1. Introduction
The GSG 9 der Bundespolizei, additionally identified by their formal identify Grenzschutzgruppe 9 (GSG 9) is the police tactical and first counter-terrorism unit of the German Federal Police (Bundespolizei). They shaped it like most European police intervention groups in direct response to the 1972 Munich Bloodbath on the Olympic Video games. (Supply) Furthermore, the German state classifies the identities of GSG 9 members. (Supply)
GSG 9 is a core member of the counterterrorism ATLAS Community, like different European intervention items. The 1972 Munich Bloodbath demonstrated the necessity for a specialised counterterrorism intervention unit and that is what the unit specialises as. (Supply) Nonetheless, not that they aren’t able to different duties as nicely, being extremely educated. Moreover, their motto is “To guard the Fatherland”. (Supply) Furthermore, the unit has served as the idea for a lot of different nations’ counterterrorism items. As well as, the US Army consulted GSG 9 when creating the US Delta Power.
The overarching mission of GSG 9 is the safety of the German nation, and so they usually deploy overseas inside Europe to assist different nations’ capabilities. Moreover, ladies could be part of however it’s unknown whether or not any have efficiently handed the rigorous coaching. Nonetheless, it’s confirmed some have served in non-specialist roles. (Supply)
2. Historical past of GSG 9
The GSG 9 was based on the 26 September 1972 as an anti-terrorist and hostage rescue unit as a direct response to the German expertise of the Munich Bloodbath. Throughout this bloodbath, German police tried to rescue the Israeli hostages, however had no sniper crew and restricted gear, resulting in all of the hostages dying within the ensuing firefight. (Supply) Furthermore, the unit’s authentic chief was Oberstleutnant Ulrich Wegener. (Supply)
Many German politicians of the time opposed such a transfer, fearing it could deliver up reminiscences of Nazi Germany’s Schutzstaffel (SS). These fears resulted in GSG 9 being created out of police items slightly than navy items. This additionally served the aim of getting round constitutional limits, which stopped Germany from utilizing components of its navy towards its civilian inhabitants. (Supply) Allegedly, they shaped the unit just like the Israeli counterterrorism unit Sayeret Matkal. (Supply)
2.1 GSG 9 Right this moment
In 2005, the Federal Border Guard Service was simply renamed to the federal Police, however GSG 9 has not modified their identify due to being identified by abbreviation. (Supply) GSG 9 has carried out over 1500 missions since their founding, but has solely discharged their weapons on 5 events. (Supply) The overwhelming majority of the unit’s missions stay categorised, however they had been extraordinarily energetic in combating the German Purple Army faction through the Chilly Conflict. Furthermore, in 2009 international safety companies who present safety for German ambassadors overseas had been mixed into GSG 9 displaying their means to deploy overseas. (Supply)
3. Organisation of GSG 9
GSG 9 types a part of the German Federal Police and subsequently possesses the facility of arrest. The unit is underneath the management of the German Ministry of the Inside. On 1 August 2017, GSG 9 was transferred to the federal Police Directorate 11, which is the supreme command for German particular police items. (Supply) Furthermore, the unit has between 250 to 500 members. (Source) Air transport is supplied by the federal police. (Supply)
3.1 Construction
GSG 9 is split into 4 fight items and a number of bigger separate assist items with entry to working canines and docs inside every unit. (Supply) The items are: (Supply)
- GSG 9/1: The primary unit specialises in common land-based counterterrorism, together with hostage-taking, kidnapping, terrorism, extortion and has a devoted sniper unit.
- GSG 9/2: The second unit specialises in maritime operations, such because the hijacking of vessels or oil platforms.
- GSG 9/3: The Third unit specialises in airborne operations equivalent to parachuting and aerial insertions.
- GSG 9/4: It is a newer operational unit primarily based in Berlin capabilities with an emphasis on city fight and reacting to any terrorist assaults on the nation’s capital. (Supply)
- Technical Unit: This unit helps the opposite items in gaining entry to targets and procedures and exams all non weapon gear. They’re additionally Explosive Ordanance Disposal (EOD) specialists.
- Central Companies: this unit maintains the items armoury, testing, buying and issuing of weapons and ammunition.
- Documentation Unit: this unit handles communications, together with the testing and buying of surveillance and communication gear.
- Operations Workers: this unit handles the executive wants of the unit.
- Coaching Unit: this unit handles coaching/number of new recruits and enhancing the skill-sets of present members of the unit.
3.2 Choice
Members of the German federal police and different state police companies can apply for GSG 9 so long as they’re:
- Have no less than 2 years of service
As soon as these primary necessities are met, the candidates bear the next processes and exams as a part of choice: (Supply)
- Marksmanship exams with obligation pistol and submachine gun
- Bodily exams together with 5000 metres run, 100 metres dash, leap, chin-ups, bench press, and an impediment course
This choice is hard with solely 10-15 % of candidates passing it and as soon as profitable candidates bear in depth coaching. Furthermore, coaching lasts 22 weeks and consists of 13 weeks of primary coaching and 9 weeks of specialist coaching. (Supply) Moreover, coaching at later levels usually consists of coaching with different nations intervention items equivalent to GIGN or FBI HRT.
4. Tools of GSG 9
GSG 9 are geared up to the very best requirements the German state can afford. Furthermore, there’s a choice for gear and weapons from home arms producers equivalent to Heckler and Koch. (Supply)
4.1 Small Arms
GSG 9 use a big selection of small arms together with as follows: (Supply)
Sidearms:
- Smith and Wesson mannequin 19
- Heckler & Koch USP Tactical
Submachine Weapons:
- Heckler and Koch MP5, in varied variations/configurations
Shotguns:
Assault Rifles:
- Heckler and Koch 416 Commando
- Heckler and Koch 417 Commando
Sniper Rifles:
- AMP Technical Companies DSR-1
Different Tools:
- Heckler & Koch MZP-1 (40mm grenade launcher)
- Sinn UX GSG 9 diving watch
5. Notable Operations
Provided that GSG 9 has carried out over 1500 missions there are many notable operations. Nonetheless as most stay high secret solely essentially the most notable can be mentioned.
5.1 Operation Feuerzauber (Operation Fireplace Magic)
Operation Feuerzauber was the primary mission undertaken by the newly shaped GSG 9 in 1977 and instantly cemented their popularity as a premier counterterrorism power. A Lufthansa aircraft known as the Landshut was hijacked by Palestinian terrorists on its flight from Palma to Frankfurt. Furthermore, the terrorists demanded that members of the imprisoned German Purple Army group ought to be launched in alternate for the passengers’ lives. The aircraft was then flown to a number of Center Jap nations throughout negotiations throughout which the terrorists murdered the captain earlier than lastly touchdown in Mogadishu. (Supply)
Within the early hours of 18 October 1977, Somali military items distracted the hijackers whereas GSG 9 launched an assault on the aircraft. In lower than 10 minutes, 4 terrorists had been killed or wounded and the entire remaining hostages freed. The mission was an excessive success within the highlight, restoring the German public’s sense of confidence within the safety companies.(Supply)
Moreover, the worldwide regulation enforcement/counterterrorism group applauded the motion and held the GSG 9 up as a mannequin to repeat. Furthermore, British SAS advisors took half within the operation supporting the unit and provided them with newly developed flashbang grenades. (Supply)
5.2 Reichsburger Plot
Extra just lately the unit performed a big position within the raids to arrest members of the Reichsburger plot. A right-wing plot to overthrow the federal government and set up a monarch. (Supply) Moreover, these people consider the German state continues to exist in its earlier pre-WW2 borders. 25 extremists had been arrested and plans to create a militia and begin a civil struggle had been underway. (Supply) Resulting from a lot of the members being arrested being ex-Bundeswehr (German Armed forces), GSG 9 was deployed because it was believed regular Federal police could be at nice threat. (Supply) Furthermore, as a result of giant quantities of weapons and ammunition stockpiled this turned out to be a sensible choice.
6. Abstract
In abstract, GSG 9 is the premier counterterrorism unit of the German state and can proceed to function a mannequin for intervention items globally sooner or later. They may proceed to be deployed overseas to guard embassies. Moreover, with rising cooperation between members of the ATLAS Community GSG 9 is prone to function inside different European nations’ borders alongside the host nations forces.
