Besides the KSK and KSM, there are numerous specialized units that are able to support special forces operations.
Special Forces
Army Special Forces
A large majority of German special forces are part of the Kommando Spezialkräfte (KSK). The unit was originally founded in 1996 to expand Germany's limited counter-terrorism capabilities at the time. The KSK is a brigade-level unit that is stationed in Calw. The unit is under the command of the Rapid Response Forces Division (Division Schnelle Kräfte) and is made up of around 1,100 soldiers. Most of them serve in the support forces department.
Kommando Spezialkräfte
HQ KSK
Psychological Service
Language Service
Force Development Group
Operational Forces
1st Commando Company
3rd Commando Company
4th Commando Company
Special Commando Company
Training Centre
Support Forces
HQ & Support Company
Signal Company
Support Company
Medical Centre
Naval Special Forces
The Kommando Spezialkräfte Marine (KSM) was founded in 2014 and was based upon the Commando Frogmen Company (Kampfschwimmerkompanie), one of Germany's oldest special operations units. The KSM is based in Eckernförde and is part of the 1st Flotilla (Einsatzflottille 1) in Kiel.
Kommando Spezialkräfte Marine
HQ KSM
S1 - Personnel
S2/6 - Intelligence/Communications
S3 - Operations
S4 - Logistics
Operations Support Team Air (Einsatzgruppe Luft)
Diver Depot
Vehicle Repair Squad
Analysis & Development Group
Special Operation Medical Support Team (SOMST)
Commando Frogmen Company
Commando Frogmen Teams (Kampfschwimmereinsatzteams, KSET)
Operations Support Team Sea (Einsatzgruppe See)
Tactics and Training Group (Gruppe Grundlagen, Verfahren, Taktik und Ausbildung, GVTA)
Originally established in 1979 as an international school for long-range reconnaissance patrol team, the Ausbildungszentrum Spezielle Operationen is responsible for initial and further training of special and specialized forces. The centre has the size of a regiment, is subordinate to Army Training Commando and based in Pfullendorf.
Specialized Forces Army
In order to close the gap between the KSK and regular infantry, the German Army developed a concept of specialized forces (Specialized Forces of the Army with Expanded Basic Qualifications for Special Operations, EGB - Spezialierte Kräfte des Heeres mit erweiteter Grundgefähigung für spezielle Operationen, EGB). This includes a numerous of army SOF units, mostly airborne forces. A distinction is made between the main operational forces and support forces. All of them are independent units respectively part of regular formations.
4 x Fallschirmjäger Joint Fire Support Coordination Teams
4 x Fallschirmjäger Joint Fire Support Teams
1 x electronic warfare platoon
several units, e.g. medics and PSYOPS
Fleet Protection Forces
From 1997 until spring 2014, both naval special forces (commando frogmen) and naval specialized forces (mine clearance divers and boarding trained naval infantrymen) were organized into the Naval Specialized Deployment Forces, a battalion-sized unit with four companies. The idea was to combine all specialized skills into one single formation. In the beginning, it was planned to create a force protection company beside the Boarding Company to support operations of the commando frogmen.
Through the reorientation of the Bundeswehr, the commando frogmen got their own battalion while naval infantry (including HUMINT experts) and mine clearance divers were summarized into the Naval Force Protection Battalion (Seebataillon) in Eckernförde. The formation is often described as the "multi-tool of the German Navy". So, the battalion is able to support special forces operations.
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