Commando Battalion (Albania)
| Commando Battalion | |
|---|---|
| Batalioni Komando | |
| Active | 1998-Present |
| Country |  Albania |
| Branch | Albanian Land Forces |
| Type | Infantry |
| Role | Special operations Counter-terrorism Close-quarters combat Urban warfare |
| Size | Battalion |
| Motto(s) | Commando lead the way |
| Branch colours Colour of Beret | Blue Blue |
| Engagements | |
| Commanders | |
| Current commander | Lieutenant Colonel Pëllumb Hidri[1] |
| Insignia | |
| Right shoulder patch |  |
Commando Battalion (Albanian: Batalioni Komando), is one of elite units of the Albanian Land Forces.[2][3] The unit is tasked with special operations in wartime, and primarily with counter-terrorism in peacetime.[4] The Commando members can be recognized by their blue berets, and the unit insignia which is carried on the right sleeve of their uniforms.
History
[edit]The Commando Battalion was created in 1998[5] as a direct answer to the region's geopolitical situation and was part of Special Operation Battalion.[6] Shortly after their creation, teams of commando operators were deployed along the Albanian-Yugoslav border during the Kosovo War in 1999 and later along the Albanian-Macedonian border during that country's war in 2001. During these two conflicts, Commandos' main tasks were reconnaissance and long-range patrol. In 2002, commando operators were deployed in Afghanistan as part of Operation Enduring Freedom.[7] In Afghanistan, the first contingents operated under Turkish command and their tasks mainly dealt with patrolling the areas around Kabul.In 2003, Albania sent a unit from the Commando Battalion to Mosul as part of Operation Iraqi Freedom.[8][9] The unit together with other units from the Commando Battalion were responsible for base security and perimeter defense.
Recruitment, selection and training
[edit]All members of the Albanian land forces can be considered for Commando forces training.Recruits test their psychological, physical and operational skills in carrying out special tasks.The Commando course lasts 3 months Some of the parts of the course program are: survival, ambush, reaction of the Commando Squad in patrolling in contact with the enemy, hostage rescue, object strike, precision shooting, as well as hand-to-hand combat.[10]
Equipment
[edit]| Blue Berets | |
| Pistols | Beretta Px4 Storm, FN Five-seveN, Glock 19, Heckler & Koch USP, Yavuz 16, Glock 19 |
| Shotguns | Benelli M4 Super 90 |
| Assault rifles | MPT-76, Beretta AR70/90, , AKM |
| Machine guns | Heckler & Koch MG4 , Heckler & Koch MG5 |
| Sniper rifles | Sako TRG,Barrett M82, Heckler & Koch HK417 |
| Vehicles | Land Rover Defender,Humvee |
Source:[11]
References
[edit]- ^ https://www.aaf.mil.al/komanda-e-ft/129-te-rejat-e-fundit-nga-ft/6104-prezantohet-komandanti-i-ri-i-batalionit-komando
- ^ "Nga krijimi në kohët antike deri më sot, historiku i Forcave të Armatosura! Si bëhej regjistrimi i vullnetarëve! Me lindjen e shtetit të parë Ilir, nisi…".
- ^ "Albania - Commando Regiment".
- ^ https://www.aaf.mil.al/komanda-e-ft/122-struktura/127-struktura-e-forces-tokesore
- ^ "Forcat Speciale Komando - (3 Gusht 1999)". YouTube. 20 April 2020.
- ^ "Batalioni i Operacioneve Speciale të Forcave të Armatosura feston 4-vjetorin e tij (15 Tetor 2002)". YouTube. 28 October 2021.
- ^ "Vizita e Ministrit të Mbrojtjes Pandeli Majko në Afganistan - (27 Tetor 2002)". YouTube. 3 November 2021.
- ^ "Pandeli Majko konfirmon nisjen e 5 komandove të para shqiptare në Irak - (6 Prill 2003)". YouTube. 17 January 2022.
- ^ "Trupat Komando Shqiptare mbërrijnë në Bagdad (22 Prill 2003)". YouTube. 21 January 2022.
- ^ https://www.aaf.mil.al/komanda-e-ft/129-te-rejat-e-fundit-nga-ft/5709-perfundon-kursi-xvii-komando
- ^ https://www.aaf.mil.al/armatimet-e-pajisjet