Curated news, analysis, and commentary on special operations, intelligence, irregular warfare, national defense, and global conflicts.
By John Friberg.
Photo / Image: Green Berets assigned to 10th Special Forces Group (Airborne) and Danish special operations forces from the Sirius Patrol set up tents at Camp Raven, Greenland, on Aug. 19, 2026, as part of Operation Apex Indigo. U.S. Special Operations Command North operates in Greenland alongside Danish counterparts to evaluate basic survival, search and rescue, cold-weather mobility, and communications infrastructure operations in the harshest environment on Earth, ensuring U.S. SOF capability to survive and thrive under any circumstances. (U.S. Air National Guard Photo by Master Sgt. Jamie Spaulding)
Executive Summary
This weekly briefing summarizes the most significant events affecting special operations forces, irregular warfare, intelligence, and national security during the past week. Trump strikes a diesel deal with Russia; Russia wins, Ukraine loses. U.S. SOF stays busy with SOF allies and partners. B-1B bombers depart RAF Fairford (UK) due to drone threat. Saudi Arabia under attack by Houthis.
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Key Developments
- SOCEUR’s Trojan Footprint 26
- MARSOC Marine dies in maritime training event
- U.S. continues strikes as drug smugglers in the Caribbean
- CRS documents Operation Epic Fury aircraft losses
- Conflict in northern Ethiopia continues
- Rebels in Mali depart key northern city, Russia’s mercs move in
- Pharmacy access for veterans
SOF News
Trojan Footprint 2026. This year’s Trojan Footprint, which took place in May, was the largest iteration to date for SOCEUR. Special operations forces (SOF) from 24 nations trained side by side on the land, air, and sea across 10 countries, with a focus on maritime operations, airborne insertions, and the integration of autonomous systems for reconnaissance, targeting, and aerial resupply. “Trojan Footprint 2026”, Special Operations Association of America, October 6, 2026.
SOF Principles in Age of Drones and AI. William H. McRaven’s theory of relative superiority remains a foundational framework for understanding how special operations forces generate decisive advantage. This article by Sandor Fabian reinterprets McRaven’s six principles—simplicity, security, repetition, surprise, speed, and purpose—for the contemporary operational environment. It argues that the future special operations advantage will depend less on possessing unique technologies than on building organizations capable of learning, adapting, integrating technology, and creating new operational solutions faster than their opponents. “Beyond Relative Superiority: Updating McRaven’s Principles of Special Operations for the Age of Drones, AI, and Persistent Surveillance”, Small Wars Journal, October 9, 2026.
Fuerzas Commando 2027. The annual multi-national competition and SOF readiness event will take place in Belize in 2027. The exercise integrates jungle and riverine operations, CQB, and UAS in realistic, challenging events. Special Operations Command South is the lead agency for the exercise.
IG Report on SOF Peculariar Equipment. This 16-page report (PDF) entitled Follow-up Audit of U.S. Special Operations Command Management of Special Operations-Peculliar Equipment was published on September 30, 2026. Access here.
MARSOC Marine Dies in Training Accident. A Marine had died following an accident during Marine Forces Special Operations Command (MARSOC) training off South Florida. He was assigned to Marine Raider Training Center, MARSOC. He died during a swim event on October 3, 2026, at Naval Air Station Key West. “Marine Dies After MARSOC Training Accident: ‘No Words Can Describe Heartbreak”, Military.com, October 9, 2026.
Exercise Strike Warrior. Allied forces demonstrated the ability to integrate maritime, land, air and special operations capabilities during Exercise Strike Warrior, a multinational exercise designed to rehearse crisis-response operations across the North Atlantic. This exercise is part of the largest test of all arms of the UK Commando Force in 15 years. More than 2,000 personnel from the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, Canada, Germany, Norway and the United States participated in the exercise across Scotland and surrounding waters. The exercise ran from 28 September through 9 October, and included eight warships and 19 aircraft. Story by JFC Norfolk, October 8, 2026.
SOF History
On October 12, 1961, Brigadier General William P. Yarborough, as commander of the Special Warfare Center, Fort Bragg, NC, met with President Kennedy to visit Fort Bragg. The meeting resulted in increased funding for Special Forces and the authorization of the Green Beret for wear as the official headgear of Special Forces. The President further showed his unfailing support for Special Forces in publishing an official White House Memorandum to the US Army dated April 11, 1962, which stated in part that “The Green Beret is again becoming a symbol of excellence, a badge of courage, a mark of distinction in the fight for freedom.”
On October 18, 1965, Special Forces Captain Larry Thorne was killed in Vietnam. A Finnish soldier who fought the Soviets in WWII, Thorne, eventually joined the U.S. Army Special Forces. He died in a helicopter crash in SE Asia in 1965 while assigned to MACV-SOG. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lauri_T%C3%B6rni
On October 12, 1966, the 46th Special Forces Company was activated in Thailand.
On October 12, 1981, the 160th Special Operations Air Regiment (SOAR) was established.
On October 15, 1984, the 1st Battalion, 1st Special Forces Group was activated on Torii Station, Okinawa, Japan, under the command of Lt. Col. James L. Estep. 1st SFG(A) had previously been stationed on the island from 1957 until being inactivated in 1974 as part of an Army reduction in Special Forces strength.
On October 16, 1991, 2nd Battalion, 3rd SFGA was activated with HQs company, 2 SF companies, and a forward support company.
On October 19, 2001, two SF detachments infiltrate into northern Afghanistan to link up with the Northern Alliance. They were the first two U.S. Army teams inserted into Afghanistan to work with Northern Alliance Forces. Eleven members of ODA 555, onboard MH-47 Chinook helicopters, arrived at the Astaneh camp in Panjshir Valley and received their initial briefing. Within a few days, ODA 555 would link up with NA’s General Bismullah near Bagram. That same night, the 12 men of ODA 595 infiltrated the Darya Suf Valley on MH-47s to join General Dostum’s forces at a location about 60 miles south of Mazar-e Sharif.
On October 19, 2001, Operation Rhino took place in southern Afghanistan. The 3rd Ranger Battalion conducted an airborne operation to seize Objective Rhino. This was part of a highly publicized U.S. effort to show that the United States could put boots on the ground anywhere in the world whenever it wanted.
On October 16, 2006, the Psychological Operations branch was established.
On October 15, 2017, Iraqi Security Forces (ISF) and IRGC proxies attack the Kurdish city of Kirkuk.
National Security and Commentary
B-1s Leaving RAF Fairford. The U.S. government’s story (Marco Rubio et al) is that the twelve B-1 “Bones” left Royal Air Force Fairford on a “normal rotation”. The party line is not resonating with some national security analysts who noted that it is more likely due to the possible terrorist plot against RAF Fairford on September 27. Five men were caught very close to the airbase in three vans loaded with fuel and wearing masks. They were caught, arrested, and released by UK authorities. A few days later, one additional person, a British-Iranian national, was arrested in the investigation. He has been released. A seventh man has been arrested in connection with the suspected terror plot. “Seventh man arrested by counter-terrorism police in RAF Fairford investigation”, The Standard, October 6, 2026.
In addition, the U.S. has received notification of additional threats against the airbase – specifically a drone attack similar to Operation Spider’s Web conducted by Ukraine against Russian strategic bombers deep in Russia. It is almost as though the United States military has not gotten the memo about how important C-UAS is in this new era of warfare. The U.S. Air Force seems slow to acknowledge that having its expensive strategic aircraft sitting in the open on a flightline is inviting a drone attack. Read more in “Glaring Lack of Investment in Aircraft Shelters Highlighted by B-1Bs Sudden Retreat From U.K. Base”, The War Zone, October 7, 2026.
The B-1s are used in bombing attacks against Iran. Removing the B-1s to the states doubles their flight time to Iranian targets. The relocation of the B-1 bombers could very well be due to months of frustration in the Trump administration over Britain’s defense spending in addition to the recent terrorist threats. “America’s bomber withdrawal points to wider UK-US friction”, Politico, October 5, 2026.
Ex-CIA Official and his $40 Million in Gold Bars. The ex-CIA official caught with $40 million in gold bars belonging to the Central Intelligence Agency plead guilty of defrauding the federal government on Tuesday, October 6, 2026. The gold bars were found in his home along with millions in cash and several very expensive watches.. Image credit to U.S. Federal Courts.
Strikes Against Drug Smugglers. A U.S. military strike on October 5, 2026, on a boat carrying alleged drug smugglers in the Caribbean killed four according to U.S. Southern Command. The attack raised the death toll to at least 235 in 70 strikes since the Trump administration began the campaign. “Latest US strike on alleged drug boat kills 4”, Stars and Stripes, October 5, 2026. (subscription)
U.S. Military Presence on Okinawa Expanding. Last week, on Tuesday, the U.S. Army reactivated the 45th Sustainment Brigade, expanding its logistics headquarters by about 120 personnel as part of a reorganization that will sustain U.S. forces across the western Pacific. The 45th is the only general support sustainment brigade not assigned a division within the first island chain. “Army reactivates Okinawa brigade as Pacific force restructuring continues”, Stars and Stripes, October 6, 2026. (subscription)
Iran War and Operation Epic Fury
U.S. Iran War Update. Iran has struck several commercial ships in the Strait of Hormuz in the last week. These attacks are now occurring on a regular basis. The Pentagon has now raised the number of military personnel who have died in the Iran War from 18 to 21.
Oil Through Strait Picks Up. Oil is moving through the Strait of Hormuz (map) at a quicker pace than in the last several months since the war with Iran began in February. However, shipping cannot operate safely, vessels need military protection to get through, insurance costs are extremely high, crews are receiving hazardous pay, and oil producers are paying astronomical costs for every trip. Tanker crews are transiting at night without running lights, AIS transponders are turned off, mobile phone usage is not allowed, and ships are using traditional coastal navigation and lighthouses to evade Iranian targeting. Oil moving through the strait does is not quite the same thing as the “strait being open”.
IG Report to Congress on Epic Fury. The Department of Defense released its quarterly report to Congress entitled Operation Epic Fury. The report covers mission and resources, evolution of the mission, U.S. losses and sustainment, funding issues, U.S. basing and disposition, U.S. diplomatic and economic activity, and more. Posted September 2026, PDF, 44 pages.
Aircraft Losses in U.S. – Iran War. The Congressional Research Service has published a report entitled U.S. Aircraft Combat Losses in Operation Epic Fury, CRS IN12692, October 5, 2026. The report finds that 81 fixed-wing or rotary-wing aircraft, including UAS or drones, were lost of damaged in U.S. operations against Iran since February 28, 2026.
https://www.congress.gov/crs-product/IN12692
- Twelve F-15E Strike Eagles
- One F-35A Lightning II
- Two A-10 Thunderbolts
- Seven KC-135 Stratotankers
- One E-3 Sentry
- Two MC-130J Command IIs
- One HH-60W Jolly Green II
- One MQ-4C Triton UAS
- Three MQ-1 Multi-Role UASs
- Forty-five MQ-9 Reapers
- One AH-64 Apache
- Four AH-6 Little Birds
- One MH-60 Sea Hawk
Helicopter Crash (or not?). On Monday, October 5, 2026, civilian radar flight tracking sites noted that U.S. Navy MH-60R helicopter squawked the 7700 emergency code and then descended to near the surface of the water in the Red Sea before disappearing. CENTCOM says that no crash occurred and that all U.S. military aircraft and personnel are accounted for.
Houthis and Saudi Arabia
Houthi Attacks on Saudi Arabia. On Saturday, October 10, 2026, a missile struck a passenger terminal at the international airport in Riyadh and killed 12 people and injured hundreds. One American was killed in the attack. The Houthis have expanded the scale of ballistic missile, cruise missile, and drone attacks targeting Saudi civilian airports. Trump is once again threatening to involve the U.S. in military action against the Houthis.
Yemen and the Mecca Joint Defense Agreement. Earlier this year Turkey, Pakistan, and Saudi Arabia signed a defense agreement. Now Saudi Arabia is invoking the agreement, seeking military assistance from Turkey and Pakistan in their fight against the Houthis of Yemen. Government troops have launched a major offensive against the Houthis with the assistance of Saudi Arabia. News sources are reporting that Turkey will deploy troops, air defense systems, and aircraft to Saudi Arabia against increasing attacks from the Houthis. Pakistan is also reported to have sent troops to Saudi Arabia. Read more in “A New Baghdad Pact? The Mecca Accord and the Remaking of Regional Power”, by Irina Tsukerman, Defense Insight, October 8, 2026.
Fight Inside Yemen. The fighting between the Houthis and Yemen’s Presidential Leadership Council continues. Operation Dawn of Yemen was launched on October 5 against the Houthis, with the Giants Brigades and Homeland Shield forces leading the ground offensive with Saudi air cover.
- References for Epic Fury:
- Past SOF News posts on Epic Fury
- NSI Resources: Epic Fury Timeline, Iran Country Profile, Strait of Hormuz, Kharq Island, maps, OEFU Casualties
- Congressional Research Service (CRS) reports
- Institute of the Study of War interactive map
- See also a map utility – Maritime Attacks in the MENA Region (since 2017) by the Washington Institute
Ukraine Conflict and Diesel Fuel Prices
Diesel Prices Rise. The cost of diesel fuel per gallon has risen over $2.00 since the beginning of the Iran War in February 2026. While the impact is felt around the world, in the United States it significantly affects the transportation and agricultural sectors of the economy.
U.S. to Receive Diesel Fuel from Russia. President Trump has announced that Russia has agreed to sell diesel fuel to the United States. The U.S. will also lift sanctions on the sale of Russian diesel on the global markets in April 2027. This will pump billions of dollars into Russia’s struggling economy and help finance its war effort against Ukraine. “Trump Calls on Ukraine to Stop Hitting Russian Refineries – and Replace Zelensky”, The Wall Street Journal, October 10, 2026. (subscription)
The Impact on the U.S.? The 22 million barrels of oil to be delivered by April 2027 is equivalent to about four days of the U.S.’s own production of diesel. Analysts say this diesel deal with Russia will provide a minimal price decrease in the United States, however, it does provide some talking points for the administration that it is dealing with the high price of diesel here in the United States just ahead of the fall elections.
Energy Refinery Ceasefire? President Trump claimed on Sunday, October 11, 2026, that Russia and Ukraine have reached an energy ceasefire deal where they would not attack each other’s refineries. He had previously announced an energy ceasefire in September. Apparently, the Ukrainians were not aware that a deal had been reached with Russia. This is a very lopsided deal – Russia has 38 refineries and Ukraine has one. “Trump claims energy ceasefire reached between Russia and Ukraine”, The Hill, October 11, 2026.
- References:
- Weapons of Ukraine, Study of War Daily Report, Euromaidan Press Daily Report, Ukraine NGO Coordination Network (UNCN).
- Maps: Russia’s Invasion of Ukraine by the Institute for the Study of War and Critical Threats, Ukraine Maps by National Security Info, War in Ukraine by Scribble Maps.
Strategic Competition
Germany Ex-Spy Chief Arrested. August Hanning, the man who once led Germany’s spy service, is now under investigation for passing on state secrets. He headed up the BND foreign intelligence agency from 1998 to 2005. The 80-year-old faces charges including espionage, disclosure of state secrets, and attempted treason. This is being characterized as one of Germany’s biggest espionage scandals of the century. “Germany’s ex-spy chief arrested for espionage”, Deutsche Welle, September 6, 2026.
China and Fentanyl. China is one of the primary source countries for illicit fentanyl precursor chemicals and pill pressing equipment,” according to the U.S. intelligence community’s March 2026 Annual Threat Assessment. China’s massive chemical and pharmaceutical industries make the PRC a primary supplier not only of precursors for fentanyl, but also for illicit drugs including methamphetamine, ketamine, and nitazenes. “China Primer: Illicit Fentanyl and China’s Role”, Congressional Research Service, CRS IF10890, October 7, 2026.
The Pen Becomes the Sword. Irina Tsukerman dives into the frequent use of the term “weaponized narrative”. She explores the concept of “narrative” and “influence” through examples from history and current events; and then proceeds to describe how they become “weaponized”. “Beyond Narrative Advantage: When the Pen Becomes the Sword“, Homeland Security Today, October 6, 2026.
SOF News welcomes the submission of articles for publication. If it is related to special operations, current conflicts, national security, or defense then we are interested.
Around the World
2026 Ebola Outbreak in DRC. The current outbreak of Ebola disease in northeastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has become the second-largest outbreak of Ebola on record. This current outbreak has spread substantially faster than previous Ebola outbreaks. This Congressional Research Service report provides information related to the virus and its spread, the current outbreak, and U.S. and international responses. CRS R49484, October 9, 2026, PDF, October 9, 2026.
Conflict in Ethopia. On Wednesday, various social media accounts reported that Eritrean troops have crossed in the Tigray region and deployed around Adigrat, with some heading towards Mekelle. Ethiopian National Defense force (ENDF) launched drone strikes targeting Eritrean troop formations and positions within Ethiopian territory. The 2018 peace agreement would appear to be in jeopardy.
Mali Update. Last week Malian government troops and Russian PMC contractors returned to the city of Kidal in northern Mali. The city had fallen to the JNIM and Tuareg (FLA) offensive last spring. The Azawad Liberation Front (FLA) left the city before the Russians and government troops arrived. Russia’s Africa Corps and the Mali army returned to Kidal on October 6, 2026.
Veterans Corner
Pharmacy Access for Veterans. Federal systems, including TRICARE and the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) pharmacy program, rely heavily on PBMs to support veterans with access to necessary medications. Changes mandated at the state level would adversely affect veterans’ ability to get life-saving care easily, including through mail-order prescription programs. “Survey: Veterans Facing Pharacy Access & TRICARE Reform”, Special Operations Association of America (SOAA), October 5, 2026.
Books, Podcasts, Videos, and Movies
Video – Forged for the mission: Special Forces canine teams train for the fight, DVIDS, September 20, 2026, one minute. U.S. Army Special Forces military working dog handlers and master trainers conduct advanced training during multipurpose canine detachment training exercise hosted by the 7th Special Forces Group (Airborne) at Muscatatuck Training Center in Butlerville, Indiana, Sept. 21-26, 2026. The weeklong exercise featured complex scenarios designed to test military working dog teams and enhance their readiness for future deployments. The training brought together military working dog handlers and master trainers from the 7th SFG (A), 1st SFG (A) and 5th SFG (A), as well as Australian partner-force handlers, strengthening interoperability and enabling the exchange of advanced canine training techniques. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Jennifer Roblero)
https://www.dvidshub.net/video/1025476/forged-mission-special-forces-canine-teams-train-fight
Spotlight. This edition by the Irregular Warfare Center covers the successful 4th Annual Scholars Colloquium at the National Defense University, where emerging researchers tackled pressing homeland defense challenges ranging from critical infrastructure vulnerabilities and supply chain risks to societal disinformation. You will also find a message from Director Dr. Dennis Walters on cognitive agility and preparing leaders for layered Indo-Pacific threats, alongside updates from recent IWC engagements in Seoul and Honolulu. In addition, there is information on upcoming educational offerings, including the new Future Threats Certificate learning pathway. https://irregularwarfarecenter.org/category/news/newsletter/
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October 16, 2026
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October 17, 2026
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