Prince Harry Secondment to Australian Defence Force and leaving the Army When did Harry leave the Army? Harry's attachment with the ADF ended on 8 May 2015, and on 19 June 2015 his career with the Army ended. When was he Seconded to the Australian Defence Force? On 6 April 2015, What did he do while on duty? While in Perth, he trained with Special Air Service Regiment (SASR), participating in the SASR selection course, including a fitness test and a physical training session Did he go into any war zones during this time? He also spent time flying over Sydney as co-pilot of an Army Black Hawk and participated in counter-terrorism training in Sydney Harbour
Did he train with any special forces?
Did Prince Harry train with any special forces?
On 17 March 2015, Kensington Palace announced that Prince Harry would leave the Armed Forces in June. Before then, he would spend four weeks throughout April and May at army barracks in Darwin, Perth and Sydney whilst seconded to the Australian Defence Force (ADF). After leaving the Army, while considering his future, he would return to work with the Ministry of Defence, supporting Case Officers in the Ministry of Defence's Recovery Capability Programme, working with both those who administer and receive physical and mental care within the London District area in a voluntary capacity.  On 6 April 2015, Prince Harry reported for duty to Australia's Chief of the Defence Force, Air Chief Marshal Mark Binskin at the Royal Military College, Duntroon in Canberra, Australia. Harry flew to Darwin later that day to start his month-long secondment to the ADF's 1st Brigade. His visit included detachments to NORFORCE as well as to an aviation unit. While in Perth, he trained with Special Air Service Regiment (SASR), participating in the SASR selection course, including a fitness test and a physical training session with SASR selection candidates. He also joined SASR members in Perth for live-fire shooting exercises with numerous Special Forces weapons at a variety of ranges and completed an insertion training exercise using a rigid-hull inflatable boat. In Sydney, he undertook urban operations training with the 2nd Commando Regiment. Training activities included remotely detonating an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) and rappelling from a building. He also spent time flying over Sydney as co-pilot of an Army Black Hawk and participated in counter-terrorism training in Sydney Harbour with Royal Australian Navy clearance divers.  Harry's attachment with the ADF ended on 8 May 2015, and on 19 June 2015 his career with the Army ended. CANNOTANSWER
He also joined SASR members in Perth for live-fire shooting exercises with numerous Special Forces weapons at a variety of ranges and completed an insertion training exercise
The following is a partial list of all known ground raids undertaken by United States special operations forces in Syria on forces (primarily those of the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant) engaged in the Syrian Civil War. Along with conducting raids, U.S. special forces in Syria regularly take part in battles against the Islamic State alongside allied Syrian Democratic Forces, primarily in a "train, advise, and assist" role, with 2,000 U.S. special forces soldiers being deployed in Syria by the end of 2017.

List of attacks

See also 
 List of United States attacks on Syria during the Syrian Civil War

References 

United States attacks
American involvement in the Syrian civil war

2014 in the Syrian civil war
2015 in the Syrian civil war
2017 in the Syrian civil war
2018 in the Syrian civil war
Syria–United States relations In Mexico, both the army and navy have special forces groups or elite units.

Army Special Forces
The Army has a Special Forces Corps unified command consisting of three Special Forces Brigades, a High Command GAFE (Grupo Aeromóvil de Fuerzas Especiales) group, a GAFE group assigned to the Airborne Brigade and several Amphibious Special Forces Groups.

The Special Forces Brigades are formed by nine SF battalions. The First Brigade has the 1st, 2nd and 3rd SF Battalions, the Second Brigade has the 5th, 6th, 7th and 8th Battalions, and the Third Brigade has the 4th and 9th Battalions and a Rapid Intervention Force group.

The High Command GAFE is a group with no more than 100 members who are specially trained in counter-terrorist tactics. They receive orders directly from the Secretary of National Defense.

The Amphibious Special Forces Groups are trained in amphibious warfare. They give the army special capabilities on coastlines.

Navy Special Forces
The Navy has a special operations force called Fuerzas Especiales, better known as FES. Their specialties are unconventional warfare, assault, counter-terrorism, and special reconnaissance operations.

There is also another special forces unit called Batallones de Comandos Anfibios. These units carry out special tasks for the Amphibious Reaction Forces (Marines). They are known to train with their American counterparts: the Navy SEALs, at the Naval Special Warfare Center in Coronado, California.

See also
Fuerzas Especiales
Grupo Aeromóvil de Fuerzas Especiales
Grupo Aeromóvil de Fuerzas Especiales del Alto Mando

References

Special forces of Mexico The Special Forces Regiment (SF) (Sinhala: විශේෂ බලකාය Visēsha Balakāya; Tamil: சிறப்பு படைகள் ரெஜிமென்ட்) is a special forces unit of the Sri Lanka Army. Founded in 1986 as a combat tracker team , it was established as a regiment in 1988, and later expanded into an brigade. The unit specialises in a number of roles including counter-terrorism, direct action and covert reconnaissance. Much like the British Army Special Air Service, much of the information about the SF is highly classified due to the secrecy and sensitivity of its operations.

The Special Forces Regiment currently consists of four regular battalions organized into the Special Forces Brigade, under the operational command of I Corps forming its Special Operations Force along with the Commando Brigade.

History 
With the escalation of the Sri Lankan Civil War in the mid 1980's the Sri Lanka Army formed an "Combat Tracker Team" in 1985 to conduct direct action and covert reconnaissance against LTTE units operating in the thick jungles in the northern part of the island in small groups. At its inception this unit was made up of two officers and 38 men under the command of Major Gamini Hettiarachchi from the Sri Lanka Armoured Corps. The Combat Tracker Team became the reconnaissance element of the short lived Special Service Group (SSG) and was renamed as the Rapid Deployment Force (RDF) (Special Force) in 1985 which operated independently, during which time Lieutenant (later Colonel) A. F. Lafir joined the RDF from the Gajaba Regiment. Following several successful operations, the RDF was gradually expanded to four squadrons. On 10 December 1988, the RDF (SF) was officially designated as the 1 Special Forces Regiment (1 SF) Naula in the Central province under the command of Major G. Hettiarachchi. With the view of increasing its mobility and stroke capacity 1 SF formed Combat Rider Team with assistance from South Africa. The 2 Special Forces Regiment (2 SF) was formed on 18 February 1994 at Monkey Bridge Camp in Trincomalee with detached B, D, and E squadrons of 1 SF under the command of Major Raj Wijesiri. 2 SF soon raised a Combat Diver Team to specializing in amphibious warfare and later moved to Nayaru on the eastern seaboard. On 18 July 1996 the 25 Brigade HQ of the Sri Lanka Army at its base at Mullaitivu came under attack in what is known as the Battle of Mullaitivu. 1SF and 2SF were dropped by helicopter to spearhead in the rescue operation which reached the base on 23 July. Both units suffered heavy casualties including the commanding officer of 1SF, Lieutenant Colonel A. F. Lafir who was posthumously awarded the Parama Weera Vibhushanaya. In August 1996, the 3 Special Forces Regiment (3 SF) was formed with personal from the other two SF regiments to develop amphibious warfare capability to counter activity of the Sea Tigers, it was soon re-tasked to carryout long-range penetration missions in deep into LTTE controlled areas. This resulted in the start of Long Range Reconnaissance Patrol (LRRP) concept in September 1996 with 3 SF based at Vavuniya under the command of Major Mahesh Senanayake. 3 SF rescinded J and K Squadrons and created M Squadron. In December 1996, the Special Forces Brigade was formed bringing 1SF, 2SF and 2SF under its operational command. On 15 June 2008, 4 Special Forces Regiment (4 SF) was raised at  SF Training School in Maduru Oya under the command of Major J.P.C. Peiris support the demands of the new northern offensive. The 5th Special Forces Regiment (5 SF) was formed in 2009 and was disbanded on 1 April 2012. On 16 April 2012, 4SF formed an Urban Fighting Squadron specializing in counter terrorism and urban warfare.

Organisation 
The Special Forces Regiment consists of four regular battalions. The Regimental Headquarter which includes the Regimental Centre and the Regimental Headquarter Battalion handles administration while the four regular battalions are organised into the Special Forces Brigade (SF BDE) which comes under the operational command of I Corps.

Formations 

 Special Forces Brigade (SF BDE)
 1st Special Forces Regiment (1 SF) - specialists in high mobility direct action 
 C Squadron 
 F Squadron 
 G Squadron 
 J Squadron 
 Combat Rider Squadron
 Support Squadron
 Administrative Squadron
 2nd Special Forces Regiment (2 SF) - specialists in amphibious, small boat and underwater demolition.  
 B Squadron 
 D Squadron 
 E Squadron 
 H Squadron 
 Combat Diving Squadron
 Support Squadron
 Administrative Squadron
 3rd Special Forces Regiment (3 SF) - specialists in long range reconnaissance (LRP)  
 M Squadron 
 I Squadron
 Support Squadron
 Administrative Squadron
 4th Special Forces Regiment (4 SF) - specialists in counter terrorism and urban warfare  
 A Squadron 
 K Squadron 
 L Squadron 
 S Squadron 
 Urban Fighting Squadron - formed on 16 April 2012
 Support Squadron
 Administrative Squadron
 5th Special Forces Regiment (5 SF) - formed in 2009 and disbanded on 1 April 2012.

Recruitment and training

Any member of the Sri Lanka Army can apply for the Special Forces Regiment. Applicants need to pass the 28 day selection course. Candidates who successfully complete this course are then enrolled to complete the basic Special Forces course which lasts between 10–12 months. After graduating the Special Forces course, the candidates are inducted as members of the Special Forces Regiment and are offered training programs of occupational specialities offered by the Regiment.

Training Schools
Special Forces Training School was established on 15 February 1992 and it is conducting the basic and specialized training for all Special Forces personnel. It also conducts special courses to train instructors from other battalions in the Army and has also helped to train Navy Special Boat Squadron personnel and Sri Lanka Air Force Regiment Special Force.

 Special Forces Training School - SFTS
 Special Forces Combat Diving Training School - SFCDTS
 Special Forces Jungle Warfare Training School - SFJWTS

Colors and insignia

Rana Parashuwa 

Unlike other regiments in the Sri Lanka Army, the Special Forces Regiment has been awarded Rana Parashuwa which are a ceremonial battle hatchets that represent President's and regimental colors in 2019.

Insignia 
The Special Forces Regiment cap badge depicts an Eagle and has been regarded as a symbol of the SF along with the black-colored beret and the Jolly Roger skull-and-crossed-bones arm patch with the "Special Forces" shoulder tab.

Parama Weera Vibhushanaya recipient
Colonel A.F. Lafir, PWV, RWP, RSP  – Former Commanding Officer of the 1st Regiment Special Forces
Lieutenant Colonel  J.A.L Jayasinghe, PWV, WWV, RWP, RSP  – Former Officer Commanding of M Sqn, 3rd Regiment Special Forces.
Major Ajith Gamage, PWV, RWP, RSP  – Former Officer Commanding of C Sqn
Sergeant Sugath Chandrasiri Bandara, PWV  - 2nd Special Forces Regiment
Corporal K. Chandana, PWV  - 3rd Special Forces Regiment

Notable members

Major General Gamini Hettiarachchi - Father of the Special Forces Regiment
General Mahesh Senanayake - former Commander Of the Army and Special Forces Brigade Commander 
Major General Prasanna De Silva - Former Special Forces Brigade Commander 
Colonel Raj Vijayasiri, RWP, RSP - Founder of the Long Range Reconnaissance Patrol (LRRP) Concept for Special Forces and former Special Forces Brigade Commander
Major General Nirmal Dharmaratne -Former Special Forces Brigade Commander 
Brigadier Harendra Ranasingle – Former Special Forces Brigade Commander
Brigadier Sujeewa Senarathyapa – Special Forces Brigade Commander

Order of precedence

See also
Long Range Reconnaissance Patrol (Sri Lanka)
Commando Regiment
List of military special forces units

Further reading
The Perfect Soldier: Special Operations, Commandos, and the Future of U.S. Warfare by James F. Dunnigan

References

External links
Ministry of Defence Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka Army
ShadowSpear Special Operations – Sri Lanka Special Forces

Special Forces Regiment
Special forces of Sri Lanka
Military units and formations established in 1986
1986 establishments in Sri Lanka