The Special Forces Support Centre (CPSS) is a combat unit directly under the Special Forces Directorate. The unit started its operation on 1st July, 2016 and Olomouc is the garrison city. The main tasks of this unit are the management of information and psychological operations and providing combat support to operators of the 601st Special Forces Group within the Special Operations Task Group. In case of the combat support there is a wide range of fire and other tactical support of embedded elements of the Special Forces in various tactical activities that focus on the offensive activity.

Picture: Soldiers of the Special Forces Support Centre during training of the combat element | army.cz

The purpose of the unit is to provide the 601st Special Forces Group, for example, with a form of securing external cordon, fire support, guarantee of the convoys in infiltration or exfiltration or if the QRF provision is necessary. The CPSS, acting as such, is structured, equipped and its members are selected and trained to achieve optimum results in joint combat tasks with the 601st Special Forces Group.

The Special Forces Support Centre is directly under the Special Forces Directorate of the Ministry of Defence, which is also responsible for its construction. The fulfilment of the unit by forces and means is gradual and has the longer-term form. The establishment of the CPSS, which is located in the garrison town Olomouc, will ensure the expansion of capabilities and capacity of the Special Forces (SpecS) and the Army of the Czech Republic. 

Picture: Soldiers of the Special Forces Support Centre during training of the combat element | army.cz

The Special Forces present a separate type of forces which provide the Czech Republic with a highly flexible and effective strategic tool in the area of defence and security. It is formed by the Special Forces Directorate (ŘeSpecS) that ensures command and management of its subordinate units. They are capable of performing a full range of special operations: special survey, offensive activity, support and influence in all geographical and climatic conditions. 

The Special Forces Directorate (ŘeSpecS) and the 601st Special Forces Group (601.skss) form the part of the special forces of the Army of the Czech Republic. The Special Forces Support Centre (CPSS) has been newly established directly under the Special Forces Directorate (ŘeSpecS). In order to increase the mobility and support for special operations, the Air Force allocates a helicopter unit, so-called the Special Operations Aviation Regiment (LOSO). 

Picture: Soldiers of the Special Forces Support Centre during training of the combat element | FB CPSS

Selection Procedure for the CPSS

The members are selected for inclusion in the combat section of the CPSS in the first rounds of the selection procedure. The combat section will consist of several light infantry platoons and a firing support platoon. The competence of the members of the already mentioned platoons is based on the application of tasks of the direct combat or fire support during the performance of tasks associated with the support of special operations.

Video: Special Forces Support Centre (CPSS) / YouTube

The members who succeed in the selection procedures are expected to be shortly deployed in the operational engagement preparation along with the members of the 601st Special Forces Group.