1st Special Forces Group (Temuair)

1st Special Forces Group 1ú Grúpa Fórsaí Speisialta
An operator with 1st Operational Detachment - A Group during a training exercise.
Country	Temuair
Branch	Aisling Army
Type	Special operations
Garrison/HQ	Fort Ceannlaidir
Motto(s)	I bhfad chun tosaigh Far Ahead

The 1st Special Forces Group (Aisling  ''1ú Grúpa Fórsaí Speisialta') is the special operations component of the Aisling Army, although members of any branch of the Aisling Defense Force may apply. Candidates must have at least three years' experience in the military to join the Special Forces Group. The primary tasks of the 1st Special Forces Group including conducting special reconnaissance missions, providing military assistance to other nation's armed forces, and operating in a direct action capacity when necessary.

Training

Selection Phase

Any member of the Aisling Defense Force who are in good conduct standing witht heir unit and have completed at least 1 term of enlistment may apply for the Special Forces Selection Course. During selection week candidates are tested on their physical condition, map reading ability, general military knowledge, and shooting techniques. A psychological evaluation is also performed. This is followed by a one-week specialized training program, which focuses on reaching the basic level necessary for beginning the actual stage. While many topics are covered, map reading and shooting techniques are emphasized. Finally, there is a one-week ‘Identification of Military material’ course. Candidates who complete this course are authorized to transfer to the Aisling Army, if applying from another branch of service, to continue training. Washing out of Special Forces training does not guarantee the applicant a position with their former prefered service, including Aisling Army applicants and will see them reassigned to a role dictated by the needs of the service at that time.  

Basic Special Forces Training

Following selection, candidates will undergo further physical and mental training programs lasting approximately 6 months. Aside from technical skills and military knowledge, candidates must meet high standards regarding initiative and motivation. During this phase, candidates are taught basic skills necessary for surviving hostile environments. The basic training consists of 3 phases. Each of these phases lasts about 2 months. All candidates must achieve 80% proficiency in all tests in order to complete each phase. Failure to meet these standards will result in sanctions or elimination. Honesty and loyalty are constantly tested during all three phases. Any candidate that is caught cheating will be removed from the process and face a range of punishments, from simply being transferred to a new unit and barred from applying for the Special Forces Selection Course to being discharged from the service with a Bad Conduct Discharge. Candidates that face medical issues are permitted to withdraw without prejudice and may be allowed to return to the process at the same stage with withdrew from in some instances. After successful completion of the basic training, candidates may be called an operator, although certification is not given until the end of the evaluation phase.

Orientation

The Orientation phase consists of focus on physically intense training, and is a mainly individual period. In addition to strenuous physical activity, this phase focuses on improving basic military skills such as map reading and situational awareness, as well as encouraging the development of independent initiative and self-reliance.

The orientation phase culminates with the cearrbhachas or ordeal. The candidate as transported into the Astird Mountains and is provided only with basic survival tools and a map. They have, from the point of landing, 48 hours to travel around 100 km to their goal. They are, not, however, permitted to work with any other candidate they encounter and are required to avoid contact. Contact with another candidate during this phase will result in a lesser overall score on evaluation. Though lying about contact in the field is strictly forbidden, and doing so is grounds for immediate disqualification and removal from service with a Bad Conduct Discharge, it is believed to be a common occurrence. Modernly, instructors attempt to use drones and other electronic surveillance methods to verify accurate completion of the cearrbhachas

Technical Aptitude and Applications

The Technical Aptitude and Applications phase focuses on familiarization with equipment and technical skills required by special forces operators. Candidates are tested on various technical applications in an attempt to best determine their future role on an Operational Detachment Team.

Some of the technical skills covered include;

• Radio equipment and procedures
• Amphibious insertion techniques
• Advanced shooting techniques
• Advanced combat medical techniques and procedures
• Military theory and tactics

Tactical Applications

The Tactical Applications Phase consists of realistic exercises in which all aspects of possible missions are confronted. During this phase, candidates are exposed to severe mental and physical stress. This period is unofficially considered the actual qualifications course for operators. Candidates combine skills learned in the previous 2 phases to learn to work behind enemy lines while being pursued by operators from both the training detachment and active operational teams an opposing force.

During this phase, team dynamics and integrations are encouraged and all candidate are required to preform each team function for evolutional purposes.

Specialized Education

At this point in the Special Forces training phase, the candidates are considered qualified operators. Upon qualification, operators will attend a further 12 months of advanced training courses in a variety of areas designed to allow them to be proficient in all aspects of special forces operation. These include training courses in;

• Special Forces High Altitude Free Fall
• Special Operation Forces Combat Lifesaving Techniques
• Special Forces Advanced Urban Combat
• Tactical Air Control

If operators have not previously attended the Aisling Army's Saoiste School, they will do so during this phase. The Saoiste qualification is a 4-week program in which candidates are trained in rock climbing and introduction to mountain warfare, amphibious and commando techniques in order to cope with difficult terrains and circumstances and operate in said terrains in all weather conditions.

Although the Aisling Army no longer has a parachute training course, operators will attend a training parachute course hoisted in Trinovantan Armed Forces. This four-week program consists of one week ground training and three weeks of static line jumping from both balloons and airplanes.

Elective Training

Other specialized training courses exist for operators who with to further their education and skills, these include;

• Free fall Very High Altitude (VHA): This is a 3-week course and requires completion of the Special Forces High Altitude Free Fall course. This program specializes in infiltration via parachute. These jumps are executed from a maximum of 30,000 feet using oxygen masks.
• Combat Diver: This 5- to 8-month training program is hosted by the Aisling Naval Service and focuses on teaching candidates to dive using compressed air, non-autonomous diving, re-breathers with pure oxygen and nitrogen-oxygen mix.
• Ropes Course: This is an 8-week training program given at the Saoiste training center. It consists of a 4-week classroom course and a 4-week field training program where candidates learn to make installations with ropes and cables to cross vertical, horizontal, and wet obstacles. Candidates are also taught how to quickly and safely install many types of installations such as, climbing ropes, rope ladders, ferries, and death rides. They are also instructed in the evacuation of injured individuals in rocky and difficult terrain.
• Lead Climber: This 5-week training program teaches candidates to independently negotiate mountainous terrain on rocks, snow, and ice. They are taught to make trails to support combat units as well as assist in crossings. Operators who complete this course often act as technical advisors on missions in mountainous environments. All senior enlisted personnel of the Aisling Army's Mountain Warfare units are required to attend and complete this training

Organization

Composition

An Operational Detachment consists on a senior leader, usually a commissioned officer, along with a senior non-commissioned officer 2IC and 10 operators.

• • 1st Special Forces Group
    • Staff and HQ
      • Logistical Detachment
      • Signals Detachment
      • Medical Detachment
      • Intelligence Detachment
    • 1st Operational Detachment - A Group
    • 2nd Operational Detachment - B Group
    • 3rd Operational Detachment - C Group
    • 4th Operational Detachment - T Group