Entry
Members of Austria’s EKO Cobra rappelling and entering a building during a training exercise. Hostage rescue and capturing high value targets are part of their counter-terrorism specialties. (Photo: Volker Weihbold)
Hand to hand…
Members of Austria’s elite counter-terrorism unit, EKO Cobra, spar in hand to hand combat for training. Proficiency in different weapons is important but also being able to subdue a target with your bare hands is just as important, cause you never really know what will happen during an operation/mission. (Photo: Volker Weihbold)
UIM
Members of the elite Dutch Unit Interventie Mariniers (UIM) during a training exercise to capture a high value target. The UIM is equipped with the H&K 416 but also field the FN P90. Although they specialize in operations around or in the water (such as security against Somali pirate attacks), they are capable of raids and hostage rescue on land based targets.
In the green… A Ranger from 1st Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment, pulls security during a combat operation in Paktiya Province, Afghanistan, April 17, 2013. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Codie M. Mendenhall)
UIM
Members of the Dutch Unit Interventie Mariniers training with their H&K 416 rifles, albeit with blank fire adapters. They are considered a counter-terrorist unit and have engaged in hostage rescues.
No excuses…
U.S. Army Major Robert Eldridge, 2nd Battalion, 7th Special Forces Group executive officer, prepares before mounting a Mine Resistant Ambush Protected vehicle, in Kandahar province, Afghanistan, May 7. Eldridge was injured while on a combat patrol in Shkin, Patika province, Afghanistan, Dec 17, 2004. He was in the lead vehicle when it was struck by an anti-tank mine. Upon arriving at Forward Operating Base Salerno, his left leg was amputated in order to save his life. (Photo by Army Sgt. Devin James)
Breach French Special Forces conducting “investigation & hostage extraction” exercises with Saudi Arabian military forces in Operation Tiger 2. The joint training is designed to help strengthen ties between both nations.
Marksmanship Course
Ranger leaders participated in a two week Ranger Marksmanship Instructor’s Course. The training consisted of M9 pistol firing drills and M4/SCAR marksmanship that included alternate firing positions, recoil management, barricade, and Close Quarters Marksmanship.
Gecko A Ranger from 1st Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment, scans for insurgent fighters during a combat operation in Paktiya Province, Afghanistan, April 17, 2013. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Codie M. Mendenhall)
Double Dragoon
Members of the French 13th Parachute Dragoon Regiment train with the Swedish K4 Norrland Dragoon Regiment for specialized harsh, cold weather mountain exercises in the northern region of Sweden. (Photo Credit: Jerome Bardenet)
Our rides are here… Members of the German KSK awaiting the landing of their transport helicopters, usually the Skorsky CH-53 Sea Stallion provided by the Luftwaffe.
The 13th
Members of the French 13th Parachute Dragoon Regiment training in snow covered terrain. They are considered a special operations unit which explains why they’re carrying the H&K 416 and the FN SCAR Mk 16 CQC
Tabletop training… Members of Germany’s elite KSK unit practice some upside down shooting skills at the range.
Joint Training
A mix of Europe’s special police units training for “mass hostage scenarios”. The exercise included members of Austria’s EKO Cobra, Czech URNA and Germany’s GSG-9 and SWAT Baden-Württemberg.
Unit 777
Egypt’s own special operations counter-terrorism unit. I believe the name is derived from the fact it was formed in 1977. Primarily equipped with the H&K MP5, they do field shotguns and even the Israeli Corner-Shot.
