US artillery unit providing fire support to Iraqi government forces in the offensive to take Mosul from the Islamic State.

Mosul Offensive – Now in Phase II

January 5, 2017 SOF News 0

The Fight Continues – Phase II. After a two-week lull in the action in the waning days of December the Iraqi military and its allies (Kurdish Peshmerga, Iran proxy militias, etc.) have re-started the campaign to re-capture Mosul. Phase II […]

Plane taking off from Hamid Karzai International Airport (HKIA) in late 2016 (Photo from RS HQs video)

Afghanistan War Update 20170105

January 5, 2017 SOF News 0

Afghan Conflict Update 20170105 – Obama’s ‘Good War’, Afghan women fighting the Taliban, Afghan economy, videos, Badakhshan’s Taliban, Asia Foundation survey, 203rd Corps Cd injured, Russia and the Taliban, unconventional logistics, civilian meteorologists, ‘four-year plan’, and more. Obama’s ‘Good War’. President […]

Special Warfare Magazine July December 2016

Special Warfare Magazine July – December 2016

January 4, 2017 SOF News 0

Special Warfare Magazine July December 2016  Volume 29, Issue 2 has been published and is posted online. Some of the articles are listed below: “A History of Assessment and Selection” “Small Unit Tactics: A Foundational Skill Set” “SERE: Doing More […]

Nangarhar Province Afghanistan

Update: Islamic State in Afghanistan

January 4, 2017 SOF News 0

The growth of the Islamic State in Afghanistan had a surprising beginning and then the size of the group quickly diminished. ISIS had a lot of opponents – including the United States (SOF, air attacks, and drones), the Afghan security […]

Map of Russia (CIA)

Russia – NATO and the Defense of Europe

January 3, 2017 SOF News 0

NATO Defending Eastern Europe. Poland, Lithuania, Estonia, Latvia, and Ukraine have been receiving lots of love lately from the North Atlantic Treat Organization. Exercises are being conducted, temporary deployment of battalions and battlegroups to Eastern Europe have taken place, and […]

1-10th SFGA Special Forces Soldier fastroping from a Black Hawk helicopter in Europe (photo SOCEUR 2016).

Special Operations News Update 20170103

January 3, 2017 SOF News 0

SOF News Update 20170103 – Data breach of SOCOM subcontractor, AFSOC video of 353rd SOG, NYC billionaire receives recognition from GBF, book review of Rogues Heroes, New Zealand SAS selection for civilians, Russian KSO, weapons wanted by US SOF, and […]

Map of Combatant Command. Source DoD 2016

What is a Combatant Command?

January 3, 2017 SOF News 0

The Department of Defense has divided the world up into regional areas of responsibility – each region designated as a combatant command. These regions are provided command and control organizations and led by four-star general (or admirals) officers. The Combatant Commands […]