Colombian army encyclopedia topics

History

The Colombian Army trace its history back to the 1770s and 1780s, when the comuneros (Commoners) (mostly descendants of Spanish and Amerindians) decided to separate from the Spanish crown to create their own country and initiated a revolutionary war. The Greater Colombian Army is consolidated on August 7, 1819 by defeating the Spaniards at Boyacá in the Battle of Boyacá and under the command of Simon Bolivar. Since then the Colombian Army has been the biggest organization of Colombia.

During the 19th century the military reform carried out by General Rafael Reyes Prieto in the year 1907 would denote the professionalization of the Colombian Armed Forces.

Recent History

The Colombian Army is present at war with leftist rebels of the FARC, ELN and EPL, as well as other minor groups. Throughout the war, military personnel have usually maintained a level of professionalism.

Members of the military have been accused or condemned for collaborating with the activities of right wing paramilitaries, such as the AUC and others. The BBC and other sources have reported on cases of corruption in the military, as well as other scandals.

The United States government approved the Plan Colombia initiative. Part of the resources provided by this initiative would be directed to the support of the Colombian Army by strengthening its combat and logistics capabilities.

The Colombian Army is led by the President of Colombia (a civilian) and directed as well by a "three suns" general.

The training of Colombian soldiers is world recognized due to its demanding features. The promotion courses (courses that the candidate has to take in order to be promoted to a higher rank) are usually tough and physically demanding.

A "Lancero" training course in counterinsurgency warfare is held in Tolemaida, 150 miles (240km) from Bogotá, where temperatures range between 85 and 100 degrees F. (29.5-38 degrees C.) throughout the year. The course, which has been called the toughest in the world, is run by the Colombian army with U.S. military instructors also playing a role. According to Paris Match (no. 2964, March 9-15, 2006) the course lasts 73 days and trains Bolivian, Ecuadorean, and Panamian troops as well as Colombian soldiers; some French and American soldiers are also trained there. The course, founded in 1955, derives from the Ranger program of the US Army. Reportedly, severe techniques and live ammunition are used. Because of its exceptional nature, the course has gained international prestige.

Military overseas operations

The Colombian National Army deploys soldiers in the Sinai since the United Nations Emergency Force was assembled in 1956

It has also joined forces many times with different armies around the world under the UN mandate.

Organization

Divisions

Regiments

Infantería (Infantry)
Caballería (Cavalry)
Artillería (Artillery)
Ingenieros (Engineers)
Intelligence (Intelligence)
Comunicaciones (Communications)
Cuerpo Logístico y Administrativo (Logistics and Administrative Corps)
Aviación (Army Aviation)

Special Units

The Colombian Army has created new programs in order to fight terrorism and leftist guerrillas that during the last 40 years have fought a war to overthrow the Colombian government.

Fast Deployment Force

Colombian National Army Rapid Deployment Force or Fuerza de Despliegue Rapida abr. FUDRA, was created as a modern quick reaction force to deploy to different regions and to all types of weather. Currently, its function is to solely carry out offensive operations against insurgents or outlaws.

Anti-Narcotics Brigade

Anti-narcotics Brigade (Brigada Anti-Narcoticos). This unit was specifically activated for operations against the trafficking of narcotics. It was created on December 8, 2000 and has its main headquarters in the Guaviare Department.

Army Aviation Brigade

Colombian National Army Aviation or Unidad de Aviacion del Ejercito, The Colombian Army has an aviation branch that works autonomously from the Colombian Air Force. It's part of the Colombian Army Cavalry Corps and its main mission is to support the army's ground operations. The unit has recently focused in the security of the Colombian border and Colombia's sovereignty.

This Unit was created on September 7 of 1916 and it is managed by the Colombian Cavalry.

AFEUR unit

Colombian National Army Special Forces Anti-Terrorist Group

The Agrupación de Fuerzas Especiales Antiterroristas Urbanas (Urban Counter-Terrorism Special Forces Group, AFEUR) is an elite unit of the Colombian Army, whose primary mission is to perform counter-terrorist operations and hostage rescues based on stealth, surprise and team work.

VIP protection is another task of the unit. For example, they protect the Colombian President when he travels, and provided protection for President Bill Clinton's (Army group) and President George W. Bush visits to Cartagena, in 2000, 2004 respectively. They also provided the second security ring to Bush visit to Bogotá in 2007.

This unit answers directly to the Commando General de las Fuerzas Armadas (Armed Forces Joint Staff), and they are allowed to use any military air transportation to guarantee mobility, and to use any weapon or additional equipment as required to accomplish their missions.

On the other hand AFEUR won the "Fuerzas Comando 2005" (Commando Forces 2005) contest, that took place in Chile in June 2005 lasting two weeks.

This yearly contest sponsored by the US South Command and the US Special Operations Command with similar teams from Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Costa Rica, Ecuador, El Salvador, U.S., Guatemala, Honduras, Jamaica, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Dominican Republic, Peru and Uruguay.

AFEUR also won the 2006 and 2007 versions of this contest.

Special Forces Brigade

Colombian National Army Special Forces Brigade

GAULA groups

GAULA is an acronym for Grupos de Acción Unificada por la Libertad Personal (Spanish for Unified Action Groups for Personal Freedom (GAULA) specialized on hostage rescues.

Army Equipment

IFV / APC

EE-9 Cascavel - 130
M-113 - 120
EE-11 Urutu - 100
RG-31 Nyala - 4

Assault Rifles

IMI Galil - Standard assault rifle. Produced under license by Indumil
IMI Tavor
M16 rifle
IMI Negev

Machine Guns

Artillery

M101 howitzer

Helicopters

Military ranks

Soldier types

Regular soldiers: Conscripted soldiers who serve for a period of 22 months obligatory service.

Professional soldiers: These are regular soldiers who after completing their 22 months' obligatory service decide to stay in the army and make of it a full time profession. Salary increases depending on service time and rank, and these soldiers receive full social security benefits and pensions when they retire after 20 years of service.

Dragoneantes: soldiers who have gained recognition through their achievements and have special training. They have some authority over other soldiers of the same rank or below.

Sub-officers (Suboficiales)

Cabo Tercero- translates as Corporal Third Class, or Third Corporal
Cabo Segundo- translates as Corporal Second Class, or Second Corporal
Cabo Primero- translates as Corporal First Class, or First Corporal

Sargento Segundo- translates as Sergeant Second Class, or Second Sergeant. (This rank is equivalent to a US Staff Sergeant or a Commonwealth Sergeant)
Sargento Vice Primero- can be translated in several ways, e.g. as Sergeant Assistant First Class, or Assistant First Sergeant, or Deputy First Sergeant, or Vice-First Sergeant etc. (This rank is equivalent to a US Sergeant First Class or a Commonwealth Staff Sergeant)
Sargento Primero- translates as Sergeant First Class, or First Sergeant

Sargento Mayor- translates as Sergeant Major, or Senior Sergeant
Sargento Mayor de Commando- translates as Command Sergeant Major, or Command Senior Sergeant
Sargento Mayor de Commando Ejército- translates as Army Command Sergeant Major, of the Army Command Senior Sergeant