Särskilda Operationsgruppen
Formed in 2011, the SOG (Swedish Special Operations Task Group) are definitely one of a kind in one unique aspect. Training takes place in a secret multi story compound where the walls are lined with bullet absorbing material. Take that SAS! During peacetime they train and advice foreign units but when called upon they can deal in a variety of situations such as hostage rescue missions, intelligence gathering and high profile assassinations.
It is of note that most SOG combat operations require a special set of skills which conventional forces or weapons cannot carry out, therefore the unit is of great importance to the Swedish Armed Forces.
Marinejegerkommandoen
Formed in 1953, when the need for a multitasking unit arose, the Special Operations Command or as they are more widely known, the MJK ae Norway’s naval special force unit. Boasting expertise in a wide array of skills including hostage rescuing, covert operations, direct action, counter terrorism and arctic and swampland warfare, there’s not much these guys don’t get up to. Extremely intense training means only a select few make it through. When whittled down to 8, the remaining candidates must carry heavy weights while escaping from the enemy’s clutches. Should they get caught, they are then submitted to 36 hours of interrogation. Ouch!
Regarded to be among the top special operations forces in the world, the Marinejegerkommandoen are one of a select few to be given the Navy Presidential Unit Citation, the highest unit award given by the United States to allied units.
1st Scout Rangers
More commonly known as the 1st Scout Rangers are the next gung ho gang on our list, the Philippine Army Special Operations Unit. Their extensive list of duties includes urban and anti geurilla warfare, jungle ambushes, sabotage, raids and close quarters combat. Operating out of their headquarters in Tanay Rizal, they gained international respect following their seizure of the Moro Islamic Liberation rebel camp in 2000.
Established in 1950, the unit is modeled in two legendary combat forces, American Alamo Scouts and the US Army Rangers.
Naval Special Warfare Command
Though they are known as Navy Seals, the Royal Thai Navy’s special unit actually refers to the animal than to it’s US counterpart. Regardless, they were actually given a hand in their establishment by the US Navy Seals. Forming a type of ‘unit within a unit’ are the Thai Navy’s Seal unit who are experts in maritime counter terrorism. Rumours abound that during tense periods along the Thai border, the Underwater Demolition Assault Unit are nosing around, busy gathering valuable information. These skills have seen them recently deployed in East Africa, hunting down pirates in Somalia.
Furthermore, the Navy Seals recently participated in the rescue of the junior football team trapped in the Tham Luang Nang Non cave system
COMANF
Operating out of their headquarters in Rio de Janeiro and belonging to the Marine Corps Special Operations Battalion are Brazil’s Comandos Anfibios (COMANF). The COMANF are characterised by the phrase Um Comanf é imbatível, dois são inseparáveis e três fazem guerra" which translates from Portuguese as "One Comanf is unbeatable, two are unseparable and three wage war"). Amongst other skills this tough guys specialize in infiltration, counterintelligence, reconnaissance, mountaineering and rappelling.
Some members are sent overseas to train with other special forces such as the Israeli Sayeret Matkal, the Spanish Special Operations Command and the French GIGN.