Map of Norway and Afghanistan

Afghan Update 20160906

September 6, 2016 SOF News 0

Afghan Update 20160906 – Norway issues a discouraging report about its accomplishments over the past decade in Afghanistan, CSTC-A transfers aircraft to AAF, Summer Campaign 2016 highlights ANDSF deficiencies, MSF hospital in Lashkar Gar, and UN humanitarian bulletin. Norway Report […]

SOF News Update for 20160904

September 4, 2016 SOF News 0

SOF News Update for 20160904 – Australian Special Forces, Special Forces knife, JSOA, a Green Berets’ mistress, CIA’s venture capital firm, fake SEAL goes to jail, Russian SF on Ukraine border, Blackbeard’s Ride, Afghan SOF rescue aid worker, a case […]

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

Afghan Air Force (AAF)

September 2, 2016 John Friberg 0

The Afghan Air Force (AAF) – pilot shortage. While it is currently able to conduct a host of operations (MEDEVAC, troop transport, resupply, close air support, and aerial reconnaissance) it is not to the level of capacity needed by the […]

Task Force South West - Marines in Helmand Province

Afghan Update 20160830

August 30, 2016 SOF News 0

Afghan Update 20160830 – More U.S. troops to Lashkar Gah, RS HQs spokesperson ‘spins’ the news, training Afghan pilots, AUMF and ‘the Forever War’, Australian aid worker released, Afghan Assessment by ISW, and eastern district falls to Taliban. U.S. Reinforcements […]

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 […]