Steve Balestrieri

About the author

Steve is a SOFREP Senior Editor. He has served as a Special Forces NCO and Warrant Officer before injuries forced his early separation. He writes for SOFREP and covers the NFL for PatsFans.com and his work was regularly featured in the Millbury-Sutton Chronicle and Grafton News newspapers.
Two US Special Operators killed in Afghanistan

Two US Special Operators killed in Afghanistan

While U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo made an unannounced visit to Kabul on Tuesday in search of a peace deal, two American troops were killed in action in Afghanistan just a day later. The Pentagon officially identified Master Sgt. Michael B. Riley, 32, 2nd Battalion, 10th Special Forces Group (Airborne); and Sgt. James G. Johnston, […]

So, there I was: That time ‘The Predator’ attacked the US Air Force

So, there I was: That time ‘The Predator’ attacked the US Air Force

Sometimes life does imitate art. After the military and during my time as a contractor, our hires in support of Iraqi and Afghan operations did some incredibly difficult and excellent work in support of military objectives. But that doesn’t mean there wasn’t some fun involved. Once, we had “The Predator”—yes that one—attack some Air Force […]

Op-Ed: Iran situation goes from bad to worse

Op-Ed: Iran situation goes from bad to worse

Iran shot down an American drone on Thursday, supposedly over international waters, which the United States deemed an “unprovoked attack” in the Strait of Hormuz. It’s a further escalation of rising conflict between these countries. In the aftermath, an American reprisal airstrike against Iranian missile defense systems was first approved, then canceled, by President Trump. […]

Betty Pack: The WWII intelligence asset who weaponized sex

Betty Pack: The WWII intelligence asset who weaponized sex

More and more stories are coming to light about the operatives who worked in the shadows during the Second World War, and many of them were women. By now most people have heard about Virginia Hall, the famous “Limping Lady” of the OSS, and her exploits, as well as many others. One of the more […]

Arlington National Cemetery was established to shame rebel General Robert E. Lee

Arlington National Cemetery was established to shame rebel General Robert E. Lee

Arlington National Cemetery is a sprawling 624 acres of prime real estate, directly across the Potomac River from Washington D.C. When the Civil War broke out in 1861, the hills overlooking the Capitol and the White House were a perfect spot for artillery. And Arlington, right on the cusp of the Union’s capital, was part […]

Op-Ed: Say it ain’t so, Joe—the Army unveils another unnecessary badge

Op-Ed: Say it ain’t so, Joe—the Army unveils another unnecessary badge

On Friday, June 14—coincidentally the Army’s 224th birthday—the Army unveiled its newest and most unnecessary badge: the Expert Soldier Badge. If you read this and are rolling your eyes, trust me, you are not alone. According to a press release, the Expert Soldier Badge will recognize those individuals who demonstrate a mastery of physical fitness, […]

Op-Ed: With Sonntag out, what happens next at the Special Warfare Center?

Op-Ed: With Sonntag out, what happens next at the Special Warfare Center?

The Special Warfare Center, specifically the U.S. Army John F. Kennedy Special Warfare Center and School (JFKSWC) at Ft. Bragg, North Carolina, which trains Green Berets, PSYOP, and Civil Affairs soldiers, has been in a state of flux for the past two years. And the news that broke late last week won’t alleviate that instability […]

Operation Ivory Coast, November 21, 1970: The Raid on Son Tay Prison

Operation Ivory Coast, November 21, 1970: The Raid on Son Tay Prison

By November of 1970, there were 450 known American POWs in Vietnam and more than double that amount who were missing. Reports were surfacing of brutal conditions, torture and starvation of American POWs. Operation Ivory Coast was the mission by U.S. Army Green Berets flown in by Air Force Commandos to rescue the POWs at […]

Know Your Unconventional Warfare Campaign Principles

Know Your Unconventional Warfare Campaign Principles

One of our readers asked if we’d discuss some of the training that goes into Unconventional Warfare, which we’ll from this point address as UW.  But it is kind of putting the cart before the horse somewhat. Many of, if not most of our readers at SpecialOperations.com are aspiring candidates to become members of our […]

Op-Ed: When espionage pays, Chelsea Manning steps out for Vogue

Op-Ed: When espionage pays, Chelsea Manning steps out for Vogue

Vogue Magazine recently did a feature including a photo shoot by Annie Leibovitz on Chelsea Manning, who they’re touting as a hero. “Chelsea Manning Changed the Course of History. Now She’s Focusing on Herself” and it is eye-opening and would be comical if it weren’t so serious. Hero? Hardly, she’s fortunate she’s not still in […]