02-13-95 ViPer013. ÚÄÄÄÄ¿ ÚÄÄÄÄ¿ ÚÄÄÄ¿ ÚÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄ¿ ÚÄÄÄÄÄ¿ ÚÄÄÄÄÄÄ¿ À¿ ÚÙ À¿ ÚÙ À¿ ÚÙ À¿ ÚÄÄÄ¿ ³ ³ ÚÄÄÄÙ ³ ÚÄÄ¿ ³ À¿ À¿ ÚÙ ÚÙ ³ ³ ³ ³ ³ ³ ³ ÀÄ¿ ³ ÀÄÄÙ ³ À¿ À¿ ÚÙ ÚÙ ³ ³ ³ ÀÄÄÄÙ ³ ³ ÚÄÙ ³ ÚÄ¿ ÚÙ À¿ À¿ÚÙ ÚÙ ÚÙ À¿ ³ ÚÄÄÄÄÄÄÙ ³ ÀÄÄÄ¿ ³ ³ ³ À¿ À¿ ÀÙ ÚÙ ÀÄÄÄÙ ³ ³ ÀÄÄÄÄÄÙ ÀÄÙ ÀÄÄÙ À¿ ÚÙ ÚÙ À¿ ÀÄÄÙ ÀÄÄÄÄÙ VIOLENT PERFECTION "A good idea circulated and discussed is worth a million brilliant ones buried in the archives." Disclaimer: Neither the group nor the author of this paper can be held accountable for any misunderstandings, misinformation, misdirection or any other ill things which have come about as a result of reading, having, modifying, or carrying this file. SPECIAL FORCES - SPETSNAZ Part III (viper013.) by HS Stuttman, INC. edited by Staff of ViPer Naval Spetsnaz consist mostly of combat swimmers, supported by mini-submarines and specialist parachute troops. Based among Soviet naval infantry each brigade has approximately 1,300 men (and an unknown number of women), making the Soviet Navy's Spetsnaz by far the largest amphibious special force in the world. Within the overall Spetsnaz organization the naval brigades are far more active than their army counterparts. Spetsnaz mini-subs and combat swimmers have penetrated Swedish territorial waters both around the islands and on the mainland, close to defense bases. Scuba diving in Soviet Union began in earnest in 1956. As the sport became popular, special centers were established to cater for greater numbers. During the time spent with KOMSOMOL and DOSAAF, those who show promise are encouraged to develop their diving skills. By the time they are selected for Spetsnaz, they are considered to be master athletes. At the Soviet naval infantry diving center, the Spetsnaz diver/swimmers learn to use closed-circuit underwater breathing apparatus on long-distance underwater swimming and navigation exercises. Parachute training is undertaken with descents into water, combined with the techniques for operating from submerged submarines. Mini- submarines have become a key element within Spetsnaz. They carry swimmers close to the target area, allowing teams to 'lock out' and swim ashore to undertake reconnaissance, strike political targets, attack military bases or pave the way for a Soviet naval infantry landing. Each of the four Soviet fleets has a Spetsnaz brigade, totalling some 5,200 men. Naval Spetsnaz can be taken overseas by merchant or military shipping to make reconnaissance of possible enemy ports, docks and harbors. Naval Spetsnaz undergo the same military combat training as their colleagues in the army brigades, and use their amphibious training and equipment as a mode of transport, offering greater flexibility than those on land. Spetsnaz soldier get higher pay, longer leaves and quicker promotion than ordinary troops. When they complete their two years' conscription they have three options. If he has proved himself officer material by exemplary service, a Spetsnaz soldier may be offered a place at the officers' airborne school at Ryazan. An NCO or private soldier who doesn't have the qualities to make an officer can elect to become a regular soldier and make the Spetsnaz a career. He may choose to leave, and will then be expected to undertake five years' active reserve. Soldiers who stay undertake further specialist courses including languages, advanced explosives and signals, and may find themselves assigned to an anti-VIP company. The Spetsnaz have been well blooded in Afghanistan. From the numbers of them reported in action, it seems that they have been rotated to ensure that most special forces soldiers will have seen active service at some stage. It is difficult to distinguish Spetsnaz from Airborne troops in Afghanistan, but Mujahideen reports do identify Spetsnaz from their numbers and from the fact that they operate by local command decisions rather than by waiting for higher authority to give orders. In a conventional war, Spetsnaz teams would be small but, when a large or special target was singled out, a number of teams would combine. In Afghanistan, operational teams are about 50 strong and well armed. For instance, a Spetsnaz group of about 50 was reported to have moved through the mountains at night, guided by "loyalist" Afghan militiamen who had lived in the area, to set up an ambush. They established themselves in some disused buildings, in a village reported to be giving aid to the Mujahideen. The Afghan guerillas entered the deserted village to collect food, and the ambush was sprung. The fire fight was devastating but short lived, the Spetsnaz breaking off contact and withdrawing before assistance could arrive. Three guerillas were killed and three wounded. The Spetsnaz have not always had it all their own way. When a team of 24 Spetsnaz soldiers was caught in an ambush laid by the Mujahideen, the ensuing battle lasted all day. Outnumbered, and fighting a determined enemy force, all 24 died. With so many of their elite forces lost, the Soviets retaliated by bombing the closest village, which housed only civilians. [Spetsnaz mountain training is critically important in Afghanistan, where the Special Forces may be called upon to fight some heavy rear guard actions as the Soviet forces withdraw. The British withdrawal from there in 1842 ended in the massacre of a whole army.] Spetsnaz have used helicopters to travel close to contact areas, as the mountain terrain is accessible only on foot. Hind helicopter gunships serve two purposes: they can deposit teams in the mountains, then act as gunships providing support. However, since the guerillas have obtained Stinger anti-aircraft missiles, the Soviets are loath to use helicopters at close quarters, having lost a considerable number. In action, Spetsnaz have proved themselves to be hard and well trained troops, and are the only ones that Mujahideen have encountered who think for themselves. They have also been known to kill their own wounded rather than let them fall into the hands of the enemy. But this has been a common practice among opponents of the Pathans for many years - the fate of captured wounded was usually beyond description. Spetsnaz were also in action on 24 December 1968, when a Soviet transport aircraft contacted Czechoslovakia's Prague airport with a request to make an emergency landing. Permission was granted. At the airport, Spetsnaz and KGB personnel dressed in civilian clothes were already waiting as the aircraft drew to a halt. Well-equipped Spetsnaz troops poured from it to join up with those on the ground. The airport was secured, and the signal was given that paved the way for a massive airlift of soviet troops and equipment. While some Spetsnaz remained at the airport, others commandeered transport and rove to the Soviet Embassy, then on to the government offices to arrest Czech leaders. A similar operation occurred in Kabul, capital of Afghanistan, in 1979. Over a number of days, Spetsnaz soldiers in civilian clothes arrived on regular Aeroflot flights, and on 25 December two Antonov transport aircraft landed at Kabul airport and disgorged Spetsnaz troops, dressed in Afghan Army uniforms. They linked up with those who have arrived over the previous days. Once the airport was secure, they moved to the Palace of President Hafizullah Amin, with direct orders: kill the President and everyone in the Palace. With Amin dead, the Soviets' puppet President, Babrak Karmal, was installed. The Spetsnaz re- grouped to be given lists of senior military and political figures who, if they showed any opposition, were to be executed. In both Czechoslovakia and Afghanistan the first Spetsnaz units on the ground were from the "anti-VIP" companies, whose ruthless, systematic murder showed them to be a formidable force. Follow-up units were from army Spetsnaz, who took the war to the Mujahideen in the mountains. Entry to the "anti-VIP" companies is for those soldiers who decide to remain in the Spetsnaz after their two years of conscription. They undergo additional training, with languages a priority. These units can be expected to make use of enemy uniforms and weapons and, in many cases, especially in the preparatory phase before a formal declaration of war, they will operate wearing civilian clothes. It is in the "anti-VIP" units that women appear to have found a position. They are reported to have been active at Greenham Common, where they were gathering information on the movement of cruise missiles and the defenses of the base. In war, Spetsnaz would be required to plant signal beacons or attack such targets. February 13th, 1995. 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