GAFES

Technological and Vision Tools Night Vision Devices (AN/PVS-31): Third generation or binocular devices that allow viewing in almost total darkness. Thermal Cameras: Essential for detecting the enemy's body heat through dense vegetation or smoke. "Nano" Drones: Like the Black Hornet, a drone the size of a small bird that enters through windows to survey the interior of a room without risking personnel. IR (Infrared) Laser Pointers: Like the PEQ-15, which emits a beam visible only with night vision goggles, allowing precise aiming in the dark. Breaching Tools (Opening Access) These are the tools that allow the unit to enter any place, regardless of locks or armor. Mossberg 500 Shotgun (Breaching): Loaded with iron powder cartridges to destroy door hinges without the projectile ricocheting back at the operators. Ram and Halligan: Steel tools for forcing doors and prying frames. Cutting Charges (Explosives): Strips of C4 or detonating cord configured to "blow up" locks or create entrances in brick walls in seconds. Hydraulic Shears: Capable of cutting reinforced steel, like those used by rescuers, but in portable tactical versions. FX-05 Xiuhcóatl (Carbine): The short-barreled version of the Mexican rifle, designed to be maneuverable in close quarters (CQB). SIG Sauer MCX / SIG516: High-end spearguns used for their water and mud resistance. Very common in high-impact operations. Heckler & Koch MP5 / MP5SD: Although veteran, it is still used in missions that require extreme stealth (the SD version has an integrated silencer) and calibers that do not penetrate walls (9mm). FN Minimi (M249): Light machine gun for support fire. Its function is to "fix" the enemy while the rest of the squad maneuvers.

transport vehicles: Tactical Operations Ground Vehicles A. Humvee (HMMWV - M1151/M1152) It's the classic workhorse. The Special Forces versions are heavily modified. Armor: Reinforced to resist .50 caliber rounds and improvised explosive devices (IEDs). Armament: 360° roof mount for an MK-19 machine gun (grenade launcher), an M2 .50 caliber or an M134 Minigun. Use: High-impact patrol and escort in conflict zones. B. Chevrolet Silverado / RAM (Modified Pick-up Trucks) Although they look like commercial vehicles, they are internally reinforced. They are preferred for rapid response operations and urban pursuit. Modifications: Reinforced suspensions, hidden armor plates and "roll-bars" (roll bars). Advantage: They are faster and more discreet than a heavy military vehicle, allowing them to infiltrate urban areas without attracting excessive attention until the last moment. C. SandCat A Joint Light Tactical Armored Vehicle (JLTV) specifically designed for special forces. Capacity: Transports a full squad (8 elements) with total protection. Maneuverability: Despite its level IV or V armor, it has a short turning radius, ideal for narrow streets in troubled cities. hidden armor plates and roll bars

maneuvers in braching Execution Protocol (Step by Step) The success of an entry depends on the coordination between the Brecher (the one who opens) and the Assault Team. Approach: The unit silently arrives at the "breakthrough point" (the gate). They form a "stack" (closed line). Preparation: The breacher places the tool or charge. The other operators keep their weapons pointed at potential threats (windows, corners). "Ready" signal: The last man in line presses his hand on the shoulder of the man in front, and so on until the Brecher is reached. It is a silent tactical communication. Execution: The Brecher shouts: "Breach, breach, breach!" or simply acts on a visual cue. Once the entrance is open, the Brecher immediately moves out of the way (he "sticks" to the outer wall) to allow free passage. Entry: The assault team enters, "clearing" the room. The breacher is usually the last to enter or stays behind to cover the rear (entry point). Types of Brecciation A. Mechanical Breaching (Brute Force) It is the most common and uses hand tools. Ram: For wooden or light metal doors. Strike near the lock or hinges. Shears: For cutting chains, padlocks or concertina wire (barbed wire). Halligan Tool: A multifunctional steel bar for prying into reinforced door frames. B. Ballistic Breech Use of firearms to destroy locking mechanisms. Fragible Shotgun: Special cartridges containing compressed metal powder (frangible) are used. Upon impact with the hinge or lock, the projectile disintegrates into powder, preventing ricochets that could injure the operator or civilians inside. Protocol: The shotgunner places the muzzle of the weapon at a 45-degree angle downwards against the door to ensure that the force is directed at the mechanism. C. Explosive Brecciation The most advanced and fastest method, used when time is critical or the door is heavily reinforced. Linear or Frame Charges: Plastic explosive is placed

maneuvers: Use of Graduated Force If the situation allows, before using lethal fire, distraction and control methods are employed: "Flashbang" (Stunning) Grenades: They emit a blinding light and a deafening noise that temporarily incapacitates everyone in the room (civilians and enemies), allowing operators to enter and physically subdue people without firing. Verbal Commands: Short, direct orders spoken loudly ("Mexican Army, get down!") so that civilians can identify the authority and protect themselves. 5. "Triage" Protocol Under Fire If civilians are injured during the confrontation, an immediate medical protocol is activated: Secure, then Treat: First, the threat is neutralized. Once the area is "safe" (or "gray"), combat medics (tactical nurses) treat wounded civilians using the same advanced equipment (tourniquets, chest patches) they would use for a comrade. The "Safe Target": The operator must visually confirm that the individual is holding a weapon and has a hostile intent. Target Discrimination: In fractions of a second, the operator's brain must differentiate between a civilian running in panic and a combatant seeking cover. Use of Optics: Red dot sights (such as EOTech) are used, which allow both eyes to remain open, preserving peripheral vision to detect civilians who may cross into the line of fire. 2. The "Funnel of Death" and Sector Control In urban areas, streets and doorways become channels where shots can ricochet or pass through walls (overpenetration). Firing Angles: Operators adjust their firing sectors so that shots are directed towards solid areas or where there are known to be no civilians. Wall Control: Avoid firing through thin walls if you don't know what's on the other side. Preferably use controlled fragmentation ammunition that breaks up upon impact with hard surfaces, reducing ricochets.

formations: V-formation Link (Step) Training Online Training (or "On Shooters") Wedge Formation (Inverted V) communication during combat and during missions: When contact is broken and secrecy is no longer possible, communication becomes forceful and direct: Fire Orders: The squad commander uses short, powerful verbal orders (e.g., "Suppression fire at 12!"). "Password" Link: To avoid friendly fire when regrouping or encountering other units in the dark, pre-established rapid response codes are used. Pyrotechnic and Smoke Signals: In extraction situations or when electronic communications fail (due to interference or terrain), colored smoke grenades or flares are used to mark targets or landing zones (LZ). mindset The mindset of a Special Forces operative during an engagement is not based on uncontrolled adrenaline, but on a concept called "Controlled Aggression." A GAFE member is trained to transition from a state of passive vigilance to absolute action violence in milliseconds, while always maintaining analytical capacity. Planning an operation in the Special Forces is a meticulous process that follows a technical methodology known as the Troop Leadership Procedure (TLP). Nothing is left to chance; every minute of the mission is rehearsed and every contingency is anticipated. Here I detail the key stages of how a GAFE plans a mission:

1. Mission Reception and Analysis It all begins with a superior order. The unit commander receives the mission and performs a quick analysis: What is the objective? (Capture, reconnaissance, sabotage, or rescue). Available time: The Rule of Thirds applies: the commander uses 1/3 of the time to plan and leaves the remaining 2/3 for subordinates to prepare their equipment and rehearse.

Recognition and protocols: Types of Recognition Depending on the mission, reconnaissance can take two forms: Remote Reconnaissance (Technological): Short-range drones (UAVs) or real-time satellite imagery are used to map escape routes, identify sentries, and detect enemy security cameras. Area/Point Reconnaissance (Physical): A small reconnaissance squad (usually 2 or 4 men) infiltrates near the target to confirm what technology cannot see: door materials, terrain conditions, or specific enemy routines. The Observation Protocol (SALTUTE) To ensure the information is useful and not just "rumors," operators use the standardized SALTUTE report to report what they see: S (Size): How many enemies are there? A (Activity): What are they doing? (Sleeping, patrolling, armed). L (Location): Exact coordinates or reference points. T (Unit): To which group do they belong? (Uniformed, civilians, wearing tactical vests). U (Time): Exact time of observation. E (Equipment): What weapons do they have? Do they have armored vehicles or heavy machine guns? maneuvers: The "Safe Target": The operator must visually confirm that the individual is holding a weapon and has a hostile intent. Target Discrimination: In fractions of a second, the operator's brain must differentiate between a civilian running in panic and a combatant seeking cover. Use of Optics: Red dot sights (such as EOTech) are used, which allow both eyes to remain open, preserving peripheral vision to detect civilians who may cross into the line of fire.