Mountain Specialists Department 1
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The Mountain Specialists Department 1 (Geb Spez Abt 1) is a specialist association of the Swiss Army . It is the only unit that is trained and deployed for high mountains. Geb Spez Abt 1 is subordinate to the Competence Center Mountain Service of the Army (Komp Zen Geb DA) based in Andermatt . The unit was founded in 2003 after the closure of the Central Mountain Combat School (ZGKS) Andermatt.
assignment
The mountain specialists have a similar task to the mountain guides in the civilian sector . The job of the mountain specialists includes:
- Leadership and training of other associations in the high mountains
- year-round, permanent readiness for alpine rescue; the mountain specialists have to be ready for action within nine hours
Mountain specialists are deployed individually or in small groups for management and training tasks, depending on the assignment. For alpine rescue missions, depending on the extent of the damage or disaster, larger detachments can also be dispatched.
Since the army maintains numerous systems for communication and air surveillance in the high mountains , the mountain specialists also support their maintenance.
Special features and training
Since the mountain specialist has the military high mountain badge, the military principle of “function before degree” in cooperation with mountain specialists can lead to soldiers leading senior members of the army.
During the draft, the candidates must have very good athletic performance. The pre-work aptitude test that is carried out in Andermatt includes (as of 2019):
- Orientation, assessment of alpine dangers, first aid
- Rope handling such as basic knots, rope techniques (rock, ice), abseiling
- Rock climbing: With mountain boots and backpack in French difficulty level 5a / 5b, with climbing finches in level 5c / 6a (see difficulty scale (climbing) )
- Another sport test with an obstacle course
- Alpine skiing: solid basic skills off-piste, as well as an ascent with skis and backpack (1500 meters difference in altitude, for a limited period of time)
The training content includes:
- alpine training in summer and winter techniques
- Risk assessment, risk management, avalanche assessment
- alpine rescue
- Leading groups, advising officers inexperienced in mountaineering
- Construction of fixed rope systems, ladders and cable cars
- infantry fighting in alpine terrain
Avalanche accident in 2007
During the normal ascent to the Jungfrau , five recruits and a sergeant from the mountain specialist recruit school were killed in an avalanche accident above the Rottal saddle. The accident affected a group of 14 soldiers. The decision to go on the first fine day after heavy snowfall, as well as the schedule - the midday warmth destabilizes layers of snow, which increases the risk of avalanches, which is why the summit destination should always be reached in the morning - were heavily criticized by civilian mountain guides.
In the first instance, the two army mountain guides were acquitted of accusations of negligent homicide and negligent non-compliance with service regulations.