Parachute Reconnaissance Company 17: Difference between revisions
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The '''FSK-17''' (for ''Fallschirmaufklärer Kompanie 17'' {{lang-de| |
The '''FSK-17''' (for ''Fallschirmaufklärer Kompanie 17'' {{lang-de|Airborne Reconnaissance Company 17}}, also known as the ''Fernspah-Grenadiers'') is [[Switzerland]]'s principal [[special forces]] unit. They are organized as an militia [[Long Range Reconnaissance Patrol|LRRP]] scout type unit, unlike the full-time counterterrorism [[Army Reconnaissance Detachment|ARD 10]] unit. Formed in the 1970s, they fall under the operational control of the [[Swiss Air Force]].<ref>Ryan, p. 69</ref> |
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==Training== |
==Training== |
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FSK-17, like most of the Swiss Air Force, is a militia based service, which makes selection and training different than in most militaries. At about age 16 a candidate will register online for the SPHAIR course with the [[Aero-Club der Schweiz]].<ref name="Der Weg">[http://www.sphair.ch/para/de/yourway/sequence/ Your way to become a Fallschirmaufklärer] accessed 22 April 2009 {{de_icon}}</ref> About 500 to 700 candidates will generally apply.<ref name="Rottman">{{cite book | last = Rottman | first = Gordon | title = World Special Forces Insignia | publisher = Osprey | location = London | year = 1989 | isbn = 085045865X | page = 13 | URL = http://books.google.com/books?id=c1IeXiiZbXYC&pg=PA13&lpg=PA13}}</ref> Over the following year the candidate will provide documentation to prove their Swiss citizenship and will attend a 1 day screening in [[Dübendorf]] near [[Zürich]]. About 300 candidates will pass the screening and educational requirements and will be allowed to enroll in the parachute courses.<ref name="Rottman"/> At age 18 the candidate will attend the first 2 week parachute course. While most of the cost of the course is covered by the Swiss Army, candidates have to buy some of their own equipment and books, which cost the candidate about CHF 750.<ref>[http://www.sphair.ch/para/de/yourway/course1.html Course Description of Parachute Course 1] accessed 22 April 2009 {{de_icon}}</ref> Successful completion of the first parachute course allows the candidate to attend the second course when they are about 19 years old. This course also costs the candidate about CHF 500.<ref>[http://www.sphair.ch/para/de/yourway/course2.html Course Description of Parachute Course 2] accessed 22 April 2009 {{de_icon}}</ref> Following two successful parachute courses the candidate will have to pass a series of physical and psychological exams of which only about 20 will pass<ref name="Rottman"/> Throughout all this training the candidate is still a civilian. |
FSK-17, like most of the Swiss Air Force, is a militia based service, which makes selection and training different than in most militaries. At about age 16 a candidate will register online for the SPHAIR course with the [[Aero-Club der Schweiz]].<ref name="Der Weg">[http://www.sphair.ch/para/de/yourway/sequence/ Your way to become a Fallschirmaufklärer] accessed 22 April 2009 {{de_icon}}</ref> About 500 to 700 candidates will generally apply.<ref name="Rottman">{{cite book | last = Rottman | first = Gordon | title = World Special Forces Insignia | publisher = Osprey | location = London | year = 1989 | isbn = 085045865X | page = 13 | URL = http://books.google.com/books?id=c1IeXiiZbXYC&pg=PA13&lpg=PA13}}</ref> Over the following year the candidate will provide documentation to prove their Swiss citizenship and will attend a 1 day screening in [[Dübendorf]] near [[Zürich]]. About 300 candidates will pass the screening and educational requirements and will be allowed to enroll in the parachute courses.<ref name="Rottman"/> At age 18 the candidate will attend the first 2 week parachute course. While most of the cost of the course is covered by the Swiss Army, candidates have to buy some of their own equipment and books, which cost the candidate about CHF 750.<ref>[http://www.sphair.ch/para/de/yourway/course1.html Course Description of Parachute Course 1] accessed 22 April 2009 {{de_icon}}</ref> Successful completion of the first parachute course allows the candidate to attend the second course when they are about 19 years old. This course also costs the candidate about CHF 500.<ref>[http://www.sphair.ch/para/de/yourway/course2.html Course Description of Parachute Course 2] accessed 22 April 2009 {{de_icon}}</ref> Following two successful parachute courses the candidate will have to pass a series of physical and psychological exams of which only about 20 will pass<ref name="Rottman"/> Throughout all this training the candidate is still a civilian. |
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[[File:FSK-17 Training Program.PNG|thumb|FSK-17 Training program for NCO and Officer]] |
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If the candidate is successful in their pre-military training, they then enter either a 43 week (enlisted) or 59 week (officer) training program. Following recruitment into the [[Military of Switzerland|military]] the candidate attends a 5 week selection training course. This course includes firearms training as well as physical fitness, obstacle courses and marching. While portions of the standard Swiss Amry basic training is included, this course focuses on the elements that are relevant for the company. There are weekly marches of increasing length and difficulty, colminating in the "Ironman" exercise which must be passed by each candidate. Those that fail the training at this point are shifted into another specialization.<ref name="Basic">[http://www.lw.admin.ch/internet/luftwaffe/de/home/verbaende/lvbfl/unterstkdos/kdofschaufkl/school44/rs.html Swiss Air Force-Basic Training for FSK-17] accessed 22 April 2009 {{de_icon}}</ref> |
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Following the 5 weeek course a candidate then enters the second selection phase, a 4 week examination of their parachute-related abilities. This course also builds on their civilian parachute experience to train them in military parachuting. Therefore, inn the first week they complete a night parachute jump.<ref name="Basic"/> The course also includes further weapons training, physical training and computer-aided intelligence training. At the end of the course, some candidates will be dismissed from the training and will complete their military service in another speciality. |
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Following recruitment into the [[Military of Switzerland|military]] the candidate attends a 5 week selection training course. This course includes firearms training as well as physical fitness, obstacle courses and marching. |
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The remaining training time is spent working mostly as part of a team. Some individual training relates to building of bivouacs, behavior and patrolling in the hostile area as well as approaches with contact with dogs. They train with [[parachute#Round types|round-canopy T-10]] parachutes for low altitude jumps (about {{m to ft|200|abbr=yes|precision=-1}} above ground level) as well as [[HALO jump|HALO/HAHO]] from over {{m to ft|7000|abbr=yes|precision=-3}}.depth-in-corrodes (200 meters/reason) as well as the training for oxygen employments (higher than 7000 meters/sea). Training also includes parachuting into landing zones in the mountains as well as in water. The culmination of this training is a multi-day training exercise in which the different elements of the training in the general context are used. Following successful completion of the entire training course the candidate is breveted and joins the company. |
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==Notes== |
==Notes== |
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Revision as of 15:42, 22 April 2009
| Fernspah-Grenadiers | |
|---|---|
| Country |  |
| Branch | Swiss Air Force |
| Type | Special Forces |
| Role | Direct Action, Unconventional warfare |
| Part of | Under control of the Swiss Air Force |
| Nickname(s) | FSK-17 |
The FSK-17 (for Fallschirmaufklärer Kompanie 17 German: Airborne Reconnaissance Company 17, also known as the Fernspah-Grenadiers) is Switzerland's principal special forces unit. They are organized as an militia LRRP scout type unit, unlike the full-time counterterrorism ARD 10 unit. Formed in the 1970s, they fall under the operational control of the Swiss Air Force.[1]
Training
FSK-17, like most of the Swiss Air Force, is a militia based service, which makes selection and training different than in most militaries. At about age 16 a candidate will register online for the SPHAIR course with the Aero-Club der Schweiz.[2] About 500 to 700 candidates will generally apply.[3] Over the following year the candidate will provide documentation to prove their Swiss citizenship and will attend a 1 day screening in Dübendorf near Zürich. About 300 candidates will pass the screening and educational requirements and will be allowed to enroll in the parachute courses.[3] At age 18 the candidate will attend the first 2 week parachute course. While most of the cost of the course is covered by the Swiss Army, candidates have to buy some of their own equipment and books, which cost the candidate about CHF 750.[4] Successful completion of the first parachute course allows the candidate to attend the second course when they are about 19 years old. This course also costs the candidate about CHF 500.[5] Following two successful parachute courses the candidate will have to pass a series of physical and psychological exams of which only about 20 will pass[3] Throughout all this training the candidate is still a civilian.
If the candidate is successful in their pre-military training, they then enter either a 43 week (enlisted) or 59 week (officer) training program. Following recruitment into the military the candidate attends a 5 week selection training course. This course includes firearms training as well as physical fitness, obstacle courses and marching. While portions of the standard Swiss Amry basic training is included, this course focuses on the elements that are relevant for the company. There are weekly marches of increasing length and difficulty, colminating in the "Ironman" exercise which must be passed by each candidate. Those that fail the training at this point are shifted into another specialization.[6]
Following the 5 weeek course a candidate then enters the second selection phase, a 4 week examination of their parachute-related abilities. This course also builds on their civilian parachute experience to train them in military parachuting. Therefore, inn the first week they complete a night parachute jump.[6] The course also includes further weapons training, physical training and computer-aided intelligence training. At the end of the course, some candidates will be dismissed from the training and will complete their military service in another speciality.
The remaining training time is spent working mostly as part of a team. Some individual training relates to building of bivouacs, behavior and patrolling in the hostile area as well as approaches with contact with dogs. They train with round-canopy T-10 parachutes for low altitude jumps (about Template:M to ft above ground level) as well as HALO/HAHO from over Template:M to ft.depth-in-corrodes (200 meters/reason) as well as the training for oxygen employments (higher than 7000 meters/sea). Training also includes parachuting into landing zones in the mountains as well as in water. The culmination of this training is a multi-day training exercise in which the different elements of the training in the general context are used. Following successful completion of the entire training course the candidate is breveted and joins the company.
Notes
- ^ Ryan, p. 69
- ^ Your way to become a Fallschirmaufklärer accessed 22 April 2009 Template:De icon
- ^ a b c Rottman, Gordon (1989). World Special Forces Insignia. London: Osprey. p. 13. ISBN 085045865X.
- ^ Course Description of Parachute Course 1 accessed 22 April 2009 Template:De icon
- ^ Course Description of Parachute Course 2 accessed 22 April 2009 Template:De icon
- ^ a b Swiss Air Force-Basic Training for FSK-17 accessed 22 April 2009 Template:De icon
References
- The Encyclopedia of the World's Special Forces by Ryan, Mann and Stillwell (2003) ISBN 0-7607-3939-0
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