=Organization= The unit forms part of the police, and has normal police authority, as for example the power of arrest. The GSG 9 belongs to the “Bundesgrenzschutz” (Federal Border Guard), which is under the sovereignty of the federal ministry of the interior The “Bundesgrenzschutz” also provides aerial transportation for the GSG 9. However, regular police is under the sovereignty of the States, as are “Spezialeinsatzkommandos” (SEK) (German SWAT).
The GSG 9 is based in Hangelar near Bonn and consists of three main sub-groups, plus a number of support groups as shown below.
GSG-9/1 (regular counter-terrorism )
The first sub group of the GSG 9 is used for regular counter-terrorism, involving insertions from land. This may involve cases of hostage taking, kidnapping, terrorism, and extortion. The group may also be used to secure locations, neutralize targets, sniping and fugitive hunting. The group has approximately 100 members.
GSG-9/2 (maritime counter-terrorism)
The second sub group of the GSG 9 is used for counter-terrorism involving insertions by sea, as for example the hijacking of ships or oil platforms. The group has approximately 100 members.
GSG-9/3 (airborne counter-terrorism )
The second sub group of the GSG 9 is used for counter-terrorism involving airborne insertions, including parachuting and insertions by helicopter. The group has approximately 50 members.
=Tasks=
The GSG 9 is used to act against cases of hostage taking, kidnapping, terrorism, and extortion. The group may also be used to secure locations, neutralize targets, sniping and fugitive hunting. Furthermore the group is very active in developing and testing methods and tactics for these tasks. Finally, the group may provide consultation to the different States, Ministries and international allies. The group assists the Bundesgrenzschutz, other federal agencies, and local agencies by request.
=Training=
Members of the Bundesgrenzschutz with 2 years of service can join the GSG 9. The training lasts 22 weeks. Besides medical tests there are a lot of physical and psychological requirements, for example running 5000 meters within 23 minutes and jump at least 2.4 meters. The training consists of 13 weeks of basic training and 9 weeks of advanced training. The identity of the GSG 9 members is classified as top secret. Further training is often conducted in cooperation with other allied counter-terrorism units.
=History=
The unit was established in 1972 under the leadership of general Ulrich K Wegener, after the police failed miserably in dealing with the "Munich massacre" - a terrorist action carried out by the Black September movement during the 1972 Summer Olympic Games. The creation of the GSG 9 was assisted by the expertise of the British SAS and the Israeli Sayeret Matkal. The GSG 9 was officially established on April 17, 1973.
The probably most well known mission of the GSG 9 was the liberation of the hostages of the RAF group in the Lufthansa flight 707 Landshut in Mogadishu, Somalia in the night from the 17th to the 18th October 1977. For Details of the hijacking see RAF.
Technical Unit
This unit supports other units in obtaining entry to target areas. Central Services
This service group maintains the armory of the GSG 9, and is involved in testing, repairing and purchasing of weapons, ammunition, and explosives.Documentation Unit
This unit handles the communication of the GSG 9, including the testing, repairing and purchasing of communication and surveillance equipment.
Operations Staff
This is the administration of the GSG 9.Training Unit
This unit trains existing members, and selects, recruits and trains the new members. Publicly known missions
However, most of the missions are confidential and not made public. Since the founding of the GSG 9 the group has participated on over 1300 missions, yet fired shots only on 4 occasions (official count). These occasions were 1977 in Mogadishu and 1993 in Bad Kleinen, furthermore two more missions were firearms were used to defend themselves against dogs of the persons to be arrested.