-->''"WANTED: Volunteers for Project Delta. Will guarantee you a medal, a body bag, or both."''
-->-- Attributed to '''Col. Charlie Beckwith''', founder and first commander of Delta Force

[[quoteright:350:http://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/navy_seals_boarding_6691.jpg]]
[[caption-width-right:350:[[VideoGame/{{Starcraft}} Somebody call for an exterminator?]]]]

Within the realm of military fiction, there are few areas that carry the same fascination, mystique, and underwear-soiling badassery as special operations. Known collectively as Special Operations Forces in the United States and Special Forces or some other variation thereof in the rest of the world, they are the elite within the elite; the bogeymen creeping up to the bad guys' beds in the night to snatch them away and take them to some mysterious black site in the middle of nowhere. They are the ''[[ArsonMurderAndJaywalking sine qua non]]'' [[MisplacedNationalism of my-country-could-beat-your-country debates]]. When writers need to [[ElitesAreMoreGlamorous quickly demonstrate that their protagonist is a stone-cold killer]], they just name-drop one of these guys and they're good to go.

!Door-kicking and Bomb-sticking: the Basics

Special operations are pretty much [[ExactlyWhatItSaysOnTheTin exactly as described]]. They are given to special operations units for a number of reasons; a normal unit might not be able to execute the operation without [[PyrrhicVictory taking heavy casualties]], or they might be able to do the job just fine but can't get into position fast enough, or they might attract too much attention. The special operations that are known to the public can be pidgeonholed into several categories:

* Direct Action: Simply put, a raid on an enemy position with the intent of capturing, destroying, or otherwise making use of it. This is what we generally think of when we think of special operations. It's fast, bloody, and very photogenic.
* Special Reconaissance: [[ShapedLikeItself Like normal reconaissance except special]]. The main difference between normal and special recon is a question of difficulty. A normal reconaissance mission might involve scouting out a nearby enemy position in preparation for an attack but special reconaissance deals with more strategic targets like training facilities, enemy commanders, supply caches, and so on, deep in enemy territory. If you are caught, there's no guarantee you'll have anywhere to run to.
* Unconventional Warfare: A small team of "advisors" infiltrates a country, usually in preparation for a full scale invasion, and meets up with guerrillas, dissidents, and other people hostile to the local government. They then use their expertise to [[TrainingThePeacefulVillagers train these people how to fight]] and conduct their own campaign to weaken the enemy. The flipside of this is called Foreign Internal Defense, where the same advisors will train local military and police forces to fight against guerrillas and insurgents.

Another term that often gets confused with special operations is "black operations". They overlap sometimes but there are subtle differences between the two terms. Black operations are officially denied by the government that orders them, typically because these operations would be illegal under [[UsefulNotes/TheLawsAndCustomsOfWar international law]] or incredibly embarassing if found out. Special operations are just missions that do not fall under the purview of normal military units and, indeed, get confirmed all the time. The death of OsamaBinLaden is a prime example of a special operation that the Obama administration did not consider "black".

!Badass Confidential: the Special Operations Community

After a series of infamous high profile terrorist attacks during the Cold War, countries around the world began to recognize the importance of having compact, highly capable police or military units that could deal with high-risk situations that required immediate attention. As a result, special operations are not limited to those countries that have big, healthy defense budgets.

[[folder: The United States of America]]
!!United States Special Operations Command ([[YanksWithTanks USSOCOM]])

The United States Special Operations Command was established by Nunn-Cohen Act of 1987, and placed under the command of General James J. Lindsay. Operation Eagle Claw, a botched attempt to rescue US diplomatic personnel held in Iran after the Iranian Revolution, had cruelly exposed the unworkability of the current arrangement. Military reform because a prime issue in Congress, and over opposition from the Pentagon, USSOCOM was created, replacing the United States Readiness Command (USREDCOM), which had found itself without a real role. It has since gone from strength to strength. On a related note, many US Special Operators like to wear full (and very non-regulation) beards in the field, apparently because, being special operators, they can. Of course, a beard is often handy when dealing with Afghan tribesmen.

Each branch of the US Armed Forces (excluding the CoastGuard) has its own special operations command. These are subordinate to USSOCOM, which commands and coordinates the activities of the subordinate branches. They are described below:

!! United States Army Special Operations Command (USASOC)

* '''Name''': 75th Ranger Regiment
* '''Nickname(s)''': Army Rangers, Airborne Rangers
* '''Role''': Direct Action
* '''Motto''': ''Sua Sponte'' ("Of Their Own Accord") or "Rangers Lead The Way!"
* '''Headquarters''': Fort Benning, Georgia
* The {{Ranger}}s in their current form were created during World War II along the lines of Britain's Commandos, a raiding unit that could strike behind enemy lines by land or air and cause heavy damage. They were deactivated and reactivated several times over the years and eventually coalesced into their current form, which serves as both a special operations unit and a "professional development" unit; through their super-high standards, they serve as an example for all other units in the US Army and, in theory, raise the standards of the Army as a whole. During the invasion of Grenada, the entire regiment (at the time) parachuted in to secure Port Salinas Airport. Entry to the Regiment is only achieved through the Ranger Asssessment and Selection Program (RASP). Once, they wore a black beret, however, since the entire US Army was issued with black berets, the Rangers switched to tan to preserve their otherness.

* '''Name''': Army Special Forces
* '''Nickname(s)''': Green Berets, Quiet Professionals, Snake-Eaters, Soldier-Diplomats, Bearded Bastards
* '''Role''': Unconventional Warfare
* '''Motto''': ''De Oppresso Liber'' ("Liberate The Oppressed")
* '''Headquarters''': Fort Bragg, North Carolina
* The "Green Berets" were inspired by another organization during World War II: the {{OSS}}, which would sneak around in enemy territory conducting sabotage and intelligence gathering operations, and working closely with members of the French Resistance. Their time truly came during the Cold War when the Soviet Union began sponsoring communist uprisings in other countries, most notably Vietnam where they reached the height of their fame. Special Forces are organized into Operational Detachment Alphas or "A-Teams" consisting of a wide range of technical specialists, including Weapons, Engineering, Communications, Medical, and Intelligence. Each of them has attended and passed Special Forces Asssessment and Selection, and completed the year-long (or more) Q Course to earn their green beret. Never call them that, though -- a green beret is a hat, not a man.

* '''Name''': 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (SOAR)
* '''Nickname''': Night Stalkers
* '''Role''': Helicopter Aviation Support
* '''Motto''': "Night Stalkers Don't Quit!" or "Death Waits In The Dark".
* '''Headquarters''': Fort Campbell, Kentucky
* The 160th SOAR provides air support to US special operations forces. Nicknamed the "Night Stalkers", the regiment operates a variety of helicopters in the roles of air support, air assault, and insertion and extraction. They are considered the US Military's premier operators of rotary-wing aircraft and specialists in night-flying operations. It is comprised of the US Army's best aviators and support soldiers. It lost two of its helicopters, ''Super Six-One'' and ''Super Six-Four'', and several aircrew during the Battle of Mogadishu during Operation Gothic Serpent, immortalized in the film ''Film/BlackHawkDown''. The Night Stalkers provided insertion and extraction for Seal Team 6 (see below) during Operation Neptune Spear.
* '''Aircraft operated''':
** '''[=MH60M=] Black Hawk''' - upgraded special operations variant of the US Army's trusty utility helicopter. The [=MH60M=] features a glass cockpit, upgraded engines, in flight refuelling system, and the ability to mount a variety of weapon and other systems.
** '''[=MH47G=] Chinook''' - upgraded special operations variant of the US Army's trusty heavy lift helicopter. The [=MH47G=] has an in-flight refuelling system, upgraded avionics and engines, and a more advanced systems package.
** '''[=MH/AH6M=] Little Bird''' - A modified version of the Hughes [=OH-7=] Cayeuse light observation helicopter. In essence, a light, maneuverable little chopper with some [[MoreDakka miniguns and rocket launchers bolted on.]] Used to devastating effect during Gothic Serpent.
** '''???''' - At least one stealthy version of the [=UH60=] Black Hawk. The aircraft has never been photographed, publicly acknowledged, or disclosed. Its cost, capabilities, armament (if any), and operational history are unknown. The existence of this variant became public only after one of them crashed during the raid on Osama Bin Laden's compound in Abbottabad. The aircraft was destroyed by the retreating [=SEALs=] and only [[http://sofrep.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/wreck2.jpg the tail section]] remained.

* '''Name''': 4th Military Information Support Group
* '''Nickname''': None.
* '''Role''': Psychological warfare,
* '''Motto''': ''Verbum Vincet'' ("The Word Will Conquer")
* '''Headquarters''': Fort Bragg, North Carolina
* The 4th MISG is considered a special forces united by virtue of its unusual mission, however, their operational role is a world away from kicking down doors and shooting bad guys. Rather, the MISG conducts psychological operations, namely, the use of persuasion, propaganda, and threats to influence enemy behaviour. This generally entails drawing and distributing posters, leaflets, and media.

* '''Name''': 95th Civil Affairs Brigade (Airborne)
* '''Nickname''': None.
* '''Role''': Civil Affairs
* '''Motto''': "Advise. Support. Stabilize."
* '''Headquarters''': Fort Bragg, North Carolina
* The 95th Civil Affairs Brigade (Airborne)'s role is to work with civilians in areas affected by US military presence. Their role is to lessen the impact of war on day-to-day civilian life in their areas of control, and to liase with the local civilians and military commanders. They also locate civilian resources to support military operations, help minimize civilian interference with operations, support national assistance activities, plan and execute noncombatant evacuation, support counter-drug operations and establish and maintain liaison with civilian aid agencies and other nongovernmental organizations. Due to their wide skill set, they have sometimes been called upon to assist other special operations forces where the mission calls for liason with the local population.

* '''Name''': 528th Sustainment Brigade (Special Operations) (Airborne)
* '''Nickname''': None.
* '''Role''': Support
* '''Motto''': "Assured Support"
* '''Headquarters''': Fort Bragg, North Carolina
* The SBSO(A) maintains the vast array of specialized equipment and weaponry used by special operations units. Their role is to allow USASCOM to "shoot, move, and communicate" at all times. Because of the nature of special forces equipment, each soldier will be trained to operate a far larger array of equipment than his regular counterparts, and security clearances are required. The brigade has developed signals and logistical packages deployable at a moments notice. These units are generally airborne qualified.

!!Naval Special Warfare Command (NAVSPECWARCOM)

* '''Name''': [[UsefulNotes/NavySeals Navy SEa Air Land Teams]]
* '''Nickname(s)''': Frogmen, The Teams, The Green Faces
* '''Role''': Direct Action, Special Reconnaissance
* '''Motto''': "The Only Easy Day Was Yesterday" and "It Pays To Be A Winner"
* '''Headquarters''': Naval Amphibious Base Coronado, California, and Naval Amphibious Base Little Creek, Virginia
* Back during World War II (are you seeing a pattern here?), the OSS adopted an invention that allowed people to breathe underwater. People equipped with these aqualungs became the first frogmen and swam down beaches, mapping them out in preparation for amphibious landings. The concept was further expanded in Vietnam with the Navy's Underwater Demolition Teams, the precursors of the [=SEALs=]. Eventually all these skills and several others were collected into the discipline of Combat Swimming, which is now taught at Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL training (BUD/S), the SEAL selection program. Question: How can you tell if someone is a SEAL? Answer: He'll tell you himself. They have acquired a reputation, deserved or not, for being the most talkative of special operations units and have the largest media presence, encompassing books, movies, video games, and even music[[note]]Greenface by Iced Earth, in case you were wondering[[/note]]. The [=SEALs=] also include Delivery Vehicle Teams who operate the mini-submersibles used by the [=SEALs=] to infiltrate enemy territory.

* '''Name''': Special Warfare Combatant Craft Crewman (pronounced "swick")
* '''Nickname''': Boat Guys
* '''Role''': SEAL Support and Extraction, special warfare
* '''Motto''': "On Time! On Target! Never Quit!"
* '''Headquarters''': Naval Amphibious Base Coronado, California
* SWCC Teams operate the US Navy's smallest watercraft in support of special operations. They have their roots in the PT Boat squadrons of WorldWarTwo and later in the riverine squadrons of the VietnamWar. SWCC Teams infiltrate enemy-held coastline and either deploy or extract [=SEALs=] or destroy enemy targets. The small boats operated by the SWCC teams are some of the fastest in the US Navy and, pound-for-pound, some of the most heavily armed. Due to their relatively low profile (despite some heroic engagements with FARC guerillas in Columbia, including one epic 3-day battle in 1996) and secrecy, they are sometimes referred to as "the US Navy's best kept secret". There again, they have recently seen some recognition, such as [[OneSceneWonder a scene-stealing]] [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uxm7uk7I07w role]] in ''ActOfValor''. One of their coolest capabilities is the ability to deploy their boats and themselves via HALO jump, as well as a party-trick (but a damn useful one - one assumes) of being able to fast rope from a helicopter into an underslung boat in flight
* '''Boats Operated''':
** '''Mark V(I) Special Operations Craft (SOC)''': The Mark V SOC was SWCC's primary ocean-going craft. Deployed from a larger vessel, the craft had some...problems. Namely, it was so fast that it generated up to 20[=Gs=] of force when operating in rough seas, causing many injuries to its users. The Mark V(I) is an upgraded version aimed at remedying this. They are equipped with six mounting stations for M2 50.cal machine guns, M240 or M60 light machine guns, Mk 19 40mm grenade launchers, GAU-17 miniguns, Stinger MANPADS, Mk 95 Twin 50.cal machine guns, Mk 38 chain guns and Mk48 25mm guns. They are also a little bit stealthy.
** '''11 Metre Rigid Hulled Inflatable Boat''': The 11M RHIB is the smallest craft used by SWCC. It is designed to be fast and reasonably stable in coastal waters. It is also very bouyant, and, as is par for the course with SWCC, well-armed.
** '''Special Operations Craft (Riverine) (SOC-R)''': Used for a variety of roles in brown-water operations. Heavily armed, and featured in ''Act of Valor''. The SOC-R is designed to fit aboard C-130 or larger military aircraft. Each craft is manned by a crew of four Special Warfare Combatant-craft Crewmen (SWCC) crew-members and can carry eight personnel. It can be deployed from the air via parachute, and can carry a wide variety of nasty weaponry. A true multi-role vehicle, it can also be used for reconaisance, as a staging post, a search and rescue (SAR) craft or a waterborne interdictor.

!! Air Force Special Operations Command (AFSOC)

* '''Name''': Air Force Pararescue
* '''Nickname(s)''': [=PJs=], Maroon Berets, Rescue Rangers
* ''''Role''': Combat search and rescue
* '''Motto''': "That Others May Live"
* '''Headquarters''': Various
* Even special forces and fighter pilots have to call 911. When they do, Pararescue are the ones that respond. The need for the Pararescuemen, or [=PJs=] (Para Jumpers), was first identified in loose terms in 1922, but it was in WorldWarTwo that they came into their own in the criminally little-known Central Asian theatre, initially trained by US Forestry Commission smokejumpers. Whilst combat search and rescue in the European theater was essentially impossible due to tight German control (not to mention LaResistance were better at sheltering airmen anyway), the Allied efforts to supply the Chinese against the Japanese from India necessitated flying over the loosely controlled Himalayas and Burma (a route known as "the Hump"). The first [=PJs=] were the men who rescued the many downed aircrew who undertook this risky mission over the Roof of the World, fighting off the Japanese, tribes of head hunters, and the bitter cold to complete their mission. With the invention of the helicopter and the Vietnam War, the [=PJs=] became even more vital - with their "Jolly Green Giant" rescue helicopters, the [=PJs=] rescued hundreds of downed airmen, earning ten of the USAF's nineteen air force crosses. Now, they are considered one of the toughest units in the entire US military, and have the highest washout rate of any American special forces unit, roughly 90%. Each PJ is not only a capable parachutist, but a medic and an infantryman too.

* '''Name''': Air Force Combat Control
* '''Nickname''': CCT, Scarlet Berets
* '''Role''': Air Traffic Control in denied areas
* '''Motto''': "First There."
* '''Headquarters''': Various
* USAF CCT are both trained combat soldiers and FAA-certified air traffic controllers. Their job is to control and coordinate air assets in combat zones and in support of special operations. They frequently deploy with US Navy [=SEALs=] and Delta in order to provide air support, communications, command and control, and obstacle destruction. Since the beginning of the War on Terror, the CCT have earned three Air Force crosses. They play a vital role in disaster relief too - during the aftermath of the Haiti earthquake, Combat Controllers promptly established a working control system, successfully landing four million pounds of supplies. The leader of that particular operation, Chief Master Sergeant Tony Travis, was later named one of ''TIME'' magazines 100 most influential people of 2010. Some 85% of the air strikes of Operation Enduring Freedom were called in by Combat Controllers. One Combat Controller, Technical Sergeant Robert Epps, deployed to Mission City, Egypt, and Chicago in support of Optimus Prime and his Autobots in ''{{Film/Transformers}}''.

* '''Name''': Special Operations Weather Technicians (SOWT)
* '''Nickname''': Grey Berets
* '''Role''': Meteorology
* '''Motto''': "Eyes Forward."
* '''Headquarters''': Various.
* Even in the modern age, the weather can play a decisive role in air combat. Where the USAF needs up-to-date and precise intelligence on weather conditions on the ground, it deploys SOWT teams. These men infiltrate enemy territory and report on conditions on the ground there. During the Vietnam War, they established a network of clandestine weather stations in South East Asia, including deploying into the Ho Chi Minh trail in order to observe conditions. They make extensive use of parachutes and [=UAVs=] in carrying out their mission.

!!United States Marine Corps Special Operations Command (MARSOC)

* '''Name''': Marine Special Operations Regiment
* '''Nickname''': None.
* '''Role''': Direct Action, Unconventional Warfare
* '''Motto''': "Always Faithful, Always Forward."
* '''Headquarters''': Camp Lejeune, North Carolina
* The new kids on the special operations block. Back when Special Operations Command was created, the Marine Corps was invited to contribute a unit but they refused because there are no "special" Marines. In simple English, they didn't want to create a unit of Marines that were supposedly "better" than any other Marine, presumably because they saw such a thing as nonsense. The problem was that they missed out on a lot of important missions, so the Corps created the MSOR out of the Force Reconaissance companies and the Marine Special Operations Advisor Group in 2006 to remedy the situation. Their first outing was a disaster that resulted in them being told to get out of Afghanistan, but they have since returned with a vengeance, forming hunter killer motorbike squads to flush out Taliban hiding in the hills. As the new kids, there is also a lot of confusion as to what they actually do that other special operations units don't, but time will tell.

!!Joint Special Operations Command (JSOC)

Astute readers may have read this far and wondered "how come Seal Team 6 and the Delta Force aren't mentioned?" Well, read on to find out.

Officially, JSOC is a "joint headquarters designed to study special operations requirements and techniques; ensure interoperability and equipment standardization; plan and conduct joint special operations exercises and training; and develop joint special operations tactics." This may even be true. However, there is a lot more to their operations than that. JSOC commands and controls the special mission units of USSOCOM. Since 9/11, their primary mission is to search for and destroy terror cells worldwide. They answer directly to the President, and their budget, which is almost certainly in the billions, is classified. JSOC also operates across borders in operations that officially do not exist. A shadowy bunch, they are also the ''creme de la creme'' of the US special operations community, and indeed, some of the deadliest special forces in the world. The conduct extensive work with the Central Intelligence Agency, and are known to have conducted operations in Pakistan, Yemen, Afghanistan, Iraq, and Iran (including kidnapping Iranian Revolutionary Guard officers) in support of the War on Terror

* '''Name''': 1st Special Forces Operational Detachment - Delta
* '''Nickname(s)''': Delta Force, Deltas, The Unit - (''see also'' '''Army Special Forces''')
* '''Role''': Counter-terrorism
* '''Motto''': ''De Oppresso Liber'' ("Liberate the Oppressed")
* '''Headquarters''': Fort Bragg, North Carolina
* One of the Army's "Tier One" special mission units and certainly the most famous. The idea for Delta Force was conceived by a young Special Forces Captain named Charlie Beckwith after he served an exchange tour with the SAS and came to believe that America was vulnerable in not having a unit with similar capabilities. He lobbied hard and called in every favor he could, and eventually Delta Force was born. They are reputed to take a highly scientific approach to developing tactics and techniques, combined with highly creative mission planning, though their record is marred by the disaster known as Operation Eagle Claw and a lot of friction with the regular Army. One commander called them the least friendly people he had ever met[[hottip:*:CPT "Chester Wong" in Yellow Green Beret]]. Generally speaking, you don't find them. They find you. They have been heavily involved in almost every United States military operation since their formation. Two members, snipers Gary Gordon and Randy Shughart, recieved the Medal of Honor after a HeroicSacrifice during the Battle of Mogadishu, in which the two men accounted for 25 hostiles between them. Though not deployed to kill OsamaBinLaden (something they are rather displeased about), they do have a fair few famous scalps: They captured Saddam Hussein and killed his sons during Operation Iraqi Freedom. They ''may'' have killed the notorious drug lord [[TheCartel Pablo Escobar]], and they captured Manuel Noriega during Operation Nifty Package.

* '''Name''': None
* '''Former Name''': United States Army Intelligence Support Activity (USAISA)
* '''Nickname''': The Activity
* '''Known Codenames''': OPTIMIZE TALENT, GRANTOR SHADOW, CEMETERY WIND, CENTRA SPIKE, GRAY FOX, and TORN VICTOR
* '''Role''': Special Reconnaissance, Signal Intelligence
* '''Motto''': ''Veritas Omnia Vincula Vincit'' ("Truth Overcomes All Bounds") or "Send Me".
* '''Headquarters''': IdTellYouButThenIdHaveToKillYou
* They are the most secret of all US Special Operations units. They were formed in the wake of Operation Eagle Claw in order to prepare for a second attempt (Operation Credible Support, which never was carried out). The majority of them are recruited from the US Army Special Forces (unlike Delta, Rangers do not also make up a significant portion of the USAISA's recruits). They are so secret, in fact, that they do not have a name, merely a codename which constantly changes. Interestingly, the initial founders of the unit, back when it was still USAISA, were [[ViolentGlaswegian of Scottish descent]], which is why the unit's badge features an American eagle gripping a claymore surrounded by a kilt belt in the style of Scottish clan badges. They have been heavily involved in the War on Terror, including hunt for Bin Laden. Before that, they assisted Italian police forces during the [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_L._Dozier#Kidnapping Dozier Affair]] and intercepted Nicaraguan Army communications during the Contra war.

* '''Name''': Naval Special Warfare Development Group (DEVGRU)
* '''Nickname''': Seal Team Six
* '''Role''': Maritime Counter-terrorism
* '''Motto''': "The Only Easy Day Was Yesterday"
* '''Headquarters''': Dam Neck Annex, Naval Air Station Oceana, Virginia
* After the debacle of Operation Eagle Claw, the Navy was ordered to contribute men to the newly formed Joint Special Operations Command (not to be confused with Special Operations Command). Charlie Beckwith agreed that having a water-based component attached to Delta might not be such a bad idea. Unfortunately for him, the commander of this "support unit" was Dick Marcinko, who took this tiny element and turned it into an alternative to Delta Force[[hottip:*:"So long as we carried water in our canteens, we'd be in a maritime environment, or close enough for me" -- Dick Marcinko]], the shadowy SEAL Team 6. Throughout its history, DEVGRU has attracted a reputation for out-of-the-box thinking that [[RedOniBlueOni stands in sharp contrast to Delta]] and sometimes works to its disadvantage as commanders in Afghanistan were still unwilling to trust the "cowboy outfit" even after so many decades. Nevertheless, they did get OsamaBinLaden.

!![[{{CIA}} The Central Intelligence Agency Special Activities Division]]

* '''Name''': Special Operations Group
* '''Nickname''': None.
* '''Role''': "Special activities"
* '''Motto''': "And Ye Shall Know The Truth, And The Truth Shall Set Ye Free"
* '''Headquarters''': Langley, Virginia
* Whenever the CIA needs to conduct paramilitary operations, and, usually, when they need to pretend someone else did it, they deploy the Special Operations Group (part of the Special Activities Division), which has its roots in the WWII-vintage Office for Strategic Studies (OSS). Aside from the former USAISA, they are the USA's most secretive special operations unit, and perhaps the most capable. Their mission goes beyond direct action and includes foreign internal defense, assassination, unconventional warfare, and espionage. The SAD's Special Operations Group is responsible for a number of innovations in special operations, including [=HALO/HAHO=] jumps and the Fulton surface-to-air-recovery system (STARS). The STARS was successfully deployed in Operation COLDFEET, when two CIA SAD operatives broke into and looted an abandoned Soviet ice station in the Arctic, during [[{{Film/Thunderball}} Operation THUNDERBALL]], when Film/JamesBond [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MBssigGUYFg escaped from SPECTRE]] using the system, [[note]]Something many audiences found [[RealityIsUnrealistic implausible]][[/note]], and most recently in HongKong by a [[Film/TheDarkKnightSaga masked vigilante]] who abducted a [[TheTriadsAndTheTongs prominent local businessman.]] Highly-trained and often multilingual, details of many of their missions are classified, though they were instrumental in the raid on Bin Laden's compound (SOG officers already in the area cut the power to Bin Laden's compound - and they got clean away afterwards), and vital in the capture of Ilyich Ramirez Sanchez (A.K.A Carlos the Jackal) along with the French, as well as the capture of Khalid Sheikh Mohammed, the Maoist terrorist Abimael Guzman, mastermind of the USS ''Cole'' bombing Abd al-Rahim al-Nashiri, and Afghan insurgent leader Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar. One program, since terminated by Leon Panetta, was the targeted abduction or/and killing of Al-Qaeda operatives worldwide. They also operate the CIA's controversial drone program. Basically, they are everywhere. They could even be behind you as you read this! Spooky, eh?
[[/folder]]

[[folder: The United Kingdom]]
!![[BritsWithBattleships United Kingdom Special Forces Directorate]]

* '''Name''': Special Air Service
* '''Nickname(s)''': [[NothingIsScarier THEM]], 22, 21, 23, Artists' Rifles (21 SAS only), The Regiment, Desmonds, Flat Heads, Blades, Hereford
* '''Role''': Direct Action, Special Reconaissance, Unconventional Warfare, Foreign Internal Defence,
* '''Motto''': "Who Dares Wins"
* '''Headquarters''': Formerly Stirling Lines, Herefordshire, now RHQ Credenhill, Herefordshire
* The original men in black. The Regiment. Actually, the SAS is composed of one regular regiment, the 22 SAS Regiment, and two Territorial Army regiments, the 23 SAS Regiment and 21 SAS Regiment. Although they have been around since World War II, they only exploded into the public consciousness in 1980 when they successfully ended the hostage situation at the Iranian Embassy in London. The SAS serves as the model for many different special operations units, including Delta Force and the SAS regiments of other Commonwealth countries. They have a significant media presence in the UK, mainly through writers like Andy [=McNab=], and the Brits tend to be fiercely proud of them, especially on the internet. Don't ask them about [[Film/{{Ronin}} the boathouse at Hereford]]; they've probably already heard it a thousand times. Also, their base isn't really at Hereford anymore. Sported distinctive [[http://292fc373eb1b8428f75b-7f75e5eb51943043279413a54aaa858a.r38.cf3.rackcdn.com/world_12_temp-1314684324-4e5c7da4-620x348.jpg moustaches]] after the Iranian embassy siege. A piece of clothing, the Smock Windproof DPM, originally designed for the SAS, is considered ''the'' bit of kit to have in the British Army. It does look pretty [[http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/5/56/Lieutenant_%26_Sergeant_of_the_2nd_Battalion_Yorkshire_Regiment_%28RLH%29.JPG cool]].

* '''Name''': Special Boat Service
* '''Nickname(s)''': Canoe Drivers, Bubble Heads, Underwater Knife Fighters, Superbooties, Shakies, Poole
* '''Role''': Direct Action, Special Reconnaissance, Maritime Operations
* '''Motto''': "By Strength and Guile"
* '''Headquarters''': Royal Marines Base Poole, Dorset
* The maritime counterpart to the SAS, though the SBS has been forced to take on a much more land-based role in Afghanistan, much like the US Navy SEAL teams. Their recruits come primarily from the Royal Marines, itself a tough outfit to get into, and they go through more or less the same selection as their airborne counterparts. The genesis of the idea for the SBS came during World War II through the use of specialized canoes that were used to attack German ships stationed in the English Channel. To this day, the official designation for members of the SBS is "Swimmer-Canoeist". The SBS has been more successful, generally, at avoiding the limelight than other special operations units from major military powers; their only major operation reported in recent history is a botched hostage rescue in Nigeria.

* '''Name''': Special Reconnaissance Regiment
* '''Nickname(s)''': The Det
* '''Role''': Special Reconaissance, Electronic Surveillance, Electronic Warfare
* '''Motto''': "Reconnaissance"
* '''Headquarters''': RHQ Credenhill, Herefordshire
* Very, very secretive. Unlike the SAS or even the less well-known SBS they have almost no public profile and almost all of their actions are very heavily classified. Another part of the reason for their low profile is that their job is simply to gather intelligence rather than engage in strike operations, which isn't as glamorous. However, some "facts" are known about them. They absorbed the 14th Intelligence Detachment, formerly known to have been active in Northern Ireland. They are believed by some to have been involved in the shooting of Jean Charles de Menezes, and they have been deployed to Northern Ireland in order to keep watch on dissident Republican groups. In addition, they are heavily involved in the War on Terror, deploying in Iraq and Afghanistan. They are also the only UKSF outfit to involve women in operational roles.

* '''Name''': Special Forces Support Group
* '''Nickname(s)''': Paras, Maroon Machine, Sporting First (1 PARA), Booties, The Green Death, Green Berets (Royal Marines), Rockapes, Amazing Wanking Monkeys (RAF Regiment)
* '''Role''': Special operations support
* '''Motto''': ''Utrinque Paratus'' ("Ready for Anything" - 1 PARA), ''Per Mare Per Terram'' ("By Sea, By Land" - Royal Marines), ''Per Ardua'' ("Through Adversity" - RAF Regt)
* '''Headquarters''': MoD St Athan, Glamorgan
* These guys aren't technically special forces themselves but they fall under the command umbrella of UKSF and receive a lot of the same training and equipment as the SAS and SBS. Anytime special forces go on a mission there are inevitably tasks that need doing that they simply don't have the manpower or resources to take care of entirely in-house. These things include fire-support, distraction teams (launching an attack or recce on another location to draw attention away from the SF's target), cordon forces, rear security etc. The SFSG fills these roles instead and are trained specifically for them, rather than using conventional military units which might not be aware of how SF operate. The SFSG is largely manned by members of the First Battaltion the Parachute Regiment (1 PARA), the RAF Regiment, and Royal Marines.

* '''Name''': 18 (UKSF) Signal Regiment
* '''Nickname(s)''': Scaleybacks, Scaleys (in common with all other RCS outfits. ''See also'' - '''SAS''')
* '''Role''': Communications, electronic warfare, command and control
* '''Motto''': ''Certa Cito'' ("Sure and Swift")
* '''Headquarters''': RHQ Credenhill, Herefordshire
* 18 (UKSF) Signal Regiment provides signals intelligence, electronic intelligence, and maintains communications and their security during UKSF missions. Its members are drawn from both the Royal Corps of Signals and the Royal Marines, and they must be fully qualified to accompany the SAS on any mission they undertake. Despite this, they run their own selection course, and report to the Director of Special Forces...and that's about all we know about them.

* '''Name''': Joint Special Forces Aviation Wing
* '''Nickname''': None.
* '''Role''': Aviation support
* '''Motto''': None.
* '''Headquarters''': RHQ Credenhill, RAF Brize Norton
* The JSFAW is a joint Army Air Corps and RAF operation aimed at providing aviation support to the UKSF in the field. It operates both fixed and rotary wing aircraft, and was created in early 2001.
* '''Aircraft Operated''':
** '''Westland Lynx''': The world's fastest helicopter and a mainstay of British rotary wing operations since 1978, the Lynxes of JSFAW may be upgraded with special operations features.
** '''Eurocopter [=AS365=] Dauphin''': Painted in civilian colors for extra sneakiness.
** '''[=AgustaWestland=] [=AW109=]''': Several were captured from the Argentinian Army after the FalklandsWar. The SAS liked them and continue to operate them.
** '''Boeing Chinook''': Trusty twin-engined heavy lift helicopter. A secret UK variant is believed to be the main one used by the JSFAW.
** '''C-130 Hercules''': Heavily modified and used for covert insertion.
[[/folder]]

[[folder: La France]]
!!Commandement des Opérations Spéciales (COS) - Special Operations Command

Organized in the same style as USSOCOM, COS was established in 1992 following the Gulf War. French Special Forces are permanently under its command and ready for action. It reports directly to the President of France and is commanded by a one-star general. COS has operated in Afghanistan, Mali, Chad, French Guiana and beyond in support of the War on Terror, though it was notably absent from the Iraq War due to France's opposition to that fight. Despite France's [[CheeseEatingSurrenderMonkeys wholly undeserved reputation]], COS is regarded as one of the toughest units in modern SF, and is not to be fucked with under any circumstances. Like USSOCOM, it has subordinate commands:

!!Brigade des Forces Spéciales Terre (BFST) - Special Ground Forces Brigade | [[GaulsWithGrenades French Army]]

* '''Name''': 1er Régiment de Parachutistes d'Infanterie de Marine - 1st [[NinjaPirateZombieRobot Marine Infantry Parachute Regiment]]
* '''Nickname(s)''': 1er [=RPIMa=], bérets rouges (Red Berets), les Rapas, le Régiment
* '''Role''': Direct Action, Special Reconnaissance, Counter-Terrorism, Close Protection, Amphibious Assault, Air Assault, Sniping
* '''Motto''': ''Qui ose gagne'' ("Who Dares Wins")
* '''Headquarters''': Bayonne, Aquitaine
* The French Army first began deploying men to fight on ships (a nasty surprise for any ''rosbifs'' who managed to board) them in 1762, and it is from this proud tradition that the "Marine" part of the 1st Marine Infantry Parachute Regiment comes from. The "Infantry Parachute" part comes from the Free French who served with the British SAS during WWII. In 1940, Charles De Gaulle established the 1st Free French Airborne Infantry Company, which had such a good relationship with Major Stirling's incipient SAS that it became the French Brigade. Between 1941 and 1943, they parachuted into occupied France and raised merry hell with the German occupation, liasing with LaResistance and generally being a thorn in the side of the Jerries. The ethos of the regiment is formed around learning skills. It is organized into four RAPAS (Airborne Reconnaissance and Special Action) companies. Each RAPAS qualified member is trained in air insertion, amphibious operations, motorized operations, counter-terrorism, close protection and theatre-specific skills. Each RAPAS company further specializes - 1st Company does airborne operations, combat diving, urban warfare, counter-terrorism and close protection, 2nd Company does jungle, desert, arctic, and mountain warfare, 3rd Company does motorized operations, and 4th Company does recon, acquisition, and training. In addition, the unit fields Special Recce Patrols who infiltrate ahead of the main force and provide intel.

* '''Name''': 13e Régiment de Dragons Parachutistes - 13th Dragoon Parachute Regiment
* '''Nickname(s)''': 13e RDP, ''dragons de Condé''
* '''Role''': Airborne infiltration, special reconnaissance, strategic reconnaissance
* '''Motto''': ''Au-delà du possible'' ("Beyond what is possible")
* '''Headquarters''': Martignas-sur-Jalle, Aquitaine
* The 13th Dragoon Parachute Infantry Regiment has a long history. It traces its origins back to a regiment of dragoons raised in Languedoc by the Marquis de Barbezières in 1676. It served as the ''dragons de Condé'', and has battle honors from Valmy, Jena, Hohenlinden, Austerlitz, Moscow, Ypres, Verdun, and Algeria. Currently, it provides special reconnaissance - its mission is to infiltrate enemy territory and provide human intelligence. It operates in a variety of environments - from arctic to urban. Intel from the 13th RDP was vital in the Kosovo and Gulf Wars, and their recon contributed to the capture of Serbian war criminal Momčilo Krajišnik in Pale, Bosnia and Herzegovina, in 2000. Its operators are highly sought after by the DGSE, France's intelligence service.

* '''Name''': 4e Régiment d'Hélicoptères des Forces Spéciales - 4th Special Forces Helicopter Regiment
* '''Nickname''': 4e RHFS
* '''Role''': Aviation support
* '''Motto''': None
* '''Headquarters''': Pau, Aquitaine
* The 4th Special Forces Helicopter Regiment is the French answer to the 160th SOAR and the British JSFAW. It's mission is to be transport, support, and extract French special forces anywhere in the world, and to be able to destroy targets itself if need be. Its main role, however, is support. It is comprised of the French Army's finest aviators. During the Kosovo war it extracted a British SAS squad and a downed Harrier pilot in the teeth of enemy fire.
* '''Aircraft Operated''':
** '''Eurocopter [=AS532=] Cougar''': Widely used medium utility helicopter. Twin-engined, notable for a gutsy range and cargo capacity. Reasonably fast too.
** '''Aérospatiale [=SA330=] Puma''': The predecessor to the Cougar. It is unknown why the 4e RHFS continues to operate it, though it has been speculated that their versions are heavily upgraded, and that 4e RHFS may prefer its durability and size.
** '''Eurocopter [=AS332=] Super Puma''': Like the Puma, but better. It can be assumed these are phasing out the old Pumas in 4e RHFS service.
** '''Aérospatiale Gazelle''': A very light helicopter, used where speed and agility are of the essence. During Desert Storm, French Gazelles were very useful as gunships, and have been used recently in Mali, the Ivory Coast, and Libya. A capable light transport and gun platform.
** '''Eurocopter Tigre''': The ''Tigre'' ("Tiger") is Europe's most modern attack helicopter, and is in service with the armies of Germany, France, Spain, and Australia. It is a highly capable helicopter gunship and incorporates limited stealth characteristics. They have been proven in combat in Libya, Afghanistan, and Mali. It is unknown how 4e RHFS have upgraded their ''Tigres'', if they have at all.

!!'''For'''ce maritime des '''fus'''iliers marins et '''co'''mmandos (FORFUSCO) - Naval Infantry and Naval Commandos Force | French Navy

* '''Name''': Commandos Marines - Naval Commandos
* '''Nickname''': bérets verts (Green Berets)
* '''Role''': Naval infantry, combat swimmers, amphibious assault, close quarters battle at sea, anti-piracy
* '''Motto''': Varies between units. General French Navy one is: ''Honneur. Patrie. Valeur. Discipline'' ("Honor. Fatherland. Valor. Discipline.")
* '''Headquarters''': An Oriant, Brittany and Saint-Mandrier-sur-Mer, Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur
* The Naval Commandos are the special forces of the ''Marine Nationale''. Their manpower is drawn from the ''Fusilier Marins'' (Naval Infantry) of the French Navy, who guard key naval installations. They were formed during WWII, modeled on the British commandos, and took part in several key operations of the European theatre, landing with the Allies at Sword Beach and assisting in the capture of Antwerp. The Commandos are divided into six ''commandos'' (a small unit), each with a name honoring a different Naval Commandos officer and hero. Each ''commando'' specializes in a different role. ''Hubert'' Commando are covert divers, ''Jaubert'' Commando deals with boarding and interdict, ''Trepel'' Commando assault at sea and exfiltration, ''de Pentenfenyo'' Commando do reconnaissance and intelligence operations, ''de Montfort'' Commando with fire support, and ''Kieffer'' Commando with command, control, communications, and intelligence ([[MyFriendsAndZoidberg and military dogs]]).

!!Arméede l'air | French Air Force

* '''Name''': Commando parachutiste de l'air n°10 - No.10 (Air Parachute) Commando
* '''Nickname''': CPA 10
* '''Role''': Airborne infiltration, combat control, target designation.
* '''Motto''': None.
* '''Headquarters''': Airbase 123 Orleans-Bircy, Region Centre
* CPA 10 was first formed when France sent operatives to the Soviet Union to observe Soviet paratroop techniques. In 1935, the French Air Minister, General Denain, ordered that a parachute school be formed in Avignon. During the French colonial campaign in Algeria, it became clear that there was a need for a dedicated force to coordinate airstrikes with ground troops, and so CPA 10 was born at Reghaïa. Either on foot or inserting via helicopter, they proved themselves vital. It's main aim is to facilitate the use of air power in depth. Its members are capable combat controllers and military parachutists. The French Air Force also fields a Special Operations Division who operate various aircraft in support of CPA 10

!!Other

* '''Name''': Légion étrangère (L.E) - French Foreign Legion
* '''Nickname(s)''': ''La Légion'', Leatherbellies, Tonkin Regiment, Genie Legion, the White Képis
* '''Role''': Shock troops, combat engineers
* '''Motto''': Honneur et Fidélité (Honour and Fidelity - Official), "Marche ou crève" (March or Die - Unofficial)
* '''Headquarters''': Aubagne, Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur
* While typically thought of as [[LegionOfLostSouls a place where people go to disappear]], ''la Légion'' serves a different and much more convenient purpose as a unit of expendable foreigners that the French government can send to foreign lands where something needs to be done but French casualties would be unacceptable. Each recruit is told straight out that this is their purpose, hence the famous maxim that you go to the Legion to die and the Legion will send you somewhere you can die. Contrary to popular belief, criminals are no longer accepted. The Legion still maintains bases in French Guiana and Corsica, the home of the 2nd Foreign Parachute Regiment, which is as close as you can get to elite in this outfit. Whilst la Légion is not technically speaking a special operations force, its original function as an expendable force is stll upheld, and as a result it often draws some of the more dangerous missions of the French state. It ''is'' a very professional and able body of infantry, comparable to the US Rangers and British Royal Marines, and at the forefront of all modern-day French military deployments.

!!Gendarmerie nationale - National Gendarmerie

* '''Name''': Groupe d'Intervention de la Gendarmerie National (National Gendarmerie Intervention Group)
* '''Nickname''': GIGN
* '''Role''': SWAT, Counter-terrorism
* '''Motto''': ''Servitas Vitae''' ("To Save Lives")
* '''Headquarters''': Satory, Île-de-France
* Technically a military police unit, GIGN is an acronym for the ''Group d'Intervention de la Genderamerie Nationale'' or the Intervention Group of the National Gendarmes. Their most famous operation was the rescue of hostages aboard an Air France flight in 1994 with relatively few casualties, depicted in the French film, ''L'Assaut'' (The Assault).

!!Direction Générale de la Sécurité Extérieure - General Directorate for External Security

* '''Name''': Division Action - Action Division
* '''Nickname''': Unknown.
* '''Role''': Black operations, intelligence, deniable operations, psychological warfare, strategic intelligence, assassination(?), theft, abduction, sabotage, red cell
* '''Motto''': Partout où nécessité fait loi ("In Every Place Where Necessity Makes Law")
* '''Headquarters''': Noisy-le-Sec, Paris
* The DGSE has a reputation, entirely deserved, for being one of the most ruthless and efficient intelligence agencies on the planet, even a planet it shares with Mossad. When it needs to conduct violent operations, it turns to its Action Division, roughly analogous to the Special Operations Groups of the CIA's SAD. Its responsibilites include carrying out black operations for the Directorate, as well as testing the security of France's most prized facilities, such as nuclear power plants. It is infamous for destroying Greenpeace's flagship ''Rainbow Warrier'' in Auckland Harbor, which killed a photographer on board, to prevent it interfering with a nuclear test. When the New Zealand authorities agreed that two of the agents in question (the only ones captured - the rest of the team escaped) fill out their sentences on a French military base, the French government [[ILied promptly returned them to France]]. The unit recently recieved the Croix De Valeur Militaire avec Palmes for "highly sensitive recent engagements. [[/folder]]

[[folder: Deutschland]]

!!Division Spezielle Operationen ([[WeAreNotTheWehrmacht Bundeswehr]]) - Special Operations Division (Federal Defense Forces)

* '''Name''': Kommando Spezialkräfte (Special Forces Command)
* '''Nickname''': KSK
* '''Role''': Hostage rescue, Airborne operations, Direct Action, Unconventional Warfare, Counter-Insurgency, Anti-Terror, Covert Operations, Intelligence operations
* '''Motto''': ''Facit Omnia Voluntas'' ("The Will Is Decisive")
* '''Headquarters''': Calw, Baden-Württemberg
* The fear of a resurgence of German militarism is strong in Berlin, and for a long time the idea of special operations was resisted by the German ''Bundestag'' as it was feared that "secret" units would lead eventually to secret wars, and the civilian political leadership being cut out of the decision making process, enabling the lack of democratic oversight that allowed AdolfHitler to bind the German Army to him and thus ravage Europe. However, by 1996, the German government finally relented and permitted the creation of the KSK, which combined the most elite units of the German Army (which were ''de facto'' SOF anyway) into a single dedicated special operations force. With the outbreak of the War On Terror five years later, the KSK has had a steep learning curve. Nevertheless, typical Teutonic efficiency has moulded them into a highly effective force, taking part in the Battle of Tora Bora in 2001. They are ordered into 6 platoons (1-5 and Command), with each specializing in a different aspect of special operations.

* '''Name''': Luftlandebrigade 26 "Saarland" - 26 (Saarland) Airborne Brigade
* '''Nickname''': Saarlandbrigade
* '''Role''': Paratroops, air assault, intervention force
* '''Motto''': Einsatzbereit – jederzeit – weltweit ("Ready For Action - Anytime - Worldwide")
* '''Headquarters''': Saarlouis, Saarland
* A regular airborne brigade of the German Army attached to the DSO, the 26 (Saarland) is part of Germany's "intervention force" - the part of the German Army that is to deploy anywhere in the world. It functions in combat as a regular, though very high-quality, air assault and paratroops brigade. It was formed in 1958 and has seen action in Kosovo and Afghanistan, not to mention [[ColdWar the years of staring across the North German Plain at the 3rd Shock Army and their mates.]]

* '''Name''': Luftlandebrigade 31 “Oldenburg“ - 31 (Oldenburg) Airborne Brigade
* '''Nickname''': Oldenburgbrigade
* '''Role''': Paratroops, air assault, intervention force
* '''Motto''': Einsatzbereit – jederzeit – weltweit ("Ready For Action - Anytime - Worldwide")
* '''Headquarters''': Oldenburg, Niedersachsen
* A regular airborne brigade of the German Army attached to the DSO, the 31 (Oldenburg) is part of Germany's "intervention force" - the part of the German Army that is to deploy anywhere in the world. It functions in combat as a regular, though very high-quality, air assault and paratroops brigade. It was formed in 1993.

* '''Name''': Grenzschutzgruppe 9
* '''Nickname''': GSG-9
* '''Role''': Counter-terrorism, hostage rescue
* '''Motto''': None
* '''Headquarters''': Sankt Augustin-Hangelar, Nordrhein-Westfalen
* As you should know, these guys were formed after the Israeli athlete hostage situation (and subsequent massacre) at the 1972 Munich Olympics. Simply put, German police were ill-equipped and poorly-trained to handle things and botched a rescue attempt so badly that all the hostages were killed. Much like France's GIGN, they're actually more of a police force than an actual military unit like most special forces -- again, has to do with articles in their constitution and older events that transpired in the past. They made up for the failure of German police forces five years later, when a team deployed to Somalia managed to rescue 86 hostages being held aboard an airliner without losing a single officer or getting any of the hostages killed.
[[/folder]]

[[folder: Россия]]

!![[RussiansWithRustingRockets Russian Special Operations Command]]
Announced by Valery Gerasimov, Chief of the Russian General Staff, in April 2013, this unit is in the process of being formed. Watch this space. In the interim, the Russian Special Operations Forces can be analyzed in terms of their service branch. It should be noted that, like the USA, Russia has a huge number of units that could possibly fit the bill. Unlike the USA, the Russians tend to give them either a bland or NonIndicativeName, as well as classifying most of the basic data about them. Be warned: here be guesswork.

!!Spetsnaz
* The one word of Russian that everyone knows after da, nyet, and vodka. Spetsnaz is actually a catch-all term meaning special purpose forces and refers to a number of different units that there is very little information about. When people think of the Spetsnaz, they are usually thinking of the Spetsnaz GRU which were part of the Russian Army and under the command of their intelligence division. However there are Naval Spetsnaz units as well as police units with their own distinct capabilities. At the height of their power, Spetsnaz brigades were rumored to have assassination companies attached to them who were trained exclusively in eliminating high value targets - indeed, the rumor mill went into overdrive during the eighties, with unfeasible numbers of Spetsnaz supposedly deployed throughout Europe, ready to decapitate NATO with a simple trigger word. In the modern era, however, they are associated with tragically bungled operations like the Moscow Theatre and Beslan School sieges.

!!Сухопутные войска Российской Федерации - Ground Forces of the Russian Federation

* '''Name''': GRU Spetsnaz (not actually their name, now)
* '''Nickname(s)''': Reidoviki (raiders), okhotniki (hunters)
* '''Role''': Reconnaissance, Direct action, Assassination, Sabotage
* '''Motto''': "Greatness of Motherland in your glorious deeds" (possibly - this was the GRU motto)
* '''Headquarters''': Various - GRU headquarters are on Khoroshevskoye Shosse 76, Moscow, Moscow Oblast, Russia, 123007[[note]]That's the actual address if you want to mail them - but don't do anything silly like offering to betray your own country or sending them your poo, as you never know who might come after you - though this page might give you some idea![[/note]]
* Originally under the command of the GRU (Russian military intelligence), the military Spetsnaz were transferred to regional military control in 2008. Currently scattered across training camps in Russia's various military districts, as well as appearing further afield in Chechnya and Georgia, the quality of these soldiers is difficult to ascertain. Although Russia has had some damaging episodes in Chechnya and the sieges during the 1990s, the general quality of the Russian Armed Forces has drastically improved under VladimirPutin, and there is no reason to believe the Spetsnaz have not done the same. They sometimes appear doing martial arts-style demonstrations to the awestruck public (breaking flaming bricks with hands etc), which, while rather cool, doesn't give much indication of their capabilities. Still, the general standard of Russian Arms would indicate they are not to be trifled with. There again, there is a lot of them and not much cash to train them with. Generally, they perform the same basic functions of the special operations of other militaries - reconnaissance, target designation, direct action, search and destroy etc. They had some success in Chechnya.

* '''Name''': Специальные батальоны "Восток" и "Запад" - Special Battalions "East" and "West"
* '''Nickname(s)''': Yamadayevtsy (Yamadayev men), Kakiyevtsy (Kaikiyev men)
* '''Role''': Chechnyan irregulars and auxiliaries, mountain warfare
* '''Motto''': None.
* '''Headquarters''': Eastern Chechnya (East) and Western Chechnya (West)
* When the unpleasantness in Chechnya started in TheNineties after the collapse of the Soviet Union, it was decided that it would be a cracking wheeze to set up Chechen units, as had existed during the old Soviet glory days. Eventually the Special Battalions "East" and "West" were scraped together. They are technically considered Spetsnaz, but their overall performance is...dubious, to say the least. Whilst "West" was commanded by Said-Magomed Kakiyev, a professional military officer and four times Hero of the Russian Federation who kept a low profile, "East" was controlled by the controversial Yamadayev clan, former Chechen rebels, and who used it to amass a personal power base in the Caucasus and intrigue against their local rivals for power. Under their control, they were accused by the the Chechen government and public, and foreign [=NGOs=] of war crimes including rape, murder, forced disappearances, kidnappings for ransom, looting, and drunkenness. Many deserted or defected to the rebels. Eventually, in 2008, the Russian Ministry of Defense got fed up and turned them into regular motor-rifle companies. The remaining Yamadayev brothers were assassinated later by their rivals, and "East" took part in the invasion of Georgia in 2008, apparently suffering heavy casualties, though not being accused of war crimes.

!!Воздушно-десантные войска, ВДВ - Air Landing Forces, VDV

A technically separate service branch from the Russian Ground Forces, the Russian VDV (Air Landing Forces) paratroops have their own ''Spetsnaz'' units.

* '''Name''': 45-й гвардейский отдельный разведывательный ордена Александра Невского полк ВДВ - 45th Guards Detached Reconnaissance Regiment of the VDV
* '''Nickname(s)''': Unknown, VDV in general referred to as Blue Berets or Winged Infantry
* '''Role''': Special Reconnaissance, airborne special operations
* '''Motto''': Unknown, VDV in general has Никто, кроме нас ("Nobody, but us")
* '''Headquarters''': Kubinka, Moscow Oblast
* The Russian VDV enjoy a similar reputation to the USMC, and their special forces are no exception. The activities of the 45th, like all Russian special forces, are classified. However, it is known that they took part in both the First and Second Chechen Wars, and that they were highly active in the 2008 invasion of Georgia, capturing a stock of Georgia [=HMMWVs=] and participating in the Battle of Tskhinvali.

!!Военно-морской Флот Российской Федерации - Military-Maritime Fleet of the Russian Federation

The Russian Navy operates four "Independent Naval Reconnaissance Spetsnaz Points", one for each Fleet (Pacific, Northern, Black Sea, Baltic). It can be presumed that they have similar capabilities and missions to Western combat diver units.

!!Федеральная служба безопасности Российской Федерации (ФСБ) - Federal Security Service of the Russian Federation (FSB)

The Russian Federal Security Service is tasked with the domestic security and stability of the Motherland. To this end, it maintains several elite paramilitary organizations, all of which have operated in combat around Chechnya.

* '''Name''': Directorate "A" of the FSB Special Purpose Center
* '''Nickname(s)''': Spetsgruppa "Alfa", A, Alpha Group, Group A
* '''Role''': Counter-terrorism
* '''Motto''': Unknown
* '''Headquarters''': Lubyanka Square, Moscow, Moscow Oblast
* A dedicated counter-terrorism unit attached to the Federal Security Service or FSB. Although they are mostly used in internal incidents, members of the Alpha Group have been seen in Chechnya and other countries where Russia has national interests. They received one of their few prominent depictions in western media with the release of ''[[VideoGame/MedalOfHonor Medal of Honor: Warfighter]]'', where they are one of the playable Tier One assets in multiplayer.

* '''Name''': Directorate "B" of the FSB Special Purpose Center
* '''Nickname(s)''': Vega Group, Vympel, Spetsgruppa Vympel, "V", "B", Group B
* '''Role''': Counter-terrorism, nuclear safety enforcement.
* '''Motto''': Once the KGB motto of Верность партии - Верность Родине ("Loyalty To The Party - Loyalty To The Motherland"), now unknown.
* Vympel have undergone many changes over the years, especially since the fall of the USSR. They were originally conceived of as an elite unit of foreign intelligence operatives, comparable to the Action Division or CIA SOG. In TheEighties, Vympel had a reputation as the most secretive and highly trained of Russia's spetsnas, and they quickyl surpassed their GRU and MVD counterparts after their founding in 1981. However, after 1991, they fell under the aegis of the MVD - but the Russian Internal Troops had no use for a unit designed, by definition, for external operations and the Vympel had no intention of working as what they considered glorified policemen. Most men resigned. The shell that remained were eventually incorporated into the FSB as nuclear safety troops and counter terrorism, and part their function is to test the security of Russian sensitive facilities by breaking in to them. They also had a moment of prominence in Western media during the Beslan school siege. Vympel is also known to have been present at the storming of the Supreme Soviet during the 1993 Russian constitutional crisis, and it captured Chechen insurgent leader Salman Raduyev in 2000.

!!Служба Внешней Разведки (CBP) - Foreign Intelligence Service (SVR)

* '''Name''': "The Barrier"
* '''Nickname''': Unknown
* '''Role''': Classified, likely similar to the Action Division and CIA SOG
* '''Motto''': Unknown
* '''Headquarters''': Yasenovo, Moscow, Moscow Oblast
* They exist. This much we know. However, their role, purpose, strength, funding, etc is all unknown. However, ''someone'' has to be introducing all these exiled Russian dissidents to their untimely appointments with the Grim Reaper, and odds on its these guys. They are believed to have around 300 men, possibly (at least initially) the men who resigned from Vympel when it came under MVD control.

!!Внутренние войска Министерства внутренних дел - Internal Troops of the Ministry of Internal Affairs

The Russian Ministry of Internal Affairs (MVD) Internal Troops has a number of elite units dedicated to preventing insurgencies and mutinies within Russia. These are known as "special purpose detachments" and are in essence equivalent to SWAT teams, though likely with greater regional training to allow them to operate in the varied theatres of Russia, which is after all the world's largest nation.
[[/folder]]

[[folder: Canada]]

!![[CanucksWithChinooks Canadian Special Operations Forces Command]] (CANSOFCOM)

* '''Name''': Canadian Special Operations Regiment
* '''Nickname''': Silent Professionals
* '''Role''': Direct Action, Special Reconnaissance, Unconventional Warfare
* '''Motto''': ''Viam Inveniemus'' ("We Will Find A Way")
* '''Headquarters''': CFB Petawawa, Ontario
* Established in 2006 out of various Canadian Army units, and tracing its heritage back to the WWII "Devil Brigades", the CSOR is defined in essence as an "enabling" force. Similar to the 75th Ranger Regiment and the SFSG, the CSOR operates primarily in conjunction with JTF 2, providing security, blocking forces, backup, though it is not limited to a supporting role. It has participated in the War on Terror and has been deployed in Kandahar since 2006.

* '''Name''': Joint Task Force 2
* '''Nickname''': Tan berets
* '''Role''': Special Operations, Counter Terrorism
* '''Motto''': ''Facta Non Verba'' ("Deeds Not Words")
* '''Headquarters''': CFB Trenton, Ontario
* Up until 1992, Canadian counter-terrorism operations were undertaken by the Special Emergency Response Team of the [[TheMounties Royal Canadian Mounted Police]]. However, the Canadian public were less than pleased that Canadian police were being taught primarily lethal methods, and so ultimately the SERT was disbanded and its responsibilities transferred to the Canadian military. Initially formed from Canadian Airborne and Light Infantry, JTF 2 operated in Bosnia against Serb snipers in sniper alley. It was first deployed to Afghanistan, apparently without Prime Minister Chretien's permission, in 2001. It quickly established itself as a first division unit. It also provides security to Canadian dignitaries abroad.

* '''Name''': 427 Special Operations Aviation Squadron
* '''Nickname''': Lion Squadron
* '''Role''': Aviation Support
* '''Motto''': ''Ferte Manus Certas'' ("Strike With A Sure Hand")
* '''Headquarters''': CFB Petawawa, Ontario
* Lion Squadron provides aviation support to Canadian special forces. It operates the Bell CH-146 Griffon helicopter, a light utility craft developed from the venerable Huey.

* '''Name''': Canadian Joint Incident Response Unit
* '''Nickname''': None
* '''Role''': CBRN defense
* '''Motto''': ''Nunquam Non Parati'' ("Never Unprepared")
* '''Headquarters''': CFB Trenton, Ontario
* The CJIRU is intended to provide protection against Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear (CBRN) threats to Canada. It is supported by the 8 Air Wing at Trenton so it can be rapidly deployed.
[[/folder]]

[[folder: Polska]]

!!Wojska Specjalne Rzeczypospolitej Polskiej - Special Forces of the Polish Republic

The Special Forces of the Polish Republic are the 4th branch of the [[PolesWithPoleaxes Polish Armed Forces]]. They have served with distinction throughout Operations Iraqi and Enduring Freedom. They trace their lineage from various pre-war formations, such as the winged Hussars, as well as the Armia Krajowa, the Home Army of Poles who resisted the Nazi occupation of the General Government.

!!Dowództwo Wojsk Specjalnych - Special Forces Command

* '''Name''': Jednostka Wojskowa Grupa Reagowania Operacyjno-Manewrowego (GROM) - Military Unit Operational Maneuver Response Group
* '''Nickname(s)''': GROM, Thunderbolts
* '''Role''': Counter Terrorism, Direct Action, Unconventional Warfare
* '''Motto''': Tobie Ojczyzno! ("For You Fatherland!")
* '''Headquarters''': Warsaw Garrison, Masovian Voivoideship, and Gdansk Garrison, Pomeranian Voivoideship
* GROM were established in 1989 in response to several counter-terrorist crises, such as the takeover of the Polish embassy in Bern and the shooting of Polish diplomats in Beirut. Its function was to combine both the military functions of the existing Polish SF and the counter-terrorism function Poland was perceived to have lacked. It's mission encompasses both special operations and the protection of Polish citizens worldwide. GROM distinguished itself in the invasion of Iraq in 2003, aiding in the caputre the port of Umm Qasr and seizing several oil platforms. GROM operatives are often proficient in at least two languages and around three quarters of the unit are qualified paramedics.

* '''Name''': Jednostka Wojskowa Komandosów - Military Unit Commandos
* '''Nickname(s)''': Polish commandos, 1 PSK (former name), JWK, the Regiment, 4101, rangers
* '''Role''': Airborne operations, personnel recovery, foreign internal defense, unconventional warfare, direct action, search and destroy
* '''Motto''': Unknown
* '''Headquarters''': Lubliniec Garrison, Silesian Voivoideship
* The JW Komandosów is Poland's most proficient force dedicated to military special operations. They were first constituted from the Polish Army in 1961, and have since evolved into the Polish military's premier fighting unit, although their traditions step from the Polish resisters who fought the Wehrmacht and RSHA in their own country during World War Two. Their role is similar to the US Army Special Forces - an elite unit of men who perform sensitive and high-risk missions in denied areas. They have been deployed abroad to assist in Foreign Internal Defence operatations, and have served in Yugoslavia, Iraq, Cambodia, Syria, Maecedonia, Afghanistan, and Pakistan.

* '''Name''': Jednostka Wojskowa "Formoza" - Military Unit "Formosa"
* '''Nickname(s)''': MJDS, Special Frogmen Groups
* '''Role''': Combat swimming, direct action, counter-terrorism
* '''Motto''': Unknown
* '''Headquarters''': "Formoza", [[http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/0/09/Formoza_p.jpg a former German torpedo testing platform]] in the middle of Gdynia Naval Harbor, Pomeranian Voivoideship
* Formosa is the Polish military's elite combat diver unit. Although used primarily in the role of underwater demolitions and infiltration, they are also capable of counter-terrorism and have been deployed to Afghanistan. Their party piece is sinking enemy ships in harbors - a small group of men can block a whole harbor, and they can even be used to destroy enemy ships at sea. They also have perhaps the coolest headquarters of any of the units featured here, an ex-WWII torpedo platform in Gdynia harbor, connected to the mainland by a single long bridge. An ideal ZombieApocalypse hideout if ever there was one.

* '''Name''': Jednostka Wojskowa "AGAT" - Miltary Unit "Anti-Gestapo"
* '''Nickname(s)''': Agat, Agate
* '''Role''': Direct action, special forces support
* '''Motto''': "Find and Destroy"
* '''Headquarters''': Gliwice Garrison, Silesian Voivoideship
* Agat is the Polish assault, support, and direct-action unit. Its role is to deploy in support of other special forces units and to secure and prepare the battlespace for them. Recently established, they gained their unit standard in 2012, though they claim lineage from the Sabotage Command of the Polish Armia Krajowa, specifically the units tasked with hunting down high-ranking Nazis. Although they are newly formed, the unit has a proud heritage. Their tough training program has earned praise from the American special forces community and beyond.

* '''Name''': Jednostka Wojskowa Nil - Military Unit "Nil"
* '''Nickname(s)''': Niles, AK, Khedive
* '''Role''': Command support and intelligence, UAV operation
* '''Motto''': Unknown
* '''Headquarters''': Krakow Garrison, Lesser Poland Voivoideship
* Formed in 2009, and named after General Brig. August Emil "Nil" Fieldorfa of the Polish resistance, "Nil" provides logistics and intelligence support to the rest of Special Forces Command. Its main role is to ensure not only that the rest of the command is adequately equipped and provided for, it is also to conduct electronic and human surveillance of target areas. Despite its youth (though it claims descent from the intelligence units of the WWII Home Army), it has been deployed in Afghanistan. It operates the [=FlyEye=] and [=ScanEagle=] [=UAVs=] in this function.
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[[folder: Australia]]

!![[AussiesWithArtillery Special Operations Command (SOCOMD)]]

* '''Name''': Special Air Service Regiment (SASR)
* '''Nickname(s)''': The Regiment, Snake Eaters, Chicken Stranglers, Phantoms of the Jungle
* '''Role''': Counter-Terrorism, Counter-Insurgency, Direct Action, Special Recovery, Surveillance and Reconnaissance, Offensive and Assault operations, jungle warfare
* '''Motto''': "Who Dares Wins"
* '''Headquarters''': Campbell Barracks, Western Australia
* The Australian SASR was established in 1957, and quickly distinguished itself fighting in Malaya and later in Borneo and Indonesia. It was from these early confrontations in the sweltering jungles of Oceania that the SASR would gain its reputation for jungle warfare specialists. This came into its own during the VietnamWar, where the SASR was one of, perhaps ''the'', deadliest anti-communist unit. Equipped with their natural affinity for such operations as well as cut down [=SLRs=] called "Bitch Guns". They were referred to as "Phantoms of the Jungle" by the VC. SASR units trained US Green Berets and worked with SOG units. Now, they remain Australia's primary special operations force, conducting counter-terrorism and insurgency operations, as well as combat search and rescue and special reconnaissance, and have served in Iraq, Kosovo, Afghanistan, Nigeria, Zimbabwe, Kenya, Timor Leste, and the Phillipines.

* '''Name''': 1st Commando Regiment
* '''Nickname''': 1 Commando
* '''Role''': Special operations, training, support
* '''Motto''': "Strike Swiftly"
* '''Headquarters''': Randwick Barracks, New South Wales
* Claiming descent from WWII Commando units that fought in the Pacific theatre, 1 Commando is a reserve unit with a contingent of full-time cadre staff. Their function is to maintain a pool of qualified part and full time operators able to function as a support and command unit for SOCOMD. It has a wide range of responsibilities, and is particularly suited to small-boat operations. It has most recently seen action in Afghanistan.

* '''Name''': 2nd Commando Regiment
* '''Nickname''': 2 Commando
* '''Role''': Special operations
* '''Motto''': ''Foras Admonitio'' ("Without Warning")
* '''Headquarters''': Holsworthy Barracks, New South Wales
* 2 Commando fulfills many of the same roles as 1 Commando, however, unlike 1 Commando, it is a regular Army outfit. They are highly regarded by Coalition special forces abroad. It conducts shock action against large enemy formations, in addition to recon, direct action, and recovery. It also forms part of Australia's domestic counter-terrorism operations. It received the Australian Army's first battle honor since Vietnam (Eastern Shah Wali Kot) in 2013, along with SASR.

* '''Name''': Special Operations Engineer Regiment
* '''Nickname''': Incident Response Regiment (former name)
* '''Role''': Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear defence, combat engineering
* '''Motto''': ''Inter Hastas et Hostes'' ("Between Spears and Enemies")
* '''Headquarters''': Potts Point, New South Wales
* The SOER is a unit of engineers specially equipped to deal with CBRN threats to Australia and to contain such happenings where they cannot be prevented. However, they also have a vast breadth of experience in combat engineering and provide specialist support to SOCOMD units where they are required. The SOER has been deployed to Afghanistan as part of the Australian Defence Forces Operation SLIPPER.

!!Other

* '''Name''': 171st Aviation Squadron
* '''Nickname''': None
* '''Role''': Aviation support
* '''Motto''': "Vigilance"
* '''Headquarters''': Holsworthy Barracks, New South Wales
* The 171st provides airborne support and extraction to Australian special forces regiments. It is not an SF regiment itself, merely an attached Army formation. It operates Australian-modified versions of the [=UH60=] Black Hawk. It has seen action in the War on Terror and has deployed around the world.
[[/folder]]

[[folder: New Zealand]]

!![[KiwisWithCarbines New Zealand Army]]

* '''Name''': New Zealand Special Air Service
* '''Nickname(s)''': NZSAS, Jungle Ghosts, the Regiment
* '''Role''': Direct Action, Special Reconaissance, Unconventional Warfare, Foreign Internal Defence
* '''Motto''': "Who Dares Wins"
* '''Headquarters''': Papakura Military Camp, North Island
* The NZSAS is New Zealand's version of the British SAS, and it undertakes much of the same roles. It is a very highly regarded unit. Its roots lie in the Long-Range Desert Group, the long-range raiding and recon force that also became a precursor to the British SAS. It first saw combat in the Malay Emergency, and it had various roles in the US involvement in Vietnam under Aussie command. It has also deployed to Afghanistan in support of the War on Terror. It was highly praised by David Petraeus and awarded a US Presidential Unit Citation. Highly secretive, it rarely reveals the names of its members or the nature of its operations, however, one member, Willie Apiata VC, was revealed to the public when he the first recipient of the Victoria Cross for New Zealand.

[[/folder]]

!It Takes Two to Tango

In spite of their legendary reputations, insane training regimes and super high tech equipment, special operations units are not the one-man armies that fiction believes them to be. In reality they require insane amounts of support personnel, from the communications and intelligence guys who pick their targets to the pilots who extract them by helicopter or destroy the targets they mark with well-placed bombs, to the lowly grunts who cook their food and maintain their weapons. Many governments have chosen to give their special forces dedicated support units like the UK's Special Forces Support Group or the AC-130 Spectre and Spooky gunships, which are often tasked to special operations units.

All of this support means that a special operations capability is very expensive to maintain and is often one of the first items on the chopping block when the time comes for budget cuts. This one of the reasons that the SAS was disbanded back in the day.

The exclusiveness of special operations can also breed resentment among conventional units who feel that they are getting a smaller slice of the proverbial pie, and have to put up with all manner of nonsense while the "elite" guys get away with mouthing off to superior officers. Since the commander in charge of a particular area in which a unit must operate is often from the conventional military, maintaining good working relationships is hugely important for special operations units. There is no catch-all solution but, for example, Navy SEAL Chris Kyle took great care to be humble and emphasize that not only was he no better than the rest of the troops, he could be a big help as a sniper. If a man washes out of UK Special Forces Selection, he is not "thrown out" but "returned to unit" and given a commendation letter stating that he is a credit to his former unit but is simply not what they are looking for at the present time. After all, that man might go on to be your boss one day!

![[CharacterTiers Not Your Grandma's Fighting Game]]: the Tier System

This is more or less a US-exclusive phenomenon because the US military is so large and well-funded that it can afford to field several different special operations units that each specialize in certain things. When discussing American special ops, you might hear the term "Tier X" thrown around. Usually this will be a reference to how "elite" a certain unit is compared to another unit, with Tier One units being the most elite of all. '''This is completely false'''.

If the Tier system ranks anything, it is the level of funding that a unit gets. This depends on a variety of factors, like what their specialty is, how important their specialty happens to be at the time, the current amount of people in the unit vs. how many they need to have, and how good the unit's commander is at playing budget politics. Navy [=SEALs=] tend to hover somewhere between Tier Three and Tier Two, so by the above logic they would be about as good as the Tier Three Army Special Forces. But would you ask a Special Forces team to make a hydrographic reconaissance chart or a SEAL platoon to conduct counterinsurgency training? Didn't think so[[hottip:*:Incidentally, they have tried to take on a Foreign Internal Defense role and, predictably, were not that good at it]].

Then there are the other countries of the world, which do not have such a big defense budget that they can afford to field multiple different special operations units. If their units occupied a single item on the defense budget, would you consider them Tier One as well? Technically, but it would be hard to argue that a unit like the Lebanese SEAL team has capabilities equal to the Special Air Service.