Members of 1st Bn 10th Special Forces prepare to fastrope. Photo by SSG Larraine Whetsone, SOCEUR, 3 Aug 2016.

SOF News Update for 20160828

August 28, 2016 SOF News 0

SOF News Weekly Update for 20160828 – Special Forces maritime exercise, video games and special operations heroes, fastroping, SOCEUR, 10th SFGA, CRU, Human Terrain Teams, new insignia for MARSOC, and more. SOCEUR Conducts Fastrope Training. Members of the 1st Battalion, […]

ANASF

Afghan Update 20160823

August 23, 2016 SOF News 0

Afghan Update 20160823 – Big fights ongoing in several Afghan provinces to include Kunduz, Helmand, and Baghlan provinces. NUG government not getting along. Summer Campaign 2016 resulting in heavy seasonal fighting. The Taliban are on the move in several locations […]

Afghan Local Police (ALP)

Afghan Local Police (ALP)

August 22, 2016 John Friberg 0

The Afghan Local Police (ALP) was established by U.S. Army Special Forces in 2010 to serve as a locally-based village or community self-defense force. The ALP units are recruited from local communities of key areas where Afghan government influence or […]

Map of Somalia (CIA map)

SOF News Weekly Update – 20160821

August 21, 2016 SOF News 0

SOF News Update: US SOF raid in Somalia, interesting facts on the WWII British SOE, IPB in the “Gray Zone”, and SOF in the ground war against ISIS in northern Iraq. U.S. SOF in Raid in Somalia. United States special […]

MQ-9 Reaper, drone

Drones – A Strategic Weapon for the United States

August 18, 2016 SOF News 0

At first the use of drones, referred to by the military as Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) or Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPAs), was limited to aerial reconnaissance and surveillance. However, it wasn’t long before the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) put a […]

Combat Pistol Shooting at ISTC Range (Photo ISTC Flickr).

Special Operations Update for 20160817

August 17, 2016 SOF News 0

Change in Newsletter Frequency. The “SOF News” update will no longer be emailed out each day. After today the newsletter will only be sent out on Sunday mornings. This change is the result of a few factors; but primarily other […]

Afghan Air Force A-29 Super Tucano flying over Kabul - Afghanistan Conflict

AAF – More Planes and Pilots Needed

August 16, 2016 SOF News 0

The Afghan Air Force (AAF) is struggling to perform its mission of supporting the Afghan National Army (ANA) and the Afghan National Police (ANP).  It’s mission of aerial reconnaissance, movement of troops and supplies, and aerial fire support is vital […]

Special Operations Command (SOCPAC). Photo from 2016 USSOCOM Factbook

SOF News Update for 20160816

August 16, 2016 SOF News 0

SOF News Update for August 16, 2016: India’s special forces, WWII female spy passes away, Taliban gaining ground in northern Afghanistan, and more. Info on India’s Special Forces. India has a number of elite forces – one of which is […]

Map Northern Iraq

Mosul Reconstruction? What Role for USAID?

August 15, 2016 John Friberg 0

With the re-capture of Ramadi and Fallujah, Iraq it was discovered that there was a lot of humanitarian assistance and reconstruction required. Whether this aid is being delivered effectively is still in doubt. The re-capture of Mosul, Iraq’s second largest […]

Map Estonia

SOF News Update – August 15, 2016

August 15, 2016 SOF News 0

SOF News Update: Gen Dunford interview, how Afghans flee to Europe, Helmand province threatened, book review of “Tribes”, Russia and Political Warfare, Afghan interpreters punished yet again, 1st Special Service Force honoured, and Russian aggression in Estonia. Russian Aggression in […]

Map of Afghanistan (CIA) - Afghanistan News

Special Operations News Update – 20160814

August 14, 2016 SOF News 0

Leader of ISIS in Afghanistan Killed by U.S. An airstrike in July by the United States killed Hafiz Sayed Khan, the head of the Islamic State’s branch in Afghanistan. Read more in a news report by USA Today, August 12, 2016. […]

Special Operations Warrior Foundation SOWF

Special Operations Update for 20160813

August 13, 2016 SOF News 0

SOF News Update: Ventura pursuing suit to Supreme Court, who founded the Islamic State, who is the Syrian Opposition, GWOT, new cdr for SOCSOUTH, generals in politics, and Air Force pilot shortage. Operation EPIC 2016. Learn how the Special Operations […]

Map Middle East North Africa

Special Operations News Update – 20160812

August 12, 2016 SOF News 0

SOF News Update. The fracturing of the Arab world, US asks India for military assistance in Afghanistan, the grinding fight against ISIS in Libya, and more. How the Arab World Came Apart. Scott Anderson has provided us with a very […]

Task Force South West - Marines in Helmand Province

Helmand Province at Risk

August 11, 2016 John Friberg 0

Afghanistan’s largest province, located in the southwest of the landlocked country, is the objective of a resurgent Taliban offensive. According to some news reports the Taliban control 11 of the 14 districts in Helmand province. Almost all roads connecting the […]