Beginning life as a combat tracker unit in 1986, the Special Forces Regiment is one of 2 Sri Lankan Army elite forces. Don’t try to find out too much about them though, as hardly any official information has been made public about the recruitment process for this highly secretive unit. What is common knowledge is that apart from their eagle insignia epitomizing strength and bravery, it also symbolizes the unit’s capacity to zoom in and hunt down their target. Yikes!
Amongst others, their main roles are believed to be Military Intelligence, Special Reconnaissance, Direct Action and Counter Terrorism.
Japanese Special Forces Group
The SFGp (the Japanese Special Forces Group) was put together with the specific aim of deterring terrorist and guerrilla warfare on home soil. Recruits for this highly secretive unit are selected from the Japanese Airborne Brigade and their training takes place at their primary facility, the JGSDF Narashino Chiba camp. You’ll be hard pressed to see one of these guys as they hide their identities behind balaclavas and only reveal themselves once given permission by their commander.
Due to performing a similar role, the SFGp is often referred to as Japan's Delta Force. Coincidentally, their US counterpart also helped in the establishment of the Japanese unit.
Special Actions Detachment
An elite unit under the command of the Portuguese Navy, the DAE (in Portuguese they are called Destacamento de Acções Especiais) expertly deal in missions ranging from maritime counter terrorism and beach reconnaissance to combat search and rescue. Of those beginning the selection process, only 5 to 10 percent will make the grade as it is extremely difficult to make your way into this higly selective special force.
Training does not end there though, as DAE members continue to receive a number of courses throughout their service.
Underwater Offence
Headquartered on the outskirts of Izmir along the Aegean coast are the Turkish Navy’s Underwater Offence special unit (SAT). Amongst others, their remit includes special reconnaissance, gathering military intelligence,, direct action, counter terrorism and visit, board, search, and seizure missions. Having developed close ties to the US Navy Seals, it is not surprising to learn that the two share similar structural and training methods.
Recent activities include the 2011 hijacking of a small ferry named Kartepe. After negotiations failed S.A.T. commandos stormed the ferry and killed the lone hijacker and rescued all 24 hostages unharmed.
The People’s Army of Vietnam – North Vietnamese Commandos, 41st Special Forces Battalion
The People’s Army of Vietnam (PAVN) is from the Socialist Republic of Vietnam’s military force. We know it best as North Vietnam. These PAVN Special Forces are the 41st NVA Main Force Sapper Battalion. The NVA elite Sapper Battalion was so adept they infiltrated a top-secret American mountain top outpost during the Vietnam War.
What happened is, a U.S. troop battalion was stationed in Laos. It was a top-secret, illegal military camp. So secret, that for 30 years this story remained classified! Out of eighteen CIA and Air Force personnel, only six survived the North Vietnamese special forces’ sabotage. The raid went down on March 12, 1968. A nine-man Sapper commando squad backed up a 33-man platoon with guns, explosives, and rocket launchers. The U.S. troops never saw it coming.