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The unit forms part of the Bundesgrenzschutz (Federal Border Guard), and has normal police powers, including for example the power of arrest. The Border Guard (and thus the GSG-9), is under the control of the federal ministry of the interior. The Bundesgrenzschutz also provides aerial transportation for the GSG-9. In contrast, regular police are responsible to the various States or Länder, as are Sondereinsatzkommandos (SEK) (German equivalent of SWAT), while the military is responsible for the KSK (special forces).
The GSG-9 is based in Sankt Augustin-Hangelar near Bonn and consists of three main sub-groups, plus a number of support groups as shown below.
The first sub group of the GSG-9 is used for regular land based counter-terrorism actions. This may involve cases of hostage taking, kidnapping, terrorism, and extortion. The group may also be used to secure locations, neutralize targets, sniping and fugitive hunting. The group has approximately 100 members.
The second sub group of the GSG-9 is used for counter-terrorism at sea, for example the hijacking of ships or oil platforms. The group has approximately 100 members.
The third sub group of the GSG-9 is used for counter-terrorism involving airborne operations, including parachuting and helicopterA helicopter is an aircraft which is lifted and propelled by one or more large horizontal rotors ( propellers). Helicopters are classified as rotary-wing aircraft to distinguish them from conventional fixed-wing aircraft. The word helicopter is derived fr landings. The group has approximately 50 members.
This unit supports other units in obtaining entry to target areas.
This service group maintains the armouryAn armory is a military depot used for the storage of weapons and ammunition. The term may also apply to an area within a building, used for the storage of weapons. In the United States, armory may refer to the building that a National Guard unit trains f of the GSG-9, and is involved in testing, repairing and purchasing weapons, ammunition56 mm ammunition Ammunition is a generic military term meaning (the assembly of) a projectile and its propellant. It is derived through French from the Latin munire (to provide). For rifles and handguns, it is called bullets. For large caliber guns, it is, and explosivesThis article is concerned solely with chemical explosives. There are many other varieties of more exotic explosive material, and theoretical methods of causing explosions such as nuclear explosives and antimatter, and other methods of producing explosions.
This unit handles the communicationsCommunication is the process of exchanging information usually via a common system of symbols. Communication" is the academic discipline which studies communication. Forms of communication Animal communications Interpersonal communications Marketing Propa of the GSG-9, including the testing, repairing and purchasing of communications and surveillanceSurveillance is a process of close monitoring of behaviour. Although the word surveillance literally means (in French) "to watch from above" (i. a God's-eye view looking down from on-high) the term is often used for all forms of observation, not just visu equipment.