SOF

Victor + Valor at SOF Week

The Other Side of SOF Week: Where Veteran Entrepreneurs Build Their Next Mission

June 30, 2026 Lindsey Schmidt 0

SOF Week is synonymous with defense industry exhibits, emerging technologies, and discussions about the future of special operations. But spend enough time walking the convention floor, and another side of SOF Week becomes apparent. Throughout SOF week, veteran entrepreneurs, veteran-owned businesses and nonprofit organizations gather not only to discuss issues affecting the special operations community, but also to build relationships and create opportunities beyond military service.

Flight Deck USS Abraham Lincoln

SOF Weekly Brief – June 29, 2026

June 29, 2026 John Friberg 0

This weekly briefing summarizes developments in special operations forces (SOF), global conflicts, intelligence, and national security from the past week. Iran is continuing to attack U.S. forces in the region to try and stop the United States from undermining Iranian efforts to control the Strait of Hormuz. The U.S. is retaliating with strikes of its on on Iranian military targets.

Polish SOF

SOF Weekly Brief – June 20, 2026

June 20, 2026 John Friberg 0

This weekly briefing summarizes developments in special operations forces (SOF), global conflicts, intelligence, and national security from the past week. Three Medal of Honor awards were presented to recipients from the SOF community. The anticipated meeting between the U.S. and Iran in Switzerland was delayed. USSOCOM released a video about a recently published SOF Cancer Study.

High Performer Drift

Elite Performers Rarely Break. They Drift.

June 19, 2026 Guest 0

By Dr. Chris Phillips. Most transition content written for the SOF community affirms what operators already believe about themselves. This piece does something different. It argues that the traits which made them exceptional are the same ones most likely to quietly damage their marriages and their post-service identity if they are never deliberately redirected.

July 2026 SOF Events

July SOF Events

June 16, 2026 Lindsey Schmidt 0

Looking for upcoming Special Operations community events this July? Here are notable SOF events happening across the community, including nonprofit fundraisers, networking events, and industry gatherings

Red Empire Week 2026

7th SFG(A) Conducts Red Empire Week

June 9, 2026 DVIDS 0

The 7th Special Forces Group (Airborne) assembled Soldiers, families, veterans, community members and Special Forces Association members to ceremoniously open Red Empire Week 2026 at Camp “Bull” Simons, June 8. Following the ceremony a capabilities exercise or CAPEX was conducted.

Navy Osprey

SOF Weekly Brief – June 8, 2026

June 8, 2026 John Friberg 0

This week’s SOF News Update covers USSOCOM’s C-130J autonomy program, Special Forces strategic utility, combat diver modernization, developments in the Iran conflict, Ukraine’s drone warfare lessons, intelligence and diplomacy in irregular warfare, and global special operations news from Canada, Israel, Somalia, and beyond.

USSOCOM Cancer Study

SOCOM Study Finds Special Operations Personnel Face 18% Higher Cancer Risk 

June 4, 2026 Guest 0

Story by Special Operations Association of America. Results from a study commissioned by the U.S. Special Operations Command found that members of the SOF community are facing cancer at a rate 18 percent higher than their conventional forces counterparts. The Special Operations Association of America has long highlighted the health effects that SOF personnel experience due to exposures during training and deployment cycles.

AC-130 Gunship

SOF News Weekly Brief – June 1, 2026

June 1, 2026 John Friberg 0

This week’s SOF News Update covers developments in Iran ceasefire negotiations, SOF Week 2026, Ukraine’s expanding drone campaign, instability in Mali, missile inventory concerns following Operation Epic Fury, emerging AI applications for special operations forces, and global security developments affecting the U.S. special operations and defense community.

SOF Week 2026 Cape Demo

Video – USSOCOM Capabilities Demo Highlights at SOF Week

May 24, 2026 John Friberg 0

The United States Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) presented a live demonstration involving boats and aircraft on the Tampa waterfront adjacent to the Tampa convention center where SOF Week was held. This year, during SOF Week 2026, the demonstration took place entertaining and informing thousands of spectators. Watch a 3-minute long highlight of the demonstration.

ASD SO/LIC Derrick Anderson at SOF Week 2026.

ASD SO/LIC Addresses SOF Week 2026

May 23, 2026 DoD 0

Derrick Anderson, assistant secretary of war for special operations and low-intensity conflict, closed out the Special Operations Forces Week 2026 convention in Tampa, Florida, today with a keynote speech that focused on underscoring the SOF community’s recent successes, as well as articulating his vision for its future.

BlackSea Technologies Comet Unmanned Surface Vessel

BlackSea Showcases Comet USV at SOF Week 2026

May 22, 2026 John Friberg 0

BlackSea Technologies showcased its Comet unmanned surface vessel (USV) during SOF Week 2026. The Comet is a large, high speed combat ready USV that can conduct a wide variety of missions. BlackSea provided SOF Week attendees a view of its Comet in their booth on the exhibition floor as well as at the adjacent Tampa Bay waterfront. 

SOF Leaders Discuss Partnerships at SOF Week 2026

SOF Leaders Discuss Value of Partnerships at SOF Week 2026

May 21, 2026 DoD 0

Senior military special operations forces leaders from the U.S., Sweden and the Philippines participated in a discussion panel about the importance of SOF partnerships and alliances, as part of Special Operations Forces Week 2026 in Tampa, Florida.