The Unites States have one of the best well trained Special Forces unit in the world. Russia is not far behind.
Spetsgruppa “A”, also known as Alpha Group is an elite, stand-alone sub-unit of Russia’s special forces. It is a dedicated counter-terrorism task force of the Russian Federal Security Service (FSB) similar to the U.S. Delta Force, this CT task force is used to prevent and responds to violent acts in public transportation and buildings. It was created by the Soviet KGB in 1974.
Initially, this special-purpose counter-terrorism unit was involved in delicate operations which necessitated its members have a unique skill set.
Throughout the 1980s, Alpha became increasingly deployed domestically to respond to a rising number of hostage taking situations, including at least two cases which involved buildings being taken over and hostages taken by violent groups of deserters from the Soviet Army, as well as other armed organizations.
A while back Larry Vickers of Vickers Tactical had a chance to spend an afternoon at the Dynamo Shooting Range in Mytishchi, Russia with the Russian Special Forces Alpha team. There Larry watched the Russian SF team lead by Andre (the Rep) on several CQB confidence drills that they run their new operatives through. This sneak peak gives us an idea of the advanced skill sets of these Alpha team operatives.
The objective of these crazy and dangerous drills is to instill confidence and focus on the task at hand, it is another form of “Stress Fire” training on steroids. One of AmSJ staff have witnessed something similar to this method of training while stationed in South Korea and had a chance to observe the South Korean 707th SF prior to the 1988 Olympics. For the norm it is very dangerous to do.
Breakdown of the Drills 1. Operator1 is wearing a protective vest, armed with a loaded pistol in side holster and stands approximately 10 yards away from a silhouete target. Second person (Operator2) armed with a pistol while holstered walks up parallel to the silhouette target and stops next to it pivots and face Operator1 and fires 3 rounds to his chest. (Note Operator2 stands offset to the target, this exposes the target partially) Operator1 responds by drawing his pistol and firing at the face area of the silhouette target, thus simulating an actual face shot.
2. Multiple Targets – Three silhouette targets in the front with three in the back offset to the side. The operator job is to shoot to a specific target given by a command from one of the trainers. The flow of the drill is one after another while being taunted and shoved around while maintaining focus on hitting the target.
3. Multiple Targets with Live Person – This drill is the same as the second, but there are 2 live people standing in the back amongst the target. Obviously, this drill requires even more focus as the live personnel represents innocent bystanders at near proximity of target.
Even the Pros have Accidental Discharge
Warning do not try this at home, please consult with a certified gun instructor.
1. Operator1 is wearing a protective vest, armed with a loaded pistol in side holster and stands approximately 10 yards away from a silhouete target. Second person (Operator2) armed with a pistol while holstered walks up parallel to the silhouette target and stops next to it pivots and face Operator1 and fires 3 rounds to his chest. (Note Operator2 stands offset to the target, this exposes the target partially)