The German "Seals" turn 60

With an appeal and a dynamic demonstration in the presence of the President of the Schleswig-Holstein State Parliament, Kristina Herbst, the Minister President of Schleswig-Holstein, Daniel Günther, as well as numerous guests from society, politics and the military, the combat swimmers face the public, which does not happen that often.

60 years of KSM, Photo: Horrmann

They have been around since 1958, when they were used to provide rear cover for amphibious landing operations in the rear of attacking Eastern Bloc units. The combat swimmers evolved from small combat units and the naval task forces of the Second World War. The training was modelled on French elite units. In August 1959, the first combat swimmer platoon was set up in Sengwarden with bases in Eckernförde and Borkum. In 1964, the combat swimmers were combined into a company that was subordinate to the amphibious group; they have been stationed in Eckernförde since 1974. In 2001, they became Specialised Marine Forces (SEK M) and since 2014, the combat swimmers have been the core of the Special Forces Command of the Navy (KSM).

A squad from the Navy's Special Forces Command covers a long distance to the landing site on underwater scooters

The mission of the combat swimmers ranges from counter-terrorism and hostage rescue to reconnaissance of enemy harbours. They also protect their own units and infrastructure. Little is known about the missions for reasons of secrecy, but this much is known: in the 1991 Gulf War, the entire company was deployed as part of Operation South Flank in the Persian Gulf, and after that there was hardly an operation without this close-knit unit. And it wasn't just naval missions, the combat swimmers were in Afghanistan, Mali and in the fight against piracy. Most recently, they were deployed in the "Mission Gazelle" in May 2019 and February and March 2020 in Niger. A deployment order was also issued following the Hamas attack on Israel. The combat swimmers work closely with other special forces, in particular with the GSG 9 of the German Federal Police.

Combat swimmer anniversary 60 years, photo: Horrmann

Since 2014, the combat swimmers have been the core of the Navy's Special Forces Command (KSM). The unit was founded on 1 April 1964 with the establishment of an independent company in Eckernförde, Schleswig-Holstein. The Bundeswehr's oldest special forces unit is deployed for operations and missions at sea, from the air and on land.

The commander of the KSM is frigate captain Sebastian Schuldt. The concept of the German combat swimmers is no longer tied purely to a water mission. Instead, as with the US Navy SEALs, water and air are used to approach unnoticed. He becomes a "triphiby" and is still the soldier with the broadest training spectrum within the Bundeswehr's combat units. Tactical diving - especially in co-operation with a submarine - is its unique selling point. In addition, the combat swimmer is also a parachutist, speedboat pilot, explosives expert, lone fighter and much more.