Croatian Special Operations Forces Command | |
---|---|
Croatian: Zapovjedništvo specijalnih snaga OSRH | |
Active | 2015–present |
Country | Croatia |
Allegiance | Armed Forces of Croatia |
Type | Special operations forces |
Role |
|
Size | Classified |
Garrison/HQ | stožerni brigadir Ante Šaškor barracks, Delnice Josip Jović barracks, Udbina Admiral flote Sveto Letica - Barba barracks Lora |
Nickname(s) | Green berets |
Motto(s) | Viribus unitis - lat. With united forces |
Colors | Green |
Anniversaries | May 18 |
Engagements | War in Afghanistan (2003–2015) (2015–2020)
EUFOR Tchad/RCA (2008–2009) NATO Response Force (2017–present) EU NAVFOR Somalia (2021–present) Takuba Task Force (2020–2022) |
Decorations | Order of Ban Jelačić |
Commanders | |
Current commander | Brigadier Ivan Miloš (2021–present) |
Notable commanders | Brigadier general Perica Turalija (2015–2021) |
The Croatian Special Operations Forces Command (Croatian: Zapovjedništvo specijalnih snaga OSRH) is one of the three independent commands of the Croatian Armed Forces, subordinate to the General Staff of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Croatia, whose mission is to ensure the combat readiness of the special operations forces for operations in defense of the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of the Republic of Croatia and to participate in NATO and coalition-led operations.
The Croatian Special Operations Forces Command was created from the Special Operations Battalion (BSD) which existed until December 2014, when in accordance with the provisions of the Long-Term Development Plan of the Armed Forces alongside the decree of the President of Croatia and the Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, with the decision of the Minister of Defence and by the orders of the Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces, the process of reorganization of the Special Operations Battalion started and led to the subsequent establishment of the Croatian Special Operations Forces Command (CROSOFCOM) in February 2015. The goal of the reorganization was the creation of interoperable and quickly deployable special operations forces that would be able to respond to current and future security challenges adequately.
In early February 2015, the Croatian Special Operations Forces Command was established, then consisting of five organizational units.
A subsequent reorganization of the CROSOFCOM followed in mid 2019 which saw an additional creation of three new Special Forces Groups, the 3rd, 4th and 5th Special Forces Groups respectively. Alongside the CROSOFCOM reorganization, the 194th Multipurpose Helicopter Squadron of the 91st Wing of the Croatian Air Force, stood up the 3rd Special Operations Aviation Platoon which will support the CROSOFCOM with its Mil Mi-171Sh helicopters until the arrival of new UH-60M Blackhawk helicopters in 2022.
The anniversary day of the Croatian Special Operations Forces Command is honored to the organization and the formation of the first special forces unit of the Croatian Armed Forces - the Zrinski Battalion, established on May 18, 1991.