Georgian Special Operations Forces
The Georgian Special Operations Forces (GSOF) (Georgian: სპეციალური ოპერაციების ძალები) are the special operations forces component of the Defense Forces of Georgia. They have been established to conduct special operations, special-and long range reconnaissance, military counter intelligence, counter terrorism, counter insurgency, amphibious and asymmetric warfare in and outside Georgia.
Georgian Special Operations Forces | |
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სპეციალური ოპერაციების ძალები | |
GSOF insignia | |
Active | 22 November 1999 – present |
Country | Georgia |
Type | Special operations forces |
Role | Special operations Special reconnaissance Unconventional warfare Direct action HVT raids Counter-terrorism / insurgency psychological warfare |
Part of | Georgian Defence Forces |
Garrison/HQ | Tbilisi |
Nickname(s) | "the vicious" |
Color of Beret | Rifle green |
Engagements | 1991: Georgian Civil War* 1992: War in Abkhazia* 1999–2003: Kosovo Force 2012: Lopota incident Since 2014: War in Donbass (disputed) 2015–2021: RSM Afghanistan (Rangers) |
Website | sof |
Commanders | |
Current commander | Col. Temur Klateishvili |
Notable commanders | Gocha Karkarashvili Nikoloz Janjgava Zaza Gogava |
Defence Forces of Georgia |
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Flag of Georgia Emblem of Defence Forces |
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Staff |
Military service commands |
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Functional combatant commands |
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MoD departments and organizations |
Georgian Special Operation Forces are subordinated under the MOD Special Operations Main Division to a brigade-level command structure. Each formation is split into several sub-divisions which are allocated on different Georgian regions, cities and strategically important areas. Most instructor units are composed of veterans of past conflicts including the Soviet–Afghan War and the internal conflicts in Georgia. Officers and instructors served as in former Soviet Army or NATO special services.