The Special Task Unit (STU) is the only tier one police tactical unit of the Taiwan Coast Guard Administration (CGA) that specialized in air-sea rescue, apprehension of armed and dangerous criminals, law enforcement for maritime security, maritime counterterrorism and hostage rescue crisis management, tactical special operations, and VBSS operations.
The STU is the only tier one police tactical unit responsible for air-sea rescue, maritime counterterrorism and hostage rescue crisis management, providing security at coast guard bases that are at risk of attack or terrorism, serving high-risk arrest and search warrants, special tactical operations respond to emergency situations under the jurisdiction, tactical law enforcement for maritime security, and VBSS operations of the CGA. [1] In 2010 the unit had 52 members distributed across five bases all of whom where career security forces professionals. [2]
Development of the STU began in 2000 [2] and the unit was officially stood up in 2005 to address concerns about a rise in international terrorism and maritime crimes are likely to intensify. [3]
During the 36th annual Han Kuang exercises in 2020 they participated alongside special forces and special operations forces units from other branches in anti-decapitation drills. [4]
Certifications in amphibious operation tactics, close-quarters battle in tight spaces on various types of boats and ships, coastal patrolling, combat and patrolling in urban areas, counterterrorism and hostage rescue crisis management, defusing and disposal of bombs, fast tactical shooting, hand-to-hand combat, lifeguarding, marksmanship, naval boarding, NBCR on operations in contaminated environments, reconnaissance to intelligence gathering, required knowledge of maritime law, swim instructing, SERE, tactical SCUBA diving, tactical emergency medical, and other related SWAT team tactics are required before even qualifying as a candidate. Candidates must undergo three months training with the Republic of China Marine Corps (ROCMC) Amphibious Reconnaissance and Patrol Unit (ARP) followed by two months training with the Republic of China Military Police Special Services Company (MPSSC). [2]
Training and physical fitness standards are extreme with a member's daily regimen including 100 pushups in under one minute. All members are proficient in at least two martial arts. [2]
The Hostage Rescue Team (HRT) is the Federal Bureau of Investigation's (FBI) elite tactical unit. The HRT was formed to provide a full-time federal law enforcement tactical capability to respond to major terrorist incidents throughout the United States. Today, the HRT performs a number of tactical law enforcement and national security functions in high-risk environments and conditions and has deployed overseas, including with military Joint Special Operations Command (JSOC) units. In an article to mark its 40th anniversary, it was reported that since its formation in 1983 the HRT had deployed more than 900 times.
The Coast Guard Administration of the Ocean Affairs Council (CGA), also operating as the ROC Coast Guard, is charged with maintaining law and order, protecting the resources of the territorial waters of the Republic of China (Taiwan), which surrounds Taiwan, Penghu, Kinmen, Matsu Islands, Green Island, Orchid Island, Pratas Island (Tungsha/Dongsha), and Nansha Islands as well as providing a first line of defense along coastal areas against smugglers and illegal immigrants. The CGA is considered a civilian law enforcement agency under the administration of the Ocean Affairs Council of the Executive Yuan, though during emergencies it may be incorporated as part of the Republic of China Armed Forces.
The Special Tasks Unit is the only tier one special forces unit falling under the Special Operations Command, branch of the Latvian National Armed Forces (NBS). It was established in September 1991. The unit is specially organized, trained and equipped for the performance of high-danger tasks. The soldiers in the unit continuously train to enhance their professional preparedness and are provided with specialized equipment in order to carry out their tasks efficiently. Their motto is "The brave man wins".
The United States Coast Guard is the coastal defense, search and rescue, and maritime law enforcement branch of the United States Armed Forces and is one of the country's eight uniformed services. It carries out three basic roles, which are further subdivided into eleven statutory missions. The three roles are:
The Special Actions Detachment or DAE is the tier one special force maritime unit of the Portuguese Navy. It is part of the Portuguese Marine Corps. Raised in 1985, the DAE is one of the smallest special forces units within the Portuguese Armed Forces. It is responsible for conducting air-sea rescue, amphibious reconnaissance, amphibious warfare, black operation, bomb disposal, CBRN defense, coastal raiding, counterterrorism, direct action, executive protection, hostage rescue, irregular warfare, ISTAR, long-range penetration, JTAC, manhunt high-value target, maritime sabotage, mountain rescue, naval boarding, operation behind high risk enemy lines, special operations, special reconnaissance, tracking targets, underwater demolition, unconventional warfare, other missions in support of Portuguese and NATO armed forces. DAE's mission and training are similar to their American counterparts DEVGRU and the British SBS. DAE often trains with them alongside other SMU counter-terror units.
Visit, board, search, and seizure (VBSS) is the term used by United States military and law enforcement agencies for maritime boarding actions and tactics. VBSS teams are designed to capture enemy vessels, combat terrorism, piracy, and smuggling, and to conduct customs, safety and other inspections.
The Thunder Squad are local police tactical units within the jurisdiction of the Republic of China (Taiwan). They are highly trained and responsible for carrying out high-risk arrests and other dangerous law enforcement duties. The Thunder Squad was established in 1985 and modeled after the SWAT units in the United States.The relevant unit at the national level in the Republic of China is the NPA SOG, and their patches are similar to those of the Thunder Squad.
The Underwater Offence, or SAT, is the special operations forces unit of the Turkish Navy, and the first and only navy commando unit of the navy, consisting of highly skilled soldiers selected from among the officers and petty officers of the Turkish Navy. They are affiliated with the Naval Operation Directorate. During wartime, these units are responsible for carrying out stealthy attacks, sabotage, and raids on enemy strategic facilities including those located under water, over water, on land, or in the air. They also target floating platforms. The SAT participates in coastal reconnaissance tasked with obtaining information on coastal areas before deploying forces and maintaining control over foreign ports and underwater areas.
The Marine Commandos are one of two tier one special forces of the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF). They are part of the Lebanese Special Operations Command (LSOCOM). Established with assistance from the United States Navy SEALs and the British Royal Marines Commandos, they are tasked with conducting a variety of missions, particularly in a maritime environment, which include: amphibious reconnaissance, anti-piracy, black operation, irregular warfare, ISTAR, maritime counter-sabotage, maritime counterterrorism and hostage rescue, naval boarding, naval special warfare, special operations behind enemy lines, and support maritime security. The Marine Commandos were established in 1997, then got their administrative independence in July 2001.
Marine expeditionary unit (special operations capable) (MEU(SOC)) is a program created by the United States Marine Corps (USMC) and the United States Navy (USN) in 1985 for Marine expeditionary units (MEU). The program enhances MEUs providing them with additional training and equipment to become certified as special operations capable with a Maritime Special Purpose Force (MSPF). The designation special operations capable is unique to the Marine Corps and means in relation to special operations. The role of a MEU(SOC) however is not equivalent to the special operations role of special operations forces. Although considered special operations capable a MEU(SOC) does not form part of the United States Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) established in 1987 or the United States Marine Forces Special Operations Command (MARSOC) later established in 2006.
The Deployable Specialized Forces (DSF) —formerly Deployable Operations Group— are part of the United States Coast Guard that provide highly equipped, trained and organized deployable specialized forces, to the Coast Guard, United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS), United States Department of Defense (DoD) and inter-agency operational and tactical commanders. The command was formerly headquartered in Arlington, Virginia where it was established on 20 July 2007, and was commanded by a captain. It was decommissioned by the Commandant of the Coast Guard, Admiral Robert Papp on 1 October 2013, with units previously assigned to the DOG being split between Coast Guard Pacific and Atlantic Area commands. The units were subsequently reorganized under Deployable Specialized Forces (DSF).
The Han Kuang Exercise is the annual military exercise of the Republic of China Armed Forces in Taiwan, Penghu, Kinmen and Matsu for combat readiness in the event of an attack from the People's Liberation Army of the People's Republic of China.
The Namibian Special Forces is a special operations command of the Namibian Defence Force responsible for special forces component commands army and marines. The command consists of Namibian Army Commando and Paratrooper, and the Namibian Marine Corps Amphibious Special Operations Unit. The Army Commando specialize in air assault and airborne operations, capture or kill high-value targets, counterterrorism, direct action, hostage rescue, insertion behind enemy lines, executive protection, and special warfare operations, while the Marine Corps Amphibious Special Operations Unit specialize in amphibious warfare, direct action, executive protection, insertion behind enemy lines, maritime counterterrorism and hostage rescue, naval boarding, naval special warfare operations, operating that originate from a river, ocean, swamp and delta, and underwater demolition. The army units receive training assistance from former South African Special Forces (Recces) and the marine corps from the Brazilian Marine Corps. The units regularly participate in Southern African Development Community (SADC) special forces exercises.
Republic of China Military Police Special Services Company is a special forces unit of the military police of the Republic of China (Taiwan). This unit is stationed at Wugu, Taipei. Little is known about this unit, since informations regarding it are classified by the Ministry of National Defense. It was formed in 1978. According to the Taipei Times the MPSSC has a standing collaboration with United States Army Special Forces which includes regular joint exercises. They also have a standing invitation to the Pacific Area Special Operations Conference hosted annually by Special Operations Command Pacific.
The Special Unit of NEDSA, also known as Sepah Navy Special Force(S.N.S.F.), is a Takavar unit in the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Navy stationed in the Greater Farur Island of the Persian Gulf.
The 604th Red Banner Special Purpose Centre "Vityaz" is a spetsnaz unit of the National Guard of Russia (Rosgvardiya) that responding to especially dangerous and high-risk situations such as counter-revolutionary, counterterrorism, direct action, escort high-ranking government officials in dangerous situations or areas, high-risk law enforcement situations, hostage rescue, irregular warfare, operating in difficult-to-access and dangerous areas, providing security important government buildings and infrastructure in time of crisis, serving high-risk arrest and search warrants, special operations in dangerous areas, special reconnaissance for gathering tactical field intelligence, and supporting crowd control operations during confession plans or meeting. The 604th Special Purpose Center's missions are primarily domestic operations, very few are sent on military or paramilitary police missions outside the country.
The Special Operations Battalion, King's Guard, 3rd Special Forces Regiment also known as Task Force 90 is the tier 1 special forces of the Royal Thai Army (RTA). It is currently part of the 3rd Special Forces Regiment King's Guard (Airborne), Royal Thai Army Special Warfare Command (RTASWC).The Task Force 90 has been sometimes referred to as the Thai Delta Force
The Amphibious Reconnaissance and Patrol Unit (ARP) (Chinese: 海軍陸戰隊兩棲偵搜大隊); not to be confused with the other frogman unit within the ROC Armed Forces; being the 101st Amphibious Reconnaissance Battalion of the Republic of China Army, is a special operations forces of the Republic of China Marine Corps.
Almaz Special Anti-Terrorism Unit is the tier one police tactical unit of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Republic of Belarus (MUS) that specialized in counterterrorism and hostage rescue crisis management, quick raid to capture or kill high-value targets, riot control in detention facilities, and VIP protection.
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