7th Army Training Command
U.S. Army Europe's Training Command
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International Special Training Centre
The International Special Training Centre provides Special Operations Forces and similar units with individual tactical and operational level advanced and specialized training to increase integration and interoperability among the nine signatory nations and NATO Allies and partner nations, with an expanding influence across NATO to increase multinational interoperability using a “Smart Defence” strategy for long term persistent engagement.
ISTC member nations—which include Germany, Belgium, Greece, the U.S., Norway, the Netherlands, Italy, Denmark and Turkey—fund and operate the training center located at the Staufer Kaserne in Pfullendorf, Germany.
Today's Special Operations
Special Operations Forces play a crucial role in modern warfare. The ISTC provides centralized training for NATO Special Forces and similar units in Europe. Consistently, Special Forces units are employed in multinational operations. That's why the International Special Training Centre employs an experienced and dedicated group of multinational instructors to ensure that ISTC students learn the advanced skills they need to succeed in a 21st century Special Forces environment.
Where We're At
The ISTC uses multiple training areas to conduct their courses, including classrooms, training facilities and ranges located on Staufer Kaserne and in the immediate local area. The ISTC uses ranges and training areas at Alb Kaserne in Stetten, approximately 1 hour from Pfullendorf, as well as facilities at the 7th ATC in Grafenwoher and Hohenfels, approximately four hours away. ISTC also uses a training area in Lizum, Austria and Berlin, Germany as part of the High Angle/Urban Sniper Course.
How We Train
An ISTC working group identifies suitable courses for training of Special Forces and similar units required by member nations, in consideration of multinational missions. Based on requirements identified and unanimously confirmed by the working group, the ISTC currently conducts thirteen courses. While originally identified and created for the nine member nations, these courses are open to all NATO Nations and other Non-NATO Nations.