training Members of all branches of the Military of Colombia and the National Police are eligible to join AFEUR. Such personnel are required to have no criminal record, and are likely to have already received previous special operations training elsewhere, such as the Army’s Lancero course, or other training abroad. Training takes place at the Army’s Communications School in Facatativá near Bogotá (which also serves as unit headquarters), and includes airborne operations, night operations, and close quarters combat. It is divided into two phases: the first phase focuses on teamwork buildup and training, whilst the second focuses on special skills training such as explosives handling, paramedic training, underwater operations, sharpshooting and marksmanship, amongst others depending on the specific AFEUR unit. Commando Forces tournaments AFEUR and associated AFEAU units have won the US-sponsored "Fuerzas Comando" (Commando Forces) contest nine times, in 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2012, 2014, 2015, and 2016. This yearly contest is sponsored by the US South Command and the US Special Operations Command, and is attended by similar teams from Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Costa Rica, Ecuador, El Salvador, US, Guatemala, Honduras, Jamaica, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Dominican Republic, Peru and Uruguay. Equipment IWI Tavor TAR-21 Heckler & Koch MP5 Colt M4 Remington 700 Galil ACE Remington MSR References Official website of the Colombian Army Official website of the General Command of the Armed Forces Colombian Team Wins Commando Forces 2005 Colombian Team Wins Commando Forces 2006 External links AFEUR website Colombia: Seguridad & Defensa - Unofficial Site Video about AFEUR Counterterrorist organizations Special forces of Colombia