Greece has always maintained a purely defensive posture in the face of continuing threats on its sovereignty by bordering nations. Their Special Forces doctrine is much the same, being geared towards small but highly effective rapid-reaction forces which can counter an invading army. The roles of the various Raiding Forces units are very similar, the main difference being each unit's methods of insertion into combat areas, and various roles attributed to each unit's specialised training.

1 SKD (Syntagma Katadromon)

The spearhead of the Raiding Forces is 1 SKD, the 1st Raiding Regiment. It consists of 3 Raiding Squadrons, or Mires - Beta (BMK), Delta (DMK) and Epsilon (EMK) - all of which are based in Macedonia. BMK was formed at Vouliagmeni, Athens in August of 1947 and took part in Civil War operations in Thessaly, Central Greece, Epiros, West Macedonia and Euvoia. The Squadron is currently based at Naousa. DMK was established at the port city of Volos, Thessaly in December 1947 and operated in all regions of Greece during the Civil War. It is based at Rendina. EMK was formed in April 1949 and took part in Civil War operations until December 1949. The Squadron is based at Drama.

In wartime, 1 SKD would be expected to operate primarily behind enemy lines, gathering intelligence on enemy numbers, positions and movements; conducting lightning raids on enemy structures, columns and patrols; cutting the enemy's lines of communication; organising and training resistance groups; abducting or terminating enemy personnel; rescuing captured personnel.

Katadromeas

2 SAL (Syntagma Alexiptotiston)

The 2nd Parachute Regiment consists of two Squadrons. The 1st Parachute Squadron, 1 MAL, is based at Maleme, Crete. 2 MAL, 2nd Parachute Squadron, is based at Aspropyrgos, Attica, which is also the home of SHAL - the Hellenic Army's Parachute School, and Regimental Headquarters. Although it's main role is similar to that of 1 SKD, the Parachute Regiment would be required to undertake specific roles (due its airborne capability) such as parachuting behind enemy lines to establish communication and transport routes for advancing friendly forces and the reinforcement of defensive positions.

13 SAKD (Syntagma Amfivion Katadromon)

Due to tensions between Greece and Turkey over the sovereignty of the Greek-populated Aegean islands, and the formation of the Turkish Fourth Army (an amphibious "training" army) on the Asia Minor coastline adjacent to Greece, the Hellenic Army recognised the need for a special forces unit to operate in this potentially explosive region. In 1963, Gamma Squadron (GMK) was re-formed as an Amphibious Raiding Squadron, GAMK (Gamma Amfivia Mira Katadromon). Alpha Squadron (AMK) was re-activated in 1968, and after the Turkish invasion of Cyprus in 1974, was also re-formed as an amphibious unit, AAMK. Both Squadrons were placed under the command of the 13th Amphibious Raiding Regiment in 1988. Specialised roles include coastal reconnaissance; capture and/or destruction of enemy coastal weapon emplacements and facilities; small-scale amphibious assault.

Amphibious Raiders

ETA (Eidiko Tmima Alexiptotiston)

The Special Parachute Unit is the Raiding Forces' Pathfinder/LRRP (Long Range Reconnaissance Patrol) element. Full details of its training, structure and numerical strength are necessarily secret, but it is known that it recruits only the best Raiders from the Parachute Regiment. Operating in small teams, its members' primary role is to parachute deep behind enemy lines and remain there for long periods, utilizing their skills for gathering vital intelligence.

DYNAMI TAHEIAS EPEMVASIS

After the Imia Crisis of 1996, The Hellenic Army embarked on a plan to prevent further incursions on its territory. A new Special Forces unit was formed, the Rapid Reaction Force. Essentially an Airborne Brigade, it is expected to be maintained at full strength, and as Greece's primary rapid-reaction force, it draws support elements from the Hellenic Navy and Air Force as well as Army Aviation and has the latest equipment at its disposal. As the unit's name suggests, its role is rapid insertion into trouble spots along the frontier.