Five personality traits of a Special Operator

Five personality traits of a Special Operator

People are always asking, “What do I need to do to become a Navy SEAL?” Or they say, “Those Rangers are all psychos and mindless killing machines; that’s not for me.” Or, perhaps someone thinks they have what it takes, physically, to be a Special Forces soldier, but they don’t know if they have the […]

Special Tactics Airmen refine their diving capabilities

Special Tactics Airmen refine their diving capabilities

For years, Air force Special Tactics operators have trained with and utilized open-circuit dive gear. While this is a great capability and allows for diversity within their mission-set, any savvy tactical individual knows that open-circuit dive gear creates a ton of bubbles. This completely negates the stealth factor, which is often at the heart of […]

Combat Controller receives the Silver Star

Combat Controller receives the Silver Star

Last week, Master Sergeant John Grimesey was awarded the Silver Star for his bravery and lifesaving actions in Afghanistan during a 2013 battle in Ghazni province. During the battle, he was concussed and peppered with shrapnel from a rocket-propelled grenade blast. Then-Senior Airman John Grimesey felt Taliban bullets whiz by as he saw his Green […]

Cubic wins contract from SOCOM for satellite and baseband communications

Cubic wins contract from SOCOM for satellite and baseband communications

Cubic Corporation announced this week that its Cubic Mission Solutions (CMS) business division was awarded a follow-on, single-award contract from United States Special Operations Command (USSOCOM). The contract is for delivery of Ground Antenna Transmit and Receive (GATR) inflatable satellite communications (SATCOM) terminals and baseband communications equipment in support of Special Operations Forces (SOF) communications requirements. […]

A special approach to caring for operators and their families

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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 […]