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From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

G3
The Heckler & Koch G3A4 (top) and G3A3 (bottom)
Type	Automatic rifle
Place of origin	West Germany
Service history
In service	1959–present
Used by	See Users
Wars	Portuguese Colonial War, Rhodesian Bush War, Carnation Revolution, Cambodian Civil War, Iran–Iraq War, Salvadoran Civil War, Turkey-PKK conflict, Sierra Leone Civil War, Ethiopian Civil War, Operation Enduring Freedom/ISAF – Afghanistan, Second Gulf War
Production history
Designer	Mauser, CETME, Heckler & Koch
Designed	1950s
Manufacturer	Heckler & Koch, Rheinmetall, SEDENA, Defense Industries Organization, FBP, Hellenic Arms Industry, Kongsberg Våpenfabrikk, MAS, Military Industry Corporation, MKEK, Pakistan Ordnance Factories, Royal Ordnance
Produced	1964–present
Variants	See Variants
Specifications
Weight	4.4 kg (9.7 lb) (G3A3) 4.7 kg (10 lb) (G3A4) 5.54 kg (12.2 lb) with optic (G3SG/1) 4.1 kg (9.0 lb) (G3K)
Length	1,025 mm (40.4 in) (G3A3) 1,025 mm (40.4 in) stock extended / 840 mm (33.1 in) stock collapsed (G3A4) 1,025 mm (40.4 in) (G3SG/1) 895 mm (35.2 in) stock extended / 711 mm (28.0 in) stock collapsed (G3K)
Barrel length	450 mm (17.7 in) 315 mm (12.4 in) (G3K)
Cartridge	7.62x51mm NATO
Action	Roller-delayed blowback
Rate of fire	500-600 rounds/min
Muzzle velocity	800 m/s (2,625 ft/s)
Effective range	100–400 m sight adjustments
Feed system	20-round detachable box magazine
Sights	Rear: rotary diopter; front: hooded post

The G3 is a 7.62 mm automatic rifle developed in the 1950s by the German armament manufacturer Heckler & Koch GmbH (H&K) in collaboration with the Spanish state-owned design and development agency CETME (Centro de Estudios Técnicos de Materiales Especiales).^[1]

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[edit] Development

A German soldier with the G3 in 1988.

AME 49, French StG45 in .30 Carbine.

The origin of this rifle can be traced back to the end of World War II when engineers at the German Mauser factory designed the 7.92 mm StG45 assault rifle,^[2] first with the Gerät 06 (“device 06″) using a roller-delayed blowback mechanism originally adapted from the roller-locked recoil operating system of the MG42 machine gun but with a fixed barrel and gas system. It was realized that with careful attention to the mechanical ratios, the gas system could be omitted. The resultant weapon, the Gerät 06(H) was assigned the designation StG45(M) but was not produced beyond prototype stage.

The German technicians involved in developing the Sturmgewehr 45 continued their research in France at CEAM. The StG45 mechanism was modified by Ludwig Vorgrimler and Theodor Löffler at the Mulhouse facility between 1946 and 1949. Three versions were made, chambered in .30 Carbine, 7.92x33mm Kurz as well as the 7.65x35mm cartridge developed by Cartoucherie de Valence and adopted in 1948. A 7.5x38mm cartridge using a partial aluminium bullet was abandoned in 1947. Löffler’s design, designated the Carabine Mitrailleuse Modèle 1950, was retained for trials among 12 different prototypes designed by CEAM, MAC, and MAS. Engaged in the Indochina War and being the second NATO contributor, France canceled the adoption of these new weapons for financial reasons.

In 1950, Vorgrimler moved to Spain where he created the LV-50 rifle chambered in the intermediate 7.92x33mm Kurz cartridge and later, the proprietary 7.92x40mm CETME M53 round.^[2] At this point, the rifle was renamed the Modelo 2. The Modelo 2 attracted a lot of attention from the West German Border Guards (Bundesgrenzschutz), which sought a new service rifle. Not willing to accept a cartridge outside of the NATO specification, the Germans asked CETME to develop a 7.62 mm version of the rifle. The resulting CETME rifle Model A was chambered for the 7.62x51mm CETME cartridge which has identical chamber dimensions but a reduced-power load compared to the 7.62x51mm NATO round. Further development of the rifle with input from HK produced the CETME Model B which received several modifications including the ability to fire from a closed bolt in both semi-automatic and automatic firing modes, a new perforated sheet-metal handguard (the folding bipod had been the foregrip in previous models), improved ergonomics and a slightly longer barrel with a rifle grenade launcher guide. In 1958, this rifle was introduced into service with the Spanish Army as the Modelo 58, firing the 7.62x51mm CETME round.

In 1956, the Bundesgrenzschutz canceled its planned procurement of the CETME rifles, adopting the FN FAL (G1) instead. However, the newly formed West German Army (Bundeswehr) now displayed interest and soon purchased a number of CETME rifles (7.62x51mm NATO chambering) for further testing. The CETME, known as the Automatisches Gewehr G3, competed successfully against the SIG SG 510 (G2) and AR-10 (G4) to replace the previously favored G1 rifle. In January 1959, the Bundeswehr officially accepted the CETME rifle. The West German government wanted the G3 rifle to be produced under license in Germany; purchase of the G1 had previously fallen through over FN’s refusal to grant such a license. In the case of the G3, the Dutch firm Nederlandse Wapen en Munitiefabrik (NWM) held production and sales rights to the CETME design outside of Spain. To acquire production rights, the West German government offered NWM contracts to supply the Luftwaffe with 20 mm ammunition. Production of the G3 was then assigned to Rheinmetall and HK. The latter company already had ties to CETME, and had worked to further optimize the CETME rifle for use with the full-power 7.62x51mm NATO cartridge (as opposed to the downloaded CETME variant). In 1969, Rheinmetall gave up production rights to the G3 in exchange for HK’s promise not to bid on MG3 production. Later in 1977, the West German government ceded ownership of G3 production and sales rights exclusively to HK.

Initial production G3 rifles differed substantially from more recent models; early rifles featured closed-type mechanical flip iron sights (with two settings), a lightweight folding bipod, stamped steel handguard, wooden buttstock (in fixed stock models) and a telescopic metal stock (in folding stock models).^[2] The weapon was modernized during its service life (among other minor modifications it received new sights, a different flash hider, a plastic foregrip and stock), resulting in the current production variants, the G3A3 (with a fixed synthetic stock) and the G3A4 (telescoping metal stock). The rifle proved successful in the export market, being adopted by the armed forces of over 40 countries.^[2] The G3 was and in some cases continues to be produced under license in: France (MAS), Greece (Hellenic Arms Industry), Iran (Defense Industries Organization), Mexico, Myanmar, Norway (Kongsberg Våpenfabrikk), Pakistan (Pakistan Ordnance Factories), Portugal (FBP), Saudi Arabia, Sweden (FFV), Thailand, Turkey (MKEK) and the United Kingdom (Royal Ordnance).^[2]

[edit] Design details

Early versions of the G3.

The G3A3 (A4) is a selective-fire automatic weapon that employs a roller-delayed blowback operating system. The two-piece bolt assembly consists of a breech (bolt head) and bolt carrier. The bolt is partially locked in battery by two sliding cylindrical rollers that engage locking recesses in the barrel extension. The breech is unlocked when both rollers are compressed inward against camming surfaces driven by the rearward pressure of the expanding exhaust gases upon the bolt head. As the rollers move inward recoil energy is transferred to the locking piece and bolt carrier which begin to withdraw while the bolt head remains locked. As the bolt carrier clears the rollers, pressure in the bore drops to a safe level, the bolt head is unlocked and begins to recoil backwards at a velocity lower than that of the bolt carrier. The bolt also features an anti-bounce mechanism that prevents the bolt from bouncing off the barrel’s breech surface. The spring-powered claw extractor is also contained inside the bolt while the lever ejector is located inside the trigger housing (actuated by the recoiling bolt).^[2]

The rifle is hammer fired and has a trigger mechanism with a 3-position fire selector switch that is also the manual safety toggle that secures the weapon from accidentally discharging (fire selector in the “E” or “1” position – single fire mode, “F” or “20” – automatic fire, “S” or “0” – weapon is safe, trigger disabled mechanically). The weapon can be fitted with an optional 4-position safety/fire selector group illustrated with pictograms with an ambidextrous selector lever. The additional, fourth selector setting enables a 3-round burst mode of fire.^[2]

A cut-away of the G3 roller-delayed locking mechanism.

The G3A3 (A4) uses either steel (260 g) or aluminum (140 g) double-stacked straight box magazines.

The firearm was equipped with iron sights that consist of a rotary rear drum and hooded front post. The rear sight, mechanically adjustable for both windage and elevation, has an open notch used to fire up to 100 m and three apertures used for: 200, 300 and 400 m.^[2] The receiver housing has recesses that work with HK clamp adapters used to mount day or night optics.

The rifled barrel (contains 4 right-hand grooves with a 305 mm twist rate) is ended with a slotted flash suppressor which can also be used to attach a bayonet or serve as an adapter for launching rifle grenades. The barrel chamber is fluted, which assists in the initial extraction of a spent cartridge casing (since the breech is opened under very high barrel pressure).^[2]

Standard accessories supplied with the rifle include: a detachable bipod (not included with rifles that have a perforated plastic handguard), sling, cleaning kit and a speed-loading device. Several types of bayonet are available for the G3, but with few exceptions they require an adapter to be inserted into the end of the cocking tube. The most common type features a 6 3/4 inch spear-point blade nearly identical with the M7 bayonet, but with a different grip because of its mounting above the barrel. A variant of this exists with an 9 1/4-inch blade that is completely double-edged like a dagger. A rather shoddily made Pakistani bayonet with a British-style bowie blade also exists, and one of the Eickhorn KCB77 variants fits the G3. The weapon can also mount a 40 mm HK79 under-barrel grenade launcher, blank firing adapter a straight blowback bolt (called a “PT” bolt, lacks the locking rollers) used for firing 7.62x51mm ammunition with plastic bullets, a conversion kit used for training with .22 LR ammunition and a sound suppressor (that uses standard ammunition).

Apart from the G3A3 and G3A4 HK also built: the G3A3ZF (essentially a G3A3 with a Hensoldt 4×24 optical sight), the accurized G3SG/1 rifle (hand-selected G3A3’s, equipped with an improved trigger, Zeiss telescopic sight with a variable 1.5-6x magnification and a cheek riser) and the G3K carbine which uses an HK33 handguard and a short barrel (reduced in length to the base of the front sight post), that is too short for use with a bayonet or rifle grenades.^[2]

The G3 served as a basis for many other weapons, among them: the PSG1 and MSG90 precision rifles, the HK11 and HK21 family of light machine guns, a single-fire version known as the HK91, a sporterized model called the SR9 (designed for the civilian market) and the MC51 carbine, produced by the UK firm FR Ordnance International Ltd. for special forces. The MC51 weighs 3.1 kg (6.8 lb), has a folded overall length of 625 mm (24.6 in), a barrel length of only 230 mm (9.1 in), which produces a muzzle velocity of approx. 690 m/s (2,263.8 ft/s) and a muzzle energy of 2215 J. The MC51 was allegedly manufactured for the British SAS and SBS, who required a compact but powerful weapon, for situations in which the stopping power and armor piercing capabilities of 9x19mm Parabellum round were inadequate. Only 50 weapons were produced, and all were reportedly shipped to the UK special forces. Most of them were soon replaced by the Heckler & Koch HK53 carbine. Another UK-based company called Imperial Defence Services Ltd. absorbed FR Ordnance and continues to market the MC51 standard variant. In addition, a weapon similar to the MC51 called the M41 Offizier is produced by Schwaben Arms GmbH of Germany.^[3]

[edit] Variants

Guyanese soldiers in training with various Caribbean countries, including American and British troops. The soldier on the right is armed with a G3A3 rifle.

• G3: Original model based on the CETME Modelo B.
• G3A1: G3 with a single position, collapsible stock. This design was chosen after earlier experimentation with a ventrally-folding stock. Excessive recoil caused the latter to be dropped from consideration.
• G3A2: G3 with new rotating drum rear sight.
• G3A3: The most well known version. Drum sights, a fixed plastic buttstock, and a plastic handguard that does not contact the barrel. The handguard came in a slim, ventilated version and a wide version. The latter allows for the attachment of a bipod.
• G3A3A1: This is a version of the G3A3 with an ambidextrous trigger group and brass deflector. This is an official German Army designation, not a HK factory one.
• G3A4: The G3A4 uses drum sights and a single position, collapsible stock. This rifle could also be issued with a scope with the nomenclature G3A4ZF. The ZF stands for Zielfernrohr or “Telescope”.
• G3A4A1: This is a variant of the G3A4 with an ambidextrous trigger group and brass deflector. This is an official German Army designation, not a HK factory one.
• G3KA4: Smallest of the line, it is a Karabiner, or carbine version of the G3. It features drum sights, a retractable stock, and a 315 mm (12.4 in) barrel.
• G3KA4A1: Variant of the G3KA4 with an ambidextrous trigger group and brass deflector. This is an official German Army designation, not a HK factory one.
• G3A5: HK assigned model number for the HK-made Danish version of the G3A3. It differs in that it has a silent bolt-closure device. In Danish service it is known as the Gv M/66. The Gv M/66 was originally intended for use with optics as a designated marksman rifle, while the rest of the squad were issued M1 Garands.
• G3A6: HK assigned model number for the Iranian-made version of the G3A3.
• G3A7: HK assigned model number for the Turkish-made version of the G3A3.

[edit] Other military variants and derivatives

Norwegian soldiers pictured with locally-built AG-3 rifles.

• Gv M/75: Variant leased from the German Bundeswehr / German government by the Danish government to replace the aging M1 Garands. Originally manufactured by either Rheinmetall or HK for the German Bundeswehr. The Gv M/75 rifles are basically G3′s with the old style straight cocking tube as opposed to the later FS (Freischwinger) variant. Semi-automatic normally, though could be converted to fully automatic fire by changing the safety lever. This is done without tools.
• AG-3: Norwegian variant of the G3A5. Produced by Kongsberg Våpenfabrikk. A total of 253,497 units were produced for the Norwegian Armed Forces from 1967 to 1974. The Norwegian AG-3 differs from the original G3; it has a buttstock that is approx. 2 cm longer, the bolt carrier has a serrated thumb groove to aid in silent bolt closure, it features an all-metal cocking handle and a different bayonet mount. On April 11, 2007, it was announced that the AG-3 would be replaced by the Heckler & Koch HK416, in all military branches except for certain groups of the Home Guard.
• AG-3F1: An AG-3 with a retractable stock as on G3A4. Produced by Kongsberg Våpenfabrikk. A retractable stock was required by certain groups of soldiers within the Norwegian Armed Forces, primarily vehicle crews with limited space inside, particularly where a quick disembarkment from such a vehicle is required. All versions of the AG-3 have the ability to attach a 40 mm HK79 grenade launcher.
• AG-3F2: An improvement of the AG-3F1, featuring Picatinny rails on the receiver as well as the foregrip.
• Ak 4: Swedish-made version of the G3A3. The rifles were manufactured from 1965 to 1970 by both Carl Gustafs Stads Gevärsfaktori and Husqvarna Vapenfabrik and from 1970 until the end of production in 1985 – exclusively by Gevärsfaktori in Eskilstuna. Also produced with a Hensoldt 4×24 telescopic sight mounted via a HK claw mount, known as the Ak 4OR and the Ak 4B variant, which features an Aimpoint red-dot reflex sight in place of the standard iron sights and an increased rate of fire. All Ak 4s are adapted to mount the M203 grenade launcher.
• DIO G3 Bullpup: Iranian bullpup variant of the G3. Photo
• G3A7A1: Turkish-made variant of the G3A4.
• G3P4: Pakistan Ordnance Factory designation for license produced G3A4 rifles.

[edit] Specialized G3 types

• G3TGS: This is simply a G3 with a 40 mm HK79 under-barrel grenade launcher. TGS stands for Tragbares Granat System (“portable grenade system”).
• G3A3ZF: This is a rifle issued with a scope bracket and a scope. The ZF stands for Zielfernrohr or “telescopic sight”.
• G3SG/1: An accurized variant of the G3. The “SG” stands for Scharfschützengewehr, or “sharpshooting rifle”. The rifles were individually selected from the production line for their accuracy and then modified. A Zeiss 1.5-6x variable power telescopic sight was added using a HK claw mount attached to the receiver. The stock was extended slightly compared to the standard G3 fixed stock and comes with a heavy, dual-stage buffer and adjustable cheek rest. A special set trigger group was added for a crisp trigger pull of 1 lb. Automatic fire was retained.
• MSG3: a variant featuring the newer scope mount that is found on only a few of the Heckler & Koch rifles, as compared to the more conventional claw mounts, though the claw mounting points remain on the receiver. This newer scope mount does not allow the use of the open sights with the mount in place, as is the case with the more conventional claw mount.

[edit] Law enforcement and civilian models

• HK41: The HK41 is a semi-automatic version of the G3 that was marketed to law-enforcement and civilian reservists (the prefix number 4 in HK’s two-digit number system technically stands for “para-military rifle”). There were two versions, one differing from the G3 by being fitted with a semiautomatic-only trigger pack, the other using a different design of trigger pack, like that of the later HK91. The first version could easily be converted to a full-automatic weapon by swapping out several parts. Limited sales at home and US import restrictions and firearms regulations led this weapon to be dropped from HK’s product line quickly and it was replaced by the HK91.
• HK91: The HK91 is a semi-automatic version of the G3 similar to the HK41, also marketed to civilians. However, in order to comply with US firearm regulations a number of modifications to the HK91 were made that do not appear on the first pattern HK41. Internal parts that could allow fully automatic fire were removed. A shelf was welded onto the receiver where the push-pin of the trigger pack would normally go, to prevent installation of a fully automatic trigger pack. This did not allow the use of the paddle style magazine release and so the magazine release button on the right side of the magazine well must be used instead. This was considered awkward by many owners. It is otherwise identical to the G3A3/A4. Importation into the United States began in 1974 and ceased in 1989, with some 48,000 rifles being imported.

A Latvian Army soldier in Iraq armed with a Swedish-made Ak 4.

• HK911: The HK911 was an HK91A2 with the flash hider removed and the receiver re-stamped with an extra 1 to comply with the US importation ban of 1989. The new designation theoretically made it legally immune to the Import Ban, as no “HK911″ rifles were mentioned on the list of banned guns. However, the later banning of several “paramilitary” features on the HK911 made it illegal.
• SR9: These variants of the HK91ZF were created to comply with the Semi-Auto Import Ban of 1989, which included all variants of the HK91. They differed from the HK91 in that they had their flash hiders removed and featured a smooth forend that lacked the bipod attachment point. The SR9 series were banned from importation to the United States by President Clinton in 1997 because they could accept standard-capacity magazines. The SR9 was an HK91A2ZF with the pistol grip and buttstock replaced with a one-piece thumbhole stock.
  • SR9 (T): The (T), or “Target”, model was an HK91A2ZF with the trigger replaced with the PSG-1 model, the pistol grip replaced with an ergonomic PSG-1 grip and the buttstock replaced with an MSG90 model.
  • SR9 (TC): The (TC), ot “Target Competition”, model was an HK91A2ZF with the trigger group, pistol grip and buttstock derived from the PSG-1.
• G3A1: The terminology used by custom gunsmiths (e.g. Choate) and importers (e.g. Interarms) for weapons with an aftermarket side-folding stock. This is not part of official HK nomenclature.
• HK 51: The HK51 is not made by HK, instead being a creation of the American custom after-market. The HK 51 has no real standards but is usually a cut down and modified G3A3 or its semi-automatic clones the HK41 and HK91 and modified to take MP5 furniture and accessories. It is usually fitted with a collapsible stock; 211 mm (8.31 in) barrel; it is 589 mm (23.17 in) in length with the stock retracted and 780 mm (30.72 in) with the stock extended.
• PTR 91F: Additionally, JLD started manufacturing semi-automatic copies of the HK G3 called the PTR 91 in the United States. They used tooling from the FMP arms factory in Portugal to build the rifles.

[edit] Users

[edit] NATO

Danish soldiers carrying the G3A5 variant.

U.S. Marine with a G3.

• Denmark: G3A5, as the Gevær Model 1966 (Gv M/66). Another variant, designated Gevær Model 1975 (Gv M/75) was leased from the German government. Almost all G3s in Danish service were replaced in the late 1990s by the Diemaco C7 rifle, designated Gv M/95, and the Diemaco C8 carbine, designated Gv M/96. Conscripts are sometimes still taught to operate the rifle, due to shortages of M/95 if the Total Defence force is to be activated. The Danish Home guard issued the Gv M/66 as late as 2006.
• Estonia: Uses Swedish-made Ak 4s.^[4]
• France: Formerly made by MAS under contract from Heckler & Koch. Manufactured primarily for export to nations such as Lebanon. No longer produced.
• Germany: Mostly replaced by the Heckler & Koch G36, but still large quantities in storage and sometimes used as DMRs.
• Greece: Made under license by Ellinika Amyntika Systimata (EAS) (English – “Hellenic Defense Systems”),^[5] formerly under Elliniki Biomihania Oplon (EBO) (“Hellenic Arms Industry”). It replaced the American M1 Garand in the late 1970s. It is still the main service rifle of the Hellenic Army.
• Iceland: Used by the Coast Guard (replacing the Lee-Enfield bolt-action rifle) and the Icelandic Crisis Response unit (both the G3A5 and AG-3 variants).
• Italy
• Latvia: Mostly uses Swedish-made Ak 4s and some G3A3 models.
• Lithuania: Uses Swedish-made Ak 4s.
• Norway: AG-3, a modified G3A5 made by Norsk Forsvarsteknologi, later renamed to Kongsberg Våpenfabrikk. To be replaced by the Heckler & Koch HK416.
• Netherlands
• Portugal: Made under license by INDEP as the m/961 (G3) and m/963 (G3A3).
• Turkey: Made under license by Makina ve Kimya Endüstrisi Kurumu (MKEK) (“Mechanical and Chemical Industry Corporation”) as the G3A7.^[6]
• United Kingdom – The G3KA4 is designated L100A1 by the British. These were most likely fabricated from receivers produced locally under license, along with G3A3/4s at the Royal Small Arms Factory, Enfield. They have now been phased out. However, they are still in use with London’s Metropolitan Police Service‘s CO19, and other police armed response units.

[edit] Non-NATO

A Saudi soldier with the G3A4.

• Albania: Used by the Albanian Special Police force RENEA and Albanian peacekeeping forces in Afghanistan.
• Angola
• Argentina: Used by special operations groups such as the Hawk Special Operations Brigade.
• Azerbaijan
• Bahrain
• Bangladesh: Manufactured by the Bangladesh Ordnance Factory.^[7]
• Bolivia
• Bosnia and Herzegovina
• Brazil: Used by many special operations groups like BOPE, and also by the Força Aérea Brasileira Infantry
• Burkina Faso
• Burundi
• Cambodia: Used by the Khmer Republic during the Cambodian Civil War and also by the Royal Cambodian Army.
• Chad
• Chile: In use in limited numbers by the artillery troops, reserves and training units.
• Colombia: Replaced by the Galil in 1993, both from IMI and Indumil.
• Côte d’Ivoire
• Croatia
• Cyprus
• Djibouti
• Dominican Republic
• Ecuador
• El Salvador
• Ethiopia

Soldiers from the Portuguese Army, 2nd Mechanical Battalion in Bosnia-Herzegovina with INDEP-made G3′s.

• Gabon
• Guyana
• Haiti
• Iran: Manufactured locally by Defense Industries Organization in two variants, the fixed stock G3-A4 and a bullpup variant known as the G3-A3.^[8]
• Indonesia: Employed by the Indonesian Air Force, special forces (the Korphaskhas) since the early 1960s during the campaign against the Dutch in West Irian. The gun is currently held in reserve and training formations.
• Jordan
• Kenya
• Kuwait
• Lebanon: Used in very limited numbers with the ISF (Internal Security Forces), and in the Lebanese Army.
• Libya
• Malawi
• Malaysia: Both Malaysian Grup Gerak Khas, Paskal, VAT 69 and UTK special forces used the G3SG/1 as their primary sniping rifle since the early 1970s. In 1990 the G3 was replaced by the MSG-90 and PSG-1 as their primary precision rifles.
• Mauritania
• Mexico: Made under license by DIM (Departamento de la Industriá Militar) and DGFD (Dirección General de Fábricas de la Defensa), being phased out and replaced by the FX-05 assault rifle.
• Morocco
• Myanmar: Known as the Ka Pa Sa BA-63 (G3A3), BA-72 (G3K) and BA-100 (G3A3ZF) built at the Ka Pa Sa state factories.
• Niger
• Nigeria: Under license by Defense Industries Corporation^[9].
• Pakistan: Variants in use by the Pakistani military are locally produced by Pakistan Ordnance Factories in Wah Cantt. Manufactured are the G3A3 and a version of the G3A4, which carries the factory designation G3P4.^[10]
• Paraguay: The gun is currently held in reserve and training, while slowly being replaced by the M16 rifle.
• Peru
• Philippines
• Qatar
• Rhodesia: Used by the Rhodesian army in select units, most notably by the Grey’s Scouts during the Bush War.

Rhodesian troops during the final years of the Bush War protecting a convoy. In the foreground is a camouflage painted G3.

• Saudi Arabia: Made under license by Al Kharj Arsenal.
• Senegal
• Sierra Leone
• Somalia
• South Africa: The rifle saw limited use in the South African Border War.
• Sri Lanka: Purchased a few thousand Pakistani-made G3A3s to fight against Tamil militants in the early 1980s and currently those rifles are being replaced by the Chinese Type 56 assault rifle.
• Sudan: Made under license by Military Industry Corporation as the Dinar.^[11]
• Sweden: Made under license by Förenade Fabriksverken (FFV) as the Ak 4 (Automatkarbin 4).^[12] Two sub-variants are known to exist, one equipped with a rail and Aimpoint sight (Ak 4B) and the other with a 4x magnifying optic (Ak 4OR). It has since been replaced by the Ak 5 (Automatkarbin 5; a modified version of the FN FNC) in the regular army. It is still in use in Hemvärnet (“Swedish Home Guard“).
• Tanzania
• Thailand
• Togo
• Uganda
• United Arab Emirates
• Yemen
• Zaire
• Zambia: Issued to Zambian paramilitary forces.
• Zimbabwe

[edit] See also

• CETME Model L

[edit] Notes

[edit] Bibliography

• Les fusils d’assaut français “The french assault rifles” by Jean Huon, published by Editions Barnett in 1998, ISBN 2-9508308-6-2.
• Gotz, Hans Dieter, German Military Rifles and Machine Pistols, 1871-1945, Schiffer Publishing, Ltd. West Chester, Pennsylvania, 1990. OCLC 24416255
• Senich, P. (1987). German Assault Rifle: 1935-1945. Paladin Press. ISBN 0-87364-400-X.
• G. de Vries, B.J. Martens: The MP 43, MP 44, StG 44 assault rifles, Propaganda Photos Series, The Sturmgewehr, Volume 4, Special Interest Publicaties BV, Arnhem, The Netherlands. First Edition 2001.
• Smith, W.H.B, Small arms of the world : the basic manual of military small arms, Harrisburg, Pa. : Stackpole Books, 1955. OCLC 3773343
• Afonso, Aniceto and Gomes, Carlos de Matos, Guerra Colonial, 2000.
• Günter Wollert; Reiner Lidschun; Wilfried Kopenhagen, Illustrierte Enzyklopädie der Schützenwaffen aus aller Welt : Schützenwaffen heute (1945-1985), Berlin : Militärverlag der Deutschen Demokratischen Republik, 1988. OCLC 19630248
• Clinton Ezell, Edward; Small arms of the world, Eleventh Edition, Arms & Armour Press, London, 1977
• (Polish) Woźniak, Ryszard (2001). Encyklopedia najnowszej broni palnej—tom 2 G-Ł. Warsaw, Poland: Bellona. ISBN 83-11-09310-5.

[edit] External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: G3

• Buddy Hinton collection / HK
• HK museum
• G3 rifle variations
• Modern Firearms
• Heckler and Koch G3 disassembled (In German)
• 7.62 NATO Battle Rifles
• Heckler and Koch G3 Armorer’s Manual

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Pistol, Semiautomatic, 9mm, M9
The M9 pistol
Type	Semi-automatic pistol
Place of origin	Italy
Service history
In service	1990-present
Used by	United States Military
Wars	War in Afghanistan Iraq War
Production history
Manufacturer	Fabbrica d’Armi Pietro Beretta
Specifications
Weight	952 g (33.6 oz) 1162 g (41.0 oz) Loaded
Length	217 mm (8.5 in)
Barrel length	125 mm (4.9 in)
Cartridge	9x19mm Parabellum
Action	Short recoil
Muzzle velocity	353.568 m/s or 1160 ft/s
Effective range	50 m
Feed system	15 round detachable box magazine
Sights	Iron sights

The M9 pistol, formally Pistol, Semiautomatic, 9mm, M9, is a 9x19mm Parabellum pistol of the U.S. military adopted in the 1980s. It is essentially a military specification Beretta 92F, later the 92FS.

It won a competition in the 1980s to replace the M1911A1 as the primary handgun of the U.S. armed forces, beating out many other contenders. Some other models have been adopted to a lesser extent (namely the M11 Pistol), and older, or different, models remain in use in certain niches. It officially entered Army service in 1990 according to the official Army website.^[1] It was scheduled to be replaced under an Army program, the Future Handgun System (FHS), which was merged with the SOF Combat Pistol program to create the Joint Combat Pistol (JCP). In early 2006, the JCP was renamed Combat Pistol (CP), and the number of pistols to be bought was drastically cut back.

The M9 has been modified as the M9A1, adding, among other things, a Picatinny rail for the attachment of lights, lasers, and other accessories to the weapon. The U.S. Marines ordered large numbers of M9A1 pistols in 2006.^[2] Additionally, a contract for 70,000 M9 pistols was signed in 2006 by the U.S. military. The M9A1 also has more aggressive front and backstrap checkering, a beveled magwell for easier reloading of the weapon, and a reversible magazine release. M9A1 pistols are sold with PVD coated magazines developed to better withstand the conditions in the sandy warzones in Iraq and Afghanistan. The Marines bought approximately 3,800 of these pistols with Blackhawk tactical holsters.

The M9 pistol is, up to date, unlikely to undergo mass replacement within U.S. Armed Forces soon. During the 2009 SHOT Show, Beretta has announced to the public to have received a 220 million US$ contract for the delivery of 450,000 M92-FS pistols (both M9 and M9A1) to the U.S. military, with a 5-years span.^[3]

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[edit] Technical description

A short recoil, semi-automatic, single-action / double-action pistol, the M9 uses a 15-round staggered magazine with a reversible magazine release button that can be positioned for either right- or left-handed shooters.

Specifications:

• Caliber: FMJ 9x19mm NATO
• Length: 8.54″ (217 mm)
• Barrel length: 4.92″ (125 mm)
• Weight: 2.1 lb (unloaded); 2.56 lb (1.145 kg) (with loaded magazine)
• Capacity: 15
• Feed device: 15 round detachable box magazine (larger capacities available)
• Modes of Fire: DA/SA
• Muzzle velocity: 1160 ft/s (354 m/s)
• Safeties: Ambidextrous manual safety/decocker, rising firing pin block, half-cock notch
• Sights: Blade front w/ notch rear (dovetailed to slide)
• Maximum Effective Range: 50 m

The M9 is used with the M12 Holster (Part of the Beretta UM84 Holster System), though other holsters are often used.

[edit] Adoption: JSSAP, XM9, and XM10 trials

M9 during firing with cartridge shell being ejected

Under the Joint Service Small Arms Program which was run by the U.S. Air Force, a number of 9 mm pistol designs were trialed in the late 1970s to find a replacement for the M1911. The 9 mm round was selected for compliance with NATO standardization. In 1980, the Beretta 92S-1 design was chosen over entries from Colt, Smith & Wesson, the Star M28, and various Fabrique Nationale and Heckler & Koch models. The result, however, was challenged by the Army and new tests were to be done, this time run by the Army rather than the Air Force. In 1984, the trials started again with updated entries from Smith & Wesson, Beretta, SIG Sauer, Heckler & Koch, Walther, Steyr, and Fabrique Nationale. Beretta won this competition but there was a new trial, the XM10 competition, in 1988. This resulted in two different trials that were more limited, but resulted in the Beretta design being kept, with an update to it happening during the same time frame.

[edit] Controversy

M1911A1 and early M9

Prior to its widespread adoption by the U.S. military, questions were raised in a General Accounting Office report after an incident where a slide failure on a Beretta 92SB injured a Naval Special Warfare member^[4] and two more failures were later observed in additional testing. These failures included both military and civilian Beretta models with very high round counts and after investigation they were deemed the result of ammunition supplied by the U.S. Army which exceeded the recommended pressures specified by NATO and by Beretta, but nonetheless provoked a modification in the M9 design to prevent slide failure from causing injuries.

• 63% reported confidence in the M9.
• Soldiers had problems with the magazine springs becoming too slack.
• 50% reported rust and corrosion problems, especially with the barrel.

M9 pistol field stripped

The U.S. military has been criticized for not purchasing magazines from Beretta. In 2006, the military awarded a contract to Airtronic USA due to the previous manufacturer, Check-Mate Industries, charging too much per magazine^[5], though Check-Mate magazines are still sometimes issued. Check-Mate magazines have been shown to have severe problems with reliability. Prior to Check-Mate magazines being purchased, the military purchased magazines from the Italian firm Mec-Gar. Because Mec-Gar magazines had the least problems, some troops issued the M9 buy their own Mec-Gar magazines.

In 2003-2004 there were reported failures with the government contracted 9 mm magazines. After extensive testing and actual testimony given by the troops it was concluded that the failures were due to the heavy phosphate finish called for in the government contract, combined with the unique environmental conditions in Iraq. After corrections to the government required specifications for the magazine finish, almost two million new magazines have been distributed without any further malfunctions.

In the competition to find a new vendor, three finalists were chosen; these three were Airtronic Services, Inc. classified as a “Moderate Risk”, PHT Supply (partnered with Triple K Mfg.) also classified as a “Moderate Risk” and Check-Mate Industries, Inc. classified as a “Very Low Risk”. Of the three Airtronic Services, Inc was chosen due to their low bid of “$22,471,600″ (Source: GAO). Airtronic Services delivered the first 900,000 magazines with zero failures, while costing less than the previous supplier Check-Mate Industries (source GAO and US Court of Federal Small Claims).

The Marine Corps Times reported plans in July 2007 to transition all officers below the rank of Lieutenant Colonel and all NCOs from being issued the M9. Instead, they will be issued the M4 Carbine to better meet the needs of modern warfare. The new assignment policy will still assign M9 pistols to Marine Colonels and above and Navy Petty Officer First Class and above only.^[6]

The United States Coast Guard has transitioned to the Sig Sauer P229 .40 Caliber as its sole personal defense weapon. Some M9s still remain in service in reserve units. The Beretta M9 is also the sole personal sidearm used by the Air Force Security Forces.

[edit] See also

Military of the United States portal

• M9 Bayonet A U.S. bayonet for the M16 rifle introduced in the same period
• M9 Armored Combat Earthmover A U.S. armored bulldozer
• Beretta 92

[edit] References

• Army Factfile on the M9 Pistol
• GAO Report NSIAD-89-59
• GAO Report NSIAD-88-213
• GAO Decision
• Court of Federal Claims

[edit] External links

• Official Beretta 92 series page
• FAS article on M9

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

P90
The P90
Type	Personal Defense Weapon
Place of origin	Belgium
Service history
In service	1994–present
Used by	See Users
Production history
Designed	1986–1987
Manufacturer	Fabrique Nationale de Herstal
Produced	1993–present
Variants	See Variants
Specifications
Weight	2.54 kg (5.60 lb) empty 3.0 kg (6.6 lb) loaded[1]
Length	500 mm (19.7 in)
Barrel length	263 mm (10.4 in)[1] 256.5 mm (10.1 in) (new models)
Width	55 mm (2.2 in)
Height	210 mm (8.3 in)
Cartridge	5.7x28mm[2]
Action	Straight blowback, closed bolt
Rate of fire	900 rounds/min
Muzzle velocity	715 m/s (2,346 ft/s) (SS190) 850 m/s (2,788.7 ft/s) (SS90)
Effective range	Sights fixed for 150 m
Maximum range	200 m
Feed system	50-round detachable box magazine
Sights	Tritium-illuminated reflex sight, back-up iron sights

The P90 is a Belgian designed submachine gun. The weapon’s name is an abbreviation of Project 90, which specifies a weapon system of the 1990s.^[3] The P90 is considered a Personal Defense Weapon (PDW), and was designed as a compact but powerful firearm for vehicle drivers, operators of crew-served weapons, support personnel, special forces and anti-terrorist units.

Developed between 1986–1987 at Fabrique Nationale de Herstal, the P90 features a compact bullpup design, ambidextrous grip and a polymer and alloy-based construction. The weapon contains several innovative features including the proprietary 5.7x28mm ammunition, designed for greater penetration of body armour than pistol ammunition.

The P90 and variants are in use by over twenty military and police forces worldwide, and sports models are popular among civilian shooters.

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[edit] Development

The P90 was developed between 1986 and 1987 in Herstal, Belgium. Its goal was to replace the pistol-caliber carbines which were in use at the time by military and law enforcement personnel, as it had become evident that such weapons were ineffective against body armour, even with the longer barrel length compared to handguns.^[4]

The gun was designed in conjunction with the new 5.7x28mm cartridge, which has a greater penetrating capability, lethal range and flatter trajectory than most other pistol caliber cartridges such as the NATO-standard 9x19mm Parabellum round. Initially the weapon used a 5.7x28mm SS90 cartridge (with a lightweight, roundnose, jacketed projectile and a polymer core), as well as tracer, training (reduced range), sub-caliber (increased velocity and effective range of up to 250 m) and blank ammunition. The first prototype firing this ammunition was completed in October 1986, and over 3,000 submachine guns were produced in this configuration until 1993 in a low-rate initial production run.

Meanwhile, FN revised the ammunition, with the intention of using it in a planned semi-automatic pistol of the same caliber – the Five-seven. The new cartridge, designated the SS190, has a more conventional full metal, plated steel jacket, lead core and steel/aluminium penetrator. Several other projectiles were also developed for the new cartridge, including the L191 tracer round, a subsonic SB193 bullet for sound-suppressed P90 firearms and blank ammunition. A modified version of the P90 adapted to use the new ammunition was introduced in 1993.

[edit] Design

The patented horizontal magazine

The P90 is a selective fire straight blowback-operated weapon with a short recoiling barrel and fires from a closed bolt. The return mechanism consists of two parallel spring guide rods that also guide the bolt carrier assembly. The weapon uses an internal hammer striking mechanism and a trigger mechanism with a three-position rotary dial fire control selector, located centrally beneath the trigger. The fire selector also provides a manual safety against accidental firing. The dial in the “S” position – weapon safe, “1″ – semi-automatic fire, “A” – fully automatic fire. When set on “A”, the selector provides a two-stage trigger operation. Pulling the trigger back slightly produces semi-automatic fire and pulling the trigger fully to the rear will produce fully automatic fire. The “safe” setting disables the trigger.

The P90 uses an original horizontally-mounted feeding system that is patent protected in the United States (U.S. Patent 4,905,394 dated March 6 1990), authored by René Predazzer.^[5] It uses a 50-round box magazine, mounted parallel to the bore axis that locks in place between the charging handles and optical sight, flush with the receiver top cover. The magazine is made of a lightweight, translucent polycarbonate and allows for visual ammunition verification. The base of the magazine is located near the muzzle end, the feed lips above the barrel chamber in a circular bulge that contains the feed tray. Cartridges in the magazine body are double stacked to the left side. The magazine features a follower with rollers and a spiral feed ramp that will rotate a cartridge 90° to the right aligning it in a double stack pattern within the magazine.

The weapon’s hammer-forged steel barrel is fitted with a ported, diagonally cut flash suppressor that also acts as a recoil compensator. Early models did not have the cut in the flash hider. The P90 is equipped with an unmagnified HC-14-62 reflex sight from Ring Sights, which enables quick target acquisition up to 150 metres (490 ft) and operation in low-level lighting conditions thanks to a tritium-illuminated aiming reticle. Newer units are fitted with the Ring Sights MC-10-80 sight designed specifically for the P90. It uses a forward-aimed fiber optic collector to illuminate the daytime reticle, which consists of a large circle of about 180 Minute of arc (MOA), with a 20 MOA circle surrounding a dot in the center. The night reticle consists of an open “T” that is primarily illuminated by a tritium module or moonlight and ambient light drawn in by an upward-facing collector. The sight is adjustable for both windage and elevation and can be used with night vision equipment.^[6] Auxiliary fixed sights are provided on both sides of the receiver’s cast aluminium optical sight housing.

The P90 is fully ambidextrous; it can be operated by right or left-handed shooters without making any modifications to the weapon. The charging handle, auxiliary fixed sights and magazine release are symmetrically distributed on both sides of the firearm. The manual fire selector below the trigger can be operated from either side. Spent cartridge casings are ejected downward through a chute located aft of the pistol grip, keeping fired cases out of the shooter’s line of sight.

The P90 is designed in the bullpup configuration which reduces the firearm’s overall length while retaining a full-length barrel. The pistol grip with thumbhole and oversized trigger guard act as the forward grip, a handstop is incorporated into the weapon’s stock to prevent the operator from accidentally reaching out in front of the barrel during firing. The P90 is a modular firearm and consists of 69 parts that disassemble into four main groups: the barrel with integrated sight assembly, receiver with return mechanism, stock body with trigger and firing mechanism and the magazine. The P90 makes extensive use of polymers and lightweight alloys to reduce both the weight and the cost of the weapon.

It can also be fitted with a laser aiming module integrated into the stock body, beneath the barrel and the SP90 suppressor, made by Gemtech, which has a length of 184 mm (7.2 in) and weighs 550 g (19 oz).

[edit] Variants

A disassembled PS90, showing the major component groups: 1. trigger group, 2. barrel and optical sight assembly, 3. butt plate, 4. magazine, 5. bolt carrier and recoil assembly, 6. stock body and trigger. The standard P90 disassembles into similar main components.

The firearm is produced in several variations. All of these versions are able to mount certain optional accessories such as tactical slings, empty case collector bags, bayonets, visible and infrared laser aiming modules (LAM) and tactical flashlights.

The P90 TR features a receiver-mounted triple MIL-STD-1913 rail interface system or “Triple Rail” (TR). There is one full-length rail on the top of the base and two rail “stumps” on both sides of the receiver. The side rails serve as mounting points for tactical accessories such as laser pointers or halogen flashlights, while the integrated top rail will accept various optics with no tools or additional mounting hardware required. Some components of the P90 TR and standard P90 are not interchangeable since the entire receiver assembly is different.

Another variant is the P90 USG, which is similar to the standard P90 with the exception of the revised optic system and side rail, developed based on input from the United States Secret Service and other government agencies. The aluminium sight uses a non-magnified black reticle that does not require ambient light. This sight does not suffer from the problems of the regular MC-10-80, since the reticle does not “wash out” against bright backgrounds.

The P90 LV and P90 LIR add an integrated visible laser sight or infrared sight respectively. Both units are manufactured by the Australian company Laserex Technologies. The lasers have three internal settings: “off”, to prevent accidental activation, “low-intensity”, for combat training and extended battery life, and “high-intensity” – for maximum visibility. The laser’s power switch is a green button located under the trigger grip. The battery compartment is located below this button.

The PS90 is a semi-automatic only sport version designed for the civilian market. It has a 407 mm (16.0 in) barrel, an olive drab synthetic stock body (black synthetic stock is available in limited production quantities), and an MC-10-80 reflex sight identical to that used on the standard P90. The MC-10-80 can be removed and replaced with a special top rail in order to use third party optics. The barrel has 8 right-hand grooves, a 1:7 twist, a rifled length of 376 mm and comes with a fixed “birdcage” type flash suppressor. The overall length of the PS90 is 667 mm. The trigger pull is rated at approximately 7.5 to 8 lb_f (33 to 36 N). The receiver assembly is drilled and tapped to accept accessory Picatinny rails on either side. The front swivel sling mount is not included, and installation requires the barrel shroud to be unpinned and removed. It accepts the standard P90 50-round magazines, but is sold only with a 10 or 30-round magazine depending on local and state regulations. The PS90 weighs 2.9 kg (6.4 lb) empty and 3.4 kg (7.5 lb) with a fully loaded 50-round magazine.

The PS90 TR, or Triple Rail, uses a different receiver assembly that is similar to the P90 TR. The standard back-up iron sights are no longer present, and instead, the top of the receiver is machined to form a Picatinny rail. There is no provision for using back-up fixed sights with the PS90 TR. Two plastic side-rails are included for mounting lasers or tactical flashlights. The PS90 TR is available with either an olive-drab or black polymer stock.

Another semi-automatic variant is the PS90 USG, which like the standard P90 USG, replaces the MC-10-80 reflex sight with an unmagnified sight with a black ring aiming reticle. The PS90 USG is also available with either olive-drab or black furniture.

[edit] Users

FN P90 in the hands of Cypriot National Guard during a parade in Larnaca.

• Austria: Austrian Army, Jagdkommando.
• Argentina: Buzos Tácticos and Amphibious Commandos Group.
• Bangladesh: Bangladeshi anti-terrorism agency RAB and special forces.
• Belgium: Belgian Directorate of Special Units and Special Forces Group.
• Canada: Used by police in the Halifax Regional Municipality in Nova Scotia and by the Service de police de la Ville de Montréal.
• Chile: Chilean Army, Chilean Marines.
• Cyprus: The Cypriot National Guard purchased 350 P90s for use by their special forces. The order included suppressors, laser target designators and tactical flashlights.
• France: Used by some specialized units within the French Army, such as the Troupes de marine naval infantry regiment and 1st Marine Infantry Airborne Regiment (1er Régiment Parachutiste d’Infanterie de Marine).^[7] Also used by the French Gendarmerie GIGN and National Police RAID.
• Greece: Coast Guard.
• India: Special Protection Group.
• Republic of Ireland: Irish Army Rangers.
• Italy: GIS, also being evaluated by other special forces groups including COMSUBIN.
• Lebanon: Used by the Republican Guard Brigade and armed personnel of the General Security Directorate and State Security Directorate.^{[citation needed]}
• Malaysia: Navy PASKAL counter-terrorist force.
• Mexico: Mexican Navy and the Fuerzas Especiales (special forces).
• Morocco: GISGR (Groupement d’Intervention et de Sécurité de la Gendarmerie Royale).
• Netherlands: Bijzondere Bijstands Eenheid and Korps Commandotroepen counter-terrorism units.
• Pakistan: Pakistan Army, Special Service Group and VIP protection squads.
• Panama: Institutional Protective Service.
• Peru: Peruvian Navy and special forces.
• Poland: The P90 TR is in limited use by the special operations formation GROM.^[8]
• Portugal: Special Operations Group.
• Saudi Arabia: Special Emergency Force.
• Singapore: Singapore Armed Forces Commando Formation.
• Spain: Spanish police GEO unit^[9] and Guardia Civil. Also used by the Spanish Armed Forces for special operation units such as the Escuadron de Apoyo al Despliegue Aereo (EADA) and the Escuadron de Zapadores Paracaidistas (EZAPAC).
• Thailand: Royal Thai Army special forces.
• United Kingdom: Used by the West Midlands Police at Birmingham Airport, and other constabularies at regional airports.
• United States: Used by the United States Secret Service, the former Immigration and Naturalization Service and numerous law enforcement agencies, many of them for their SWAT units. The first U.S. team to adopt the weapon was the Richland County Sheriff’s Department in South Carolina.^[10][11] It is also used by SWAT teams in Washington D.C. and Indianapolis. In California, the San Francisco Police Department SWAT team uses the P90.^[12][13] In Missouri, the Columbia and Hallsville police departments are among those whose special-duty units have them, while the Creve Coeur Police Department uses the P90 as their patrol duty rifle, making it one of the few agencies to give it widespread usage.

[edit] See also

• Heckler & Koch MP7
• Knight’s Armament Company PDW

[edit] References

[edit] External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: FN P90

• FN Herstal official page
• FNH USA
• Modern Firearms
• Ring Sights – reflex sight specifications
• FN Herstal promotional video at YouTube
• Video demonstration of the P90 at YouTube
• Video of operation at YouTube (Japanese)

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

This article needs additional citations for verification. Please help improve this article by adding reliable references. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. (November 2008)

For the computer game, see Delta Force (video game). For the movie, see The Delta Force (film). For the Vietnam War Era Special forces unit see Project DELTA.

1st Special Forces Operational Detachment-Delta (Airborne)
Standard USASOC Patch worn by SFOD-D Members on Class-A Uniforms
Active	November 21, 1977-present
Country	United States
Branch	United States Army
Type	United States Special Operations Forces
Role	Versatile Special Operations Force, mainly trained for Counter-Terrorism.
Size	Unknown
Part of	Joint Special Operations Command (JSOC) United States Special Operations Command (USSOCOM)
Garrison/HQ	Fort Bragg, North Carolina (35*09’15.71N, 79*04’38.71W)
Nickname	“Delta Force”
Engagements	Operation Eagle Claw Operation Urgent Fury Operation Just Cause Operation Desert Storm Operation Restore Hope Operation Gothic Serpent Operation Enduring Freedom Operation Iraqi Freedom Operation Vigilant Resolve

The 1st Special Forces Operational Detachment-Delta (1st SFOD-D) — commonly known as Delta, Delta Force and as the Combat Applications Group by the Department of Defense — is a Special Operations Force (SOF) and an integral element of the Joint Special Operations Command (JSOC).

Delta Force’s primary tasks are counterterrorism, counterinsurgency and national intervention operations, although it is an extremely versatile group capable of assuming many covert missions, including, but not limited to, rescuing hostages, raids, and eliminating covert enemy forces. Delta Force conducts missions similar to those attributed to the British Special Air Service (SAS), on which it was originally modeled.

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[edit] Background

This section needs additional citations for verification. Please help improve this article by adding reliable references. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. (November 2008)

The unit was started by Colonel Charles Beckwith in 1977. Throughout its creation, the unit had the benefit of experience from the British SAS, with which Colonel Beckwith served and trained while on loan through an officer exchange program with the British from 1961 to 1962.

The unit took part in Operation Eagle Claw, the failed attempt to rescue American hostages from the US Embassy in Tehran in 1980. The mission failed due to an overly complex plan, inadequate Special Operations Aviation training for the accompanying aircrews, a collision between a rescue helicopter and a refueling tanker aircraft, and mechanical problems that reduced the number of available helicopters from the initial eight to only five (one fewer than minimum required) before the mission contingent left the refueling site to stage for the attack.

After that failure, the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (Airborne), also known as the “Nightstalkers”, was founded and made responsible for the transporting of special forces personnel to and from Areas of Operation.

In 1999, writer Mark Bowden published the book Black Hawk Down: A Story of Modern War, which chronicles the events that surrounded the October 3, 1993 Battle of Mogadishu.^[1] The book, in a short brief, relates Delta Force’s involvement in the operations that occurred before the events leading to the battle.^[1] The book was turned into a film by director Ridley Scott in 2001.

In 2006, Bowden published another book, Guests Of The Ayatollah: The First Battle In America’s War With Militant Islam, which chronicles the events of the Iran hostage crisis. The book contains first-hand accounts of Delta Force’s involvement in the failed rescue attempt. An accompanying piece on The Atlantic Monthly’s web site contains pictures and interview videos from some of the participants.

1st SFOD-D has also participated in operations in a variety of foreign locations, including in Beirut, Lebanon and extensively in Central America, fighting the Salvadoran revolutionary group Farabundo Marti National Liberation Front and assisting the CIA-funded Contras in Nicaragua.^[2]

[edit] Overview

The Pentagon tightly controls information about Delta Force and publicly refuses to comment on the secretive unit and its activities.

Delta operators are granted an enormous amount of flexibility and autonomy, similar to their US Navy counterparts in DEVGRU. They will rarely wear any general uniform and civilian clothing is the norm on or off duty.^[2] This is done to conceal the identities of these “secret soldiers”.^[2] When military uniforms are worn, they lack markings, surnames, or branch names.^[2] Hair styles and facial hair are allowed to grow to civilian standards in order for the force to be able to blend in and not be immediately recognized as military personnel.^[2]

This special status, which sets the force apart from the “regular army,” is mentioned in the book Black Hawk Down by Mark Bowden (though less so in the film of the same name).^[1] Delta operators are allowed a significant degree of latitude in their personal grooming standards.^[1] They are allowed to grow their hair longer than what “normal” army regulations would allow.^[1]

[edit] Organization

According to the book Inside Delta Force by Command Sergeant Major Eric L. Haney (ret.), the smallest unit is a team, consisting of four to five members.^[2] Each team specializes in HALO/HAHO, SCUBA, or other skill groups.^[2] The next tier is the troop level, consisting of four to five teams.^[2] Squadron level (there are three squadrons) consists of two troops (Short gun-assault and Long gun-sniper) which are broken down into troops and teams as needed to fit mission requirements.^[2]

In Not a Good Day to Die: The Untold Story of Operation Anaconda, Army Times staff writer Sean Naylor describes Delta as having nearly 1,000 operators.^[3] Naylor wrote that approximately 250 of those are operators trained to conduct direct action and reconnaissance missions.^[3] Those soldiers are divided into three squadrons—A, B, and C—with each squadron subdivided into three troops.^[3] Two are assault troops while a third troop specializes in reconnaissance and surveillance and is known as the “recce” troop.^[3] The remaining soldiers in Delta are highly trained specialists in mechanics, communications, intelligence, and other support activities, on top of a headquarters staff.^[3]

Naylor also wrote that Delta maintains an aviation platoon using aircraft painted in civilian schemes and with fake identification numbers, different from the aircraft of the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (Airborne).^[3] This aviation platoon allegedly uses as many as twelve AH-6 and MH-6 Little Birds.^[3] A Defense Department Web site also refers to an award given to the Aviation Squadron HQ, 1st Special Forces Operational Detachment-DELTA (Airborne). ^[4]

[edit] Recruitment and training

Most recruits come from the United States Army Special Forces and the 75th Ranger Regiment.^[5] Personnel must be male, in the rank of Sergeant (E-5) or above and attend a Delta briefing even to be considered for admission. Since the 1990s, the Army has posted recruitment notices for the 1st SFOD-D ^[6], which many believe refers to Delta Force. The Army, however, has never released an official fact sheet for the force. The recruitment notices placed in Fort Bragg’s newspaper, Paraglide, refer to Delta Force by name, and label it “…the Department of Defense’s highest priority unit…” ^[7]. The notice states that all applicants must be 22 years or older, have a general technical score of 110 or higher, and be in the ranks of E-5 through E-8, with at least four and a half years in service.

Such recruits are men with skills such as proficiency in a foreign language or other desirable traits. The selection process is based on the UK SAS model ^[8][9]. The selection course begins with standard tests including: push-ups, sit-ups, and a three mile run. The recruits are then put through a series of land navigation courses to include an eighteen-mile, all-night land navigation course while carrying a thirty-five pound rucksack. The rucksack’s weight and the distance of the courses are increased and the time standards to complete the task are shortened with every march. The physical testing ends with a forty-mile march with a forty-five pound rucksack over very rough terrain which must be completed in an unknown amount of time. It is said that only the highest-ranking members of the Pentagon are allowed to see the set time limits, but all assessment and selection tasks and conditions are set by Delta training cadre.^[9][2] The mental portion of the testing begins with numerous psychological exams. The men then go in front of a board of Delta instructors, unit psychologists and the Delta commander who ask the candidate a barrage of questions and will dissect every response and mannerism of the candidate. The candidate will eventually become mentally exhausted. The unit commander will then approach the candidate and will tell him if he has been successful. If an individual is selected for Delta, he will then go through an intense 6 month Operator Training Course (OTC), where they will learn the art of counter-terrorism. This will include firearm accuracy and various other munition training.^[2]

On many occasions, Delta Force will cross-train with similar units from allied countries such as the Australian Special Air Service, British Special Air Service, Canadian JTF 2, French GIGN, German KSK and Israeli SM, as well as helping to train other U.S. counter-terrorism and national intervention units, such as the FBI’s HRT.^{[citation needed]}

[edit] History

[edit] Known operations

This section does not cite any references or sources. Please help improve this section by adding citations to reliable sources. Unverifiable material may be challenged and removed. (November 2008)

This section may contain original research or unverified claims. Please improve the article by adding references. See the talk page for details. (November 2008)

Operation	Country	Year	Outcome
Operation Eagle Claw	Iran	1980	Tactical and strategic failure with 8 killed in action
Operation Urgent Fury	Grenada	1983	Decisive victory
Operation Acid Gambit	Panama	1989	Victory
Operation Just Cause	Panama	1989	Decisive victory
Operation Desert Shield	Iraq	1990	Decisive victory[citation needed]
Operation Desert Storm	Iraq	1991	Decisive victory
Operation Restore Hope	Somalia	1993	Success[citation needed]
Operation Gothic Serpent	Somalia	1993	Tactical success, but with 19 killed in action (6 Delta). Strategic failure
Operation Enduring Freedom	Afghanistan	2001	Success, but Osama bin Laden was able to escape
Operation Anaconda (subordinate operation to OEF)	Afghanistan	2002	Success[citation needed]
Operation Iraqi Freedom	Iraq	2003	Tactical success
Operation Vigilant Resolve	Iraq	2004	27 US Marines killed in action, failure of action which later led to Operation Phantom Fury

[edit] Delta Force in modern conflicts

Fred Pushies alleges that Delta Force assisted in providing security at the 1984 Olympic Games in Los Angeles. They supposedly used a mobile command post disguised as a Budweiser delivery truck.

In his book Killing Pablo, Mark Bowden suggests that a Delta Force sniper may have eliminated Colombian drug lord Pablo Escobar. There is no hard evidence of this though and credit is generally attributed to Colombian security forces.

On August 8, 1993 members of Delta Force were sent in with U.S. Army Rangers and Navy SEALs in the conflict in Mogadishu, Somalia on which the movie Black Hawk Down was based. They were sent in to secure several of Mohammed Farah Aidid‘s top lieutenants, as well as a few other targets of high value. The mission was compromised after two UH-60 Blackhawks were shot down by RPGs. This resulted in an ongoing battle and led to the death of five Delta operators (a sixth was killed by mortar fire some days later), six Rangers, five Army aviation crew and two 10th Mountain Division soldiers.

In January 1997, a small Delta advance team and six members of the British SAS were sent to Lima, Peru immediately following the takeover of the Japanese Ambassador’s residence.^[10]

Members of Delta Force were also involved in preparing security for the 1999 Seattle WTO Conference, specifically against a chemical weapon attack.^[11]

Delta Force was also involved in the offensive against the Taliban in Afghanistan in 2001 ^[12]. Many observers^[who?] strongly suspect that members of Delta Force made up one of two units involved in a raid on a residence belonging to Mullah Omar. According to the Pentagon, the level of resistance to that operation was minimal.

Though the Mullah was not present, some papers and computer disks were said to have been seized in the raid. Critics^[who?] later alleged that the second unit was unnecessary, claiming that it was very large and uncoordinated. As a result, they say, the defenders were alerted early and the number of friendly casualties was in fact higher than reported. According to the book Shadow Wars by David Pugliese, Delta operators wanted a quiet insertion method which was denied as command opted for a combined Ranger assault. Taliban fighters apparently ambushed the team when they were extracting and several Delta operators were severely wounded.

One of several operations in which Delta Force operators are thought to have played important roles was the 2003 invasion of Iraq^[13]. They allegedly entered Baghdad in advance, undercover, along with SEALs from DEVGRU. Their tasks included guiding air strikes, and building networks of informants while eavesdropping on, and sabotaging, Iraqi communication lines.

Delta Force has formed the core of the special strike unit which has been hunting High Value Target (HVT) individuals like Osama Bin Laden and other key al-Qaeda and Taliban leadership since October 2001, the beginning of Operation Enduring Freedom. It has been variously designated Task Force 11, Task Force 20, Task Force 121, Task Force 145 and Task Force 6-26.

[edit] See also

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: 1st Special Forces Operational Detachment-Delta (Airborne)

• List of special forces units
• Weaponry used by Delta Force
• Delta Force in popular culture
• List of Delta Force members

[edit] Bibliography

• Beckwith, Charles (with Donald Knox) (1983). Delta Force
• Haney, Eric L. (2002). Inside Delta Force. New York: Delacorte Press, 325. ISBN 9780385336031.
• Bowden, Mark (1999). Black Hawk Down: A Story of Modern War. Atlantic Monthly Press. Berkeley, California (USA). ISBN 0-87113-738-0 about operation Gothic Serpent
• Bowden, Mark (2001). Killing Pablo: The Hunt for the World’s Greatest Outlaw. ISBN 0-87113-783-6 about the hunt for Pablo Escobar
• Bowden, Mark (2006). Guests Of The Ayatollah: The First Battle In America’s War With Militant Islam. Atlantic Monthly Press. ISBN 0-87113-925-1.
• Bowden, Mark (May 2006). “The Desert One Debacle”. The Atlantic Monthly. http://www.theatlantic.com/doc/200605/iran-hostage.
• Naylor, Sean (2005). “Not a Good Day to Die: The Untold Story of Operation Anaconda“, Penguin Group, New York about Operation Anaconda
• Griswold, Terry. “DELTA, America’s Elite Counterterrorist Force”, ISBN 0-87938-615-0
• Robinson, Linda, Masters of Chaos: The Secret History of the Special Forces
• National Geographic Documentary: Road to Baghdad
• Pushies, Fred J., et al. (2002). U. S. Counter-Terrorist Forces. Unknown: Crestline Imprints, 201. ISBN 0760313636.

[edit] References

[edit] External links

• http://www.defenselink.mil/ The official website of the United States Department of Defense, US Department of Defense, DoD
• http://www.army.mil/ US Army
• http://www.specialoperations.com/Army/Delta_Force/default.html
• http://www.aei.org/events/filter.all,eventID.1030/transcript.asp Transcript of Sean Naylor’s speech to American Enterprise Institute
• http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/agency/army/sfod-d.htm 1st Special Forces Operational Detachment (Airborne) DELTA

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Joint Task Force 2 (JTF2)
Active	1993–present
Country	Canada
Branch	Tri-Services
Type	Special Forces
Role	Special Forces
Part of	Canadian Special Operations Forces Command
Garrison/HQ	Dwyer Hill Training Centre
Nickname	JTF2
Motto	Facta non verba (Deeds, not words)
Engagements	2005-2006 Christian Peacemaker hostage crisis, 2004 Haiti Crisis, War in Afghanistan (other operations are deemed classified by Canadian Forces)
Decorations	United States Presidential Unit Citation
Commanders
Notable commanders	Colonel Barry MacLeod, Lieutenant Colonel Ray Romses

Joint Task Force 2 (JTF2) was formed on April 1, 1993 and is the Canadian Forces unit responsible for federal counter-terrorist operations. Its mission is to provide a unit capable of rendering armed assistance in the resolution of an incident that is affecting, or has the potential to affect, the national interest. JTF2 is subordinate to the Canadian Special Operations Forces Command and, along with the Canadian Special Operations Regiment (CSOR), forms the core of Canada’s special operations forces.

While the unit has a primary focus on counter-terrorism, its roles have expanded over the years and it has likely assumed roles similar to that of other allied SOF units such as the British Special Air Service (SAS) and the United States Delta Force.

The Canadian government has been very secretive about releasing any information about the capabilities, organization and operational missions of the unit. However, some information has appeared. In 2002, author David Pugliese published a book, “Canada’s Secret Commandos: The Unauthorized Story of Joint Task Force Two“. This is the first book to examine JTF2 seriously. The Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC) has a web page with information on the unit.^[1]. In 2008, Denis Morrisett, a former member of JTF2 published a book about JTF2, named Nous étions invincibles.

Recently, the Canadian Forces (CF) has created a website^[2] dedicated to JTF2, which contains more information on the selection and training process. Most of the following information is derived from that website.

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[edit] Unit history

JTF2 does not perpetuate any conventional unit and it is believed the unit is not organized along conventional lines. JTF2′s name was derived from JTF4, a joint military and police unit involved with drug enforcement in Florida, which was viewed by then deputy defence minister, Robert Fowler, on a 1992 visit to that state. JTF”2″ was selected to add mystery to the unit as there has never been a JTF”1″ in the CF.^[3]

JTF2 was created on 1 April 1993, when the Canadian Forces assumed responsibility for federal counter-terrorism operations from the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) Special Emergency Response Team or SERT. Since its inception, the unit has continuously evolved to meet modern-day threats, focusing in particular on the “elusive, sophisticated and determined enemy” such as those responsible for the September 11, 2001 attacks. JTF2 is continuously developing new capabilities, technologies, and tactics.

JTF2 recognizes the year 2001 as an important milestone in its history when the unit was committed to the International Special Operations Forces coalition in Afghanistan. This deployment was the first time JTF2 was acknowledged to have served in a combat role outside Canada. The unit played a critical role in coalition special operations forces and earned the respect of Canada’s allies for its professionalism.^[4]

[edit] Command, control, and organization

JTF2 is a subordinate unit to CANSOFCOM which in turn reports directly to National Defence Headquarters (NDHQ) in Ottawa. Very little is known about unit composition, but it is believed that it is organized in a similar fashion to the Special Air Service (e.g. a headquarters unit, plus an unknown number of squadrons). The exact number of members is unknown but speculation is that the initial size was around 250, with a possible recent expansion to 600.^[1]

[edit] Selection and training

JTF2 candidates can come from all branches and all elements (air, land and sea) of the Canadian Forces. Regular Force candidates must be trade qualified and have at least two years in service. Reservists must have at least three years in service.

JTF2 personnel are divided into two categories: Category A – special operations assaulters (SOA) who are directly employed in the tactical aspects of special operations and other high value tasks; and Category B – support and specialist personnel (SP) fill positions in staff officer, support, and specialist positions. This category also includes the special operations coxswain position.

Candidates for JTF2 are expected to be physically fit, capable of high levels of stamina and mental endurance. The minimum fitness level is as follows:

Category A – special operations assaulters:

• 2.4 km run: 9 minutes 45 seconds or less
• Push ups (no rest stops): minimum 40
• Sit-ups (1 minute): minimum 40
• Over hand, straight arm pull-ups: minimum 5
• Bench press from chest to full arm extension: 1 press minimum 65 kg
• CF Swim Test

Category B – specialists:

• 2.4 km run: 11 minutes or less
• Push ups (no rest stops): minimum 40
• Sit-ups (1 minute): minimum 40
• Over hand, straight arm pull-ups: minimum 5
• Bench press from chest to full arm extension: 1 press minimum 65 kg

The members must exert maximum effort during every exercise. Also, all exercises are scored out of a possible 30 points (150 possible points total). Members must score 75 points or more to pass; meeting the minimum standard in all five events will give only 55 points or, in other words, failure. If the physical test is failed, a second chance is rarely granted to enter JTF2.

Category B – support personnel:

• Exempt on CF Expres test.

[edit] Special operations assaulters selection process

Candidates for the SOA positions go through a four-phase selection process. In Phase I the candidate puts an application through their unit’s chain of command. In Phase II the candidate must pass the JTF2 physical fitness test and the CF Swim Test. Once the physical tests have been successfully completed, the candidate takes a screening test, which includes a cognitive ability test and selection interview to assess that they have the attributes necessary required for JTF2 candidates. In the third phase the candidates take part in a seven-day assessment period to assess whether they are capable of successfully passing the Special Operations Assaulter Course (SOAC) During this seven-day period the candidates are pushed to their physical and mental limits. The candidates are placed in a highly stressful environment where they are tested on their ability to identify and react to threats, weapons safety, and decision making under physical and mental duress. They are also assessed on various attributes including:

• Physical fitness (aerobic and anaerobic);
• Performing effectively at heights, in water and confined spaces;
• Team work;
• Problem solving; and
• Interpersonal skills.

For officers Phase III is slightly longer as it includes an extra three-day period where they are tested on their organizational, analytical, communication and presentation skills.

After passing the Phase III, the candidates enter the Phase IV which is a seven-to-eight-month-long Special Operations Assaulter Course (SOAC).

If the candidate passes the SOAC they are promoted to the rank of master corporal or master seaman and join the unit as an assaulter where they are expected to perform the following skills:

• Efficient and safe handling of a variety of civilian and military weapons;
• Efficient and safe handling of explosives;
• Operating a variety of communications equipment;
• First aid;
• Field craft, including patrolling and navigation;
• As a team member perform insertion and extraction drills using air, land and sea equipment; and
• Rappelling.

[edit] Support and specialist members selection process

Candidates for the specialists and support roles also go through a selection process, however, there are differences compared to the selection process for assaulter candidates. The main difference is that they do not have to take the seven-month SOAC. In Phase I candidates submit their applications through their unit’s chain of command. During Phase II, the candidate must successfully complete the CF Expres Test or Specialist Physical Fitness Test, however, they do not have to complete the CF Swim Test and the screening process is done at a later phase than in the assaulters application process. In Phase III the candidates application, fitness test results and related documentation is forwarded to JTF2 for review. Specialist and support candidates do not do a seven-day selection. Finally, during the Phase IV process the candidates are invited for a job interview and psychological testing. Postings for specialist and support average four to six years in length depending on rank and experience level.

[edit] Special operations coxswain selection process

Prior to selection, candidates for special operations coxswain positions must undergo a four-phase selection process. In Phase I the candidates submit their application through their unit’s chain of command. During Phase II the candidates must pass the JTF2 Specialist Physical Fitness Test and the CF Swim Test. In addition, they must take the same screening test that assaulter candidates take to determine their suitability for JTF2. In Phase III the candidates undertake a four-day assessment process. During this assessment the candidates are pushed to their physical and mental limits under physical and mental duress. Here they are assessed on the following criteria:

• Physical fitness (aerobic and anaerobic);
• Performing effectively at heights, in water and in confined spaces;
• Teamwork;
• Emotional stability; and
• Interpersonal skills.

In Phase IV the candidates attend a three-month Special Operations Coxswain Course (SOCC) where they are trained in the following skills:

• Canadian Coast Guard (CCG) RHIOT (Ridgid Hull Inflatable Operator Training);
• CCG Small Boat Course;
• Special insertion and extraction techniques;
• Advanced shooting; and
• Medical and communication skills.

After the successful completion of the SOCC, the candidates may be selected to serve as coxswains with JTF2. Some of the skills the coxswains can expect to use include:

• Preparing, launching and high speed tactical driving of the Special Operations Craft (SOC);
• Navigating to and from operational and training objectives;
• Performing user maintenance on the SOC, vehicles and trailers; and
• Proficiently and safely handling a variety of civilian and military weapons.

[edit] Operations

[edit] Afghanistan: 2001–present

Forty JTF2 Operators were sent to Afghanistan in December 2001, two months after then Minister of Defence, Art Eggleton, announced that Canada would be sending troops to Afghanistan to aid the removal of the Taliban. The CF does not comment on what other SOF units JTF2 works with but it is likely that its American and British counterparts and possibly SOF units from other NATO countries.

In 2004, an estimated 40 members of JTF2 serving with Task Force KBAR were awarded the Presidential Unit Citation by the United States government for service in Afghanistan. However, these members were not allowed to wear their ribbons due to fears by the Canadian government that the award would identify them as members of the counter-terrorist unit.^[3]

Very little is known on JTF2 operations in Afghanistan, but during a conference the Chief of Defence Staff, General Rick Hillier, stated that JTF2 is in “high demand” and that they are considered to be “world class.” He went on to say that the unit is providing direct support to the Afghanistan government and is targeting the Taliban leadership in southern Afghanistan. He stated that “trying to help neutralize those leaders is a key part of their role and that’s what they will continue to do.”^[5]

[edit] Haiti 2004

According to the CBC, JTF2 was in Haiti at the time that Haitian president Jean-Bertrand Aristide was ousted from power. They protected the Canadian embassy and secured the airport.

[edit] Iraq 2006

On Thursday, 23 March 2006, The Pentagon and the British Foreign Office both commented on the instrumental role JTF2 played in rescuing the British and Canadian Christian Peacemaker Team that were being held hostage in Iraq.^[6]

[edit] Unconfirmed action

There has been much speculation in the Canadian media on possible JTF2 operational deployments. Speculation has focused on possible JTF2 deployments in Nepal, Zaire, the Kosovo War, Rwanda, Tanzania, Peru, Congo, Sudan, Bolivia and in conflicts involving native groups in Ontario, Quebec and British Columbia, and other local security threats.[1] In early November 2000, Conservative Defence Critic David Price stated that JTF2 had been deployed to Kosovo, however, this was denied by Prime Minister Jean Chrétien and Defence Minister Art Eggleton.[2]. There are reports indicating that elements from JTF2 in November 1996 were deployed to Rwanda in support of the “CF Operation Assurance” [3]. Other unconfirmed reports have placed JTF2 in Bosnia. In his book Enduring the Freedom, Sean M. Maloney reported that during operations in Afghanistan, Canada’s JTF2 was the only foreign unit accepted to join American Tier 1 special operations units, such as 1st SFOD-D (Delta Force) and DEVGRU in Task Force 11 whose job it was to hunt high value Al Qaeda and Taliban personnel.^[7]

[edit] Unit accountability

JTF2 is a unit of the CF and is subject to exactly the same code of conduct, military discipline and overriding Criminal Code statutes as any other military unit. Due to the strategic nature of its operations, the unit answers directly to the deputy chief of the defence staff in the chain of command. Like other units of the CF, JTF2 follows rules of engagements (ROE) authorized by the chief of the defence staff and are accountable to the military and civilian justice systems. They must follow the same regulations and orders as the rest of the CF. Like any other CF unit, internal oversight bodies such as the chief of review services, the Military Police Complaints Commission, the Pay and Allowances Review Board, the Access to Information Office and the CF ombudsman all have access to JTF2, if required, to carry out their duties.

The names of JTF2 members are not released because of the secrecy that surrounds the unit. On 21 December 2006, a Federal Court judge rejected a request to proceed with a court martial against an unnamed JTF2 officer, accused of assaulting and mistreating a subordinate, because court martial requests require that the accused be named. The judge suggested that they explore other avenues to proceed with the court martial.^[8]

Also, JTF2 has experienced only one known loss of an operator in a combat operation. Master Cpl. Anthony Klumpenhouwer, 25, died on April 18, 2007, while working on a communications tower in Kandahar, Afghanistan.^[9]

[edit] Professionalism

JTF2 is composed of CF members employed in assaulter and supporter roles. All members are carefully screened for service in the unit but it is the assaulters who undergo a selection and training regime for eventual service in the fighting arm of the unit. Any member of the CF, regular or reserve, can apply to become a member of JTF2 after completing two years of service (three years for reservists) and meeting other initial entry requirements. Members of JTF2 are highly motivated, dedicated, mature, mentally robust and physically fit. Potential assaulters are carefully screened to ensure that they meet these criteria and are the type of team-oriented and highly-skilled professional soldier, sailor or airman that can effectively function in this high stress environment. On average, only one in ten candidates that arrive at the unit for final selection will actually become a JTF2 assaulter.

The standards established for selection and employment with the unit are scientifically designed and validated at the CF Dwyer Hill Training Centre in order to ensure that the members selected will be capable of accomplishing all tasks assigned to the unit. These standards include physical abilities, professionalism, integrity, psychological profile, mental aptitude, discipline, and maturity. These standards are required of all unit members, regardless of rank, and are tested regularly.

[edit] Security

JTF2 is subject to very stringent security procedures in order to protect the unit and its mission. However, JTF2 has conducted capability demonstrations for appropriate authorities. The government has also notified the public about its creation in 1993, its expansion following 11 September 2001, and the JTF2 commitment to Afghanistan in 2001, as well as by responding to media questions about the unit within the limits of the security policy. However, it says that being open and transparent about certain aspects of the unit could seriously compromise its effectiveness.

[edit] Equipment

[edit] Weapons

• Heckler & Koch MP5
• FN P90
• Colt Canada C7 and C8
• Entire line of Sig Sauer pistols

[edit] Vehicles

• Rheinmetall YAK

[edit] The future

The federal budget of December 2001 allocated approximately $120 million over six years to expand unit capabilities and double its size (bringing it to an estimated 600), as part of the Government of Canada’s overall plan following the attacks of 11 September 2001. Since then the unit has embarked on a program of expansion and capability enhancement while at the same time maintaining its high operational and training standards.

JTF2 must be ready to respond immediately to any task assigned by the chain of command at home or abroad. The unit maintains the highest operational readiness standards in order to defend Canada against terrorism. On land, at sea and in the air, JTF2 challenges itself to ensure it is ready to defeat a multitude of potential threats.

In April 2005, the Canadian government’s new defence policy statement was made public. It included a concept of first responders for international tasks consisting of “special forces” (such as an expanded JTF2) supported by one of the light battalions. This concept of operations is similar to the US Army Rangers or the new Special Forces Support Group of the UK Special Forces Group, both of which support high-level special forces units. This eventually led to the formation of the Canadian Special Operations Regiment (CSOR).

[edit] References in popular culture

This section does not cite any references or sources. Please help improve this section by adding citations to reliable sources. Unverifiable material may be challenged and removed. (August 2007)

JTF2′s secrecy has kept the unit out of the Canadian public eye for quite some time, though it did appear in the Tom Clancy Rainbow Six video game series. A character named Roger McAllen, who was part of the former Royal Canadian Mounted Police SERT, ported over to JTF2 when they were handed over responsibility for counter-terrorism duties in 1993.

Also, the Battlefield: Bad Company’s Mercenary Spec-ops Team Uses reference to the Quote “Acta, Non Verba” as to JTF2′s “Facta, Non Verba”

Recently, JTF2 has entered the public eye in the new Canadian series The Border. In that series one of the main characters is described as being a former special-forces operator from JTF2. During the third episode of The Border, JTF 2 operators assist Immigration and Customs Security agents by securing a crime scene, searching for missing prisoners from the airplane and investigating an abandoned Sûreté du Québec squad car. One operator is killed and two injured when the squad car is detonated.

On July, 2008, a new Canadian TV series Flashpoint (seen on CTV in Canada and CBS in the United States) makes numerous references to JTF2 and one of the show’s main characters is a former member of the task force.^[10]

[edit] See also

• Canadian Security Intelligence Service
• Emergency Response Team, the RCMP branch dedicated to paramilitary operations.
• First Special Service Force
• List of special forces units
• Special Forces
• Special Emergency Response Team

[edit] References

[edit] Further reading

• Pugliese, David. (2002). Canada’s Secret Commandos: The unauthorized story of Joint Task Force Two. Esprit de Corps Books. ISBN 1895896185
• Denis Morisset. (2008). Nous étions invincibles – Témoignage d’un ex commando. Les éditions JCL. ISBN 9782894313855

[edit] External links

• Official Website (English and French)
• CBC Back ground on JTF2
• JTF2 scopes trained on Taliban elite
• Chrétien denies Canadian commandos in Kosovo
• Ambassador Paul Cellucci’s speech to the CDAI on March 3, 2005 Cellucci remarked,”Canada’s elite, Tier 1 JTF2 is as capable as any Tier 1 Special Forces in the world.”
• ShadowSpear Special Operations Community Website – JTF2
• Background information

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

MP5
MP5A3 (with magazine detached)
Type	Submachine gun
Place of origin	West Germany
Service history
In service	1966–present
Used by	See Users
Production history
Designer	Tilo Möller, Manfred Guhring, Georg Seidl, Helmut Baureuter
Designed	1964–1966
Manufacturer	Heckler & Koch
Produced	1966–present
Variants	See Variants
Specifications
Weight	2.54 kg (5.6 lb) (MP5A2, MP5A4) 3.08 kg (6.8 lb) (MP5A3, MP5A5) 2 kg (4.4 lb) (MP5K, MP5KA1, MP5KA4, MP5KA5) 2.78 kg (6.1 lb) (MP5K-PDW) 2.80 kg (6.2 lb) (MP5SD1, MP5SD4) 3.10 kg (6.8 lb) (MP5SD2, MP5SD5) 3.60 kg (7.9 lb) (MP5SD3, MP5SD6) 2.67 kg (5.9 lb) fixed stock / 2.85 kg (6.3 lb) retractable stock (MP5/10) 2.67 kg (5.9 lb) fixed stock / 2.85 kg (6.3 lb) retractable stock (MP5/40)
Length	Fixed stock: 680 mm (26.8 in) (MP5A2, MP5A4, MP5/10, MP5/40) 790 mm (31.1 in) (MP5SD2, MP5SD5) Telescoping stock: 700 mm (27.6 in) stock extended / 550 mm (21.7 in) stock collapsed (MP5A3, MP5A5) 603 mm (23.7 in) stock extended / 368 mm (14.5 in) stock folded (MP5K-PDW) 805 mm (31.7 in) stock extended / 670 mm (26.4 in) stock collapsed (MP5SD3, MP5SD6) 660 mm (26.0 in) stock extended / 490 mm (19.3 in) stock collapsed (MP5/10, MP5/40) Receiver end cap: 325 mm (12.8 in) (MP5K, MP5KA1, MP5KA4, MP5KA5) 349 mm (13.7 in) (MP5K-PDW) 550 mm (21.7 in) (MP5SD1, MP5SD4)
Barrel length	225 mm (8.9 in) (MP5A2, MP5A4, MP5A3, MP5A5, MP5/10, MP5/40) 115 mm (4.5 in) (MP5K, MP5KA1, MP5KA4, MP5KA5) 140 mm (5.5 in) (MP5K-PDW) 146 mm (5.7 in) (MP5SD1, MP5SD4, MP5SD2, MP5SD5, MP5SD3, MP5SD6)
Width	50 mm (2.0 in) (MP5A2, MP5A4, MP5A3, MP5A5, MP5K, MP5KA1, MP5KA4, MP5KA5, MP5K-PDW, MP5/10, MP5/40) 60 mm (2.4 in) (MP5SD1, MP5SD4, MP5SD2, MP5SD5, MP5SD3, MP5SD6)
Height	260 mm (10.2 in) (MP5A2, MP5A4, MP5A3, MP5A5, MP5SD1, MP5SD4, MP5SD2, MP5SD5, MP5SD3, MP5SD6, MP5/10, MP5/40) 210 mm (8.3 in) (MP5K, MP5KA1, MP5KA4, MP5KA5, MP5K-PDW)
Cartridge	9x19mm Parabellum 10mm Auto (MP5/10) .40 S&W (MP5/40)
Action	Roller-delayed blowback, closed bolt
Rate of fire	800 rounds/min (MP5A2, MP5A4, MP5A3, MP5A5, MP5/10, MP5/40) 700 rounds/min (MP5SD1, MP5SD4, MP5SD2, MP5SD5, MP5SD3, MP5SD6) 900 rounds/min (MP5K, MP5KA1, MP5KA4, MP5KA5, MP5K-PDW)
Muzzle velocity	400 m/s (1,312 ft/s) (MP5A2, MP5A4, MP5A3, MP5A5) 375 m/s (1,230.3 ft/s) (MP5K, MP5KA1, MP5KA4, MP5KA5, MP5K-PDW) 285 m/s (935.0 ft/s) (MP5SD1, MP5SD4, MP5SD2, MP5SD5, MP5SD3, MP5SD6) 425 m/s (1,394.4 ft/s) (MP5/10) 315 m/s (1,033.5 ft/s) (MP5/40)
Effective range	25 to 100 m sight adjustments
Maximum range	150 m
Feed system	15 or 30-round detachable box magazine
Sights	Rear: rotary drum; front: hooded post

The MP5 is a 9 mm submachine gun of German design, developed in the 1960s by a team of engineers from the West German arms manufacturer Heckler & Koch GmbH (H&K) of Oberndorf am Neckar. The company, motivated by the success of the G3 automatic rifle, developed a family of small arms consisting of four types of firearms (all based on a common G3 design layout and operating principle), where the first type was chambered in 7.62x51mm NATO, the second – using the 7.62x39mm M43 round, third – the intermediate 5.56x45mm NATO caliber and the fourth type – chambering the 9x19mm Parabellum pistol cartridge. The MP5 (short for Maschinenpistole 5) was created within the fourth group of firearms, initially known as the HK54.

Work on the MP5 began in 1964 and scarcely two years later it was adopted by the German Federal Police, border guard and army special forces. It is currently used by the armed forces and law enforcement units of over 40 different countries. The submachine guns are manufactured under license in several nations including: Greece (Hellenic Arms Industry), Iran (Defense Industries Organization), Mexico (SEDENA), Pakistan (Pakistan Ordnance Factories), Sudan (Military Industry Corporation), Turkey (MKEK), and the United Kingdom (initially at Royal Ordnance, later diverted to Heckler & Koch Great Britain). The MP5 remains one of the most widely deployed of all current submachine guns and has been developed into a family with numerous variants.

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[edit] Design details

This section may be too long. Please consider splitting it into subsections as suggested by Wikipedia:Layout.

A SEAL Team 8 member armed with an MP5-N variant.

The roller-delayed locking mechanism.

The primary version of the MP5 submachine gun family is the MP5A2, which is a lightweight, air-cooled, selective fire delayed blowback operated weapon with a roller-locked bolt. The weapon fires from a closed bolt (bolt forward) position and the bolt rigidly engages the barrel extension – a cylindrical component welded to the receiver that the barrel is pinned into. The locking mechanism is of the same design as that used in the G3 rifle. The two-part bolt consists of a bolt head with rollers and a bolt carrier. The heavier bolt carrier lies up against the bolt head when the weapon is ready to fire and inclined planes on the front locking piece lie between the rollers and force them out into recesses in the barrel extension. When fired, expanding propellant gases produced from the burning powder in the cartridge exert rearward pressure on the bolt head transferred through the base of the cartridge case. A portion of these forces is transmitted through the locking rollers projecting from the bolt head, which are cammed inward against the inclined flanks of the locking recesses in the barrel extension and to the angled shoulders of the locking piece. The selected angles of the recesses and the incline on the locking piece produce a velocity ratio of about 4:1 between the bolt carrier and the bolt head. This results in a calculated delay, allowing the projectile to exit the barrel and gas pressure to drop to a safe level before the bolt is unlocked and the chamber opened. The delay results from the amount of time it takes for enough recoil energy to be transferred through to the bolt carrier in a sufficient quantity for it to be driven to the rear against the force of inertia of the bolt carrier and the forward pressure exerted against the bolt by the recoil spring. As the rollers are forced inward they displace the locking piece and propel the bolt carrier to the rear. The bolt carrier’s rearward velocity is four times that of the bolt head since the bolt remains locked for a short period of time after the initial recoil impulse. After the bolt carrier has traveled rearward 4 mm, the locking piece is withdrawn fully from the bolt head and the locking rollers are compressed into the bolt head (which moves only 1 mm). Only once the locking rollers are fully cammed into the bolt head can the entire bolt group begin its rearward movement in the receiver, breaking the seal in the chamber and repeating the feeding cycle.

Since the 9x19mm Parabellum cartridge is relatively low powered, the bolt does not have an anti-bounce device like the G3, but instead the bolt carrier contains tungsten granules that prevent the bolt group from bouncing back after impacting the barrel extension. The weapon has a fluted chamber that enhances extraction reliability by bleeding gases backwards into the shallow flutes running along the length of the chamber to prevent the cartridge case from expanding and sticking to the chamber walls (since the bolt is opened under relatively high barrel pressure). The MP5 employs a push-type extraction, instead of the more conventional pull-type extraction. The cartridge case is pushed from the chamber of the weapon by residual gas pressure. A spring extractor is installed inside the bolt head and holds the case securely until it strikes the ejector arm and is thrown out of the ejection port to the right of the receiver. The lever-type ejector is located inside the trigger housing (activated by the movement of the recoiling bolt).

The non-reciprocating cocking handle is located above the handguard and protrudes from the cocking handle tube (often mistaken for a gas cylinder) at approx. a 45° angle. This rigid control is attached to a tubular piece within the cocking lever housing called the cocking lever support, which in turn, makes contact with the forward extension of the bolt group. It is not however connected to the bolt carrier and therefore cannot be used as a forward assist to fully seat the bolt group. The cocking handle is held in a forward position by a spring detent located in the front end of the cocking lever support which engages in the cocking lever housing. The lever is locked back by pulling it fully to the rear and rotating it slightly clockwise where it can be hooked into an indent in the cocking lever tube. The cocking lever is generally operated with the non-firing hand, allowing the shooting hand to remain on the pistol grip.

The MP5 has a hammer firing mechanism. The trigger group is housed inside an interchangeable polymer trigger module (with an integrated pistol grip) and equipped with a 3-position fire mode selector that is also the manual safety toggle (selector lever in the “S” or Sicher position in white – weapon safe, “E” or Einzelfeuer in red – single fire, “F”, Feuerstoß also marked in red – continuous fire). The SEF symbols appear on both sides of the plastic trigger group. The selector lever is actuated with the thumb of the shooting hand and is located only on the left side of the of the original SEF trigger group or on both sides of the ambidextrous trigger groups. The safety/selector is rotated into the various firing settings or safety position by depressing the tail end of the lever. Tactile clicks (stops) are present at each position to provide a positive stop and prevent inadvertent rotation. The “safe” setting disables the trigger by blocking the hammer release with a solid section of the safety axle located inside the trigger housing.

The first MP5 models used a double-column straight box magazine, but since 1977, slightly curved, steel magazines are used with a 15-round capacity (weighing 0.12 kg) or a 30-round capacity (0.17 kg empty).

The sighting arrangement on the MP5 takes advantage of the natural ability of the eye and brain to easily align concentric circles (circles all having a common center). The mechanically adjustable iron sights (closed type) consist of a rotating rear diopter drum and a front post installed in a hooded ring. The rear sight is adjustable for both windage and elevation with the use of a special tool; the drum provides four different apertures of varying width used for firing at 25, 50, 75 and 100 m. However, adjusting the rear drum does not change the elevation or bullet strike of the rounds since the MP5 uses pistol cartridges, which share a similar point of impact between 25 and 100 m when zeroed at 25 m. The receiver housing has notches that permit the attachment of a standard H&K quick-detachable scope mount (also used with the G3, HK33 and G3SG/1) that can be used to mount daytime optical sights (telescopic 4×24), night sights or a halogen flashlight. It can also be used with reflex sights and laser pointers. The mount features two spring-actuated bolts, positioned along the base of the mount, which exert pressure on the receiver to hold the mount in the same position at all times assuring zero retention. All versions of the quick-detachable scope mount provide a sighting tunnel through the mount so that the shooter can continue to use the fixed iron sights with the scope mount attached to the top of the receiver.

The fixed, free floating, cold hammer-forged barrel has 6 right-hand grooves with a 1 in 250 mm (1:10 in) rifling twist rate and is pressed and pinned into the receiver. Three lugs are provided at the muzzle that are used to work with certain muzzle devices made by Heckler & Koch, including: a slotted flash suppressor, blank firing attachment (marked with a red painted band denoting use with blank ammunition only), an adaptor for launching rifle grenades (for use with rifle-style grenades with an inside diameter of 22 mm using a special grenade launching cartridge) and a cup-type attachment used to launch tear gas grenades.

The MP5A2 has a fixed stock (made of a synthetic polymer), whereas the compact MP5A3 has a retractable metal stock.

Included with the MP5A2 and MP5A3 are: sling, cleaning kit, quick-loading device and a clamp which holds two magazines. As an option, tritium-illuminated sights are also available (used for firing in low-level lighting conditions) as well as sound suppressors from several aftermarket manufacturers.

In the early 1970s HK introduced a conversion kit for the MP5 that enables it to use sporting ammunition (.22 LR). This unit consists of a barrel insert, a bolt group and two 20-round magazines. This modification reduces the cyclic rate to 650 rounds/min.

A U.S. Marine fires the MP5.

A view through the weapon’s aperture sight.

The MP5A2 and MP5A3 submachine guns are also available with optional 4-position trigger groups; such equipped weapons are known as the MP5A4 and MP5A5 (respectively). The trigger groups are marked with bullet pictograms rather than letters or numbers (each symbol represents the number of bullets that will be fired when the trigger is pulled and held rearward with a full magazine inserted in the weapon) and are fully ambidextrous (the selector lever is present on each side of the trigger housing). The additional setting of the fire selector, one place before the fully automatic setting, enables a two or three-shot burst firing mode. H&K also offers dedicated training variants of these weapons, designated MP5A4PT and MP5A5PT (PT – Plastic Training), modified to fire a plastic 9x19mm PT training cartridge produced by Dynamit Nobel of Germany. These weapons operate like the standard MP5 but have a floating chamber and the bolt lacks both rollers to function properly when firing the lighter plastic projectiles. To help identify these weapons blue dots were painted on their cocking handles and additional lettering provided. The PT variant can be configured with various buttstocks and trigger groups and was developed for the West German Police and Border Guard.

Thanks to the modular design of the MP5, particularly the trigger groups, a large number of configurations are available to meet the user’s individual requirements. Currently offered are the following trigger groups: three-position “SEF” fire selector (positions: “S”-safe, “E”-semi automatic, “F” fully automatic. Located on left of receiver only); three-position fire selector (positions: safe, semiautomatic and a 2 or 3-round burst; selector lever is ambidextrous and its settings are marked with pictograms); four-position fire selector (positions: weapon safe, single fire, 2 OR 3-round burst, full auto; ambidextrous selector; selector settings marked with pictograms); two-position fire control group (positions: weapon safe, single fire only; ambidextrous selector lever with pictograms) and a three-position fire selector group – the so called “Navy” trigger (settings: weapon safe, semi-automatic, fully automatic fire; ambidextrous selector lever; selector settings marked with bullet symbols again).

A variant with the last trigger group designated the MP5-N (N – Navy) was developed in 1986 for the United States Navy Special Warfare community. This model has a collapsible stock, a tritium-illuminated front sight post and a 225 mm (8.9 in) threaded barrel for use with a stainless steel sound suppressor made by KAC (when suppressed subsonic ammunition is used).

The MP5SFA2 (SF – single-fire) is the same as the MP5A2 but is fitted with an ambidextrous semi-automatic only trigger group. Versions delivered after December 1991 are assembled with select-fire bolt carriers allowing fully automatic operation when used with the appropriate trigger module. Developed in 1986 in response to the American FBI solicitation for “9 mm Single-fire Carbines”. The MP5SFA3 features a retractable metal stock.

The two-position trigger unit was also used in the single-fire HK94 carbine that was produced specifically for the civilian market with a 420 mm (16.5 in) barrel.

In 1974 H&K initiated design work on a sound-suppressed variant of the MP5, designated the MP5SD (SD – Schalldämpfer or “suppressed”), which features an integral but detachable aluminum sound suppressor and a lightweight bolt. The weapon’s 146 mm (5.7 in) barrel has 30 2.5 mm (0.1 in) ports drilled forward of the chamber through which escaping gases are diverted to the surrounding sealed tubular casing that is screwed on to threading on the barrel’s external surface just prior to the ported segment. The suppressor itself is divided into two stages; the initial segment surrounding the ported barrel serves as an expansion chamber for the propellant gases, reducing gas pressure to slow down the acceleration of the projectile. The second, decompression stage occupies the remaining length of the suppressor tube and contains a stamped metal helix separator with several compartments which increase the gas volume and decrease its temperature, deflecting the gases as they exit the muzzle, so muffling the exit report. The bullet leaves the muzzle at subsonic velocity, so it does not generate a sonic shock wave in flight. As a result of reducing the barrel’s length and venting propellant gases into the suppressor, the bullet’s muzzle velocity was lowered anywhere from 16% to 26% (depending on the ammunition used) while maintaining the weapon’s automation and reliability. The weapon was designed to be used with standard supersonic ammunition with the suppressor on at all times.

The MP5SD is produced exclusively by H&K in several versions: the MP5SD1 and MP5SD4 (both have a receiver end cap instead of a buttstock), MP5SD2 and MP5SD5 (equipped with a fixed synthetic buttstock) and the MP5SD3 and MP5SD6 (fitted with a collapsible metal stock). The MP5SD1, MP5SD2 and MP5SD3 use a standard “SEF” trigger group (from the MP5A2 and MP5A3), while the MP5SD4, MP5SD5 and MP5SD6 – a trigger module with a mechanically limited 3-round burst mode and ambidextrous selector controls (from the MP5A4 and MP5A5). A suppressed version was also produced for the U.S. Navy – designated the MP5SD-N, which is a version of the MP5SD3 with a retractable metal stock, front sight post with tritium-illuminated dot and a stainless steel suppressor. This model has a modified cocking handle support to account for the slightly larger outside diameter of the suppressor. The design of the suppressor allows the weapon to be fired with water inside, should water enter the device during operation in or near water.

In 1976 a shortened version of the MP5A2 was introduced; the MP5K (K – Kurz) was designed with clandestine operations and special services in mind primarily for close quarters battle. This submachine gun does not have a shoulder stock (the receiver end was covered with a flat cover), and the bolt and receiver were shortened at the rear. The resultant lighter bolt led to a higher rate of fire than the standard MP5. The barrel, cocking handle and its cover were shortened and a vertical foregrip was used to replace the standard handguard. The barrel ends at the base of the foresight, which prevents the use of any sort of muzzle device.

MP5K submachine guns are produced (by HK and under license in Iran and Turkey) in four different versions: the MP5K, MP5KA4, MP5KA1, MP5KA5, where the first two variants have adjustable, open-type iron sights (with a notched rotary drum), and the two remaining variants – fixed open sights, however the front sight post was changed and a notch was cut into the receiver top cover. The MP5K retained the capability to use optical sights through the use of an adapter.

A civilian semiautomatic derivative of MP5K known as the SP89 was produced that had a foregrip with a muzzle guard in place of the vertical grip.

In 1991 a further variant of the MP5K was developed, designated the MP5K-PDW (PDW – Personal Defense Weapon) that retained the compact dimensions of the MP5K but restored the fire handling characteristics of the full-size MP5A2. The MP5K-PDW uses a side-folding synthetic shoulder stock (made by the US company Choate), a “Navy” trigger group, a front sight post with a built-in tritium insert and a slightly lengthened threaded, three-lug barrel (analogous to the MP5-N). The stock can be removed and replaced with a receiver endplate; a rotary drum with apertures from the MP5A2 can also be used.

1991 saw the introduction of the nearly identical MP5/10 (chambered in 10mm Auto) and MP5/40 (chambered for the .40 S&W cartridge) submachine guns, which are based on the MP5A4 and MP5A5. These weapons were assembled in fixed and retractable stock configurations (without a separate designation) and are fed from translucent 30-round polymer box magazines. These weapons also include a bolt hold-open device, which captures the bolt group in its rear position after expending the last cartridge from the magazine. The bolt is then released by pressing a lever positioned on the left side of the receiver. Both weapons use a barrel with 6 right-hand grooves and a 380 mm (1:15 in) twist rate, and like the MP5-N, both have a 3-lugged muzzle device and a tritium-illuminated front sight aiming dot.

[edit] Variants

Cross section diagram of a Heckler & Koch MP5SD early model suppressor, from H&K 1971 patent. Vented barrel surrounded by metal mesh packing in the expansion chambers, followed by conical baffles in the forward chambers.

MP5K-PDW.

The MP5SD3.

• MP5A1: No buttstock (endplate/receiver cap in place of buttstock), “Navy”/”SEF” trigger group.
• MP5A2: Fixed buttstock, “SEF” trigger group.
• MP5SFA2: Fixed buttstock, single-fire (SF) trigger group.
• MP5A3: Retractable buttstock,”SEF” trigger group.
• MP5SFA3: Retractable buttstock, single-fire (SF) trigger group.
• MP5A4: Fixed buttstock, 3-round burst trigger group.
• MP5A5: Retractable buttstock, 3-round burst trigger group.
• MP5-N: Model developed specifically for the U.S. Navy. Ambidextrous “Navy” trigger group, 3-lug/threaded barrel for attaching a sound suppressor; retractable stock.
• MP5F: Model developed specifically for the French military. Rubber-padded retractable stock, ambidextrous sling loops/bolts and internal modifications to handle high-pressure ammunition.
• MP5K: Short (Kurz) version, “SEF” trigger group.
• MP5KA1: MP5K with smooth upper surface and small iron sights; “SEF” trigger group.
• MP5KA4: MP5K with 3-round burst trigger group.
• MP5KA5: MP5KA1 with 3-round burst trigger group.
• MP5K-N: MP5K with “Navy” trigger group and 3-lug/threaded barrel for mounting suppressors or other muzzle attachments.
• MP5K-PDW: Personal Defense Weapon; MP5K-N with added folding stock and 3-lug/threaded barrel for mounting of suppressors; “Navy” or 3-round burst trigger group. Introduced in 1991.
• MP5SD1: No buttstock (endplate/receiver cap in place of buttstock), “SEF” trigger group, integrated suppressor (Schalldämpfer)
• MP5SD2: Fixed buttstock, “SEF” trigger group, integrated suppressor.
• MP5SD3: Retractable buttstock, “SEF” trigger group, integrated suppressor.
• MP5SD4: No buttstock (endplate/receiver cap in place of buttstock), 3-round burst trigger group, integrated suppressor.
• MP5SD5: Fixed buttstock, 3-round burst trigger group, integrated suppressor.
• MP5SD6: Retractable buttstock, 3-round burst trigger group, integrated suppressor.
• MP5SD-N: Retractable buttstock, “Navy” trigger group, KAC stainless steel suppressor.
• MP5/10: Chambered in 10mm Auto, available in various stock/trigger group configurations. It was produced from 1992 to 2000.
• MP5/40: Chambered in .40 S&W, available in various stock/trigger group configurations. It was produced from 1992 to 2000.
• HK94: American import model of the MP5 with a 16 in barrel and special safe/semi-automatic trigger group, designed for civilian use. It was made from 1983 to 1989, in three different configurations.
• SP89: Sport Pistole M1989. Semi-automatic only version of the MP5K designed for civilian use. It had a modified foregrip redesigned into a traditional handguard that did not allow the fitting of the MP5K’s foregrip to make it compliant with the Semi-Auto Weapons Ban of 1989. It was made from 1989 to 1994.
• HK54: This was the original model that was produced in the mid 1960s. It later became known as the MP5A1, a very slightly modified version.

[edit] Users

Chilean Navy special forces sailors seen here using the MP5A5.

A Finnish soldier (UtJR) with the MP5A3, known as the 9.00 KP 2000 in Finnish service.

An MP5K belonging to a French naval boarding party member.

Spanish Navy special forces (UOE) operators armed with MP5s.

British Authorised Firearms Officers armed with modified MP5s, with extended stocks, scopes and flashlight attachments.

A USMC Military Police Special Reaction Team using the MP5A5.

• Afghanistan
• Albania: Albanian Special forces RENEA and the Albanian Police, further procurement for regular armed forces planned.
• Algeria: Algerian Airborne Commando Division.
• Argentina: Used by GEOF, Hawk Special Operations Brigade and Argentine Naval Prefecture
• Australia: Australian Army—4th Battalion (Commando), Special Air Service Regiment, Royal Australian Air Force No. 1 & No. 2 Airfield Defence Squadrons and various Australian Federal and State law enforcement units.
• Azerbaijan: Azerbaijan Interior Guard.
• Bahrain
• Bangladesh: Army, Special Forces, Rapid Action Battalion.
• Belgium: Gespecialiseerde Verkenningsploegen (GVP) / Equipes Specialisees de Reconnaissance (ESR), Speciaal Interventie-Eskadron (SIE) / Escadron Special d’Intervention (ESI).
• Brazil: Brazilian Army special forces and several, state police departments and Military Police (BOPE, Polícia Militar do Estado de São Paulo, Polícia Militar do Estado do Rio de Janeiro)
• Cameroon
• Canada: Various police tactical units, RCMP ERTs, Joint Task Force Two (JTF-2), naval boarding parties, Emergency Task Force (ETF Toronto). Ottawa Police Service Tactical Unit.‎‎
• Chile: 1st Battalion Airborne Forces. Unidad Anti-Terroristas (UAT).
• Colombia: Lanceros, Agrupacion de Fuerzas Especiales Urbanas (AFEU).
• Democratic Republic of the Congo
• Croatia: Special police tactical units.
• Cyprus: Police.
• Czech Republic
• Denmark: Danish police and special forces.
• Egypt
• El Salvador
• Finland: Finnish police and Finnish Defence Forces. Designated 9.00 KP 2000.^[1]
• France: Used by the Groupe d’Intervention de la Gendarmerie Nationale, French Foreign Legion, Commandement des Operations Speciales (COS), Groupement Speciale Autonome and certain specialized units within the French Army (MP5A5 and MP5SD3 variants).^[2][3]
• Germany: German State Police, German Federal Police, KSK, Kampfschwimmer, Long Range Reconnaissance Company, Feldjäger (military police), GSG 9. The German Army and German Navy also employ the MP5K.^[4]
• Ghana
• Greece: Police and Greek Special Forces Directorate. Weapons are manufactured locally by Hellenic Defence Systems (EAS: Ellinika Amyntika Systimata).^[5]
• Honduras
• Hong Kong: Special Duties Unit.
• Hungary: Used by the Hungarian Police, Hungarian Prison Service and Hungarian Ground Forces.
• Iceland: Icelandic Coast Guard, Icelandic Crisis Response Unit and Special Forces of the National Commissioner.
• India: Indian Army special forces, National Security Guards, MARCOS and other units.
• Indonesia: Indonesian National Armed Forces counter-terrorism unit.
• Iran: Islamic Republic of Iran Army, Iranian police, Takavar
• Ireland: Sciathan Fianoglach an Airm (Irish Army Rangers).
• Italy: GIS, NOCS and other special operating forces such as COMSUBIN.
• Jamaica: Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF).
• Japan: Japanese Special Operations Group and Special Assault Team
• Jordan: SOU-17.
• Kenya
• Kuwait: Kuwait Army.
• Latvia: Speciālo Uzdevumu Vienība , OMEGA (special forces) and military police.
• Lebanon: 101st Parachute Company.
• Lithuania^[6]
• Luxembourg
• Macao: Unidade Táctica de Intervenção da Polícia , Grupo de Operações Especiais , Grupo de Protecção de Altas Entidades e Instalações Importantes.
• Macedonia: Macedonian Special Forces.
• Malaysia: Malaysian Armed Forces, various special forces units and law enforcement agencies.
• Malta
• Mauritius
• Mexico: The Mexican Army, Mexican Navy, Mexican Marines, Fuerzas Especiales and law enforcement agencies such as state, federal and military police. Licence produced by SEDENA.
• Montenegro: Vojska Crne Gore (VCG).
• Morocco: Royal Moroccan Armed Forces, G.S.I.G.R., National Police Force, Gendarmerie Royale.
• Netherlands: Netherlands Marine Corps, Royal Marechaussee military police, DSI counter-terrorism unit and several other police formations.
• New Zealand: 1st Special Air Service Squadron.
• Niger
• Nigeria
• Norway: Norwegian Defence Force (The MP7 is set to replace the MP5) ^[7], Beredskapstroppen and Norwegian Police.
• Pakistan: Pakistan Army standard weapon for close range engagements, built by Pakistan Ordnance Factories under license from HK.^[8]
• Peru
• Philippines: Armed Forces of the Philippines, and Philippine National Police Special Action Force and other police and SWAT units.
• Poland: GROM, police special units.
• Portugal: Various military units, including the Portuguese Army Special Operations and the Portuguese Marine Corps Special Actions Detachment (DAE). Also used by law enforcement agencies Polícia de Segurança Pública, including the Special Operations Group (GOE), and the Portuguese National Republican Guard (GNR), Policia do Exército (PE).
• Qatar
• Romania: SRI (Serviciul Român de Informaţii) counter-terrorism unit and certain police units.
• Saudi Arabia: Special Forces Brigade.
• Serbia: SAJ, UBPOK, Serbian Military Police and several other police and military formations.
• Singapore: Singapore Armed Forces Commandos, Singapore Police Force.
• Slovakia: Slovak police and special forces.
• Slovenia: Police and special forces.
• South Africa: Various services.
• South Korea: ROKA 707th Special Missions Battalion, ROKN Naval Special Warfare Brigade (UDT/SEAL), KNP Special Weapons Attack Team (SWAT), ROKCG Sea Special Assault Team (SSAT).
• Spain: Various units, including the UOE and the Tercio de Extranjeros y de Moreria. Also GOE (Grupo de Operaciones Especiales), GOES (Grupo Operativo Especial de Seguridad), GEO (Grupo Especial de Operaciones)^[9] and GEI (Grup Especial d’Intervenció (from Catalonia).
• Sri Lanka: Sri Lanka Army Commando Regiment, Special Task Force.
• Sudan: Manufactured under a license agreement by Military Industry Corporation as the Tihraga.^[10]
• Switzerland: FSK-17 and several Swiss police departments (including SWAT- Teams)
• Sweden: National Taskforce (NI), and Piketen, Swedish Police.
• Taiwan: Republic of China Army and Republic of China Military Police, Republic of China Marine Corps Frogmen, Republic of China Coast Guard and various Police SWAT and special forces.
• Thailand: Used by the Royal Thai Police.
• Turkey: Various services. Built under license from HK by MKEK.^[11]
• United Arab Emirates: UAE Special Forces, Abu Dhabi Police SWAT, Dubai Police SWAT, UAE VIP Protection Team.
• United Kingdom: UKSF, Specialist Firearms Command, Firearms Unit, Police Service of Northern Ireland, Special Air Service.
• United States: Issued to the Marine Corps Force Reconnaissance, USMC Security Force Battalion, military police units, and Special Operations Forces, such as Army Rangers, Delta Force, Navy SEALs, and Air Force Combat Control, though not standardized.^[12] Also used by countless civilian law enforcement departments and federal agencies.
• Uruguay
• Vietnam: Battalion special police.
• British Virgin Islands: Maritime Patrol officers as well as armored car guards use the MP5K.

[edit] See also

• Heckler & Koch UMP

[edit] References

[edit] External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: MP5

• Heckler & Koch – official pages: MP5A series, MP5SD, MP5-N, MP5K, MP5SF
• MP5 operator’s manual
• 2008 Heckler & Koch Military and LE brochure
• HKPRO
• Modern Firearms
• REMTEK
• Video of operation and history at YouTube
• Video of disassembly at YouTube
• Video of operation (MP5A3) at YouTube (Japanese)
• Video of operation (MP5SD2) at YouTube (Japanese)

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Moose Jaw
Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan
Location of Moose Jaw
Coordinates: 50°24′N 105°33′W / 50.4°N 105.55°W / 50.4; -105.55
Country	Canada
Province	Saskatchewan
Area
- Total	46.82 km2 (18.1 sq mi)
Population (2006)
- Total	32,132
- Density	686.3/km2 (1,777.5/sq mi)
Time zone	CST (UTC-6)
Website	City of Moose Jaw Website

Moose Jaw is a city in south-central Saskatchewan, Canada on the Moose Jaw River, 71 km (45 miles) west of Regina. Residents of Moose Jaw are known as Moose Javians. It is probably best known as a retirement and tourist city that serves as a hub to the hundreds of small towns and farms in the surrounding region of Saskatchewan.^{[citation needed]} Tourist attractions include the Tunnels of Moose Jaw, the Temple Gardens Mineral Spa, Captain Jacks River Boat Tour, The Western Development Museum, Casino Moose Jaw, the Murals of Moose Jaw, and Hopkins Dining Parlour.

There are many parks in Moose Jaw. Crescent Park is located downtown and features a creek, swans, and an amphitheatre. “Wakamow Park” follows the Moose Jaw River and features both natural and maintained areas. There are many trails throughout the park for hiking and biking. There are also RV camping and canoe rentals in the park.

The Warriors are Moose Jaw’s hockey team which plays in the Western Hockey League at the Moose Jaw Civic Centre.

Local institutions include five high schools, 15 elementary schools, and the 57-member Moose Jaw Fire Department. Moose Jaw is also home to the Palliser Campus of the Saskatchewan Institute of Applied Science and Technology (SIAST).

It is situated on the Trans-Canada Highway.

The largest lake in southern Saskatchewan, Old Wives Lake, is located 19 miles southwest of the city.

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[edit] CFB Moose Jaw

Mac the Moose

Main article: CFB Moose Jaw

The area surrounding Moose Jaw has a high number of cloudless days, making it a good site for training pilots. The Royal Canadian Air Force under the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan established RCAF Station Moose Jaw in 1940. Following the war, the RCAF remained in the community and used the facility for training pilots through the Cold War. The facility changed its name to CFB Moose Jaw in 1968 and it is currently Canada’s primary military flight training centre and the home of 431 (Air Demonstration) Squadron (aka the “Snowbirds”).

CFB Moose Jaw’s primary lodger unit is “15 Wing.” In the Canadian Forces Air Command, the lodger unit is frequently referred to as 15 Wing Moose Jaw. The base usually holds an Armed Forces Day each year.

[edit] Economy

Near the northern terminus of Sk Hwy 39 is Moose Jaw, also called “Little Chicago”. Moose Jaw, is a city of 32,132 at the Sk Hwy 1 Trans–Canada and Sk Hwy 2 intersection.^[1]Capone’s Car, Moose Family and Mac the Moose are all large roadside attractions of Moose Jaw.^[2] Moose Jaw Trolley Company (1912) is still an operating electric cable trolleys offering tours of Moose Jaw. Temple Garden’s Mineral Spa,^[3] Tunnels of Moose Jaw,^[4] and History of Transportation Western Development Museum.^[5] are major sites of interest of this city.^[6] The juncture of Moose Jaw and Thunder Creek produced the best source of water for steam engines, and Moose Jaw became the CPR divisional point.^[7] AgPro Inland Grain Terminal operated by Saskatchewan Wheat Pool.^[8] These large capacity concrete grain terminals are replacing the smaller grain elevators which were numerous along the highway, sentinels of most communities along the route. Improved technology for harvest, transport and road construction have made the large inland terminals more viable economically.^[9] The rural governing body around Moose Jaw is Moose Jaw No 161 which serves 1,228 residents (2006 census) which includes the Moose Jaw, Canadian Forces Base. Meat-processing plants, salt, potash, urea fertilizer, anhydrous ammonia and ethanol producers abound in this area with easy transport access to the Trans–Canada Highway.^[1][10]

[edit] Royal presence

This section does not cite any references or sources. Please help improve this section by adding citations to reliable sources. Unverifiable material may be challenged and removed. (January 2009)

Moose Jaw has had many members of the Canadian Royal Family visit the city. Edward, Prince of Wales, who owned a ranch in Alberta, visited in 1919, 1924, and 1927. Prince George, future king and father of Queen Elizabeth II, paid a visit in 1926. King George VI and his wife Queen Elizabeth (later known as Queen Elizabeth, The Queen Mother) visited during the Royal tour in 1939. Queen Elizabeth II first visited in 1959, and has come to the city a few times since.

The Earl of Wessex (Prince Edward) became Colonel-in-Chief of the Saskatchewan Dragoons of Moose Jaw on visiting Saskatchewan in 2003, when he congratulated the regiment on its “contribution to Canada’s proud tradition of citizen-soldiers in the community.” Involved in peacekeeping operations in Cyprus, the Golan Heights, Bosnia and Croatia, the regiment has also provided aid during floods and forest fires in the prairies. The Prince returned to visit his regiment in 2006.

The Earl of Wessex also inaugurated the Queen’s Jubilee Rose Garden in Moose Jaw on his visit in 2003. Other Royal connections to the city include King George School and Prince Arthur Community School, both named for members of the Royal Family. Before it shut down and became Cornerstone Christian School, the South Hill school was formerly named King Edward Elementary School.

[edit] Sports teams

Baseball has been an important part of Moose Jaw since its first days as the city won territorial championships in 1895. Most recently, the 2004 Junior All-Star team (age 13/14) won a Canadian Championship and became the first team from Saskatchewan to win a game at the Little League World Series. Notable sports teams of Moose Jaw:

• Moose Jaw Warriors, WHL hockey team
• Moose Jaw Millers, Western Canada League baseball team
• Moose Jaw Junior All Stars
• Moose Jaw Canucks, former hockey team
• Moose Jaw Robin Hoods and Moose Jaw Maple Leafs, former senior hockey teams
• Moose Jaw Maroons, former professional team once sponsored by a local brewery
• Moose Jaw KORCs, former hockey team
• Moose Jaw Moose’s Jaws Moose Jaws, former professional curling team
• Moose Jaw Diamond Dogs, former Prairie Baseball League baseball team; a notable alumnus is Shawn Wooten.
• Moose Jaw Rotary Track Club, only cross country running and track and field club
• Moose Jaw Mustangs, Prairie Gold Lacrosse League team
• Sports – 1985 Senior Hockey Canadian Champions – Moose Jaw Generals

[edit] Ku Klux Klan

Although Moose Jaw is known as the ‘Friendly City’, it is not well known that the city was the centre of the Ku Klux Klan in Saskatchewan. The first KKK rally in Moose Jaw was held on June 7, 1927, with over four hundred members attending. The second (and last) Klan rally was held on 26 October 1927. It was held only ten days after the KKK organizer Hugh Emmons‘s arrest. Over one thousand people attended. It was the last rally, but in 1929 the KKK sponsored a Labour Day picnic in River Park. There were racist speeches and a cross burning, but the focus of the day was on sporting events.^[11][12]

[edit] Media

• Moose Jaw Times-Herald — daily newspaper
• DiscoverMooseJaw.com Local Information Website-Local News, Weather, Sports, and Business Information
• 800 AM — CHAB, oldies (800 CHAB)
• 100.7 FM — CILG-FM, country music (Country 100)
• 103.9 FM — CJAW-FM, adult contemporary (Mix 103)

[edit] Notable Moose Javians

See also: List of mayors of Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan

This section may require cleanup to meet Wikipedia’s quality standards. Please improve this article if you can. (July 2008)

A-B

• Benjamin deForest (Pat) Bayly – World War II communications genius, second-in-command of World War II spymaster [1]
• Mike Blaisdell, former hockey player/Coach^{[citation needed]}

C

• Lorne Calvert, Premier of Saskatchewan (2001-2007)^{[citation needed]}
• Reggie Cleveland, baseball player (the only Saskatchewanian to start in a World Series game (in 1975, while playing with the Boston Red Sox.)^{[citation needed]}
• S. Paul Cloutier, portrait and landscape artist^{[citation needed]}
• Cory Churko, Guitarist and backup vocalist for Kelly Clarkson; former band member of Shania Twain, Britney Spears, Backstreet Boys.
• Robert Currie, author, poet [2]

D

• Tyler G. Dash, Well known archaeologist, who was responsible for the major discovery of early Anglo-Saxon jewelry assemblages at Bishopstone, East Sussex, England.
• W.G. “Bill” Davies, leftist politician and member of the Order of Canada [3] )PDF)
• Phyllis Dewar, swimmer who went on to the Olympics and broke many records [4]
• Ken Doraty, hockey player for the Toronto Maple Leafs^{[citation needed]}

E-F

• Brent Everett, gay porn star.
• Theoren Fleury, NHL hockey player^{[citation needed]}
• Emile ‘The Cat’ Francis, hockey player for the Moose Jaw Canucks, and later played and was an executive in the NHL^[13]
• Lisa Franks, paralympic athlete^[14]

G

• Daniel J. Gallagher, Businessman, “The Mango Man”^[15]
• Clark Gillies, hockey player^[16]
• Ethel Kirk Grayson, author, poet [5]
• Peter Gzowski, CBC Radio host of Morningside from 1982 to 1997; Worked at the Times-Herald newspaper in 1957-58.^{[citation needed]}

H-I

• Gary Hyland, author, poet, among other things^[17]

J-K

• John Kern – Leader of the Green Party of Saskatchewan^{[citation needed]}
• Joy Kogawa, author, poet, activist^{[citation needed]}
• Joel Jordison, Curler, athlete^{[citation needed]}

L

• Sleg Langenfelter, film-maker, artist^{[citation needed]}
• Art Linkletter, radio/TV personality^{[citation needed]}
• Reed Low, hockey player^{[citation needed]}

M

• Bud McCaig, Canadian businessman and a co-owner of the Calgary Flames NHL franchise
• Jim McLean, author, poet, artist^{[citation needed]}
• Mike Mintenko, freestyle and butterfly swimmer^{[citation needed]}
• David Mitchell, First NCAA Div. 1 lacrosse player from SK, first National Lacrosse League player from MJ
• Ken Mitchell, author^[18]
• Javian Mitchell, Chef
• Kid Moose, boxer^{[citation needed]}
• Scott Munroe, AHL hockey player, Philadelphia Phantoms^{[citation needed]}
• Duncan MacLellan, Local Baseball Star

N-O

• Carrie Olver, Broadcaster^{[citation needed]}
• Fergie Olver, Canadian TV Personality^[19]

P-Q-R

• Jack Reddick, boxer, Canadian Light Heavyweight Champion, early 1920s [6]
• Lewis Rice, photographer^{[citation needed]}
• Randy Black, primal fear drummer

S

• Arthur Slade, Author.
• Greg Schick, Businessman^{[citation needed]}
• Doug Smail, former hockey player^{[citation needed]}
• Lacey Smith, Six sport athlete who was recently named the cities top woman athlete^{[citation needed]}
• Theresa Sokyrka, singer; Canadian Idol runner up 2004^{[citation needed]}
• Karen Solie, author, poet^{[citation needed]}

T

• Daniel Scott Tysdal, author, poet (Saskatchewan Book Award winner (2006); ReLit Award (2007))^{[citation needed]}

[edit] Fiction

The creators of Atomic Betty modelled the fictional town in the series, Moose Jaw Heights, after Moose Jaw. ^[20]

The book Quidditch Through the Ages has a Moose Jaw Quidditch team listed as the Moose Jaw Meteorites.

In Due South, before moving to Chicago, Constable Fraser’s biggest posting was to Moose Jaw. He recalls how he left after a week because he couldn’t adapt to such an urban lifestyle.

The 1980 musical The Apple (1980 film) features two protagonists named Alphie and Bibi who are musicians from Moose Jaw and are often mocked for it. (“Moose Where?” “I think it’s in Canada…” etc…)

In the Forever Knight episode Only the Lonely, Toronto based single coroner Dr. Natalie Lambert cracks a joke that Don Schanke’s wife will match her up with a cousin from Moose Jaw.

In The Simpsons, Bart Simpson mentions that the local baseball team, the Springfield Isotopes, might be moving to Moose Jaw due to lack of interest.

In the 1977 movie Slap Shot, Charlestown Chiefs defenceman Billy Charlesbois is announced as hailing from Moose Jaw.

[edit] Statistics

Moose Jaw’s population grew to 32,132 according to the 2006 census, which showed virtually no increase from 2001. ^[21]

According to the Canada 2006 Census:^[22]

[edit] Racial groups

• 93.7% Caucasian
• 4.3% Aboriginal
• 0.7% Chinese

[edit] See also

• Moose Jaw Transit
• Monarchy in Saskatchewan

[edit] References

[edit] Further reading

• Earl of Wessex Visits Saskatchewan Regiment (2003)
• Racist and other organized criminal organizations in Moose Jaw

[edit] External links

• Your link to everything Moose Jaw
• City of Moose Jaw Website
• Moose Jaw Community Website
• Moose Jaw Forum discussion and chat on topics of interest to current and former area residents
• Wakamow Valley Parks

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Saskatchewan
Flag Coat of arms
Motto: Latin: Multis e Gentibus Vires (“Strength from Many Peoples”)
Capital	Regina
Largest city	Saskatoon
Largest metro	Saskatoon
Official languages	English (de facto)
Demonym	Saskatchewanian[1]
Government
Lieutenant-Governor	Gordon Barnhart
Premier	Brad Wall (Saskatchewan Party)
Federal representation	in Canadian Parliament
House seats	14
Senate seats	6
Confederation	September 1, 1905 (Split from NWT) (8th (province))
Area	Ranked 7th
Total	651,900 km2 (251,700 sq mi)
Land	591,670 km2 (228,450 sq mi)
Water (%)	59,366 km2 (22,921 sq mi) (9.1%)
Population	Ranked 6th
Total (2008)	1,015,985 (est.)[2]
Density	1.67 /km² (4.3 /sq mi)
GDP	Ranked 6th
Total (2006)	C$45.051 billion[3]
Per capita	C$45,718 (5th)
Abbreviations
Postal	SK
ISO 3166-2	CA-SK
Time zone	UTC−6 (no daylight saving time) Lloydminster and vicinity: UTC−7 and does observe DST
Postal code prefix	S
Flower	Western Red Lily
Tree	Paper Birch
Bird	Sharp-tailed Grouse
Website	www.gov.sk.ca
Rankings include all provinces and territories

Saskatchewan (IPA: /səs.ˈkætʃ.əw.an/, pronunciation (help·info)) is a prairie province in Canada, which has an area of 588,276.09 square kilometres (227,134.67 sq mi) and a population of 1,015,895 (according to 2008 estimates), mostly living in the southern half of the province. Of these, 233,923 live in the province’s largest city, Saskatoon, while 194,971 live in the provincial capital, Regina. Other major cities, in order of size, are Prince Albert, Moose Jaw, Yorkton, Swift Current, and North Battleford. The province’s name comes from the Saskatchewan River, whose name comes from its Cree designation: kisiskāciwani-sīpiy, meaning “swift flowing river”.^[4]

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[edit] Geography

Main article: Geography of Saskatchewan

From a great scale, Saskatchewan appears to be somewhat a quadrilateral. However, because of its size, the 49th parallel boundary and the 60th northern border appear curved. Additionally, the eastern boundary of the province is partially crooked rather than following a line of longitude, as correction lines were devised by surveyors prior to the homestead program (1880–1928). Saskatchewan is bounded on the west by Alberta, on the north by the Northwest Territories, on the east by Manitoba, and on the south by the U.S. states of Montana and North Dakota. Saskatchewan has the distinction of being the only Canadian province for which no borders correspond to physical geographic features. It is also one of only two provinces that are land-locked, the other being Alberta.

Saskatchewan contains two major natural regions: the Canadian Shield in the north and the Interior Plains in the south. Northern Saskatchewan is mostly covered by boreal forest except for the Lake Athabasca Sand Dunes, the largest active sand dunes in the world north of 58°, adjacent to the southern shore of Lake Athabasca. Southern Saskatchewan contains another area with sand dunes known as the “Great Sand Hills” covering over 300 square kilometres (120 sq mi). The Cypress Hills, located in the southwestern corner of Saskatchewan and Killdeer Badlands (Grasslands National Park) are areas of the province that remained unglaciated during the last glaciation period. The province’s highest point at 1,468 metres (4,816 ft) is located in the Cypress Hills. The lowest point is the shore of Lake Athabasca, at 213 metres (700 ft). The province has fourteen major drainage basins^[5] made up of various rivers and watersheds draining into the Arctic Ocean, Hudson Bay, and Gulf of Mexico.

[edit] Climate

Saskatchewan lies far from any significant body of water. This, combined with its northerly latitude gives it a cold summer version of humid continental climate (Köppen type Dfb) in the central and most of the eastern part, drying off to a semi-arid steppe climate (Köppen type BSk) in the southern and southwestern part of the province. The northern parts of Saskatchewan — from about La Ronge northward — have a subarctic climate (Köppen Dfc). Summers can be very hot, with temperatures sometimes above 32 °C (90 °F) during the day, and humidity decreasing from northeast to southwest. Warm southern winds blow from the United States during much of July and August. While winters can be bitterly cold, with high temperatures not breaking −17 °C (0 °F) for weeks at a time, warm chinook winds often blow from the west, bringing periods of mild weather. Annual precipitation averages 30 to 45 centimetres (12 to 18 in) annually across the province, with the bulk of rain falling in June, July, and August. [1]

[edit] Average Temperatures in Cities

^[6]

[edit] History

Main article: History of Saskatchewan

Prior to European settlement, Saskatchewan was populated by various indigenous peoples of North America including members of the Athabaskan, Algonquian, Atsina, Cree, Saulteaux and Sioux tribes. The first European to enter Saskatchewan was Henry Kelsey in 1690, who travelled up the Saskatchewan River in hopes of trading fur with the province’s indigenous peoples. The first permanent European settlement was a Hudson’s Bay Company post at Cumberland House founded by Samuel Hearne in 1774.

In the late 1850s and early 1860s, scientific expeditions led by John Palliser and Henry Youle Hind explored the prairie region of the province.

In the 1870s, the Government of Canada formed the Northwest Territories to administer the vast territory between British Columbia and Manitoba. The government also entered into a series of numbered treaties with the indigenous peoples of the area, which serve as the basis of the relationship between First Nations, as they are called today, and the Crown.

In 1885, post-Confederation Canada’s first “naval battle” was fought in Saskatchewan, when a steamship engaged the Métis at Batoche in the North-West Rebellion.^[7]

A seminal event in the history of what was to become Western Canada was the 1874 “March West” of the federal government’s new North-West Mounted Police. Despite poor equipment and lack of provisions, the men on the march persevered and established a federal presence in the new territory. Historians have argued that had this expedition been unsuccessful, then the expansionist United States would have been sorely tempted to expand into the political vacuum. And even had it not, then the construction of the Canadian Pacific Railway would have been delayed or taken a different, more northerly route, stunting the early growth of towns like Brandon, Regina, Medicine Hat and Calgary — had these existed at all. Failure to construct the railway could also have forced British Columbia to join the United States.

Settlement of the province started to take off as the Canadian Pacific Railway was built in the early 1880s, and the Canadian government divided up the land by the Dominion Land Survey and gave free land to any willing settlers.

The North-West Mounted Police set up several posts and forts across Saskatchewan including Fort Walsh in the Cypress Hills, and Wood Mountain Post in south central Saskatchewan near the United States border.

In 1876, following the Battle of Little Bighorn Lakota chief Sitting Bull led several thousand of his people to Wood Mountain. Wood Mountain Reserve was founded in 1914.

Many Métis people, who had not been signatories to a treaty, had moved to the Southbranch Settlement and Prince Albert district north of present-day Saskatoon following the Red River Resistance in Manitoba in 1870. In the early 1880s, the Canadian government refused to hear the Métis’ grievances, which stemmed from land-use issues. Finally, in 1885, the Métis, led by Louis Riel, staged the North-West Rebellion and declared a provisional government. They were defeated by a Canadian militia brought to the Canadian prairies by the new Canadian Pacific Railway. Riel surrendered and was convicted of treason in a packed Regina courtroom. He was hanged on November 16, 1885.

As more settlers came to the prairies on the railway, the population grew, and Saskatchewan became a province on September 1, 1905; inauguration day was held September 4.

The Homestead Act permitted settlers to acquire ¼ mi² of land to homestead and offered an additional quarter upon establishing a homestead. Immigration peaked in 1910, and in spite of the initial difficulties of frontier life, distance from towns, sod homes, and backbreaking labour, a prosperous agrarian society was established.

In 1913, the Saskatchewan Stock Growers Association was established as Saskatchewan’s first ranchers’ organization. Three objectives were laid out at the founding convention in 1913 have served as a guide: to watch over legislation; to forward the interests of the Stock Growers in every honourable and legitimate way; and to suggest to parliament legislation to meet changing conditions and requirements. Its farming equivalent, the Saskatchewan Grain Growers Association, was the dominant political force in the province until the 1920s and had close ties with the governing Liberal party.

In the late 1920s, the Ku Klux Klan imported from the U.S. and Ontario and gained brief popularity in WASP nativist circles in Saskatchewan and Alberta. The Klan, briefly allied with the provincial Conservative party because of their mutual dislike for Premier James G. “Jimmy” Gardiner and his Liberals (who ferociously fought the Klan) enjoyed about two years of prominence, then disappeared, the victim of widespread political and media opposition plus scandals involving their own funds.

In 1970, the first annual Canadian Western Agribition was held in Regina. This farm industry trade show, with a heavy emphasis on livestock, is rated as one of the five top livestock shows in North America, along with those in Houston, Denver, Louisville and Toronto.

[edit] Demographics

Main article: Demographics of Saskatchewan

According to the 2006 Canadian census,^[8] the largest ethnic group in Saskatchewan is German (30.0%), followed by English (26.5%), Scottish (19.2%), Irish (15.3%), Ukrainian (13.6%), French (12.4%), First Nations (12.1%), Norwegian (7.2%), Polish (6.0%), Métis (4.4%), Dutch (3.7%), Russian (3.7%) and Swedish (3.5%) – although 18.1% of all respondents also identified their ethnicity as “Canadian”.

Saskatchewan’s population since 1901

Year	Population	Five-year % change	Ten-year % change	Rank among provinces
1901	91,279	n/a	n/a	8
1911	492,432	n/a	439.5	3
1921	757,510	n/a	53.8	3
1931	921,785	n/a	21.7	3
1941	895,992	n/a	-2.8	3
1951	831,728	n/a	-7.2	5
1956	880,665	5.9	n/a	5
1961	925,181	5.1	11.2	5
1966	955,344	3.3	8.5	6
1971	926,242	-3.0	0.1	6
1976	921,325	-0.5	3.6	6
1981	968,313	5.1	4.5	6
1986	1,009,613	4.3	9.6	6
1991	988,928	-2.0	2.1	6
1996	976,615	-1.2	-3.3	6
2001	978,933	0.2	-1.0	6
2006	985,386	0.7	0.9	6

^[9][10]

[edit] Religion

The largest denominations by number of adherents according to the 2001 census were the Roman Catholic Church with 286,815 (30 %); the United Church of Canada with 187,450 (20 %); and the Lutherans with 78,520 (8 %).^[11]

[edit] Economy

Saskatchewan’s economy is associated with agriculture; however, increasing diversification has meant that now agriculture, forestry, fishing, and hunting together make up only 6.8% of the province’s GDP. Saskatchewan grows 45% of Canada’s grain.^{[citation needed]} Wheat is the most familiar crop and perhaps the one stereotypically associated with the province, but other grains like canola, flax, rye, oats, peas, lentils, canary seed, and barley are also produced. Beef cattle production in the province is only exceeded by Alberta. Mining is also a major industry in the province, with Saskatchewan being the world leader in potash and uranium exports.^[12] In the northern part of the province, forestry is significant.

Oil and natural gas production is also a very important part of Saskatchewan’s economy, although the oil industry is larger. Only Alberta exceeds the province in overall oil production.^[13] Heavy crude is extracted in the Lloydminster-Kerrobert-Kindersley areas. Light crude is found in the Kindersley-Swift Current areas as well as the Weyburn-Estevan fields. Natural gas is found almost entirely in the western part of Saskatchewan, from the Primrose Lake area through Lloydminster, Unity, Kindersley, Leader, and around Maple Creek areas.^[14]

Saskatchewan’s GDP in 2006 was approximately C$45.922 billion,^[15] with economic sectors breaking down in the following way:

%	Sector
17.1	finance, insurance, real estate, leasing
13.0	mining, petroleum
11.9	education, health, social services
11.7	wholesale and retail trade
9.1	transportation, communications, utilities
7.7	manufacturing
6.8	agriculture, forestry, fishing, hunting
6.5	business services
5.8	government services
5.1	construction
5.3	other

A list of the top 100 companies includes The Potash Corporation of Saskatchewan, Federated Cooperatives Ltd. and IPSCO.

Major Saskatchewan-based Crown corporations are Saskatchewan Government Insurance (SGI), SaskTel, SaskEnergy (the province’s main supplier of natural gas), and SaskPower. Bombardier runs the NATO Flying Training Centre at 15 Wing, near Moose Jaw. Bombardier was awarded a long-term contract in the late 1990s for $2.8 billion from the federal government for the purchase of military aircraft and the running of the training facility.

[edit] Provincial finances

Fiscal Year	Population2	Public Debt3	Budget Surplus	GFSF Balance	Pers. Inc. Tax Revenue	Corp. Inc./Cap. Tax Revenue	Sales tax Revenue	Resource Revenue	Health Expense
20091	N/A	4,146,880	2,318,200	1,952,200	2,095,1004	1,120,600	1,087,300	4,394,800	3,825,333
2008	1,012,044	6,824,323	1,282,869	1,528,934	1,938,258	1,104,245	995,995	2,325,116	3,504,333
2007	992,238	7,244,938	397,394	887,500	1,668,538	1,067,459	1,079,794	1,694,252	3,202,965
2006	985,386	7,197,223	539,466	887,500	1,447,905	918,279	1,112,350	1,721,100	2,990,625
2005	991,884	7,545,574	765,117	748,500	1,329,081	638,968	985,079	1,474,191	2,773,961
2004	N/A	8,031,637	-210,017	366,000	1,245,763	682,052	854,480	1,140,962	2,515,823
2003	N/A	7,821,426	82,860	577,000	1,429,757	557,360	813,932	1,243,649	2,342,835
2002	N/A	7,561,899	-278,902	495,000	1,196,410	508,542	770,984	903,044	2,199,723