Special forces

"Special forces" ("special operations forces") is a term used in reference
to relatively small military units designed for unconventional warfare. Such
units rely on stealth and speed; and, are often equipped with specialized
equipment; they are generally better trained than typical military units.
These are not the same as paramilitary units.

The work of special forces is often classified. In most cases, there are
ties between intelligence agencies and special forces units.

In many cases special forces are also used to train local forces when
military aid is given to other countries.

Because of their training and the covert nature of much of their work,
special forces have an aura surrounding them and are frequently the topic of
military fiction.

History of Special Forces

Special forces have played an important role throughout the history of
warfare where the aim is to achieve more disruption by "hit and run" or
sabotage than more traditional face to face combat.

During the Napoleonic wars for example rifle and sapper units existed who
where not committed to the formal lines that made up most battles of the
day. They instead held more specialized roles in reconnaissance and
skirmishing.

World War II

The formation of the Special Operations Executive (SOE) during the Second
World War to organize non-conventional covert operations was perhaps the
genesis of formal recognition of the role special forces play today.

Although the overseas operations of SOE saw the birth of many of the tatics
and operational modes of the SAS other special forces where formed; for
example the British Commandos where formed by Winston Churchill as
"specially trained troops of the hunter class, who can develop a reign of
terror down on these (enemy occupied) coasts."

In the summer of 1942, the United States and Canada military jointly formed
their own special forces unit. Officially designated the 1st Special Service
Force, it is more widely known as the Devil's Brigade. Force members
received rigorous and intensive training in stealth tactics, hand-to-hand
combat, the use of explosives for demolition, amphibious warfare, rock
climbing and mountain fighting, and as ski troops. Trained in the U.S.,
these specialized troops were shipped to the European theatre and were very
successful on unique assignments for which they had been specifically
trained.

The German army also had the Brandenburger Regiment who were special armored
commando forces used by Rommel in the North Africa campaign for long range
reconnaissance as well as raids behind enemy lines.

Late 20th and early 21st Centuary

Throughout the later half of the 20th centuary special forces have come to
higher prominence as governments have been less keen to commit large numbers
of conventional forces to land battles where large numbers of casualties are
more likely. In the Gulf War, Kosovo War and the U.S. invasion of
Afghanistan they have been heavily utilized for reconnaissance and often
follow up with assisting air power in the location and "painting" of
targets.

In the case of Afghanistan they also played and important role in liasing
with native local units, often calling up air support on their behalf.

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