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A new star is born: Meet the Hellenic Joint Special Operations Command

A Greek Navy SEAL conducts marksmanship drills. (Image courtesy of the Hellenic Navy).

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After years fraught with disputes and skepticism, the Greek government has decided to establish a new Joint Special Operations Command (ΔΔΕΠ).

The new Hellenic JSOC will answer directly to the Chief of the Joint Chiefs of Staff (CJCS) and will most likely be comprised of two components: a “Tier 1” and “Tier 2” component (these designations are informal). The first, more elite component will contain the Greek military’s top units, which contain only professionals (Greece has a national service, and although one could serve in a SOF unit during his time, some units are staffed only by full-time personnel):

  • The Hellenic Army’s Z Amphibious Raiding Squadron (Z’MAK), an amphibious commando unit that specializes in recapturing small islands, among other SOF tasks
  • The Special Parachute Section (ΕΤΑ), the Army’s “Tier 1” unit that specializes in special reconnaissance (SR) and direct action (DA) missions
  • The Hellenic Navy’s Underwater Demolition Teams/Navy SEALs (ΜΥΚ)
  • The Hellenic Air Force’s 31st Special Operations Squadron (ΜΕΕΔ)

The second component will contain the rest of the SOF units of the Hellenic military:

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Comments

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  • Avatar
    Philip H

    I think the Greecian establishment has long been held back by poor bureaucracy, and extremely right wing partisan police, which is potentially an issue with the military as well. I'm glad Syriza took the risk in implementing the JSOC despite potentially being undermined by the now incoming govt. And it seems all too common that some bureaucratic/military systems DO NOT WANT anyone made separate to report out of function to an SOC that they cannot control, and mores the pity. Egos getting in the way of modernisation and what is fast becoming best practise, seems very short sighted. It's also excellent to see NATO / EU pushing them on structural change. It is afterall a big part of their commitment to both of those organisations.

  • Avatar
    Stavros Atlamazoglou

    Michael, Although NATO & the EU are requesting these SOF commands, the Greek government will always have ownership of the units. It's the same concept as with NATO's Response Force (NRS): Many nations contribute and the task force in under NATO leadership, but if a domestic contingency requires the withdrawal of a unit, then a government can pull-out the said unit.

  • Avatar
    Michael T

    NATO and the EU is requiring them to create dedicated SOF that is only under them and not the National command structure? That just sounds so wrong.