BOOKS & MORE: The NATO Special Forces

Special Forces? We would like to have them too. But that's not so easy if you're not Marvel. Of course, superheroes exist in the military. And they are becoming increasingly popular. They have the best stuff and look sharp. In addition to the regular units that do the normal work, the Special Forces are used for special situations. "NATO Special Forces" is the new book by Sören Sünkler of K-ISOM. It aims to provide the best possible overview of the NATO Special Forces at the current moment. We have taken a look at it for you.

However, NATO Special Forces are in a constant state of flux. The NATO alliance has turned 70 at the time of writing. The book also delves into the history of this "umbrella organization."

From the first days in 1949 to today in 2019, a lot has changed, even though many NATO Special Forces trace their roots back to the British SAS or Commandos. An exception here is Italy and Germany (with their own traditions, not openly spoken about) as well as some Eastern European countries. The historical photos in "NATO Special Forces" are extremely exciting and show the origins of European Special Forces.

Special Forces in the Federal Republic of Germany, once a NATO front state facing the Warsaw Pact. After the disappearance of communism, NATO's expansion in the East posed major challenges. Special Forces had to be integrated and harmonized, having been trained and equipped under very different conditions before. Crimea and the conflict in eastern Ukraine have shown the alliance new dangers. Additionally, the North Atlantic Pact casts an uneasy eye on the Baltics, which feel threatened by their large neighbor but are now an important part of NATO.

The NATO Special Operations Headquarters brings all Western Special Forces together. NATO's Special Forces must be able to counter the new hybrid warfare. This includes the integration of female SOF operators, UAV operators, and cyber specialists. However, it should be noted at this point that Russia remains an important political partner at all levels for Europe. HERE is the link to NSHQ.

You can only fight together if you learn together. The NATO International Special Training Centre is also presented in the book as a structure uniting countries. HERE is the direct link to the ITSC. 

What makes this book particularly enjoyable are not just the many images, but also the numerous badges and divisions that make the unit structure understandable.

Of course, the Americans are included, with USSOCOM having its own headquarters for its many Special Forces. The book provides a good overview of everything that is part of USSOCOM, from Special Forces to Navy SEALs and more exotic variants. HERE you can find USSOCOM. 

From the air, on land, and of course in the water, Special Forces can be found. Here is the Commando Hubert of the French, who also played a significant role in the development of the German combat swimmers after World War II.

KCT and MARSOF are field fit. The Commandotroepen are the Dutch Special Forces and have been deployed from Bosnia to Afghanistan, wherever there was work to be done. MARSOF was modeled after the British Special Boat Squadron.

Of course, the Command Special Forces (KSK) are included from the Army, and the Command Special Forces Marine (KSM) is the Command Special Forces of the German Navy.

The modern Vikings also wear Multicam and can be found at NORSOCOM, for example. The book covers all the Nordic countries.

Relatively new to the West are the Special Forces of the armies of former Eastern Bloc countries. GROM from Poland has proven particularly effective. In "NATO Special Forces," the Special Forces of the Baltic States are also presented, here the Lithuanians.

NATO members yet relatively unknown to us. Sören Sünkler's book also introduces the Special Forces of the Turkish Army.

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