GSG 9: Difference between revisions

Revision as of 13:19, 13 June 2006

Revision as of 13:22, 13 June 2006

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The '''Grenzschutzgruppe 9''' (GSG 9) is the [[counter-terrorism]] unit of the [[German Federal Police]], and is considered to be among the best of such units in the world. Many other Counter-Terrorist units were modelled after the GSG 9.

==History and Namename==

In [[1972]], the [[Palestinian]] terrorist movement [[Black September (group)|Black September]] used the [[1972 Summer Olympics|Summer Olympic Games]] in [[Munich]], Germany to kidnap 9 [[Israel]]i athletes, killing two in the Olympic Village (two athletes escaped). The incident tragically culminated when [[Germany|German]] police, neither trained nor equipped for counter-terrorism, attempted to rescue the athletes; they failed miserably, and the operation led to the death of one policeman, five of the eight kidnappers and all of the hostages (subsequently called the [[Munich massacre]]). As a consequence of the affair's mismanagement, German officials created the GSG 9 under the leadership of then [[Lieutenant Colonel]] [[Ulrich Wegener]] so that similar situations in the future could be responded to adequately and professionally. The unit was officially established on [[April 17]], [[1973]] as a part of Germany's federal-level police agency, the [[Bundesgrenzschutz]] (''federal border protection service''; renamed in 2005 to [[Bundespolizei]], ''federal police''). The name GSG 9 stands for "Grenzschutzgruppe 9" (''border protection group 9'') and was chosen simply because there existed eight regular border protection groups at the time, although after the 2005 renaming the expansion was dropped and the abbreviation ''GSG 9'' is now the single official way to refer to the unit. Its formation was based on the expertise of the British [[Special Air Service|SAS]] and the Israeli ''[[Sayeret Matkal]]'', where Wegener emphasises especially the importance of the Israelis.

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The first sub-group of the GSG 9 is used for regular land-based Counter-Terrorism actions. This may involve cases of [[hostage]] taking, [[kidnapping]], [[terrorism]], and [[Blackmail|extortion]]. The group may also be used to secure locations, neutralise targets, [[Sniper|sniping]] and fugitive hunting. The group has approximately 100 members.

===GSG 9 (Maritimemaritime Countercounter-Terrorismterrorism)===

The second sub-group of the GSG 9 is used for Counter-Terrorism at sea, for example the [[Aircraft hijacking|hijacking]] of ships or [[oil platform]]s. The group has approximately 100 members.

===GSG 9 (Airborneairborne Countercounter-Terrorismterrorism)===

The third sub-group of the GSG 9 is used for Counter-Terrorism involving Airborne operations, including [[parachute|parachuting]] and [[helicopter]] landings. The group has approximately 50 members.

===Technical Unitunit===

This unit supports other units in obtaining entry to target areas and is responsible for the procurement, testing and issuance of non-weapon equipment.

===Central Servicesservices===

This service group maintains the [[Armory (military)|armoury]] of the GSG 9, and is involved in testing, repairing and purchasing [[weapons]], [[ammunition]], and [[Explosive material|explosives]].

===Documentation Unitunit===

This unit handles the [[communication]]s of the GSG 9, including the testing, repairing and purchasing of communications and [[surveillance]] equipment.

===Operations Staffstaff===

This is the administration of the GSG 9.

===Training Unitunit===

This unit trains existing members, and selects, recruits and trains the new members.

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*[[GLOCK 17]] [[pistol]]

*USP Family of Handguns

==In fiction==

*The GSG 9 is one of the famous counter-terrorist units portrayed in [[Counter-Strike]], [[Counter-Strike: Source]] and in [[Counter-Strike: Condition Zero]].