Special Forces Command (Turkey)

Special Forces Command
Active	1952–present
Country	Turkey
Branch	General Staff
Type	Special Forces
Role	Unconventional warfare Special operations Combat Search and Rescue
Size	Estimated 2500
Garrison/HQ	Ankara
Nickname(s)	Maroon Berets Bordo Bereliler
Motto(s)	One Dies, Thousand Rises
Colors	Maroon      (claret red)
March	İstiklâl Marşı (Independence March)
Engagements	Operation Atilla Operation Northern Iraq Turkish army winter Campaign of 1994–95 Operation Steel Operation Hammer (1997) Operation Dawn (1997) Operation Sun Operation Martyr Yalçın Kurdish–Turkish conflict (2015–present) 2015 Hakkari Assault Operation Euphrates Shield
Commanders
Current commander	Lieutenant General Zekai Aksakallı

The Special Forces Command (Turkish language: Özel Kuvvetler Komutanlığı), nicknamed Maroon Berets (Turkish language: Bordo Bereliler) because of their distinctive service headgear, are a special operations unit of the Turkish Armed Forces made up of volunteers rigorously selected from all branches of the Armed Forces after graduating from a roughly 4-year training cycle. The Special Forces is not aligned to any of the three branches of the TAF, receiving its orders directly from the General Staff of the Republic of Turkey. Its forerunner was the Special Warfare Department (Turkish language: Özel Harp Dairesi)

Although the Special Forces is considered a division-level formation, this includes non-combatant units and administrative duties personnel as well.

Since its creation, the unit has been tasked with fighting terrorism. Each member is highly trained, and knows on average 2 languages and can handle a large variety of firearms and equipment.

Selection

Volunteers initially face a pass/fail written exam as well as physical and psychological tests. Those who pass the exams become special forces candidates. Adequate linguistic skills in at least one foreign language is a plus for admission. The candidates then have to complete a challenging training period which lasts around 120–260 weeks. Many drop out during this intense training period. Training encompasses: fitness; obstacle courses; a range of martial arts; high-altitude mountain warfare school; close quarters combat (CQC); biological/chemical/nuclear warfare; parachuting; diving; sniping; demolition; counter-terrorism; search and rescue; stealth search and destroy; reconnaissance; and survival. Learning foreign languages is a part of the training. During the training, candidates are pushed by their instructors to their limits, both physically and mentally. The training schedule includes all aspects of a modern-day regular and psychological warfare. 100 km (62 mi) terrain-walking with a 40 kg (88 lb). load is an example of what the candidates have to go through during training.

Trust Shot training program

The Trust Shot (in Turkish "Güven Atışı") is a part of the MB's training program. It is exercised on the last month of the training and is to ensure that the soldiers can trust each other with their lives. The Trust Shot consists of two members of a squad standing next to paper target boards, while another member fires on the targets with a handgun while walking towards them from 15 m (49 ft) away. During the exercise the men standing next to the targets are not allowed to move or wear body armor. They are one of the few special operations teams in the world to perform the trust shot.

Special Aviation Group

Special Aviation Group provides helicopter support for command's missions. The helicopters have been modernized and can operate in night/day, integrated and in sync.

Equipment

Maroon Berets
Pistols	HK USP, SIG P226, SIG P229, Sarsilmaz Kilinc 2000 Mega, Sarsilmaz Kilinc 2000 Light, Glock 17, Glock 19
Assault Rifles	M16 rifle, M4A1, Heckler & Koch HK416, MKEK MPT-76, AKM, IMI Tavor TAR-21
SMG	HK MP5, MP7A1, FN P90
Sniper Rifles	KNT-308, Sako TRG, CheyTac Intervention, Dragunov sniper rifle, Barrett M82, Accuracy International Arctic Warfare, MKEK JNG-90, M110, McMillan Tac-50

Further reading

• Lale Sariibrahimoglu, 'Live-fire exercises shine spotlight on Turkey's special forces,' Jane's Defence Weekly, 7 January 2004