[Military Stories] The World's Most Powerful Special Forces Units

Navy Special Warfare Unit and Air Force Air Traffic Control Company Among the Best
Over 3,000 US Navy SEALs and Delta Force Members Available

Each branch of the military has elite units similar to the Special Forces. The Navy has the Special Warfare Flotilla (UDT/SEAL - Sea, Air and Land) and the Ship Salvage Unit (SSU). The Air Force has the Search and Rescue Squadron (SART) and the Combat Control Team (CCT). The Marine Corps has the Special Reconnaissance Unit. The Navy Special Warfare Command is well known for the "Operation Dawn of the Gulf of Aden." It originated from the Underwater Demolition Team (UDT), modeled after the U.S. Navy's Underwater Demolition Teams. As its missions expanded, it evolved into its current form. It infiltrates enemy territory before amphibious operations begin, carrying out missions such as eliminating enemy radar installations.

The Navy's Special Salvage Unit (SSU) is specialized in diving and rescue rather than combat.

The Ship Salvage Unit is also well known by its acronym SSU, derived from its English name "Ship Salvage Unit." As the name suggests, it specializes more in diving and rescue than combat. The qualifications for SSU members are stringent. Basic qualification includes diving to a depth of 40 meters. Additionally, they must possess underwater explosive welding skills. Veterans can perform "saturation diving" at depths of 100 to 300 meters. In 1999, they raised a North Korean semi-submersible submarine sunk in the South Sea from a depth of 150 meters, earning a place in the Guinness Book of Records. Lieutenant Han Junho, a UDT instructor, tragically died in 2010 while conducting rescue operations on the Cheonan ship, which was sunk by a North Korean torpedo.

The Air Force has the Combat Control Team under the 5th Air Mobility Wing. It is the Air Force's top special operations unit. The unit's slogan is "First there, Last out." They infiltrate enemy territory first, relay terrain information to friendly forces, and assist transport aircraft in landing safely. The unit is small, with only about 20 members, reflecting the intensity of their training.

The 6th Search and Rescue Squadron is tasked with rescuing downed fighter pilots. There is no restriction on time or place; they go wherever the pilot is located. Established in August 1958 as the 33rd Rescue Flight Squadron, it has since expanded to a squadron-level unit. Before 2000, these missions were handled by the U.S. military, but now they operate independently, reflecting their increased capability and status.

The Navy, Air Force, and Coast Guard are conducting a "Joint Search and Rescue Drill for Maritime Distress Victims" in the waters near the East Sea on the afternoon of the 18th. / Donghae = Photo by Joint Press Corps

The Marine Corps has the Special Reconnaissance Unit. In May 2018, under the leadership of then Marine Corps Commander Major General Jeon Jin-gu, it was reorganized as a direct command unit. Recently, there have been discussions about expanding it into a brigade-level (colonel) unit called the "Marine Reconnaissance Group." It serves as the eyes and ears of the landing forces, infiltrating landing zones to gather intelligence on the size and location of enemy forces. It is a selected group of volunteers who have undergone training in diving, high-speed boat operation, and underwater and land infiltration. Marine reconnaissance soldiers and applicants must pass swimming, shooting, and physical fitness tests during the Marine Corps Training Command's basic training. After selection, they complete 2 weeks of basic reconnaissance training and 7 weeks of specialized reconnaissance training.

Not only our military but also foreign militaries possess special forces. The United States is undoubtedly the strongest. The U.S. has special forces units in the Army, Navy, Air Force, and Marine Corps, all under the Special Operations Command (SOCOM). The Navy SEALs were established in 1962 and currently consist of 10 teams with about 3,000 personnel. Although a Navy unit, they operate across sea, air, and land domains. They gained fame during the Vietnam War and elevated their status by successfully carrying out the operation to assassinate Osama bin Laden. Chris Kyle, the sniper featured in the movie "American Sniper," was a Navy SEAL. Within the SEALs, there is a team nicknamed "DEVGRU." Alongside the Army's Delta Force (1st Special Forces Operational Detachment-Delta), DEVGRU is considered elite. Although part of SOCOM, it operates under the White House's command. Its identity and missions are highly classified. DEVGRU was responsible for the bin Laden assassination operation. Delta Force suffered a setback with the failed Operation Eagle Claw in 1980 but restored its reputation by successfully conducting the 1981 Indonesian passenger plane rescue, the 1984 Venezuelan passenger plane hostage rescue, and the 1989 Panama U.S. hostage rescue operations.

The United Kingdom has the Army's Special Air Service (SAS). It was established in 1941 during World War II to disrupt German forces. The unit remained secret until it gained public attention by resolving the 1980 Iranian Embassy hostage crisis in London. The SAS conducts a wide range of special operations, including counterterrorism. Russia operates the Spetsnaz. "Spetsnaz" is a Russian term for special forces, created in the 1950s to counter the West. Currently, Spetsnaz units are organized under the Russian Armed Forces, the Federal Security Service (FSB), the Main Intelligence Directorate (GRU), and the Ministry of Internal Affairs. Established during the Cold War for intelligence gathering, assassination, and sabotage, they were active alongside the KGB but were significantly downsized after the Soviet Union's collapse. In 2002, during the Moscow theater hostage crisis by Chechen rebels, they killed all 42 terrorists but were criticized for the deaths of 133 out of 850 hostages.

Israel is also a powerhouse in special forces. It has Sayeret Matkal, modeled after the British SAS. In 1976, it made history by rescuing over 100 Israeli hostages held in Uganda, marking a milestone in special operations. Notable figures such as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Moshe Ya'alon are alumni of this unit.

France's special forces unit, GIGN, established in 1973, is renowned as an elite counterterrorism unit that has never failed in an operation. Only 7-8% of applicants are selected, and they undergo a year of training in marksmanship, high-altitude parachuting, and explosives handling. Their headquarters is located at the Ch?teau de Satory near Versailles, close to Paris. GIGN was founded following the 1972 Munich Olympics Israeli athletes hostage crisis. Initially fewer than 100 members, it now numbers around 400. GIGN enhanced its reputation by successfully resolving the 1994 Air France hijacking, rescuing all 166 passengers in just 17 minutes with only one casualty, while all four hijackers were killed. Up to recently, they have conducted over 1,000 operations, rescuing more than 500 hostages.