Tasked with keeping G7 attendees safe during the Italian Presidency in May, Italy’s Leatherheads (actual full name is Gruppo di Intervento Speciale or a little simpler, GIS) consist of only 150 members, of which only it’s leader, Commander Alfa is permitted to address the public. They begun life as a police unit but were promoted in 2004.
The unit’s main protagonist is it’s head figure, Commander Alfa, who has written books about the unit detailing it’s operations and what it means to be part of an elite force.
Estonina’s Special Forces (ESTSOF)
Although the Estonian Special Forces is a relatively new unit although they have already developed a strong reputation due to their alertness and military skills. Only those cut out for training in below zero temperatures, sleeping for only 2 hours a night and sniper training which goes on for days on end should get themselves involved with this unit. As is de rigueur with units such as these, it is unknown how many operatives are on the books.
The main remit for this unit is to develop skills to deal with unconventional warfare.
Brazil’s SOC
Set up to deal with a wide variety of situations, from small to large scale operations and boasting one of the biggest special force units in the world, Brazil’s Special Operations Command is different to most other anti terror groups. Tasked with keeping the public safe during Brazil’s hosting of 2016’s FIFA Soccer World Cup, their remit included dealing with any terror attacks during the tournament.
The SOC’s party trick is in dealing with guerrilla groups as they use methods to dismantle them by absorbing them into the main army.
South Korea’s White Tigers
Due to the 1972 Munich Olympics massacre, South Korea made certain such an event would be avoided at the 1988 Seoul Olympics by forming their own anti terror group. Covering a wide array of duties, the White Tigers have a personnel of around 200 members and accept into their ranks both men and women.
Tasked with conducting urban counter terrorist missions, they are also first on the scene when responding to emergency situations.
Netherland’s Korps Commandotroepen
With their slogan of ‘Now or Never!” indicating that there’s no messing with these guys and their skill for operating globally whatever the conditions, you would have to be a very brave wanna be terrorist to take on the Netherland’s Korps Commandotoepen. Pros at working covertly behind enemy line and masters at sabotage, they also provide humanitarian aid when required.
The unit’s roots go back to World War II. From the offset its mission has been to deal with tasks considered too complex and dangerous for the regular army.