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Revision as of 01:26, 23 July 2007 by De728631 (talk | contribs)(diff) ← Previous revision | Latest revision (diff) | Newer revision → (diff)| Kommando Spezialkräfte | |
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| File:GermanKSK.jpgKSK Beret Badge | |
| Active | 1996 (Created) 1997 (Activated) - Present |
| Country | Germany |
| Branch | German Army |
| Type | Special Forces |
| Role | Airborne operations, Raids, Unconventional Warfare, Counter-Insurgency, Anti-Terror |
| Size | 1100 soldiers, 200-300 participate in combat operations |
| Garrison/HQ | Calw, Baden-Württemberg, Germany |
| Engagements | Operation Enduring Freedom, Kosovo War, Bosnia and Herzegovina |
| Decorations | Navy Presidential Unit Citation for KSK-members of Task Force K-Bar |
| Commanders | |
| Current commander | Brigadier General (Brigadegeneral) Hans-Christoph Ammon |
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).
History
The KSK was established in 1996 and was activated 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, just relying on the special police counter-terrorism unit GSG 9. At the time, the only units comparable to commandos were at each of the three German Corps the Fernspäher companies (a long range reconnaissance unit - LRS) and now partly merged into the KSK.
Since its inception, the KSK has seen duty in the wars in Kosovo, Bosnia and Herzegovina and in Afghanistan. Like all German military units, it needs authorization by the German parliament for deployment; however, specific details about its missions are top secret. Details on current and past missions - even statistical information such as success or casualty rates - are being withheld even from members of parliament. This practice drew heavy criticism, and there are plans to increase transparency and accountability by relaying mission details to selected members of the Bundestag.
Structure
The KSK is stationed in Calw in the Black forest area in southern Germany. It consists of about 1100 soldiers, but only a nucleus (200-300) of these are in fighting units. The KSK is a part of the Special Operations Division (Div. Spezielle Operationen - DSO).
The fighting units are divided into four commando companies of about 100 men each and the special command company with veteran members, taking supporting tasks. Each of the four commando companies has five specialised platoons:
- 1st platoon: land insertions
- 2nd platoon: airborne operations
- 3rd platoon: amphibious operations
- 4th platoon: operations in special geographic or meteorologic surroundings (e.g. mountains or polar-regions)
- 5th platoon: reconnaissance, sniper and counter-sniper operations
- Command Platoon
There are four commando squads in every platoon. Each of these groups consists of about four equally skilled soldiers. One of each group is specially trained as weapons expert, medic, combat engineer or communications expert respectively. Additionally a group can contain other specialists, e.g. heavy weapons or language experts.
Selection and training
Initially, only officers and non-commissioned officers of the Bundeswehr could apply to the KSK. The basic Bundeswehr Commando course ("Einzelkämpferlehrgang") was a prerequisite for application. Since 2005, application is also open for civilians and enlisted personnel, who have to complete an 18-month Long Range Surveillance training before the KSK selection phases.
The selection is divided into two phases, a three-week-long first phase with a fitness and psychological test (about 50% pass rate) and a three-month-long second phase testing physical endurance (8 - 10% pass rate). The KSK use the Black Forest as a testing area for this phase. In this time the candidates must undergo a 90-hour long distance cross-country run. Then they have to go through a three weeks international survival, escape and evasion course called Combat Survival Course at the German Special Operations Training Centre (formerly the International Long Range Reconnaissance School) in Pfullendorf.
If candidates have passed these tests, they can begin their 2 to 3 year training in the KSK. This training includes about 20 Jungle, Desert, Urban and Counter-terrorism specialist courses at over 17 schools worldwide, e.g. in Norway (Arctic), Austria (Mountains), El Paso/Texas or Israel (Desert), San Diego (Water) or Belize (Jungle).
Reinhard Günzel (commander of the KSK from Nov. 24, 2000 to November 4, 2003) claimed in his book "Geheime Krieger" (=secret warriors) that the KSK-soldiers "know their roots exactly", and that amongst them the Brandenburgers' missions are "downright legendary".
Equipment
- H&K P8 semi-automatic pistol
- HK USP Tactical
- H&K G36 assault rifle with AG36 grenade launcher, in different versions including the G36C carbine
- H&K MP5 submachine gun in various versions including the H&K MP5K
- H&K MP7 submachine gun
- H&K UMP submachine gun
- G22 sniper rifle
- H&K PSG1 sniper rifle
- Panzerfaust 3 rocket propelled grenade
- H&K MG4 squad automatic weapon
- H&K 21 light machine gun
- Rheinmetall MG3 general purpose machine gun
- H&K GMG automatic grenade launcher
- Mercedes-Benz G-Class utility vehicles
- AGF (Light infantry vehicle)
- Snowmobiles
- Klepper canoes
- Round parachute and HALO/HAHO equipment
See also
- Kampfschwimmer
- GSG 9
- Fernspäher
- Spezialeinsatzkommando
- Brandenburgers (disputed heritage)
References
- Ex-KSK-Chef lobt NS-Spezialeinheit als Vorbild, Der Spiegel Online, February 24, 2007.