Kuwait 25th Commando Brigade

The Kuwait 25th Commando Brigade, commonly known as the Green Berets of 25th Commando, is Kuwait's principal special forces and tier one military unit. The 25th Commando operates at the disposition of its own commander who reports to the assistant chief combat commander of the Kuwait Army, the later reporting to the Chief of the General Staff of the Kuwait Armed Forces; executing, participating, supporting, carrying all conflicts in which the Military of Kuwait engaged since its inception in 1960.^[1] Today, the 25th Commando executes special operations in support of general operations of the Military of Kuwait.^[1]

Creation

The 25th Commando Brigade was founded in 1960 by Brigadier General Sheikh Mubarak Abdullah Al-Jaber Al-Sabah (b.1934-d.1987) and his deputy Colonel Sheikh Saleh Mohammed Al-Sabah.^[1] An initial selection pool of 33 Green Berets Specialists were selected to form the 1st Special Force Platoon; which was considered the initial forming of the 25th Commando Brigade.^[1]

Development and Establishment

The 1st Special Forces Platoon of the 25th Commando was established in 1960.^[1] Following the initial establishment came the forming of 1st Company of Special Forces in 1961. in 1962, the 1st Special Forces Unit was formed and operated from the Kuwait 15th Mubarak Armored Brigade.^[1] During that time, the 1st Special Force Unit operated extensively and trained continuously in the deserts of Kuwait. As the enlistments of initial Green Berets increased; their administrative requirements complemented the need. As a result, an administrative bureau was in need and due to the unavailability and incapacity of building infrastructures in the remote desert areas of operations; the bureau initially temporarily operated out of the Jahra Police Directorate.^[1]

Shorlty after, the Green Berets of the 1st Special Forces Unit were called to operate out of the Kuwait 6th Mechanized Brigade in 1965; known later as the Kuwait 6th Liberation Mechanized Brigade following the liberation of Kuwait during the Gulf War. The 1st Special Forces Unit was moved to a military base in Mitlaa'a area and the 1st Special Forces Battalion was officially formed. Following in 1966, the forming of 2nd Special Forces Battalion followed.^[1]

In 1970, both Green Berets Battalions were united and were stationed in the Kuwait 6th Liberation Mechanized Brigade.^[1] During the same year, Executive Military Organization Order 357 dated 31/01/1971 was issued and changed the names of the 1st Special Forces Battalion to 39th Commando Battalion of Green Berets; similarly, the 2nd Special Forces Battalion to the 43rd Commando Battalion of Green Berets.^[1]

In 1972, another Executive Military Organization Order was issued; requesting the transformation of the 39th and 43rd Commando Battalion to Infantry Battalions.^[1]

In 1973, the Commando Unit was formed and stationed to their current desert location where they were designated as Commando Forces. In 1975, Commando Forces established an official Commando qualified training ground. In 1987, the Commando Forces were redesignated and renamed to the 11th Commando Battalion. Following in 1994, the Green Berets of the 11th Commando Battalion were officially known as Commando Special Forces.^[1]

In 1975 and with the breaking of the Lebanese Civil War; units of the Kuwait 25th Commando Brigade were sent to Lebanon to protect mainly the Kuwaiti Embassy in Beirut.^[1] During that time, the Kuwaiti Commando Brigade contributed extensive efforts in maintaining stability and supporting the peace efforts along with backing the general security operations. Elements of the Kuwait Commando Brigade played a vital and pivotal role supporting humanitarian operations of and the Multinational Force in Lebanon which included American contingents of the United States Marine Corps and the United States Navy SEALs, French units of the French 11th Parachute Brigade and the 2nd Foreign Parachute Regiment, the 2nd Foreign Infantry Regiment, the 1st Foreign Cavalry Regiment of the French Foreign Legion;the same regiment, units and brigades which would later contribute and participate during the Gulf War in 1990 following the Invasion of Kuwait.^[2]

In parallel application with the 25th Commando Brigade, Kuwait played a pivotal role in bringing the Lebanese Civil War to a halt (1975-1990).^[3] Such a determining mission was led by His Highness Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah; then Minister of Foreign Affairs of Kuwait; who lobbied and work relentlessly to safeguard the integrity of Lebanon coming under unjustifiable foreign influences and interferences.^[3]

In 2000, the former Deputy Prime Ministers of Kuwait and Minister of Defense Sheikh Salem Sabah Al-Salem Al-Sabah signed on the recommended organization of the 25th Commando Battalion.^[1] In the following years, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense Sheikh Jaber Al-Mubarak Al-Hamad Al-Sabah officially designated the Kuwait 25th Commando Battalion as Kuwait's official Green Berets regiment.^[1]

See Also

• Chief of the General Staff (Kuwait)
• Kuwait National Guard
• Fahad Al-Ahmed Al-Jaber Al-Sabah

References

External links

• Kuwaiti Army Equipment