In a series of exercises held this month Switzerland demonstrates the abilities of their armed forces.

The Swiss Special Forces Command is an infantry that was established in 1943. The Command are masters in rapid offensive missions and urban operations. They use speed, stealth, and overwhelming force as they deploy into whatever engagement that calls upon them.

All branches of the Swiss Armed Forces together number more than 147,000 active troops and rank 38th place in the world by number of personnel. The basic training is 18 - 21 weeks for Swiss citizens that want to be part of the Swiss Armed Forces.

Exercise JAZZ that included Exploration Battalion 2-a (pictured), which are a unit of Infantry Brigade 2, tests for readiness and puts to work the skills leaned while training. Some of the vehicles used by the Battalion include the Mowag Eagle reconnaissance vehicle that can be fitted with remotely controlled weapon station for self-defense. It can be armed with 5.56-mm, 7.62-mm or 12.7-mm machine gun, or 40-mm automatic grenade launcher. The rifles used by the Battalion include the Swiss Sturmgewehr SG 550 rifle chambered in 5.6mm Gw Pat 90 (5.56×45mm NATO), which is a select fire gas piston operated rifle.