Austrian Armed Forces' Special Operations group
- Counter-terrorism
- Counterinsurgency
- Direct action
- Special reconnaissance
- Unconventional warfare
- Hostage rescue
Size | ≈400 |
---|
Part of | Austrian Armed Forces |
---|
Garrison/HQ | Wiener Neustadt, Austria |
---|
Nickname(s) | JaKdo |
---|
Motto(s) | Numquam Retro (Latin) (Never retreat) |
---|
Engagements | - KFOR
- EUFOR Bosnia and Herzegovina
- EUFOR Tchad/RCA
- War in Afghanistan (ISAF/Resolute Support, 2001–2022)
- Syria (UNDOF, 1974–2013)
- Mali (Operation Barkhane, EUTM)
- Flintlock (annually)
|
---|
Commanders |
---|
Current commander | Colonel Philipp Ségur-Cabanac |
---|
Military unit
The Jagdkommando (English: Hunting Commando) is the Austrian Armed Forces' special forces unit. The unit is based at Wiener Neustadt and is known to have a manpower of 400 operators.
History
The history of the Austrian Special Operations Forces begins in 1961, when a group of Austrian officers participated in the US Army's Ranger School as part of their training in order to set up a similar course for the eventual establishment of Jagdkommando. Jagdkommando training courses were set up on May 4, 1963, to train the first operators.[1][2]
The Jagdkommando is the Austrian Armed Forces' special forces unit.[3] The name Jagdkommando has its origins in the time of World War I, when small assault squads of the Austro-Hungarian Army were called what translates to "manhunt command".[citation needed]
Most of the missions are classified, but the Jagdkommando usually operates in places where regular Austrian troops are also located - such as the Balkans (KFOR, etc.), Afghanistan (ISAF/Resolute Support), and Chad (EUFOR Tchad/RCA). In the eastern area of Chad, about 50 Jagdkommando soldiers were deployed to protect refugee camps near the border to Darfur from early 2008 to 2009.[4]
- As of 2012[update], it was reported that Jagdkommando selected a female Austrian soldier to serve in the unit.[5]
- In 2016, the Jagdkommando deployed to Mali alongside French Special Forces as part of Operation Barkhane.[6]
- In 2018, it was reported that Jagdkommando operators were in Burkina Faso to train Burkinabean troops.[7]
- On November 3, 2022, Jagdkommando has adopted Multicam Arid as their official camouflage uniform.[8]
Structure
The unit is based at Wiener Neustadt.[9] It is known to have a manpower of 400 operators.[1] The unit is structured according to the following:[9][1]
- Headquarters
- 1st Special Operations Task Group (Has fewer than 100 operators under a major)
- 2nd Special Operations Task Group (Has fewer than 100 operators under a major)
- 3rd Special Operations Task Group (Reserve)
Roles
Jagdkommando is known to operate under the following roles:[1]
The unit was formerly in charge of VIP protection, but the responsibility was handed to Austrian Military Police units.[5]
Training
Selection is usually held once a year and has a duration of 6 months. The program normally begins in January with 3 weeks (21 days) of pre-selection. During this time the candidate will take the physical tests required, receive additional training, and undergo a 72-hour (3-day) Field Exercise, which is the core event of the selection process.[citation needed]
Most candidates will fail during the 72-hour (3-day) exercise, which includes long road marches in squad size elements, psychological test batteries, and total sleep deprivation. The pre-selection course is conducted both by active operators and by enablers of the unit.[citation needed]
Normally, 20-25% of all candidates will pass the pre selection course and continue with the so-called Jagdkommandogrundkurs, the basic course of selection. The first few weeks are held in the remote area of Allentsteig, a giant military training area in close proximity to the Czech border. The first seven weeks of small unit tactics are overshadowed with plenty of snow, freezing weather, very small amounts of sleep, and continuous physical performance. Candidates get used to a heavy Lowe Rucksack and spend most of their day with it on their backs while conducting patrols, ambushes, and raids in the forests around Allentsteig.[citation needed]
After the small unit tactics phase, which eliminates the last few unfitting candidates, the basic course continues with block courses of two or three weeks each:[9]
- Basic Demolition Course
- Airborne Course
- Amphibious Insertion/Extraction Course
- Field Survival Course
- Basic CQB Course
- Combat Diver Course
- Field Training Exercises
- SERE
SERE
The final and most infamous course is the SERE training. Over the last few years,[when?] the SERE training has been taking part in the Alps of Salzburg. The "run phase" lasts up to ten days, while the candidate must check in at given checkpoints every 24 hours. The checkpoints are set 20–30 km (12–19 mi) apart. Considering the mountains in between the points and the tactical need to stay off roads and trails, the candidates are typically very busy meeting their time limits, and they have little time to sleep. Finally, after days on the run and being hunted down by infantry units, helicopters, and K9 units, the candidates are ambushed and captured at one of their checkpoints. This marks the beginning of the "captivity phase". Being the last phase of the selection course, this phase lasts 72 hours (3 days).[citation needed]
Further training
- After completing the SERE course, the remaining soldiers (normally 10-15% of all applicants who started the pre selection course) are accepted into the Jagdkommando brotherhood and awarded the "mud-green" beret with the Unit Crest on it. Most of the graduates will be given a slot as active operators in one of the two Task Groups of the unit, while some go back to their regular Army unit.[citation needed]
- Jagdkommando soldiers take extreme pride in their long and unique selection course and the prestige that comes along with earning the olive beret inside the armed forces.[citation needed]
- If a soldier is chosen to become an operator after selection, he will attend the Einsatzausbildung 1, a course where he will refine his operator skills. The training will last up to one year.[citation needed]
- Normally, it starts off with a five-week drivers course, followed by shooting classes. This will be the first time for operators to use the advanced weapon systems Steyr AUG A2 Kdo and the FN P90. After weeks at the shooting range, the next courses will be very mountain orientated, like the mountain airborne course, winter warfare and mountaineering courses, and ski training.[citation needed]
- After the mountain courses, the individual job training will begin. Depending on the assignment the operator will attend the Weapon Sergeant Course, Medic Course, Communications Sergeant Course or Engineer Course.[citation needed]
- The SOF CQB course that follows teaches the latest techniques in HRO, CC, and DDO. Jagdkommando operators train together with several NATO SOF units worldwide and so the used SOPs and tactics are very similar to other SOF units.[citation needed]
- Different other courses will complete the Einsatzausbildung 1, such as the Urban SR course, advanced combatives training, and Air Assault techniques.[citation needed]
- After more than 18 months of training the operator will be assigned a team in the 1st SOTG (Special Operations Task Group) or the 2nd SOTG. The 3rd SOTG belongs to the Army Reserve Component. A typical Jagdkommando team consists of six operators: the Team Leader, Team Sergeant, a Weapons Sergeant/Sniper, Engineer Sergeant, Medic Sergeant and Communication Sergeant. Each team is assigned to one insertion speciality, such as freefall, amphibious, mountain, and mobility.[citation needed]
Weapons
Gallery
-
Jagdkommando airborne operations
-
Two soldiers of the Jagdkommando
-
Jagdkommando frogmen
-
-
-
Jagdkommando soldiers jump out of a C-130 Hercules
-
Soldiers of the Jagdkommando capture a ship on the Danube
See also
- Austro-Hungarian assault units
References
- ^ a b c d "Spezialkräfte des Bundesheeres – das Jagdkommando feiert Geburtstag". 4 May 2021. Archived from the original on 10 January 2023. Retrieved 10 January 2023.
- ^ "Jagdkommando Austrian Special Operations Forces" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2023-01-10.
- ^ "Bundesheer - Jagdkommando". Archived from the original on 2023-01-28. Retrieved 2023-01-15.
- ^ Doppeladler (2007-11-23). "Jagdkommando prepares for Tchad Mission" (in German). Archived from the original on 2008-01-31. Retrieved 2008-02-26.
- ^ a b c "Austrian Jagdkommando". Archived from the original on 2016-02-21.
- ^ White, Andrew (2016-06-17). "Jagdkommando readies VT Hunter OTV for possible West African operations". Jane's. Archived from the original on 2016-06-17.
- ^ "Im Wüsteneinsatz mit dem Jagdkommando". 30 April 2018. Archived from the original on 10 January 2023. Retrieved 10 January 2023.
- ^ "Austrian Bundesheer Special Operations MultiCam Arid". 3 November 2022. Archived from the original on 12 January 2023. Retrieved 12 January 2023.
- ^ a b c "Jagdkommando". Archived from the original on 2021-10-17. Retrieved 2023-01-10.
- ^ a b c d e f Doppeladler (2009-12-31). "Das Jagdkommando (Jakdo)" (in German). Archived from the original on 2018-03-17. Retrieved 2009-10-13.
- ^ The Firearm Blog (2021-10-16). "POTD: Austrian Special Forces Sniper with HK417P and ZC527". Archived from the original on 2021-10-23. Retrieved 2021-10-23.
- ^ Sünkler, Sören (2008). "Elite und Spezialeinheiten Europas" (in German). Motorbuch, 2008. ISBN 978-3-613-02853-1.
External links
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Jagdkommando (Bundesheer).
- Official Site (in German)
|
|
---|
Basic equipment | |
---|
Breathing gas | |
---|
Buoyancy and trim equipment | |
---|
Decompression equipment | |
---|
Diving suit | |
---|
Helmets and masks | |
---|
Instrumentation | |
---|
Mobility equipment | |
---|
Safety equipment | |
---|
Underwater breathing apparatus | |
---|
Diving equipment manufacturers | |
---|
|
|
|
---|
Access equipment | |
---|
Breathing gas handling | |
---|
Decompression equipment | |
---|
Platforms | |
---|
Remotely operated underwater vehicles | |
---|
Safety equipment | |
---|
General | |
---|
|
|
|
---|
Activities | |
---|
Competitions | |
---|
Equipment | |
---|
Freedivers | |
---|
Hazards | |
---|
Historical | |
---|
Organisations | |
---|
|
|
|
---|
Occupations | |
---|
Underwater work | Salvage diving | - SS Egypt
- Kronan
- La Belle
- SS Laurentic
- RMS Lusitania
- Mars
- Mary Rose
- USS Monitor
- HMS Royal George
- Vasa
|
---|
|
---|
Diving contractors | |
---|
Tools and equipment | |
---|
Underwater weapons | |
---|
|
|
|
---|
Specialties | |
---|
Diver organisations | |
---|
Diving tourism industry | |
---|
Diving events and festivals | |
---|
|
|
|
---|
Diving hazards | |
---|
Diving procedures | |
---|
Risk management | |
---|
|
|
|
---|
Diving disorders | Pressure related | Oxygen | |
---|
Inert gases | |
---|
Carbon dioxide | |
---|
Breathing gas contaminants | |
---|
|
---|
Immersion related | |
---|
|
---|
Treatment | |
---|
Personnel | |
---|
Screening | |
---|
Research | Researchers in diving physiology and medicine | |
---|
Diving medical research organisations | |
---|
|
---|
|
|
|
|
---|
Archeological sites | |
---|
Underwater art and artists | |
---|
Engineers and inventors | |
---|
Historical equipment | |
---|
Military and covert operations | - Raid on Alexandria (1941)
- Sinking of the Rainbow Warrior
|
---|
Scientific projects | |
---|
Awards and events | |
---|
Incidents | Dive boat incidents | |
---|
Diver rescues | |
---|
Early diving | |
---|
Freediving fatalities | |
---|
Offshore diving incidents | - Byford Dolphin diving bell accident
- Drill Master diving accident
- Star Canopus diving accident
- Stena Seaspread diving accident
- Venture One diving accident
- Waage Drill II diving accident
- Wildrake diving accident
|
---|
Professional diving fatalities | |
---|
Scuba diving fatalities | |
---|
|
---|
|
|
Publications |
---|
Manuals | - NOAA Diving Manual
- U.S. Navy Diving Manual
- Basic Cave Diving: A Blueprint for Survival
- Underwater Handbook
- Bennett and Elliott's physiology and medicine of diving
- Encyclopedia of Recreational Diving
- The new science of skin and scuba diving
- Professional Diver's Handbook
- Basic Scuba
|
---|
Standards and Codes of Practice | |
---|
General non-fiction | |
---|
Research | |
---|
Dive guides | |
---|
|
|
Training and registration |
---|
Diver training | |
---|
Recreational scuba certification levels | Core diving skills | |
---|
Leadership skills | |
---|
Specialist skills | |
---|
|
---|
Diver training certification and registration organisations | Commercial diver certification authorities | |
---|
Commercial diving schools | |
---|
Free-diving certification agencies | |
---|
Recreational scuba certification agencies | |
---|
Scientific diver certification authorities | |
---|
Technical diver certification agencies | |
---|
|
---|
Military diver training centres | |
---|
Military diver training courses | |
---|
|
|
|
---|
Surface snorkeling | |
---|
Snorkeling/breath-hold | |
---|
Breath-hold | |
---|
Open Circuit Scuba | |
---|
Rebreather | |
---|
Sports governing organisations and federations | |
---|
Competitions | |
---|
|
|
|
---|
Pioneers of diving | |
---|
Underwater scientists archaeologists and environmentalists | |
---|
Scuba record holders | |
---|
Underwater filmmakers and presenters | |
---|
Underwater photographers | |
---|
Underwater explorers | |
---|
Aquanauts | |
---|
Writers and journalists | |
---|
Rescuers | |
---|
Frogmen | |
---|
Commercial salvors | |
---|
|
|
|
---|
Diving physics | |
---|
Diving physiology | |
---|
Diving environment | |
---|
|
|
Other |
---|
Deep-submergence vehicle | - Aluminaut
- DSV Alvin
- American submarine NR-1
- Bathyscaphe
- Archimède
- FNRS-2
- FNRS-3
- Harmony class bathyscaphe
- Sea Pole-class bathyscaphe
- Trieste II
- Deepsea Challenger
- Ictineu 3
- JAGO
- Jiaolong
- Konsul-class submersible
- Limiting Factor
- Russian submarine Losharik
- Mir
- Nautile
- Pisces-class deep submergence vehicle
- DSV Sea Cliff
- DSV Shinkai
- DSV Shinkai 2000
- DSV Shinkai 6500
- DSV Turtle
- DSV-5 Nemo
|
---|
Submarine rescue | Deep-submergence rescue vehicle | |
---|
|
---|
Submarine escape | |
---|
Special interest groups | |
---|
Neutral buoyancy facilities for Astronaut training | |
---|
Other | |
---|
|
|
|