9781422287828

The Birth of Hostage RESCUE UNITS 11

firefight. Five terrorists were killed and three captured, but at the price of 11 Israeli hostages murdered. The massacre sent shock waves throughout Western Europe and the United States. Munich had shown that local police forces, however well trained, could not hope to fight a determined terrorist attack. The necessity for dedicated hostage-rescue units was accepted, and plans to create them were quickly set in motion. Only highly skilled individuals would be suitable for such units. Candidates would have to be excellent marksmen capable of using a variety of weapons, but also be good at negotiating and calming down the situation if possible. They would need to be fit and intelligent, capable of operating alone or in small groups. On September 11, 2001, the fight against terrorismwas stepped up in response to terrible atrocities in New York and Washington D.C., which claimed the lives of more than 5,000 Americans. The following units continue to fight the terrorist menace. Germany’s GSG 9 West Germany’s Grenzchutzgruppe 9 (GSG 9) was officially established on April 17, 1973. To get into GSG 9 is very difficult. An initial interview selects candidates who are already good at police work. They must also be self- confident, intelligent, and have the ability to mix with other people from all walks of life, which prepares them for work as bodyguards. If they are picked, they undergo a 22-week training program. After that, they are put on standby in case of emergencies. The officers keep their skills sharp by practicing a series of simulated hostage-rescues from cars, trains, aircraft,