The Dutch Army Special Forces Unit...
Korps Commandotroepen has grown to a mature, professional and versatile SF unit. And it has built up a considerable reputation. Deployments to Bosnia, Kosovo, Macedonia, Iraq and more recently, Afghanistan provided many new insights and knowledge. Successful CT operations in Côte d'Ivoire (2004) and the Middle-East (2006) proved once again that the KCT is an extremely able, highly independent and versatile unit.It has grown to a mature, professional and versatile SF unit. And it has built up a considerable reputation. Deployments to Bosnia, Kosovo, Macedonia, Iraq and more recently, Afghanistan provided many new insights and knowledge. Successful CT operations in Côte d'Ivoire (2004) and the Middle-East (2006) proved once again that the KCT is an extremely able, highly independent and versatile unit.
The primary task of the Korps Commandotroepen is to conduct covert special reconnaissance operations. Operators gather and report intelligence as they infiltrate deep into enemy territory, observing, monitoring, analysing targets (enemy forces, buildings, infrastructure) and surrounding natural environment. Intelligence that would benefit the main battle force prior to an invasion, or intelligence that would benefit a direct action. [edit] Direct Action
The second task of the KCT is to conduct so-called direct action (DA): covert offensive actions that are small in size, conducted violently with surgical precision, in a (very) short amount of time. They come in the form of raids, ambush, and sabotage/demolition, to take out a specific target. This could be specific individuals, structures, weaponry, etc. DA is an unconventional method in warfare, because a specific objective is accomplished quickly and covertly, instead of a mass confrontation in the open, seen in conventional warfare. The ultimate purpose is to bring the enemy force to its knees through deprival, humiliation and sabotage, not necessarily destroying it (as in conventional warfare), though the enemy would still have the ability to fight. Typical DA tactics: capture and neutralisation, or destruction, of major facilities and material; capture and/or release of particular individuals or material; destruction of key infrastructure; overwhelming the enemy force by surprise with superior firepower, in the form of ambush and raids; sabotage of lines of communication. The KCT is also tasked with counter-terrorism operations overseas. Domestic CT operations is the task of the Unit Interventie Mariniers of the Dutch Marine Corps. [edit]
The third task of the KCT is to provide Collateral Activities. The most significant function is training and operating with indigenous forces, in order to conduct guerilla warfare. Another significant function is to reinforce a battle force. This means that an operational team is part of a larger whole (for example, a main battle force), although remaining independent, providing support in firepower and other strategic and tactical advantages, as well as force protection (protection of coalition troops). Additionally, combat search-and-rescue (CSAR) and humanitarian aid and disaster relief are other, not unimportant tasks of the KCT.
