Special Forces Brigade (Georgia)
Encyclopedia
The Special Forces Brigade is the elite Georgian Armed Forces component. It has been established to conduct special operations, covert operations, special reconnaissance, counter intelligence, counter terrorism, counter insurgency and asymmetric warfare
in and outside the Republic of Georgia. The operational center is located in Tbilisi
, Georgia.
Georgian Special Forces are subordinated under the MOD Special Operations Main Division to a brigade-level command structure. Each formation is split into several sub-divisions which are allocated on different Georgian regions, cities and strategically important areas. Most instructor units are composed of veterans of past conflicts including the Soviet Invasion of Afghanistan, the wars in Georgia and the insurgency in Chechnya
. Some soldiers served as officers in former Soviet Army
formations in Russia, Ukraine or NATO forces. Thus, the experience of these soldiers are essential for the training program.
, British
, Israeli
and other countries' special services. Georgian commandos participated in the Iraq War from 2003 until the complete withdrawal of the Georgian contingent in 2008 due to an escalation of hostilities in South Ossetia
. According to independent accounts, a number of Georgian operatives were also deployed prior in Afghanistan to aid US Special Forces in hunting down Taliban leaders. Georgian officials have stated that a group of servicemen were deployed in Afghanistan for medical purposes.
In the very first hours of the 2008 South Ossetia War
, Georgian special forces backed by artillery successfully eliminated armed opposition around the city of Tskhinvali
as a prerequisite for the full-scale ground assault which followed shortly after in the morning of August 8. The Georgian leadership then announced that more than 11 villages in South Ossetia were under control of governmental forces. It is claimed that small special police detachments took control of villages in the southern part of the region, while single army special forces platoons swiftly advanced further to the north in hope of reaching the Roki tunnel
in time, to just then be repulsed by the Russian counterattack. Engagements between both sides in most cases resulted in the small Georgian units being quickly overwhelmed and thrown out by superior manpower of mechanized Russian paratroopers and areal support. Russians usually used artillery supression with air support to drive a Georgian force out of a village. Reporting that fighting was fierce already before they had a chance to close up to the first buildings, the villages could not be taken until the Georgian Commandos withdrew. The Georgians in their desperate situation managed to slow down the Russian advance with some few really successful ambushes against their armoured forces. But no great delay was achieved due to lack of anti tank systems, rather giving the rest of Georgia's army time to retreat without further heavy casualties. Following the reversal, the bulk of Georgian special forces assisted Interior Ministry units in the evacuation of ethnic Georgians
and VIP
s out of South Ossetia
.
Sergeant
Kakhaber Tavgorashvili died in the morning of August 8 in the course of fighting, the only member of Georgia's special forces to be killed in action to date. Around 55 were reported with physical harms of different degrees. Special Forces followed the general withdrawal order but set up key points very close to Russian forces at towns like Igoeti and Gori. Anyhow, strictly by order most elements of the special brigade remained in Tbilisi
since the outbreak of heavy fighting and were saved for an eventual Russian assault on the city.
Georgian special forces are credited with the notorious ambush on the armoured column of Lieutenant General
Anatoly Khrulyov
, former commander of the Russian 58th Army. The column consisting of tanks and infantry fighting vehicle
s was moving into the city of Tskhinvali
in August 9. It came under crossfire from a small, heavily armed detachment of Georgian Commandos. Only five out of 30 vehicles were able to escape the attack, with the Russian commander wounded and almost captured.
There is one independent light infantry battalion, formerly known as Commando battalion and then rapid response battalion which originally had the special task to secure the Baku-Tbilisi-Jehan pipeline in its possible radius of action. Whether this formation is part of the Georgian special forces or belongs to the regular army, is unclear. It is also unclear, which tasks they perform today.
For example, according to Russian agency report, one exposed battalion is specialised on any conventional and nonconventional internal and external activity during peace time, international crisis and times of war.
Basic daily exercises include the following:
Commandos train for about 15 hours a day. There are usually two shifts, with one having its main focus on physical and psychological stress, the other oriented on tactics and combat skills improvement. Both alternate throughout the day and at the end interact on all teams. During most outside endurance exercises the wearing of combat gear is a vital component to train for all kind of situations in all kind of environments on realistic terms. Most of the training schedule or specific training grounds are being kept secret and locked from the public. In addition to that, Special Forces personnel use training grounds in the United States, Great Britain, France, Ukraine and Israel to further develop their abilities and education by sharing experience and methods with the Special Forces of these countries.
, US Humvee, Turkish Otokar Cobra
, Nurol Ejder
and the Georgian DELGA-1
fast attack vehicle, which is available with different variants.
Radio equipment and combat gear are mainly provided by the US and other NATO members. Helmets and combat gear, as well as navigation systems, bulletproof vests, thermal and night-vision devices. Other than infantry units which rely on material of commonly Georgian fabricate, the special operations forces are handed over special material gear of sometimes comparibly higher quality and value from foreign suppliers.
Asymmetric warfare
Asymmetric warfare is war between belligerents whose relative military power differs significantly, or whose strategy or tactics differ significantly....
in and outside the Republic of Georgia. The operational center is located in Tbilisi
Tbilisi
Tbilisi is the capital and the largest city of Georgia, lying on the banks of the Mt'k'vari River. The name is derived from an early Georgian form T'pilisi and it was officially known as Tiflis until 1936...
, Georgia.
Georgian Special Forces are subordinated under the MOD Special Operations Main Division to a brigade-level command structure. Each formation is split into several sub-divisions which are allocated on different Georgian regions, cities and strategically important areas. Most instructor units are composed of veterans of past conflicts including the Soviet Invasion of Afghanistan, the wars in Georgia and the insurgency in Chechnya
First Chechen War
The First Chechen War, also known as the War in Chechnya, was a conflict between the Russian Federation and the Chechen Republic of Ichkeria, fought from December 1994 to August 1996...
. Some soldiers served as officers in former Soviet Army
Soviet Army
The Soviet Army is the name given to the main part of the Armed Forces of the Soviet Union between 1946 and 1992. Previously, it had been known as the Red Army. Informally, Армия referred to all the MOD armed forces, except, in some cases, the Soviet Navy.This article covers the Soviet Ground...
formations in Russia, Ukraine or NATO forces. Thus, the experience of these soldiers are essential for the training program.
History
The very first of such formations was founded during the War in Abkhazia in 1992 but many already disbanded after several years of service, falling victim to political intrigues and serious accusations of supposed terrorist acts against the Georgian government. Especially internal forces were involved. Since then various special formations occurred under mixed supervision, Russian designed units always enjoying more popularity among the Georgian leadership. Since 2001, Georgia has intensified the training of its elite forces in cooperation with American, FrenchCommandement des Opérations Spéciales
The Commandement des Opérations Spéciales is the organisation which coordinates the use of the French special forces of all military branches . The COS was created on 24 June 1992, following the Gulf War...
, British
United Kingdom Special Forces
The United Kingdom Special Forces is a UK Ministry of Defence Directorate which also has the capability to provide a Joint Special Operations Task Force Headquarters...
, Israeli
Sayeret
Sayeret , literally means "reconnaissance unit" in the Israel Defense Forces . In practice, these units specialize in commando and other special forces roles, in addition to reconnaissance...
and other countries' special services. Georgian commandos participated in the Iraq War from 2003 until the complete withdrawal of the Georgian contingent in 2008 due to an escalation of hostilities in South Ossetia
2008 South Ossetia war
The 2008 South Ossetia War or Russo-Georgian War was an armed conflict in August 2008 between Georgia on one side, and Russia and separatist governments of South Ossetia and Abkhazia on the other....
. According to independent accounts, a number of Georgian operatives were also deployed prior in Afghanistan to aid US Special Forces in hunting down Taliban leaders. Georgian officials have stated that a group of servicemen were deployed in Afghanistan for medical purposes.
In the very first hours of the 2008 South Ossetia War
2008 South Ossetia war
The 2008 South Ossetia War or Russo-Georgian War was an armed conflict in August 2008 between Georgia on one side, and Russia and separatist governments of South Ossetia and Abkhazia on the other....
, Georgian special forces backed by artillery successfully eliminated armed opposition around the city of Tskhinvali
Tskhinvali
Tskhinvali , is the capital of South Ossetia, a disputed region which has been recognised as an independent Republic by Russia, Venezuela, Nicaragua and Nauru, and is regarded by Georgia and the rest of the world as part of the Shida Kartli region within Georgian sovereign territory.It is located...
as a prerequisite for the full-scale ground assault which followed shortly after in the morning of August 8. The Georgian leadership then announced that more than 11 villages in South Ossetia were under control of governmental forces. It is claimed that small special police detachments took control of villages in the southern part of the region, while single army special forces platoons swiftly advanced further to the north in hope of reaching the Roki tunnel
Roki Tunnel
The Roki Tunnel is a mountain tunnel of the Transkam road through the Greater Caucasus Mountains, north of the village Upper Roka. It is the only road joining North Ossetia-Alania in the Russian Federation into South Ossetia, a breakaway republic of Georgia...
in time, to just then be repulsed by the Russian counterattack. Engagements between both sides in most cases resulted in the small Georgian units being quickly overwhelmed and thrown out by superior manpower of mechanized Russian paratroopers and areal support. Russians usually used artillery supression with air support to drive a Georgian force out of a village. Reporting that fighting was fierce already before they had a chance to close up to the first buildings, the villages could not be taken until the Georgian Commandos withdrew. The Georgians in their desperate situation managed to slow down the Russian advance with some few really successful ambushes against their armoured forces. But no great delay was achieved due to lack of anti tank systems, rather giving the rest of Georgia's army time to retreat without further heavy casualties. Following the reversal, the bulk of Georgian special forces assisted Interior Ministry units in the evacuation of ethnic Georgians
Ethnic cleansing of Georgians in South Ossetia
Ethnic cleansing of Georgians in South Ossetia was the removal of Georgian people, which was conducted in South Ossetia and other territories occupied by Russian and South Ossetian forces, which happened during and after the 2008 South Ossetia war....
and VIP
VIP
VIP and V.I.P. is a three-letter acronym that may refer to:-In general:* Vacuum insulated panel* Values, Influence, and Peers, an anti-crime campaign in Ontario elementary schools* Variable Information Printing, a form of on-demand printing...
s out of South Ossetia
South Ossetia
South Ossetia or Tskhinvali Region is a disputed region and partly recognized state in the South Caucasus, located in the territory of the South Ossetian Autonomous Oblast within the former Georgian Soviet Socialist Republic....
.
Sergeant
Sergeant
Sergeant is a rank used in some form by most militaries, police forces, and other uniformed organizations around the world. Its origins are the Latin serviens, "one who serves", through the French term Sergent....
Kakhaber Tavgorashvili died in the morning of August 8 in the course of fighting, the only member of Georgia's special forces to be killed in action to date. Around 55 were reported with physical harms of different degrees. Special Forces followed the general withdrawal order but set up key points very close to Russian forces at towns like Igoeti and Gori. Anyhow, strictly by order most elements of the special brigade remained in Tbilisi
Tbilisi
Tbilisi is the capital and the largest city of Georgia, lying on the banks of the Mt'k'vari River. The name is derived from an early Georgian form T'pilisi and it was officially known as Tiflis until 1936...
since the outbreak of heavy fighting and were saved for an eventual Russian assault on the city.
Georgian special forces are credited with the notorious ambush on the armoured column of Lieutenant General
Lieutenant General
Lieutenant General is a military rank used in many countries. The rank traces its origins to the Middle Ages where the title of Lieutenant General was held by the second in command on the battlefield, who was normally subordinate to a Captain General....
Anatoly Khrulyov
Anatoly Khrulyov
Lieutenant General Anatoly Khrulyov is a Russian general who was the commander of the Russian 58th Army in South Ossetia during the 2008 South Ossetia War. He was wounded when his military column moving into Tskhinvali was destroyed by Georgian special forces on 9 August 2008.- References :...
, former commander of the Russian 58th Army. The column consisting of tanks and infantry fighting vehicle
Infantry fighting vehicle
An infantry fighting vehicle , also known as a mechanized infantry combat vehicle , is a type of armoured fighting vehicle used to carry infantry into battle and provide fire support for them...
s was moving into the city of Tskhinvali
Tskhinvali
Tskhinvali , is the capital of South Ossetia, a disputed region which has been recognised as an independent Republic by Russia, Venezuela, Nicaragua and Nauru, and is regarded by Georgia and the rest of the world as part of the Shida Kartli region within Georgian sovereign territory.It is located...
in August 9. It came under crossfire from a small, heavily armed detachment of Georgian Commandos. Only five out of 30 vehicles were able to escape the attack, with the Russian commander wounded and almost captured.
Organization
The Special Forces Brigade consists of detachments, divisions, groups and battalions with each having a strength of 70 to 400 personnel. It acts under the direct order of the supreme commander of Georgia or minister of defence and is not necessarily bound on the authority and hierarchy structure of the armed forces. Special drills can depend on location of training ground. If there is a home base of a unit located near a coast, the detachments stationed there, will be primarily specialized on underwater warfare. In mountainous areas, there is the availability of advanced training on mountains with ropes and by skiing. Specialized facilities are being used constantly by all formations and friendly military forces.There is one independent light infantry battalion, formerly known as Commando battalion and then rapid response battalion which originally had the special task to secure the Baku-Tbilisi-Jehan pipeline in its possible radius of action. Whether this formation is part of the Georgian special forces or belongs to the regular army, is unclear. It is also unclear, which tasks they perform today.
Training
Very little is known about the disputed extensive exercise and preparation methods, while many Opposition leaders accused the military leadership to let instructors use harassment and inhumane treatment on Special Forces personnel in unacceptable training conditions. The Special Forces Brigade and its sub-formations activities during peacetime are effectively being shielded from the public, with a few exceptional revelations to foreign agencies and the nations incorporated to the country's defence scheme.For example, according to Russian agency report, one exposed battalion is specialised on any conventional and nonconventional internal and external activity during peace time, international crisis and times of war.
Basic daily exercises include the following:
- (1) Endurance Exercises
- "morning walk" with up to 40 kilogram equipment to carry on mountains (vest, helmet, rifle, pistol, backpack, anti-tank weapon, radio etc.), jogging, climbing and obstacle course.
- rope obstacle course on mountains and apartments
- parachute drops
- physical and psychological durability test.
- (2) Advanced Close Combat Training
- knife combat exercises
- full contact training ( wrestling, judo and martial arts )
- close range weapons training in buildings.
- disarmament techniques
- (3) Shooting Range
- Professional marksmanship training to everyone in units based and fireteam and section sized formations. Special requirements include acceptable eyesight.
- sniper training
- Anti-Tank weapons training
- Critical hit training on rope, while on the move and during other situations.
- (4) Education
- history and military history analysis, lessons and tactics studies
- vehicles study, engineering lessons and driving exercises.
- Weapons study and effective handling exercises
- Advanced insights into chemical and biological materials.
- Additional languages studies
Commandos train for about 15 hours a day. There are usually two shifts, with one having its main focus on physical and psychological stress, the other oriented on tactics and combat skills improvement. Both alternate throughout the day and at the end interact on all teams. During most outside endurance exercises the wearing of combat gear is a vital component to train for all kind of situations in all kind of environments on realistic terms. Most of the training schedule or specific training grounds are being kept secret and locked from the public. In addition to that, Special Forces personnel use training grounds in the United States, Great Britain, France, Ukraine and Israel to further develop their abilities and education by sharing experience and methods with the Special Forces of these countries.
Equipment
Georgian special forces units use various weapons and a number of vehicles for transport and combat support. The equipment is mainly of western and Israeli origin, combined with an amount of Russian special arms. The air sections of the GAF provide some air transport capacities with the Mi-24 gunship, while a number of UH-1s are exclusively available for the Special Forces Brigade. Other vehicles in use are the Georgian Didgori Armoured Personnel CarrierDidgori Armoured Personnel Carrier
The Didgori is a Georgian-made armoured personnel carrier family developed by the "Delta" research center of the Ministry of Defence of Georgia and exists in two baseline variants.-Technical characteristics:...
, US Humvee, Turkish Otokar Cobra
Otokar Cobra
The Cobra is a wheeled armoured vehicle developed by Turkish firm Otokar, using some components from the American HMMWV. It was first delivered to the Turkish Army in 1997 and most recently, won a contract from a buyer for APV and 4X4 unarmored tactical vehicles.-Survivability:The monocoque steel...
, Nurol Ejder
Nurol Ejder
Ejder is a 6x6 wheeled armoured personnel carrier designed in Turkey. It began as a private venture in 2006 but proceeded quickly with 27 units delivered to Georgia in 2007.-Description:...
and the Georgian DELGA-1
DELGA-1
The DELGA-1 is a Georgian light fast attack vehicle for special operations purposes, designed in 2005 by the Delta research center of the Ministry of Defence of Georgia.....
fast attack vehicle, which is available with different variants.
Radio equipment and combat gear are mainly provided by the US and other NATO members. Helmets and combat gear, as well as navigation systems, bulletproof vests, thermal and night-vision devices. Other than infantry units which rely on material of commonly Georgian fabricate, the special operations forces are handed over special material gear of sometimes comparibly higher quality and value from foreign suppliers.