special unit
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special unit
A specially trained and equipped group within the police, military, or other organizations that is responsible for difficult and dangerous operations.
Bei der Geiselnahme wurde eine Spezialeinheit der Polizei eingesetzt.
A police special unit was deployed during the hostage-taking.
The word is a clear compound of 'Spezial-' (relating to a special kind) and 'Einheit' (unit, group). So it literally refers to a 'special group'.
Für diesen gefährlichen Einsatz wurde eine Spezialeinheit angefordert.
A special unit was requested for this dangerous operation.
Common verbs used with 'Spezialeinheit' (special unit) are 'einsetzen' (to deploy), 'alarmieren' (to alert), or 'anfordern' (to request). These describe the activation of the unit.
Die Regierung beschloss, eine militärische Spezialeinheit einzusetzen.
The government decided to deploy a military special unit.
To say which organization the unit belongs to, you usually use the genitive ('der Polizei' — of the police) or the preposition 'von' ('von der Polizei' — from/of the police). The genitive is more common in written language.
Eine Spezialeinheit der Küstenwache sicherte das Gebiet.
A coast guard special unit secured the area.
command / commando
Both words can refer to a special unit for difficult operations. Kommando is more likely to name the specific operational unit, while Spezialeinheit emphasizes the special training and equipment required for such tasks. Kommando is appropriate when referring to the unit in action, while Spezialeinheit is more suitable when classifying it by its capabilities.
Die Spezialeinheit wurde wegen ihrer besonderen Ausbildung für den gefährlichen Einsatz ausgewählt.
The special unit was selected for the dangerous operation because of its specialized training.
Das Kommando rückte am frühen Morgen aus, um die schwierige Aufgabe zu übernehmen.
The commando unit deployed early in the morning to take on the difficult task.
