72nd Brigade for Special Operations

Serbian army Special Brigade[7] was formed in 2006, but she continued traditions of the much older units. 72nd Reconnaissance-Commando Battalion and Counter-terrorist Battalion "Hawks". But since of late 2019, 72nd Brigade for Special Operations was again formed as brigade instead Special brigade effectively gaining most of its assets and members except airborne battalion continuing traditions of 72nd Special Brigade formed in june of 1992.

Both 72nd Reconnaissance-Commando Battalion and Counter-terrorist Battalion "Hawks" were parts of a 72nd Special Brigade which was formed in 1992. Main parts of this brigade were battalion of military police for counter-terroris operations, 1st reconnaissance-commando battalion, sudden strikes battalion, support battalion and logistic units. Later sudden strike battalion became 2nd reconnaissance-commando battalion. In 2006 when Special Brigade was formed, 1st reconnaissance-commando battalion and 2nd reconnaissance-commando battalion become 72nd Reconnaissance-Commando Battalion and battalion of military police for counter-terroris operations become Counter-terrorist Battalion "Hawks", keeping the hawk as their symbol (which was previously the symbol of 72 brigade), while 72nd Reconnaissance-Commando Battalion kept number 72 in their name to honor the tradition of the 72nd Special Brigade.

Sadejstvo 2020 exercise

Since late 2019. Special brigade was discontinued and newly formed 72nd Brigade for Special Operations continued most of her work without 63rd airborne battalion.

Serbian army Special Brigade is capable to fulfil many different roles, and to complete various list of tasks, thanks to the training of many different specialist in brigade antiterrorist, parachute and reconnaissance/commando battalions. All three battalions also have diving units.[6]

Some of the tasks are:

• Counter-terrorism
• Hostage situations
• Reconnaissance
• Demolition and sabotage
• Operations behind enemy lines
• Securing army and state officials
• Securing important buildings
• Forward observer role for other units
• Peacekeeping operations

In 2013 a 12 member team from a Special Brigade participated in EU mission Atlanta. Serbian Autonomous Vessel Protection Detachment (AVPD) was operating as part of the European Union Naval Force providing close protection to the World Food Programme (WFP) on the ship MV Caroline Scan of the Lithuanian Armed Forces.[8]

All members of the Special brigade are professional soldiers. To apply for position in the Special Brigade you first need to serve at least two years in some other unit of the Serbian armed forces. Also all candidates need to fulfill a lot of other requirements. For example, only about two-thirds of all candidates pass the psychophysical tests.[9]

Training in Special brigade is divided in three stages, and lasts for three years.[10]

• Selective training lasts from 9 weeks for 72. commando battalion to 13 weeks for 63. paratrooper battalion. The focus of the training is aimed at selecting the best mentally and physically capable and highly motivated candidates that can withstand the challenges they may encounter during the service. During selective training candidates need to complete the following courses: physical training, shooting and fire training, tactical training, tactical training for special units, topography and orientation on the ground, parachute training and a final exam.
• Basic training for special forces lasts for one year, and consists of: physical training, shooting and fire training, tactical training, tactical training for special units, topography and orientation on the land, resources and systems for fire support, resources and procedures for telecommunications traffic and tactical exercises.
• Advanced training for special forces lasts for two years and includes training through exchange rate revaluation, while attending the following courses: reconnaissance-commando, course for officers and non-commissioned officers, advanced parachute training, course for parachuting instructor, course of English language, sniper course, training of survival in nature, mountaineering course, divers course, demolition course, and course about improvised explosive devices.

Candidate specialization and further training depends on the team, unit and bataillon that he was assigned to and his role in them. Some parts of unit are focusing on parachuting, others on reconnaissance or counter terrorism, and some are trained for search and rescue...[9] Also many members of the unit are having training and courses in training centers abroad, through cooperation with other countries special units.[10]

The best equipped training centers in Serbia are in Nis for parachute training, and in Pancevo for various other roles. Special brigade is also using other training centers, shooting ranges and military polygons of the Serbian armed forces.[9]

Overview

• Battalion "Sokolovi"

It is formed from former 72nd Reconnaissance-Commando battalion members as a fully professional unit consisting of: battalion command, command platoon, parachute company, three reconnaissance-commando companies, fire support company and a company of river commandos. Members of the battalion are trained and well equipped to complete their missions on land, air and water (or underwater) deep behind enemy lines.[11]

Weapons

Name	Origin	Type	Notes
Pistols
CZ 99	Serbia	Semi-automatic pistol	[6]
Heckler & Koch USP	Germany	Pistol	[12][13]
Jericho 941	Israel	Pistol	[6][14]
Submachine guns
Heckler & Koch MP5	Germany	Submachine gun	Different variants in use.[12][13][15]
Heckler & Koch UMP9	Germany	Submachine gun	[12][13][15]
Zastava M92	Serbia	Submachine gun	M92ABX[16]
Zastava M85	Serbia	Submachine gun	[16]
Assault rifles
Zastava M-70	Yugoslavia	Assault rifle	M70AB2 and M70ABX[6][16]
Zastava M90	Yugoslavia	Assault rifle	[6]
Zastava M21	Serbia	Assault rifle	[13]
Arsenal AR-M1	Bulgaria	Assault rifle	[6][15][16]
Heckler & Koch G36C & G36KV	Germany	Assault rifle	G-36KV used by 63rd Parachute Battalion, G-36C used by Counter-terrorist Battalion "Sokolovi"[13][17]
Heckler & Koch HK416	Germany	Assault rifle	H&K416 used by 72nd Reconnaissance-Commando Battalion.[13][17]
Vektor R4	South Africa	Assault rifle	[6]
Steyr AUG	Austria	Assault rifle	[15][18]
Machine guns
Zastava M72	Yugoslavia	Light machine gun	[6]
Zastava M84	Yugoslavia	General-purpose machine gun	[6][19]
FN Minimi	Belgium	Light machine gun	[15]
Zastava M87	Yugoslavia	Heavy machine gun	[6]
M2 Browning	United States	Heavy machine gun	M2HB[16]
Sniper rifles
Zastava M76	Yugoslavia	Sniper rifle	[6]
Zastava M91	Yugoslavia	Sniper rifle	[6]
Sako TRG	Finland	Sniper rifle	Sako TRG 21, Sako TRG 22 and Sako TRG 42 in use[6][13][16]
SIG Sauer SSG 2000	Germany	Sniper rifle	[6][15]
Anti-materiel rifles
Zastava M93 Black Arrow	Serbia	Anti-materiel rifle	[6]
Barrett M82	United States	Anti-materiel rifle	Barrett M82A1[13][15][16]
Shotguns
Benelli M4	Italy	Semi-automatic shotgun	[15][20]
Mossberg 500	United States	Pump-action shotgun	Mossberg 590[14][16]
Franchi SPAS-15	Italy	Semi-automatic shotgun	[14][16]
Underwater firearms
SPP-1 underwater pistol	Soviet Union	Underwater firearm	[21]
APS underwater rifle	Soviet Union	Underwater firearm	[16][21]
Automatic grenade launchers
BGA 30mm	Serbia	Automatic grenade launcher	[16][19]
Anti-tank rocket launcher
M80 Zolja	Yugoslavia	Shoulder-fired missile	[16]
M79 Osa	Yugoslavia	Shoulder-fired missile	[16]
Mortars
M57 mortar	Yugoslavia	Mortar (weapon)	[19][22]

Vehicles

Name	Origin	Type	Notes
Off-road utility vehicles
Mercedes-Benz G-Class	Germany	Off-road vehicle	[23][24]
Land Rover Defender	United Kingdom	Off-road vehicle	[23][25]
Pinzgauer	Austria	Off-road vehicle	[23][26]
Armored vehicles
BOV VP	Yugoslavia	Armored personnel carrier
BOV M16 Miloš	Serbia	Armored personnel carrier	[23][26]

In 2011, the Special Brigade took part in joint exercises in Niš with Serbian police special units (specijalnih jedinica and Protivterorističke jedinice).[27]

In 2013 an exercise of international special forces of Balkan countries "Eagle 2013" was held in Serbia, with participation of members from armed forces of Serbia, Romania, Bulgaria, Greece, Turkey, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Macedonia and Montenegro. It's an exercise first time held in 2012 in Macedonia, and later in 2014 in Turkey.[28]

In a deal between Serbia and Croatia it was agreed that Serbian divers will train in Croatia, while Croatian paratroopers will train together with 63rd battalion in Serbia. Joint training predicts counter-terrorism operations, parachute training, training in winter conditions, and the training of combat search and rescue.[29]

63rd parachute battalion also provides training for Montenegro army special units[30] and trains with US army paratroopers.[31][32]

Goran Ostojić

With his brigade he participated in many different actions during the Yugoslav wars.

A commemorative cup lieutenant-colonel Goran Ostojic traditionally take place in Jagodina, every year. In the memory of lieutenant-colonel Ostojic, the primary school was founded in Jagodina, which was named after him, and on whose day (21 May), every year, this cup is held. [33]

Goran Todorović

Nicknamed Faca is an ex member of the Serbian 63. parachute brigade (today 63. parachute battalion of the Serbian army special brigade). After an accident in 2003 when his parachute failed to open at 1200m, he was severely injured. Today he is a record holder with his jump from 8350m in 2008. This record jump was performed in Slovenia in Slovenj Gradec airport and is a part of his campaign for raising funds for a medical treatment.[34][35]

Miroljub Janićijević

Sergeant Major Miroljub Janićijević was born in Krusevac, in 1970, where he completed his elementary and high school and became involved in aerial skydiving club "Mihailo Zivic." In 1990 he started working in the 63rd Parachute Brigade. Janićijević was a national champion in various sports disciplines in parachute jumps, his biggest accomplishment is winning 8th place in World Championship in 1997 in the discipline jump on the mark.

He has already trained more than 400 paratroopers through instructional work.[36]

• 
  Patch of Military Police/Counter-terrorist Battalion
• 
  72nd Reconnaissance-Commando Battalion emblem
• 
  Serbian Army special forces during the military exercise "Ušće 2011"
• 
  Battalion "Grifoni"
• 
  Slavic brotherhood exercise 2018
• 
  Counter-terrorist battalion "Sokolovi" (Hawks) at Batajnica Air Base

• Serbian Army
• Cobras (Serbia)

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• Official webpage