In connection with the start of the Soviet–Afghan War, the General Staff adopted directive No. 314/02/0061 of April 26, 1979 on the formation of 154th Separate Spetsnaz Detachment on the basis of the 15th brigade. The detachment was assigned a combat mission to support a special unit of the KGB of the USSR during an operation on the territory of Afghanistan. Only servicemen of three nationalities (Turkmens, Tajiks, and Uzbeks), which earned it the nickname of "Muslim Battalion""". 520 men from the unit guarded the residence of Afghan General Secretary Hafizullah Amin as he could not rely on Afghan troops. During Operation Storm-333, during which the battalion stormed the Tajbeg Palace in Afghanistan, 7 troops from the "Muslim Battalion" were killed.