Commando Companies (Germany)

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Fallschirmjägerkompanien B1 (Kommando) / Commando companies

Uniform patch of the 271st Paratrooper Company (Commando)

Active|

* 1989 (Provisional basis)
* 1990 (Full establishment) – 1996

Country|  Germany
Branch| Bundeswehr
Type| Commando
Role| Air assault
Anti-tank warfare
Artillery observer
Bomb disposal
CBRN defense
Clandestine operation
Close-quarters combat
Cold-weather warfare
Counterinsurgency
Direct action
Executive protection
Force protection
Forward air control
HUMINT
Irregular warfare
Long-range penetration
Military intelligence
Mountain warfare
Parachuting
Patrolling
Raiding
Reconnaissance
Special operations
Special reconnaissance
Urban warfare
Size| Company
Garrison/HQ| Nagold, Lebach and Iserlohn
Insignia
Unit identification tab|

Military unit

The Fallschirmjägerkompanien B1 (English: Paratroopercompanies B1) were paratrooper commando specially trained units of the German Bundeswehr and the predecessor of the current German army's special operations unit Kommando Spezialkräfte. [1]

## History[edit]

In 1989 the Bundeswehr began planning the establishment of specialised units which could be tasked with conducting isolated operations against high-value military targets.

In 1992 each of the three Bundeswehr corps was assigned with one of the Commando Companies. These were located at:

* 252nd Paratrooper battalion in Nagold.[2]
* 261st Paratrooper battalion in Lebach.
* 271st Paratrooper battalion in Iserlohn.

In 1996, all existing Commando Companies were merged into the newly established Kommando Spezialkräfte (KSK) along with the Deep Reconnaissance Companies 100 and 300 among others.[3]

## Mission and training[edit]

The commando companies were tasked with:

* Commando style raids
* Direct action against high-value military targets
* Irregular warfare
* Personal security for high-ranking Heer officers
* Provide security to Heer bases only at high risk during chaotic situations
* Special operations behind enemy lines
* Special reconnaissance for gather military intelligence

Members of the Commando Companies received training by other NATO special forces units and the GSG9 of the then-Bundesgrenzschutz.[3]

## Equipment[edit]

The equipment of the Commando Companies consisted mainly of the standard equipment of the Bundeswehr of that time. Firearms included:

* Pistol P1
* Uzi submachine gun
* Heckler & Koch G3
* MG 3 machine gun

The Commando Companies also trained and experimented with Warsaw Pact weaponry which was available in the Bundeswehr due to the recent unification with East Germany's National People's Army.

## References[edit]

1. ^ "Geschichte der Fallschirmjäger". www.bundeswehr.de.
2. ^ "Fallschirmjägerbataillon 252 – FALLSCHIRMJÄGER-KAMERADSCHAFT CALW".
3. ^ a b "Division Spezielle Operationen - Kommando Spezialkräfte - Geschichte". December 8, 2008. Archived from the original on 2008-12-08.

## Further reading[edit]

* Sören Sünkler (2006). Spezialverbände der Bundeswehr. Motorbuch Verlag.