posted on Feb, 10 2007 @ 08:29 AM
Originally posted by mojoberg
im just glad the SAS dont get involved in this stupid little competition guess it shows they have more important things to worry about
Maybe you don´t see the bigger picture. The aim of these exhibitions is not to compare the proverbial d*** lenghts, though the winner of such
"games" certainly deserves the reputation. The main aim is to compare and measure capabilities and learn from mutual experience. That is also why
the GSG9 has been invited.
I don´t think that any single of the competing SWAT teams doubts the GSG9 is inherently better at the tasks at hands - simply because they have an
entirely different organizational structure. The GSG9 does nothing else than what is asked in that challenge, while many SWATs consist of "regular"
police officers with some enhanced training.
Basically what all the competing teams achieve by taking part in this is a "look into the mirror". They (including the GSG9) can evaluate their
performance against others and identify fields in which they excel or in which they lack capabilities. So its not just fun and games, the World SWAT
Challenge offers solid benefits for all contestants.
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A little too much hearsay for my liking concerning the tasks of KSK and GSG9. There is no rigid operational differentiation between the two in the CT
field, they have overlapping responsibilities. Whether or not the KSK or GSG9 will be sent into a specific mission is mainly dependant on the
surrounding parameters:
The GSG9 is a DOMESTIC unit. That means that they can only go for out-of-Germany assignments when this is allowed for and/or requested by the
respective authorities (The Somalian "government" for example had to allow the GSG9 deployment back in 1977) - unless they are used as
bodyguards/advisors as in Iraq, but then they wouldn´t perform a hostage mission.
As a military unit, the KSK however would have to get a parliamentary approval to be used WITHIN Germany, because the military is not allowed to
perform domestic missions on their own. Germany is the responsibility of the police and the police alone.
Another factor would be how well the overall strategic and security situation is: You don´t need a military unit with all its mobile supplies,
satellite networking and equipment intended for daylong use in the field when you are trying to clear a single building within a friendly city - when
you know the mission begins when the unit enters the building and is over when they come out. So thats where the GSG9 comes into the play.
The choice depends on the surroundings, not the actual task to solve a hostage crisis.