1.0 Introduction
The Agrupación de Fuerzas Especiales Antiterroristas Urbanas (AFEAU or AFEUR), in English “Urban Counter-Terrorism Special Forces Group”, is a Class 1 special operations unit of the Colombian Armed Forces. Its main mission is to conduct counter-terrorism operations, as well as HVT kill or capture and hostage rescue.
There are several AFEAU groups, which are divided into the Army’s Alfa, the Navy’s Bravo, and the Air Force’s Charly. This unit is under the direct command of the Comando Conjunto de Operaciones Especiales (CCOES) or Joint Special Operations Command, and the President of the Republic.
This article analyses the history and organisation of this unit, as well as its recruitment, armament, and most relevant operations.
2.0 Motto, Symbols, Patches and History
2.1 Motto
Their motto is “El Entrenamiento debe ser tan duro que la guerra parezca un descanso” (Training must be so hard that war seems like resting).
2.2 Symbols
The insignia consists of a helmet with a plume in the colours of the Colombian flag. This represents the Alpha group of the army. Below this are wings representing the Charly group of the Air Force. Below this is a star with a rifle, and above this is an anchor representing the Bravo group of the Navy.
In the centre and on a red background is written Comando Urbano (Urban Command), denoting the mission of the unit.
2.3 Patches
Some patches include:
2.4 History
2.4.1 Origins
Due to guerrilla groups’ terrorist acts in cities, the Colombian Army required a highly prepared squad to deal with this threat. The purpose of such a force would be to operate and coordinate activities with other army units and military branches. Although Colombia’s decades-long battle with guerrilla organisations provided numerous grounds for the development of such a unit, two terrorist attacks in particular acted as spurs for the unit’s formation: the Dominican embassy siege in 1980 and the Palace of Justice siege in 1985.
2.4.2 CCOPE
In 2002, the Colombian Military created the Comando Conjunto de Operaciones Especiales (CCOPE) in Bogotá. This would serve as the command-and-control headquarters for all Colombian military special operations forces. The organization and mission of the CCOPE are roughly comparable to that of a miniaturized version of the Joint Special Operations Command (JSOC). A colonel who reported directly to the commander of the Colombian Joint Staff commanded the CCOPE.
2.4.3 AFEAU
The CCOPE was conceived to conduct and coordinate operations with other army units. Over time, the unit’s experience and effectiveness increased. In 2003 the government decided to establish operations units in every major city in the country. All of these units are small in size and trained by a single entity, operating under the name AFEAU.
By 2006, the CCOPE consisted of five battalion-size units, known by their initials as the AFEAU, the AGLAN, the BACOA, the ACOEA, and the BAFEIM, in addition to another service command and control headquarters, the COESE. The subordinate units covered various aspects of SOF, including land, sea, and air, and were tailored for specific missions.
The CCOPE commanded several special units; the five known units included:
- AFEAU/AFEUR.
- Divided into three groups: Alpha (army), Bravo (navy) and Charlie (Air Force).
- AGLAN BN:
- Agrupación de Lanceros (Lancers).
- BACOA BN
- ACOEA
- BAFEIM.
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2.4.3 CCOES
In 2007, the CCOPE underwent a transformation and became the CCOES, or Joint Command of Special Operations. It is comprised of approximately 5,000 highly trained individuals who specialize in irregular warfare, direct action, and intelligence gathering on battlefields in various dimensions, including air, land, water, and cyber.
It is also in charge of the planning and execution of special operations inside and outside the national territory against terrorist groups, high-value targets and organised crime, all with high operational, tactical, and strategic importance for the Colombian state.
2.4.4 AFEAU Expansion
In the same year, the Colombian Navy created its own AFEAU unit attached to the Marine Corps. Although trained by the army, the navy unit specialises in infiltration and underwater combat, due to its amphibious nature. Its mission is to execute the same actions as its army counterpart and to provide special operations support to conventional units when operating in suburban areas.
The AFEAU was part of the operation to protect former President George W. Bush during his visit to Cartagena in December 2004 and in Bogotá in March 2005. In total, 200 elements provided the second security encirclement, the first being the Secret Service.
This unit has carried out operations of tactical and strategic importance for almost 20 years of existence, standing out for its effectiveness, as well as its minimal margin for error.
3.0 Organisation and Structure
This AFEAU is under the direct command of the Comando Conjunto de Operaciones Especiales (CCOES) or Joint Special Operations Command, and the President of the Republic. The unit has the authority to utilize any military or civilian air transport that ensures their mobility, as well as access to all types of weaponry, uniforms, and additional equipment required to execute their missions.
3.1 CCOES
The CCOES is made up of:
- General Headquarters with its General Staff.
As well as four main units:
- Special Forces Division (DIVFE) of the Army.
- Urban Anti-Terrorist Special Forces Group (AFEAU).
- Marine Infantry Special Forces Battalion (BFEIM) of the Navy (ARC).
- Special Aeronautical Defence Operations Group (GEODA), of the Air Force (FAC).
It has operational authority over these components, but administrative responsibility rests with its parent force (Army, ARC, FAC). There are other special forces units within the Colombian Military Forces (FFMM), such as the ARC’s Naval Commando groups, but they are not part of CCOES.
Although the Special Aviation Operations Battalion (BAOEA) is affiliated with the Army’s Air Assault Aviation Division (DAVAA), it is not a component of the CCOES.
(Source)
3.2 AFEAU
The AFEAU/AFEUR is divided into three groups:
- Alpha (part of the army).
- Bravo (part of the ARC).
- Charlie (Part of the FAC).
The AFEAU comprises approximately 70 to 100 personnel from all branches of the Armed Forces, as well as the National Police. It is under the overall command of the Comandante de las Fuerzas Armadas (Commander of the Armed Forces).
The unit is divided into four 15-man sub-units, with one representing each of the Colombian Army, Navy, Marine Corps, and National Police. Each sub-unit consists of two officers and 13 enlisted personnel, all of whom are volunteers. AFEAU is under the command of an Army major who leads a headquarters section, which includes an executive officer, a first sergeant, and a communications operator.
3.3 Recruitment
Selection
Members of the Colombian Armed Forces and the National Police can join AFEUR. Personnel must have no criminal history and are likely to have previously undertaken special operations training elsewhere or other training abroad. The selection process is seven days long.
The basic requirements are to have:
- Professional Soldier Course.
- Basic Static Line Parachutist Course.
- Lancer’s course.
Training
Candidates must successfully complete the Special Forces Course. This six-month training includes airborne operations, night operations, and close-quarters fighting are all taught at the Army’s Communications School in Facatativá, near Bogotá. This base also acts as unit headquarters.
It is separated into two phases:
- the first focuses on teamwork development and training.
- the second focuses on special skills training such as explosives handling, paramedic training, underwater operations, sharpshooting, and marksmanship, among other things, depending on the AFEUR unit.
The course consists of:
- Doctrine
- Specialisation
- Planning
- Combat nurse
- Explosives
- Weapons
- Communications
- Intelligence
- Airborne Skills
- Military freefall jumping
- Jump Leader
- Scout
- Packer
- HALO / HAHO
- M.A.U. urban manoeuvres course
- Health (advanced combat nurse)
- Advanced communications
- Advanced planning
- Breaching
- Pistol firing
- Rifle shooting
- Advanced High Accuracy Shooting T.A.P.
- Air Assault
- Urban Combat
- Close Combat
- Linear clearance
- Crisis management
Specialisation
As for specialisation as an AFEAU member, it is unknown how much depth and training it has received. This is because the unit primarily focuses on operations that have an impact on the national strategic order. Consequently, its capabilities are classified as a state secret.
However, it can be assumed that they encompass, but are not restricted to:
- Special operations in the jungle
- Special operations in high mountains
- Special operations in the desert
- Tactical diving (Medusa)
- Marine infiltration
- Underwater demolitions
- Amphibious combat
- Direct Action (DA)
- Reconnaissance
- Counter-terrorism
- Waterborne Combat Survival/Safety Swimmer
- Second Language Course
- Intelligence/Counterintelligence
- Combined Operations Training
- Defensive and/or advanced offensive driving
- VIP protection
- Combined skills
4.0 Equipment
The AFEAU is equipped with very modern and high-quality weaponry. The weapons used come mostly from the USA, Israel and Europe.
4.1 Weapons
Guns
- Glock 17 / 19.
- SIG P226.
- Beretta 92.
- Indumil Cordova.
Assault rifles
- Colt M4
- SIG SG 516.
- IWI Galil ACE.
- IWI Galil ARM / SAR.
- IWI Galil MAR.
- IWI TA-21 (Tavor).
- IWI X95 (Micro-Tavor)
Sniper Rifles
- M24 / M82 / M95 / M98.
- Barrett MRAD.
- Remington MSR.
Anti-Material Rifles
- Barrett M82.
- Barrett M95.
Grenade Launchers
- Colt / AAI M203.
- Milkor MGL Y2.
Machine Guns
- FN M240.
- FN M249 SAW / LMG.
- GE M134 Minigun.
- IWI Negev.
- Saco M60.
Given the confidential nature of the unit, this list may include material that has already been withdrawn.
(Source)
4.2 Others
AFEUR reports directly to the General Command of the Armed Forces and generally has carte blanche to use any military airlift, weapon or equipment it needs to accomplish its missions.
5.0 Tactical-Operational Information
5.1 Operations
Throughout its history, the AFEUR has participated in several significant operations. In addition to safeguarding the Colombian President and other high-value individuals, they have also played a critical role in various high-profile hostage rescue missions:
The AFEAU has carried out frequent actions against Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) guerrillas and National Liberation Army (ELN) terrorists:
- In 1999, AFEUR was involved in the rescue of 27 hostages held by the ELN in the town of Cali. The operation was successful, with all hostages rescued and no casualties among the AFEUR operators.
- In 2002, AFEUR played a key role in rescuing former Colombian presidential candidate Ingrid Betancourt, who was kidnapped by the FARC and held captive for more than six years. The operation entailed a fierce helicopter rescue deep in the jungle and was widely acclaimed as a significant success for AFEUR and the Colombian military.
- In 2011, AFEUR rescued five hostages held by the FARC. The operation involved using a specialized aircraft to drop AFEUR operators into the jungle, where they successfully rescued the hostages without any casualties.
The AFEAU was also part of the operation to protect former President George W. Bush during his visit to Cartagena in December 2004 and in Bogotá in March 2005.
5.2 Commando Forces Tournaments
AFEUR and AFEAU partner units have won the US-sponsored “Commando Forces” competition eleven times, the last one in 2022.
This annual competition is sponsored by the US Southern Command and Special Operations Command (SOCSOUTH). The exercise has two parts: a skills competition and a seminar for senior leaders. It involves similar teams from Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Costa Rica, the Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Jamaica, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, the United States, Uruguay and the Dominican Republic.
5.3 Core Purpose
The AFEUR was created with the mission of developing urban and close combat operations against illegal armed groups. Its fundamental mission is to counteract and neutralise the attempts of terrorists in the country’s main cities on an urban scale. AFEUR is tasked with both hostage rescue and VIP protection and directly reports to the senior commander of the Colombian Armed Forces.
This special army group can carry out operations based on the surprise factor and the coordination of its members.
(Source)
5.4 Tactics
All three arms of the Colombian Armed Forces have their own AFEUR units. Each is specialised in its field, making it independent and mission-specific. However, all three teams have the same general capabilities, allowing them to provide Special Forces support to other conventional units when operating in semi-urban areas.
(Source)
5.5 Personnel size
The CCOES has between 3,000 and 5,000 troops and is in charge of planning and executing special operations against targets of strategic importance to the state, such as terrorist or criminal leaders (source).
The AFEAU consists of approximately 70 to 100 personnel from all branches of the Armed Forces as well as the National Police (source).
6.0 The Future
The future of this unit is somewhat uncertain given the security situation in the country. However, given its effectiveness and preparedness, it is likely that the AFEAU will continue to play a key role in VIP protection and the fight against terrorism, insurgencies and criminal activity in urban areas in the future. Nevertheless, the unit may need to adapt and could undergo transformation or modification in response to the changing security needs of the country.
This is how they came into being in the first place.
7.0 Conclusion
The history and readiness of the AFEAU demonstrate that it is a practical and valuable elite unit in maintaining the security of the country. This makes them indispensable in the fight against terrorism and insurgent groups. In addition, the division between the three Colombian armed forces makes the AFEAU highly flexible but effective in their respective fields. It’s not surprising that they are regarded as one of the finest special units on the American continent, and the Colombian high command relies on them in the most challenging and perilous situations.
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