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Sweden's Forsvarsmaktens Sarskilda SkvddsGrupp SSG Special Protection Group

One of these units was recently raised within the armed forces. The unit operates under the designation of the Special Protection Group or SSG, and is the Swedish equivalent of the US Combat Applications Group (Delta), or British SAS.

Little information has been released on the units activities, selection, or training, since it was announced that the unit had been formed. The Swedish military keeps very tight control over any information about the units status, requiring all current and former unit personnel to sign statements that prevent them from revealing any information.

What is known about the unit is that it was raised in the early 1990's, and recruits only from professional military officers who have served several years on active status. Recruits are primarily drawn from Sweden's elite Ranger units, or other units with specialized training. It has also been rumored that the unit is not training in conducting operations outside of Sweden.

The unit is tasked with conducting direct action missions, protecting vital installations from attack, conducting POW recovery missions, and providing protective service details to the armed forces Supreme Commander, and other high ranking military officials.

In addition to the Ranger training that most unit members have already received, new unit members receive training in static line parachuting, HAHO and HALO parachuting, combat diving and small boat operations, explosives handling, advanced marksmanship, close quarters combat, sniping, and VIP protection. All unit members achieve the small basic skill level before being assigned to a specialization with in the unit. Once assigned to the unit each new unit member is then required to specialize in a skill such as conducting HAHO/HALO ops, combat diving, specialized weapons and sniping, explosives, communications, or combat medicine.

SSG has access to virtually any weapon in the Swedish arsenal. They can be transported anywhere in Sweden by Swedish military aircraft. Ground transport is provided by a variety of vehicles, and naval craft provide support for any potential maritime operations.

-Dominique Sumner
*Thanks to Johan Sliverflod and Pontus Heggelund for providing me with the info on this page*