Särskilda Operationsgruppen – The Swedish Special Operations Task Group (SOG)

The Swedish Special Operations Task Group (Särskilda Operationsgruppen – SOG) is a special forces unit of the Swedish Armed Forces. Highly secretive, the unit has been operationally active since 2011 after two special forces units were merged to create it. The unit has been active in several theatres including the Sahel, Afghanistan, Iraq and also domestically within Sweden itself. Due to the secretive nature of the SOG, there is little to no information about the unit which has lent an air of secrecy to it much like other Scandinavian special forces units.

SOG Operators – Created by @growlor.media

1 Insignia and Identifying Characteristics of the SOG

1.1 Insignia of the SOG

The SOG has several identifiable pieces of insignia which include:

  • A coat of arms
  • Service badge
  • Field Insignia

1.1.1 SOG Coat of Arms

The heraldic coat of arms (COA) of the SOG was established in 2011 following a process of design within the Swedish Armed Forces Defence Traditions Committee (Försvarets traditionsnämnd). It has several identifiable features, including:

  • A black field with a six-pointed star
  • A golden sword
  • The crown of the Swedish Royal Family
SOG Heraldic logo

The ‘asymmetric’ composition of the coat of arms reflects the unit’s tasks and also its `role within the Swedish Armed Forces. Their focus on “asymmetrical combat” and the unit’s ability to attack various problems with efficiency and precision through operating covertly are all reflected in the COA’s components.

[source]

1.1.2 SOG Service Badge

Another one of the unit’s identifiable pieces of insignia is the unit’s service badge pictured below:

Insignia badge of the Swedish SOG
Insignia badge of the Swedish SOG – [Image source]

This badge features two identifiable components:

  • Two crossed swords
  • The crown of the Swedish Royal family.

1.1.3 Field Insignia

The SOG also has a field insignia much like other armed forces units all over the world. Based on the heraldic COA, it features a black cloth with a gold fringe and also a six-pointed star in the upper corner which is closest to the pole on which the flag rests.

[source]

Swedish King Carl XVI Gustaf presenting the field insignia to the head of the SOG
Swedish King Carl XVI Gustaf presenting the field insignia to the head of the SOG – [Image source]

2 History and Operations of the SOG

Swedish SOG operators
Swedish SOG operators – [Image source]

2.1 History of the SOG

Due to the SOG’s secretive nature, there is little to no publicly available information on its history. It was formed in 2011 through the merger of the Special Protection Group (Särskilda skyddsgruppen—SSG) and the Special Collection Group (Särskilda inhämtningsgruppen—SIG). 

[source]

Swedish operator equipped with night vision goggles (NVGs)
Swedish SOG operator equipped with night vision goggles (NVGs) – [Image source]

2.2 Operations of the SOG

Due to the relatively recent establishment of the SOG and its highly secretive nature, there are not many publicly known operations that the unit has taken part in. However, there are a few that have been officially confirmed or are suspected to have involved operators from the SOG. These include:

2.2.1 Operation Inherent Resolve

Operators from the SOG took part in Operation Inherent Resolve, a US-led operation against ISIS in Iraq and Syria. A unit of 35 soldiers, which also contained SOG operators, supported the training of Kurdish Peshmerga fighters.

[source]

Prime Minister Stefan Löfven visiting Swedish forces in Erbil.
Prime Minister Stefan Löfven visiting Swedish forces in Erbil. – [Image source]

2.2.2 Task Force Takuba

In 2021, Sweden contributed a helicopter-borne rapid response force, which contained elements of the SOG, to the French-led anti-terrorist / counter-insurgency operation in Mali. Known as TG3, the Swedish Quick Reaction Force (QRF) was based in Menaka and was also engaged several times. This included reactive actions after being engaged by terrorist forces and also pre-planned operations against militants in the region.

In mid-September 2021, French, Czech and additionally, Swedish forces, conducted an operation alongside Malian soldiers within the Menaka region. This aimed at identifying and also neutralising networks that were responsible for IED attacks.

[source, source, source, source]

A Swedish JTAC (Joint Task Air Controller), likely a SOG operator, supporting French special and conventional forces during an operation.
A Swedish JTAC (Joint Task Air Controller), likely a SOG operator, supporting French special and conventional forces during an operation. – [Image source]

2.2.3 Afghanistan

The Swedish SOG were active in Afghanistan, where they primarily focused on military support and, alongside the Afghan police, arrested high-ranking Taliban leaders. During their operations in the country, SOG operators are said to have killed several dozen Taliban fighters.

The unit in August 2021 also participated in the evacuations out of the country of personnel and civilians from the Hamid Karzai International Airport.

[source, source]

Swedish SOG operators engaged in evacuating civilians from the Hamid Karzai International Airport in August 2021.
Swedish SOG operators engaged in evacuating civilians from the Hamid Karzai International Airport in August 2021. – [Image source]

2.2.4 Sweden

The SOG has also participated in several covert operations within Sweden itself. 

[source]

3 Equipment of the SOG

Operators within the Sweidhs SOG use a variety of equipment which is different from what is available for use by regular Swedish Armed Forces personnel. They are acquired specifically due to the unique mission requirements which may arise. This includes:

3.1 Uniform, Equipment and Weaponry of the SOG

3.1.1 Camouflage Pattern

The SOG have been pictured using the multicam camouflage pattern on their uniforms rather than the traditional M90 pattern, which is used across the Swedish Armed Forces.

[source]

3.1.2 Equipment of the SOG

SOG operators are pictured using equipment and combat uniforms produced by commercial companies such as Arcteryx and Crye Precision. The decision to do this was based upon the fact that they are high-quality products that are readily available and easy to procure in large quantities from the open market rather than a specific producer. 

SOG operator equipped with a HKG36 rifle
SOG operator equipped with a HKG36 rifle – [Image source]

The SOG also has access to high-quality medical supplies due to their role, which may keep them further away from medical support than regular forces. This allows the SOG to operate with more flexibility as they can apply the highest quality medical care to injured operators onsite and they will not have to withdraw from operations if they sustain injuries.

[source]

3.1.3 Weapons of the SOG

Swedish SOG operators
Swedish SOG operators – [Image source]

Operators of the Swedish SOG have access to weapons that are not available to conventional Swedish forces. This includes, but is not limited to:

Weapon TypeWeaponCalibre
Assault Rifle (AR)LWRC IC-A55.56x45mm NATO/.300 blk
Assault Rifle (AR)LWRC IC-E5.56x45mm NATO
Assault Rifle (AR)HKG36C/K5.56x45mm NATO
Sub-Machine Gun (SMG)MP7A1HK 4.6x30mm
Sub-Machine Gun (SMG)MP5A39x19mm Parabellum
Sub-Machine Gun (SMG)MP5SD39x19mm Parabellum
PistolGlock 179x19mm Parabellum
Machine Gun (MG)Ksp 90B (Minimi Para – Swedish Designation)5.56x45mm NATO
Marksman/Sniper RiflePrickskyttegevär 08 (TRG-42 – Swedish Designation)300 Win Mag/.338 Lapua Mag
Marksman/Sniper RifleM82A112.7×99mm
Marksman/Sniper RifleHK4177.62x51mm NATO
Anti-ArmourCarl Gustaf Recoilless Rifle*84x245mm R RCL
  • Note – Not officially confirmed, however, it is in wide use with the Swedish Armed Forces and unit members have been pictured using it in training
SOG operators using the Carl Gustaf Recoilless Rifle in training
SOG operators using the Carl Gustaf Recoilless Rifle in training – [Image source]

[source]

4 Selection and Training of the SOG

4.1 Eligibility Requirements of the SOG

The SOG has several eligibility requirements which operators must meet in order to begin training with the unit. These are as follows:

  • Former or current Swedish Armed Forces member
  • Swedish citizenship
  • No health issues

[source]

4.2 Pre-training selection

There are several pre-training events that prospective operators must pass to become members of the SOG. This includes:

  • Stage 1 – A hard field test period carried out both individually and in groups. 
  • Stage 2 – Includes medical and psychological tests and in this period, stress tolerance, creativity and social skills are all tested.

[source]

4.2.1 Pre-training selection fitness tests and events

During the stage 1 and 2 pre-selection training events, there are several physical fitness tests and other events that are carried out. This includes:

  • 10k cross-country run – 45 minutes or less
  • A 20km quick march in uniform – 140 minutes
  • Bench press – Body weight for 3 repetitions
  • Dips – 20 repetitions
  • Deadlifts – 12 repetitions
  • Underwater swimming – 25 metres
  • Lifesaving swimming – 1 minute 45 seconds (50m breaststroke, retrieval at 4 metres depth and 25 metres tow)

The events include:

  • Working at heights
  • Coordinates extraction on a map with UTM coordinates
  • Orientation with a field map scale of 1:50,000 in both daylight and at night
  • Marches in combat equipment and a rucksack (40kg) in both daylight and at night

[source]

4.3 Training of the SOG

Due to the unit’s secretive nature, there is little to no information on the exact contents of the training regime which prospective operators must go through. However, it is known to be 14 months in total. 

SOG operators during training.
SOG operators during training. – [Image source]

Depending on the specialisation that the operator undertakes, there is further training, including:

  • Sniper
  • JTAC
  • EOD/IEDD 
  • Signals
  • Medic
  • Heavy weapons operation

[source, source, source]

5 Organisation of the SOG

5.1 Place within the Swedish Special Forces Structure

The SOG is placed within the Swedish Special Forces as follows:

[source, source]

5.2 Organisation of SOG Units

SOG consists of two ‘response’ units (IE) that are focused on different tasks.

  • IE1 – Direct Action Unit – Focused on combat tasks
  • IE2 – Special Reconnaissance Unit – Focused on intelligence gathering
    • IE2 is also known to utilise female intelligence personnel to conduct certain HUMINT tasks.

[source]

5.3 Organisation of SOG Patrols

SOG Patrols form the basis of the unit. A patrol consists of four operators and is organised as follows:

  • Patrol Leader
  • Signalman
  • Paramedic
  • Fieldworker/enforcer (translation from Swedish – fältarbetare/forcerare)

SOG Patrols can also be augmented with other specialists depending on the tasks they may undertake. This can include snipers, JTACs and explosive ordnance disposal (EODIEDD) experts.

[source]

6 Tactics, Techniques and Procedures

The SOG’s most common area of use is to support multinational operations, as outlined above, through their IE units. A SOG operator’s main duties vary depending on which part of the unit they belong to. Some parts are more focused on combat tasks (IE1); others are more focused on intelligence gathering (IE2).

Combat tasks can include things such as direct action against opposing forces, hostage rescue, boarding and also recovery of intel-sensitive documents. Intelligence-gathering tasks are focused on gathering information on businesses, targets and additionally, other things which are essential to the operation.

SOG operator during ship boarding training
SOG operator during ship boarding training – [Image source]

SOG operators can also be tasked with providing training and military support to allied forces. This is commonly done as a part of a multinational coalition, such as in Iraq, where the SOG supported the training of Peshmerga forces.

The SOG operates at a high-level of readiness and can be deployed at short notice into a variety of environments. These environments include desert, jungle, sub-arctic and also urban environments.

[source, source, source]

6.1 Police Support

Legislation that was enacted in June 2006 gave the Swedish Armed Forces, and therefore the SOG, the powers to support the Swedish police in the fight against domestic terrorism. SOG operators have also undergone training that allows them to act within domestic counter-terrorism operations.

7 Conclusion 

The Swedish Special Operations Task Group (Särskilda Operationsgruppen – SOG) is a highly secretive, special forces unit of the Swedish Armed Forces. After a merger of two former Swedish special forces units in 2011, the unit became active both domestically and internationally in support of Sweden’s allies. As it is the only Swedish special forces unit that is still operationally active, it has taken on the role of defending Sweden against both internal and external threats and is poised to do so for the foreseeable future.

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