Counter Terrorism Groups
The US counterterrorism division of its Special Forces is called Delta Force. Delta is currently based in Fort Bragg, NC and is dedicated to addressing counterterrorism threats to the US both domestically and internationally. Its membership is composed of volunteers from every branch of the US military. All volunteer candidates are put through a rigorous screening process; few are selected. The entire force is composed of approximately 2,000 men. Its operatives are trained to address very specific scenarios such as nighttime hostage rescues and plane hijackings. Traditionally, Delta has avoided media attention at all costs; it only reaches the public eye when missions fail or during highly publicized situations. [Full Profile]
GSG9
The Grenzschutzgruppe 9 (known by its colloquial, GSG 9) is Germany’s premier counterterrorism force. It specializes in hostage rescue, particularly in aviation terrorism. Originally, GSG 9 contained only 175 – 200 members at any time. Today, the group has expanded but it remains a focused unit dedicated to reducing the domestic and international terrorist threat to Germany. The group has separated into three conjoined but distinct departments to address various areas of specialty. These operatives are trained to perform naval (GSG 9/1), aerial (GSG 9/2), and terrain (GSG9/3) response missions and to address scenarios ranging from hostage rescue to assassination to bomb threats. Though GSG 9 is small, it is extremely effective and maintains top-notch departments to expertly stabilize each of the aforementioned scenarios. Its operatives also undergo extensive training in parachuting, munitions, hand-to-hand combat, and improvised explosive disarmament. GSG 9 has been recognized on multiple occasions as one of the most successful and effective counterterrorism group in the world. [Full Profile]
Mossad
The Mossad is the organization responsible for intelligence collection and covert operations, including counterterrorism operations, for the nation of Israel. While the Mossad itself is more of the equivalent of the CIA, the Israeli equivalent of Delta, GSG9, and ST6 is the secretive Special Operations Division of the Massad known as Metsada. The Metsada has conductive clandestine operations, assassinations, sabotage projects, and more for the Israeli Mossad and government. What sets it apart from the other agencies is that the Mossad and Metsada within the Mossad is a civilian service separate from the Israeli military. Its members, however, are nearly entirely former members of Israeli defense forces because of the compulsory service system in Israel. [Full Profile]
British SAS
The British Special Air Service Regiment (22 SASR) is considered by some to be the toughest and most effective counterterrorism/counterinsurgency command in the world. SAS is highly secretive and operates both domestically and internationally. The SAS operates similar to its German (GSG 9) and American (DELTA, SEAL Team 6) counterparts, fulfilling many of the same functions. The SASR was involved with allied efforts towards the end of WWII and was used heavily by the British during intense IRA conflict in the 1980’s and 1990’s. SAS teams are organized similar to SEAL teams with low numbers of operatives that include command, assault, and sniper personnel. SAS personnel are hailed as the most experienced and successful at resolving hostage and hijacking situations.. SAS members are known to train with live ammo to heighten the effect of exercises. SAS operatives also undergo survivalist training and combat instruction under extreme conditions. [Full Profile]
SEAL Team 6
SEAL Team 6 is the US navy’s most highly trained and versatile fighting group. It is perhaps the most secretive, accomplished, and effective operational division contained within the Joint Special Operations Command (JSOC). SEAL Team 6 (ST6) is a part of the Naval Special Warfare Development Group (DEVGRU) and is composed of SEAL members from other teams. It is classified as a “Tier One” group, which means that it is in the top echelon of on-call Special Forces units. ST6 is subdivided into 4 squadrons designated by the colors Red, Blue, Silver, and Gold. There is also a Black squadron which, by all trusted accounts, assists in extremely sensitive military intelligence support activities. Each squadron contains approximately 50 men. These are broken down further into groups of 3 men units for optimum operational diversity and versatility. Each unit usually contains several assault oriented operatives and on or two specially trained snipers. The SEAL’s are trained to participate in any type of warfare and given extensive instruction in specialized infiltration and exfiltration activities. [Full Profile]