Organization
The unit forms part of the German Bundespolizei (Federal Police, formerly Bundesgrenzschutz), and thus has normal police powers, including, for example, the power of arrest. The Federal Police of Germany (and thus the GSG 9) is under the control of the Federal Ministry of the Interior. The Bundespolizei also provides aerial transportation for the GSG 9. In contrast, regular police forces are subordinate to the various States or Länder, as are their Spezialeinsatzkommando (SEK) teams, while the military is responsible for the Kommando Spezialkräfte (KSK) (Special Forces command) and the Kampfschwimmer.
The GSG 9 is based in Sankt Augustin-Hangelar near Bonn and is currently under the command of Olaf Lindner. Previous commanders were Ulrich Wegener, Jürgen Bischoff and Friedrich Eichele. GSG9 consists of three main sub-groups, plus a number of support groups:
- Regular operations
- The first sub-group of the GSG 9 is used for regular land-based counter-terrorism actions. This may involve cases of hostage taking, diffusing bombs, kidnapping, terrorism or extortion. The group may also be used to secure locations, neutralize targets, sniping and tracking fugitives.
- Maritime operations
- The second sub-group of the GSG 9 is used for operations at sea, for example the hijacking of ships or oil platforms.
- Airborne operations
- The third sub-group of the GSG 9 is used for airborne operations, including parachuting and helicopter landings.
- Technical unit
- This unit supports other units in gaining entry to target areas and is responsible for the procurement, testing and issuance of non-weapon equipment. The members of the technical unit are also explosive ordnance disposal experts and they are cross-trained in direct action operations. They are trained in the rendering safe and disposal of improvised explosive devices
- Central services
- This service group maintains the GSG 9 armoury and is involved in testing, repairing and purchasing weapons, ammunition, and explosives.
- Documentation unit
- This unit handles communications, including the testing, repairing and purchasing of communications and surveillance equipment.
- Operations staff
- Handles the administration of GSG 9.
- Training unit
- This unit trains existing members, and selects, recruits and trains new members.
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