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The Joint Operations Command (German: Kommando Operationen, French: Commandement des Opérations, Italian: Comando Operazioni) is responsible for planning and conducting Swiss Armed Forces operations.[6]
The deputy commanders of the Land Forces, Air Force, and the four territorial divisions are brigadier generals.
Land Forces
The Land Forces (German: Heer, French: Forces terrestres, Italian: Forze terrestri) commands the armed forces' maneuver formations.
Land Forces, in Bern
20th Land Forces Staff Battalion (German: Heeresstabsbataillon 20), in Zürich
Command and Specialist Systems Competence Centre (German: Kompetenzzentrum Führungs- und Fachsysteme, in Thun develops and maintains the Land Forces' command and control System and the Integrated Artillery Command and Fire Control System[8]
Land Forces Military Support
Territorial Divisions Military Support
Technical Support
1st Mechanised Brigade
1st Mechanised Brigade Leopard 2A4 main battle tank
The 1st Mechanised Brigade is based in the French-speaking Romandy region and the Canton of Bern.
1st Mechanised Brigade (French: Brigade mécanisée 1), in Morges[9]
1st Mechanised Brigade Staff Battalion (French: Bataillon d'état-major de la brigade mécanisée 1)
Fire control battery, 3x artillery batteries with M109 KAWEST 155mm self-propelled howitzers and Eagle III armoured artillery command vehicles, and a logistic battery (each group will add a mortar battery with eight 120mm mortars mounted on Piranha V armoured fighting vehicles by 2024)[14][15]
31st Aviation Brigade Staff (French: Etat-major brigade d’aviation 31), at Payerne Air Base[21]
Intelligence Service Training Cell (German: Zelle Training Nachrichtendienst), at Emmen Air Base trains air force's intelligence officers
Parachute Reconnaissance Cell (Italian: Cellula esploratori paracadutisti), at Locarno Air Base
81st Aviation School (French: Ecole d'aviation 81), at Payerne Air Base trains the air force's ground personnel
82nd Air Force Training Command (German: Luftwaffen Trainingskommando 82), at Dübendorf Air Base trains the air force's intelligence, signals, command support, and radar troops[22]
85th Air Force Pilots School (German: Pilotenschule Luftwaffe 85), at Locarno Air Base trains the air force's pilots
Flight Operations Support (German: Support Flugbetrieb)
Airfield Command Emmen
Airfield Command Emmen (German: Flugplatzkommando Emmen) besides its own flying squadrons also hosts units of the Air Force Training and Education Brigade and the Patrouille Suisseaerobatic team.[25]
Airfield Command Locarno (Italian: Comando d'aerodromo Locarno) hosts and supports the 85th Air Force Pilots School, maintains the PC-6 Porter, PC-7 Turbo Trainer, and PC-9 planes, and hosts the parachute training of the Swiss Armed Forces.[28]
Flight Operations Support (French: Support Service de vol)[17][30]
Simulation and Formation Support (French: Support Simulation et Formation) with F/A-18 Hornet simulators and Simulated Aircraft Maintenance Trainers
Polymechanics and Electronics Apprentices Formation Centre (French: Centre de formation des apprentis polymécaniciens et électroniciens)
Sion Polymechanics Apprentices Formation Centre (French: Centre de formation des apprentis polymécaniciens de Sion), at Sion Airport
33rd Ground-Based Air Defense Brigade
The 33rd Ground-Based Air Defense Brigade (German: Bodengestützte Luftverteidigungsbrigade 33) trains the armed forces' air defense troops.[31] In wartime the guided missiles groups' fire units would be dispersed to protect formations or locations, while the medium anti-aircraft group's batteries would each protect an air force airfield.[32]
2x light anti-aircraft guided missile batteries with 16 fire units and four observer teams each; each fire unit fields one FIM-92 Stinger launcher and carries three missiles in total, while each observer team operates one ALERT tactical radar[33]
2x medium anti-aircraft batteries with four fire units each; each fire unit fields one Skyguard radar and two GDF 005 35mm twin cannons[34][35]
Wartime air wing structure
In peace the Swiss air bases are operated by a small professional cadre and rotating conscript troops. In wartime the six wings of the air force would increase in size to allow for high intensity operations. In wartime the structure of the Swiss air wings would be as follows:
For the three (1st, 2nd, 3rd) transport wings the example given is for the 2nd Air Transport Wing (peacetime units in bold):[36][37]
2nd Air Transport Command (German: Lufttransport Kommando 2)
2nd Air Transport Wing (German: Lufttransportgeschwader 2)
11th Fighter Command Support Company (French: Compagnie aide au commandement 11)
11th Fighter Support Company (French: Compagnie Support 11)
11th Fighter Logistic Company (French: Compagnie logistique 11)
11th Air Base Protection Company (French: Compagnie sûreté base aérienne 11)
1st Territorial Division
The 1st Territorial Division (French: Division territoriale 1, German: Territorialdivision 1) is based in the French-speaking Romandy region and the bilingual Canton of Bern. Its area of responsibility includes the cantons of Bern, Fribourg, Geneva, Jura, Neuchâtel, Valais, and Vaud.[38]
The 3rd Territorial Division (German: Territorialdivision 3, Italian: Divisione territoriale 3) is based in the German-speaking central part of Switzerland and the Italian-speaking Canton of Ticino. Its area of responsibility includes the cantons of Graubünden, Schwyz, Ticino, Uri, and Zug.[40]
Territorial division staff company, territorial division staff operations company, signal company, protection company, and a reconnaissance company
Infantry, carabiniers, mountain infantry, and mountain Schützen battalions:[43][44][45]
Staff company, 3x infantry companies with a mix of Piranha and Duro IIIParmoured fighting vehicles, and a combat support company consisting of three 81mm mortar platoons, an artillery observer platoon, and a sniper platoon
The Military Police Command (German: Kommando Militärpolizei, French: Commandement de la police militaire, Italian: Comando della polizia militare) is the Swiss Armed forces Military Police formation and staffed with professional and conscript soldiers.
Military Police Security Service Operations Command (German: Einsatzkommando Militärpolizei Sicherheitsdienst) guarding critical militaryinfrastructure[49]
Military Police Search and Protection Operations Command (German: Einsatzkommando Militärpolizei Fahndung und Schutz) tasked with preventing espionage, sabotage, and crime
1st Military Police Battalion (French: Bataillon de police militaire 1)
2nd Military Police Battalion (German: Militärpolizeibataillon 2)
3rd Military Police Battalion (German: Militärpolizeibataillon 3)
4th Military Police Battalion (German: Militärpolizeibataillon 4)
Military Police Competence Centre (German: Kompetenzzentrum Militärpolizei) training members of the military police
Military Police Readiness Company (German: Militärpolizei Bereitschaftskompanie)
The battalions of the Military Police Command field the following subunits:
Military police staff company, 2x military police companies, and a military police grenadier company
Special Forces Command
The Special Forces Command (German: Kommando Spezialkräfte, French: Commandement des forces spéciales, Italian: Comando forze speciali, abbreviated KSK) is based in the Canton of Ticino.[51]
Grenadier staff company, 3x Grenadier companies (Direct Action), Grenadier reconnaissance company (Special Reconnaissance), and a Grenadier support company
Training Command
The Training Command (German: Kommando Ausbildung, French: Commandement de l'Instruction, Italian: Comando Istruzione) is responsible for planning, steering and carrying out the training and education of troops of all ranks, including officers, units and staffs.[55]
The Armed Forces College (German: Höhere Kaderausbildung der Armee) provides leadership and staff training for conscript officers, career officers and non-commissioned officers. Furthermore the college's Military Academy at ETH Zurich is Switzerland's leading military science research institution.[57]
Swiss Military Bands with 4x professional orchestras: the Central Band, Brass Band, Big Band and Symphony Wind Orchestra
11x Military bands with conscript recruits
Panzer and Artillery Training Unit
The Panzer and Artillery Training Unit (German: Lehrverband Panzer und Artillerie) trains the armed forces' armoured and artillery troops, and the troops of the territorial divisions' staff battalions.[67]
21st Panzer School (German: Panzerschule 21), in Thun
22nd Panzer/Artillery Officers School (German: Panzer/Artillerie Offiziersschule 22), in Thun
31st Artillery and Reconnaissance School (French: Ecole d'artillerie et d'exploration 31), in Bière
Thun Weapons Range/ Mechanised Training Centre (German: Waffenplatz Thun/ Mechanisiertes Ausbildungszentrum), in Thun
Bière Weapons Range/ Artillery Training Centre (French: Place d'armes de Bière / Centre d'Instruction de l'Artillerie), in Bière
Simplon Artillery Shooting Range (German: Artillerieschiessplatz Simplon, at the Simplon Pass
2nd Trials/ Unit Training (German: Versuche/Verbandsausbildung 2), in Thun manages the development, procurement and field trials of armoured and artillery equipment[15]
Engineer/ Civil Protection/ NBC Training Unit
The Engineer/ Civil Protection/ NBC Training Unit (German: Lehrverband Genie/Rettung/ABC) trains the armed forces' engineer, civil protection, CBRN defense, disaster relief, and demining troops. The unit is also responsible for the Swiss Armed Forces naval troops and divers, and the armed forces athletes and sport training.[59]
Engineer/ Civil Protection/ NBC Training Unit, in Zuchwil[59]
73rd Engineer School (German: Genieschule 73), in Brugg
74th Engineer/Civil Protection Seminars+Courses (German: Genie/Rettung Lehrgänge+Kurse 74), in Bremgarten trains non-commissioned officers and officers
Armed Forces Divers Centre (German: Zentrum Armeetaucher)[68]
75th Civil Protection School (German: Rettungsschule 75), in Wangen an der Aare
76th Civil Protection Troops Training Centre (French: Centre d'instruction des troupes de sauvetage 76, German: Ausbildungszentrum der Rettungstruppen 76), in Bernex
Geneva Weapons Range (French: Place d'armes de Genève), in Geneva
Disaster Relief Readiness Battalion (German: Katastrophenhilfe Bereitschaftsbataillon), in Bremgarten deployable within hours for national and international disaster relief
NBC Defense-Explosive Ordnance Disposal and Mine Clearance Competence Centre (German: Kompetenzzentrum ABC-KAMIR), in Spiez[69]
77th NBC Defense School (German: ABC-Abwehr Schule 77), in Spiez
1st NBC Defense Laboratory (German: ABC Abwehrlabor 1), in Spiez
10th NBC Defense Battalion (German: ABC Abwehrbataillon 10), in Luzern
NBC Defense Readiness Company(German: ABC Abwehr-Einsatzkompanie), in Spiez
Ordnance Disposal and Mine Clearance Command (German: Kommando Kampfmittelbeseitigung und Minenräumung (KAMIR), in Spiez[70]
Unexploded Ordnance Reporting Centre (German: Blindgängermeldezentrale), in Spiez
Armed Forces Sport Competence Centre (German: Kompetenzzentrum Sport Armee), in Magglingen
The Command Support Training Unit (German: Lehrverband Führungsunterstützung) trains the armed forces' signal, electronic warfare, and command support troops.[60]
40th Logistic Officers School (German: Logistik Offiziersschule 40), in Bern
41st Hospital School (French: Ecole hôpital 41), at the Moudon Weapons Range
41st Military Doctors Non-Commissioned Officers/Officers School (French: École de sous-officiers/École d’officiers des médecins militaires 41), at the Moudon Weapons Range
42nd Medical School (Italian: Scuola sanitaria 42), in Airolo
43rd Maintenance School (German: Instandhaltungsschule 43), in Thun
45th Supply School (French: Ecole ravitaillement 45), in Fribourg
47th Movement Control and Transport School (French: Ecole circulation et transport 47), in Romont
Veterinary Service and Armed Forces Animals Competence Centre (German: Kompetenzzentrum Veterinärdienst und Armeetiere), in Bern
13th Veterinary and Armed Forces Animals Group (French: Groupe vétérinaire et animaux de l’armée 13), in Schönbühl[72]
3x Train Columns (French: Colonnes de train 13/1, 13/2, 13/3), with around 100 horses each[72]
Veterinary Company (French: Compagnie vétérinaire 13/4)
Dog Handler Company (French: Compagnie de conducteurs de chiens 13/5), with around 100 dogs[72]
Armed Forces Driving Training Competence Centre (German: Kompetenzzentrum Fahrausbildung Armee), in Thun
Armed Forces Training Centre
The Armed Forces Training Centre (German: Ausbildungszentrum der Armee) is responsible for the initial and continuing education of the armed forces' professional personnel, combat exercises with simulation support, and safety-related matters on all shooting ranges.[62]
Seminars and Courses Command (German: Kommando Lehrgänge und Kurse), in Walenstadt
Combat Training Centre Command West (French: Commandement centre d'instruction de combat Ouest), in Bure
Bure Weapons Range (French: Place d’armes de Bure), in Bure
Combat Training Centre Command East (German: Kommando Gefechtsausbildungszentrum Ost), in Walenstadt
Walenstadt Weapons Range (German: Waffenplatz Walenstadt), in Walenstadt
St. Luzisteig Shooting Range (German: Schiessplatz St. Luzisteig, in Maienfeld
Hinterrhein Shooting Range (German: Schiessplatz St. Luzisteig, in Hinterrhein
Wichlen Shooting Range (German: Schiessplatz St. Luzisteig, in Elm
Trials and Development Office (German: Bereich Versuche und Entwicklung), in Walenstadt manages the development, procurement and field trials of infantry equipment and gear
Cyber Command
The Cyber Command (German: Kommando Cyber) operates the Swiss military's information and communications network and the electronic operations centres.[73]
Cyber Command, in Bern ()
Cyber Security Centre, protects the information and communications network
Mission Control Centre, monitors and steers the information and communications network
The 41st Command Support Brigade (German: Führungsunterstützungsbrigade 41) is the military part of the Command Support Organisation and supports the operational units of the Armed Forces.[74]
The Armed Forces Logistics Organisation (German: Logistikbasis der Armee) prepares and maintains the materiel and infrastructures of the Swiss Armed Forces. The Logistics Organisation's areas not assigned to the 1st Logistic Brigade are manned and managed by civilian staff.[81]
Armed Forces Logistics Organisation, in Bern ()
Armed Forces Logistic Centre Othmarsingen (German: Armeelogistikcenter Othmarsingen)
Armed Forces Logistic Centre Hinwil (German: Armeelogistikcenter Hinwil)
Armed Forces Logistic Centre Thun (German: Armeelogistikcenter Thun)
Armed Forces Logistic Centre Monteceneri (Italian: Centro Logistico dell'Esercito Monteceneri)
Armed Forces Logistic Centre Grolley (French: Centre logistique de l'armée Grolley)
Electronic Media Centre, in Bern (German: Zentrum elektronische Medien, French: Centre des médias électroniques, Italian: Centro dei media elettronici)
Armed Forces Road Traffic and Naval Shipping Office, in Bern (German: Strassenverkehrs- und Schifffahrtsamt der Armee
1st Logistic Brigade
The 1st Logistic Brigade (German: Logistikbrigade 1) is the military part of the Logistics Organisation and supports the operational units of the Armed Forces.[82]
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