United States Naval Special Warfare Development Group
The United States Naval Special Warfare Development Group (NSWDG), commonly known as DEVGRU and informally by its former name SEAL Team Six (ST6),[1][2] is one of the United States' secretive Tier One counter-terrorism and Special Mission Units (SMUs), the other one being 1st SFOD-D (Delta Force). In a recent article, written by Marc Ambinder he mentions that DEVGRU's designation has recently been changed by the Defence Department to a new name. However, the new name is currently classified. This has also been the case for Delta Force, which was originally designated 1st Special Forces Operational Detachment-Delta, and is now known as Combat Applications Group.[3] The vast majority of information surrounding DEVGRU is highly classified and details of its activities are not commented on by either the White House or the Department of Defense.[4]
The National Gendarmerie Intervention Group, commonly abbreviated GIGN (French: Groupe d'Intervention de la Gendarmerie Nationale), is the FrenchNational Gendarmerie's eliteSpecial Operationscounter-terrorism and hostage rescueunit. Like the French National Gendarmerie, of which it is part, the GIGN has a military status but is charged with police duties, usually in rural areas. As such, GIGN is more an enhanced SWAT team than a pure military special force such as the British Army's Special Air Service. Its operators are trained to follow law enforcement regulations and include negotiation and investigation specialists.
Its missions include the arrest of armed criminals, in particular those taking hostages, counter-terrorism and dealing with aircraft hijacking, and ending prison riots.
It is a counterpart to the RAID unit of the National Police. In contrast to RAID, GIGN may also be tasked for military operations outside of France territory (such as hostage rescue for example).
While the Special Air Service traces its origins to 1941 and the Second World War, it gained fame and recognition worldwide after successfully assaulting the Iranian Embassy in London and rescuing hostages during the 1980 Iranian Embassy Siege, lifting the regiment from obscurity outside the military establishment.[10]