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Lebanese Commando Regiment
The Commando Regiment (Arabic: فوج المغاوير, romanized: Fawj al-Maghaweer) is a special forces unit in the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF).[3][4] HistoryIn 1960, General Emile Boustany, then the commander in northern Lebanon, and Mahmud Tay Abou Dargham discussed the creation of a commando unit. After Boustany became LAF commander, he ordered Captain Abou Dargham to train and form such a unit. The new unit was issued with reserve Beretta rifles. The first two-month course accepted 250 candidates, including Colonels Nabih Farhat and Makhoul Hakim who had attended Egypt's Commando School, of which 65 passed. A second course raised strength to 150.[3] The Commando Company[5] deployed to southern Lebanon during the Six-Day War. The unit was reduced in 1975 by the Lebanese Civil War, with members forming the core of new units, including the Al-Moukafaha. The commando unit received more attention when Abou Dargham became LAF chief-of-staff. According to Abou Dargham, the way that the commandos were trained, employed, and regarded changed in 1975.[3] Selection and trainingA soldier candidate is selected based on a sports test, a general information test, and a medical test. After successfully passing these three tests, the candidates undergo an intensive course in the regiment for one month. This course includes various sports: aerial journeys, basic CQB/CQC, basic commando style raids, climbing, physical exercise, reconnaissance, rope-handling, spear-fighting, and walking with full gear. This course intends to prepare the candidates to follow a commando course for two months at the Lebanese Army Special Forces School, after which graduates follow the companies of the Regiment, and follow additional specialization training in CBRN defense, CQB/CQC, defusing and disposal of bombs and land mines, effective use of tactical arms, explosives, military communications, reading maps, SERE, special warfare, and tactical first aid procedures. After that stage, soldiers are prepared to get used to combat within a squad, then a platoon, then a company.[6] Annual course for new soldiersThe annual training program for the newly joined soldiers in the regiment is composed of three stages:[6] Preparatory stageThis stage lasts one month, it prepares non-commissioned officers trainers after following studies in training techniques. In addition to preparing the training program, selecting the special studies to be included, and selecting the training sites. Selecting the sites takes into consideration having a variety of locations with different terrains, nature, and weather conditions. Moreover, this stage involves preparing the orientation plans, according to the plans published by the orientation directorate, in addition to sports competitions based on which companies are evaluated. Technical trainingThis stage lasts three months, it prepares the soldiers technically, for this reason they follow various courses such as driving various vehicles including jeeps, trucks, trailers, APCs, and snowmobiles. This stage also includes training on arms-handling, in addition to educational sessions on using computers, secretariat, and signals.
Tactical trainingThis stage lasts for eight months, it includes all levels of combat courses, starting with special training for individual fighting, followed by training on operations within a squad, up to the level of a platoon, and ultimately to a company level and a tactical branch level. The goal behind this is to create harmony and good coordination among the group regardless of its size. A raiding course is taken annually by all the soldiers at the Special Forces School. In addition, soldiers stay off-base for four days, during which they perform special combat operations that include advance commando style raids, ambushes (during day & night, against vehicles and soldiers), chasing, reconnaissance, storming, tracing, and destroying artillery emplacements. A course on dealing with helicopters is also taken by all soldiers. During this course they get to know the capabilities of the helicopters, and learn how to equip it and prepare it to perform a tactical mission. Soldiers also train on jumping out of helicopters from low altitudes onto land and into sea, and also train on landing from helicopters using ropes. This course is finalized by conducting a tactical maneuver during which soldiers perform an airborne operation using helicopters on a specific area to perform a mission, given that the helicopter will return later to pick them up at a specific time from another predetermined check point. A unit that fails to reach the check point in time to catch up to the helicopter is left where it is and has to return to the main meeting point of all units on foot. Selecting NCO trainersA non-commissioned officer who is planning to become a commando trainer must be a graduate of the Teaching Institute, and must have followed a commando course, explosives course, and a storming course. In addition, candidates are selected according to qualifications related to leadership and the individual's ability to command. These trainers, follow additional special courses to further develop their experience, enhance their self-confidence, and rehabilitate their intellectual and physical capabilities.[6] Annual training campThe regiment conducts a large scale training camp on a yearly basis, this training lasts three months, and includes similar training to the tactical stage of the new soldiers.[6] During this camp, soldiers follow special commando combat training, in addition to Survival, Evasion, Resistance and Escape (SERE) training, where soldiers are left alone is a deserted area without food, water, or any mean to aid them. Soldiers have to cope with nature, sustain themselves in face of harsh conditions, and perform the requested mission. Soldiers at this stage are also deprived from having enough sleep, as they are only allowed to sleep for two to three hours a day.[6] Every stage of the training is finalized by a tactical maneuver with live ammunition.[6] Specialized scheduled coursesIn addition to the annual training program, the regiment always hosts specialized courses followed by specialized soldiers from the various companies accordingly. Among these specialized courses are:[6]
On-going trainingEach commando performs four firing sessions per year performed over the different seasons. Although, sniper specialists perform firing sessions once per month each year; a total of 12 times per year.[6] An in-base race of 5 km is performed by soldiers each month with full gear on. In addition, a general sports assessment on the regiment level is performed twice a year, and four times on company level.[6] Mountain Combat CompanyEstablished on February 11, 1998 Founder General Joe Haddad,[7] with the assistance of the French army,[8] as a branch specialized in mountain warfare and directly related to the Lebanese Army command. However, it was included in the commando regiment as a member company as of 1999.[6] The company is headquartered at Soukour al-Kimam military base (Mountain Hawks military base). The head count of trained mountains soldiers reached the level of 2 combat companies in preparation to a full-fledged Mountains Combat Regiment.[8] Present organizationThe Company includes:[7]
Training and coursesThe principles and basics of combat are applied the same; however in a mean that suits the type of land and weather condition where this company is active. The members of the company follow several gradual courses for that purpose, as follows:[7]
Two French Army teams annually train the members of the company over both stages (winter and summer).[9][10] In addition, some officers and soldiers, follow related courses in France.[7][8] EmblemThe emblem of the company is made out of an angry wolf face with a trumpet around it, decorated by a cedar. Each symbol has a specific meaning:[7]
Operation Nahr el-BaredDuring Operation Nahr el-Bared, the head of this company, Colonel Ibrahim Salloum, was injured twice; however, he insisted to remain in the battle and ended up dying from a fatal gunshot.[11] Operational deploymentsThis regiment was always among the first to be called upon to hot spots in the country. It has a long history of operations, especially during the Liberation War against Syria.
This table does not include all the missions In addition to those operations, the Commando Regiment was used to restore and maintain order in some Lebanese cities at different occasions whenever major clashes or civil strife took place. See also
References
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