Division Spezielle Operationen

Introducing project “Military Insignia”, featuring top quality military heraldry designs. Here you will find designer apparel, accessories and gifts decorated with insignia of the Bundeswehr Division Spezielle Operationen (Special Operations Division). The Special Operations Division (Division Spezielle Operationen) is an airborne division of the German Army. Its staff is based at Stadtallendorf. The structure and tasks of this division are unique within the modern German military. Division Special Operations was created as 1st Airborne Division (1. Luftlandedivision) in 1956 and reflagged twice in 1994 and 2001 as Airmobile Forces Command/4th Division (Kommando Luftbewegliche Kräfte/4. Division) and eventually as Special Operations Division. The division leads three combat brigades and divisionary troops, all of which are fully air-mobile. Troops of this division or its respective predecessors have taken part in all overseas deployments of the German Army and were largely involved in their preparation. It is the most combat-proven unit of the German military. The first overseas deployment of this division took place in 1961 when its troops rendered humanitarian assistance to Morocco after a devastating earthquake. From there on 1st Airborne Division or its successors deployed troops to Somalia, Croatia, Albania, Bosnia, Kosovo, Afghanistan and Congo. The paratroopers saw extensive action in Afghanistan. With four of the nation's highest awards for gallantry—among others—having been awarded to its members, the division's Paratrooper Battalion 263 is the most decorated unit of the German Army.