KSK
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Image:GermanKSK.jpg The Kommando Spezialkräfte (Special Forces Command, KSK) is part of Germany's special forces. It is closely modelled on the British Special Air Service (SAS).
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History
The KSK was established in 1996 and has taken on duty on April 1, 1997, to face the new threats emerging after the end of the Cold War. Before that, (West) Germany had placed little emphasis on special forces, relying on the GSG 9, a police unit, for counter-terrorist work.
Since its inception, the KSK has been on duty in the war in Kosovo and in Afghanistan. Its missions are top secret, therefore no specific details are known. Information on the current mission is being withheld even from members of parliament.
Structure
The KSK is stationed in Calw in the Black forest in southern Germany. It consists of about 1100 soldiers, but only a nucleus (200-300) of whom are in fighting units. The KSK is a part of the Division Special Operations (Div. Spezielle Operationen - DSO)
The fighting units are divided into commando companies of about 80 men each and long range reconnaissance units of about 100 men. Each of the four commando companies has five specialised platoons:
- 1st platoon: land insertions
- 2nd platoon: airborne entering
- 3rd platoon: amphibious operations
- 4th platoon: operations under special geographic or meteorologic surroundings (e.g. mountains or polar-regions)
- 5th platoon: reconnaissance, sniper and counter-sniper operations
There are four commando groups in every platoon. Each of these groups consists of four about equally skilled soldiers. One each of a group is specially trained in as weapons expert, medic, combat engineer or communications expert respectively. Additionally a group can contain other specialists, e.g. heavy weapons or language experts.
Equipment
- Heckler & Koch G36 assault rifle with AG36 grenade launcher - in different versions (G36, G36KE, G36C)
- Heckler & Koch MP5 submachine gun in various versions
- Heckler & Koch MP7 submachine gun
- Heckler & Koch UMP submachine gun
- Accuracy International AWM (as G22) sniper rifle
- Heckler & Koch P8 pistol (military version of the HK USP) - special version
- special weapons and ammunition (anti-tank etc.)
- snowmobiles
- folding boats
- round parachute and HALO/HAHO equipment
They are assisted by German army aviators (Heeresflieger) with additional vehicles:
- Eurocopter Tiger assault helicopters
- NH-90 transport helicopters