 On 18 May 1991 , the <unk> Battalion was established as a special forces unit of the <unk> . The core of the unit consisted of 27 volunteers drawn from the <unk> Special Police Unit ( <unk> ) . Initially , it relied on former French Foreign Legion troops . The most senior among the former <unk> was Ante <unk> , previously a <unk> @-@ <unk> ( non @-@ commissioned officer – <unk> ) in the 4th Foreign Regiment . In consequence , <unk> was tasked with setting up the unit as its initial commander . Major <unk> <unk> , likewise a former French Foreign Legion member , was assigned the battalions deputy commander . The unit was based in the village of <unk> in the region of <unk> <unk> , on the grounds of the former " Josip <unk> Tito " political school . The site , adjacent to the border of Slovenia , was selected to be inaccessible to Yugoslav Air Force raids without violation of <unk> or possibly Austrian airspace . In June 1991 , the <unk> <unk> was transferred to <unk> Peak north of Zagreb leaving <unk> base to the <unk> Battalion , as well as the second special forces unit , the <unk> Battalion . 
