3rd Special Forces Division (Greece)

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3rd Special Forces Division
Active1948–1949, 1978–1988
CountryGreece
BranchHellenic Army
TypeSpecial forces
RoleAir assault
Anti-tank warfare
Artillery observer
Black operation
Bomb disposal
CBRN defense
Clandestine operation
Close-quarters combat
Cold-weather warfare
Counterinsurgency
Counterterrorism
Desert warfare
Direct action
Executive protection
Force protection
Forward air control
HUMINT
Hostage rescue
Irregular warfare
Jungle warfare
Long-range penetration
Manhunt
Military intelligence
Mountain warfare
Parachuting
Patrolling
Raiding
Reconnaissance
Special operations
Special reconnaissance
Urban warfare
SizeDivision

The 3rd Special Forces Division (Greek: ΙΙΙ Μεραρχία Ειδικών Δυνάμεων) was a division encompassing the special forces units of the Hellenic Army.

The first similar unit was formed as the 3rd Raiding Division (ΙΙΙ Μεραρχία Καταδρομών) during the final stages of the Greek Civil War (1946–49). Commanded by the "father of Greek Special Forces", Andreas Kallinskis, the division grouped the Mountain Raiding Companies (LOK) into five squadrons (I–V) in two brigades (I and II), and took part in the final operations of the Battle of Grammos in August 1949, that ended the civil war in a victory for government forces.

The 3rd Special Forces Division was formed again in 1978, when, in the aftermath of the Turkish invasion of Cyprus, it became clear that a unified command for the various special forces units of the Army was necessary, if they were to function as a rapid reaction force. The division grouped together the 32nd Marines Brigade, the 1st Raider Regiment and the 2nd Paratroopers Regiment. The division was disbanded in 1988, but a similar role is now fulfilled by the 1st Infantry Division.

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