1st Commando Brigade (Turkey)

The 1st Commando Brigade (Turkish: 1. Komando Tugayı) is a airborne commando brigade of the Turkish Army, based in Kayseri.[1][2][3]

1st Commando Brigade
1. Komando Tugayı
Active1965–present
Country Turkey
BranchTurkish Army
TypeCommando
RoleAir assault
Airdrop
Anti-tank warfare
Artillery observer
Bomb disposal
Clandestine operation
Close-quarters combat
Counter-battery fire
Counterinsurgency
Desert warfare
Direct action
Fire support
Forward air control
HUMINT
Indirect fire
Irregular warfare
ISTAR
Long-range penetration
Maneuver warfare
Mountain warfare
Parachuting
Patrolling
Raiding
Reconnaissance
Special reconnaissance
Tracking
Urban warfare
SizeBrigade
Garrison/HQKayseri
Motto(s)Strong, Brave, Ready!
EngagementsSyrian–Turkish border clashes during the Syrian Civil War

2008 Turkish incursion into northern Iraq
War in Afghanistan
Operation Allied Force
Bosnian War
Kosovo War
Kurdish–Turkish conflict

Turkish Invasion of Cyprus
Commanders
Current
commander		Brigadier General Osman Aytaç

History

Founded as a paratrooper brigade, later it was restructured as a ground force. A battalion from the brigade was detached and expanded which became the 5th Hakkari Mountain and Commando Brigade. Although formally being a paratrooper brigade Parachuting and para-warfare training is still given in this brigade to every one of its troops, including the special forces Gendarmerie Special Operations Command team within its brigade.

The Brigade was involved in the Turkish invasion of Cyprus, and fought beside airborne commandos (Bolu) and Naval Infantry Brigade (Izmir). It served as a fighting force against the Greek Junta and the Cyprus National Guard. In its efforts, the Turkish Army came out victorious in this war. The 1st Commando Brigade also acted as a peacekeeping force in the Bosnian War and the War in Afghanistan. It has engaged Kurdish separatists in platoon size forces alongside the Hakkari Mountain and Commando Brigade in operations within and across Turkey's borders into Iraq in the anti Insurgency campaign launched by the PKK from Iraq into Turkey.

In its latest engagement, the 1st Commando Brigade along with other Brigades across Turkey deployed troops along the Syrian border. In which causing it to Part in the Syrian–Turkish border incidents during the Syrian Civil War.[4]

Training

Training is given to officers, non-commissioned officers, and soldiers. Military parachute training at all levels is provided to the military personnel of all rank in the Turkish Armed Forces only by this brigade. In addition, contract soldiers and conscripts receive basic military and commando basic training.[5]

Training periods vary between 3 weeks for basic military training, 5 weeks for commando basic training and 3 to 9 weeks for military parachute training.

Structure

The composition and size of this brigade is different from other commando formation of the Turkish Army. There are:[6]

  • 4 Commando Battalions
  • 1 Airborne Battalion
  • 1 Artillery Battalion
  • 1 Logistics Support Battalion
  • 1 Training Battalion
  • 1 Training Support Battalion

Losses

As of 10 June 2015, the 1st Commando Brigade has a total of 342 killed in action, of which 76 are in the Cyprus Peace Operation and 235 in the Homeland Security Operation.

  • Two Turkish commandos repel from an S-70 utility helicopter in support of ground combat operations during the culminating event of Exercise Erciyes
    Two Turkish commandos repel from an S-70 utility helicopter in support of ground combat operations during the culminating event of Exercise Erciyes

See also

References
  1. David Miller, 'The Illustrated Directory of Special Forces,' Zenith Imprint, 2002, 98
  2. "Zincidere Komando Tugayı, Türkiye'nin İlk Komando Tugayı - Kayseri Haberleri". www.milliyet.com.tr. Retrieved 2021-01-08.
  3. "Kayseri Komando Birliği nedir, ne zaman kuruldu? Nasıl eğitim alır? Mavi bereli nedir? | 17 Aralık - Son Dakika Haberleri". 2019-01-12. Archived from the original on 2019-01-12. Retrieved 2021-01-08.
  4. "1. Komando Tugayı kapılarını basına açtı". www.ntv.com.tr (in Turkish). Retrieved 2021-01-08.
  5. "Kayseri'deki komando tugayı, Türkiye'nin ilk komando tugayı - Sayfa 4".
  6. "Kayseri'deki komando tugayı, Türkiye'nin ilk komando tugayı - Sayfa 4".
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