EUFOR Tchad/RCA (2008–2009)
51-671: NATO Response Force (2017–present) EU NAVFOR Somalia (2021–present) The Croatian Special Operations Forces Command ( Croatian : Zapovjedništvo specijalnih snaga OSRH ) is one of the three independent commands of the Croatian Armed Forces , subordinate to the General Staff of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Croatia , whose mission is to ensure the combat readiness of the special operations forces for operations in defense of
102-628: A military mission. In light of the Russian invasion of Ukraine , the NATO Response Force can activate up to 40,000 troops. Eight of NATO's thirty member nations have triggered urgent consultations under Article 4 of the NATO Washington Treaty . In advance of the 2022 Madrid summit , Jens Stoltenberg announced the plan to increase the NRF size to more than 300,000 troops, which was approved during
153-632: A part of the forces grouped in the Commando Company which carries out operations independently or as part of other operational forces. The support element is the holder of all forms of administrative and logistical support that are necessary for the daily functioning, life and work of the CROSOFCOM, and if necessary strengthens the Special Forces Group with the necessary support elements such as EOD specialists, K9 handlers etc. The training element
204-592: A threat to the member states of NATO. After a NATO meeting on 25 February 2022, NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg stated that the NATO leadership had agreed to deploy part of the NRF to alliance members in Eastern Europe. Stoltenberg said that the Very High Readiness Joint Task Force, currently led by France, would be among the units sent. This was the first time the NRF had been activated for
255-979: A year ranging from three to fifteen weeks each. Inscribed on the regimental colors of the 4th Foreign Regiment are the motto of the Foreign Legion: " Honneur et Fidélité " Chant de Marche : C'est le 4 en chantant featuring: À travers pierres et dunes, S'en vont les képis blancs. Sous le soleil, clair de lune, Nous marchons en chantant. Vers Bechar ou vers Casa, Dans toutes les direction, Nous repartons au combat, Pour la gloire de la Légion. C'est le 4 en chantant qui s'avance, Qui s'avance, laissez-le passer. Sur les pistes des Corbières, Nous partons en mission. Une colonne de bérêts verts, S'en va à l'instruction. Vers la Jasse ou vers Bel-Air, Dans toutes les directions, Devenir légionnaire, C'est notre seule ambition. 4th Foreign Infantry Regiment Tenure ( 1920-1940 ) 4ème Regiment Etranger d'Infanterie ,( 4 R.E.I ) 4th Demi-Brigade of
306-690: Is honored to the organization and the formation of the first special forces unit of the Croatian Armed Forces - the Zrinski Battalion , established on May 18, 1991. The Zrinski Battalion ( Croatian: Bojna Zrinski ) was the first special forces unit of the Croatian National Guard ( Croatian: Zbor narodne garde – ZNG ) and later of the Croatian Army ( Croatian: Hrvatska vojska - HV ) established in Kumrovec on May 18, 1991, during
357-605: Is in support of the CAF chain of command in the planning and implementation of special operations, preparation and training of forces, strengthening the command at the strategic and operational level and performing other tasks of interest to the functioning of the CAF. The operational element consists of the Special Forces Groups, one ground group (SO(L)TG) and one naval group (SO(M)TG), intended for planning and implementation of special operations, independently without support or with
408-600: Is the holder of Special Forces training, which includes selection and the qualification course, and training of advanced skills to Special Operations Forces operatives. NATO Response Force The NATO Response Force ( NRF ) is a high-readiness NATO rapid deployment force comprising land , sea , air , and special forces units capable of being deployed quickly within short notice. The NRF currently comprises more than 500,000 troops. Its forces include units from several non-NATO member partners, including Ukraine (since 2014), and Georgia (since 2015). The NRF
459-732: The 13th Demi-Brigade of the Foreign Legion , the 4th Foreign Regiment was recreated in 1941 under the designation of 4th Demi-Brigade of the Foreign Legion. The regiment participated in 1943 in the Tunisian campaign , seeing combat in the Zaghouan Mountain (or djebel). The regiment was again dissolved in June 1943, and its personnel were transferred to the Marching Regiment of the Foreign Legion ( R.M.L.E. ), which experienced heavy combat during
510-568: The Afghan presidential elections , as well as to provide humanitarian assistance in the United States after Hurricane Katrina and in Pakistan after the 2005 Kashmir earthquake . Due to equipment shortages, unfulfilled troop commitments and falling political support among member countries, the size of the NRF was cut in half in 2007 and not used again until 2022. During the 2014 Wales summit following
561-923: The Army of Republika Srpska ( Croatian: Vojska Republike Srpske – VRS ) from the western parts of the Livanjsko polje in Bosnia and Herzegovina . Elements of the HGZ also saw action along the Novska - Okučani axis of advance in the HV 's Operation Flash offensive that took place in western Slavonia in early May 1995. By this time, the HGZ also commanded its own artillery and Mil Mi-24 helicopter gunships , in addition to Mil Mi-8 transport helicopters . The HGZ redeployed west of Livno once again in early June to take part in Operation Leap 2 , extending
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#1733085348232612-487: The Army of the Republic of Serb Krajina ( ARSK ). The ARSK was protecting the northern approaches to Knin − the capital of the unrecognized Republic of Serbian Krajina − which Croatia claimed as part of its own territory. As the two brigades turned over the positions north and west of Bosansko Grahovo to the HV 81st Guards Battalion, the 1. HGZ was deployed to the rear of the battalion, tasked with intervening in case of any VRS attack towards Bosansko Grahovo . On
663-646: The Bosnian Serb capital of Banja Luka . In October, the 1. HGZ also participated in Operation Southern Move , which captured the town of Mrkonjić Grad , and reached the southern slopes of Mount Manjača , 25 kilometres (16 miles) south of Banja Luka . During the Croatian War of Independence , 75 members of Zrinski Battalion , 1. HGZ and other special forces units of the Croatian Army were killed in action , 286 were wounded and 2 are MIA . The 1. HGZ
714-544: The Croatian War of Independence . On May 18, 1991, the Zrinski Battalion was established as a special forces unit of the ZNG . The core of the unit consisted of 27 volunteers drawn from the 300-strong Kumrovec Special Police Unit ( Kumrovec SPU ) with the addition of two members from the Lučko Anti-Terrorist Unit . Initially, it relied on former French Foreign Legion troops of Croatian origin. The most senior among
765-466: The HV : Frankopan Battalion, Ban Jelačić Battalion, Matija Vlačić Battalion, Ferdo Sučić Battalion, Alpha Battalion and parts of 8th Light Assault Brigade of the Croatian Military Police forming the 1st Croatian Guards Brigade ( Croatian: 1. hrvatski gardijski zdrug ), a component of the 1st Croatian Guards Corps ( Croatian: 1. hrvatski gardijski zbor ), directly subordinated to
816-650: The Ministry of Defence rather than the General Staff of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Croatia . The 1.HGZ took part in several important battles of the Croatian War of Independence and the Bosnian War . In late November and December 1994, it participated in Operation Winter '94 , the joint offensive of the HV and the Croatian Defence Council ( Croatian: Hrvatsko vijeće obrane - HVO ) which pushed
867-929: The President of Croatia and the Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces , with the decision of the Minister of Defence and by the orders of the Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces , the process of reorganization of the Special Operations Battalion started and led to the subsequent establishment of the Croatian Special Operations Forces Command (CROSOFCOM) in February 2015. The goal of
918-584: The Zrinski Battalion , as well as the second special forces unit, the Frankopan Battalion. Over the course of the war following additional recruitment and training of volunteers the unit reached the size of a company and at most had around 150 members. The unit suffered 26 KIA before being amalgamated with other special forces units of the Croatian Army to the 1. HGZ ( Croatian: 1. hrvatski gardijski zdrug ) in April 1994. The Zrinski Battalion
969-534: The annexation of Crimea by the Russian Federation , NATO leaders agreed to reorganize the NRF's core troops into a "spearhead force" known as a "Very High Readiness Joint Task Force" (VJTF) designed to be able to deploy at 48 hours notice, although the actual level of readiness was generally several weeks. It was also for the first time linked explicitly to NATO's Article 5 obligations . Altogether, it amounted to around 30,000 troops. For most of its existence,
1020-465: The salient that had been created in late 1994 towards Bosansko Grahovo and Glamoč . The unit participated in the capture of those towns in late July, 1995 during Operation Summer '95 . In preparation for Operation Storm , the HV 4th Guards and 7th Guards Brigades were pulled back from positions facing the VRS that had been established during Operation Summer '95 and were repositioned south towards
1071-1022: The 275th Electronic Warfare Company to form the 350th Military Intelligence Battalion . The elements of the 1st Croatian Guards Corps which were tasked with security of the President of Croatia and ceremonial duties were reorganized and the Honor Guard Battalion was established. The Special Operations Battalion consisted of one command section and five companies, each specialized for a different variety of missions: 1st Special Operations Company specialized for airborne and pathfinder operations, 2nd Special Operations Company specialized for alpine and mountain operations, 3rd Special Operations Company specialized for naval and amphibious operations, 4th Special Operations Company specialized for urban and anti-terrorist operations and Fire Support Company specialized for sniper and mortar training and fire support with snipers to other four BSD companies. The Special Operations Battalion reorganization and transformation into
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#17330853482321122-485: The 2nd Foreign Infantry Regiment's Instruction Group ( Groupement d' Instruction ). On September 1, 1977, the regimental colors of the 4 Etranger were entrusted to the Instruction Regiment of the Foreign Legion which had taken up garrison duties at Castelnaudary, a year earlier. On June 1, 1980, the unit was redesignated as the 4th Foreign Regiment. Now based at Castelnaudary for more than 30 years, first at
1173-467: The 3rd ID, the 1st Brigade, 1st ID, and an Initial Brigade Combat Team of the 82nd Airborne Division , all to be deployed as needed for the situation). Two forward-deployed headquarters, one from V Corps (United States) , and the capability for one from XVIII Airborne Corps , were positioned in Poznan, Poland, and Wiesbaden, Germany respectively, should any further need arise for a proportionate response to
1224-504: The 3rd, 4th and 5th Special Forces Groups respectively. Alongside the CROSOFCOM reorganization, the 194th Multipurpose Helicopter Squadron of the 91st Wing of the Croatian Air Force , stood up the 3rd Special Operations Aviation Platoon which will support the CROSOFCOM with its Mil Mi-171Sh helicopters until the arrival of new UH-60M Blackhawk helicopters in 2022. The anniversary day of the Croatian Special Operations Forces Command
1275-608: The 4th Foreign Regiment became the 4th Foreign Infantry Regiment in 1922. Following its formation, the regiment was engaged in campaigns in Morocco in the Rif War between 1920 and 1934. The 4th and 5th battalions saw active service in the Levant between 1921 and 1926. Dissolved in November 1940 to allow the creation of the 11th Foreign Infantry Regiment , 12th Foreign Infantry Regiment and then
1326-426: The 4th Foreign Regiment was redeployed to Reggane in southern Algeria , tasked with guarding the oil fields and French nuclear facilities in the region. Subsequently the 4th Foreign Regiment was disbanded and its subordinate units incorporated into the 2nd Foreign Infantry Regiment . In October 1976 the Foreign Legion established a new Instruction Regiment ( Regiment d'Instruction ) at Castelnaudary by divesting
1377-413: The Croatian Special Operations Forces Command was completed in February 2015. The Special Operations Forces Command combines capabilities through four complementary elements: command, operational, support and training elements. The command element prepares and directs individuals, units and commands to operations / special operations or activities that have the character of operations. The command element
1428-616: The Foreign Legion 4 ème Demi-Brigade de La Légion Etrangère ,( 4 D.B.L.E ) 1st Foreign Motorized Infantry Regiment 1er Régiment Etranger d'Infanterie Motorisé ( 1er R.E.I.M ) 4th Foreign Infantry Regiment (Morocco) - 4th Demi-Brigade of the Foreign Legion 4ème Regiment Etranger d'Infanterie (Maroc) - 4ème Demi-Brigade de La Légion Etrangère ( 4ème R.E.I. (Maroc) - 4ème D.B.L.E. (Maroc) ) 2/4 D.B.L.E. - 4/4 R.E.I. (Madagascar) 1/4 R.E.I. 4th Foreign Infantry Regiment Tenure ( 1955-1964 ) 4ème Regiment Etranger d'Infanterie ,( 4 R.E.I ) Instruction Regiment of
1479-575: The Lapasset barracks then at the Danjou barracks, the regiment has trained multinational cadres, specialists and foreign volunteer recruits. The training cadre comprises about 44 officers , 170 warrant officers and non-commissioned officers , and 358 enlisted personnel. The Regiment consists of six companies: The regimental headquarters company which also has integrated logistical capabilities. This company has several subordinate administrative units such as
1530-521: The NRF is preceded by a six-month NATO exercise program to integrate and standardize the various national contingents. Generally, nations carry out a pre-training period in preparation for the NATO exercises, lasting between 6–18 months. Once activated, Reconnaissance Teams deploy within 5 days. This is the first of a number of deployment phases that lead to the deployment of the entire HQ Joint Task Force and Immediate Reaction Forces within 30 days. The NRF trains for various tasks, including: The NRF concept
1581-458: The NRF were alerted or deployed. On 11 February 2022, a U.S. Army brigade combat team of about 4,700 troops from the 82nd Airborne Division was ordered to Poland, while a Stryker squadron (battalion-sized cavalry unit) was sent from Vilseck 's Rose Barracks to Romania. On 11 February 2022 F-35A squadrons of the 388th and 419th Fighter Wings deployed from the U.S. to patrol NATO's eastern flank. On 16 February 2022, 8,500 troops in some of
Croatian Special Operations Forces Command - Misplaced Pages Continue
1632-552: The Office of Maintenance and Logistics, the Office of Job Training ( Bureaux Instruction Empoi ), and the Directorate of Human Resources ( Direction des Ressources Humaines ). Responsible for performing recruit basic training . The regiment has three such companies. Conducts all NCO education and professional development courses. Conducts training courses in administrative and technical skill. This company teaches over forty courses
1683-588: The battalion took part in Operation Tiger - aimed at lifting of the Siege of Dubrovnik . In 1993, elements of the Zrinski Battalion took part in Operation Maslenica , fighting in the area of Škabrnja . The Central Intelligence Agency assessed the Zrinski Battalion as one of the best units of the HV . On 25 February 1994, the Zrinski Battalion was amalgamated with parts of other special forces units of
1734-506: The battalion was deployed to Gospić , where it took part in the battle of Gospić against the JNA . Troops assigned to the battalion captured Kaniža barracks in Gospić . During combat in Gospić , 30 troops of the Zrinski Battalion , assisted by Lučko Anti-Terrorist Unit , captured JNA Major General Trajče Krstevski along with three BOV Armoured Personnel Carriers ( APCs ) and 32 soldiers. The unit
1785-651: The campaigns of France and Germany. The 4th Foreign Regiment was recreated in 1946. Battalions saw active service in Madagascar between 1947 and 1951. In the Far East , the 2nd and 5th battalions served as a single unit before being broken up to reinforce other regiments. Again dissolved in 1951, the <<4th>> was recreated in Morocco in March 1955, before being engaged in combat in Algeria between 1957 and 1962. In July 1962,
1836-428: The former legionnaires was Ante Roso, previously a Sous-Officier (non-commissioned officer – NCO) in the 4th Foreign Regiment . In consequence, Roso was tasked with setting up the unit as its initial commander. Major Miljenko Filipović, likewise a former French Foreign Legion NCO , was assigned as the battalions deputy commander. The unit was based in the village of Kumrovec in the region of Hrvatsko Zagorje , on
1887-484: The grounds of the former " Josip Broz Tito " political school, named after this communist dictator and lifetime "president" of communist SFRJ. The site, adjacent to the border of Slovenia , was selected to be inaccessible to Yugoslav Air Force raids without violation of Slovene or possibly Austrian airspace . In June 1991, the Kumrovec SPU was transferred to Sljeme Peak north of Zagreb leaving Kumrovec base to
1938-460: The lack of enthusiasm of NATO's member states for the NRF resulted in chronic equipment and personnel shortages. It was sometimes branded a wasteful failure and an insignificant force next to NATO's more established units. Nevertheless, some military scholars argue that it played a significant role in modernizing European militaries as their troops rotated through it. As Russian troops built up around Ukraine in early 2022, various units attached to
1989-491: The last significant Army of the Republic of Serb Krajina pocket in the area of Donji Lapac and Srb , alongside the three guards brigades and special police forces . In September 1995, the HGZ took part in Operation Mistral 2 , which extended HV and Croatian Defence Council control in western Bosnia and Herzegovina and captured the towns of Jajce , Šipovo and Drvar , moving the confrontation line north towards
2040-650: The personnel of the Zrinski Battalion were transferred to set up another special forces unit of the HV - the Matija Vlačić Battalion based in Opatija . In 1992, elements of the Zrinski Battalion took part in the Battle of Kupres , before setting up a training camp in the town of Tomislavgrad . There the battalion personnel assisted in setting up and training the Croatian Defence Council ( Croatian: Hrvatsko vijeće obrane - HVO ). Later that year, elements of
2091-458: The reorganization was the creation of interoperable and quickly deployable special operations forces that would be able to respond to current and future security challenges adequately. In early February 2015, the Croatian Special Operations Forces Command was established, then consisting of five organizational units. A subsequent reorganization of the CROSOFCOM followed in mid 2019 which saw an additional creation of three new Special Forces Groups,
Croatian Special Operations Forces Command - Misplaced Pages Continue
2142-402: The second day of the operation, August 6, 1995 after Knin was captured by the HV , the HGZ was airlifted from the Livanjsko field to the village of Rovanjska north of Zadar . They then linked up with the 2nd Battalion Thermites of the 9th Guards Brigade and advanced east to capture the villages of Muškovac and Kaštel Žegarski . On August 8, the 1. HGZ participated in an operation against
2193-674: The summit. This has since grown to over 500,000 4th Foreign Regiment The 4th Foreign Regiment ( French : 4 Régiment étranger, 4 RE ) is a training regiment of the Foreign Legion in the French Army . Prior to assuming the main responsibility of training Legion recruits, it was an infantry unit which participated in campaigns in Morocco , Levant , French Indochina , and Algeria . Created in November 1920 in Marrakesh , Morocco ,
2244-529: The support of other components of CROSOFCOM and the Croatian Armed Forces. Special Forces Groups consist of a Command with S-1 to S-6 functions, Special Operations Task Units(SOTU), and a combat support platoon with combat support elements. Special Operations Forces teams are composed of 12 members who, in accordance with their tasks, develop the ability of (separate) independent action and reorganization of up to 24 members. The operational element also has
2295-569: The territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of the Republic of Croatia and to participate in NATO and coalition-led operations. The Croatian Special Operations Forces Command was created from the Special Operations Battalion ( BSD ) which existed until December 2014, when in accordance with the provisions of the Long-Term Development Plan of the Armed Forces alongside the decree of
2346-450: The units that make up the U.S. contribution to the NRF were put on alert for possible rotational deployment to EUCOM's area of responsibility. By 25 February 2022, 7,000 troops from this force, including the 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division — 4700 troops, plus support units), were deployed to Germany. This marked the first time in decades that three U.S. heavy brigades deployed to EUCOM concurrently (the 1st Brigade of
2397-534: Was deployed for the first time on June 15, 1991. It was stationed in Vukovar , tasked with the preparation of city defences and organization and training of volunteer troops in Vukovar in June, 1991. In August Filipović took over command of the battalion from Roso. The same month, the Zrinski Battalion went to Banovina , where it pushed the Croatian Serb forces out of the town of Hrvatska Kostajnica . In September,
2448-404: Was deployed to Metković on October 28, tasked with recapturing Slano from the JNA . After the deployment to Gospić , a part of the unit personnel left to Bosnia and Herzegovina anticipating further conflict there, while the remainder of the unit returned to Kumrovec . The ZNG was renamed the Croatian Army ( Croatian: Hrvatska vojska – HV ) on November 3, 1991. In late 1991, some of
2499-612: Was disbanded in 2000 and its constituents were reorganized. A part of the HGZ was amalgamated with the Special Combat Skills Centre in Šepurine to form the Special Operations Battalion ( Croatian: Bojna za specijalna djelovanja - BSD ). The remainder of the unit was amalgamated with the Reconnaissance-Sabotage Company based in Pula , the 350th Sabotage Detachment, the 280th Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Platoon, and
2550-589: Was first endorsed with a declaration of NATO's Heads of State at the Prague Summit on 22 November 2002 and approved by NATO Defence Ministers in June 2003. Dual headquarters were created in Naples , Italy and Brunssum , Netherlands; command rotates annually between them. In 2004 and 2005, NRF units were activated for a small number of civilian missions, including to provide security at the 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens and
2601-496: Was formed in June 2003 per endorsements at the 2002 Prague summit . Units assigned to the NRF were only used for disaster relief and security until February 2022, when it was activated for the first time in response to the Russian invasion of Ukraine . The NRF structure consists of four parts: Rotating forces through the NRF requires nations to meet the demanding standards needed for collective defense and expeditionary operations. As its standards are very high, participation in
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