Arwen Ace
length: 30in-
33in (762-838mm).
Weights:
Arwen 37 empty
-
6.8lb
(3.1kg); loaded
-
8.41b
(3.8kg).
Arwen Ace empty
4.61b
-
(2.1kg); loaded -5.11b
(2.3kg).
Caliber:
37mm. Type of
Arwen 37
fire:
automatic/
-
single rounds.
Arwen Ace
-
single rounds.
Rate of
Arwen
fire:
37: cyclic
-
60rpm;
single rounds
-
12rpm.
Arwen Ace:
-
cyclic
single rounds
In
n/a;
a
is
British-
with a round
up
to
1
2
fire
5.
fire
the
baton and rounds. The
33in
is
long and weighs
operator can
to
37mm
anti-riot
itself
which had
originally
1
(838mm) lb
(2.3kg)
loaded. A skilled the
in
Northern
weapon
firer
Ireland equipped with
Riot Gun, an adaptation of the Verey
been designed to launch illuminating
flares. The
L67AI had
at
rounds per minute.
a
very
to get dangerously close to a crowd, and was a single-
cartridge. In addition, the existing plastic bullet
designed, single-shot weapon,
developed specifically
38mm
round weapon which had to be broken to extract the used case and replace
110yd
-
(100m).
Below: The Arwen ACE
inadequate L67AI
short effective range, forcing the
range:
smoke
totally
effective
Standard rounds
weapon
or the
rifles
12rpm.
-
Pistol,
Maximum
Royal Ordnance
the 1970s British soldiers were facing hostile crowds
either
was
with a
it
new
unsatisfactory.
As a result, the British Ministry of Defence issued a requirement in 1977 for a multi-shot "Crowd Control Weapon System" for use in Northern Ireland. By 1979 the (then) Royal Small Arms Factory at Enfield had produced three different systems: a pump-action weapon with a four-shot capacity; a five-shot, revolver-action weapon; and a self-loading weapon with a box magazine. Prototype baton rounds were developed in parallel with the launchers. Following trials, it was decided in early 1981 to produce yet another version, which combined the
barrel and action of the five-shot revolver with the trigger/pistol grip and
some other and more minor modifications this was eventually Arwen 37 (= Anti-Riot Weapon, ENfield).The 37mm caliber was optimum combination of energy and velocity, while the new barrel
stock of the self-loader. After placed
in
production as the
selected as offering the
had a
rifled
Safety
is
twist of
one turn
in
2
1
in
(540mm),
a primary consideration.
The
giving the greatest accuracy.
pistol-grip/trigger-housing contains an integral
safety lever,
which
is
operated with equal ease by
left-handed firers.The trigger
is
right-
or
designed for operation by
both index and middle fingers and has two pressures. The
weapon up the
becomes
only
first
fully
cocked when the
pressure on the trigger and
if it is
firer takes
released the
action returns immediately to the uncocked state. Taking
up the second pressure and releasing
it
fires
the
weapon
and revolves the feeding mechanism, bringing the next
round into
line
with the breech. Recoil
An aperture on
is
not heavy.
the right-hand side of the
serves as both a loading and ejection port and the
can
be
fired
modification.
from
right
The weapon
or
left
shoulder
weapon weapon without
also has an adjustable stock
with six settings and a forward pistol grip with a variety of radial settings,
which combine to offer the
firer a
wide
choice of adjustments to suit his/her requirements. The
weapon is also easy to clean and the revolving feed mechanism can easily be removed. The number and type of rounds
in
the magazine can be checked
A number 134
visually.
of versions have been developed from the
Weapons & Equipment
ARWEN
Leu: The
37
a multi-
is
shot, self-loading, semi-automatic,
weapon,
anti-riot
acronym
the
of
ARWEN
name
small
name
full
-
Anti-Riot, ENfield
being the
the
is
a
an
-
last
the former
of
arms factory
where
with
fitted
5-round magazine.
Enfield
at
was designed.
it
Below: Special forces troops show firing
positions for the
37. The advantage
weapon
37mm
is
that
it
of
can place
baton or smoke rounds
with great precision
maximum 1
1
Oyd
ARWEN this
(1
effective
out to the
range of
00m). The AR5 round
can even be used to penetrate
windows or plywood before releasing
its
payload of CS
chemical smoke.
Arwen 37.The Arwen 37 Multi-S very close-quarter 5-shot a shorter (165mm) barrel, while the Arwen 37
basic
no stock and stockless, all
is
designed for use on a ball-mounting
revolver has Multi-V, also
an anti-riot vehicle. These
in
used the revolver-principle, but Royal Ordnance have also developed
single-shot version, the
Arwen Ace, which weighs
only
can achieve the same 12 aimed rounds per minute In
any of
different configurations,
its
Arwen
5.
involving
and
riots
civil
a
(2.3kg) loaded, but
firing rate as
the
Arwen
37.
provides military, paramilitary
method
,and police forces with a highly effective and flexible situations
lb
1
disturbances.
It
is
for containing
wide-scale service
in
around the world.
Ammunition A family of 37mm
rounds was developed for use from the various Arwen
weapons.
•
ARI KE
(Kinetic Energy)
Baton Round. This uses
polyurethane baton, which sized target at 109yd •
AR2 Multi-Source
(1
is
sufficiently stable to
CS
gas
is
Irritant
Smoke Round. This
after leaving the muzzle.
man-
airburst
The
projectile
is
discarded
canisters then disperse and the
intended to cover a circular area approximately 5.5yd (5m)
radius at a range of 98yd (90m).
approximately •
hit a
00m).
contains four CS-filled canisters within a plastic sabot which
one second
developed
a specially
be able to
I
The
irritating
CS smoke
in
emitted for
2 seconds.
AR3 Frangible-Nose Baton Round. The AR3 arresting people
is
in
is
or near buildings and consists of
intended to assist a
in
polyurethane baton,
with soft nosecap (expanded polystyrene-Styrofoam).This contains 0.07oz
•
(2gm) of CS powder which is dispersed on impact. AR4 Smoke Screening Round. This is similar
in
construction
and
performance to the AR2, but contains ordinary smoke instead of CS. •
AR5
Barricade-Penetrating, Irritant Round. This round
is
designed for use against
such targets as car windscreens/windows and interior doors, as well as plywood up to 0.5in
•
(13mm)
thick, albeit at lesser ranges.
around
CS power
then dispersed.
is
a
It
uses a higher velocity projectile with a
hollow nose. The cutter penetrates the target and the micronized
cutting edge
Special versions. Special versions of the
AR
I
and
AR2
rounds are
the same terminal effects, accuracy and payload, but with a Practice versions of the
AR
I
and
AR2
available,
which have
much reduced
range.
are also available.
13S
Special Forces
37
Ithaca
Specifications
Type: Slide-action repeater shotgun.
weapon
(470-508mm).
Weights: 6.5 to 7lb (2.94-3.06kg).
that
is
basic
"Featherlight"
Gun Company
Model
of Ithaca,
New
37
pump
York.
It
repeater
action is
a
uniquely free of stamped steel
components, even to the trigger group.
The
Dimensions: Length- 18.8 to 20in
famed
the
is
manufactured by the Ithaca
Origin: United States.
shotgun
This
solid
does
receiver
steel
have
not
the usual ejection port on the right because
empty
shells
pops
it
straight
out
Caliber: 12-guage, 2in (69.85mm).
Feed: 5- or 8-shot tubular
magazine.
of the bottom. action a
is
lifts
feed
unique
centered around
dual-duty
that
Its
shell
live
carrier
shells
straight
up to
into
the
chamber. The Ithaca Model
Right:
37pump
action has been one of the most
commonly USA.
Its
and it
issued
Sin
I
ideal
as
shotguns
(525mm) police
a
barrel
the
make
weapon, and
has also been found
it
in
weight, fast action,
light
in
the
arsenals of terrorists.
Its
to
fire
pistol grip affords greater control while firing
from
from the shoulder, and makes
The type of
barrel
in
Ithaca's
"Deerslayer" model
&
Far
Right:
and police forces
in
the US.
Mossberg
500 ATP8 carried
at
and snapped
firing
A
common
firearms
is
into
fallacy
position.
modern
that they should be
from the
fired
the ready
with
hip. In
80 percent of
all
training given
to
fact,
over
firearms special
forces
personnel involves obtaining a sight
flash
Below is
:
picture at
minimum.
The 500 ATP8
regarded as one of the most
reliable
pump-action shotgun
designs issued. Because of
its
stock angle and generous-sized fore
end, three aimed shots a
second are possible.
*»tlliMMmt?il
136
practical
trademark of the company to been
combat shotgun. The objective is to provide a weapon capable of firing rifle optimum accuracy as well as being capable of handling the usual loadings. A number of short-barreled cylinder-bored configurations have been put
Mossberg 500 ATP Right
(a
indicate precision-bored cylindrical barrels for general hunting uses) has
military
it
a hip position.
fitted
to a
slugs with
in
use by
Weapons & Equipment
»™MMIM»M»»
R~
Ithaca Model
removed,
stock
pistol
shortened. This chopped version
37
Stakeout, the standard 37 grip
rounds, four
with
holds five
added,
magazine and one
and the barrel and magazine
in
in
the
the
chamber.
Mossberg 500 shotguns are specially modified for police and They have been described by some, as have other shotguns, as "reloadable
basic series of the
military use.
There are two main types used by
elite forces.
Its
-
the six-shot and eight-shot models but
design
is
such as to ensure
aluminum receiver for good balance and proof-tested to
full
magnum
loads, provides
light
maximum
weight.
optimum
A
it is
the latter which
reliability in use.
It
has an
cylinder-bored barrel, which
is
dispersion patterns and permits firing
mechanism has twin guide bars
prevent twisting or jamming during rapid operation.
expelled
muzzle brake by cutting
A
recent addition
slots in the
form, the
is
that help
that the muzzle has
upper surface. Gas can then be
downward force, thus permitting Mossberg ATP8 is extremely compact and can
such a way as to exert
in
pistol grip
a
Shotgun.
Dimensions: Length (ATP8)
-
40.3in
(1,009mm); (ATP8,
has twin extractors and the slide
been formed into
United States.
Type:
of a variety of ammunition.
The shotgun
Specifications Origin:
Claymoores".
is
.y
i Above: The
The
t
easier pointing.
thus be stowed
In its
more
grip)
pistol
30.9in (762mm);
-
barrel
-
(20.3in
(308mm).
Weights: ATP8
-
ATP8
(pistol grip)
6.71b (3.06kg);
-6.11b
(2.72kg).
easily inside vehicles.
There
is
an almost infinite variety of options available.
Caliber: 12-guage, 2 or 3in (69.85 or
76.2mm).
Magazine
capacity:
Eight.
137
Special Forces
Heckler & Koch PSG-1 Sniper Rifle The
Specifications
service
Germany. Type: Sniper
-
rifle.
rifle.
The PSG-I This
ensure that
Roller locked, delayed
at
capacity:
5 or 20 rounds.
Range: effective range
1,968ft (600m).
Rifling: Polygonal; twists: 12in r/h.
Sights: Hensoldt 6x42 telescopic reticle illumination. Six 1
10-
650yd (100-600m).
Trooper of Brazil's
Right:
lo
Batalhao da Forces Especials with
semi-automatic sniper
Many
rifle.
7.62mm
Heckler & Koch
PSG-I
around
forces
special
the world use this weapon,
which
is
noted for
and ease
reliability,
how
the
tripod profile
accuracy,
its
of use. Note
unusual short-legged has adjusted to the
corrugated roof
of the
covering.
Right:
The PSG-I
design
is
based
on that of the very successful Gl
assault
rifle
and
is
a semi-
automatic, single-shot weapon firing
7.62mm NATO
ammunition. The butt stock can be adjusted individual
in
length to
sniper's
fit
the
requirements
and the cheek-piece can be adjusted vertically. The is
fitted
weapon
with a Hensoldt 6x42 scope.
138
semi-automatic, using the Heckler
in
around
is
also
is
fitted
a
it
1
a
Koch's
uses an unusual fore-end rest, consisting
supported by three short vertically
legs.
The stock can be meet the
adjustable cheek-piece, to
user.
with the Hensoldt 6x42 scope, with an LED-enhanced manual
and no other rifle
sight can
off the
can place 50 rounds of match-standard ammunition into a
325yd (300m),
&
polygon-bored heavy
a
the world's most accurate semi-automatic
have a bipod, but the PSGis
built
is
seen as a limitation by some. The manufacturers test every
Feed:
settings covering
rifles
a
factory-fitted as an integral part of the receiver
is
blowback, semi-automatic.
with
is
NATO.
(304.8mm)
rifles, it is
requirements of the most demanding
Cartridge:
Maximum
Most sniper
adjusted for length and there
17.81b (8.07kg).
Magazine
sniper
-
Weight.
51mm
among
blowback system. The PSG-I
of a single tube let into a platform which
25.6in (650.2mm).
7.62 x
Unusually
barrel which, according to the makers, results
47.5in
(1,206.5mm); barrel
rifle.
rifle [PSG-I]) was developed marksmen and was not an adaptation of a
(marksman's precision
I
use by military and police
roller-locked, delayed
Dimensions: Length overall
Prazisionsschutzengewehr-
specifically for
Origin:
very demanding test by any standard.!
3.
be
production 1
4in
reticle.
which
fitted,
line
(80mm)
to
circle
Weapons & Equipment
SVD
Dragijnov The SVD was developed sniper weapon.
One
in
1965 and entered service
squad
in
each motorized
rifle
in
1967.
It is
riflemen receive regular, centralized sniper training. Largely due to
SVD
is
the standard Russian
Specifications
platoon has an SVD, and selected its
Origin:
open buttstock, the
Russian Federation.
lighter than older sniper rifles.
Type:
Both the bolt mechanism and the gas recovery system are similar to those of the AK and
AKM
assault
rifles;
however, because of the difference
interchangeable with these weapons.
open buttstock, which
mounted over the
is
fitted
The most
in
cartridges, parts of
distinguishing features of the
with a cheek pad for ease
in sighting,
it
SVD
Sniper
rifle.
Dimensions:
are not
Length (overall)
are the
(1,225mm);
and the telescopic sight
-
48.22in
barrel
24.4in
-
(620mm). receiver.
Weights: It
has a combination flash suppressor/compensator, four magazines, a cleaning
extra battery and lamp for the telescopic sight. rifle
It
is
equipped with
would not be an ideal weapon for close combat. The Russian Army has always set great store by sniping and
specially trained to spot
German
officers by their
a bayonet,
kit,
and an
With PS0-1M2 sight
although the
empty
,
9.4lb (4.3kg); loaded
-
-
10.51b
(4.78kg). in
World War
II
men were
Caliber:
badges of rank and then shoot them.
7.62 x
54mm
rimmed
cartridge.
Ranges:
Max
-
2,734yd ((2,500m);
effective- 1,422yd (1,300m).
Muzzle velocity: 2,725ft/s (830m/s).
Rate of
fire:
Semi-automatic effective
Left:
a
-
30rpm;
4rpm.
-
Hungarian paratrooper with
Dragunov 7.62mm
Russian
54 sniper
rifle.
weapon
This
x is
widely used by special forces of the former
an
Warsaw
Pact and
effective, reliable,
is
and
accurate weapon, although one
disadvantage
is
that
it
uses
different
ammunition from other
rifles
the
in
squad.
139
Special Forces
L96A1
International In
Sniper Rifle
the 1970s the British infantry used a mix of Lee Enfield
0.303in L42s and
variety of
rifles
7.62mm L4A Is,
while special forces used a
which had been acquired
at different
were
meet
specific needs. Virtually
rifles
adapted to meet snipers' requirements.
all
of these
times to
basically service
was therefore
It
decided to design and develop one weapon to replace these and that
it
all
of
should be specifically designed for use by
snipers, not a modified service
rifle.
The
result
was
weapon
a
developed by Accuracy International, which, after extensive
was accepted for service as the L96AI sniper rifle. The initial design was supplied to the British Army as the L96AI between 984 and 990.Two very similar models were
trials,
1
1
exported as the
also
^
Above: The Accuracy
L96AI
PM 6x42
sniper
International
rifle,
with
fitted
telescopic sight. This
is
bolt-operated, single-shot
a
weapon
either
firing
7.62mm
NATO, .243 Winchester or .338
Lapua Magnum ammunition. There
is
single
forward and a
a bipod spike
in
the
butt,
which
PM
PM Counter
and the
Infantry
Terrorist to 19 other special forces and police.
\
A new
2,000+; All
PSG-90/AW
models are
.338 Lapua
-
3,000+.
51mm NATO
available in 7.62 x
Magnum
calibers and the barrel can be
keys and a screw-driver.
The
rifle
adjustable legs which permit the
fitted
is
height to be varied
rifle
diameter and it
fabricated
is
in five
Winchester and
minutes using three
with a modified Parker-Hale
between
8.5
LM6
gives a reduction
and I2in (216 and
in
sound pressure
is
8.5in
in
excess of 35dB. Where the sniper has to
the aim a retractable spike can be fitted to the butt, enabling the sniper
spend long periods
weapon
to maintain the aim without excessive fatigue. The magazine holds 10 rounds.
the
aim during a
in
alien
bipod, with
(216mm) long and l.6in (40mm) in from non-magnetic stainless steel. Made by AWC of Phoenix,
304.8mm). The Thundertrap sound suppressor Arizona,
(.308 Winchester), .243
changed
can be used to maintain the in
version
was developed for the Swedish Army as the PSG-90, which was also purchased by the Belgian, Canadian, Irish, New Zealand, and Omani armies, and by several police forces. Total sales have been: L96/PM -
long wait.
Right: Traveling
sniper's outfit
with a brief case containing a
complete Accuracy International
Moderated
noise suppressed)
(ie,
Model PM,
firing
.308
Lapua
ammunition. The suppressor
is
'Thundertrap' manufactured the
a in
USA and gives a reduction in
excess of 35dB.
Specifications Origin:
Feed:
United Kingdom.
Bolt action.
Magazine
Type: Sniper
Dimensions: Length overall
-
45.8in (1,163mm); barrel
25.8in
Maximum
Effective Range:
1000yd (914m)
(655mm).
Rifling:
Weight:
20in (508mm), 1-12 twist, stainless steel barrel.
13.671b (6.20kg).
Sights:
Cartridge:
Schmidt and Bender 3-12x50 optical sight or iron
7.62 x
140
-
capacity:
10 rounds.
rifle.
51mm
NATO.
sights.
Weapons & Equipment
Left:
US Army sniper (center)
with
M24
7.62mm
Weapon System
Sniper
(SWS), which
NATO standard
fires
Slmm
x
ammunition.
Specifications Origin: United States.
Type: Sniper
rifle.
Dimensions: Overall length
-
48in
(1,219mm);
barrel
(609.6mm);
1
-24in
twist in 11.2in
(284.5mm).
Weight Empty- 12.11b
(5.49kg).
Caliber:
51mm NATO
7.62 x
(.308
Winchester).
Operation: Bolt action.
M24
Sniper Weapon System
Feed: 5-round internal magazine.
US Army's current sniper rifle is the M24 Sniper Weapon System (SWS).This boltaction weapon uses the Remington 700 action, a composite stock, aluminum bedding
The
Max
effective range:
875yd (800m).
block, adjustable butt plate, and a detachable bipod.
M40A1 The
Sniper Rifle
US Marine Corps'
current sniper
rifle
is
the
Specifications Origin:
7.62mm M40AI which
Remington Model 700 which has been remanufactured by hand by
USMC
armorers
at
is
a
modified
United States.
specially trained
Type:
Quantico.Va.The M40AI has a heavy barrel made of competition-grade
Sniper
heavy barrel and a bolt action, and
is
equipped with
a special
I
Ox sniper scope.
rifle.
Dimensions: Overall barrel
-
-44in
17.6mm);
(1,1
24in (609.6mm).
Weight: With scope -14.51b (6.58kg).
Cartridge:
7.62mm
x
51mm
(NATO)
(.308 Winchester).
Maximum
effective
range: 1,000yd (914m).
Muzzle
velocity:
2,550ft/s(777m/s).
Magazine
capacity:
5 rounds.
Left:
Range practice
for
a
US
Marine Corps sniper, firing the
M40AI, which
is
essentially
a
Remington 700 that has been completely rebuilt by Corps'
armourers.
141
tonus
SPECIAI
M60
General-Purpose Machine Gun
US Army general-purpose
Right:
machine gun (GPMG) team
trains
urban warfare; note the blank-
in
firing
attachments on the muzzles of
two weapons
the
picture.
The M60
is
in
the
a gas-
operated, belt-fed, air-cooled
weapon,
firing
NATO standard
7.62mm ammunition, which was required to be used from a bipod, as shown tripod
in
here,
and from a
the sustained-fire
role.
Below: US paratrooper with the greatly improved original
M60
M60E3. The
suffered from
shortcomings, including a lack of a gas-regulator, and to run-away if
dirt
got into the mechanism.
The M60 was the standard GPMG of the US Army but being replaced. The
weapon
is
is
now
gas-operated, air-cooled and
is
normally used with a IOO-round belt of ammunition. To avoid overheating the barrel
been sight
fired. is
Its
normally changed after 500 rounds have
is
fore sight
is
of the fixed blade type and
of the U-notch type and
its
rear
graduated from about 656ft to
is
3,937ft (200 to 1,200m) in about 328ft (1 00m) steps. The weapon is provided with a stock, carrying handle and a built-in bipod. The M60 can also be used on an Ml 22 tripod mount, M4 pedestal mount and M 42 gun mount for vehicles, Other versions include the M60C remote for helicopters, M60D pintle mount for vehicles and helicopters and the M60E2 internal model for AFVs. The original M60 was not a complete success, perhaps because too much was expected of a general purpose gun. This 1
inevitably
role
results
too
and
a
in
US
used extensively by
system that the
for
light
forces
in
too heavy for the
is
heavy.
However, the
light
M60 was
Vietnam and, partly because of
the practical experience obtained there by regular and special forces, It
is
was improved considerably and issued
still
widely used and can be found
forces of Australia,
among
El
in
as the
service
in
the
others.
Specifications
United States.
Type: General-purpose machine gun.
Dimensions:
Gun length Weights:
(overall)
With bipod and gas
-
44.2in (1,105mm); barrel
cyclinder,
gun
-
-
22.4in (560mm).
23.11b (10.51kg); barrel
-
(3.74kg).
Caliber:
7.62mmx51mm (NATO
cartridge).
Effective ranges:
On bipod
Muzzle
-
1,100yd (1,000m); on tripod
velocity:
2,820ft/s (855m/s).
Rate of Cyclic,
142
fire:
650rpm.
armed
Salvador, the Republic of Korea and Taiwan
Origin:
.
M60EI.
-
1,980yd (1,800m).
8.2lb
Weapons & Equipment
PK7.62mm General-Purpose Machine Gun The
PK was introduced
Russian
into service
operated general-purpose machine gun
I960 and
in
is
(GPMG) which seems
a fully automatic, gas-
Specifications
to have been designed by
taking the best elements of other Russian weapons, including a Kalashnikov rotating bolt,
Goryunov
cartridge extractor and barrel-change, and Degtyarev feed system and trigger.
There are four known variants -
PK without stock and with PKS - PK on light
a vehicle);
sights
Origin: Russian Federation.
in
the basic
PK
series:
revised trigger for use
tripod for sustained
PK
standard
a pintle
in
fire
-
or AA;
GPMG
-
PKB
on the roof of
gun.
Dimensions:
(eg,
Length overall
or stock and with trigger mechanism replaced by a solenoid.
The PKM
a later, lighter
is
weight reduced to
1
version of
8.51b (8.4kg). The
PK with
PKMS
a
is
bipod and a hinged butt
a
PKM
on
a tripod
Type: General-purpose machine
vehicle version, without
mounting
PKT
with bipod;
and the
rest,
and with
PKB does not
(1,173mm);
barrel
-
45.7in
-
25.9in
(658mm).
have
Weights: a stock.
Gun on bipod
The PK-series weapons are easy to handle, have little recoil, and do not tend to climb when fired on automatic. They are also lighter, more reliable and easier to maintain than the US M60, although their maximum effective range is some 109yd (1 00m) less. They are likely to be found in any Russian or former Warsaw Pact army or special forces unit, as well as in numerous
19.81b (9.0kg);
gun on
tripod 36.31b
(16.5kg).
Cartridge: Russian 7.62 x 54R
full-
power, rimmed.
foreign armies.
Feed:
50/250 round
Rate of Cyclic
650rpm;
belts.
fire:
practical
250rpm.
Maximum
effective
range: 1,093yd (1,000m).
Muzzle velocity: 2,707ft/s (825m/s).
Below: Another widely used Russian machine gun, the Above:
A PKMS
mounted on a excellent
7.62mm GPMG An
tripod.
weapon,
it
was
a
development
AK-47 assault
of the rifle.
875yd (800m) and
Range it
round drum magazines.
nwaw
'.
arms.
is
box or 70-
either 30-round
of other
small
is
uses
designed using the best features Russian
RPK
7.62mm
-
143
Special Forces
5.56mm M249 Squad Automatic Weapon (saw) When
the 5.56mm
every
man
M
1
6 (Armalite)
rifle
entered service during the Vietnam
maximum
the squad an automatic weapon, but with a
in
War
it
gave
effective range of
more than 330yd (300m). It was quickly realized, however, that both fire teams needed weapon of greater all-round capability, but lighter than the contemporary 7.62mm M60 and one which used the same ammunition as the riflemen. This gave rise to a US Army requirement for a 5.56mm Squad Automatic Weapon (SAW), with the US Marine Corps little
a Below: The standard model FN
Minimi firing NATO standard
5.56x45mm ammunition. The weapon shown here
with a 200-round plastic
magazine.
In
action, the
carrying-handle would be twisted
down
beside the body out of
way
the
joining the
of the
firer.
program
later.
After considering
fitted
is
"product
which was placed in in
all
in
US
in
the Western world, the Belgian
production as the M249, with
Herstal, although a
the
weapons
suitable
development of the
improved"
US
line
Fabrique
initial
was subsequently
forces selected a
(FN)
"Minimi"
coming from the FN factory
supplies
established.
US
Nationale's
The product improvements
version include minor changes to the barrel, buffer, handguard, pistol grip, stock and
sights.
Specifications Origin: Belgium.
Feed:
Type:
30-round box, or 100- or 200-round
Light
machine gun.
belts; belt.
0.233in (5.56mm).
Ranges:
Dimensions:
Effective
Length overall barrel
-
-
40.87in (1,038mm);
Gun empty,
with bipod and tools
-
Rate of
200-round box magazine: 6.921b
Cyclic
(3.14kg).
Rifling:
Cartridge:
The Minimi showing
its
various ammunition feed
systems. In the front pattern
traditional
box, while between the legs
is
a
bipod
a pre-loaded 200-round
plastic
box magazine. Aligned
underneath the weapon belt,
is
30-round
which
is
issued
in
is
a
either
100- or 200-round lengths. The
weapon accepts
either magazines
or belts without any modification.
144
45mm (NATO)/M193
miles (3.6km).
SS109-3,000ft/s(915m/s);M193
30-round magazine: 1.071b (0.49kg);
x
-
3.166ft/s(965m/s).
15.161b (6.88kg);
5.56mm
range against area target
1,093yd (1.000m);
maximum range: 2.23 Muzzle velocity:
18.4in (466mm).
Weights:
Right:
gas-operated, disintegrating link
Bore diameter:
fire:
- 725rpm;
6 grooves, (US).
r/h.
sustained
--
85rpm.
Weapons & Equipment
The M249
is
smooth
in
operation and
with 200 rounds, bipod, sling and cleaning less
and
than an empty M60.The is
M249
is
kit
very it
reliable. Fully
weighs
combat ready and complete
just 221b (9.97kg)
which
is
I
lb
can accept either magazine or belts without modification
normally fired from a bipod, although a tripod for the sustained-fire role
available. The
into either
A
a belt.
(0.4kg)
is
also
gunner normally carries 600 rounds of linked ammunition, which can be loaded
30-round magazines or pre-loaded 200-round parachute model with a
sliding
plastic
magazines or fed trough as
stock and other modifications, such as a shorter
also available. This weapon is 35.5in (900mm) long with the stock extended and (725mm) long with it folded. Overall weight is marginally greater: 5.71b (7.1kg) compared to 5.21b (6.875kg). barrel,
is
28.5in
1
1
Above: Paratroop
Minimi, which
version of the
number
has a
of
modifications, including shorter
stock (retracted
barrel, sliding
carrying-handle.
for
It
has the same
the standard version
as
facilities
in
and canted
picture)
this
either belt-fed, boxed
firing
or magazine-fed
NATO standard
5.56x45mm ammunition.
Leu:
the background
In
is
FN Mimimi with the stock the retracted
position, with
two types
magazine
and a is
the
of
in
on the gun.
belt
In
the in
the front front
FNC (Fabnque Nationale
Carabine) a
5.56x45mm
(.223
Remington) weapon, which uses Kalashmkov-type working parts to
very smooth
provide
operation.
long
It
is
40in (102cm)
(30m [76cm] with stock
folded),
empty weight
8.4lb(3.8kg) and the contains
30 rounds.
is
magazine It
has been
adopted by Indonesia and
Sweden
145
Special Fokm.s
M2HB
0.50in Heavy Machine Gun The
Specifications
Browning M2HB
quite simply
is
one of the greatest machine guns ever designed,
being efficient and very effective; easy to use and to maintain; and as suitable for
Origin:
on
installation in a tank turret as
a
ground tripod or an
aircraft. Further,
it
has been
in
front-
United States.
Like
Heavy machine gun.
Dimensions: Length overall
(1,656mm);
65.2in
-
barrel
a large
range of widely available ammunition.
weapons, the design started with the cartridge. When the United States Army
all
France
1917
arrived
in
used
contemporary
in
is
in
found
it
rifles,
need for a machine gun
a
firing a larger
round than that
which was required not only for use against troops but also for
new tasks such as attacking tanks, balloons, and aircraft. It proved impossible to convert any US weapon to take the 0.43in (I mm) round then being tested by the French, but at that point the US Army happened to capture some new Mauser anti-tank rifles with their ammunition. The excellence of the round was quickly recognized and a new United States
45in
-
service for five decades and there
line
Type:
(1,143mm).
I
Weight Empty -84lb (38.15kg).
Cartridge:
was rapidly developed along the same lines. At the same time John Browning, one of the most famous gunsmiths in history, was called in to develop a weapon to take this new round, which resulted in the MI92IAI machine gun. The design was refined in the early 1930s which led to the M2, but this was limited by barrel life, and a new, much sturdier barrel was quickly produced, resulting in the definitive M2HB (HB = heavy barrel). The M2HB has seen service in fixed-wing aircraft; helicopters; a multitude of trucks and 0.50in cartridge
0.50 Browning (12.7 x
99mm). Feed: Short
recoil; disintegrating
link belt.
Rifling:
8 grooves, right hand.
field
Muzzle velocity:
Standard rounds
2,900ft/s
-
(883m/s); SLAP rounds
cars such as jeeps, Land Rovers, fast strike vehicles and
tanks.
has been manufactured
It
in
vast
numbers and
is still
HMMVWs; as
well as
widely used, since
its
APCs and
O.SOin high
round has both considerable range, greater carrying capacity than the 5.56mm
velocity
-
rounds
now
used
in rifles
and
light
machine guns, as well as great accuracy since
it is
highly
3,985ft/s(1,215m/s).
Rate of
resistant to fire:
485-635rpm
Maximum Standard rounds
-
is
widely available, having been manufactured
production
in
at least 10 of
in
range:
types) with
2,600yd
rounds.
(2,380m); SLAP rounds
-
drift.
The ammunition is still
effective
wind
One
some
countries
of the
still
[883m/s]) giving
M2HB
machine gun post during in
1
99
The only major change since entered production is
in
the
the
1.
it
1920s
the heavy barrel, which
replaced the earlier version
1930s.
It
fires
in
a O.SOin
(12.7mm) round, which
is
accurate and possesses considerable hitting power, and
ammunition
is
widely available,
being manufactured
in
many
countries around the world.
146
some 30
countries, and
new
(ie,
different
0.50 caliber
most recent of these developments was the Saboted Light Armor US Marine Corps in the middle and late 1980s.
This uses a sub-caliber (0.30in [7.62mm]) tungsten carbide penetrator carried
penetrator having a
Operation Desert Storm
in
also a vast range of natures
devoting research effort to producing
(12.7mm) sabot, which breaks away
US Army 0.50m
is
Penetrator (SLAP) round developed by the
1,640yd (1,500m).
Right:
them. There
it
much
as the
round exits from the muzzle. This
increased velocity (3,985ft/s [I,2l5m/s]
in a
results
compared to
a very flat trajectory, thus enhancing both hit probability
0.50in in
the
2,900ft/s
and armor
Weapons & Equipment
SLAP rounds were used with great success during their operational debut in in 1991. SLAP ammunition is completely interoperable with M2 machine guns, but requires one of the new type of chrome-plated, stellite-lined barrels. penetration.
Operation Desert Storm
Upgrade
kits
are also being marketed, mostly concentrating on quick-change, longer-life
barrels fitted with noise suppressors. Indeed, the only challenge of any significance to the
M2HB
is
coming from the new heavy cannon, such
although these are very
much
as the
McDonnell Douglas ASP 30mm,
larger and considerably heavier.
Above:
A version
of
0.50in
of the
M2HB from Fabnque
Nationale
Belgium, featuring a quick-
change barrel (QCB) and a
number
of
Despite
its
minor improvements. age,
much
effort
is
being put into refining the M2
developing a totally
rather than
new weapon, good
at
its
since
it
once, the principle of broke, don't
is
very
job and, just for
fix
it"
is
"if
it
ain't
being
applied.
147
7
Special Foh<
i
s
Grenades Grenades
are A form of local artillery which range
in
purpose from high-explosive,
through fragmentation, stun and smoke, to illuminating.They are extremely valuable for giving the individual soldier effective firepower,
under
his
own
control. They are easily carried
and are used by both terrorists and anti-terrorist forces. For hand grenades the only criterion
but
this
that their lethal radius
is
does not apply to those
must be less than the distance an average man can throw, from a grenade launcher.
fired
MkI9 40mm Machine Gun, Mod
3
The Mkl9 grenade launcher was developed to provide effective fire support weapon for US Navy riverine patrols in Vietnam and has proved to be an outstanding success in both offensive and defensive roles, delivering rapid and accurate firepower against enemy troops and lightly armored vehicles. It is a gas-operated, air-cooled, belt-fed, blowback weapon, firing a variety of 40mm grenades from 20- or 50-round magazines. A Product Improvement Program (PIP) in the 1970s resulted in the current Mkl9 Mod3, which is more reliable and simpler to maintain than earlier versions. The Mkl9 Mod 3 can be mounted on a ground tripod, or
in
almost any vehicle, including
used by special forces
Above: The
Mk
19
Mod
3
grenade launcher mounted on a
HMMWV
("Hummer") vehide. It
fires
dual-purpose
anti-personnel and anti-armor 1
2oz (340gm) grenades to a
range of
1,800 yards (1,650m).
Right:
Plamya
is
The Russian AGS-
launcher. Because of it
(like
1
an automatic grenade
the US
Mk
its
19
weight,
Mod
3)
requires a vehicle for mobility.
148
in
combat
HMMWV, M
I
1
3FOV
and 5-ton trucks, and has been
situations such as the 1991 Gulf War.
30mm AGS-17 Plamya Automatic Grenade Launcher The Plamya
(= flame)
anti-tank with
HEAT
is
a Russian-produced
weapon
(4-5m) radius; and a phosphorous round. The cyclic rate of fire
weapon
is,
is
that fires small grenades of three types:
warhead; ant-personnel, containing iron needles
drum magazine
100 rounds per minute. Effective range
is
fatal
over a 4.4-5. 5yd
contains 30 rounds and the
770-870yd (700-800m).The
however, rather heavy, weighing 771b (35kg) including the tripod.
Weapons & Equipment
M203 40mm Grenade Launcher The M203 was developed by the AAI Corporation to meet a US Army requirement for a lightweight, single-shot, breech-loading, pump-action, shoulderfired
weapon.
can be attached under the barrel of
It
M
any version of the
and
6
1
The M203
sight.
rifle,
fires a
own
trigger
wide variety of
40mm
and has
its
low-velocity grenades, including: high explosive; high-
explosive
are used.
and
buckshot; anti-armor; smoke;
airburst;
and
illuminating;
riot control.
The primary
Two
sighting systems
sight consists of an aperture
has ranges marked on a The secondary sight is a folding, sight, mounted on the forestock, and
system, and
post
quadrant
scale.
graduated, lead
which uses the
foresight blade as a front-
rifle's
M203s
aiming reference.
US
widely used by
are
forces, including SEALs, Delta and Rangers, as well as
by many foreign forces.
RGD-5 Widely used
the former Warsaw Pact, the Russian
in
RGD-5 comprises housed
2.42oz
a
serrated
a
in
surrounded by weighs 0.681b
HE
lOg)
(I
fragmenting
charge,
which
liner,
a thin, sheet-steel casing.The
and
(3 lOg)
2.2in
is
(56mm)
is
grenade
diameter.
in
RKG-3M The RKG-3M was the standard hand-thrown antiarmor grenade of the former Warsaw Pact forces. It comprises a 2.2in (55.6mm) diameter hollow-charge (HEAT) warhead, containing
1.
241b (567g) of explosive, housed
and mounted on
wooden
a
RKG-3M
hollow charge but by a copper
metal case
a
handle which also contains a
drogue parachute. The earlier RKG-3 had inside the
in
this
a steel liner
was replaced
the
in
grenade
(125mm) to 6.5in (1 65mm). When thrown the drogue automatically
deploys,
is
arming
completing the
thus
ensuring that the grenade
hits
clips
and has
its
launches a to
a
M203 launcher
underneath the MI6
own
trigger.
40mm
maximum
rifle
It
grenade out
range of 380
yards (350m).
which increased armor
liner,
penetration from 5in
the
Above: The
the target
process
armor
and
plate as
near to the optimum 90 degrees as possible.
Left:
Haley
&
Weller's
El
82
multi-burst stun grenade, a disorientating grenade employing
high It
candela and decibel
levels.
weighs just over 7;lb
(250gm).
Haley & Weller EI82 Stun Grenade When conducting anti-terrorist operations in closed spaces such as rooms, cabins or aircraft, anti-terrorist forces quickly found that explosions and flashes of light
the
disoriented
terrorists,
but
fragmentation grenades were
alternative was, therefore, found
which are designed to emit
"stun" grenades,
in
a loud
(104mm) a ring
is
2.2in
(50mm)
An
unsuitable.
explosion but to
cause minimal damage. Typical of these
Weller El 82, which
conventional
that
highly
in
is
the Haley
diameter,
4.
1
& in
is on way and on being
long and weighs 9oz (250g).The safety-pin
which
thrown the
is
pulled
firing lever
in is
the normal
released but does not
grenade contains a small electric
cell
and the
fly
off.The
firing lever
closes a circuit, which, after a 0.5sec time delay, then initiates
the main 0.4oz (I2g) charge. This releases
sub-munitions, the
first
16
of which detonates after 2sec,
followed by the others at 3-4sec intervals. Each sub-
munition explodes with a very loud noise and emits a 22 million candela flash.
149
Special Fok<
i
s
RPG-7V AT Rocket Launcher THE STANDARD ANTI-ARMOR WEAPON of Russian infantry, the RPG-7 replaced an earlier weapon derived from the World War German II
Panzerfaust which merely fired a hollow-charge tube. The weapon was introduced in 1962 and was known simply as the RPG-7. The RPG-7V is a later variant which made its appearance in 1968. RPG-7V fires a projectile which, a few feet
from
projectile
shoulder-rested
a
and heavier, version of
original,
beyond the muzzle,
this
ignites an internal
rocket to
give shorter flight-time, flatter trajectory and
better accuracy.
improved I2.6in
7V
The HEAT or HE warhead
fuzing, the
(320mm)
HEAT
of armor.The
PGO-7 and PGO-
optical sights are frequently
by the NSP-2 (IR) night
has
round penetrating to
sight.
supplemented
There
is
also a
special folding version used by airborne troops,
designated RPG-7D.
During the Cold
War
this
launcher was
standard issue for Soviet Union and Pact forces
-
as well as forces
North Vietnam, and other Even troops,
in
it is
in
satellite countries.
the hands of unskilled and
known
Warsaw
North Korea, illiterate
to be highly effective against
bunkers and buildings, troops, vehicles of types,
and
even
helicopters
when
all
properly
employed. Like many other Soviet weapons, the Warhead
Hollow charge
Propellant charge
Spring loaded
foms
Thrust ducts Above: The
projectile
fired
from the RPG-7V anti-tank rocket launcher, showing the fins
out
at the
when
it
rear which flick leaves
the tube.
PGO-7
sight
Weapons & Equipment
Specifications Origin: Russian Federation.
Type: Rocket launcher.
Dimensions: Length
(990mm).
38. Sin
-
Weights: Launcher- 151b grenade
((7kg);
4.951b (2.25kg).
-
Caliber of tube:
40mm. Caliber of projectile:
85mm. Effective ranges:
Moving target
328yd
-
(300m); stationary target
-
550yd (500m).
Mass of
projectile:
4.951b (2.25kg).
Muzzle velocity: 984ft/s (300m/s).
Far
At one
left::
time issued to
former Soviet special forces and
Warpac
regular troops of
RPG-7V
nations, the
less
is
nowadays against
effective
modern tank armor, but
is
nevertheless a devastating
weapon
hands
the
in
and
guerrillas
own
their
inducer
version
rocket launcher,
RPG-7V was
/
widely distributed to and
organizations and internal conflicts
it
is
is still
used by a variety of guerrilla and subversive
hardly possible to see a photograph or telecast concerning small
without being able to pick them out, slung casually from the bearer's
shoulder with the body of a rocket protruding menacingly from the top.
appeared
Ulster
in
in
the hands of the Provisional IRA, but do not
A
few even
seem to have been
used with any great success.
A new L
RPG-7 in the Russian Army other hands for many years to come.
in
in
the 1980s, but
weapon designated RPG-16 RPG-7 will doubtless be used
of
RPG
the
known
the
as
Type 56 grenade launcher, the
grenade being the Type 50. Both
and the RPG-7 were
this
developed from the RPG-2, derived from
German
disposable, single-shot, man-portable anti-tank
replaced the
made
have
Above The Chinese
Spin
of
terrorists.
is
the World
itself
War
II
RPG-7V
Panzerfaust. The
a small, lightweight anti-tank
weapon with grenade
a
punch. The
big
percussion-fired, the
is
rocket motor igniting after 33
(10m). As the grenade
feet
fins
At
toward the rear the
small of
is
from the tube, four large
fired
roll
flick
very end of the offset
to
fins
give slow
maintain
out.
weapon rate
stability.
151
Special Forces
Stinger FIM-92 B/C Grolnid-to-Air Missile System Right below: US
soldier
on
STINGER was
Stinger FIM-92C
Man-Portable Air
Defense System (MANPADS). The
gunner acquires the target and interrogates
visually
On
(nend-or-foe. missile
launched and
is
it
ejected
is
from the tube by a small eject motor, which carries
a safe
to
it
distance where the main
propulsion motor
(man-portable capability for
fires.
defense system) the
air
new
missile
missile.
the
1970s as a
Designated FIM-92
MANPADS
was intended
in
to provide an air defense
even the smallest detachment, such as an infantry platoon or
a special forces
patrol. In a
as
lock-on, the
US Army and US Marine Corps
developed for the
replacement for the first-generation Redeye
Operation Desert Storm with
ground-air engagement the Stinger gunner acquires the target
with the
latest,
acquire targets at night or device, which,
The
in
equipped
bad weather. The gunner then operates the friend-or-foe
gunner by an audio
missile then informs the
is
if
(IFF)
confirms hostile status, allows the missile seeker to lock-on to the target.
if it
signal that
it
has locked-on and the gunner
then presses the launch button, activating the eject motor which
(burn-out
visually, or,
third-generation sight, by use of an image intensifier, which enables him to
completed before the
fires in a
very short burst
missile leaves the launch tube), propelling the missile out
of the tube.
Specifications Origin: United States.
Type: Man-portable
defense
air
system (MANPADS).
Dimensions: Missile length 60in
(1,524mm); body diameter 2.75in (69.8mm); wing span
(166mm).
0.5in
Weight Launch
22.3lb (10.1kg);
-
package
-
35lb (15.6kg).
Propulsion:
Two
stage; solid propellant
eject motor; solid propellant
boost/sustainer motor.
Guidance:
-
Stinger
optical aiming;
passive IR homing; Stinger
POST - dual mode
On
infra-red/ultraviolet (IR/UV).
Maximum In
circuit
Flight speed:
Mach
Supersonic, about
1.7.
the missile
is
is
at a safe distance the boost/sustainer
missile accelerates to
It
Stinger fragmentation; with smooth
is
fragmenting casing; impact
the empty tube
fuze.
is
it is
a
the fuzing
Mach
cruise speed of approximately
it
miss there
is
1.7.
proportional
a self-destruct capability.
stored and issued as a certified round of ammunition
tube. When required
two movable)
fires,
can be fired from any angle relative to the target and has
a very high hit probability, but should
high-explosive
its
fixed,
motor
energy emitted by the target and computes
IR
navigation course to intercept.
Warhead: Magnavox
when
armed and the The missile homes on
excess of 3.1 miles (5km).
(two
leaving the tube the four spring-loaded control surfaces
deploy and
effective range:
in a
sealed storage/launch
attached to the gunner's sighting/aiming unit and following launch
discarded and another one
fitted.
The tubed
missile requires
no
field
maintenance. Stinger has been adapted for launch from helicopters for self-protection (for example, Far
RiGHt:
A US Army Airborne
trooper ready to launch Stinger.
The missile homes on infra-red (IR)
energy emitted by the or rotary-
target, (either fixed-
winged) and
flies
a
proportional
navigational
intercept
such manual
course. Apart from
launches, the widely used and successful Stinger can
be launched
from pedestal mounts
in
or small ships, and from helicopters.
It
is
on
used by several special
152
vehicles rails
forces.
by AH-64) and from pedestal mounts on vehicles such as
Mount Stinger (PMS) on its eight-wheeled LAV The two current versions of this system technique), and Stinger in
1987 and uses
a
RMP
dual
RMP
are: Stinger
POST
(passive optical seeker
(reprogrammable microprocessor). Stinger Post entered service
mode IR/UV
countermeasures, and background Stinger
HMMWV The USMC uses Pedestal
vehicles.
(entered service
seeker to improve performance against decoys,
clutter. in
1988 and uses the Stinger
POST
seeker, but with an
added digital information processing system, incorporating an external reprogramming function, thus enabling software changes to be made to meet
software a
changing
threat.
Well over 50,000 Stingers are
in
service with
many
nations including: Germany,
Israel,
was also used with some success by the British in the Falklands War. The Stinger system has been used in combat by the mujahideen in Afghanistan, the British SAS in the Falklands, as well as in Nicaragua and Angola. Italy,
Japan, Netherlands, Saudi Arabia.Turkey, and the
USA.
It
Weapons & Equipment
\ Left: Stinger
missile
away, propelled by
Research
Mk 27
powers Atlantic
its
booster/
sustamer rocket motor. Top speed
is
approximately Mach
range
is
in
excess
of
3.
(5km), and the missile sufficiently
1
2,
miles
is
maneuverable
to
counter any jinking by the target.
153
Sim
1
1
Forces
\i
AGM-114
Hellfire Anti-tank Missile Elite and
special FORCES are likely to be used
in
advance of other troops where they
will
be vulnerable to attack by enemy armored vehicles, such as tanks, armored cars and
armored personnel
carriers.
Lynx..
TOW
is
It
most
protection, of which the
is
some
therefore essential that they should have
flexible
already widely used
is
anti-tank
an attack helicopter such as the AH-64, AH-I or
but Hellfire
in this role,
is
much
faster
and has
a
more
powerful warhead.
The target
latest version
is
aircraft.
The
control the Below: One of the primary
weapons systems
for
the US
Army's AH-64D Apache longbow is
the
which
AGM-II4 1
Hellfire
II,
of
6 are seen under the
stub wings of this aircraft. Using millimetre wave radar, the
Hellfire
(MMW) band II
gives the
AH-640's crew a 'fire-and-forget' capability
and enables them
attack targets
in
rain,
to
snow, fog
and smoke. The missile has a
tandem warhead, enabling
it
to
attack armoured vehicles
protected by 'reactive armor.'
154
it
is
Hellfire
which
II,
is
based on the earlier Laser
Hellfire, in
which the
"designated" by a laser aimed by the launching aircraft, ground observers or other missile seeker then flight.
The
homes on
the reflection, using four canard surfaces to
missile can also be launched
either follows a line of sight or a
programmed
without target acquisition,
trajectory, until a target has
in
which case
been acquired.
is powered by a single-stage, solid-propellant motor which accelerates the some lOg until it reaches its maximum speed of some 950mph 1, 52km/h). Arming takes place some 500- 1, 000ft (l50-300m) from the aircraft.The missile is fitted with tandem warhead, which enables it to defeat the latest "reactive armor." The missile can also be used
The
missile
missile at
(
against concrete bunkers.
The Longbow
Hellfire missile provides the
AH-64D
with a "fire-and-forget" anti-armor
poor weather conditions. The Longbow Hellfire fire control radar works in the millimeter wave (MMW) band and will locate, classify, and prioritize targets for the Longbow Hellfire missile. The Longbow system will be integrated into both the Apache attack helicopter and the Comanche armed reconnaissance helicopters. missile
which can be used
in
The advantages of the Longbow and smoke;
MMW
missile include a capability to operate in rain, snow, fog
countermeasures
survivability;
and "fire-and-forget" guidance, which
Apache Longbow to launch and then return to cover, thus minimizing exposure to enemy fire. The missile also has an advanced warhead capable of defeating reactive armor
allows the
6
Weapons & Equipment
Specifications Origin: United States.
Type: Heli-borne anti-armor missile.
Lengths: -
Active seeker version
70.4in (1.78m); laserseeker version
64.6in
-
(1.64m).
Diameter: (178mm).
7in
Wing
span:
(330mm).
13in
Propulsion: Morton Thiokol TX-657 single-stage, solid propellant, smokeless
rocket motor.
Warhead: and
its
software
is
reprogrammable, thus enabling
Firestone it
to be adapted to changing threats.
tandem
conical
charges, 161b (7.25kg);
Delivery of the
service missiles began
first
in
September 1984 and known versions of the
impact fuze.
Hellfire include:
AGM-I AGM-I
AGM-
1
Launch weight
I4A, no longer
in
service.
1
4C, with
a
low smoke motor, lower trajectory and an improved semi-active
seeker with an improved low
AGM-I AGM-I
105.61b (47.88kg).
I4B, designed for shipboard use with additional electronic arm/safety device.
I4F,
Speed:
Mach 1.17-950mph
laser
(1,530km/h).
visibility capability.
Range:
with a tandem warhead to defeat vehicles equipped with reactive armor.
I4K, with
the
same tandem warhead
countermeasures hardening, semiactive
as
the
laser seeker,
and
-F a
but
with
4.5 miles (7,000m).
electro-optical
programmable autopilot for
trajectory shaping.
RBS-17, Swedish designation for the Hellfire used
in
the ground-based coastal defense
role.
Above
Hellfire
the
UK
is
in
with the
service
in
the USA, the Netherlands and Sweden, and
AH-64D Apache Longbow.
will
enter service
in
left:
An early model showing the
missile,
Hellfire
semi-active laser
homing head
and four steerable canard surfaces, which missile
in
control
flight.
package
electronics
the
Behind the nose is
the
tandem warhead, with an impact fuze.
Left:
of
A Westland Longbow Apache
the
British
showing Hellfire
its
II
Army
Air Corps,
weapons load
missiles. These
armed, well-equipped
of
1
well-
aircraft
have great potential for the
support of special forces and for special
operations of their own.
155
SPLUAL
F()K(
S
I
High Mobility Multi-purpose Wheeled Vehicle (hmmwv) Specifications Origin: United
States.
Type: High mobility, multi-purpose,
wheeled
vehicle.
Dimensions: Length- 15ft (4.57m); width -
7.08ft (2. 16m); height
-
6.00ft (1.83m) [can be
reduced to 4.5ft (1.37m)).
Engine: General Motors
6. 5l;V-8;
liquid-cooled, diesel, with fuel-injection;
1
50hp
at
3,600rpm. Drive:
4 x
3-speed, automatic
4;
transmission; 2 speed, locking, chain driven transfer.
Transmission:
The High
Allison, fully-automatic; 3
Mobility Multi-Purpose
"Hummer" or "Hum-V")
speeds forward/ 1 reverse.
importance
units. Its
is
Wheeled
Vehicle
the workhorse of the
lies in its light
(HMMWV)
US armed
(popularly
forces and
is
weight and small size which enable
known
found it
in
as the
most
elite
to be parachuted
Transfer:
or air-landed into operational areas, while
Permanently-engaged
wheel
with integral
drive,
transfer case.
volt;
60 amps.
was the outcome of an
(89km/h), governed at
I
-ton pick-up;
M56 Gama Goat 1
The
HMMWV
is
Fording depth: carriers; 2.5ft
-
(0.76cm); with deep water fording kit- 5ft (1.5m).
Ground
loaded.
Fuel:
25 gallons
Diesel;
(94.631).
Road range (maximum): 350
percent; side slope
Above:
60
-
- 40deg.
HMMWV "Hummer"
armed
TOW
missile
with a tank-busting system. The a large
limits:
slope (grade)
I
-ton
number
The
Right:
of
vehicle
replaced
different
Hummer
types.
provides a
platform for a wide variety of missiles, including
the Avenger
system, seen here.
Hummer armed
Far
right
Mk
19
The
Hummer
40mm
with a
grenade launcher. range provides the
standard vehicle platform for four US Services and
new
all
uses
are regularly being found.
156
command and
HMMWV
is
all
four
US
can carry
M274-ton Mule;
"Jeep;"
M792
I
-ton ambulance.
fought, the eventual winner
services for roles which include: cargo and troop
control; shelter carriers;
powered by
a
weapons
platforms; and ambulances.
The
General Motors V-8 diesel engine, and has automatic transmission
and permanently-engaged, four-wheel Additional
armor
is
fitted to the
an up-armored version, produced
drive.
Many versions
in
weapons and
of the
HMMWV
are equipped
TOW
missile carriers,
and the Ml 109
is
limited quantities, mainly for use by Scout Platoons.
Other versions carry the AN/TRC-170 Radio Stinger missile system.
miles (563km).
Slope
Maximum
it
with a self-recovery, 6,0001b (2,722kg) capacity
clearance:
(406mm)
16in
that
required to provide the standard vehicle platform for a whole series of
vehicles for
light tactical
preparation
MI5l-ton
articulated vehicle; and the
vast
gross weight.
No
means
early 1980s competition for a new, all-purpose,
numbers to be ordered, the competition was hard being American Motors, General Division.
With
Speed:
55mph
HMMWV
The
M8780
negative earth
(ground);
large carrying capacity
heavy weapons.
relatively
field-car to replace a variety of light vehicles, including:
Electrics:
24
its
all-
Digital
Terminal and the pedestal-mounted
Weapons & Equipment
New the
developments
The
and among current US
Army
are:
Advanced Scout System #3 (LRAS3), which
Type
Rz.
Payload
Kerb weight
M998
Cargo/troop carrier
2 + 8 or
7,7001b (3,492kg)
Long-Range
Surveillance
incorporates forward-looking
a
0.50,0. o
Ml 038
Cargo/troop with winch
Ml 025
Armament
infrared
(FLIR).TV camera, laser rangefinder and
GPS, mounted on
HMMWV, which
carrier,
carrier
Mk MI044
Armament
carrier;
1
weapons.
The Line of Sight Anti-tank (LOSAT) weapon system which will consist of a kinetic energy weapon launcher with four missiles, mounted in an expanded-
MI046
TOW
TOW TOW
capacity
HMMWV
of
with the mission of
other
and
bunkers
early entry forces with
.Mini-ambulance
weapon.
The
M3I
provide
roll-on/off
Biological
sample,
battlefield
M3I
BIDS,
Integrated
(BIDS), which
detect
biological
M997
Maxi-ambulance
launcher
+
missiles
8,3801b (3,801kg)
launcher + missiles
8,4001b (3,810kg) 8,3801b (3,801kg)
comb
4
natior
litter patients,
or
9.1001b (4,128kg)
8 ambulatory patients,
or combination
Ml 035
Soft-top ambulance
2
Ml 037
Shelter carrier
Crew +
litter
"-:c
Ml 042
Ml 097
and
warfare
can
identify
(BW)
MI097AI Ml 109
BIDS team consists of an a
9 grenade launcher
litter patients.
;''
Shelter carrier; with winch
Cargo/troop carrier !'r
agents. Each
1
8,4001b (3,810kg)
7,7001b (3,493kg)
patients
3,6001b (1,633kg)
8,6601b (3,928kg)
ihe'ier
Crew +
3,6001b
(
1
,633kg)
i.htZ-z '3 92B-.|
inc shelter
System
Detection
2
,50in
or 6 ambulatory patients
an air-mobile
droppable,
parachute
assault
The
targets.
HMMWV-based LOSAT would
monitor,
with winch
advanced AFVs, helicopters,
defeating
and
M996
carrier,
MG or HMG or
M60 7.62mm
TOW carrier
those
range
the
outside
8,2001b (3,719kg)
9 grenade launcher.
Ml 035
from
MG or HMG or
.50in
M2 Mk
night,
7,7001b (3,492kg)
M60 7.62mm
with winch
direct fire weapons, by day or
0~r
:
2 + 8 or
M2
will
enable reconnaissance units to locate
HMMWV
Summary of Main Current Types of
uses are contantly being found for
HMMWV
high-mobility
purpose wheeled
vehicle
Cargo/troop earner,
2 + 8 or 4,5751b (2.075kg)
Up-armored armament
M60 7.62mm MG or M2 .50m HMG or Mk 19 grenade launcher
carrier
support vehicle, and four soldiers, and
a
towed I5kv trailer-mounted generator.
M
4
10,0001b (4,536kg)
with winch
multi-
(HMMWV)
2 + 8 or 4,5751b (2,075kg)
!ea.\-
Up-armored Armament carrier,
with winch
n/k
MG or HMG or
M60 7.62mm
M2 Mk
.50in 1
n/k
n/k
9 grenade launcher
157
7
M'K
FORCLS
IAL
BMD-3 Airborne Infantry Fighting Vehicle (AIFV) requirements for Two the move to
ability
and
around the
requirement by
this
converting standard military vehicles but the Soviet
Army developed
battlefield
armored counter-
against
Western armies meet
attacks.
rill!
defense
provide
to
parachute-landed force are
a
rapidly
HMMWV)
(eg,
series of vehicles
a
airborne forces. The basic vehicle
specifically for the
was the "Boevaya Mashina Desantnya - I" (BMD-I) (= airborne combat vehicle), which was first seen by Westerners in the November 1973 Red Square parade.
BMDDespite
I
its
smoothbore gun, and
produced some excellent fighting vehicles which were widely
the West.
in
problem was that
airborne forces, armed
73mm
with a
I
carry five
BMD- was
(NATO
= Sagger)
aircraft,
it
both
and
agile
BMD-
fast.
two other versions. First was BMD- KShM, a commandBMD-I except for the installation of two radio sets, an extra
external antenna, and a petrol generator; the turret firing
although a practical
took some time for the section to assemble after the drop.
the base vehicle for
1
paratroops, and was
fully
usually
post vehicle identical with
air-droppable, highly mobile
on land, and
it
had an excellent power-to-weight ratio (32hp per ton) making
LP gun, three
MGs and an ATGW, which could
also
Malutka
while a further
be dropped by parachute from any type of military transport
One such
was the BMO-I AIFV, designed for the
9MI4M
a launchrail for
two 7.62mm PKT MGs were mounted in the glacis plate. The paratroops in the rear compartment could use their weapons, with one firing port in each side, while the others fired their personal weapons from the roof hatch. The vehicle could
ATGMs,
Above: Soviet-era designers
admired
BMD-I bristled with weapons. armament comprised a 73mm 7.62mm PKT coaxial machine gun
small size
Turret-mounted
1
MGs
was retained but the bow
and side
ports were faired over. Second was BTR-D, an armored personnel carrier (APC)
on BMD-I parts but with a longer
hull and one more road-wheel on each armament being confined to two bow-mounted MGs. BTR-D was also the basis of a number of further vehicles, including: remotely piloted vehicle (RPV) control post; artillery observation post; artillery fire-control center; BTR-RD armored personnel carrier fitted with Fagot ATGMs; command-and-communications vehicles; ambulances; and an armored recovery vehicle (BREM-D).
derivative, based
amphibious.
side;
it
did not have a turret,
Specifications Origin: Russian Federation.
BMD- IP
BMD.?
Max
ED SERVICE
1969
BTR-D
BMD-2
1974
1980
7.87tons (8.000kg)
7.87tons
BMD-3
7.38tons (7,500kg)
7.48tons (7.600kg)
>E
2+5
14
2+1
37mph (60km/h) 6mph (9km/h)
37mph (60km/h)
37mph (60km/h) 6mph (9km/h)
37mph (60km/h) 6mph (9km/h)
43mph (70km/h)
22mph (35km/h)
22mph (35km
22mph (35km/h)
22mph (35km/h)
28mph
310 miles (500km)
310 miles (500km)
3
1
(8.000kg)
2.7tons .
'
:
5
ROAD
J Range
(km)
3
1
miles
(500km)
miles
1
(500km)
(45k
r
310 miles (500km)
Weapons:
atgm Coax
launcher
MG MG
73mm 2A28 9MI4M Malyutka
73mm 2A28 9M Konkurs
30mm AP 2A42 9M Konkurs
7.62mm PKT 2x7.62mm PKT
7.62mm PKT 2x7.62mm PKT
2x7.62mm PKT
7.62mm PKT 2x7.62mm PKT
240hp
240hp
240hp
240hp
450hp
mechanical
mechanical
mechanical
mechanical
hydromechanical with hydrostatic
l00-450mm
IOO-450mm
1
1
1
1
1
1
30mm AP 2A42 9MI Konkurs 7.62mm 1
1
5.45 RPKS-74
30mm AG-
I-
:
TRANS'-
1
steenng
IOO-450mm SUSPENSIONS. -3LE
CLEARANCE
158
-
GROUND
1
00-450mm
1
30-530mm
Weapons & Equipment
Above
BMD-2 Combat experience
armament mounted was too weak, leading to development of the BMD-2 (1985) armed with a stabilized 30mm 2A42 automatic gun, which could fire against both ground and air targets. BMD-2 was also fitted with a launcher rail for 9MII3 and 9MIII ATGMs. A command version, BMD-2K, was also in
showed
Afghanistan
that the main
developed.
entered service
can be dropped with the is
full
claimed to be highly
when
the assembly time
BMD-3
It
is
amphibious, being propelled
fully in
(DZ).
water at up
by two
to
6mph (lOkmh)
hydrojets; the
circular flap
covering one of these can be
Above right: Paratroops have
BMD-3 which it
away
drives
seen on the rear plate.
BMD-3
This
BMD-I
left:
from the dropping zone
has
in
1990
crew
reliable,
totally
is
its
most dramatic
inside the vehicle, using the
they parachute
down fit,
attribute being that
PBS-950 parachuting system.
while the fact that the crew
very heavy weapons
a
new,
is
individually.
30mm 2A42
1
The BMD-3 uses
a
new power
train,
hydromechanical
transmission.
In
combat compartment.
with a
performance over BMD-I
in
addition,
new
there
is
a
table), driving
new
type
of
through a
new
hydropneumatic
suspension, which enables the driver to alter the vehicle's height without leaving his seat. Dual-mode periscope
"Sagger"ATGM
vehicle.
of this
turret
Sagger coaxial
remarkable vehicle. The
mounts a
ATGW
73mm
LP gun, a
launcher and a
7.62mm PKT machinegun,
while a further two fixed are
mounted
controlled
in
the glacis
by a gunner
PKTs plate,
who
sits
beside the driver. Note also the
diesel engine giving a considerable
and -2 (see
no
exiting over the sides
Below: Cutaway shows the interior
comprising a turret-mounted
9PI35M Konkurs ATGM launcher (four missiles), while in the glacis plate are a 30mm AG- 7 grenade launcher (on the driver's left) and a 5.45mm RPKS-74 light machine gun (on the driver's right), both mounted in ball-joints. The BMD-3 hull is of all-welded aluminum construction and all seats are suspended from the roof (as opposed to being mounted on the floor) to give the crew protection against mine injuries. The inside is much roomier and the vehicle has full collective NBC protection using
improvement
of the
in
already together cuts out
automatic gun with twin-belt feed, and
a filter-ventilation unit to overpressurize the
difficulty
RPG-7
missiles
the
inside
turret,
reloads for the man-portable
launcher carried by one of the infantry squad. The of this
5
members
squad enter and leave the
Whitelight searchlight vehicle via overhead
hatches;
there are no rear doors.
73mm
Episcope
gun Fuel tank
IMG
Bow gunner seat
^^V^Z ^/
*^*
Driver
Drive sprocket
position
Spent case bin
Gunner seat
Pneumatic damper
Engine
Hydrojet
159
Spkial Foiu
is
Land Rover Pefender/Pe r entie
Above; The air-portable
Special
Operations Vehicle (SOV), which
Defender 4x4
Land
parachute,
Defender
1
10
carry a mix of
51mm
mortar,
based on the
is
chassis,
and can
30mm
cannon,
WW
7.62mm
80,
general-purpose machine gun,
5.56mm
assault
40mm
rifles,
grenade
and
pistols.
Rover multi-purpose
cargo vehicles have been
light
1950s, with military versions being produced
can also be dropped by
The 90,
military model, the Defender, I
10,
and
1
is
produced
30, respectively.The latest,
and Defender
I
I0XD (XD = eXtra
in
large
in
in
production since the early
numbers
many armed
for
forces.
three basic versions, designated Defender
90XD
product-improved versions are the Defender
Duty).
Various Defender models are produced for special forces, the most widely used being the Defender Special Operations Vehicle (SOV), which employs a Defender
with a cut-down superstructure.
those
for:
30mm
cannon,
51mm
It
mortar,
LAW
80, general-purpose
up to
six including the driver
launchers.
air-transportable
flexible,
reaction
forces.
It
minutes to serve Milan
mount; personnel
The
XD
Defenders
mounted
underneath
only
external
louvers and the virtually a
is
rapid
multi-purpose
range looks from the outside
it
by
adapted within
ring
carrier; cargo carrier.
(the
air
intended as
pedestal-mount weapons carrier;
as:
missile-launcher;
anti-tank
be
to
is
use
for
vehicle
designed
is
Crew
and commander.
The Multi-Role Combat Vehicle (MRCV) a
10 chassis, but
machine guns (12.7mm,
7.62mm or 5.56mm), and 40mm grenade is
I
can be fitted with a host of small-arms mounts, including
new
like
differences
standard
wing-
are
rear lamp clusters), but vehicle, with redesigned
body, suspension, suspension bushes, mountings, chassis,
and
Goodyear
axles, while
7.50x16
tire.
has produced a totally
new
Innovations include longitudinal girders with
built-in seat-belt
anchorages and beefed-up overhead bars
which
a
provide
roll-over
cage
rather
than
simply
supporting the canopy.
One
version, the
Vehicle (APV), looks is
precisely
what
is
Defender like
CAV
1
00 Armored Patrol
an innocuous cargo truck
intended.
In
many
-
which
tactical situations,
particularly special forces operations in a
non-wartime
environment, the media and agitators are quick to use the Above: Defender
Armored profile
IIOXD Composite
Vehicle
(CAV)
is
a low-
personnel carrier with
glass-reinforced
plastic
armor
protection against small arms
fire
and grenade fragmentation.
160
tracked or heavy wheeled armored personnel carriers to escalate the situation. The Defender APV overcomes this since, although it appears to be unaggressive, it is in fact protected by a new Courtauld-made armor, which uses high-performance glass-reinforced composites to give better protection than the equivalent steel armor but with 20 percent less weight.The wind- and sidescreens are made of multi-laminate glass with a polycarbonate arrival of
inner
liner.
Weapons & Equipment
Perentie 6x6
A
named the
modified version of the Land Rover 4x4, Perentie,
was developed
Australia.
in
It
was generally
similar to the British design but with modifications to suit
conditions,
Australian
including
4BDI
transmission and the Isuzu engine. is
A
further development
is
new,
a
4-speed
3.9L 4-cylinder diesel
the Perentie 6x6, which
unique and somewhat larger and heavier Australian
a
design, with the
same
4BDI
Isuzu
engine, but
turbocharged. Front suspension
it is
live
employs two
springs, while the rear bogie a load-sharing
by
is
case
in this
axle and coil-
leaf springs
rocker on each side. Tires are 750R 6LT 1
and 1
0-
(Dunlop-Olympic Steeltrek 105) on 6Fxl6 rims. The long-range patrol/special forces vehicle is open and
ply
without doors, and
is
fitted-for-radio (FFR) a
machine gun
lighter than the
and standard
mounting, and
mounted on brackets on the
normal Perentie.
fittings
a
It is
include a winch,
250cc
motor-cycle
rear bulkhead.
Two
spare
wheels are recessed into the bodywork.
Above:
Specifications
A Perentie 6x6 long-range
patrol vehicle. Note
Transmission:
United Kingdom.
Origin:
Type:
Permanent 4-wheel drive through 5-speed manual,
High mobility, multi-purpose, wheeled vehicle.
all-synchromesh gearbox and 2-speed transfer via
Dimensions:
central lockable differential; 10 forward, 2 reverse
Lengths: Defender 90 -
-
12.7ft (3.9m); Defender
14.4ft (4.4m); Defender
Perentie 6x6 LRP (Long
130
Range
Patrol)
-
19.7ft
Live
Widths: 90, 100, and 130
Cab
-
heights: 90, 110,
Wheelbases: 90 -
-
5.9ft (1.8m); Perentie
-
-
and 130
-
130
7.9ft (2.4m);
10.5ft (3.2m); Perentie
with
Electrics:
1
10
-
6x6 LRP
9.2ft (2.8m); -
No
6,723lb (3,050kg);
7,7161b (3,500kg); Perentie 6x6 LRP
-
-
7.5in
Engines:
-21 gals (80
A
Performance:
variety: 2.5cc petrol (4 in-line cylinders); 3.5cc
Maximum
petrol (V-8 cylinders); 2.5cc diesel (4 in-line in-line cylinders); Isuzu
-
2ft (0.6m); with
-
4.9ft (1.5m).
(191mm); Defender 110/130
-
Fuel:
Defender 90
2.5ccTdi (4
range
8.5in(215mm).
10,6701b (4,840kg).
cylinders);
XD
clearance:
Defender 90 -
choice.'
preparation, Defender range
preparation, Defender
12.8ft
Ground
5,6211b (2,550kg); 110 -
coil springs,
Fording depth:
6.0ft (2.0m).
Weights(gross vehicle): -
and dual-rate
depending on model and user
6.6ft (2.0m);
(3.9m).
90
axles
12v/0.8kW, or 12/.124v 0.8/2.2kW, or 24v 2.2kW
7.2ft (2.2m).
Perentie 6x6 LRP
130
beam
telescopic, hydraulic dampers.
(6.0m).
6x6 LRP
gears; single dry-plate, hydraulically actuated clutch.
Suspension:
16.7ft (5.1m);
-
low profile,
6x6 drive and heavy armament.
4BD1
-
14.3gal (54
liters);
Defender
1
10/130
liters).
slope (grade)
-
Defender 90/1 10/130
-
45 degrees.
diesel (4 in-line cylinders)
Left:
The Defender XD Multi-Role
Combat Vehide |MRCV|
is
intended for use by rapid
deployment and and can be 1
built
special
forces,
on 90,
MO
or
30 chassis, with a similar
weapons capability
to
that of
the S0V. This particular version is
armed with an M2HB
0.5in
heavy machine gun.
161
Spu.ial Foiuis
McDonnell Douglas Helicopters AH-64D Longbow Apache he
US Army's search
for an attack helicopter lasted so
t;long that an interim machine procured, but the program fielding of the
-
finally
AH-64 Apache
in
1
criticized until the 1991 Gulf War,
opportunity to demonstrate
AH-
the
(qv)
1
984.
The AH-64 was widely it was finally given the
when
capabilities in
its
- had to be
achieved success with the
combat. During
AH-64 penetrated deep supporting US special operations
that brief campaign the
into hostile
territory,
forces
attacking
armor and
Iraqi
radars,
all
of
and
them with great
success.
The the
latest
development, the AH-64D Longbow Apache, has
radome
distinctive
Longbow
the Westinghouse
for
millimeter-wave fire-control radar atop the rotor mast. Inside the
radome
with the
is
a rotating antenna
aircraft's avionics
whose output
integrated
is
and the radio frequency seeker
in
the Hellfire missiles to provide an outstanding all-weather capability against tracked vehicles,
defense weapons Above: US
Army McDonnell
Douglas AH-64D Longbow Apache. The millimeter-wave
Longbow radar radome atop
is
the
located
in
the
mast and can
penetrate rain, fog and smoke, giving
360-deg coverage against
prototype flew
in
March 1991 (with
smoothly to service entry
in
it
ground
dummy radome)
fog, rain,
and smoke,
all
of which defeat conventional
hit
(in
targets.
helicopter's survivability criteria are very demanding,
minutes after being
air
and the program proceed
scans through 360 degrees for airborne targets and through 270 degrees
90 degree segments) for ground
The
vehicles,
1996.
The Longbow radar can penetrate FLIR and TV;
a
wheeled
and rotary- and fixed-wing aircraft.The
it
being required to
by 12.7mm bullets from below the aircraft and by
20mm
fly
for 30
bullets in
airborne targets and
270-deg
many
against ground targets.
AH-64Ds
(TADS) and the pilot night vision system (PNVS). It is armed with a chin-mounted M230 30mm Chain Gun, and carries up to 16 Hellfire missiles or up to 75 2.75in folding-fin aerial
for the
US Army are being
produced by remanufacturing AH-64As.
162
first
sites,
specified areas. The aircraft
is
fitted
with the target acquisition and designation system
rockets (FFAR) or a combination of the two. Air-to-air missiles can also be carried.
The AH-64D Apache Longbow has been ordered by the armies of the Netherlands, the UK, and the USA, all of which will deploy it in support of special operations. It is an outstanding aircraft which will add considerably to the combat potential of its users.
Weapons & Equipment
Specifications Origin: United States.
Type: Gunship.
Dimensions: Main
rotor diameter 48.0ft
(14.6m); length (rotors turning) 58.3ft
7.8m);
(1
height 15.3ft (4.7m).
Weight Empty- 11,3871b (5,165kg);
maximum
take-off
-
21,0001b
(9,5250kg).
Power
plant:
Two General GE-701C
Electric
T700-
turboshafts, each
rated at 1,800shp(1,342kW).
Range: -
Internal fuel
260nm
(428km); with drop tanks
918nm
-
(1,701km).
Speed:
Maximum
level
(365km/h);
197kt
-
maximum
cruising
-158kt(293km/h). Ceiling: Service
hover
14,765ft (4,500m);
-
(in
ground
effect)
-
17,210ft (5,245m).
Crew: 2
Left:
(pilot,
WAH-64 Apache
The
helicopter British
copilot/gunner).
is
on order
Army, with 67
first
in
attack the
in
GKN Westland
production at the factory
for
at Yeovil, England, the
being due to enter service
2000.
They
will
be operated
by the Army Air Corps lAACi
in
both conventional operations
and
in
support of special forces,
such as the SAS and SBS.
Far left:
An early production
WAH-64 Apache. Weapons comprise a chin-mounted M230 Chain Gun, and a mix missiles, 2.75in
of
folding-fin
Hellfire
aerial
rockets (FEAR), or air-to-air missiles. This
fighting
very sophisticated
machine
is
fitted
the Target Acquisition
with
and
Designation System (TADS) and the
Pilots
Night Vision System
(PNVS).
163
Splcial Forces
Mil Mi-24 Specifications Origin: Russian Federation.
Type: Gunship.
Dimensions: Main
rotor diameter
56.75ft (17.3m); length (rotors turning) 64.9ft
(19.8m); height 21.3ft (6.5m).
Weights: Empty- 18,5201b
maximum
(8,400kg); off
take-
27,760lb (12,500kg).
-
Power plant Two Klimov TV3-1
17 Series
turboshafts; each
III
2,200shp(1,640kW).
Range: Internal fuel
-405nm
(750km); combat radius
(max
load)
86nm
-
(160km); four external
The
tanks- 155nm (288km). Speed:
Maximum
-
level
168kt
maximum - 140kt
(310km/h);
cruising
(260km/h). Ceiling:
Service- 14,765ft
Mil Mi-24,
more widely known under its West when it first appeared
surprise to the
NATO in
name The
1974.
of "Hind,"
came
Mil design
bureau took the
as a
major
(NATO = Hip) and married them to a new whose prime mission was moving an infantry squad of eight men around the battlefield. The airframe was fitted with armor for protection and with weapons to suppress hostile fire. This first production version (Mil 24A = Hind-A) entered existing engines and transmission of the Mil Mi-8
airframe to produce an aircraft
service
in
1972
The next major version was the Mil Mi-24D (Hind D), which included many changes, most of them resulting from the decision to make its primary role a helicopter gunship, with
(4,500m); hover (out of
ground
effect)
-
7,200ft
(2,200m).
Crew: 3
(pilot, copilot, flight
engineer).
the infantry-carrying capability reduced to minor importance. This involved
new
nose, with individual cockpits for the
protection. Armament gatling,
was
latest
version of this
very effective attack helicopter the Mil-24P (NATO
is
F),
which
=
Hind-
Hind-E with the
a
is
chin-mounted
1
2.7mm
machinegun replaced by a fixed
30mm
cannon on the starboard
of the
side
single
GSh-30-2 twin-barreled
version
Right:
same
export
fuselage. The
designated
is
M
i
I
-
3 5 P.
A frontal view of the aircraft,
showing the
cockpit for the two crew, with the twin barrels of the GSh-302
protruding forward of the starboard side of the nose.
These aircraft are normally
deployed
in
mixed aviation
regiments alongside
Mil
Mi-24V
(Hind-E), but are also very suitable for use on
special
operations.
164
improved by
fitting
installed
which resulted
in
the
tail
rotor being
fitting a totally
also received greatly
improved
an undernose, stabilized, 4-barrel
and the hard-points on the stub wings were upgraded.
pylon to the port side.
Above: The
also
two-man crew, who
moved from
In
addition,
new
1
2.7mm
engines were
the starboard side of the
tail
Weapons & Equipment
The Hind-D was Soviet campaign in
in
a great success
and achieved
Afghanistan, although there
the Mi-24V (Hind-E), which
is
was
a
fearsome reputation during the
still
room
generally similar to the Hind-D, but
is
armed with AT-6
tank missiles and revised electronics and avionics. Yet another development (Hind-F) which
is
ill-fated
for improvement.This resulted
is
anti-
the Mil Mi-24P
generally similar to the Hind-E but has a fixed, twin-barreled
GSh-23L
in
the nose instead of the turret-mounted four-barreled JakB.
Left:
An early model
=
(NATO
Mi-24
Mil
Hind-A). This aircraft
used the same power-train and
dynamic components
totaly
new
wings.
It
canopy in
=
(NATO
Mi-8
the
Hip)
fuselage and stub
the
for
2-man crew and
passenger compartment
windows ground
Mil
had a low, wide
troops could
the
the
as
but with a
to
fire
raise
their
the at
rifles
targets.
Below: This civilian-looking version
is
a wolf
clothing. The
Mil
in
sheep's
MI-24PS
is
operated by the Russian Ministry of the
Interior special
and
used for surveillance and
to
is
deploy
SWAT teams
forces
in
assault
operations against criminals, such as drug gangs and hostage takers.
165
Special Forces
Sikorsky LH-60 Blackhawk
Above:
An MH-S3
(left)
One OF the MOST
and an
MH-60 Blackhawk
since been
deployed by a Lockheed HC-
seats for
one of the most
role.
sophisticated versions of the
The
produced
many
as well as
I30P Hercules. The USAF's MHis
in
UH-60
the world, the
running Utility Tactical Transport Aircraft System (UTTAS) competition
approach the refueling drogues
60
widely used military helicopters
has taken part
countless special forces operations. The basic helicopter was the winner of the long-
in
(right)
I
I
in
large
numbers
foreign customers.
In
US
for the
the transport version there
passengers, which can be replaced by four
aircraft
is
fitted
in
the 1970s and has
Navy, Marine Corps, Army, and Air Force,
litters
is
a
crew of three, with
for the casualty evacuation
with a winch above the starboard door and a hook beneath the
fuselage.
Blackhawk.
A
been produced for the special operations role, of which the one of the most advanced. This is fitted with a nose-mounted APQ174 terrain-following radar, AAQ- 6B FLIR, night-vision imaging system, and a moving-map display. It has angled stub-wings for fuel pods and armament comprises two pintle-mounted 0.5in M2 machine guns and Stinger air-to-air missiles. The aircraft also carries a comprehensive range of navigation, communications, and electronic warfare equipment. variety of versions have
US Army's MH-60K
is
1
Right: in
US Army troops emplane
a line of U-60 Blackhawks.
The UH-60 had a long and
development period
controversial
but has
now become one
of the
most extensively used and helicopters in
successful
world.
It
is
widely used
the in
forces operations.
special
Specifications Origin:
Range:
United States.
Standard fuel
Type:
1,200nm (2,224km).
Transport/gunship/special operations.
Speed:
Dimensions:
Maximum
Main
(268km/h).
rotor diameter 53.33ft (16.36m); length (rotors turning) 64.9ft
Weights: -
1
Service
1,2841b (5,1 18kg);
maximum
take-off
-
20,250lb
plant.
US versions
-
160kt (296km/h); normal cruising
-
-
145kt
-
19,000ft (5,790m); hover
(in
ground
effect)
-
9,500ft
(2,895m).
3
two General
at 1,550shp (1,151
T700-GE-701A
Electric
T700-GE-700
kW) each; export
turboshafts, rated
versions -two General Electric
turboshafts, rated at 1,723shp
(1,285kW) each.
(pilot, copilot,
crew
chief).
Passengers: 11.
(Specifications
many minor
166
range (four fuel tanks)
Crew:
(9,185kg).
Power
-
level
ferry
Ceiling:
(19.76m); height 16.9ft (5.13m).
Empty
319nm (292km);
-
above are
variations
for a typical transport variant; there are
between
different models.)
1
Weapons & Equipment
AH-1W
Bell The AHWar
1
HueyCobra was rushed
meet
into service as an interim gunship to
a
SljperCobra Vietnam
requirement, using the well-proven UH-i rotor and transmission system married
The
to a new, slim fuselage.
initial
service variant
was the AH-IG, but
this
has been
progressively upgraded or replaced, with the latest of the single engine models being IS.This remains
in
service with the
The US Marine Corps followed from the Army AH-
1
S,
US Army and
a different path,
which
by having twin engines, longer
larger diameter main rotor.The standard
weapon
theAH-
Below: The 'interim' design AH-
at least seven overseas armies/air forces.
is
tail
an
led to the
boom
AH- W, which 1
differs
and forward fuselage, and a
Ml 97 cannon
in
or eight Hellfires
missiles,
Army
in
two pods, 4
and many others. The
(5),
and Thai
Army
(
1
2.75in rockets
1
AH-
1
W
is in
in
service with the
into
the Vietnam
War and in
many armies and end
the
two pods, Sidewinder air-to-air US Marine Corps (230), Turkish
the
of
AH-IW
large
service with
air forces
at
1990s. This US
Marine Corps aircraft latest
during
service
numbers remain
an undernose turret,
but a wide variety of other weapons can be carried on the stub wings. These include eight
TOWs
was rushed
to
is
the
twin-engined
standard.
8).
Specifications Origin:
Power
United States.
Two 1,625shp (1,212kW) General
Type:
limited to a total of
Gunship.
(1,288kW) continuous running.
plant:
Dimensions:
Range:
Main
Standard
rotor diameter 48.0ft (14.63m); length (rotors turning) 58.0ft
(17.7m); height 14.2ft (4.32m).
-
Maximum
10,2001b (4,627kg);
maximum
-
T700-GE-401 turboshafts,
for take-off
and 1,725shp
343nm (635km).
Speed:
Weights: Empty
fuel
Electric
2,032shp (1,51 5kW)
take-off
-
14,7501b
level
-
190kt (352km/h).
Ceiling:
(6,691kg).
Service
-
12,00ft (3,660m); hover
(in
ground
effect)
-
14,750ft
(4,495m).
Crew: 2 (pilot, gunner).
Left:
The US Army's AH-
generally similar to the
IS
is
AH-IW
but has only a single Textron-
Lycoming engine, smaller rotor
and shorter tail-boom. addition, the
canopy
In
is
fabricated from a series of
flat
armored-glass plates, rather than
molded
< \y
rf
"-^_VvA
as
in
the
AH-IW.
Special Foiu »s
Lockheed C-130 Hercules The Lockheed C-130 Hercules it
entered service
Century; a
it
combines
wide variety of
in
April
Hercules of the flares
infra-red
USAF deploys
decoy ground-launched
to
missiles
as
it
comes
in
over a drop zone. The Hercules is
one of the greatest aircraft aviation
service in
1
955 and
it
will
special
It
is
forces
in
in
entered
remain
production well into the 2
Century.
168
in
history;
1st
constant use by
around the world.
will
remain
in
It is
built;
production well into the 21st
strategic range with tactical short-field capability; and
roles, including
electronic warfare, and gunship. Below: Lockheed MC-I30E
quite simply, the greatest military transport ever
is,
1955 and
it
can be used
in
transport, parachute operations, tanker, surveillance, in
service with the
US
Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard, and
many foreign air forces, and is widely used by special forces. The first gunship, the AC- 30A, was a conversion of the first production model, and was armed with 4 20mm Vulcan cannon, 4 7.62mm miniguns and flare-dropping equipment.These served in Vietnam and proved so successful that they were followed by of an enhanced version, AC- 30E ("Pave Spectre") which had increased armor protection, improved avionics and greater ammunition stowage; these, less one lost, were later brought up to AC-I30H standard, with improved engines. Some of the AC- 30As and -Hs were also equipped with a with
1
I
I
1
1
105mm The
howitzer (Pave Aegis). latest
gunship
is
the Rockwell
AC- 30U, 1
13 of
which were converted from C-I30H
ACAC- 30As,
standard and assigned to 16th Special Operations Squadron, USAF, where they replaced
!30Hs; these were then transferred to the Air Force reserve, replacing elderly
1
Weapons & Equipment
Specifications Origin:
Speed:
United States.
374mph (598km/h)
Type:
Ceiling
Transport/gunship/special operations.
33,000ft (10,000m) with 100,0001b (45,000kg) payload.
Dimensions:
Crew:
Wingspan 132.6ft (39.7m); length 97.75ft (29.3m); height 38.25ft
Transport role 5 (2
(11.4m).
Passengers:
Weight
Max 92
Maximum
take-off 155,0001b (69,750kg).
troops, or
at 20,000ft (6,060m).
pilots, navigator, flight
64 paratroops,
or
74
engineer, loadmaster).
patients, or 5 standard
litter
freight pallets.
Power plant 4
Allison
T56-A- 5 turboprops; 4,300hp per engine.
(Specifications
1
many minor
Range:
above are
variations
for a typical transport variant; there are
between
different models.)
2,356 miles (2,049nm) with max payload; 2,500 miles (2,174nm) with 25,000lb
(1
1,250kg) cargo; 5,200 miles (4,522nm) with no
cargo.
which were scrapped. The AC-I30U
40mm
single
and
howitzer, trainable
is
armed with
L60 Bofors cannon, an Ml 02
25mm GAU
single
a
mount. There
a
05mm
cannon on
a
comprehensive targeting
a
is
1
(AN/APQ-I80 fire-control radar; Low Light TV with laser target designator and rangefinder; AN/AAQ-I 7 forward-looking infra-red) which, in
package Level
and
1
combination with advanced navigation systems, enable
AC-I30U
the
under
all
two
to engage
targets simultaneously
weather conditions.
Also supporting special forces operations
MC-I30, the
Combat Talon role
latest II,
equipment
being
version
of which 26 are
includes:
service. Special-to-
in
APQ- 70
radar
1
the
is
MC-I30H
the
an enlarged
in
^"^
1~~
\.
•
nose radome, with a FLIR turret underneath; low-level extraction system; and classified defensive systems. Earlier Fulton recovery system aloft,
which
in
which was engaged
to the rear of the aircraft
where
MC-
1
30s were also
with the
fitted
the ground released a balloon to carry a wire
nose hooks. The wire was then automatically transferred
special
in
man on
a
winch hauled the man aboard. This system, which must
a
have been extremely exciting for the
man
involved,
was tested but
never, as far as
is
known,
used operationally.
Transport variants are used to deliver special forces into hostile territory. This can
strips. In
over
a
was done,
air-landing,
Many
sites;
radius of
raid
or into
C- 30s regularly land on and take-off from 3,000ft (930m)
dirt
1
740nm
(
1
,
1
maximum
of 64
42km). C- 30s also carry out 1
Clamp
fully
equipped paratroops
vital
resupply missions, by
is
a
operations version, with
special
Fulton STAR equipment and
the a
-
'Pinocchio'
nose radome.
Its
very low-level
is
penetration of hostile airspace to
make very
either special
delivery of
precise
operations
paratroops or resupply drops.
parachute or low-level extraction.
users of first-generation C-I30s are
either of the basic design (eg, C-
new
Entebbe
for example, during the
the paratrooping role, C-I30s carry a
combat
MC-1 30E-C
Combat Talon
task
include landings at airfields, as
unprepared landing
Above: Lockheed
1
now
30H) or the C-
1
replacing
30J,
which
is
them by new-build virtually a
new
engines, propellers, avionics, electronics, fully digitized systems, and a
aircraft,
aircraft,
with
two-man,
fully
automated cockpit. In
one form or another, the C-I30 looks certain to remain 2020s at least.
special operations, until the
in
service, particularly
on Left:
The C-I30 makes a
and maneuverable
versatile
gunship and various versions
(AC-I30A/E/H) have been produced, armed with weapons
7.62mm Mimguns,
such as
0.50m heavy machineguns,
20mm
40mm
Vulcan cannon,
cannon, and even a
1
05mm
howitzer. They also carry sensors to
locate
targets
in
and engage
hostile
the dark.
169
e
,r
^v«r«ar
SPtCIAl FOIU
I
S
Submarines for Special Forces All submarines can be used for covert delivery and recovery of special forces to hostile
Specifications
it should be noted that the distance from the shore depends upon The tasks for such special forces can include: attacks by combat swimmers on enemy shipping or installations; reconnaissance, surveillance; infiltration/
coastlines, although
Overall length:
the depth of water.
65ft(19.8m).
Approximate range: 125nm.
Submerged
across the beach; and beach reconnaissance
exfiltration
speed:
preparation for amphibious
in
Shown here are examples of the most sophisticated submarines operated by the US Navy, and of two North Korean classes, which show what a relatively unsophisticated landings.
8kt.
Diving depth:
navy can achieve.
not known.
Propulsion:
US Navy Swimmer Delivery Submarines
internal batteries.
Crew:
The
stealth of nuclear-powered submarines make them employment in the swimmer-delivery role. Any US Navy submarine can carry a small number of SEALs, but eight have been converted to carry Dry-Deck Shelters (DDS): six Sturgeon class SSNs - one DDS each: and two much larger Franklin-class former ballistic missile submarines - two DDS each. SEALs or other special forces can join
2.
maximum
high speed, long
16 swimmers,
depending on equipment.
the submarine Right above:
A Sturgeon-class SSN
from surface
The
with a Dry-Dock Shelter (DDS) abaft the forces
deploys special
sail
during Exercise Ocean
Venture 93. A DDS can
accomm-
odate, launch, and recover a single
Swimmer a
RIBs or canoes.
of
right:
One
of SDV used
of various
types
by SEALs for world-
wide deployments. These vessels are due to be
new Advanced
replaced by the
Delivery System, in
which the swimmers
accommodated
in
will
be
hours and
are increasingly used to deliver special
forces
to
hostile
shores.
a watertight cylinder
is
from helicopters or
with a large door at the after end and an internal hatch
The
DDS
can house, launch and recover one
The current Swimmer Delivery Vehicle
Now
Swimmer
the
will
carry a crew of
swimmers
captain/helmsman
is
the
Delivery Vehicle
can be installed
in
about 12
flexibility.
SDV Mk8, which is being replaced by the maximum of six SEALs in "dry
are unpressurized vehicles which carry a
under development, however,
(ASDS) which delivering
DDS
air-transportable, further increasing special operations
SDV Mk9. These
will
in
is
Swimmer
the "Advanced
two and 8-16 swimmers
rather
greater
comfort than
Delivery System"
inside a pressure hull, thus
the
in
SDV The
current
be a submariner, supported by a SEAL navigator.There
will
be a lock-
chamber in the floor of the craft, which will also be able to mate with a parent is done today by deep submergence rescue vehicles (DSRVs). Estimated characteristics of the ASDS are shown in the specifications above. in/lock-out
submarine, as
Six will
Such nuclear-powered submarines
port, or can transfer at sea by parachute, by abseiling
(SDV), special inflatable boats, canoes and other stores. A
a pressure-hull.
Below: USS Sturgeon (SSN-65I).
is
while submerged.
suits." Below
DDS
in
ships.
which connects to the submarine's after hatch thus allowing direct access between the two
Delivery vehicle (SDV) or
number
endurance and
particularly suitable for
Passengers:
ASDS
are to be built and will be transportable by C-5 or C- 7 transport aircraft and 1
be capable of operating with suitably modified Sturgeon/Franklin class SSNs or the
Attack Submarine (NSSN). The latter
chamber
will also
for the insertion and recovery of special operations forces. In addition,
with an ASDS-capable Dry special operations forces
Deck
New
have an integral nine-man lock-out/lock-in
Shelter (DDS), the
NSSN
will
when
fitted
be able to deliver many more
and their equipment. Sturgeon class
Frai
Number converted to swimmer delivery
6
1965 1992-94
1968-70 1982-89
Surfaced
7.350tons
4.460tons
Submerged
8.250tons
4.960tons
425ft (129.54m)
302ft (92.1m)
Original launch
Conversion Displacement:
Dimensions: Length
Beam
33ft (10.05m)
Draught
3
1
8ft
(9.7m)
28.8ft (8.8m)
29.5ft (9.0m)
Propulsion:
Nuclear reactor
Steam turbines Propeller
one 2 sets
one 7-bladed
one
I5.000shp
I5.000hp
Power output
Max speed
25kt
Endurance
68 days
Weapons: Torpedo tubes Officers Enlisted
SEALs
Troops
Dry-dock shelters
170
one 2 sets
four 21
m (533mm)
-
four 2
1
in
(533mm)
13
13
107
115
=
:
2
16 1
Weapons & Equipment
North Korean Special Operations Submarines The North Korea Navy
made
has
Above: This
particular efforts to develop small, swimmer-delivery
was spectacularly revealed on two separate occasions, the first being on 17-18 September 1996 when a Sang-O (= shark) class boat was captured by South Korean forces while engaged in infiltrating commandos into South Korea. This particular boat had a crew of seven and was submarines for use by
special forces.The existence of the latest types
its
North Korean
submarine brought forces
men
snagging
to
itself
1
1
special
South Korea before
on fishermen's nets
|
commandos. The Sang-O appears to be a North Korean design and some of the class are fitted for employment as conventional attack submarines, but a number are fitted specifically for special forces operations. They have a lockin/lock-out chamber and swimmers normally transfer while the carrying 19
boat
is
and being captured. Such small submarines have been specially developed for these missions and have proved very effective.
at periscope depth.
The second incident occurred in June 998 when one of the much smaller Yugo-class boats became entangled in fishermen's 1
nets
in
waters south of the border. South Korean frogmen
found the hatches sealed from the inside and the boat had to be taken to Donghae, where the frogmen obtained entry
torpedo tubes. although
who
All nine
shot
North Koreans
whom
has
inside had
via the
been shot,
never been established. The
how many were not detected by the
capture of these two boats raises the question of missions had been carried out which
South Koreans.
YUGO
Sang-O CLASS ' .
!_•-_.
20
43
1991-'
I960-?
DlSPLAC
Surfaced
256 tons
Submerged
277 tons
90 tons 1
10 tons
Dimensions:
Length
1
Beam Draugh
1
65.6ft
(20m)
12.5ft
(3.8m)
10.2ft
(3.1m)
2.1ft
(3.7m)
15.1 ft
(4.6m)
generator
two
diesels
6.5ft
t
(35.5m)
Propulsion:
one
Engine Electric
diesel
motor
Propeller
one
one one
one shrouded
Performance:
Max speed Endurance Diving depth
8.8kt
2.700nm
at 7kt
8kt
550nm
at 4kt
590ft (180m):
Weapons Torpedo tubes
2/4 21
in
(533mm)
C Officers Enlisted
Swimmers
17
6
1
6-7
171
3 9
1 1
1
9
1
1
Special Forces
Index Page numbers
mentioned
bold type
in
refer to subjects
Chile:
Buzos Tacticos de
captions to illustrations.
in
Buzos Tacticos
la
Armada, 2
del Ejercito, 21
A
Grupo de Operaciones
Achille Lauro Incident, 22, 6
Unidad Anti-Terroristes, 2
Afghanistan War, 42,
Policiales Especiales, 21
43
D
Aircraft:
AV-8B, 7
Delta (see United States)
C- 30 Hercules,
20, 76-78, 85-88,
1
AC- 30, 98 AC-I30H, HC-I30H,
1
68- 69
Denmark:
1
Aktions-Styrken, 21
1
02- 06
Jaegerkorptset, 21,21
1
1
Navy Froemandskorpset,
02- 06 KC-I30.7I MC-I30E.98.98, 02- 06 1
1
E
1
1
C-I4I, 62, 86-87 F/AF-l
1
1
7,
Egypt:
Task Force 777, 22, 22
7
8,
21
13,62
Entebbe, 18
P-3 Orion, 108
Amritsar Golden Temple
(India), 30,
30
F
Anglo-Dutch Amphibious Warfare Group, 38
Falklands War, 51,51,53,55, 56, 94-96
Argentina:
France:
Halcon Brigade, Assault
rifles
(see
10,
1
Atlanta City prison
Dragoon Regiment,
13th Airborne
1
Army
Weapons)
Foreign Legion,
riot, 61
10, II,
15,24,24, 102
Atlanta Olympic Games, 62
GIGN, 11,22,23,23,32
Australia:
Marine
1st
Commando
13
lerRPIMa, 23
Infantry,
1
3
Naval special forces, 23, 23
Regiment, 16
4th Royal Australian Regiment, 16
Paratroops, 26, 26
Navy Clearance Diving Branch,
RAID, 23
16
Special Air Service Regiment, 16, 16, 17, 61, 102
G
Austria:
Gendarmerieeinstatzkommando Cobra,
18,
18
Germany: Grenzschutzgruppe 9 (GSG
B
9), 9,
Balkan War,
8,
Kommando
1
1
,
1
5,
1
8, 22, 28,
Belgium:
Army Para-Commando
Brigade, 18
Escadron Special D'lntervention
Navy frogman
section,
Spezialkrafte (KSK), 29
1,61,62,63,97-99 Grenades (see Weapons) 2 56, 57, 6 Gulf War, 0, Grenada,
Beirut terrorism, 9
1
1
1
1
,
1
,
1
,
73,
1
02- 06 1
(ESI), 18, 18
H
1
Bergen rucksack, 57
Helicopters:
Bosnia, 13,21,41,56,62
Agusta 109,57,60
"Branch Davidian" siege, 61
AH- 1,71, 108 AH-IWSuperCobra, 167 AH-64D Longbow Apache, 162-163
Brazil:
1st Special
Forces Battalion, 15,
19,
19
Comandos Anfybios, 19 Comandos de Reconhecimento, 19 Grupo de Mergulhadores de Combate, Grupos de Operaces
PARASAR,
Especials, 19
AS-61 Sea King, 34
AS-90 Cougar, 49 19
CH-3 Sea
King, 17
CH-46,66,71
CH-47 Chinook,
1
17
CH-53,71
C
HH-53H
Canada:
Lynx, 106
Joint Task Force
2,20,20
Royal Canadian Mounted Police, 20
172
1
32,55,78,82-84
Pave
Low
111,13
MH-6J "Little Bird," 69 MH-47E,70, 104
3
1
1
1
1
1
Index
Kosovo,
MH-53J, 102-106 MH-60, 102-106
1
0,
I
,
1
1
Kosovo Liberation Army,
I
3
MH-60K, 13,69 Mil Mi-8 "Hip," Mil
42
Mi-24"Hind," 164-165
Landing
craft,
LCA
Mk2, 39
OH-6, 108 Puma, 26 RH-53D, 85-88
Los Angeles Olympic Games, 6
Sea King, 106
Machine guns (see Weapons)
M
UH-I, 49,71
Maldives, 30, 3
UH-60 Black Hawk, 17,49, UH-60Sea Hawk, 17 Westland Commando, 22
108, 160
Mexico: Force F (Zorros), 38
Weapons)
Missiles (see
Mogadishu, 18,29,55,75, 107-109
Westland Scout, 56
Moluccan terrorism, 55, 79-8
Hungary:
Moscow
Police Special Force, 30
Olympics, 44
Munich Olympic Games,
15,
18,28,41
I
N
India:
Commando
Marine
Netherlands:
Force, 31
National Security Guards, 30,
30
Amfibisch Verkennings Peloton, 39
Commandos, 30
Para
Special Protection
Bijzondere Bijstands Eenheid (BBE), 38
Group,
3
Royal Dutch Marines, 32, 38, 38, 80-8
I
New
Indonesia:
Komano Pasukan Khusus (KOPASSUS), 17,32 Inflatable boats,
Iranian
Embassy
Irish
,
1
1
02
special forces, 16,17
41 siege, 11,12,
55, 55,
74-75
Norway: Beredskaptrop police
Ireland, Republic of:
Irish
Zealand: Special Air Service, 39, 39, 6
Army Rangers Wing, 32, 32 National Liberation Army (INLA), Republican Army (IRA), 55, 56
Forsvarets Spesail
unit,
40
Kommando
(FSK),40
Marine Jegere, 40
55
O
Israel:
Air Force Special Operataions Units, 33
paratroop
units,
Operations:
100-101
Achille Lauro Incident,
33
Sayeret Mat'kal, 18
Allied Force,
I
3
Sayeret Matkal, 33
Battle for Mogadishu,
Shayetet 13,33,33
Desert
Special forces, 76-78
Desert Storm, 6
Yamam, 33
Desert
Zahal, 32
Eagle
107-109
Shield, 61 1
,
67,
1
02- 06 1
102-106 Claw, 61, 67, 85-88 Strike,
Entebbe rescue, 76-78
Italy:
Commando Raggruppamento Incursori ESI,
(COMSUBIN),
Subaqui ed I
1,34,34,35, 69
Iranian
Embassy
siege,
89-93
Just Cause, 61, 62, 73, 73
Mogadishu rescue, 82-84
18
Gruppo
d'lntervento Speziale (GIS), 34, 34, 35
Moluccan Train
Promote
Incident, 79-81
Liberty, 73
K
Provide Comfort, 6
Klepper canoe, 53
Rescue
Knives (see Weapons)
Restore Democracy, 40, 40
Light Infantry Training
Guidance Bureau, 36
Reconnaisaance Bureau, 36 of:
707th Special Missions Battalion, 37 National Police Unit 868, 37 Special
Grenada, 97-99
Restore Hope, 62, 107-109
Korea, North:
Korea, Republic
in
Warfare Brigades, 37
Safe Passage, 73 Safe Return, 73
Sharp Edge, 73
Uphold Democracy, 62 Urgent
Fury, 61, 62,
97
Wireless Ridge, Falklands War, 94-96 173
1
1
Sl'K IM
I
,
(MM IS
Army counter-terrorist battalion, 49 commando brigades, 49
P Pakistan:
Group, 40
Special Forces
Panama, 61 62
U
Poland:
United Kingdom:
,
GROM,40
Gurkhas, 15,49,49,50
40
paratroops,
Parachute Regiment, 51,51,52, 94-96 Royal Marines, 39, 96
Portugal:
Grupo De Operacoes
Especials
(GOE),4l,4l
Royal Marines Special Boat Boat Service (SBS),
23,39,52,53,53,54,69, 102-106 Special Air Service (SAS), 8,
Weapons) Riot guns (see Weapons) Rocket launchers (see Weapons)
20-23, 29, 32, 39, 40, 4
Rifles (see
55, 56, 60, 6
,
1
1
2,
I
3,
5,
1
43, 49, 52, 54-57,
,
74-75, 84, 89-93,
1
02- 06 1
United States: Air Force 1st Special Operations Wing, 13
Russian Federation:
Army
airborne troops, 43
GROM
,
1
I
1
Security
Morskaya Pekhota (Naval
Forces Operational
1st Special
Detachment
Company, 44 Infantry), 44, 44,
45
43, 49, 60-6
Omsn, 44
1
(Delta), 8,
60-6
,
1
,
I
1
,
20, 22, 23, 29,
85-88,
1
02- 06, 1
107-109
Spetsgruppa
"Al'fa,"
Army 82nd Airborne Division, 65, 97, 99 Army 160th Special Operations Aviation
43
Spetsgruppa Vympel, 43
Regiment (SOAR),
Spetsialnoye nazranie (Spetsnaz), 36, 42, 42, 53
Army
Rangers,
I
1
,
60, 69-70,
60, 62-65,
1
02- 06 1
62-65, 98-99,
107-109
SAS
(see Australia,
New
Zealand, United Kingdom)
US, Marine Corps, 70-73, 70-73,
SBS (see United Kingdom) Scud
missiles,
102-106
Navy
rifles
Sea, Air,
Land (SEAL) Teams, 22, 53, 6
Naval Special Warfare Development
Seoul Olympics, 37
(NAVSPECWARDEVGRU),
Weapons) 107-109
Group
68
Special Operations Forces (SOF), 13,28,58-62,
58 59 60 61
South Moluccan terrorism, 38 Spain:
Brigada Paracaidista (BRIPAC),46
V
Fuerza de Accion Rapide (FAR), 46
Vehicles:
Spanish Legion, 15,46,46,47
AML-90 armored
Unidad Especial de Buceadores de Combate
AMX-13 light tank, 47 BMD-3 Airborne Infantry
(UEBC),46
combat
boat,
48
car,
Fighting Vehicle,
BV-202 tracked over-snow transporter, 39
Stun grenades (see Weapons)
Fast Attack Vehicles (FAV), 104
Submarines:
HMMVW (Hummer),
Sang-O class, 36, 171 US Navy Swimmer Delivery Vehicles, class,
1
7
Sweden:
ONI
Land Rover, 39, 47, 66, 68,
M4I
light tank,
Nissan
170
Yugo
field car,
47
Nissan Patrol, 17 PT-76,
National Rescue Unit, 48
47
44
Perentie, 160-161
Range Rover, 18,34
Unimog, 104
Tae-Kwon-Do
martial arts, 37
Turkey:
Air Force, 49
amphibious troops, 48 174
47
158-159
Unidad Especial de Intervencion (UEI),46, 47 Stridsbat
1
Naval Special Warfare Group, 102
(see
Somalia, 62, 73,
1
Team
66-70,66-70,97,98,
States)
Shotguns (see Weapons) Sniper
02- 06
(FAST), 73, 73
Scud-busting operations, 57
SEALs (see United
1
Fleet Anti-Terrorism Security
1
107-109, 156-157
04,
1
60- 6 1
2
9 Index
W
Mortars:
60.7mm ECIA, 47
Weapons: Anti-riot weapons:
Pistols:
Arwen
Royal Ordnance Assault
134-135
37,
Beretta 92F/M9, 34, Beretta 92L,
rifles:
7.62mm CETME Model 68,46 AK-47,33,36 AK-74 and AKS-74, 40, 43, 28- 29
Colt
AKM/AKMS.44
Glock
Beretta SC70/90, 34, 34
Heckler
1
1
I
I
Lawman .357 Daewoo 9mm, 37
I
revolver,
& Koch
PI
Heckler & Koch P99 Heckler
6A2/Colt Commando,
MI6A3,
SIG P229and P239,
I
13
Rocket launchers:
17
RPG-7V,
36, 108.
151
AugAI, 32
150-151
Shotguns:
SteyrAug SSG69, 18 Tantal 5.45mm, 41
Beretta, 17
Tikka Finlander,
Mossberg 500 ATP, 47,
I
Ithaca 37,
7
1
7 Plamya, 148
& Weller
El
Sniper
82 stun grenade, 149
3 72, 104,
17,
148
Dragunov SVD,
149
Kukri, 50
32
29
44, 139
1
NR-2,43
,
1
4
1
38
1
,
M40A 1,141
Machine guns:
Mauser, 47
Browning, 104 heavy machine gun, 52, 70,
146-147
Mauser 86/SP86,
28,
34,47
SakoTRG-21 7.62mm,
M249 Squad Automatic Weapon (SAW), 144-145
Steyr SSG, 38, 39
Sub-machine guns:
PK 7.62mm GPMG, 143
Beretta Model 12,35
RPK, 44
Heckler
Misssiles/missile systems:
& Koch MP
154-155 anti-tank weapon (LAW), 04
I
1
8, 28,
MAT49, 23 Madsen Model
Scud-B/AI Hussain, 57, 102-106
Star Z-70B,
1
152-153
29, 34, 34,
18, 54, 91,
I
I
I,
16-1 17
MILAN, 104
08
5,
35,37,38,39,41,47,
14 Hellfire, 70,
Stinger FIM-92 B/C, 70,
18
Sinco and Elbit sniper control equipment,
35
M60GPMC59, 142 MG3 7.62mm, 46
1
96,
Heckler
Knives:
TOW,
1
7,
1
& Koch G3 GS/I, 16 Heckler & Koch G3 MSG, 38 Heckler & Koch PSG7, 28, 34, M24 Sniper Weapon System, 141
Stun grenades, 38, 57, 84, 93
Light
A
Accuracy International L96AI, 140 Barret M82, 34
AGM-I
136-137
I,
rifles:
RKG-3M,
72,
I
Accuracy International .308
RGD-5, 149
M2HB
I
18
Accuracy International AW,
M203,54,73, 149
Mkl9 Mod
136-137
Remington
Grenades, grenade launchers: Haley
15
I
Tokarev 7.62mm, 36
RPG-16,
AGS-
29
P7,
5.45mm, 43
Mauser SP66, 17,28 Steyr
9mm
& Koch Mk23 (SOCOM),
0,77
1
pistol,
SIG P226, 38,48
54, 58, 59,
130-131
MAC-
underwater
I
I
FA MAS, 24, 25,27, 124 Galil, 17,33,41,77, 132-133 Ml 6, 36,72,73
PRI
38
16,39
17,
F88Austeyr, 17
I
2
Browning, 36, 39
Daewoo KI/K2, 37
M
I
1
1
53,
122
46
Sten gun, 121 Sterling
L2A3/L34A I, 120
SteyrAug, 126-127 Uzi and Mini Uzi, 37, 39, 47,
I
1
8-
1
1
175
Speciai
Forces
Picture Credits The
publishers wish to thank
E.
ofTRH
Nevill
Pictures for his research services, and
who
companies
agencies, various international services, and
all
the private individuals,
have provided photographs for this book.
US DoD. Back cover:Top, Land Rover; bottom left, DGP-S. Prensa viaTRH Pictures; bottom right, TRH. Endpapers: Salamander. Page Paulo Valpolini via TRH. 2-3: Paulo Valpolini via TRH. 4Canadian Defense Forces. 7: US DoD. 8: US DoD. 9: Left, US DoD; right, Rex/SIPA via Salamander. I0:TRH.
Front cover:
Paulo Valpolini via 5: I
I:
Paulo Valpolini viaTRH.
TRH.
1
12:
Rex
:
DoD
Salamander. 14-15: Paulo Valpolini viaTRH. 16-17: Australian
via
via
8:Top, Salamander; bottom, Paulo Valpolini viaTRH. 19: Paulo Valpolini viaTRH. 20: Salamander. 21: Paulo 22: Rex/SIPA viaTRH. 23: Top, Gamma via Salamander; bottom, Paulo Valpolini viaTRH. 24: Debay viaTRH; bottom, Salamander. 26: Salamander. 27: Paulo Valpolini viaTRH. 28: Bernard &
viaTRH.
Valpolini
TRH.
25:Top,Y.
Graefe Verlag via
I
TRH. 30-3
via I
:
Salamander. 29:Top, Bernard
Rex/SIPA
Paulo Valpolini via
TRH.
via
TRH.
Rex/SIPA
36:
& Graefe Verlag
via
& Graefe Verlag
Salamander; bottom, Bernard
32:Top, Salamander; bottom, TRH. 33: Israel Defense Forces via via
TRH.
38: Y.
Debay
TRH.
via
39: Salamander. 40-4
:
1
TRH.
34-35:
Paulo Valpolini via
TRH. 42:Top, Salamander; bottom, TRH. 43:TRH. 44-45: Salamander. 46:Top,TRH; bottom, Salamander. 47:Top, TRH; bottom, Paulo Valpolini viaTRH. 48:Top,TRH; bottom. Salamander. 49: Salamander. 50-5 Salamander. 52: E. Nevill viaTRH. 53: Salamander. 54: Salamander. 55:Top, Salamander; bottom, TRH. 56-57: Salamander. 58-59: Salamander. 60: Salamander. 6l:Top, Salamander; bottom, E. Nevill viaTRH. 62: Top, US Army via Salamander; bottom, US DoD via TRH. 63: Salamander. 64-65: E. Nevill via TRH. 66-67: US Navy via TRH. 68-7 Salamander. 72:Top, US Navy viaTRH; bottom, Salamander. 73:Top US Navy viaTRH; bottom, Salamander. 77-78: Rex via Salamander. 79: Spooner/Gamma via Salamander. 80-84: Rex/SIPA via Salamander. 86-87: US DoD via Salamander. 88:Top, US DoD via Salamander; bottom, Rex/SIPA via Salamander. 90:Top, London Express News 1
:
1
:
Salamander; bottom, Rex via Salamander. 91: BBC via Salamander. 92-93 Photo Source via Salamander. 94: London Express News Service via Salamander. 95:Top, London Express News Service via Salamander; bottom, Salamander. 96:Top, London Express News Service via Salamander; bottom, Salamander. 97: Salamander. 98-99: US DoD. 100: Rex/SIPA via Salamander. 101: Top, Rex/SIPA via Salamander; bottom, Salamander. 102-103:
via
Rex/SIPA viaTRH. 106: Rex/SIPA viaTRH. 107-109: Rex/SIPA viaTRH. Salamander; bottom.TRH.
I
1
3:
SIG
via
TRH.
114-115: Heckler
I
& Koch
1
0-1
via
Paulo Valpolini viaTRH.
I:
TRH.
l2:Top,
I
116-121: Salamander.
1
22:Top
TRH; right and bottom. Salamander. 124-125: GIAT 26: Top, Steyr via TRH; bottom, Steyr. 27:Top, Steyr via TRH; bottom, Steyr. 28- 30: Salamander. 3 :Top left, US Air Force via TRH; top right, US Army. 132-133: Israel Defense Forces. 134: Royal Ordnance Factory. 35: TRH. 36-137: Salamander. 38: Top, Paulo Valpolini via TRH; bottom, Salamander. 39: Top, Paulo Valpolini viaTRH. and bottom, Salamander; center, TRH. 123:
Left,
1
1
1
1
I
I
1
I
I
1
I
40:Top, Accuracy International; bottom, Accuracy International viaTRH. 141 :Top, Rex/SIPA viaTRH; bottom,
US Marine Corps viaTRH. 42: US Army. 43:Top,TRH; bottom, G.D.Taylor viaTRH. 144-145: FN Herstal via TRH. 146-147: Top, FN viaTRH; bottom, US DoD viaTRH. 48: Top, E. Nevill viaTRH; bottom.TRH. 149: US Marine Corps. 50: Rex/SIPA via Salamander. 151: Salamander. 52: US DoD via TRH. 53: Left, US Air Force 1
1
1
1
viaTRH;
right,
1
Salamander. 154: McDonnell Douglas viaTRH.
1
55:Top, Salamander; bottom, Westland viaTRH.
I
60- 6 Land Rover. 62:Top, Boeing via TRH; bottom, TRH. 64: Top, M. Roberts via TRH; bottom, G.D. Taylor via TRH. 65:Top, Salamander; bottom, J. Widdowson viaTRH. l66:Top, US Air Free viaTRH; bottom. Salamander. 167: 70: Salamander. l7l:Top left, US DoD via TRH; top right, Bell Helciopters viaTRH. 168-1 69: US Air Force. 1
56- 57: 1
Westland
E.
Nevill via
via
TRH.
1
TRH. 58:TRH. 1
63:
1
59: Salamander.
GKN Westland
via
1
1
I
Rex/SIPA viaTRH; bottom, Salamander.
176
1
1
1
:
1
^^^BMMM
*:.
an -
is:
t*"*r
H
'$
-
*
?.
Spectacular color photographs and artworks complement intensely detailed descriptions of international special forces, their daring
operations,
and
their
weapons and equipment.
76 pages of detailed narrative, dramatic pictures, maps, cutaway drawings, and technical specifications, this is an indispensable reference work on special forces throughout the world, In
1
W-
ISBN 1-84065-021-4
9
l
781840 '650211 > l
l
