| Unit Name: | 72nd Brigade for Special Operations |
| Native Name: | Serbian: 72. бригада за специјалне операције |
| Dates: | 1992–2006 2019–present |
| Branch: | Serbian General Staff |
| Type: | Special operations forces |
| Role: | Special Reconnaissance Direct action Underwater demolition |
| Size: | ~800 |
| Command Structure: | Serbian Armed Forces |
| Garrison: | Pančevo |
| Nickname: | The Seventy-second (Serbian: Sedamdesetdruga) |
| Patron: | Saint Sava |
| Motto: | When others can't and don't dare, there is one... the 72nd that always can and dare! (Serbian: Kada drugi ne mogu i ne smeju, samo je jedna... 72. koja uvek može i sme!) |
| Colours: | --> |
| Colours Label: | --> |
| Anniversaries: | 27 January |
| Battles: | Yugoslav Wars |
| Current Commander: | Brig. general Miroslav Talijan |
The 72nd Brigade for Special Operations (Serbian: 72. бригада за специјалне операције|72. brigada za specijalne operacije) is a special forces unit, one of two special forces brigades (other being 63rd Parachute Brigade) of the Serbian Armed Forces. It is under the command of the General Staff and is based at Pančevo.
Formed in 1992, it was the elite unit of the Armed Forces of Serbia and Montenegro. Reconfigured in 2006 to a battalion within a newly-formed Serbian Armed Forces, the "72nd" regained the status of a brigade in 2019.[1] [2] [3]
The unit has its origins in the 72nd Special Brigade of Armed Forces of Serbia and Montenegro which was formed in 1992. It was consisted of 1st reconnaissance-commando battalion, 2nd reconnaissance-commando battalion, MP battalion for counter-terrorist operations, and logistic unit. In 2006, 1st reconnaissance-commando battalion and 2nd reconnaissance-commando battalion merged into single reconnaissance-commando battalion "Griffins" and battalion of military police for counter-terrorist operations became counter-terrorist battalion "Hawks".
Although with a brigade status (in order to better honor traditions of the past), 72nd Brigade for Special Operations is currently more of a battalion-size unit with proclaimed aim of reaching size of a brigade in order to readdress new defense tasks due to increased security threats. It is organized into three battalions (two battalions for special operations, "Hawks" and "Griffins", and command battalion) as well as logistics company and a military police platoon.[4] In addition, there is a diving unit (derived from 82nd Marine Center "Shadows" - Yugoslavia's version of the US Navy SEALs) which is part of the "Griffins" battalion.
The 72nd Brigade for Special Operations is capable of fulfilling many different roles and to complete various list of tasks, such as: unconventional warfare, direct action, special reconnaissance, counterterrorism, counterinsurgency, information operations. They are also capable of hostage rescue and combat search and rescue if they are needed.[4]
Enlisted soldiers have to have at least two years service experience in other units of the Serbian Armed Forces before applying for a position in the 72nd Brigade for Special Operations. Besides that, all candidates need to fulfill a lot of other requirements and only about two-thirds of all candidates pass the psychophysical tests.[6] Brigade uses various training grounds and shooting ranges and for training purposes, although most of it is conducted in unit's home base "Rastko Nemanjić" in Pančevo.[7]
Training in the 72nd Brigade for Special Operations is divided in three stages and lasts for three years.[8]
Candidate specialization and further training depends on which bataillon he is assigned to. Some parts of unit are focusing on reconnaissance or counter terrorism and some are trained for search and rescue.[6] Also many members of the unit conduct training and courses in training centers abroad, through cooperation with the special units of other countries.[7]
The assault rifle used by the 72nd Brigade for Special Operations is the FN SCAR L 5.56x45mm. The H&K UMP series are used for the close-quarter battle. The H&K USP is the standard sidearm carried by the soldiers. The FN Minimi is used as light machine gun, 5.56mm and 7.62mm, while domestically-produced Zastava M87 and Zastava M93 are used as heavy machine gun and anti-materiel rifle, respectively. Snipers use the Sako TRG 42. Underwater firearms used by the 82nd River Underwater Demolition Company include SPP-1 underwater pistol and APS underwater rifle.
The unit is equipped with domestically-produced Lazar 3 armored personnel carriers and Miloš light armored vehicles as well as with Mali Miloš unmanned ground vehicle. The utility vehicle of the brigade is Land Rover Defender. The 82nd River Underwater Demolition Company is equipped with 14 rigid infaltable boats of type RIB 720.
The 72nd Brigade for Special Operations is also equipped with Kornet anti-tank guided missile system.
The anniversary of the unit is celebrated on January 27.
The unit's slava or its patron saint is Saint Sava known as Savindan.
Motto of the Brigade is: "When others can't and don't dare, there is one... the 72nd that always can and dare!" (Kada drugi ne mogu i ne smeju, samo je jedna... 72. koja uvek može i sme!).
The 72nd wear maroon beret.