GSG 9: Germany’s Counterterrorist Elite Police Tactical Unit
Born out of the ashes of the Munich Massacre, GSG 9 became the model of modern counterterrorism—disciplined, lethal when required, and a direct inspiration for America’s Delta Force.
GSG-9
German top Special Operations unit rocked by right-wing scandal
The top Special Operations unit of the German military has once again been rocked by a right-wing scandal. Last month, German law enforcement officers, in conjunction with the German military intelligence agency (MAD), raided the residence of a sergeant major who was assigned to the Kommando Spezialkrafte (KSK), the Tier 1 Special Operations unit of […]
German Commandos save Lufthansa Flight 181
Thursday, October 13, 1977, began as just another routine trip for the crew of Lufthansa Flight 181, as the Boeing 737 departed the island of Palma de Mallorca bound for Frankfurt Germany. Onboard, 86 passengers and five crew members went about their business, while the coast of mainland Europe slipped by below them. Little did […]
German Tier 1 SOF unit infiltrated by neo-Nazis
German military counterintelligence has discovered several potential neo-Nazis in the country’s Tier 1 Special Operations unit. According to German media reports, the Kommando Spezialkrafte (KSK), an equivalent to Delta Force and the British Special Air Service (SAS), has been infiltrated by neo-Nazis. At least one operator has been kicked out of the unit and two […]
The HK416 A7: German special operations units select new rifle
The new year will bring a new rifle to Germany’s elite soldiers. In the upcoming months, the HK416 A7, which the Germans have designated the G95K, will be issued to the soldiers of the Kommando Spezialkrafte (KSK) and sailors of the Kommando Spezialkrafte Marine (KSM). The standing order is for less than 2,000 new rifles, […]
When innovation meets special operations: How German SOF improvise
Special operations units are known for their improvisation. Since they are designed, trained, and organised to operate behind enemy lines, having the ability to think on their feet and make do with limited resources is essential. Bring this mindset and attitude to the training room, and you get marvels. The German Kommando Spezialkrafte (KSK) created […]
Watch: The best videos from EU’s largest police SOF exercise
Europe—Terrorists have simultaneously struck seven different places across Europe. What do you do? That was the scenario for the ATLAS COMMON CHALLENGE 2018. Involving over 1,000 operators, this was Europe’s largest law enforcement SOF exercise to date. It took place 9-10 October. Coordinated by the ATLAS network, which was launched after the 9/11 attacks to […]
Elite German federal police unit expands to meet terrorist threat
Berlin, Germany—The GSG 9 is expanding. The elite counter-terrorism unit of the German federal police is looking to increase its numbers by a third. “We’re talking about around a third of the current strength of the unit,” said GSG 9 commander Jérome Fuchs. He did stress, however, that recruiting the right officers will be a […]
GSG 9 founding father passes at 88
October the 17th, 1977, It is five minutes past midnight, Ulrich Wegener, known amongst the Germans as the “hero of Mogadishu” blew open the front door of the aircraft and launched a well-planned tubular assault of the hijacked Lufthansa flight 181 (Boeing 737–230 Adv) also known as “Landshut” which was on the Somalian tarmac, in […]
Police: left-wing Red Army Faction terrorists still active in Germany
Police in Germany released new photos and video footage reportedly showing former members of the far-left radical terrorist group the Red Army Faction (RAF) conducting a robbery on Monday. The three accused suspects are Ernst-Volker Staub, Burkhard Garweg and Daniela Klette; all formerly of the terrorist RAF and all three suspected of carrying out multiple […]
GSG-9 Storms Lufthansa Flight 181 in Somalia, Frees 86 Hostages
Forty years ago today on October 18, 1977, West German counter-terrorist commandos from the GSG-9 stormed a hijacked airliner in Mogadishu, Somalia during Operation Fire Magic (Feuerzauber) and freed 86 hostages and took down the terrorists after five days of airport hopping thru Europe and the Middle East. On October 13, four terrorists onboard Lufthansa […]
German GSG-9 operator comments on truck attack in Nice, France
RALF KASSNER is a former special forces member and mission leader of the German anti-terrorist groups GSG9 and SEK. He has instructed and trained with most of the European special teams, to include the GIGN, SAS, Le Raid, GOE, as well as Delta Force, SEAL Team Six, HRT, and more. He is now the CEO of Wodan Security. SOFREP: You have […]
