Special Operations Group (Argentina)

The Special Operations Group (Spanish: "Grupo de Operaciones Especiales", GOE) is a special operations force of the Argentine Air Force. This strategic division, headquartered at Morón Air Base in the Buenos Aires province, is mainly responsible for resolving aircraft hijacking issues.

The unit traces its history back to 1947, when the Air Force formed the country's first jump school and airborne unit: the "Escuadrón de Apoyo Comando" (Commando Assistance Squadron, EAC). The unit was originally known as the 13th Parachute Regiment and operated under Army control until an official Army airborne unit was raised. Over the years the Air Force's airborne unit was gradually regulated to secondary role, with the Army's special forces becoming the country's primary special operations service. The 13th Parachute Regiment was reduced in size and re-designated as the "Grupo de Operaciones Especiales" before finally evolving into its current composition as the EAC. Currently all of the units members are qualified HALO/HAHO parachutists and specialize in conducting raids and LRRP missions.

Since its formation the unit has steadily expanded its capabilities, receiving training from US Army Special Forces, the US Army School of the Americas, and the closed US Army Jungle Operations Training Center (JOTC) in Panama. Individual unit members have also attended training at Fort Bragg, North Carolina.

Weapons in use by the unit include the HK G-41 5.56 mm assault rifles with HK-79 40 mm grenade launchers, Remington 870 12-gauge shotguns, HK G-33 5.56 mm assault rifles, HK MP-5 SD-6 SMGs, HK-69 40 mm grenade launchers, HK MP-5 A1 9 mm SMGs, HK MP5-K 9 mm SMGs, Browning HI-POWER 9 mm pistols, Walter PPK pistols with silencer, HK P9S pistols, FAMAE S.A.F. SMGs with and with out silencers.

ee also

*Rapid Deployment Force
*Argentine Air Force