ORGANIZATION HISTORY OF GREEK SPECIAL FORCES

Since 1951 the structure and organization of Greek special forces have gone through many stages to end up in their present form:

Ø In 1955 the Parachute School was established in Aspropyrgos beach where it is operating today.

Ø In 1956 the Special Units Training Center was moved from Vouliagmeni to Nea Peramo (Megalo Pefko) and renamed Special Forces Training Center (ΚΕΕΔ).

Ø In 1957 Commando Forces Directorate in HQ and Commando Directorate in Army Corps were scraped and Commando Directorate in Army HQ was formed with responsibility to construct Commando Forces Tactical HQ in Thessalonica. The Experimental Commando Units Center in Aspropyrgos was formed.

Ø In 1959 the Special Parachute Unit was form in Parachute School.

Ø In 1961 the Mountain Warfare & Alpine Training Center was form in Mt Olympus in place of Alpine Training Center in Mt Bermio.

Ø In 1962 Commando Forces Tactical HQ was renamed in 1^st Commando Forces Tactical HQ 1^η ΤΔ/ΔΚ

Ø In 1963 the Parachute School was reorganized in Parachute Detachment with combat responsibilities. The Commando Training Center of Γ’ Army Corps was disbanded and Unconventional Warfare Training Center (ΚΕΑΠ). The Γ’ Commando Unit regrouped into Γ’ Amphibious Commando Unit ( Γ’ ΜΑΚ ).

Ø In 1965 1^st and 2^nd Parachute Units were formed , the 2^st Commando Forces Tactical HQ (2^η ΤΔ/ΔΚ) was placed in charge . The 480 Signals Battalion was reorganized and Parachute Detachment was named again Parachute School.

Ø In 1967 1^st Commando Forces Tactical HQ was renamed to 1^st Commando Regiment with Β’ , Γ’ and Ε’ Commando Units and 2^st Commando Forces Tactical HQ into 2^nd Parachute Regiment with 1^st and 2^nd Parachute Units

Ø In 1968 Α’ Amphibious Commando Unit was formed under Commando Directorate in Army HQ

Ø In 1976 32^nd Marines Regiment was place under Commando Directorate in Army HQ

Ø In 1978 Commando Directorate in Army HQ was split in Special Forces Directorate in in Army HQ and 3^rd Special Forces Special Division with renaming all units Special Forces

Ø In 1988 3^rd Special Forces Special Division was scraped and 32^nd Marines Brigade and 13^th Amphibious Commando Regiment formed with the later including Α’ Amphibious Commando Unit and Γ’ Amphibious Commando Unit.

Ø In 1997 Z’ Amphibious Commando Unit was formed as a rapid response unit and the Special Parachute Unit was placed under 13^th Amphibious Commando Regiment

Ø In 1998 the total of Greek special forces was placed under Β’Army Corps as part of Rapid Response Force.

Ø In 2001 13^th Amphibious Commando Regiment regrouped into Special Forces Brigade and renamed 13^th Special Operations Diractorate.

AMPHIBIOUS COMMANDO UNITS

Α΄ COMMANDO UNIT FALLEN IN Cyprus Invasion 1974

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