Special Operations Battalion | |
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![]() Emblem of Special Operations Battalion | |
Active | September 8, 2000 – December 24, 2014 |
Country | Croatia |
Branch | General staff unit |
Type | Special operation force |
Role | |
Size | 5 companies |
Garrison/HQ | Drgomalj Delnice |
Nickname(s) | Green berets,Cobras |
Motto(s) | Svi su pozvani, rijetki su odabrani (All are invited, few are chosen) |
Colors | green |
Anniversaries | 8 September |
Engagements | |
Decorations | Order of Ban Jelačić |
Commanders | |
Current commander | Lieutenant Colonel Perica Turalija |
The Special Operations Battalion (Croatian: Bojna za specijalna djelovanja), or popularly BSD was founded on 8 September 2000 when the Special Combat Skills Center from Šepurine and the 1st Croatian Guards Brigade (Croatian: 1. hrvatski gardijski zdrug, a component of the 1st Croatian Guards Corps) were amalgamated.[1] It ceased to exist in 2014, when it was transformed into the Special Operations Command.
The BSD members can be recognized by their green berets with unit badges over the right eye. Their symbol is a snake, so they are sometimes referred as "Cobras" although their insignia shows a Horned viper which is the most dangerous snake to be found in Croatia and in mainland Europe.