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 […]

75 years later, Rangers again scale the cliffs at Pointe Du Hoc

75 years later, Rangers again scale the cliffs at Pointe Du Hoc

To commemorate the 75th anniversary of the D-Day landing, members of the 75th Ranger Regiment have recreated the actions of their forefathers by scaling the cliffs at Pointe Du Hoc, overlooking the English Channel on the northwestern coast of Normandy, France. On June 6th 1944, the Rangers landed on the beaches of Pointe Du Hoc […]

Special Operations reading list: A few of my favorite hidden gems

Special Operations reading list: A few of my favorite hidden gems

I love reading about Special Operations history. It’s amazing what information can be found in published sources if you’re prepared to dig around. There’s a whole hidden history that can only be compiled by doing some deep research and really looking for sources. Thankfully, some former operators penned books that are well worth tracking down. Here […]

How Special Forces operators commemorate their lineage

How Special Forces operators commemorate their lineage

What a better way to commemorate the 75th anniversary of D-Day then by jumping into Normandy? Green Berets assigned to the 10th Special Forces Group (Airborne) conducted static line and free-fall parachute drops on a drop zone in Normandy, France, last week. The Air Force’s 352nd Special Operations Wing and 86th Airlift Wing provided three […]

Re-saving ‘Private Ryan:’ Legendary war movie back in theaters

Re-saving ‘Private Ryan:’ Legendary war movie back in theaters

This year marks the 75th anniversary of D-Day. On the early morning hours of June 6, 1944, American, British, and Canadian forces stormed five beaches in Normandy, in northern France, in what was the beginning of the end for Nazi Germany’s domination of Europe. To commemorate the anniversary, 600 movie theaters around the country will […]

Bill Dawson, last original Frogman, celebrates 94th birthday

Bill Dawson, last original Frogman, celebrates 94th birthday

The last of the original frogmen, the forerunners of Navy SEAL teams, was honored last week on the date of his 94th birthday among his family members and friends. Bill Dawson, who grew up in Washington D.C., worked at the Washington Navy Shipyard in 1943 and enlisted in the U.S. Navy when he was just […]

The Pic of the Day: Rose and Bergman make history at the 2019 best Ranger competition

The Pic of the Day: Rose and Bergman make history at the 2019 best Ranger competition

Capts. Michael Rose (center left) and John Bergman (center right) hold pistols above them after winning the 2019 Best Ranger Competition on April 15, 2019. Bergman and Rose, of the 101st Airborne Division at Fort Campbell, Kentucky, earned the title of “Best Rangers” during an awards ceremony at the Maneuver Center of Excellence headquarters at […]

Breaking down the British elite forces: 4/73 (Sphinx) Special Observation Post Battery Royal Artillery

Breaking down the British elite forces: 4/73 (Sphinx) Special Observation Post Battery Royal Artillery

The 4/73 (Sphinx) Special Observation Post Battery Royal Artillery frequently deploys surveillance and target acquisition patrols, which often operate far from the primary force, behind enemy lines. They deploy fire support teams to brigade reconnaissance forces or other reconnaissance elements to aid in calling in accurate artillery strikes. The unit was established in 1982 predominantly […]