Afghan Conflict – News, Commentary, and Analysis

May 22, 2018 SOF News 0

The Taliban’s spring offensive has been underway for almost one month and they have been extremely busy across all parts of Afghanistan. Kabul continues to experience suicide bombing attacks, district centers have been captured (and usually retaken by Afghan SOF), […]

Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) provide security for a Coalition mortar crew providing fires support to SDF against ISIS locations in Operation Round Up taking place in the Middle Euphrates River Valley (MERV) in Syria. (photo by SSG Timothy Koster, CJTF-OIR, May 13, 2018).

Special Operations News Update 20180521

May 21, 2018 SOF News 0

SOF News Update 2010521 – New leadership in Iraq, containment strategy for Syria, Russian hybrid warfare, Indonesian terrorist group, Baltic air defense, SOCOM’s elusive floating mothership, reducing risk for SF in Africa, converting M4A1 carbines, CANSOF rescue in Afg, hints […]

MKVI Patrol Boat in Pacific Ocean. Chief Petty Officer Nelson Doromal, Jr., May 10, 2018.

Special Operations News Update 20180518

May 18, 2018 SOF News 0

SOF News Update 20180518 – SOFEX 2018 in Jordan, Russian blunders, video investigation, another SEAL book, congressional intelligence oversight, Denmark’s SF in Iraq, Gov Greitens (ex-SEAL) profile, Russian blunders, ISGS, SOF acquisition, history of the MC-130, more on Gov Greitens […]

USAF pararescueman from 320th STS performs military free fall from a MC-130H Combat Talon II on Feb 16, 2018 in Thailand. Photo by Capt Jessica Tait, 353rd SOG.

Special Operations News Update 20180516

May 16, 2018 SOF News 0

SOF News Update 20180516 – Somalia CIVCAS, South Sudan and security sector stabilization, Iran’s military power, al Shabaab and al Qaeda, U.S and Italian Rangers train together, covert action explored, SOF and kinetic diplomacy, Green Berets fight ISKP, virtual deployment […]

Former Taliban turn in their weapons during an APRP ceremony in Ghor province, Afghanistan on May 28, 2012. Photo by Lt JG Joe Painter, DoD.

Afghan War News Update 20180515

May 15, 2018 SOF News 0

The 17 year-long war (or 40 year-long war, depending on your perspective) continues in Afghanistan. The war has settled into a stalemate. While the Afghan National Defense and Security Forces (ANDSF) has improved over time (at least DoD and RS […]

MG James Jarrad

Special Operations News Update 20180514

May 14, 2018 SOF News 0

SOF News Update 20180514 – SOCOM and biotechnology, align CSAR under AFSOC, MoH controversy, al Qaeda – still a threat, Iran’s strategy, hope in Somalia, death of terrorist groups, Marine Raiders ‘getting some’, more troubled news about SEALs, UAE in […]

Photo of a group of Boko Haram fighters line up in this still taken from a propaganda video dated March 31, 2016. Cover photo for a CTC report on Boko Haram dated May 9, 2018.

Special Operations News Update 20180511

May 11, 2018 SOF News 0

SOF News Update 20180511 – Popular Mobilization Forces (PMFs) of Iraq, ARSOF and AI, infantry rifle prototypes, DoS news conf on JCPOA, JSOU research topics, new JSOC commander, Israel hits Iranian targets in Syria, USSOCOM PEO C4, NATO topics, Trump’s […]

Scott-Howell-biography

Lt Gen Scott Howell Biography

May 10, 2018 SOF News 0

The newest commander of the Joint Special Operations Command (JSOC) is Lieutenant General Scott Howell. He is an Air Force officer and rotary wing pilot with deep experience in the special operations community. Howell is the first Air Force officer to […]

AC-130U Gunship

Special Operations News Update 20180509

May 9, 2018 SOF News 0

SOF News Update 20180509 – Somali army unprepared, SF in Yemen, West Africa tribal conflict, NATO’s ‘trip wire’ in the Baltics, intel support changing, Military Review, gunships and jamming, frogmen and maritime hybrid warfare, more on Niger SF mission (Oct […]