Special Operations Group (Argentina)
Encyclopedia
The Special Operations Group is a special operations
force of the Argentine Air Force
. This strategic division, headquartered at Morón
Air Base in the Buenos Aires province, is mainly responsible for resolving aircraft hijacking issues.
The unit traces its history back to 1947, when the Air Force
formed the country's first jump school and airborne unit: the Escuadrón de Apoyo Comando (Commando Assistance Squadron, EAC). The unit was originally known as the 13th Parachute Regiment and operated under Army
control until an official Army
airborne
unit was raised. Over the years the Air Force's
airborne
unit was gradually regulated to secondary role, with the Army's special forces
becoming the country's
primary special operations
service
. The 13th Parachute Regiment was reduced in size and re-designated as the Grupo de Operaciones Especiales before finally evolving into its current composition as the EAC. Currently all of the units members are qualified HALO/HAHO parachutists
and specialize in conducting raids and LRRP missions.
Since its formation the unit has steadily expanded its capabilities, receiving training from US Army Special Forces
, the US Army
School of the Americas
, and the closed US Army
Jungle Operations Training Center (JOTC) in Panama
. Individual unit members have also attended training at Fort Bragg, North Carolina
.
Weapons in use by the unit include the HK G-41 5.56 mm assault rifles with HK-79 40 mm grenade launchers, Remington 870 12-gauge shotguns, HK G-33 5.56 mm assault rifles, HK MP-5 SD-6 SMGs, HK-69 40 mm grenade launchers, HK MP-5 A1 9 mm SMGs, HK MP5-K 9 mm SMGs, Browning HI-POWER 9 mm pistols, Walter PPK pistols with silencer, HK P9S pistols, FAMAE S.A.F. SMGs with and with out silencers.
Special forces
Special forces, or special operations forces are terms used to describe elite military tactical teams trained to perform high-risk dangerous missions that conventional units cannot perform...
force of the Argentine Air Force
Argentine Air Force
The Argentine Air Force is the national aviation branch of the Armed Forces of the Argentine Republic. , it had 14,606 military and 6,854 civilian staff.-History:...
. This strategic division, headquartered at Morón
Moron Airport and Air Base
Morón Airport is located southwest of the center of Morón, a city in the Buenos Aires Province of Argentina. The airport covers an area of 439 hectares...
Air Base in the Buenos Aires province, is mainly responsible for resolving aircraft hijacking issues.
The unit traces its history back to 1947, when the Air Force
Argentine Air Force
The Argentine Air Force is the national aviation branch of the Armed Forces of the Argentine Republic. , it had 14,606 military and 6,854 civilian staff.-History:...
formed the country's first jump school and airborne unit: the Escuadrón de Apoyo Comando (Commando Assistance Squadron, EAC). The unit was originally known as the 13th Parachute Regiment and operated under Army
Argentine Army
The Argentine Army is the land armed force branch of the Armed Forces of the Argentine Republic and the senior military service of the country.- History :...
control until an official Army
Argentine Army
The Argentine Army is the land armed force branch of the Armed Forces of the Argentine Republic and the senior military service of the country.- History :...
airborne
Airborne forces
Airborne forces are military units, usually light infantry, set up to be moved by aircraft and 'dropped' into battle. Thus they can be placed behind enemy lines, and have an ability to deploy almost anywhere with little warning...
unit was raised. Over the years the Air Force's
Argentine Air Force
The Argentine Air Force is the national aviation branch of the Armed Forces of the Argentine Republic. , it had 14,606 military and 6,854 civilian staff.-History:...
airborne
Airborne forces
Airborne forces are military units, usually light infantry, set up to be moved by aircraft and 'dropped' into battle. Thus they can be placed behind enemy lines, and have an ability to deploy almost anywhere with little warning...
unit was gradually regulated to secondary role, with the Army's special forces
Special forces
Special forces, or special operations forces are terms used to describe elite military tactical teams trained to perform high-risk dangerous missions that conventional units cannot perform...
becoming the country's
Argentina
Argentina , officially the Argentine Republic , is the second largest country in South America by land area, after Brazil. It is constituted as a federation of 23 provinces and an autonomous city, Buenos Aires...
primary special operations
Special operations
Special operations are military operations that are considered "special" .Special operations are typically performed independently or in conjunction with conventional military operations. The primary goal is to achieve a political or military objective where a conventional force requirement does...
service
Special forces
Special forces, or special operations forces are terms used to describe elite military tactical teams trained to perform high-risk dangerous missions that conventional units cannot perform...
. The 13th Parachute Regiment was reduced in size and re-designated as the Grupo de Operaciones Especiales before finally evolving into its current composition as the EAC. Currently all of the units members are qualified HALO/HAHO parachutists
HALO/HAHO
Military free-fall form of insertion.PurposeDelivering personnel, equipment, or supplies.HALOHigh-Altitude/Low-OpeningHAHOHigh-Altitude/High-OpeningOrigins...
and specialize in conducting raids and LRRP missions.
Since its formation the unit has steadily expanded its capabilities, receiving training from US Army Special Forces
United States Army Special Forces
The United States Army Special Forces, also known as the Green Berets because of their distinctive service headgear, are a special operations force tasked with six primary missions: unconventional warfare, foreign internal defense, special reconnaissance, direct action, hostage rescue, and...
, the US Army
United States Army
The United States Army is the main branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. It is the largest and oldest established branch of the U.S. military, and is one of seven U.S. uniformed services...
School of the Americas
Western Hemisphere Institute for Security Cooperation
The Western Hemisphere Institute for Security Cooperation , formerly the United States Army School of the Americas is a United States Department of Defense educational and training facility at Fort Benning near Columbus, Georgia in the United States...
, and the closed US Army
United States Army
The United States Army is the main branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. It is the largest and oldest established branch of the U.S. military, and is one of seven U.S. uniformed services...
Jungle Operations Training Center (JOTC) in Panama
Panama
Panama , officially the Republic of Panama , is the southernmost country of Central America. Situated on the isthmus connecting North and South America, it is bordered by Costa Rica to the northwest, Colombia to the southeast, the Caribbean Sea to the north and the Pacific Ocean to the south. The...
. Individual unit members have also attended training at Fort Bragg, North Carolina
Fort Bragg, North Carolina
Fort Bragg is a major United States Army installation, in Cumberland and Hoke counties, North Carolina, U.S., mostly in Fayetteville but also partly in the town of Spring Lake. It was also a census-designated place in the 2010 census and had a population of 39,457. The fort is named for Confederate...
.
Weapons in use by the unit include the HK G-41 5.56 mm assault rifles with HK-79 40 mm grenade launchers, Remington 870 12-gauge shotguns, HK G-33 5.56 mm assault rifles, HK MP-5 SD-6 SMGs, HK-69 40 mm grenade launchers, HK MP-5 A1 9 mm SMGs, HK MP5-K 9 mm SMGs, Browning HI-POWER 9 mm pistols, Walter PPK pistols with silencer, HK P9S pistols, FAMAE S.A.F. SMGs with and with out silencers.
See also
- Rapid Deployment ForceRapid Deployment Force (Argentina)The Rapid Deployment Force is a joint special operations division of the Argentine Armed Forces and the Argentine National Gendarmerie specially trained to give a quick and effective military response to any eventual attack against the country....
- Argentine Air ForceArgentine Air ForceThe Argentine Air Force is the national aviation branch of the Armed Forces of the Argentine Republic. , it had 14,606 military and 6,854 civilian staff.-History:...