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 […]

Village Stability Operations

Village Stability Operations (VSO) in Afghanistan

August 21, 2016 John Friberg 0

Village Stability Operations (VSO) was an attempt by United States special operations forces to establish security, governance, and development in key critical districts in remote areas of Afghanistan. Typically, these districts were in regions of Afghanistan where the Coalition conventional […]

Map of Afghanistan (CIA) - Afghanistan News

Afghanistan News Update – SOF News

August 19, 2016 SOF News 0

Afghanistan news – Topics include SOF burning the candle at both ends, contractors in Afghanistan, National ID card, Afghan documentary on Helmand province, and Afghan mental health issues. US SOF Burning Both Ends of Candle in Afghanistan. Phillip Lohaus, a […]

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 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. […]

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 […]

Leapfest 2016. Photo by SSG Quentin Davis, Army NG

Special Operations News Update – 20160811

August 11, 2016 SOF News 0

SOF News Update: Kidnappings in Kabul, DoDIG report on SOCAfrica, new Intel manual, Afghanistan, Libya, and . . . of course, SEALs. Two Westerners Kidnapped in Kabul. Two American University of Afghanistan faculty members were kidnapped at gunpoint. The American and […]

Map of Afghanistan (CIA) - Afghanistan News

Afghanistan’s National Unity Government (NUG)

August 10, 2016 SOF News 0

The National Unity Government (NUG) of Afghanistan is the outcome of the miss-managed and corrupt Afghan presidential elections held in 2014. A negotiated settlement between the two major contenders resulted in Ashraf Ghani becoming President and Abdullah Abdullah becoming Chief […]

CIA's 'Elephant Counter' Used in Vietnam War

SOF News Update for 20160810

August 10, 2016 SOF News 0

SOF News Update Topics: We like football, they like soccer; airborne & SOF books, CIA’s ‘Elephant Counter’, Paratrooper Leapfest competition, endgame in Libya, SAS in Syria, DoD IG report on JIDA, TV documentary on India’s paratroopers, CENTCOM ‘cooked the books’ […]

Task Force South West - Helmand Province Afghanistan

Helmand Province Under Siege

August 9, 2016 SOF News 0

Problems in Helmand. The Afghan government forces have their hands full in Helmand province. It appears that most of the province has been lost to the Taliban and the provincial capital – Lashkar Gar – is now threatened. Despite glowing […]