In this encyclopedic book, Lewis provides insights into the
origins, training, tactics, weapons and achievements of special
forces and special mission units throughout the world, focusing
particularly on US and UK forces. He also looks at the codes that
that bind the members of these elite units together. He reveals
training secrets in everything from wilderness survival to
hand-to-hand combat. In doing so, he draws extensively on
biographies, autobiographies, training manuals, interviews and
press coverage of key operations. The elite forces covered include:
The British Army's Special Air Service (SAS), established in 1950,
which has served as a model for the special forces of many
countries. Its counter-terrorist wing famously took part in the
hostage rescue during the siege of the Iranian Embassy in London in
1980. The Parachute Regiment, the airborne infantry element of 16
Air Assault Brigade, which spearheads the British Army's rapid
intervention capability. It is closely linked to United Kingdom
Special Forces. The US Navy's SEALS (Sea, Air, Land Teams), trained
to conduct special operations in any environment, but uniquely
specialised and equipped to operate from and in the sea. Together
with speedboat-operating Naval Special Warfare Combatant-Craft
Crewmen, they form the operational arm of the Naval Special Warfare
community, the Navy component of the US Special Operations Command.
Their special operations include: neutralizing enemy forces;
reconnaissance; counter-terrorism (famously in the killing of Osama
bin Laden); and training allies. The US Army's Delta Force: The
Special Mission Unit, 1st Special Forces Operational
Detachment-Delta (1st SFOD-D), known simply as Delta Force, the
Army component of Joint Special Operations Command. Its role is
counter-terrorism, direct action and national intervention
operations, though it has the capability to conduct many different
kinds of clandestine missions, including hostage rescues and raids.
The US Army Rangers, a light infantry combat formation under the US
Army Special Operation Command. The Green Berets - motto: 'to free
the oppressed' - trained in languages, culture, diplomacy,
psychological warfare and disinformation. Russia's Spetsnaz, whose
crack anti-terrorist commandos ended the Moscow theatre siege, and
who have a reputation for being among the world's toughest and most
ruthless soldiers. Spetsnaz units saw extensive action in
Afghanistan and Chechnya, often operating far behind enemy lines.
Israeli Special Forces, especially Shayetet 13 (Flotilla 13), whose
motto, in common with the rest of the Israeli military, is 'Never
again', a reference to the Holocaust. They are particularly adept
at the specifically Israeli martial art Krav Maga, which they dub
'Jew-jitsu'.
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