World's elite special forces

boris

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:thumb: even though it does not belong to military it is called elitest of elite and is one of the most fearsome unit in russia which indulge in using chemical weapons also.
Agreed but from a friend of mine who served in the Rangers and then in SF(Green Berets), Vympel is currently said to be the elite among the Spetsnaz groups.

They have imporved now, they were deadly in Afghanistan during the USSR days but post 1991(USSR downfall) due to no funding they had become very poorly skilled, trying Chechen killing tactics in hostage rescue which led to the major cock-ups in Beslan and the Theatre crisis in 2002.

Thanks to the Russian economy getting better they are back on track.
 

boris

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Now as I promised time for some contribution from my side too.

I'll first be picking up Poland. As @ghost has discussed about GROM, I'll move on to the other ones.

Poland since the fall of the USSR has adopted at what I might call the US structure of Special Operations i.e

1)A Counter-Terrorism force that can be deployed anywhere in the world rapidly for any sort of operation.
2) An SF unit in the Army and the Navy that stay focussed on drills like Unconventional Warfare,Foreign Internal Defense and raids during wartime in case of the Army SF and maritime water based ops by the Navy SF.
3) A force like the Rangers that is capable of Direct Action at a larger platoon sized level.

Hence this is how Polish SOF are structured:

1)Counter-Terrorism force: JW GROM.
2)Army SF: JW Komondosaw.
3)Navy SF : JW Formoza.
4)JW AGAT(Rangers equivalent).
5)JW Nil.


JW Komandosow

JW Komandosaw is the oldest Polish SOF unit, formed in 1961.

The unit, based in Lubliniec, near Częstochowa, is currently operating under the command of pułkownik (COL) Wiesław Kukuła. The Jednostka Wojskowa Komandosów have Zespoły Bojowe A, B, C (teams) carries on the traditions of several World War II special mission units. These units, organised with the assistance and of the Britain, USSR; units like: 6 Troop No. 10 Commando, Polski Samodzielny Batalion Specjalny, and the Armia Krajowa Batalion Parasol. JWK also carries II World War Zośka Sabotage Battalion traditions.

Prior to 1993, this military unit existed as detached battalion 1 Samodzielny Batalion Szturmowy (en. 1 Detached Assault Battalion). Between 1993 and 1995 the unit was named 1st Special Regiment and was composed of three battalions and support elements. Since 2011 in 50th anniversary JW 4101 is called Jednostka Wojskowa Komandosów. Currently it is organised into three special (in future into four) Zespół Bojowy (detachments), within the structure of a military unit, there are also frogmen squads. Jednostka Wojskowa Komandosów have command, staff, 3 detachments, and support elements.

Jednostka Wojskowa Komandosów is a professional and experienced force composed entirely of highly trained and selected soldiers. The military unit from Lubliniec, along with the JW Grom, JW Formoza, JW Agat, JW Nil is part of Wojska Specjalne Rzeczypospolitej Polskiej. All five Republic of Poland SF units are subordinated to Dowództwo Wojsk Specjalnych (special operations command).

Selection

Candidates wanting to serve in the Regiment must first successfully undertake a basic military training course. They then move on to a three-month "Junior Specialist" training course. During this phase recruits receive training in close combat, hand to hand combat, fighting with specialised equipment, parachuting, land navigation, weapons handling, basic survival, and several other military-related skills. Troops who successfully complete the second phase then move onto the unit, where they are assigned to Zespół Bojowy. Once there, additional training continues (mountain and cold weather training, sniper, Casevac, amphibious operations, etc.).

Operations

The regiment has been quite active over the last few years. In 2003 troops being deployed to support NATO operations in the Republic of Macedonia during the Kosovo conflict. A 13-man detachment was deployed to Afghanistan as part of Polish support for Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF). In 2006, had charge of protecting the Polski Kontyngent Wojskowy (Polish Military Contingent) in Pakistan which helps in technical rescue after the Pakistan earthquake. Till 2008 the unit had deployed a 56-man company to Iraq (Iraq War), as part of the Multinational Division Central-South in Diwaniyah. Soldiers fought together with the 5th SFG ODA. Soldiers of 1 PSK was fighting, led special operations in Kandahar Province and other Afghan provinces. Since 2010 JWK compound formed ISAF SOF Task Force 50 which perform special operations like capturing JPEL's, Special Reconnaissance, FID. TF-50 soldiers are operating in Ghazni Province and Paktika (War in Afghanistan).

Equipment

The JWK armouries are currently in a state of flux as the unit tries to upgrade the equipment used by its operators. Weapons in use by the unit include the 9mm Luger small arms: Heckler & Koch USP also SD, Glock 17 and in reserve WIST-94 pistols, Heckler & Koch HK416 and kbk wz. 96 Beryl 5.56x45mm assault rifles, RPG-76 Komar, RPG-7, Pallad grenade launcher, GMG, grenade launchers, Grom AA-missile, Heckler & Koch AG-C/GLM, Carl Gustav M3, Heckler & Koch HK69A1, Remington 870 MCS, Glauberyt 9X19mm, PKM, UKM-2000, Minimi, M2 machine guns. Unit snipers are equipped with the Finnish 7.62mm NATO SAKO TRG-21, TRG-22, 7.62mm NATO Bor, .338 Lapua Magnum AWM-F, 12.7mm NATO Tor, 12.7mm NATO M107 sniper rifles. Many of the weapons have been modified with the addition of foregrips, laser aiming devices, aiming lights/illumination devices, and various optics such as Tasco telescopic scopes and/or night vision devices.

Pictures






 
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boris

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JW Formoza aka Polish Navy SEAL equivalent

History

The Formoza was founded in 1975. Its first commanding officer was (now a retired) certified commander, kmdr por. dypl. Józef Rembisz. In 1974, a research team dealing with matters related to naval frogmen was created. The team was to draw up a concept for the organisation and formation of a special division of naval frogmen.

The unit was originally intended to comprise three sections of frogmen, a technical section, section and management. But it was necessary to change this premise; a frogman could not go under the water without a safety leash. It was found possible to omit this regulation. A basic team now consists of a pair formed to safeguard each other, three pairs create a special group, five groups – a section. At the very beginning, conscripted soldiers served in the unit, nowadays the unit is entirely professional, which has increased its operating effectiveness. A three-year training system was preserved, for instance, during the first year, mainly shooting, swimming long distances, driving vehicles and foreign languages are practiced.

In September 1987, the unit changed its name to Special Operations Department and the Special Naval Frogman Groups were created in 1990. The unit has formidable striking power, two frogmen may sink or take control of an enemy's ship, several of them may block even a large group of ships. The current official name Formoza comes from a Polish Navy seamen nickname of unit's training base "Formoza" (from relation between mainland, coast and island like PRC and ROC Taiwan - Formosa) - a former WW2 German torpedo test platform, 500 m away from coast in Gdynia Naval Harbour (Formoza means Formosa in Polish).

Present day

The headquarters are stationed in Gdynia, Poland. It is subordinated to Wojska Specjalne. Reportedly, the Special Operations Sections consist of six groups and a base. Jednostka Wojskowa Formoza is prepared for special operations in times of peace, crisis and war. Its basic tasks include the carrying out of operations on the sea, under water and in on-shore facilities, as well as land special operations. Usually the Formoza co-operates with a water subunit of the JW Grom, the frogmen subunit of the Jednostka Wojskowa Komandosów (formerly 1 Pułk Specjalny Komandosów) and some of its equivalents in the navies of the states belonging to NATO.

Equipment

9x19mm SIG-Sauer P226 pistol,
9x19mm MP5A3 & MP5N pistol,
5.56x45mm H&K G36KV assault rifle
5.56x45mm FN Minimi Para machine gun
5.56x45mm H&K 416
7.62x39mm AKMS
7.62x54mmR PKM universal machine gun
7.62x51mm M14 rifle

Pictures










 

boris

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Egoz Recon unit(Israel)

When we talk of Israeli SOF two units pop up quickly i.e Sayeret Matkal and Shayetet 13. But the Israeli's have some equally awesome almost unheard of SOF units, the Egoz units is one of them.

About the Egoz unit

Egos is the elite Israeli ground forces commando unit, in the special forces of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF). It specializes in guerrilla, anti-guerrilla warfare, and more complicated ground activity. Egoz is part of the Northern Command's Golani Brigade and today, it is a "Portable" unit, that operates anywhere.

Before the year 2000, Egoz operated mainly in Israel's Northern Command, combating threats from the Hezbollah. Following Israel's withdrawal from Southern Lebanon, its operations were moved to the West Bank and Gaza Strip. In 2003 and 2004, Egoz prevented more terrorist acts than any other IDF unit. The unit still does some reconnaissance in southern Lebanon.

The Egoz Unit was founded in 1956 as a special forces unit (sayeret), but was disbanded and re-organized in 1964 due to a friendly fire incident. After the Six-Day War, it became a battalion. It was disbanded again following the Yom Kippur War due to manpower shortages in other units, and re-formed in 1995 as an anti-guerrilla unit (company). Most of the initial fighters came from the Shimshon Unit. Its commander was from the Navy Commandos and as a result, much of the discipline, tactics and professionalism come from the Navy Commandos, and are the foundations upon which the unit was built on.

The training of an Egoz unit begins with basic training, advanced exercises, and unit marches, after which each soldier is interviewed by Israeli intelligence to determine if he should be screened out from the second phase of training. The second phase consists of learning camouflage warfare, various kinds of assaults, land navigation, completing the squad leaders course, jeep driving course, counter-terrorism course, parachute course, reconnaissance course and the alpine course – if there is snow in the Hermon area- among other courses that are highly classified.

When operating in Lebanon, the unit uses unmarked cartridges, as well as the Russian-made RPD and PK light machine guns. Soldiers using the MTAR-21 "Tavor" standard issue weapon have the Litton Akila night vision system mounted on it.

Pictures




-The above pic is a favorite of mine.In this are two Egoz operators blending in, try locating them, the first one will be a bit east to spot.


 

boris

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Sayeret Duvdevan(Israel)

Remember at a time in the Wiki article on the MARCOS it was written that they'd grow beards,wear salwar-kameez in Kashmir to look like the paki militants and there was this world called "Mistavrim" mixed in? Well the mistavrim was a tactic made famous by the men of Israels Sayeret Duvdevan.
The operators of this unit mimc the clothing,appearance and behaviour of palestinian terrorists and as expected take them out.

Duvdevan are particularly noted for conducting undercover operations against militants in urban areas. During these operations, Duvdevan soldiers typically wear Arab civilian clothes as a disguise.They are also known to be trained in human and mechanical countersurveillance.

Duvdevan is one of the most prestigious counter-terrorist units of the IDF, and thus recruitment to it is highly desired among recruitment-aged youths in Israel.

History

The unit prides itself on being the spearhead of Israeli counter terror operations. In 2002 the unit was awarded as such by the prime minister for having the most significant effect on the war on terror. The Duvdevan unit is regarded as one of the world's most successful counter-terror units.In January 2008, the unit assassinated a major Islamic Jihad commander in the West Bank.

In April 2008, the unit tracked down and killed Hani Ka'abi after surrounding his house in the Balata neighborhood of Nablus. He headed a cell belonging to the Al Aksa Martyrs Brigades, linked to Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas's Fatah. He was the mastermind of a plot to carry out an attack by slipping a slow-acting poison powder, virtually undetectable, into the food of diners at the "Grill Express" restaurant in Ramat Gan, where he had recruited two Arab kitchen workers as operatives.Hosni Tzalag, Ka'abi's deputy, and another terrorist were arrested during the operation. The soldiers recovered two rifles, ammunition magazines, and bulletproof vests at the home.

In March 2012, a Duvdevan unit in civilian clothing entered Rammun, a Palestinian town in the eastern West Bank, reportedly on a night-time training exercise were mistaken for burglars by three brothers from the Shawakhah family. All three brothers were shot multiple times in the confrontation that followed that also involved uniformed IDF soldiers, and Rashad Shawakhah died of his wounds several days later in hospital. Israeli Army Radio initially reported that terrorists had attacked an IDF soldier during a military operation. An IDF soldier who kicked one of the wounded handcuffed men after the shooting was reportedly dismissed shortly after the incident. B'Tselem, who have stated that the undercover unit's operational method and rules of engagement violate international law, requested the army's Criminal Investigations Division to examine the incident.The military advocate general opened an investigation in May 2012.

Mission

The unit is actually recognized with only a unit identity number and Duvdevan is simply the nickname given to the unit. In the unit's short 20 year history it has stood above and beyond the traditional special units of the IDF and was thus nicknamed "Duvdevan," or "cherry" in English, in reference to its elite status even among the other special units of the IDF. The unit is unique in several ways: it is the only IDF unit (not including police units) that has no wartime mission, just day-to-day hit and run operations. The unit, unlike other SF units, can operate in more than one place at once, and can operate independently. This means providing its own intelligence, backup, rescue, medical teams, extraction, snipers, demolitions, etc... The unit can perform high-risk arrests, raids, targeted killing, kidnappings and a range of other urban warfare operations.

The unit falls under the command of the Judea and Samaria Division of the IDF. This means the unit is under an area command, not a manpower or brigade command like most other Israeli Army units. This allows the unit to operate anywhere in the country and nowhere specific, unlike other special units that are attached to brigades, like Egoz to the Golani Brigade, Maglan to the Paratroopers Brigade, or Oketz and Lotar to the Mitkan Adam base. Only Duvdevan and Sayeret Matkal are authorized to wear their uniforms without identifying shoulder tabs. The unit is most similar to the Yamam and Yamas police units.

The unit underwent some major changes around 2002. They are as follows:

1) The unit's basic training was relocated to the Paratroopers Brigade's base. It used to be held independently at the Mitkan Adam base along with Unit 669 and the Oketz Unit. When two men died in training the basic training was delegated to the infantry; now the unit conducts its basic training with the Paratroopers Brigade. In part due its secretive nature, the unit's trainees have no idea what unit they are training for until one month after they complete this 7 month long basic training period.

2)Special units within Duvdevan were opened but remained classified.

3)The unit's base was relocated and newly built. It now stands alone and independently – most IDF units have their base within a larger base.

Equipment



Jericho 941 semi-automatic pistol
M89SR sniper rifle
M24 Sniper Weapon System – sniper system
M4 carbine assault rifle
Tavor TAR-21 assault rifle in all versions
Remington 870 combat shotgun
Para Micro-Uzi submachine gun
IMI Negev machine gun
Shipon multi-purpose rocket-launcher
Mk 47 Striker automatic grenade launcher
Glock 17/19C




 

ghost

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Agreed but from a friend of mine who served in the Rangers and then in SF(Green Berets), Vympel is currently said to be the elite among the Spetsnaz groups.

They have imporved now, they were deadly in Afghanistan during the USSR days but post 1991(USSR downfall) due to no funding they had become very poorly skilled, trying Chechen killing tactics in hostage rescue which led to the major cock-ups in Beslan and the Theatre crisis in 2002.

Thanks to the Russian economy getting better they are back on track.

Agreed but i don't think the slow down of the economy was as much a reason for down fall of alpha and Vympel but the decision of russian to bring them under FSB .Alpha and Vympel were on whole another level during USSR but internal politics let to their downfall.

Not from personal source but through various russian military forum and other source i got to know that right now ALPHA is the most pampered unit by putin and they get the best of equipment coz the government uses them as a state tool .As from the photos above you can see ALPHA get their own calender.And russian do not care for collateral from the beginning they are trained to be ruthless .Hell ALPHA were not only ruthless to others but to their own also .
 

boris

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Agreed but i don't think the slow down of the economy was as much a reason for down fall of alpha and Vympel but the decision of russian to bring them under FSB .Alpha and Vympel were on whole another level during USSR but internal politics let to their downfall.

Not from personal source but through various russian military forum and other source i got to know that right now ALPHA is the most pampered unit by putin and they get the best of equipment coz the government uses them as a state tool .As from the photos above you can see ALPHA get their own calender.And russian do not care for collateral from the beginning they are trained to be ruthless .Hell ALPHA were not only ruthless to others but to their own also .
You are 100% spot on man.
 
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ghost

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JW Formoza aka Polish Navy SEAL equivalent

History

The Formoza was founded in 1975. Its first commanding officer was (now a retired) certified commander, kmdr por. dypl. Józef Rembisz. In 1974, a research team dealing with matters related to naval frogmen was created. The team was to draw up a concept for the organisation and formation of a special division of naval frogmen.

The unit was originally intended to comprise three sections of frogmen, a technical section, section and management. But it was necessary to change this premise; a frogman could not go under the water without a safety leash. It was found possible to omit this regulation. A basic team now consists of a pair formed to safeguard each other, three pairs create a special group, five groups – a section. At the very beginning, conscripted soldiers served in the unit, nowadays the unit is entirely professional, which has increased its operating effectiveness. A three-year training system was preserved, for instance, during the first year, mainly shooting, swimming long distances, driving vehicles and foreign languages are practiced.

In September 1987, the unit changed its name to Special Operations Department and the Special Naval Frogman Groups were created in 1990. The unit has formidable striking power, two frogmen may sink or take control of an enemy's ship, several of them may block even a large group of ships. The current official name Formoza comes from a Polish Navy seamen nickname of unit's training base "Formoza" (from relation between mainland, coast and island like PRC and ROC Taiwan - Formosa) - a former WW2 German torpedo test platform, 500 m away from coast in Gdynia Naval Harbour (Formoza means Formosa in Polish).

Present day

The headquarters are stationed in Gdynia, Poland. It is subordinated to Wojska Specjalne. Reportedly, the Special Operations Sections consist of six groups and a base. Jednostka Wojskowa Formoza is prepared for special operations in times of peace, crisis and war. Its basic tasks include the carrying out of operations on the sea, under water and in on-shore facilities, as well as land special operations. Usually the Formoza co-operates with a water subunit of the JW Grom, the frogmen subunit of the Jednostka Wojskowa Komandosów (formerly 1 Pułk Specjalny Komandosów) and some of its equivalents in the navies of the states belonging to NATO.

Equipment

9x19mm SIG-Sauer P226 pistol,
9x19mm MP5A3 & MP5N pistol,
5.56x45mm H&K G36KV assault rifle
5.56x45mm FN Minimi Para machine gun
5.56x45mm H&K 416
7.62x39mm AKMS
7.62x54mmR PKM universal machine gun
7.62x51mm M14 rifle

Pictures










Loved them what kind of operational record do they have.And one more thing if GROM are just used for anti terror then what were they doing in afganisthan a active war zone.And i had seen that pic of egoz before .I dont think it's hard to spot them and in case of reality it would have been much easier ,
 

boris

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Loved them what kind of operational record do they have.And one more thing if GROM are just used for anti terror then what were they doing in afganisthan a active war zone.And i had seen that pic of egoz before .I dont think it's hard to spot them and in case of reality it would have been much easier ,
Formoza have quite a good record, they have served in Afghanistan. GROM is not just anti-terror, it is a major specialty i.e if there is a counter-terror crisis they'll be the first ones to be called, like Delta and DEVGRU they too undertake missions against military targets,tracking HVT's etc hence they went to Afghanistan and were active with SEALs in Iraq. Delta Force for example though mainly a counter-terrorism force also did search and destroy missions of scud missiles in Desert Storm,Iraq and also with the SAS they conducted snatch operations of Bosnian war criminals.

Major SOF units have a specialty for which they are famous but they can and are expected to do other tasks too, eg the US Green Berets main mandate is Unconventional Warfare,FID i.e training foreign military or rebel forces but they too can do some excellent raids like in Vietnam , they have their own special teams for CQB called CIF Teams,whats more they do great CQB too, here is an old video:(Around 1998)

2nd batalion 1st special warfare training group CQB - YouTube
 

ghost

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I just meant that it would be unfair to Grom to just called them anti terrorist .It sounded like glorified swat where as Grom are at par with best sof in all field.Next time i would go for german sof if you would like to post then omit them.
 

boris

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I just meant that it would be unfair to Grom to just called them anti terrorist .It sounded like glorified swat where as Grom are at par with best sof in all field.Next time i would go for german sof if you would like to post then omit them.
Fine by me , you take the Germans, you did a great job with the Russians.

Oh yes of course I agree to that too, just counter-terror is an unfair term.

Before I forget here is a little something for you, a video of one of the newer sniper rifle in Russian SOF arsenal:

Russian sniper rifles take aim at US market - YouTube
 

Razor

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@ghost , @boris : Good stuff. Could you guys also post some sources when you post the information. Thanks.

Spetsgruppa A or Alfa is pretty bad-ass. :thumb:
But do you guys have any info on the Russian Unit known as Zaslon. It is part of the SVR (main ext. intel agency of Russia).
 
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boris

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@ghost , @boris : Good stuff. Could you guys also post some sources when you post the information. Thanks.

Spetsgruppa A or Alfa is pretty bad-ass. :thumb:
But do you guys have any info on the Russian Unit known as Zaslon. It is part of the SVR (main ext. intel agency of Russia).
Thanks man.
I'll find out man, btw you a Spetsnaz fan?
 
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