Special Service Wing
Encyclopedia
The Special Service Wing, codename the SS Wing, or previously known as 312th Special Service Wing or Maroon berets, is an special operations aerospace unit of the Pakistan Air Force
(PAF). The SS Wing or Maroon Berets are an elite special operations force based upon United States Air Force
's Special Tactics Squadron and the United States Army Rangers
. The SSW is a newest military division of the Special Forces Command of Pakistan Armed Forces. The division has recently been revived and is fielding between 800 - 1200 troops.
with India
Air Cdre
(Brigadier-General) Mukhtar Ahmad Dogar
SJ
who had flown Royal Indian Air Force aircraft supporting the Chindits Operating behind Japanese lines in Burma was instrumental in creating a special forces unit for the Pakistan Air Force called SAW (Special Airwarfare Wing). The SAW was raised in 1966 under the command of Air Commodore Mukhtar Ahmad Dogar but, in 1972, the unit was discharged. The Air Force personnel and soldiers were merged with the Special Service Group and most of its members had actively participated during the Afghan War in the 1980
s.
In 1999, the concept of a special forces wing for the Air Force was again revived after the Kargil War with India. Senior officials and military scientists of the Pakistani Armed Forces were impressed in the way that United States Army Special Forces
during the initial phase of the war in Afghanistan
were able to secure targets, set up runways and airstrips for immediate use and direct strategic and tactical air strikes on enemy positions so quickly. The Air Force established the division under the name Special Service Wing (SSW). The training was undertaken by the Special Service Group (SSG) with new principles, doctrines and specialization from the United States. The close cooperation between the United States and Pakistani military since 2001 allowed many SSW soldiers to go to the United States to be trained on a regular basis. All of its members of SSW must have to be HALO/HAHO qualified with an skilled operations ability. The unit became operational in 2004. Recently, most of its members have completed or graduated with the members of 1st Special Operations Wing
in the United States. The one of the combat brigade of Special Service Wing had been carrying out special day-light aerial and night-aerial operations during the recent insurgencies inside Pakistan
. The one of the combat unit, along side with Navy
's SSGN
and Army
's SSG, have actively participated in recent operations led by the Pakistan Army in Waziristan.
First they will be given basic training at Kallar Kahar for a 6-8 weeks. The initial course emphasizes tough physical conditioning and endurance. This includes a 40 mile march in 12 hours with 20 kg weight and a 5 mile run in 35 minutes with full gear (60-80lbs) among the many physically demanding challenges. The concept of the initial training is designed to weed out the weak candidates. Drop out rate is very high and those who survive the initial training are then sent to Special Operation School for 9-12 Months for specialized training.
The advanced training includes Anti-terrorist & hostage rescue, Minor Ops, basic desert, mountain, water, snow survival training, unarmed combat, firing with all types of weapons, intelligence, static line equipment jumps, diving etc. Many in the SSW are selected for additional specialist training. A HALO/HAHO course is given at Risalpur with a "Skydiver" tab awarded after 30 free fall jumps. For HAHO minimum 150 Free fall jumps along with 10 Night equipment free fall jumps are required. A "Mountain Warfare" qualification badge is given after completing a course at the Mountain Warfare School in Ratto; and a "Combat Diver" badge is awarded for the course held by the Naval Special Services Group SSGN at Karachi or by MUSA company at Mangla .
SSW soldiers are occasionally sent to the United States for advanced training with the 1st Special Forces Group
and the 75th Ranger Regiment
in Fort Lewis
, Fort Bragg
and Fort Benning
.
They are also trained to be ground operators certified to act as air traffic controller
s in hostile and dangerous environments. They can take over or construct an airstrip, set up navigational equipment, and direct airplanes and helicopter
s to a safe landing without the use of a tower or elaborate communications system. They also control air attacks of fixed- and rotary-wing aircraft from all military services.
They will also have the capability to perform search and rescue
, typically of (but not limited to) downed pilots. They will be trained and able both to fight with virtually any special operations unit and to act as paramedic
s on the battlefield.
Some members of SSW will have the ability to gather and interpret meteorological
and oceanographic
information, as well as act as forward ground combatants. Their primary mission would be to collect and disseminate forward observations in denied, hostile, or otherwise data-sparse regions. But can be used for any kind of task as every member is trained for multiple tasks.
Each Squadron consists of 250-400 men. Squadrons are divided into numerous flights which are further subdivided into 10-12 men teams. Squadrons are commanded by Wing Commanders/Squadron leaders.
s with PAF Officer, JCO or Airmen berret insignia], and a wing on the right side of the chest. The combat uniform of the SSW is green jungle camouflage. The also wear their wing insignia.
. They were assigned to operated in Jammuand Kashmir and Dhaka, East-Pakistan. They were also kept standing by for airborne assault at different IAF bases. During 1980s, the SSW were assigned to operated alongside Army special forces in areas bordering Afghanistan. Recently, the SSW were dispatched with 50th Airborne Division of Pakistan Army and the Special Service Group (SSG). During the conflict, the SSW unit have participated in different helo borne and airborne assaults during recent SWAT and Wazirstan operations.
Since the formation of SSW in 2004, they have been engaged in fighting against militants in Pakistan's NWFP region.
Pakistan Air Force
The Pakistan Air Force is the leading air arm of the Pakistan Armed Forces and is primarily tasked with the aerial defence of Pakistan with a secondary role of providing air support to the Pakistan Army and the Pakistan Navy. The PAF also has a tertiary role of providing strategic air transport...
(PAF). The SS Wing or Maroon Berets are an elite special operations force based upon United States Air Force
United States Air Force
The United States Air Force is the aerial warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the American uniformed services. Initially part of the United States Army, the USAF was formed as a separate branch of the military on September 18, 1947 under the National Security Act of...
's Special Tactics Squadron and the United States Army Rangers
United States Army Rangers
United States Army Rangers are elite members of the United States Army. Rangers have served in recognized U.S. Army Ranger units or have graduated from the U.S. Army's Ranger School...
. The SSW is a newest military division of the Special Forces Command of Pakistan Armed Forces. The division has recently been revived and is fielding between 800 - 1200 troops.
History
After the 1965 warIndo-Pakistani War of 1965
The Indo-Pakistani War of 1965 was a culmination of skirmishes that took place between April 1965 and September 1965 between Pakistan and India. This conflict became known as the Second Kashmir War fought by India and Pakistan over the disputed region of Kashmir, the first having been fought in 1947...
with India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
Air Cdre
Air Commodore
Air commodore is an air-officer rank which originated in and continues to be used by the Royal Air Force...
(Brigadier-General) Mukhtar Ahmad Dogar
Mukhtar Ahmad Dogar
Air Commodore Mukhtar Ahmad Dogar was the Pakistan Air Force bomber pilot and aerial warfare specialist who was the first military person to receive the Pakistani military award Sitara-e-Jurat. A World War II vetern, he is most known for his participation in Indo-Pakistani War of 1947 when he had...
SJ
Sitara-e-Jurat
Sitara-e-Jurat is the third highest military award of Pakistan. It was established in 1957 after Pakistan became a Republic; however, it was instituted retrospectively back to 1947...
who had flown Royal Indian Air Force aircraft supporting the Chindits Operating behind Japanese lines in Burma was instrumental in creating a special forces unit for the Pakistan Air Force called SAW (Special Airwarfare Wing). The SAW was raised in 1966 under the command of Air Commodore Mukhtar Ahmad Dogar but, in 1972, the unit was discharged. The Air Force personnel and soldiers were merged with the Special Service Group and most of its members had actively participated during the Afghan War in the 1980
Soviet war in Afghanistan
The Soviet war in Afghanistan was a nine-year conflict involving the Soviet Union, supporting the Marxist-Leninist government of the Democratic Republic of Afghanistan against the Afghan Mujahideen and foreign "Arab–Afghan" volunteers...
s.
In 1999, the concept of a special forces wing for the Air Force was again revived after the Kargil War with India. Senior officials and military scientists of the Pakistani Armed Forces were impressed in the way that United States 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...
during the initial phase of the war in Afghanistan
War in Afghanistan (2001–present)
The War in Afghanistan began on October 7, 2001, as the armed forces of the United States of America, the United Kingdom, Australia, and the Afghan United Front launched Operation Enduring Freedom...
were able to secure targets, set up runways and airstrips for immediate use and direct strategic and tactical air strikes on enemy positions so quickly. The Air Force established the division under the name Special Service Wing (SSW). The training was undertaken by the Special Service Group (SSG) with new principles, doctrines and specialization from the United States. The close cooperation between the United States and Pakistani military since 2001 allowed many SSW soldiers to go to the United States to be trained on a regular basis. All of its members of SSW must have to be HALO/HAHO qualified with an skilled operations ability. The unit became operational in 2004. Recently, most of its members have completed or graduated with the members of 1st Special Operations Wing
1st Special Operations Wing
The 1st Special Operations Wing at Hurlburt Field, Florida is one of two United States Air Force active duty Special Operations wings and falls under the Air Force Special Operations Command ....
in the United States. The one of the combat brigade of Special Service Wing had been carrying out special day-light aerial and night-aerial operations during the recent insurgencies inside Pakistan
War in North-West Pakistan
The War in North-West Pakistan is an armed conflict between the Pakistan Armed Forces and armed religious groups such as the Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan , Lashkar-e-Islam, TSNM, Arab and Central Asian militants including Al-Qaeda, regional armed movements and elements of organized crime.The armed...
. The one of the combat unit, along side with Navy
Pakistan Navy
The Pakistan Navy is the naval warfare/service branch of the Pakistan Armed Forces. Pakistan's Navy is responsible for Pakistan's coastline along the Arabian Sea and the defense of important civilian harbors and military bases...
's SSGN
Special Service Group Navy
The Special Service Group Navy, codename SSG, are the Pakistan Navy's elite principal special operations naval force component. Together with the PAF 312th SS Wing, Special Service Group, Pakistan Marines, and Rangers, they form Pakistan Special Operations Command under the joint administrative...
and Army
Pakistan Army
The Pakistan Army is the branch of the Pakistani Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. The Pakistan Army came into existence after the Partition of India and the resulting independence of Pakistan in 1947. It is currently headed by General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani. The Pakistan...
's SSG, have actively participated in recent operations led by the Pakistan Army in Waziristan.
Training
All the SSW members get their initial training from Special Operation School, Cherat. Soldiers wanting to join the SSW must have at least two years of service before they can join.First they will be given basic training at Kallar Kahar for a 6-8 weeks. The initial course emphasizes tough physical conditioning and endurance. This includes a 40 mile march in 12 hours with 20 kg weight and a 5 mile run in 35 minutes with full gear (60-80lbs) among the many physically demanding challenges. The concept of the initial training is designed to weed out the weak candidates. Drop out rate is very high and those who survive the initial training are then sent to Special Operation School for 9-12 Months for specialized training.
The advanced training includes Anti-terrorist & hostage rescue, Minor Ops, basic desert, mountain, water, snow survival training, unarmed combat, firing with all types of weapons, intelligence, static line equipment jumps, diving etc. Many in the SSW are selected for additional specialist training. A HALO/HAHO course is given at Risalpur with a "Skydiver" tab awarded after 30 free fall jumps. For HAHO minimum 150 Free fall jumps along with 10 Night equipment free fall jumps are required. A "Mountain Warfare" qualification badge is given after completing a course at the Mountain Warfare School in Ratto; and a "Combat Diver" badge is awarded for the course held by the Naval Special Services Group SSGN at Karachi or by MUSA company at Mangla .
SSW soldiers are occasionally sent to the United States for advanced training with the 1st Special Forces Group
1st Special Forces Group (United States)
The 1st Special Forces Group is a U.S. Army Special Forces unit that was activated on 24 June 1957 at Camp Drake, Japan.-Unit history:It was among the first groups of the Special Forces to be officially formed. The group is responsible for operations in the Pacific...
and the 75th Ranger Regiment
75th Ranger Regiment (United States)
The 75th Ranger Regiment , also known as Rangers, is a Special Operations light infantry unit of the United States Army. The Regiment is headquartered in Fort Benning, Georgia with battalions in Fort Benning, Hunter Army Airfield and Joint Base Lewis-McChord...
in Fort Lewis
Fort Lewis
Joint Base Lewis-McChord is a United States military facility located south-southwest of Tacoma, Washington. The facility is under the jurisdiction of the United States Army Joint Base Garrison, Joint Base Lewis-McChord....
, Fort Bragg
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...
and Fort Benning
Fort Benning
Fort Benning is a United States Army post located southeast of the city of Columbus in Muscogee and Chattahoochee counties in Georgia and Russell County, Alabama...
.
Capabilities
The SSW combat members are trained and qualified to carry out missions in unconventional warfare, special reconnaissance, direct action by sabotage and offensive raiding, Counter terrorism, counter-proliferation, VIP protection, and information and intelligence gathering operations. They have also carried out Combat search and rescue (CSAR), security assistance, humanitarian assistance.They are also trained to be ground operators certified to act as air traffic controller
Air traffic controller
Air traffic controllers are the people who expedite and maintain a safe and orderly flow of air traffic in the global air traffic control system. The position of the air traffic controller is one that requires highly specialized skills...
s in hostile and dangerous environments. They can take over or construct an airstrip, set up navigational equipment, and direct airplanes and helicopter
Helicopter
A helicopter is a type of rotorcraft in which lift and thrust are supplied by one or more engine-driven rotors. This allows the helicopter to take off and land vertically, to hover, and to fly forwards, backwards, and laterally...
s to a safe landing without the use of a tower or elaborate communications system. They also control air attacks of fixed- and rotary-wing aircraft from all military services.
They will also have the capability to perform search and rescue
Search and rescue
Search and rescue is the search for and provision of aid to people who are in distress or imminent danger.The general field of search and rescue includes many specialty sub-fields, mostly based upon terrain considerations...
, typically of (but not limited to) downed pilots. They will be trained and able both to fight with virtually any special operations unit and to act as paramedic
Paramedic
A paramedic is a healthcare professional that works in emergency medical situations. Paramedics provide advanced levels of care for medical emergencies and trauma. The majority of paramedics are based in the field in ambulances, emergency response vehicles, or in specialist mobile units such as...
s on the battlefield.
Some members of SSW will have the ability to gather and interpret meteorological
Meteorology
Meteorology is the interdisciplinary scientific study of the atmosphere. Studies in the field stretch back millennia, though significant progress in meteorology did not occur until the 18th century. The 19th century saw breakthroughs occur after observing networks developed across several countries...
and oceanographic
Oceanography
Oceanography , also called oceanology or marine science, is the branch of Earth science that studies the ocean...
information, as well as act as forward ground combatants. Their primary mission would be to collect and disseminate forward observations in denied, hostile, or otherwise data-sparse regions. But can be used for any kind of task as every member is trained for multiple tasks.
Organization
Special Service Wing has five squadrons and one separate Flight Wing.- PAF No. 1st Special Operations Squadron - The No. 1st Special Operation Squadron is one of PAFPakistan Air ForceThe Pakistan Air Force is the leading air arm of the Pakistan Armed Forces and is primarily tasked with the aerial defence of Pakistan with a secondary role of providing air support to the Pakistan Army and the Pakistan Navy. The PAF also has a tertiary role of providing strategic air transport...
's aggressor squadron. The members of No. 1 Special Operations Squadron are fighter-pilots by profession graduated from Combat Commander's School, but are also trained to participate with Pakistan Army's SSG Anti-Terrorist Group. The No. 1 SOS are currently participated in War in West-PakistanWar in North-West PakistanThe War in North-West Pakistan is an armed conflict between the Pakistan Armed Forces and armed religious groups such as the Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan , Lashkar-e-Islam, TSNM, Arab and Central Asian militants including Al-Qaeda, regional armed movements and elements of organized crime.The armed...
along with NavyPakistan NavyThe Pakistan Navy is the naval warfare/service branch of the Pakistan Armed Forces. Pakistan's Navy is responsible for Pakistan's coastline along the Arabian Sea and the defense of important civilian harbors and military bases...
's SSG Naval Special ForcesSpecial Service Group NavyThe Special Service Group Navy, codename SSG, are the Pakistan Navy's elite principal special operations naval force component. Together with the PAF 312th SS Wing, Special Service Group, Pakistan Marines, and Rangers, they form Pakistan Special Operations Command under the joint administrative...
. They are distinguished when they had participated in Operation Black ThunderstormOperation Black ThunderstormOperation Black Thunderstorm was an aggressive military operation that commenced on April 26, 2009 conducted by the Pakistan Army, with the aim of retaking Buner, Lower Dir, Swat and Shangla districts from the Taliban after the militants took control of them since the start of the year.- Background...
led by Pakistan Army's 50th Airborne Division. - No. 2 Special Operations Squadron (2nd SOS)- The No. 2 Special Operation Squadron is dispatched with ISI, CIA and 427th Special Operations Squadron. It performs clandestine missions as part of the Global War on Terrorism, as part of the effort to destroy Al Qaeda.
- PAF No. 3rd Special Operations Squadron - Anti Terrorist and Hostage Rescue Squadron, The No. 3 Squadron is trained for an immediate evacuation of hostages and high value military personnel in a war-zone crises.
- No. 4th Special Operations Squadron (4th SOS)- The No. 4 Squadron is based on providing Very Important PersonVery Important PersonA Very Important Person, or VIP is a person who is accorded special privileges due to his or her status or importance.Examples include celebrities, heads of state/heads of government, major employers, high rollers, politicians, high-level corporate officers, wealthy individuals, or any other...
(VIP) protection to state leaders and other VIP personnel's flight. The No. 4th Squadron is currently assigned to Islamabad, Pakistan. - No. 5th Paratrooper Training Squadron (5th PTS) - The members of No. 5th Paratrooper Squadrons are the Airborne forces of Pakistan Air Force. Together, they perform and participated in military operations led by Pakistan Army 50th Airborne Division.
- No. 10th Special Reconnaissance Flight Squadron (10th SRF) - The Number 10th Special Reconnaissance Flight Squadron are tasked with taking reconnaissance flights in enemy territories. The 10th SRF Group is closely associated with Pakistan's ISI Special Operations Directorate (SOD). As of today, the 10th SRF Squadron is participating in War in North-West PakistanWar in North-West PakistanThe War in North-West Pakistan is an armed conflict between the Pakistan Armed Forces and armed religious groups such as the Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan , Lashkar-e-Islam, TSNM, Arab and Central Asian militants including Al-Qaeda, regional armed movements and elements of organized crime.The armed...
, notably Operation Black ThunderstormOperation Black ThunderstormOperation Black Thunderstorm was an aggressive military operation that commenced on April 26, 2009 conducted by the Pakistan Army, with the aim of retaking Buner, Lower Dir, Swat and Shangla districts from the Taliban after the militants took control of them since the start of the year.- Background...
and Operation Rah-e-NijatOperation Rah-e-NijatThe Operation Rah-e-Nijat was a Pakistani military operation against the Taliban and other Islamist rebels in the South Waziristan area of the Federally Administered Tribal Areas that began on June 19, 2009; a major ground offensive was subsequently launched on October 17...
, where they had taken numerous reconnaissance sorties and targeted high-value targets.
Each Squadron consists of 250-400 men. Squadrons are divided into numerous flights which are further subdivided into 10-12 men teams. Squadrons are commanded by Wing Commanders/Squadron leaders.
Uniform
SSW (Special Services Wing) is distinguished by maroon beretMaroon beret
The maroon beret is a military beret and has been an international symbol of elite airborne forces since it was chosen for British airborne forces in World War II. This distinctive head dress was officially introduced in 1942, at the direction of General Frederick Browning, commander of the British...
s with PAF Officer, JCO or Airmen berret insignia], and a wing on the right side of the chest. The combat uniform of the SSW is green jungle camouflage. The also wear their wing insignia.
Equipment
The SSW could be equipped with an different type of modern weaponry which includes FN F2000 and P90. Light machine gun in use is Rheinmetall MG3 it is suspected that they may be having MINIMI. In sniper or Marksman role, the SSW teams are equipped with Dragunov SVD Semi-automatic rifles. Accuracy International 7.62 & 12.7. Side arm is FN Herstal Five Seven. They may also be equipped with anti aircraft weapons. They are also equipped with UAVs for recon.Operational experience
The precursor to the SSW, the Special Airwarfare Wing fought in the 1971 Winter WarIndo-Pakistani War of 1971
The Indo-Pakistani War of 1971 was a military conflict between India and Pakistan. Indian, Bangladeshi and international sources consider the beginning of the war to be Operation Chengiz Khan, Pakistan's December 3, 1971 pre-emptive strike on 11 Indian airbases...
. They were assigned to operated in Jammuand Kashmir and Dhaka, East-Pakistan. They were also kept standing by for airborne assault at different IAF bases. During 1980s, the SSW were assigned to operated alongside Army special forces in areas bordering Afghanistan. Recently, the SSW were dispatched with 50th Airborne Division of Pakistan Army and the Special Service Group (SSG). During the conflict, the SSW unit have participated in different helo borne and airborne assaults during recent SWAT and Wazirstan operations.
Since the formation of SSW in 2004, they have been engaged in fighting against militants in Pakistan's NWFP region.