Slovakian Special Operations Forces in transition

U.S. Special Operations Command Europe
Story by Maj. Joel Anderson

Date: 03.01.2013
Posted: 04.15.2013 13:24
News ID: 105209
Moving out

KABUL, Afghanistan - Slovakian Special Operations Forces (SOF) soldiers of the 5th Special Forces Regiment of Jozef Gabcik, who have been serving in eastern Afghanistan in support of a Provincial Response Company (PRC), an Afghan special police unit, of the Afghan National Police, have recently undergone a change of mission.

The Slovakian SOF soldiers served seven months in an eastern Afghan province in order to train and mentor the PRC in cooperation with a coalition force SOF Task Unit (TU) to build sustainable and transferable capabilities.

The Slovak SOF soldiers were in eastern Afghanistan and operated from Camp Gabcik, named after Sgt. Jozef Gabcik, a Slovakian liberation fighter and hero of Operation Anthropoid, during the Second World War.

Although the Slovakian SOF soldiers have transitioned out of Afghanistan for now, but the Slovakian Ministry of Defense (MoD) has announced they will return in 2014.

Based in Zilina, which was home to Jozef Gabcik, the 5th Slovakian SOF Regiment, also known as the 5th PSU, have regularly partnered with a number of western special operations units, including the American Special Forces and have helped greatly throughout the Global War on Terror. They are Slovakia's premier Counter-Terrorism and special operations unit. The unit is directly attached to the Armed Forces General Staff, but works for the Operational Reconnaissance Bureau.

Slovakian SOF will always be considered part of the TF-10 team and they’ve had a long history together with bonds that are now stronger than ever.

With continued cooperation between ANSF and all coalition forces’ partners, including those from Slovakia, there will continue to be progress and gains to make the Republic of Afghanistan a safer and more secure place for its people.