READING MATERIAL: K-ISOM SPECIAL SOF Luftwaffe

Wop! Wop! Wop! The helicopter has now become one of the special forces like a good pair of shoes, only that it takes you further. They come from high up in the sky and have special needs for machines and pilots, and together they are an unbeatable team.

This is the table of contents for the current K-ISOM Special, which revolves around the collaboration between German special forces and the German Air Force. Since the fine print is always so difficult to read, here is the entire content compactly summarized:

04 Introduction:
– History of the Air Force in action since 1990.
– Structural changes up to now.
– Overseas deployments of the Air Force.
09 The German SOF concept of the Bundeswehr.
– Basics.
– The Department of Special Operations in the Operational Command (EFK) of the Bundeswehr.
12 Core elements of German Special Forces of the Bundeswehr:
– Special Forces Command of the Army (KSK).
– Special Forces Command of the Navy (KSM).
– Special Operations Air Task Unit – Rotary Wing (Maritime).
20 Air Force in the German SOF architecture since 2016.
22 Rapid Forces Division (DSK).
23 New tasks and challenges for Helicopter Wing 64.
23 Capability requirements and concept of LUH SOF.
26 The "new" 4th Flying Squadron of HSG 64 of the Air Force in the BW SOF concept.
28 The H145M LUH SOF:
– Equipment.
– Helicopter onboard electronics system Helionix®.
– Abseiling equipment H145M LUH SOF (Fast Rope, Rappelling, Winches) and Free-Fall Delivery.
37 Pilots and their equipment
– Modular rescue vest.
– Pilot helmet.
39 Passive self-protection H145M LUH SOF.
41 German technology competence.
42 Certification of climate zones: Arctic winter, deserts, and savannahs.
42 Future music FARP.
46 Surprise at "Black Dagger" 2020 in Africa.
48 Tactical Special Operations Procedures H145M LUH SOF in the Air Force.
49 Deployment options:
– Hostage Release Operations (HRO).
– Airborne Target Engagement - Special Operations Sniper Interdiction.
– Car Interdiction / SOF Air Assault in conjunction.
– Surveillance and reconnaissance with the H145M LUH SOF.
– Deployment with the Forward Looking Infrared (FLIR) system.
– Fire support with the onboard weapon MG6.
66 Tactical Operator (TacOp).
68 Specialized forces of the Air Force: The Combat Rescue Professionals.
77 Doorgunner.
80 "Dog Boning" - Aggressive fire support with the CH-53.
82 Old but Gold - The CH-53.
84 Onboard weapons for SOF fire support:
– FN Herstal M3M.
– MG6.
– MG3A1.
90 Industry weapon packages: AIRBUS HForce.
93 DEU-FRA SOF Squadron C-130J SOF from 2021.
94 Glossary.

It's a network where helicopters are at the center, and in the magazine, you'll learn how it all works.

Of course, it's about the KSK and its special needs. Throughout the magazine, you can also see the H145M LUH SOF helicopter, so to speak, the workhorse of the special forces.

If you're a decent triphibian, you don't just land from the sea to land or on ships and oil platforms: helicopters are also essential for combat swimmers.

Specialists are needed for cooperation with specialists: Particularly the "new" 4th Flying Squadron of HSG 64 of the Air Force in the BW SOF concept. It is introduced in this special issue.

In addition, there is a very solid selection of images that gives readers a lot to look at.

The CH-53 achieves great things. Continuously updated to the latest technological standards, the Sikorsky CH-53 has proven its worth in exercises and operations for decades.

What flies also shoots. Doorgunner is a special job here. But otherwise, this issue presents everything that special forces need to support fire in operations.

CONCLUSION: Wop! Wop! Wop! Solid knowledge about special forces and helicopters in one magazine. Exciting reading, not only on fire days with great pictures.

K-ISOM Special "SOF Air Force" has 96 pages and costs €11.90 (DEU), €13.10 in Austria. It is available at well-stocked magazine retailers or directly from the publisher.

K-ISOM on the internet: k-isom.com