Commando Companies (Germany)

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.