SOF News on Short Break
SOF News will be taking a short break. The editor is heading out on a short-term contract (several weeks). Back in late March. ***********
Month: February 2020
Military Freefall Association (MFFA)
The US Military Freefall Association is a collective of freefall parachutists, jumpmasters, and military freefall instructors bound by their common training, experience, and passion for military parachuting. The association seeks to promote an understanding of military freefall and to maintain […]
Afghanistan Conflict Update – February 2020
Curated news, analysis, and commentary about the conflict in Afghanistan. Topics include security, ANDSF, Resolute Support, NATO, governance, elections, peace talks, development, and more. More U.S. Deaths. Two members of the U.S. Army Special Forces were killed on Saturday, February […]
K2 Vets, Cancer, and the VA
The U.S. military occupied a base known as “K2” (Karshi-Khanabad Airbase) in southern Uzbekistan from 2001 to 2005. This was a former Soviet base where chemical weapons and hazardous materials were stored and hazardous waste buried. There is increasing evidence […]
5th SFG Hosts Egyptian Commandos for Partnership Training
Soldiers of the 5th Special Forces Group hosted members from the Egyptian Special Operations Unit 999 during a joint training event at Fort Campbell, Kentucky. The two-week training event took place in early February 2020 and was focused on a […]
Special Operations News Update – Friday, February 14, 2020
Curated news, analysis, and commentary on special operations, national defense, military topics, and conflicts around the world. Top News Story – Afghanistan Negotiations The United States and the Taliban have agreed to a proposal for a reduction of violence in […]
Southern Strike 2020
Special Tactics Airmen and Green Berets from the 3rd and 20th Special Forces Group participated in Southern Strike 2020. The event was a large-scale, joint multinational combat exercise hosted by the Mississippi Air National Guard. This exercise provided special operators […]
Report – Counterterrorism Operations in Africa – OIG Feb 2020
The Lead Inspector General has published an unclassified report to Congress entitled East Africa and North and West Africa Counterterrorism Operations. The 84-page report covers the period of October through December 2019. Congress requires (since 2013) the IGs of the […]
Al Shabaab Raid on Manda Bay – January 2020
On January 5, 2020 militants from al-Shabaab attacked the U.S. airfield and base at Manda Bay Airfield in Kenya. Three Americans died in the attack. In addition, several aircraft were destroyed or damaged to include U.S. special operations aircraft. Two […]
SFC Javier Gutierrez – 7th Special Forces Group – RIP
SFC Javier Gutierrez, age 28, of San Antonio, Texas, died February 8, 2020 from wounds sustained during combat operations in Nangarhar province, Afghanistan. “Sgt. 1st Class Gutierrez’ was a warrior that exemplified selfless service and a commitment to the mission, […]
SFC Antonio Rodriguez – 7th Special Forces Group – RIP
SFC Antonio Rodriguez, age 28, of Las Cruces, New Mexico, died February 8, 2020 from wounds sustained during combat operations in Nangarhar rovince, Afghanistan. “Sgt. 1st Class Rodriguez was selfless and served honorably; he was certainly among the best in […]
Killing General Qassem Soleimani – Awaiting the Aftermath
The killing of General Qassem Soleimani by a U.S. drone just after he arrived at the Baghdad International Airport in Iraq on January 2, 2020, raised the stakes in the Middle East. The Iranians responded with rhetoric and a relatively […]
Special Operations News Update – Monday, February 10, 2020
Curated news, analysis, and commentary about special operations, national defense, military, and conflicts from around the world. U.S. Casualties in Afghanistan U.S. KIA and WIA. A direct fire engagement took place on Saturday, February 8, 2020 killing U.S. service members […]
7th Group Casualties in Afghanistan (Sat, Feb 8, 2020)
On Saturday, February 8, 2020 the news broke that U.S. Soldiers were involved in a firefight that caused several casualties. Two U.S. service members were killed and six others were wounded in an attack in Sherzad district, Nangarhar province. The […]
Special Operations News Update – Friday, February 7, 2020
Curated news, analysis, and commentary about special operations forces, national defense, military, and conflicts from around the world. SOF News Room Clearing – It’s Getting Technical. A U.S. patent was recently issued that both marks when an assault force has […]