Jaeger Corps (Denmark)

The Jaeger Corps[1][2] also known as the Huntsmen Corps (Danish: Jægerkorpset) is an elite special operations force of the Danish Defence part of Special Operations Command, formerly of the Royal Danish Army, based at Aalborg Air Base.

Jaeger Corps[1][2]
Jægerkorpset
Unit insignia of Jægerkorpset
Active1 November 1961 – present
Country Denmark
Branch Royal Danish Army
TypeSpecial Operations Force
Role
Size≈300 Commandos
Part ofDanish Special Operations Command
Garrison/HQAalborg Air Base[1]
Nickname(s)JGK, The Jaegers, The Elite
Motto(s)Plus Esse Quam Simultatur (Rather to be, than to seem)
EngagementsCold War

United Nations Protection Force
NATO intervention in Bosnia

Decorations Presidential Unit Citation[2]
WebsiteOfficial Facebook
Commanders
Chief of SOKOMMajor general Peter Boysen
Chief of the Jaeger CorpsLieutenant colonel Kåre Jakobsen

History

The Jaeger Corps traces its origins to 1785 when the corps was first formed as the "Jaeger Corps of Zealand".[2] Facing emerging threats from Sweden, Prussia, and Great Britain, Denmark created a light infantry force from hunters and woodsmen.[2] The corps existed in various forms until it was remade in its current form in 1962 when Major P.B. Larsen and First Lieutenant Jørgen Lyng became the first two to complete the training.

Throughout the Cold War, the Jaegers' primary tasking was that of a long-range reconnaissance unit, with wide renown for their skills in parachute operations.[3] In the post-Cold War era, the Jaegers deployed for the first time in 1995 to Sarajevo with a six-man counter-sniper team.[2]

Following the advent of the post-9/11 Global War on Terror, the Jaegers were modernized to better meet the developing threat of global terrorism. As such, the Jaegers increased their proficiency in counter-terrorism skills, while still maintaining their excellence at reconnaissance operations.[3]

In 2002, the Jaegers were deployed to Afghanistan as part of the Danish contribution (Task Group Ferret) to Task Force K-Bar, along with the Frogman Corps.[2] During these operations, the Jaegers took part in reconnaissance, observations, capturing of high-value targets, and direct-action raids on Taliban and al-Qaeda positions.[3] As part of Task Force K-Bar, the Jaeger Corps was awarded the Presidential Unit Citation on 7 December 2004 for its effort as part of the joint special operations task force in Afghanistan.[3]

The first Jaeger to be killed in combat was in 2013 when a Jaeger was hit by an explosion in Afghanistan. Four Jaegers had previously died during training accidents.[4]

Selection and training

The selection course to become a Jaeger is very demanding, both mentally and physically. To be accepted into the Corps, a candidate must complete the following:

  • Pre-course 1 (5 days)
Introduces the candidate to the subjects covered in the patrol course, and identifies the areas in which the candidate must improve (orienteering, swimming, etc.).
  • Pre-course 2 (2 days)
More training and evaluation in the above covered subjects.
  • Pre-course 3 (2 days)
More training and evaluation in the above covered subjects with tougher requirements.
  • Patrol Course (8 weeks)[2]
Basic medical, demolition, and marksmanship using basic direct-action and special reconnaissance training events to assess candidates.[2] This course must be completed at a satisfactory level to continue to the aspirant course.
  • Selection Course (8 weeks)[2]
Candidates receive training in advanced breaching, close-quarters battle, demolition, and sniping.[2] If passed the candidate is awarded his or her "bugle" for the beret.[2]
  • Basic parachuting course (2 weeks)[2]
  • Combat Swimming Course (2 weeks)[2]

Approximately 10% of candidates successfully complete the program and receive the burgundy beret to become a full member of the Jaeger Corps.[2] The successful Jaeger candidates report to the unit and receive both team and individual training during their first (probationary) year.[2] During this time they will receive High Altitude Parachute Operations (HAPO) training in High Altitude Low Opening (HALO) and High Altitude High Opening (HAHO), environmental training (desert and winter), advanced infiltration training (mountain, nontactical vehicle, ski and rotary-wing), attain Joint Terminal Attack Controller (JTAC) certification, and gain additional communications skills.[2] New Jaeger Corps members are also taught a hand-to-hand combat system called MTM (man-to-man) combat, which was developed in 1992 by Peter Hedegaard in collaboration with two of the Corps's own close-combat instructors.

Insignia and status

The Jaeger Corps wear a maroon beret with a brass emblem depicting a hunter's bugle on a black felt liner. After one year of satisfactory service and training in corps the wearer is issued the shoulder patch "JÆGER" and may call himself by this name. The unit's insignia features a hunting horn from their origin as hunters and woodsmen.[2]

The Jaeger Corps is composed of around 150 highly trained soldiers with special expertise in counter-terrorism, demolitions, parachuting, and combat swimming, HAHO and HALO parachuting, infiltration, sabotage, reconnaissance and more. The corps regularly trains with similar units from different countries, such as the US Navy SEALs, US Army DELTA, British SAS and the Danish naval special forces group, the Frogman Corps. The corps is based on the structure and modus operandi of the British SAS.

Their slogan, which is Latin, Plus esse, quam simultatur translates to Hellere at være, end at synes ("Rather to be, than to be seen") in Danish, meaning that the soldier's capabilities do not have to be widely recognized or boasted—they are only more effective if unknown.

Armament
ModelTypeCaliberManufacturerDanish designation
Glock 26Pistol9mmGlockGlock 26
USPPistol9mmHeckler & KochH&K USP
SIG Sauer P210Pistol9mmSIGNeuhausen M/49
Tactical 5.0Pistol9mm, .38 Super, .40 S&W, .45 ACPSTISTI Tactical
MP5Submachine gun9mmHeckler & KochMP5
G53Carbine5.56Heckler & KochM85
C8 CQBRifle5.56DiemacoM/96
C8 SFWRifle5.56DiemacoM/95
LSW M/04Light Support Weapon5.56DiemacoLSV M/04
23 EMachinegun5.56Heckler & KochMG85
MG3Machinegun7.62RheinmetallLMG M/62
21 EMachinegun7.62Heckler & KochH&K 21 E
MSG-90Sniper7.62Heckler & KochMSG-90

International Joint Training

Like most western Special Operations Forces, the Jaegers regularly take part in joint training operations with other NATO and Coalition SOFs. These exercises include reconnaissance patrols throughout Europe, arctic survival training, helicopter insertion techniques, parachute insertion techniques, hostage rescue training, Close Air Support training, medical training, and other SOF-specific skills.

Allied units as the Jaegers regularly practice with include:[3]

Famous jaegers
  • Poul Kjeld Larsen: Jaeger Nr. 1 – Co-found and first CO of the Corps
  • Jørgen Lyng: Jaeger Nr. 2 – Co-found and first XO of the Corps and later Chief of Defence
  • Helge Adam Møller: Jaeger Nr. 157 – Danish politician
  • Poul Dahl: Jaeger Nr. 160 – Danish politician and author
  • B. S. Christiansen: Jaeger Nr. 163 – Author, lecturer, coach and media personality.
  • Carsten Mørch:Jaeger Nr. 173 – Author, lecturer and coach
  • Lars Møller: Jaeger Nr. 200 – Author
  • Lothar Friis: Jaeger nr. 215 - Expeditions leader in the tv show "Ingen kære mor" TV2.
  • Thomas Rathsack: Jaeger Nr. 229 – Author and debater.
  • Nicolai Moltke-Leth: Jaeger Nr. 243 – Author, lecturer, coach and expeditions leader in the tv show "56° Nord" Kanal 5
  • René Brink Jakobsen: Jaeger Nr. 353 – First Jaeger to be killed in combat.[5]

See also

References
  1. "Facts and Figures - The Danish Armed Forces" (PDF). Danish Defence. February 2011. Retrieved 13 September 2017.
  2. "The Danish Army's Modern Day Vikings: THE JAEGER CORPS" (PDF). Special Warfare. Vol. 24 no. 4. United States Army John F. Kennedy Special Warfare Center and School. p. 41. ISSN 1058-0123. October–December 2011. Retrieved 13 September 2017.
  3. Rathsack, Thomas (March 14, 2015). Jaeger: At War with Denmark's Elite Special Forces. SOFREP.com.
  4. Sørensen, Anders Borup; Bjerg, Magnus (3 January 2013). "First Jaeger Killed in Battle". TV2 (in Danish). Retrieved 28 September 2017.
  5. KrigerenDK (3 January 2013). "Dansk jægersoldat dræbt i Afghanistan". krigeren.dk/ (in Danish). Retrieved 28 April 2020.

Further reading

Rathsack, Thomas (2009). Jaeger: At War with Denmark's Elite Special Forces (ebook(Kindle)). København: People's Press. ISBN 9788770555593 – via SOFREP.com 14 March 2015.

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