Editing GSG 9

{{short description|German Federal Police unit}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2021}}
{{More citations needed|date=August 2009}}
{{Infobox law enforcement unit
| unit_name         = GSG 9 of the Federal Police
| native_name       = GSG 9 der Bundespolizei
| image             = GSG 9 badge.svg
| image_size        = 300
| alt               = GSG 9 badge
| caption           = GSG 9 badge
| dates             = 26 September 1972
| country           = {{Flag|Germany}}
| agency            = [[Federal Police (Germany)|German Federal Police]]
| type              = [[Police tactical unit]]
| role              = {{Plainlist}}
* [[Law enforcement]]
* [[Counter-terrorism]]
{{Endplainlist}}
| ops_juris         = {{Plainlist}}
* National
* International
{{Endplainlist}}
| command_structure = [[Bundespolizeidirektion 11]]
| headquarters_label = 
| headquarters      = [[Sankt Augustin]]
| coordinates       = 
| motto             = 
| motto_translated  = 
| common_name       = 
| abbreviation      = GSG 9 
<!-- Structure -->| sworn_type_label  = Operators
| sworn             = Approx. 400
| unsworn_type_label = 
| unsworn           = 
| subunit_type_label = 
| subunits          = 
| station_type_label = 
| stations          = <!-- Commanders -->
| current_commander = Robert Hemmerling
| notable_commanders = [[Ulrich Wegener]]
<!-- Notables -->| programs          = <!-- or | programmes = -->
| significant_operations = {{Plainlist}}
* [[Lufthansa Flight 181]]
* Arrest of [[Birgit Hogefeld]], [[Wolfgang Grams]]
{{Endplainlist}}
| anniversaries     = 
| awards            = <!-- Equipment -->
| vehicles          = 
| boats             = 
| aircraft          = 
| animals           = <!--Website -->
| website           = {{Official website|https://gsg9.de/Webs/GSG9/DE/Home/01-Die-GSG9/gsg9_node.html}}
}}

'''{{lang|de|GSG 9 der Bundespolizei}}''', formerly {{langnf|de|'''Grenzschutzgruppe 9'''|Border Protection Group 9}}, is the [[police tactical unit]] of the [[Federal Police (Germany)|German Federal Police]] (Bundespolizei). The unit is responsible for combatting [[terrorism]] and [[violent crime]], including [[organized crime]].<ref name="DR1">{{Cite news|title=GSG9 braucht mehr Nachwuchs; Eliteeinheit soll deutlich größer werden|trans-title=GSG9 needs more young talent. The elite unit should become significantly larger|url=https://www.deutschlandfunk.de/gsg9-braucht-mehr-nachwuchs-eliteeinheit-soll-deutlich-100.html|first=Michael|last=Götschenberg|publisher=Deutschlandradio|location=Köln|date=2018-01-15|language=de|access-date=2023-11-12}}</ref> In addition to its headquarters location in [[Sankt Augustin]]-Hangelar near [[Bonn]], it also has a base in [[Berlin]].<ref name="DR1" /> Since 1 August 2017, it has been subordinate to the [[Bundespolizeidirektion 11|Federal Police Directorate 11]].<ref name="DR1" /> The state police (''[[Landespolizei]]'') maintain their own regional tactical units known as the ''[[Special Deployment Commando|Spezialeinsatzkommando]]'' (SEK).

GSG 9 is made up of approximately 400 highly trained police officers, whose identities are classified.<ref name="DR1" /><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.ojp.gov/ncjrs/virtual-library/abstracts/what-gsg-9-elite-police-unit-or-military-unit-police-training|title=WHAT IS GSG 9 - AN ELITE POLICE UNIT OR A MILITARY UNIT WITH POLICE TRAINING? &#124; Office of Justice Programs|website=www.ojp.gov}}</ref> The specialized unit operates not only within [[Germany]] on a federal level, but also safeguards German interests located worldwide, such as embassy property and personnel.<ref name="DR1" /> Alongside the [[Kommando Spezialkräfte|KSK]] and [[Kommando Spezialkräfte  Marine|KSM]] [[military]] [[special forces]] of the German Armed Forces ([[Bundeswehr]]), the GSG 9 can also be authorized to rescue citizens abroad in hostage situations.<ref name="GSG9">{{Cite news|title=Die GSG 9|trans-title=The GSG 9|url=https://gsg9.de/Webs/GSG9/DE/Home/01-Die-GSG9/gsg9_node.html|first=|last=|publisher=Bundespolizei|location=Potsdam|date=1999|language=de|access-date=2023-11-13}}</ref>

==Origins==
On 5 September 1972, [[Palestinian terrorists]] affiliated with [[Black September (group)|Black September]] infiltrated the [[1972 Summer Olympics|Summer Olympic Games]] in [[Munich]], [[West Germany]]. They kidnapped 11 [[Israelis|Israeli]] athletes, murdering two during the initial assault on the athletes' rooms in the [[Olympic Village, Munich|Olympic Village]]. The unprecedented incident culminated when the regular [[Bavarian State Police]], who were neither trained nor equipped for [[counter-terrorism]] operations and had underestimated the number of militants involved, attempted to rescue the athletes. The Police did not have a specialized tactical sniper team at that time. The [[German army]] had [[sniper]]s, but the [[German Constitution]] did not permit the use of the [[German Armed Forces]] on German soil during peacetime.

The [[Munich massacre|police rescue attempt failed]], resulting in the deaths of one police officer, five of the eight terrorists, and all nine of the remaining hostages.

==History==
As a consequence of the overwhelmed Bavarian State Police's mismanagement of the 1972 [[Munich massacre]], the West German government established the GSG 9 police tactical unit in September 1972. This unit was formed under the command of Lieutenant Colonel (''[[Oberstleutnant]]'') [[Ulrich Wegener]] of the Federal Border Protection (''[[Bundesgrenzschutz]]''), who proposed the creation of the tactical unit. The [[Federal Ministry of the Interior (Germany)|Federal Ministry of the Interior]], under Federal Interior Minister [[Hans-Dietrich Genscher]], to whom Wegener also served as [[adjutant]], sanctioned and directed its formation. The goal was to ensure that future high-risk situations could be handled adequately and professionally.<ref>{{cite web|title=Conception for the Establishment and Employment of a Border-Guard for Special Police Action (GSG9)|url=http://www.sapstf.org/pdf/1972%20GSG9%20Formation%20Document.pdf |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20221009/http://www.sapstf.org/pdf/1972%20GSG9%20Formation%20Document.pdf |archive-date=2022-10-09 |url-status=live|access-date=9 September 2017|date=19 September 1972}}</ref><ref name="BROL1">{{cite interview |last=Wegener |first=Ulrich |subject-link=Ulrich Wegener |interviewer=Holger Lösch |title=Ulrich Wegener Ehemaliger Kommandeur der GSG 9 im Gespräch mit Holger Lösch |trans-title=Ulrich Wegener Former commander of the GSG 9 in conversation with Holger Lösch |lang=de |work=BR-ONLINE Alpha-Forum |publisher=Bayerischer Rundfunk |url=https://www.br.de/fernsehen/ard-alpha/sendungen/alpha-forum/ulrich-wegener-gespraech100~attachment.pdf |location=Munich |date=2000-11-14|access-date=2024-08-26}}</ref>

Many German politicians opposed the formation of GSG 9, fearing it would rekindle memories of the ''[[Schutzstaffel]]'' (SS) and the [[National Socialists]]' misuse of the military as an instrument of domestic power. To address these concerns, the decision was made to form the unit from the Federal Border Protection (''[[Bundesgrenzschutz]]''), rather than the [[German Army]]. This approach differed from Israel's military [[special operations]] unit, ''[[Sayeret Matkal]]'', which was the only known comparable unit with some experience specifically in counter-terrorism and hostage-rescue at the time. Since German federal law also expressly forbid the use of military forces against the civilian population or domestic threats, creating a police tactical unit composed of highly trained and skilled police personnel avoided this issue.

Two weeks after the [[Munich Olympic massacre]], the GSG 9 unit was officially established on 26 September 1972. By April 1973, Wegener reported that the first two sub-units (''Teileinheiten'') were operationally ready. At the time, the GSG 9 was part of the ''Bundesgrenzschutz'' (BGS; Federal Border Protection), which was renamed ''[[Federal Police (Germany)|Bundespolizei]]'' (Federal Police) in 2005.<ref name="WLT1">{{cite web|access-date=2024-08-11|date=2023-09-29|lang=de|location=Berlin|publisher=Welt, Axel Springer Deutschland|first=Sven Felix|last1=Kellerhoff|title=Ulrich Wegener, Er schuf die GSG-9, die in Mogadischu die entführte "Landshut" befreite|trans-title=Ulrich Wegener, He created the GSG-9, which liberated the hijacked "Landshut" in Mogadishu|url=https://www.welt.de/geschichte/kopf-des-tages/article234006458/Ulrich-Wegener-Nach-der-Geiselnahme-in-Muenchen-1972-schuf-er-die-GSG-9.html}}</ref> The then-BGS had a [[paramilitary]] nature, using military ranks until 1976. BGS officers had [[combatant]] status, being de facto classified as combatants before 1965, with this status expressly regulated by law from 1965 to 1994. Additionally, conscripts could fulfill their military service obligation by serving in the BGS.<ref>This norm, for a long time merely theoretical – possibly the only German law with monetary values in [[Deutsche Mark]] not amended to euros – has outlasted even the draft suspension of 2011 and is theoretically still applicable. [http://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/bgsg/index.html]</ref>

The designation ''GSG 9'' is derived from the structure of the Federal Border Protection (BGS, ''Bundesgrenzschutz''), which, at the time of the unit's founding, consisted of four border protection commands with a total of eight border protection groups (GSG 1 to 7 and Sea). Since the GSG 9 was not integrated into any of the existing structures, it was designated Border Protection Group 9 (''Grenzschutzgruppe 9'', GSG 9). 

Since its inception, many other countries have developed counter-terrorism units trained by and modeled on the GSG 9.<ref name="NDTV1">{{cite web|access-date=2024-08-19|date=2009-11-18|location=New Delhi|publisher=NDTV, Press Trust Of India|title=How Germany will train India's National Security Guard|url=https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/how-germany-will-train-indias-national-security-guard-405066}}</ref><ref name="GD1">{{cite web|access-date=2024-08-19|date=2024-05-02|location=London|publisher=Grey Dynamics|title=Special Forces: El Grupo Especial de Intervención (GEI): The Mossos d’Esquadra Special Intervention Group|first=Javier|last=Sutil Toledano|url=https://greydynamics.com/el-grupo-especial-de-intervencion-gei-the-mossos-desquadra-special-intervention-group/}}</ref> For example, Spain's ''[[Unidad Especial de Intervención]] (UEI)'' ([[Civil Guard (Spain)|Civil Guard]])<ref name="GD1" /> and India's [[National Security Guard]] (NSG), which was trained and upgraded with the help of GSG 9 after the [[2008 Mumbai attacks]].<ref name="NDTV1" /><ref name="TIE1">{{cite web|access-date=2024-08-19|date=2018-12-20|location=New Delhi|publisher=The Indian Express|title=Elite German police wing to train NSG: The two countries have agreed after the Mumbai attacks for GSG-9 to help train and upgrade the NSG.|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/news-archive/elite-german-police-wing-to-train-nsg/}}</ref> Additionally, many other countries have adopted various tactics, training methods, and operational strategies from GSG 9 to enhance their counter-terrorism capabilities.

===Name change===
After renaming the ''Bundesgrenzschutz'' to ''Bundespolizei'' in 2005, the abbreviation "GSG 9" was retained due to the unit's fame, reflecting the name change rather than any functional obsolescence. The contemporary official designation for the unit is '''GSG 9 der Bundespolizei''' (abbreviated '''GSG 9 BPOL''' or simply '''GSG 9''').<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.bundespolizei.de/Web/DE/05Die-Bundespolizei/04Einsatzkraefte/GSG9-neu/01-Die-GSG9/Dreispaltig/Entstehung/entstehung_node.html|title = Bundespolizei - Entstehung}}</ref>

==Operations==
GSG 9 is deployed for counter-terrorism, hostage rescue, and high-risk law enforcement operations, including responses to kidnapping, extortion, and serious organized crime. An increasing number of arrests by GSG 9 are conducted in the area of [[cybercrime]], which often requires quick action to preserve evidence. The number of deployments in cases of threats to public safety has also increased. The unit is very active in developing and testing methods and tactics for these missions. In total, the GSG 9 completes around 50-60 missions every year.<ref name="GSG9" />

In contrast to the ''[[SEK (Germany)|Spezialeinsatzkommando]]s'' (SEK) units in each of the [[States of Germany|regional states of Germany]], which are trained and equipped for similar missions, GSG 9, which operates on a federal level, can only conduct operations within a state's jurisdiction with the state's consent. Operations on a federal level outside the Federal Republic of Germany require the foreign nation's consent, such as in a rescue operation of German citizens in a foreign country. Despite the paramilitary nature of the unit, GSG 9 officers are strictly limited to policing and tactical intervention operations and cannot engage in military conflict, as they are considered [[Combatant|non-combatants]] under international law.

Until 2009, GSG 9 was regularly deployed in foreign countries as part of a security detail for German embassies in hazardous regions. Due to the workload from these deployments, the [[PSA BPOL]] was created.<ref name="auto2">https://www.bundespolizei.de/Web/DE/04Aktuelles/05Kompakt/Bis-02-2019/2017/kompakt_5-17_file.pdf?__blob=publicationFile&v=5 {{Bare URL PDF|date=March 2022}}</ref>

From 1972 to 2003, GSG 9 reportedly completed over 1,500 missions,<ref>{{cite web|title=Federal Police - Duties and Organization - Special Forces GSG 9|page=17|date=4 August 2005 |url=http://www.bmi.bund.de/SharedDocs/Downloads/EN/Broschueren/The_Bundespolizei_Federal_police_force_en.pdf?__blob=publicationFile|website=Federal Ministry of the Interior|archive-date=23 September 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150923222223/http://www.bmi.bund.de/SharedDocs/Downloads/EN/Broschueren/The_Bundespolizei_Federal_police_force_en.pdf?__blob=publicationFile}}</ref> discharging their weapons on only five occasions. At the [[SWAT World Challenge]] in 2005, GSG 9 won all eight events, beating 17 other teams. They defended their championship the following year<ref>[http://www.swatseries.com/html/History.php History of The Original SWAT WORLD Challenge] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120222095934/http://www.swatseries.com/html/History.php |date=February 22, 2012 }} "Team GSG-9, the Federal Border Police of Germany, swept the competition and won all seven events."</ref> and placed fifth in 2007.

===Assistance and training of other units===
Following the successful rescue operation of [[Lufthansa Flight 181]], GSG 9 received numerous requests from various countries to help train their special operations units. One example is when GSG 9 was consulted, among other units, during the creation of the US Army's [[Delta Force]].<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=iBGzsr7kEBYC&pg=PA93|title = Militärische Antiterroreinheiten als Antwort auf die Bedrohung des internationalen Terrorismus und Instrument nationaler Sicherheitspolitik - das Beispiel Amerika|isbn = 9783896758415|last1 = Rojahn|first1 = Christoph|year = 2000| publisher=Herbert Utz Verlag }}</ref>

Germany offered to assist [[India]] in the wake of the [[2008 Mumbai attacks|November 2008 Mumbai attacks]]. GSG 9 helped train and upgrade the [[National Security Guard]], the primary Indian counter-terrorism unit.<ref>{{cite web |title=Elite German police wing to train NSG |url=http://www.indianexpress.com/news/elite-german-police-wing-to-train-nsg/400650/ |date=2008-12-20 |access-date=2011-01-25 |publisher=[[Indian Express]]}}</ref> Further assistance was provided to the [[Mumbai Police]] to help them establish a police tactical unit.<ref>{{cite web |last=Samanta |first=Pranab Dhal |title=German counter-terror force to help set up Mumbai SWAT team |url=http://www.indianexpress.com/news/german-counterterror-force-to-help-set-up-mumbai-swat-team/440320/ |date=2009-03-29 |access-date=2011-01-25 |publisher=[[Indian Express]]}}</ref>

The suspected involvement of retired GSG 9 operators in training Libyan security forces in 2008 led to harsh criticism in German media coverage.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.spiegel.de/politik/deutschland/libyen-affaere-elitepolizisten-auf-abwegen-ermittler-enthuellen-dickicht-schmutziger-geschaefte-a-545472.html|title = Libyen-Affäre: Elitepolizisten auf Abwegen - Ermittler enthüllen Dickicht schmutziger Geschäfte|newspaper = Der Spiegel|date = 4 April 2008|last1 = Diehl|first1 = Jörg|last2 = Gebauer|first2 = Matthias}}</ref> Additionally, GSG 9's assistance in training [[Belarus]]ian security forces from 2008 to 2011 has also been heavily criticized.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.spiegel.de/politik/ausland/weissrussland-opposition-empoert-ueber-hilfe-fuer-lukaschenko-polizei-a-851962.html|title = Weißrussland: Opposition empört über Hilfe für Lukaschenko-Polizei|newspaper = Der Spiegel|date = 24 August 2012}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.spiegel.de/politik/ausland/polizisten-aus-weissrussland-lernten-auch-bei-gsg-9-a-864849.html|title = Polizisten aus Weißrussland lernten auch bei GSG 9|newspaper = Der Spiegel|date = November 2012}}</ref>

In 2015, GSG 9 commenced training the specialized "[[Arrest unit#BFE+|BFE+]]" operators of the [[Arrest unit]]s of the German Federal Police.

==Missions==
[[File:Bundesarchiv B 145 Bild-F051866-0010, "Landshut"-Entführung, Rückkehr GSG 9.jpg|thumb|right|After the successful hostage rescue operation on [[Lufthansa Flight 181]] at [[Mogadishu International Airport]] in 1977, a special aircraft carrying State Minister [[Hans-Jürgen Wischnewski]] and the GSG 9 commandos return to [[Cologne Bonn Airport]].]]
[[File:Gsg9 fast rope 2005 05 22 file 02.jpg|thumb|right|A GSG 9 exercise in 2005]]
[[File:Gsg9.JPG|thumb|right|GSG 9 operators rappel on a building of the German [[Federal Criminal Police Office (Germany)|Bundeskriminalamt]].]] Its first mission, "[[Lufthansa Flight 181|Operation Feuerzauber]]" (Operation "Magic Fire"),<ref name="GWAI1">{{Cite report|title=Executive Summary "Operation Magic Fire"|url=https://www.academia.edu/4137770|first=Mark|last=Carolla|publisher=GW Aviation Institute|location=Washington D.C.|date=2007|access-date=2023-11-09|isbn=}}</ref> immediately established GSG 9's reputation as an elite unit. This mission took place in 1977 when [[Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine|Palestinian militants]] [[Aircraft hijacking|hijacked]] the ''Landshut'', a [[Lufthansa]] plane traveling from [[Palma de Mallorca]] to [[Frankfurt]]. They demanded the release of imprisoned members of the German [[Red Army Faction]] in exchange for the passengers and crew. The aircraft was flown to several destinations throughout the [[Middle East]]. During this time, the Lufthansa captain [[Jürgen Schumann]] was murdered by the leader of the hijackers in [[Aden]].

However, West German [[Chancellor of Germany (Federal Republic of Germany)|Chancellor]] [[Helmut Schmidt]] negotiated an agreement with [[President of Somalia|Somali President]] [[Siad Barre]], allowing the West German tactical unit GSG 9 to take control of the crisis and storm the plane. Special envoy [[Hans-Jürgen Wischnewski]] and GSG 9 commander [[Ulrich Wegener]] traveled to Mogadishu with approximately 60 GSG 9 commandos, organized into two units.<ref>{{cite news |title=Der Preis für die Befreiung der Mogadischu-Geiseln |trans-title=The price for the liberation of the Mogadishu hostages |language=German |first=Sven Felix |last=Kellerhoff |date=30 July 2009 |access-date=27 July 2021 |publisher=WeltN24 GmbH ([[Axel Springer SE]]) |work=[[Welt (German TV channel)|WELT]] |url=https://www.welt.de/politik/deutschland/article4223574/Der-Preis-fuer-die-Befreiung-der-Mogadischu-Geiseln.html |publication-place=[[Berlin]], [[Germany]] |archive-date=31 July 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090731111403/https://www.welt.de/politik/deutschland/article4223574/Der-Preis-fuer-die-Befreiung-der-Mogadischu-Geiseln.html |editor1-first=Mathias |editor1-last=Döpfner |editor2-first=Oliver |editor2-last=Michalski |editor3-first=Stefan |editor3-last=Aust |editor4-first=Ulf |editor4-last=Poschardt }}</ref>

Following a four-day odyssey, the hijackers directed the [[Boeing 737]] to [[Mogadishu]], [[Somalia]], where they waited for the arrival of the Red Army Faction members after the German government had (falsely) signaled they would be released. On the night between October 17 and 18, Somali ranger units created a distraction while members of GSG 9 stormed the plane.<ref>Interview with Ulrich Wegener, [https://www.welt.de/politik/article1260097/Ich_war_ueberzeugt_dass_es_laufen_wuerde.html Welt Online, 13. Oktober 2007] retrieved on 12-01-2008</ref>

The operation lasted seven minutes and was successful, with all hostages rescued. Three hijackers were killed, and the fourth was critically wounded. Only one GSG 9 member and one flight attendant were slightly injured. The international counter-terrorism community applauded GSG 9 for their excellent and professional handling of the situation, as assaults on planes are considered to be one of the most difficult operations a hostage rescue force can attempt. To support the GSG 9 action, two accompanying British [[Special Air Service|SAS]] advisers provided some newly developed [[Stun grenade|flash bang grenades]], but these were ultimately not used due to the fire risk inside the aircraft cabin.

===Publicly known missions===
*13–18 October 1977: [[Lufthansa Flight 181]] was hijacked by four Palestinian militants demanding the release of imprisoned [[Red Army Faction]] (RAF) members. After an odyssey through the [[Middle East]], GSG 9 officers stormed the aircraft on the ground in [[Mogadishu]], Somalia, freeing all 87 [[hostage]]s and four of the five crew members. They killed three hijackers and captured the remaining one, who was critically wounded.
*1982: Arrest of RAF militants [[Brigitte Mohnhaupt]] and [[Adelheid Schulz]].
*27 June 1993: Arrest of RAF militants [[Birgit Hogefeld]] and [[Wolfgang Grams]] in [[Bad Kleinen]]. The theory that Wolfgang Grams was executed in revenge for the death of GSG 9 operative [[Michael Newrzella]] during the mission (Grams had shot and killed Newrzella when Newrzella tried to tackle him) was discredited by the official investigation which found that Grams committed suicide.
*1993: Ending of the [[Aircraft hijacking|hijacking]] of a [[KLM]] flight from [[Tunis]] to [[Amsterdam]], redirected to [[Düsseldorf]], without firing a single shot.
*1994: Ended a hostage situation in the [[Kassel]] [[Prison|Penitentiary]].
*1994: Involved in the search for the [[Kidnapping|kidnappers]] Albert and Polak.
*1998: Arrest of a man trying to extort money from the German railway company ''[[Deutsche Bahn]]''.
*1999: Arrest of [[Metin Kaplan]] in [[Cologne]].
*1999: Arrest of two suspected members of the ''Revolutionäre Zellen'' ([[Revolutionary Cells (German group)|Revolutionary Cells]]) in [[Berlin]].
*1999: Involved in ending the hostage situation in the central bank in [[Aachen]].
*2000: Advised the [[Philippines]] in relation to a hostage situation.
*2001: Arrested two spies in [[Heidelberg]].
*2001: Assisted in the liberation of four German tourists in [[Egypt]].
*2002: Arrested a number of suspects related to the [[September 11 attacks|September 11, 2001 attacks]].
*2003: Protection of the four members of the German ''[[Technisches Hilfswerk]]'' (THW – the civil protection organization of [[Germany]]) in [[Baghdad]], [[Iraq]]. The THW's mission was to repair the [[water distribution system]].
*2004: GSG 9 is responsible for protecting German embassy property and personnel, including the embassy in [[Baghdad]], [[Iraq]]. On 7 April 2004, two members were attacked and killed near [[Fallujah]] while in a convoy traveling from [[Amman]], [[Jordan]] to Baghdad. The men, aged 25 and 38, were traveling in a car at the rear of the convoy and therefore received most of the enemy fire after passing the [[ambush]]. The men were shot after their armored [[Mitsubishi Pajero]]/Shogun was hit and stopped by [[rocket-propelled grenade|RPG]]s. In a later statement, the attackers apologized for mistaking the German convoy for an American convoy. One of the bodies is still missing.
*2007: Three suspected terrorists were seized on Tuesday, 4 September 2007 for planning huge bomb attacks on targets in Germany. The bombs they were planning to make would have had more explosive power than those used in the [[2004 Madrid train bombings|Madrid]] and [[Timeline of the 2005 London bombings|London]] terror attacks.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/more-deadly-than-london-or-madrid-islamist-terrorists-planned-massive-attacks-in-germany-a-504037.html|url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120602165053/http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/0,1518,504037,00.html|title=More Deadly than London or Madrid: Islamist Terrorists Planned Massive Attacks in Germany|first1=Matthias|last1=Gebauer|first2=Yassin|last2=Musharbash|date=5 September 2007|archivedate=2 June 2012|via=www.spiegel.de}}</ref> They wanted to build a bomb in southern Germany capable of killing as many as possible. [[Fritz Gelowicz]], 29, Adem Yilmaz, 29, and Daniel Schneider, 22, were charged with membership in a terrorist organization, making preparations for a crime involving explosives, and, in Schneider's case, attempted murder.<ref>{{Cite web|first1=Marcel|last1=Rosenbach|first2=Holger|last2=Stark |date=4 September 2008|url=https://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/the-bomb-plot-terror-from-the-german-heartland-a-576332.html|url-status=dead |title=The Bomb Plot: Terror from the German Heartland |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20111105212006/http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/0,1518,576332,00.html|archivedate=5 November 2011 |via=www.spiegel.de}}</ref>
*2009: The GSG 9 were on the verge of boarding a German freighter, the [[MV Hansa Stavanger|MV ''Hansa Stavanger'']], which had been hijacked by [[Piracy in Somalia|Somali pirates]]. The case of the ''Hansa Stavanger'', at this time off the Somali coast seemed sufficiently symbolic to justify another potentially successful rescue operation, though on a much larger scale. More than 200 GSG 9, equipped with helicopters, speedboats, and advanced weapons, had been secretly brought, via [[Kenya]], to a location {{convert|80|km|mi}} from the German freighter. The [[United States Navy]] [[helicopter carrier]] {{USS|Boxer|LHD-4|6}} was lent to the Germans to act as their flagship, and a screen of [[German Navy]] warships flanked the ''Boxer''. The ships had been patrolling near the ''Hansa Stavanger'' for days, waiting at a distance to evade detection on the pirates' radar screens. But the operation was called off before the rescue effort could begin. US National Security Advisor [[James L. Jones]] had called the [[German Chancellery|Chancellery]] to cancel the operation. The US government, worried that the operation could turn into a suicide mission, was sending the USS ''Boxer'' back to the Kenyan port of [[Mombasa]], where the German forces were to disembark. Officials at the German Federal Police headquarters in Potsdam, outside Berlin, concerned about the potential for a bloodbath, had also spoken out against the operation.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/0,1518,622766,00.html|title=Mission Impossible: German Elite Troop Abandons Plan to Free Pirate Hostages|author=((SPIEGEL ONLINE, Hamburg, Germany))|date=4 May 2009|work=SPIEGEL ONLINE|access-date=20 January 2016}}</ref>
*2012: GSG 9 was involved in a raid on the [[Hanover]] [[Hells Angels]] chapter leader [[Frank Hanebuth]]'s house, as part of a crackdown on the group. During the raid, they knocked down the wooden gate and rappelled from a helicopter onto his residence. They are also reported to have shot a dog on the premises belonging to Hanebuth.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-18195006|title=German police target Hells Angels in large-scale raids|work=BBC News|date=24 May 2012|access-date=20 January 2016}}</ref>
*2016: GSG 9 was deployed to assist with the [[2016 Munich shooting]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.reddit.com/live/xatezzbcvxxy/updates/2783ab54-503b-11e6-ac11-0e81bf422d7b|title=[live] Shooting in Munich shopping center|date=22 July 2016 |access-date=2016-07-22}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://twitter.com/aktuelle_stunde/status/756555622972260352|title=WDR Aktuelle Stunde on Twitter|access-date=2016-07-22}}</ref>
*2021: GSG 9 was participating in the [[Manhunt for Jürgen Conings|search for Jürgen Conings]], Belgium.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.hbvl.be/cnt/dmf20210521_94065626|title=Veel aanzien en een aura van onoverwinnelijkheid: dit zijn de Duitse speciale eenheden|date=21 May 2021 |access-date=2021-05-21}}</ref>
*2022: GSG 9 units were involved in raids to arrest members of the [[Reichsbürger movement]] suspected of [[2022 German coup d'état plot|plotting to overthrow]] the German government.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.tagesschau.de/investigativ/razzia-reichsbuerger-staatsstreich-101.html|title=Razzia wegen geplanten Staatsstreichs|access-date=2022-12-07}}</ref>

The majority of GSG 9's missions are [[Classified information|classified]], with limited public information available. Since its inception, GSG 9 has participated in over 1,500 missions, yet reportedly fired shots on only five occasions (official count before the 2003 [[Iraq War]]). These occasions include Mogadishu in 1977, [[Bad Kleinen]] in 1993, [[Aachen]] in 1999, and two more missions where firearms were discharged to neutralize dogs of the persons being arrested.

==Organization==
The unit is part of the [[Germany|German]] ''[[Federal Police (Germany)|Bundespolizei]]'' (''Federal Police'', formerly ''Bundesgrenzschutz'') and thus has normal [[police]] powers, including the power of arrest. The Federal Police of Germany, and therefore GSG 9, is under the control of the Federal Ministry of the Interior. The ''Bundespolizei'' also provides aerial transportation for GSG 9.

On August 1, 2017, GSG 9 was transferred to the [[Bundespolizeidirektion 11|Federal Police Directorate 11]], which was established as the supreme command for all special operations units of the German Federal Police.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.bundespolizei.de/Web/DE/05Die-Bundespolizei/04Einsatzkraefte/GSG9-neu/05-Aktuelles/D11/d11_node.html|title = Bundespolizei - Direktion 11}}</ref>

===Personnel and stations===
After undergoing a reorganization process, GSG 9's operational section is divided into four sub-groups called ''Einsatzeinheiten'' (Operational Units).<ref name="auto3">{{Cite web|url=https://www.bundespolizei.de/Web/DE/05Die-Bundespolizei/04Einsatzkraefte/GSG9-neu/01-Die-GSG9/Dreispaltig/Einheiten/die-einheiten_node.html|title=Bundespolizei - die Einheiten|access-date=11 June 2020|archive-date=15 April 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230415090848/https://www.bundespolizei.de/Web/DE/05Die-Bundespolizei/04Einsatzkraefte/GSG9-neu/01-Die-GSG9/Dreispaltig/Einheiten/die-einheiten_node.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> All groups are capable of conducting regular operations, which may involve responding to terrorism, hostage-taking, serious crimes, defusing bombs, kidnapping, or extortion. The groups may also be used to secure locations, neutralize targets, perform sniping, and track fugitives.

Three of the four units are further specialized in the following fields:<ref>https://www.bundespolizei.de/Web/DE/Service/Mediathek/Jahresberichte/jahresbericht_2017_EN_file.pdf?__blob=publicationFile&v=3 {{Bare URL PDF|date=March 2022}}</ref>

; 1st Operational Unit: [[Sniping]].
; 2nd Operational Unit: Diving and maritime operations, for example, the [[Piracy|hijacking]] of ships or [[oil platform]]s.
; 3rd Operational Unit: Airborne operations, including [[parachute|parachuting]] and [[helicopter]] landings.
; 4th Operational Unit: A Berlin-based unit tasked mainly with police operations in Berlin with an emphasis on urban combat to respond to attacks such as the [[November 2015 Paris attacks]]. In 2017, the GSG 9 announced that a [[Counter-terrorism|CT]] unit would be specialized in handling [[CBRN]] situations.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.thefirearmblog.com/blog/2017/10/20/german-gsg9-setup-new-anti-terror-unit-berlin/|title = The German GSG9 to set up a new Anti-terror unit in Berlin -|date = 20 October 2017}}</ref> In 2018, it was announced that more staff were being recruited to better handle CT situations in the city.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.thenationalnews.com/world/europe/germany-expands-elite-anti-terror-unit-amid-security-threats-1.695693|title=Germany expands elite anti-terror unit amid security threats|date=15 January 2018}}</ref>

The operational units are supported by various support units which include:

; OEM "Operative Einsatz Medizin": The "Operative Einsatz Medizin" is a group of specialized combat Medics who deploy to the field for rescue and care for operators, hostages, or civilians. A comparable German unit exists only in the German Air Force, [[Kampfretter]]. The motto of the OEM is: "Servare Vitas". OEM also has combat doctors who can make for example surgeries in the field.<ref>{{Cite web|title=SPEZIAL|url=https://k-isom.com/spezial|access-date=2021-02-06|website=K-ISOM|language=de-DE}}</ref>
;Central services
: This service group maintains the GSG 9 [[armory (military)|armory]] and is involved in testing, repairing, and purchasing [[weapon]]s, [[ammunition]], and [[Explosive material|explosives]].
; Documentation unit: This unit handles [[communication]]s, including the testing, repairing, and purchasing of communications and [[surveillance]] equipment.
; Operations staff: Handles the administration of GSG 9.
; Technical unit: This unit supports other units in gaining entry to target areas and is responsible for the procurement, testing, and issuance of non-weapon equipment. The members of the technical unit are also [[Bomb disposal|explosive ordnance disposal]] experts and they are cross-trained in direct action operations. They are trained in the [[Render safe procedure|rendering safe]] and disposal of [[improvised explosive device]]s
; Training unit: This unit trains existing members, selects recruits, and trains new members.

The GSG 9 is based in [[Sankt Augustin|Sankt Augustin-Hangelar]] near [[Bonn]]. Since 2018, a second base has been established for one of the four GSG 9 operational units in [[Berlin]] to reduce response times for missions in or near Berlin.<ref name="auto3"/><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.welt.de/politik/deutschland/article172476077/Anti-Terror-Einheit-GSG-9-soll-um-ein-Drittel-vergroessert-werden.html|title = Anti-Terror-Einheit: GSG 9 soll um ein Drittel vergrößert werden|newspaper = Die Welt|date = 15 January 2018}}</ref>

===Commanders===
The respective commanders of GSG 9 are the only members who appear publicly with their identities. All commanders have previously served as active operators:

* 1972–1980: [[Ulrich Wegener]] (Founder and first commander)
* 1980–1982: Klaus Blätte
* 1982–1991: Uwe Dee
* 1991–1997: Jürgen Bischoff
* 1997–2005: Friedrich Eichele
* 2005–2014: Olaf Lindner
* 2014–2023: [[:de:Jérôme Fuchs|Jérôme Fuchs]] (Since August 10, 2023, Vice President of [[Bundespolizeidirektion 11|Federal Police Directorate 11]])<ref name="PPBP1">{{cite web |access-date=2024-08-09 |date=2023-10-18 |lang=de |location=Hamburg |publisher=news aktuell GmbH |title=BPOLP Potsdam: Kommandeurswechsel bei der GSG 9 der Bundespolizei |trans-title=BPOLP Potsdam: Change of commander at the GSG 9 of the Federal Police |url=https://www.presseportal.de/blaulicht/pm/73990/5629252}}</ref>
* since 2023: [[:de:Robert Hemmerling|Robert Hemmerling]]<ref name="PPBP1" />

==Recruitment and training==
Members of the ''[[Federal Police (Germany)|Bundespolizei]]'' and other German police services under the age of 34 with at least two years of service can apply for the GSG 9 selection process. However, members can serve in GSG 9 only until the age of 45.

===Selection===
Candidates for GSG 9 undergo a five-day assessment to be accepted into the training cycle. The tests include medical examinations, psychological assessments, marksmanship training with a pistol and submachine gun, oral interviews, and a physical test which includes:<ref name="auto1">{{Cite web|url=https://www.bundespolizei.de/Web/DE/05Die-Bundespolizei/04Einsatzkraefte/GSG9-neu/02-Der-Weg/EAV/eav_node.html|title = Bundespolizei - das Eignungsauswahlverfahren}}</ref>

* [[Cooper test]]
* [[100 metres]] sprint
* [[Standing long jump]]
* A minimum of ten [[Pull-up (exercise)|pull-ups]]
* [[Bench press]]: Minimum of ten repetitions of 75% of the candidate's body weight
* Obstacle course
* Agility test
* Resistance test against vertigo<ref name="auto1"/>

Approximately 10-15% of all candidates pass the selection phase and are accepted into the basic training section.

===Basic training and specialisation===
The subsequent 4.5-month training period includes both basic and specialized training.<ref name="auto">{{Cite web|url=https://www.bundespolizei.de/Web/DE/05Die-Bundespolizei/04Einsatzkraefte/GSG9-neu/02-Der-Weg/Ausbildung/ausbildung_node.html|title = Bundespolizei - Ausbildung}}</ref>
During the basic training section, candidates undergo vigorous preparation for their tasks as operators in GSG 9. The training includes marksmanship, tactical courses, close-quarter combat, land navigation, climbing, rappelling, and medical training. The basic training concludes with a final week of rigorous testing, where candidates must demonstrate their skills under enormous stress.

On successful completion of all training stages, the candidate is awarded the GSG 9 badge and assigned to one of the operational units as a "Special Operations Officer".<ref name="auto"/>

Upon successful completion of basic training, candidates undergo various additional qualifications tailored to their specializations for special operational situations. These may include parachuting, maritime operations, advanced marksmanship, advanced medical skills, surveillance (police investigation), [[frogman|operational diving]], diving and skydiving in military freefall (training and further education take place at the Airborne and Air Transport School), or [[Bomb disposal|EOD (Explosive Ordnance Disposal)]] techniques.

Individual GSG 9 officers have also participated in training courses conducted by the German Army's [[Kommando Spezialkräfte|Special Operations Forces Command]] (KSK). These courses, held between 2007 and 2012, included specialized training in parachuting and demolition.

Further training often involves cooperation with other allied counter-terrorism units, such as [[Israel]]'s [[Yamam]], [[France]]’s [[GIGN|Groupe d'intervention de la Gendarmerie nationale (GIGN)]] or National Gendarmerie Intervention Group, and the [[Federal Bureau of Investigation]]'s [[Hostage Rescue Team]] from the [[United States]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Nationale und internationale Kooperation|trans-title=National and international cooperation|website=Bundespolizei |url=http://www.bundespolizei.de/DE/06Die-Bundespolizei/Organisation/BPOLP/GSG9/Berichte/40-jahre-gsg9.html |access-date=2013-09-08 |language=de |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141102085725/http://www.bundespolizei.de/DE/06Die-Bundespolizei/Organisation/BPOLP/GSG9/Berichte/40-jahre-gsg9.html |archive-date=2014-11-02}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://special-ops.org/gsg-9-grenzschutzgruppe-9/ |title=GSG 9 – To protect the Fatherland |publisher=special-ops.org|date=22 September 2013|access-date=20 November 2021}}</ref>

==Associations==
* GSG 9 is a member of the [[ATLAS Network]].
* In 1975, the health resort municipality of [[Bischofsgrün]] in the [[Fichtel Mountains]], [[Bavaria]], became the sponsoring community (''Patenschaft'') responsible for the duty of care of GSG 9.<ref>{{cite web|title=Patengemeinde: Bischofsgrün im Fichtelgebirge|trans-title=Sponsoring Community: Bischofsgrün in the Fichtel Mountains|author=GSG 9 Kameradschaft e.V.|access-date=2024-08-26|location=Sankt Augustin|lang=de|url=https://www.gsg9-kameradschaft.de/patengemeinde.php}}</ref>
* Since 1983, GSG 9 has hosted the [[Combat Team Conference]] (CTC) every four years. The CTC is a competition for international special forces units.<ref>{{cite web|title=Inoffizielle Weltmeisterschaft der Spezialeinheiten |trans-title=Unofficial World Special Forces Championship |language=de |date=2011-06-16|website=Polizei Baden-Württemberg|url=http://www.polizei-bw.de/Presse/pm2008/Seiten/prim045_2011.aspx |access-date=2013-09-08 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130212025716/http://www.polizei-bw.de/Presse/pm2008/Seiten/prim045_2011.aspx |archive-date=2013-02-12 |url-status=dead}}</ref>
* The ''GSG 9 Kameradschaft e.V.'' in [[Sankt Augustin]] is an association for former GSG 9 operators.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.gsg9-kameradschaft.de/|title=GSG 9 - Kameradschaft e. V.|trans-title=GSG 9 - Comradeship e. V.|author=GSG 9 Kameradschaft e.V.|access-date=2024-08-26|location=Sankt Augustin|lang=de}}</ref>
* Along with the [[German Armed Forces]] (including the [[Kommando Spezialkräfte|Special Forces Command]] and the [[Kommando Spezialkräfte Marine|Marine Special Forces Command]]) and the [[Federal Criminal Police Office (Germany)|Federal Criminal Police Office]], GSG 9 regularly cooperates within the framework of the "Expert Group for the Solution of Hostage-Taking and Kidnappings Abroad" (EG GE).<ref name="auto2"/>

==Annual Warrior Competition==
GSG 9 won the 2012 [[Annual Warrior Competition]], defeating the defending 2011 champion, [[EKO Cobra]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.warriorcompetition.com/Pages/viewpage.aspx?pageID=25&ID=51|title=Event - Annual Warrior Competition|website=www.warriorcompetition.com}}</ref>

==See also==
* [[Zentrale Unterstützungsgruppe Zoll]] –  Special Support Team for Customs
* [[Diensteinheit IX]] –  East Germany's equivalent unit
* [[GIGN]] - French equivalent
* [[EKO Cobra]] - Austrian Equivalent 
* [[Grupo Especial de Operaciones|GEO]] - Spanish equivalent
* [[Public Security Section 9]] – fictional Japanese variant inspired/based on GSG 9

==References==
{{reflist|30em}}

==External links==
{{Commons category}}
* [https://www.bundespolizei.de/Web/DE/05Die-Bundespolizei/04Einsatzkraefte/GSG9-neu/gsg9_node.html Official GSG 9 page of the German Federal Police] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171117001703/https://www.bundespolizei.de/Web/DE/05Die-Bundespolizei/04Einsatzkraefte/GSG9-neu/gsg9_node.html |date=17 November 2017 }}
* [http://www.gsg9.de/ Site of the GSG 9 companionship]
*
{{Law enforcement in Germany}}
{{authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Gsg 9}}
[[Category:1972 establishments in West Germany]]
[[Category:GSG 9]]
[[Category:ATLAS Network]]