Special Operations Unit

Special Operations Unit (SOU) of Lithuanian Forces has been in operation de facto since 2002 and it was estbalished de jure in 2004 when all the special operations capabilities were subordinated to a single staff. The core of the Special Operations Unit is based on the Special Purpose Service (SPS), Vytautas the Great Jaeger Battalion (VGJB), and Combat Divers Service (CDS); Special Operations Element is subordinate to the Unit at the level of operations management. Structure of the Special Operations Unit is flexible which makes it easy to form squadrons intended for concrete operations and missions from its elements. From 2002 to 2004 squadons of the Special Operations Unit were deployed to the "Enduring Freedom" operation in Afghanistan. From 2005 to 2006 they were on the operational half-year stand-by period in the NATO Responce Force. In 2008 soldiers of the special forces will continue their service in the NRF but till then they still have to meet another challenge - mission in the south of Afghanistan.

Lithuanian Special Operations Unit is to be used in cases when jurisdictional institutions lack proper capabilities or the capabilities in possesion are not enough to respond to terrorist attacks.