A special approach to caring for operators and their families

U.S. Special Operations Command Europe (SOCEUR) excels at supporting its operators and their families. By tactfully implementing the Preservation of the Force and Family (POTFF) program, the command is creating a culture of individuals that are stronger mentally, physically, socially, and spiritually. According to an extensive article, published by the Defense Visual Information Distribution Service, […]

George ‘Speedy’ Gaspard: A Special Forces legend

‘A Warrior’s Warrior’ in MACV-SOG During America’s long war in Vietnam, many of the Green Berets who fought there became legends within the Special Forces Regiment. And among those warriors were the men of MACVSOG (Military Assistance Command Vietnam, Studies and Observations Group); the SOG warriors were among the finest the country has ever produced. […]

Special Forces Detachment A: Counterterrorism & hostage rescue operations

You can read part I here and part II here.  The men of Det A were highly trained professionals, ready to carry out what would most likely be a suicide mission in the opening hours of World War Three. With targeting packets completed, covers established, and extraction plans committed to memory, they were prepared to […]

Air Force Special Operations Airman becomes first-ever religious waiver

A member of the Air Force Special Operations Command (AFSOC) has received the first-ever religious-related waiver, allowing him to wear a turban and keep a beard. According to an Air Force press release, a follower of the Sikh religion, Senior Airman Dominic Varriale received his waiver about a month ago. Varriale works as a geospatial […]

Extortion 17: CrossFit gyms honor fallen Navy SEALs

August 6th, 2011, 40 miles south of Kabul, Afghanistan. The Chinook helicopter callsigned Extortion 17 (“one-seven”) took off into the darkness and accelerated toward a destination less than 20 miles west. Extortion 17 carried 38 men, 15 of them SEALS from Gold Squadron of the Naval Special Warfare Development Group, popularly called SEAL Team 6. […]

21st Special Tactics Squadron Commandos receive 90 medals

On July 24, 2020, members of the Air Force’s 21st Special Tactics Squadron, along with their friends and family, joined together for a special awards ceremony. The squadron’s most recent deployment was in 2019. It involved members deploying to three different locations and fighting against six different extremist organizations. Due to the actions of the […]

Special Forces Detachment A: Training & missions

You can read part I here.  Assigned to 10th Special Forces Group in 1958, radio repairman Private James Wild was selected to go to Berlin despite his objections, as he wanted to stay with an A-Team. Trucked over to Munich, and then taking the train to Berlin, he was picked up by several Det A […]

Risk aversion in Special Operations: When aid workers have more freedom in a combat zone

Who has more freedom of movement in a combat zone: a highly trained and well-resourced Special Operations fighter, or an untrained volunteer working for a cash-strapped religious non-governmental organization (NGO)? In the author’s opinion and experience, the answer is the NGO worker — and by a long shot. The reason for this predominantly boils down […]

Navy SEAL museum gives back to the Special Operations community

The Navy SEAL Museum’s Trident House Charities Program has successfully donated education funds to children in the Special Operations community for the sixth year in a row. To accomplish this feat, it partnered with the Marlee Foundation and for the first time this year, Trident Tuition Funds joined the fray. Together, they were able to […]

Valor in Afghanistan: Marine Raiders receive 8 medals for bravery under fire

Last week, several Marine Raiders received awards for their actions during a deployment in Afghanistan. In total, the Raiders, who are assigned to the 2nd Marine Raider Battalion, received eight medals. The team chief of the Marine Special Operations Team (MSOT) that was involved in the action received the Silver Star (the third-highest award for […]