Commando Companies (Germany)

Fallschirmjägerkompanien B1 (Kommando) / Commando companies
Uniform patch of the 271st Paratrooper Company (Commando)
Active	1989 (Provisional basis) 1990 (Full establishment) – 1996
Country	Germany
Branch	Bundeswehr
Type	Commando
Role	Air assault Anti-tank warfare Artillery observer Bomb disposal CBRN defense Clandestine operation Close-quarters combat Cold-weather warfare Counterinsurgency Direct action Executive protection Force protection Forward air control HUMINT Irregular warfare Long-range penetration Military intelligence Mountain warfare Parachuting Patrolling Raiding Reconnaissance Special operations Special reconnaissance Urban warfare
Size	Company
Garrison/HQ	Nagold, Lebach and Iserlohn
Insignia
Unit identification tab

The Fallschirmjägerkompanien B1 (English: Paratroopercompanies B1) were paratrooper commando specially trained units of the German Bundeswehr and the predecessor of the current German army's special operations unit Kommando Spezialkräfte.

History

In 1989 the Bundeswehr began planning the establishment of specialised units which could be tasked with conducting isolated operations against high-value military targets.

In 1992 each of the three Bundeswehr corps was assigned with one of the Commando Companies. These were located at:

• 252nd Paratrooper battalion in Nagold.
• 261st Paratrooper battalion in Lebach.
• 271st Paratrooper battalion in Iserlohn.

In 1996, all existing Commando Companies were merged into the newly established Kommando Spezialkräfte (KSK) along with the Deep Reconnaissance Companies 100 and 300 among others.

Mission and training

The commando companies were tasked with:

• Commando style raids
• Direct action against high-value military targets
• Irregular warfare
• Personal security for high-ranking Heer officers
• Provide security to Heer bases only at high risk during chaotic situations
• Special operations behind enemy lines
• Special reconnaissance for gather military intelligence

Members of the Commando Companies received training by other NATO special forces units and the GSG9 of the then-Bundesgrenzschutz.

Equipment

The equipment of the Commando Companies consisted mainly of the standard equipment of the Bundeswehr of that time. Firearms included:

• Pistol P1
• Uzi submachine gun
• Heckler & Koch G3
• MG 3 machine gun

The Commando Companies also trained and experimented with Warsaw Pact weaponry which was available in the Bundeswehr due to the recent unification with East Germany's National People's Army.

Further reading

• Sören Sünkler (2006). Spezialverbände der Bundeswehr. Motorbuch Verlag.