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In 1994, Germany formed a new special forces group, the Kommando Spezialkraefte, or KSK, to perform a range of military missions
in enemy rear areas or in trouble spots abroad. Although unit missions include operating against targets such as lines of
communication or enemy headquarters and long range recon, particular emphasis is being placed on ensuring the safety of German
citizens in war or conflict zones, evacuating noncombatants, and rescuing hostages or downed pilots. Approximately 20 soldiers
had been trained by the fall of 1996, and the unit was fully operational by April 1997. According to reports, the impetus
for forming the force was the German experience during the Rwandan civil war in 1994. During that conflict, Belgian and French
paratroopers were used to rescue 11 German nationals because no suitably trained German troops were available. The KSK emphasizes
the usual tough selection criteria and lengthy, thorough training associated with special operations units. The KSK commander,
a brigadier, has emphasized the need for mature, reliable soldiers to man the unit. Despite the unit's hostage-rescue capabilities,
reports stress that the KSK is a military unit with military missions -- not another GSG-9 counterterrorist force. KSK does,
however, maintain a Hostage Rescue Team capable of resolving a variety of associated tasks.
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The bulk of the unit was formed on 1 April 1996 when the commado company of each of the three Airborne Brigades were taken
and along with two of the Long-Range Recce Companys (the 3rd disbanded) were combined under one command forming the KSK. (no
comments on 1 April, jokers day and SAS nick name the Jokers). The unit plans to be fully operational by the year 2000 and
at that time having 1,000 operators fully trained and slotted.
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The unit will be under the German Crisis Section, tasks include the following:
1) Defence of the territory of Germany or NATO
2) Deterrence and de-escalation of crisis situations
3) Peace keeping/peace support missions
This unit, being part of the Army, will be able to go overseas and on NATO deployments where GSG 9 could not (legally),
though sometimes did (Lufthansa Airlines 737 Hijacking, Mogadishu Airport, October 1977 for example) and will also be used
to protect and project Germany interests world wide.
Basic missions of the KSK are very similar to the SAS/US Special Forces to include strat, recce, deep penetration raids,
and the more common spec ops HRT, CT ops.
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