National Army of Colombia

Colombian National Army Ejército Nacional de Colombia
Colombian Army Emblem
Active	August 19, 1819 - Present
Country	Colombia
Role	Foreign and Domestic Defense
Size	235,538 (2009)[1]
Garrison/HQ	Colombian Ministry of Defense
Colors	Red with Army Crest
March	"Himno del Ejército"
Anniversaries	August 7
Engagements	Independence War against Spain, Thousand Days War (Civil war), War Against Peru, Korean War, Colombian Armed Conflict
Commanders
Current commander	Gen. Oscar González
Notable commanders	Simon Bolivar, Francisco de Paula Santander, Gustavo Rojas Pinilla, Harold Bedoya Pizarro, Manuel José Bonett Rafael Reyes Prieto

The National Army of Colombia (Spanish: Ejército Nacional de Colombia) is the land military force of the government of Colombia and the largest service of the Colombian Armed Forces. It has the responsibility for land-based military operations along with the Infanteria de Marina (Naval Infantry) to protect the Colombian state against domestic or foreign threats.

The modern Colombian Army has its roots in the Ejército de los Comuneros or Army of the Commoners which was formed on August 7, 1819, before the establishment of the present day Colombia to meet the demands of the Revolutionary War against the Spanish Empire.

That same day, the Congress of Angostura created the Greater Colombian Army after the triumph over the Spanish, to replace the disbanded Commoners Army. However, the Colombian Army considers itself to be an evolution of the Commoners Army, and thus dates its inception from its origins.

History

The Colombian Army trace its history back to the 1770s and 1780s, when the comuneros (Commoners) (mostly descendants of Spanish and Amerindians) decided to separate from the Spanish Empire to create their own country and initiated a revolutionary war. The Greater Colombian Army is consolidated on August 7, 1819 by defeating the Spaniards at Boyacá in the Battle of Boyacá under the command of Simon Bolivar. Since then the Colombian Army has been the biggest organization in Colombia.

The military reform carried out by General Rafael Reyes Prieto in the year 1907 marked the professionalization of the Colombian Armed Forces.

Recent History

See also: Colombian armed conflict (1960s–present)

The Colombian National Army Flag.

Colombian National Army soldier searching for landmines.

The Colombian Army is present at war with leftist rebels of the FARC, ELN and EPL, as well as other minor groups. Throughout the war, military personnel have usually maintained a level of professionalism.

Members of the military have been accused or condemned for collaborating with the activities of right wing paramilitaries, such as the AUC and others. The BBC and other sources have reported on cases of corruption in the military, as well as other scandals.

The United States government approved the Plan Colombia initiative. Part of the resources provided by this initiative would be directed to the support of the Colombian Army by strengthening its combat and logistics capabilities.

The Colombian Army is led by the President of Colombia (a civilian) and directed as well by a (four suns) General.

The training of Colombian soldiers is world recognized due to its demanding features. The promotion courses (courses that the candidate has to take in order to be promoted to a higher rank) are usually tough and physically demanding.

A "Lancero" training course in counterinsurgency warfare is held in Tolemaida, 150 miles (240 km) from Bogotá, where temperatures range between 85 and 100 degrees F. (29.5-38 degrees C.) throughout the year. The course, which has been called the toughest in the world, is run by the Colombian army with U.S. military instructors also playing a role. According to Paris Match (no. 2964, March 9–15, 2006) the course lasts 73 days and trains Bolivian, Ecuadorean, and Panamanian troops as well as Colombian soldiers; some French and American soldiers are also trained there.[1] The course, founded in 1955, derives from the Ranger program of the US Army. Reportedly, severe techniques and live ammunition are used. Because of its exceptional nature, the course has gained international prestige.

Military overseas operations

The Colombian National Army deploys soldiers in the Sinai since the United Nations Emergency Force was assembled in 1956 [2]. It has also joined forces many times with different armies around the world under the UN mandate.

Colombia is also planning to send around 100 troops to support Spain in the ISAF in Afghanistan.(The troops would also be under Spain's command.)

Organization

Structure of the Colombian National Army

Major units

Divisions

Colombian Army Divisions are static Regional Commands

Army soldiers in training exercises.

• 1st Division (Santa Marta) - Its jurisdiction covers the Northern Region of Colombia in which there are the departments of Cesar, La Guajira, Magdalena, Sucre, Bolívar and Atlántico. 2nd Mechanized and 10th Armored brigades.
• 2nd Division (Bucaramanga) - Its jurisdiction covers the north eastern Colombia in which there are the departments of Norte de Santander, Santander and Arauca. 5th Infantry, 30th Infantry and 23rd Mobile brigades.
• 3rd Division (Cali) - Its jurisdiction covers the South West of Colombia in which there are the departamntos of Nariño, Valle del Cauca, Cauca, Caldas, Quindio, part of Santander and the southern part of the Chocó. 3rd, 8th, 23rd and 29th Infantry brigades.
• 4th Division (Villavicencio) - Its jurisdiction covers the eastern region of Colombia in which there are the departments of Meta, Guaviare, and part of Vaupés. 7th Infantry, 22nd Infantry and 31st Jungle Infantry brigades.
• 5th Division (Bogota) - Its jurisdiction covers the Central Region of Colombia in which there are the departments of Cundinamarca, Boyaca, Huila and Tolima. 1st Infantry, 6th Infantry, 8th Mobile, 9th Infantry and 13th Infantry brigades.
• 6th Division (Florencia) - Its jurisdiction covers the southern region of Colombia in which there are the departments of Amazonas, Caquetá, Putumayo and southern Vaupés. 12th Infantry, 13th Mobile, 26th Jungle and 27th Jungle brigades.
• 7th Division (Medellin) - Its jurisdiction covers the western region of Colombia in which there are the departments of Cordoba, Antioquia, and part of the Chocó. 4th, 11th, 14th, 15th and 17th Infantry and 11th Mobile Brigades
• 8th Division (Yopal) - Its jurisdiction covers the northeastern region of Colombia in which there are the departments of Casanare, Arauca, Vichada, Guainía, and the municipalities of Boyaca of Cubará, Pisba, Paya, Labranzagrande and Pajarito. 16th, 18th, 28th, and the 5th Mobile Brigade.

Other Units

Combat Arms of the Colombian Army

• Mobile Medical Command with 3 Battalions
• Military and Institutes Brigade
• 19th Cadet Brigade with 3 battalions
• Army Aviation with 135 helicopters and aircraft.
• Army Commando Battalion

Combat Arms

• Infantería (Infantry)
• Caballería (Cavalry)
• Artillería (Artillery)
• Ingenieros (Engineers)
• Inteligencía (Intelligence)
• Comunicaciones (Communications)
• Cuerpo Logístico y Administrativo (Logistics and Administrative Corps)
• Aviación (Army Aviation)

Special Units

The Colombian Army has created new programs in order to fight terrorist guerrillas that during the last 40 years have fought a war to overthrow the Colombian government. They are highly trained, specially selected Colombian Army soldiers. They do special recon operations to find and expel Colombian terrorists hideouts.

Rapid Deployment Force

• The Rapid Deployment Force or Fuerza de Despliegue Rápido abr. FUDRA, was created as a modern quick reaction force to deploy to different regions and to all types of weather. Currently, its function is to solely carry out offensive operations against insurgents or outlaws.

Anti-Narcotics Brigade

• Anti-Narcotics Brigade (Brigada Anti-Narcoticos). This unit was specifically activated for operations against the trafficking of narcotics. It was created on December 8, 2000 and has its main headquarters in the Guaviare Department.

Army Aviation Brigade

• The Army Aviation Brigade or Unidad de Aviación del Ejército, is an aviation branch that works autonomously from the Colombian Air Force. It's part of the Colombian Army Cavalry Corps and its main mission is to support the army's ground operations. The unit has recently focused in the security of the Colombian border and Colombia's sovereignty.
  This Unit was created on September 7 of 1916 and it is managed by the Colombian Cavalry.

AFEUR unit

• Colombian National Army Special Forces Anti-Terrorist Group

The Agrupación de Fuerzas Especiales Antiterroristas Urbanas (Urban Counter-Terrorism Special Forces Group, AFEUR) is an elite unit of the Colombian Army, whose primary mission is to perform counter-terrorist operations and hostage rescues based on stealth, surprise and team work.

VIP protection is another task of the unit. For example, they protect the Colombian President when he travels, and provided protection for President Bill Clinton's (Army group) and President George W. Bush's visits to Cartagena, in 2000 and 2004 respectively. They also provided the second security ring to Bush's visit to Bogotá in 2007.

This unit answers directly to the Commando General de las Fuerzas Armadas (Armed Forces Joint Staff), and they are allowed to use any military air transportation to guarantee mobility, and to use any weapon or additional equipment as required to accomplish their missions.

AFEUR won the "Fuerzas Comando 2005" (Commando Forces 2005) contest, that took place in Chile in June 2005 lasting two weeks.

This yearly contest sponsored by the US South Command and the US Special Operations Command with similar teams from Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Costa Rica, Ecuador, El Salvador, U.S., Guatemala, Honduras, Jamaica, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Dominican Republic, Peru and Uruguay.

AFEUR also won the 2006 and 2007 versions of this contest.

Special Forces Brigade

• Colombian National Army Special Forces Brigade

GAULA groups

Members of the GAULA, prepare for a demonstration during a ceremony in Sibate, Colombia on Dec. 6, 2007.

GAULA is an acronym for Grupos de Acción Unificada por la Libertad Personal, i.e. Unified Action Groups for Personal Liberty, specialising in solving hostage-taking. These are elite units established in 1996 exclusively dedicated to the combating of kidnapping and extortion. They are composed of highly qualified personnel who conduct hostage rescues and dismantling of criminal gangs at the root of crimes which compromise the personal freedom of Colombians. There is an inter-institutional element in GAULA guaranteeing self-checking procedures, trained by staff of the Administrative Security Department, the Technical Investigation Corps (CTI) of the Criminal Investigation Bureau ( Fiscalía) and military forces. Currently, the country has 16 GAULA of the Colombian National Army and 2 of the Navy.

Schools and Courses

Courses

• Cursos de Capacitación y Especialización de las Armas y Servicios (Arms and Services Capacitation and Specialization Courses)
• Especialidades de Combate (Combat Specialities)
  • Lancero
  • Contraguerrilla
  • Paracaidista (airborne)
  • Fuerzas Especiales (Special Forces)
  • Desempeño Meritorio en Unidades Especiales (Meritorious Conduct in Special Units)
  • Others combat specialities:
    • Intelligence
    • Special Land Commandos
    • Urban Commando
    • Urban Counter-guerrilla
    • Psychological Operations
    • Military Police
• Profesorado Militar (Military Professorate)
• Por Acción Contra el Enemigo (For Actions against the Enemy)
• Desempeño Profesional y Deportivo (Sports and Professional Achievements)

Army Equipment

IFV / APC

Colombian Army Vehicle Inventory

Vehicle/System	Firm Number in Service	Status	Origin
Wheeled Armoured Vehicles
EE-9 Cascavel	174	In Service	Brazil
Infantry Transport Vehicles
Humvee	+400	In Service	United States
M-1117	39	Entry into service: 2010	United States
M-113	120	In Service	United States
EE-11 Urutu	100	In Service	Brazil
RG-31 Nyala	4	In Service	South Africa
M8 Greyhound	8	In Service	United States
AIL Abir		In Service	Israel
Transport Vehicles
M35 2-1/2 ton cargo truck		In Service	United States
M3 Half-track		In Service	United States
AIL Abir		In Service	Israel
Willys MB		In Service	United States
Kaiser Jeep M715		In Service	United States

Pistols

• Beretta 92  Italy
• M1911 pistol  United States

Assault Rifles

• IMI Galil - Standard assault rifle. Produced under license by Indumil  Israel Colombia
• IMI Tavor - 30,000 in use.  Israel
• Galil ACE - Produced by Indumil  Colombia
• HK G3 - Not more in service with the army, replaced with the IMI Galil since 1995.  Germany
• M16A2 rifle  United States
• M4 Carbine - 1328 M4s and M4A1s (Value $1,534,058.02.) Used by the AFEUR unit and the Special Forces Brigade.  United States

Machine Guns

• M60 machine gun  United States
• FN MAG  Belgium
• IMI Negev  Israel
• Daewoo K3  South Korea
• FN Minimi - M-249.  Belgium United States
• Heckler & Koch MP5^[2]  Germany
• M2 Browning machine gun  United States
• M1919 Browning machine gun  United States
• FN/IMI Uzi Submachine gun  Israel Belgium
• M240 machine gun  United States

Artillery

• M116 howitzer - 80, of which 70 in service.
• GIAT LG1 - 20 in the order, Modern lightweight 105 mm howitzer
• M101 howitzer - 100, of which 50 in service.
• Mortier 120mm Rayé Tracté Modèle F1
• Obus GDSB 155/52mm - 15.
• 60mm Mortar
• 81mm Mortar Produced for Indumil
• M30 mortar - 148, of which 80 in service.
• 120mm Mortar - 210, of which 120 in service.
• Milkor MGL - 200 units
• M203 grenade launcher
• Mk 19 grenade launcher
• M79 grenade launcher

Anti Armour

• Nimrod Missile
• BGM-71 TOW - 18, mounted on HMMWVs.
• Spike (missile)
• RPG-22
• M72 LAW
• APILAS
• AT4
• M40 recoilless rifle - 80, of which 63 are in service.
• Batteries IMI Nimrod (on vehicle)

Air defense systems and systems and anti-aircraft artillery

• Mistral (missile)
• Baterías AA Eagle Eye
• Sistemas Oerlikon
• bofors M1
• M-55 AAA
• M-8/M-55

Aircraft

Aircraft	Origin	Type	Version(s)	In service[3]	Notes
Gulfstream Turbo Commander	United States	Transport	Commander 1000	1
Beechcraft King Air	United States	Transport	Model 90	1
UH-1 Iroquois	United States	Utility helicopter	UH-1H	31
UH-1N Twin Huey	United States	Transport helicopter		27	Bell Huey II
Convair 580	United States	Airliner		1
Kaman K-MAX	United States	Transport helicopter		5
Mil Mi-17	Russia	Transport helicopter		23[4]
Cessna 208 Caravan	United States	Utility
Piper PA-31 Navajo	United States	Utility		2
Aero Commander 500	United States	Utility	Rockwell 685 Commander	2
CASA C-212 Aviocar	Spain	Transport		5
Piper PA-34 Seneca	United States	Utility		5
Sikorsky UH-60 Black Hawk	United States	Transport/ Combat helicopter	UH-60L	50	Including the 15 from Plan Colombia

Uniforms

• 

  Historic Gala Uniform

• 

  Historic uniform on LT Gómez Paris

• 

  Image of modern camouflage currently worn by the Colombian army.

• 

  Camouflage for desert operations.

Since 2006 the National Army of Colombia changed its uniform type forest (woodland) by a modern design featuring a new digital camouflage pattern is called a pixel.

There are 2 types of camouflage, camouflage jungle that is used by most of the army and the desert camouflage that is used by troops in the department of La Guajira and the Colombia Battalion in the Sinai peninsula in the International Watching Forces.

The changes provide greater comfort to the troops, while the material used allows even application of repellents to prevent in some cases avoid mosquito bites and a high percentage of the concentration of bacteria and odors.

The design of camouflage texture, color and design is unique to the Colombian army and national manufacturing is only Colombia's military forces can use it.

Personnel

Ranks & Insignias

Further information: Military ranks of the Colombian Armed Forces and Military ranks of the Colombian Armed Forces/Army

The tables below display the rank structures and rank insignias for the Colombian Army personnel. ^[5][6]

	Ranks and Insignias - Colombian National Army
Officers
NATO code [n 1]	OF-10	OF-9		OF-8	OF-7	OF-6	OF-5	OF-4	OF-3	OF-2	OF-1
Colombia	No equivalent
(Spanish)	-	General		Teniente General	Mayor General	Brigadier General	Coronel	Teniente Coronel	Mayor	Capitán	Teniente	Subteniente
Abbr.	-	GR		TG	MG	BG	CR	TC	MY	CT	TE	ST
(English)	-	General		Lieutenant General	Major General	Brigadier General	Colonel	Lieutenant Colonel	Major	Captain	Lieutenant	Second Lieutenant
Non-Commissioned Officers (NCOs) and Soldiers
NATO code [n 1]		OR-9		OR-8	OR-7	OR-6	OR-5	OR-4	OR-3	OR-2	OR-1
Colombia													No Insignia
(Spanish)		Sargento Mayor de Comando Conjunto	Sargento Mayor de Comando	Sargento Mayor	Sargento Primero	Sargento Vice Primero	Sargento Segundo	Cabo Primero	Cabo Segundo	Cabo Tercero	Dragoneante	Soldado Profesional	Soldado
Abbr.		SMCC	SMC	SM	SP	SV	SS	CP	CS	C3	-	-	-
(English)		Joint Command Sergeant Major	Command Sergeant Major	Sergeant Major	First Sergeant	Sergeant First Class	Second Sergeant	First Corporal	Second Corporal	Third Corporal	Private First Class	Private (Professional)	Private Basic

See also

Colombia portal

• Military of Colombia
• Lancero
• Ranger
• Military ranks of the Colombian Armed Forces

Notes

1. ^ ^{a b} Colombia is not a member of NATO, so there is not an official equivalence between the Colombian military ranks and those defined by NATO. The displayed parallel is approximate and for illustration purposes only.

References

1. ^ LOGROS DE LA POLÍTICA DE CONSOLIDACIÓN DE LA SEGURIDAD DEMOCRÁTICA –PCSD Febrero 2009 page 81
2. ^ http://www.militaryphotos.net/forums/showthread.php?t=101686&page=46
3. ^ "World Military Aircraft Inventory", Aerospace Source Book 2007, Aviation Week & Space Technology, January 15, 2007.
4. ^ Ejército fortalece su flotilla aérea en la lucha contra las Farc
5. ^ Congreso de la República de Colombia (28 July 2010). "Ley 1405 de 2010 Nuevos Grados Militares" (in (Spanish)). http://www.secretariasenado.gov.co/senado/basedoc/ley/2010/ley_1405_2010.html. Retrieved 26 April 2011. 
6. ^ Ejército de Colombia (15 March 2011). "Grados y distintivos del Ejército" (in (Spanish)). http://www.ejercito.mil.co/?idcategoria=232931. Retrieved 26 April 2011. 

External links

• Colombian Armed forces official website (available in spanish, english and german)
• Colombian Army official website (available in spanish and english)
• Extense information about Colombian Armed Forces. Colombia Seguridad y Defensa, Pagina no oficial
• UNFFMM página no oficial de las Fuerzas Militares de Colombia