Netherlands Special Operations Command

The Netherlands Special Operations Command (NLD SOCOM) is a joint command of the Netherlands Armed Forces which is responsible for the planning, command and control, execution and evaluation of all operations conducted by the Dutch special operations forces, the Korps Commandotroepen (KCT) and the Netherlands Maritime Special Operations Forces (NLMARSOF).[1]

Netherlands Special Operations Command
Emblem of NLD SOCOM
ActiveDecember 5, 2018 (2018-12-05)
Country Netherlands
TypeJoint command
Special operations forces
RoleSpecial operations
Part of Chief of Defence
HQThe Hague
Nickname(s)NLD SOCOM
Commanders
Current
commander		Major general Ron Smits

History

The establishment of a joint command that would unify the SOF units of the armed forces had been subject of debate for numerous years. The increasing demand for the deployment of SOF added in the 15 years prior to the establishment of a joint command added to this discussion. Therefore, a task force SOCOM was established in 2017 under the command of lieutenant general Hans Wehren which was due to transform into an operational command.[2] On 5 December 2018, the command was formally founded with a ceremony at Gilze-Rijen Air Base.[3] NLD SOCOM reached full operational capability on the 2nd October 2020.[4]

Organisation

NLD SOCOM is an operational staff and placed under direct command of the Chief of Defence due to the strategic impact of its operations. Although NLD SOCOM is responsible for deployments, the SOF units (KCT and NLMARSOF) administratively remain part of their respective branches, the Royal Netherlands Army and the Royal Netherlands Navy.[1]

NLD SOCOM cooperates closely with the special operations commands of Denmark (SOKOM) and Belgium (SOR) in the Composite Special Operations Component Command (C-SOCC). The C-SOCC is a tri-national NATO expeditionary SOF headquarters; in 2021 the C-SOCC is responsible for all SOF efforts of the NATO Response Force (NRF21).[5] Within the C-SOCC, the Netherlands is the lead nation of the Composite Special Operations Air Task Group (C-SOATG).[6] In addition, the Netherlands and Belgium will provide a joint Composite Special Operations Maritime Task Group (C-SOMG) in 2026.[7]

The three primary units currently operating under NLD SOCOM command are:

References
  1. "Special Operations Command". defensie.nl. Ministry of Defence. Retrieved 17 April 2021.
  2. Marchand, Arno (19 December 2018). "Special Operations Command: Binnen luchtmacht belangrijke rol voor SOF Air". De Vliegende Hollander. 12. Retrieved 17 April 2021.
  3. ten Voorde, Gerard (5 December 2018). "Alle special forces onder één commando". Reformatorisch Dagblad. Retrieved 17 April 2021.
  4. Minister of Defence Ank Bijleveld (4 February 2021). "Kamerbrief met Geannoteerde agenda videobijeenkomst NAVO-ministers van Defensie". rijksoverheid.nl. Government. Retrieved 17 April 2021. Met deze brief wil ik u informeren dat NLD SOCOM op 2 oktober 2020 full operational capable (FOC) is verklaard
  5. "Special Operations Forces klaar voor NAVO-inzet 2021". defensie.nl. Ministry of Defence. 10 December 2020. Retrieved 17 April 2021.
  6. van Beveren, Arthur (24 November 2020). "Nederland leidt eerste Special Operations Air Task Group: 'Binnen de NAVO is hieraan grote behoefte'". De Vliegende Hollander. 11. Retrieved 17 April 2021.
  7. Courtial, Marie-Madeleine (16 March 2021). "La Belgique et les Pays-Bas proposeront un Composite Special Operations Maritime Task Group pour 2026". À l'Avant-Garde. Retrieved 17 April 2021.
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