World Defense Blog: Germany

Showing posts with label Germany. Show all posts

Monday, 28 October 2013

Top Ten Special Operations Forces in the World

Countries throughout the world train special operation forces within their military, so coming up with a list of top special operations forces in the world is difficult at best. All special ops forces train their military men to be the best of the best, to take the impossible task and make it possible. In that respect, all Special Operations units are top. While the list below may not be everyone’s top ten, some of those listed would certainly be a part of any top ten lists.

10. Russian Spetsnaz – What sets the Russian Spetsnaz apart from other specially trained special ops units around the world is their daily

exposure to physical punishment. The purpose for this portion of their training is to teach them to endure physical pain and to work the mind to “enjoy” it since it is impossible to ignore it. They are permitted to leave the training anytime they desire. Their missions generally involve reconnaissance and close quarter combat. Many of the bodyguards chosen for the high-tanking political figures of Russia are chosen from the Spetsnaz.

9. Pakistan Special Service Group – This Pakistan Special Service Group (SSG) is also known as “Black Storks” a name derived from their unique headgear the “Maroon Beret”. The SSG has ten specific missions for which they are trained:

Asymmetric Warfare
Special Operations
Counter-Proliferation
Unconventional Warfare
Foreign Internal Defense
Special Reconnaissance
Direct Action
Hostage Rescue
Counter-Terrorist
Personnel Recovery

This elite group from Pakistan is somewhat similar to the US Army’s Green Berets and the British Army’s SAS. They often conduct exercise missions with Special Forces from other countries such as China and the UK.

8. Austria Eko Cobra – This special ops tactical unit is involved mainly in counter-terrorism. The group retains a low

profile, despite their high-speed involvement in the war on terror. In Europe, they are known for their competitive edge over other countries at S.W.A.T. and other competitions throughout Europe. Though their covert missions are carried without with little or no media, they are still considered by many as one of the best trained counter-terrorist units in the world.

7. French Army Special Forces Brigade – This French Special Ops group has one of the most rigorous qualification training programs in the world. This group is subdivided into three specially trained

areas:

1er Régiment de Parachutistes d’Infanterie de Marin which is based in Bayonne.
13e Régiment de Dragons Parachutistes based in Martignas-sur-Jalle.
4e Régiment d’Hélicoptères des Forces Spéciales, the unit based in Pau.

German Navy Future Developments

German Navy Flag

INTRO:

Founded:1956 (1990)

Country: Germany

Size:15,600 personnel,84 ships,53 aircraft

Part of: Bundeswehr

Naval headquarters:Glücksburg (Fleet Command) andRostock (Marineamt)

Engagements:Operation Sharp Guard (1993–96)

Operation :Enduring Free

• Combined Task Force 150

Operation Active Endeavour

UNIFIL II

Operation ATALANTA

Future Developments:

A first batch of four frigates of the F125 class (Baden-Württemberg class) specialised for persistent stabilization missions is planned to replace all 8 Bremen class frigateswarships (eight guided-missile frigates). Each F125 will have two crews. They are expected to enter service between 2016 and 2018.
Six medium surface combat ships were planned under the name 'Korvette K131' (Corvette K131). They are now known as the Multi-purpose warship 180 (MKS 180 orMehrzweckkampfschiff 180 in German).^[8]
18 NH90 NFH Helicopters ordered to replace Lynx in ASW/AsuW role, originally ordered by the German Army as NH90 TTH variant.
12 Medium Sized Helicopters are planned to replace the current 22 Sea King helicopters of Naval Air Wing 5 in SAR & ship-based Transport Role (VertRep)
A first batch of six Camcopter S-100 UAVs for the use on the Braunschweig class corvettes has been ordered (more being planned). Deliveries will take place in 2013.^[9]
In May 2013 it was announced by both Ministers of Defence that the German- & Dutch Navy agreed to integrate submarine operations, training and design for future replacements.

Thursday, 17 October 2013

U.S. SOLDIERS CONDUCT RECONNAISSANCE TRAINING IN GERMANY

U.S. soldiers conduct reconnaissance training at the 7th Army Joint Multinational Training Command's Grafenwoehr Training Area, Germany, Oct. 8, 2013, to prepare for Steadfast Jazz 2013, a NATO exercise in Poland in November. The soldiers are assigned to 1st Squadron, 91st Cavalry Regiment, 173rd Infantry Brigade Combat Team. U.S. Army photo by Markus Rauchenberger

Tuesday, 15 October 2013

End of British Military Flying In Germany

The last 1 Regiment Army Air Corps Lynx helicopter has left Gütersloh in Germany, marking the end of British military flying in the country.

The last flight brought an end to a long association with Germany stretching back to 1975 when the regiment first formed up in Lower Saxony.

During their time at Gütersloh elements of the regiment have deployed on operations 17 different times, the most recent occasions being Operation Protego (for the London Olympic Games) and Operation Herrick 18 (Afghanistan).

With the regiment rebasing in the UK next year, where they will convert to using the new Wildcat helicopter, the unit, under the command of Lieutenant Colonel Paul Tedman, hosted a number of events over last week to formally mark the cessation of British military flying in Germany.

The 3 highlights were the presentation of Afghanistan Operational Service Medals to a cohort of personnel from 661 Squadron and the helicopter handling detachment, who had only days before returned from Afghanistan, a ‘mini-heroes’ parade where the children of deployed personnel were awarded their own medals, and the final farewell Lynx helicopter flight.

Whilst in theater 661 Squadron completed over 1,000 flying hours in support of operations and their engineers proudly achieved the highest serviceability levels. And the helicopter handling detachment worked hard managing helicopter landing sites.

In his address to the medal parade Brigadier Neil Sexton, Deputy Commander Joint Helicopter Command and professional head of the Army Air Corps, congratulated everyone on what had been a hard tour in a challenging environment and extended his personal thanks to all the families for the support they provide.

He concluded by adding:

“Wear your medals with pride, enjoy your deserved leave and look forward to the exciting future that awaits you in the Wildcat era.”

Speaking after the ‘mini-heroes’ parade, Corporal Matthew Garvin said:

“It is fantastic that the regiment have held this parade for our children; our families are incredibly important and it’s great to see that the children are recognised and not forgotten about.”

Concluding the week’s events, Commander Royal Artillery HQ 1st (UK) Armored Division, Brigadier Simon Humphrey, addressed 1 Regiment Army Air Corps on parade. He said:

“It is an immense privilege for me to be here today to formally mark this significant event – the cessation of British military flying in Germany.

“The regiment has a proud record over the last 20 years and it is important that we take the opportunity to reflect with pride on all of those achievements. Well done.”

Brigadier Humphrey also took the opportunity to recognize formally in front of the regiment the award of a Queen’s Commendation for Bravery in the Air to Major John Tymon for his outstanding airmanship and command that averted the loss of life following a catastrophic engine failure during a routine assessment flight in December 2011.

To mark the last flight of the Lynx from Gütersloh it was wholly appropriate that Major Tymon led the helicopters on a final farewell past the air traffic control tower and his watching colleagues.