The Special Operations Battalion (), or popularly known as BSD, is a former Croatian special forces unit.
BSD operators can be recognized by their green berets with unit badges over the right eye. Their symbol is a snake, so they are sometimes referred as "Cobras" although their insignia shows a Horned viper which is the most dangerous snake to be found in Croatia and in mainland Europe.
History BSD was founded on 8 September 2000 when the Special Combat Skills Center from Šepurine and the 1st Croatian Guards Brigade (, a component of the 1st Croatian Guards Corps) were amalgamated.
It ceased to exist in 2014, when it was transformed into the Special Operations Command under the "Long-Term Development Plan of the Croatian Armed Forces".
Main tasks The Battalion was focused on air assault and airborne as well as special operations behind enemy lines with insertion from sea, air, and land. However, unlike most special forces in the world, the Battalion is also trained in non-combat search and rescue of civilians and providing aid as well as dealing with natural disasters. The unit was equipped with the most sophisticated weapons and equipment available, and trained to undertake the full range of special operations missions and even the dangerous mid-air, aircraft-to-aircraft operations. Personnel were trained for: Amphibious reconnaissance to prepare for amphibious warfare operations. Clandestine and covert operations. Close-quarters battle and close-quarters combat. Combat special operations on sea, air, and land on all types of terrains and all weather conditions. Combat search and rescue and casualty evacuation. Deep battlefield infiltration by sea, air, and land. Gathering field military intelligence. Hostage rescue on all types of terrains and all weather conditions. Humanitarian and peacekeeping operations. Irregular warfare behind enemy lines. Maritime counterterrorism. Maritime interdiction operations. Psychological warfare operations. Providing security in areas at risk of attack or terrorism. Rapid reaction to military emergencies as a rapid reaction force. Search and rescue for victims of natural disasters. Special reconnaissance in difficult to access and dangerous areas. Support emergency management. Underwater demolition. Urban counterterrorism. VIPs protection.
The Croatian General Staff exercised direct command over the battalion which thus elevated the unit to strategic level for quicker response time and overall better and faster deployment on both tactical and strategic levels. Also, this meant that members of all three branches of the Croatian armed forces could apply for selection. In 2008, two women successfully completed selection and training, earning their green berets and making the BSD one of the few special forces units in the world that have women among their ranks as combat qualified operators and not just support staff.
Structure of BSD
The BSD was composed of one command section and five companies, each specialized for a different variety of missions: Command Section - responsible for command, control and communications, intelligence, logistics, medical personnel, supplies, and transport 1st Special Operations Company - specialized for air assault and airborne (including pathfinder) operations in the event of an emergency requiring military force as a rapid reaction force (RRF) 2nd Special Operations Company - specialized for clandestine operations, combat search and rescue, counterinsurgency, direct action, irregular warfare, jungle warfare, long-range penetration, mountain rescue, mountain warfare, and special reconnaissance. 3rd Special Operations Company - specialized for amphibious reconnaissance, amphibious warfare, clandestine operations, direct action, long-range penetration, maritime counterterrorism, maritime search and rescue, naval boarding, naval special warfare, special reconnaissance, underwater demolition, and VIPs protection. 4th Special Operations Company - specialized for clandestine operations, direct action, hostage rescue, irregular warfare, long-range penetration, special reconnaissance, urban counterterrorism and urban warfare, urban rescue, and VIPs protection. Fire Support Company - specialized for counter-sniper/sniper and mortar training and fire support with snipers to other four BSD companies.
Equipment
Weapons Handguns
ModelImageCaliberOriginVariants HS2000 9×19mm XD9 and XD45
Submachine guns ModelImageCaliberOriginVariants H&K MP5 9×19mm A3 and SD3 H&K MP7 4,6×30mm unknown
Assault rifles ModelImageCaliberOriginVariants VHS assault rifle 5.56×45mm VHS-D,VH-K and VHS 2 VHS-D assault rifle REMOV.jpg Heckler & Koch G36 5.56×45mm KV and C M4 carbine 5.56×45mm A1 FN F2000 5.56×45mm F2000
Machine guns
ModelImageCaliberOrigin Browning M2 12.7×99mm FN MAG 7.62×51mm Ultimax 100 5.56×45mm
Sniper rifles
ModelImageCaliberOriginVariants Sako TRG-42 .300 Winchester Magnum TRG-42 .300 Winchester Magnum MACS M3 12.7×99mm MACS M3 and MACS M4 RT-20 20×110mm M1 M40 rifle 7.62×51 A5 Steyr SSG 69 7.62×51mm P4 Heckler & Koch PSG1 7.62×51mm PSG1
Shotguns
ModelImageCaliberOriginVariants Mossberg 500 12 gauge,20 gauge,.410 bore mossberg 500 Franchi SPAS-12 12 gauge SPAS-12 Benelli M4 Super 90 12 gauge M4
Grenade launchers ModelImageCaliberOriginNote Mk.19 AGL 40×53mm Used on vehicles RBG-6 40×46mm Locally produced by Metallic d.o.o., designated RBG-6 H&K AG36 40×46mm Comes as standard with all H&K G36C
Mortars ModelImageCaliberOriginNoteM57 60mm Mortar Mortar underwent modification to meet NATO requirements Anti-aircraft weapons
ModelImageTypeOrigin 9K38 Igla MANPADS
Anti-tank weapons ModelImageTypeOriginNote 9К115-2 Metis-M/9K115 Metis wire-guided anti-tank missile 9M113 Konkurs wire-guided anti-tank missile To be replaced by Javelin or Eurospike at some point in near future 9K111 Fagot wire-guided anti-tank missile Awaiting replacement by a modern tandem warhead anti tank system AT4 RPG
Vehicles ModelImageTypeOrigin Mercedes G Light Utility Vehicle Iveco LMV IMV Oshkosh M-ATV MRAP M1151 Up-Armored Capable HMMWV IMV
Helicopters ModelImageTypeOrigin Bell 206B-3 Utility helicopter Mil Mi-171Sh Combat-support helicopter Mi-8MTV-1 Transport helicopter
Vessels Olimp Nautika M46 R-2M Mala Diver's Delivery Vessel
International engagements
BSD members have been deployed on several peacekeeping operations and missions in the world. BSD was engaged in EUFOR Tchad/RCA, ISAF within ISAF SOF TF-50 detached from Polish Jednostka Wojskowa Komandosów.
Gallery
References