The Kommando Spezialkräfte (KSK) (English: Special Operations Forces (SOF),[1][3] alternatively Special Operations Forces Command (SOFCOM)[4]) is a unified combatant command and a large brigade-level unit of the German Army (Heer) for black operation, capture or kill high-value targets, counterterrorism and hostage rescue crisis management, decapitation attacks, direct action, executive protection, irregular warfare, ISTAR, quick maneuver military emergencies situation, special warfare, as well as military advisor.

[1] The KSK is under the command and control of the Rapid Forces Division (DSK) when on routine duty and is stationed in the Graf Zeppelin barracks in Calw, Baden-Württemberg.

From 1973 until the KSK's formation in 1996, the West Germany (and later Federal Republic of Germany) government assigned all anti-irregular military, counterterrorism and hostage rescue crisis management, long-range penetration, and special warfare operations activities to GSG 9, a highly trained police force created shortly after the Munich massacre that transpired during the 1972 Munich Olympic Games.

One political reason for the establishment of the KSK was that in 1994, during the Rwandan genocide, German citizens had to be evacuated by Belgian Para-Commando Brigade.

This task was carried out by special operations forces of the former colonial power Belgium as agreed upon in advance by the NATO partners.

Following the KSK's activation on 20 September 1996,[1] soldiers were recruited from former members of the Paratrooper Commando Companies B1 of the individual airborne brigades.

Additionally, soldiers from the Fernspählehrkompanie 100 and 300 (Long Range Reconnaissance Patrol Companies), which were disbanded in 1996, joined the KSK and are still considered the most experienced members of the unit as veterans.

During the War in Afghanistan, although nominally under Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) command, the KSK worked under International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) command since 2005, carrying out numerous operations in the vicinity of the German deployment in Kabul, including a successful raid on an al-Qaeda safe house for suicide bombers in October 2006.

[6] As is to be expected with such units, specific operational details such as success and casualty rates are considered to be top secret and withheld even from the highest-ranking members of the Bundestag.

This practice has elicited some serious concerns, resulting in an agreement to increase both transparency and accountability, by disclosing mission details to selected members of the Bundestag, about the future deployments of KSK forces.

[8][9] In June 2020, German defence minister Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer announced that the unit would be partially disbanded due to growing far-right extremism within the ranks.

Since 2005, however, applications have also been opened to civilians and enlisted personnel who must complete an 18-month Long Range Surveillance training cycle before the intense KSK selection process begins.

This training includes roughly twenty courses at over seventeen schools worldwide: in Norway for Arctic terrain, Austria for mountainous terrain; El Paso, Texas, or Israel for desert and/or bush training; San Diego for amphibious operations; and Belize for jungle experience.

[19] The KSK is known to regularly participate in joint training exercises and personal exchange programs with SOFs from Allied nations which includes:[20][21]