Category: SOF

As U.S. troops have begun withdrawing from Afghanistan after 19 years of warfare, it looks like U.S. Special Operations units are going to be the last bastion of defense in the country. The agreement between the U.S and the Taliban stipulates that American troops are to be gradually withdrawn from the country within a 14-monthly […]

The Coronavirus pandemic has forced Special Operations units to improvise when it comes to their training and selection programs. The Naval Special Warfare Command (WARCOM) has suspended a number of Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL (BUD/S) and Basic Crewman Training (BCT) classes; the former course is the first major hurdle to those aspiring to become Navy SEALs, […]

In early March, Army Special Operations (ARSOF) troops and their families got the chance to talk to Colonel Andrew Morgan, an ARSOF medical officer and NASA Astronaut, and ask him about life in space. Col. Morgan is a qualified Special Forces Combat Diver, arguably one of the toughest ratings to achieve in the Army, and […]

A little over two years ago, a combined assault force comprised of Delta Force and Special Air Service operators went after an ISIS high-value-individual (HVI) somewhere in Syria. As the commandos neared their objective, an improvised explosive device (IED) went off killing one American and one British operator. The consequent investigations by the U.S. and […]

The 75th Ranger Regiment is known for raising its own. Often, privates enter the Army’s premier Special Operations direct action unit right out of high school only to depart years, and even decades, later. Recently, and after 24 years of service with the Regiment, Command Sergeant Major Michael D. Albaugh, the Regimental Sergeant Major of […]

The Combat Diver Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit public charity dedicated to preserving the history of the Combat Diver community. Though the foundation’s story began with a recognition that the class plaques at the Special Forces Underwater Operations School in Key West were under threat by the ravages of time and salt air, CDF’s vision […]

Last Thursday, an Air Force Combat Controller (CCT) died during an open water swim. Airman First Class Keigan Baker was participating in a surface training swim as part of the Air Force Combat Dive Course. During the training event, Airman Baker went missing and was found unresponsive some hours later. In a press statement, U.S. […]

Tensions grow as leaders try to balance the strength of the force, the safety of their soldiers, and the morale of families. As COVID-19 continues to spread in the Nation, schools are continuing to close indefinitely leaving families with additional strains as many hourly workers are laid off or told to go home. Financial stresses, […]

Colonel Bradley D. Moses, formerly the 3rd Special Forces Group (Airborne) Commander, is the only officer involved in the 2017 deadly Niger Ambush to have escaped some form of punishment. The ambush resulted in the deaths of three Green Berets and one support soldier. The lack of appropriate training has been the main reason cited […]

The trials of two commandos accused of the murder of an Army Green Beret have been postponed for later this year. More specifically, Navy Chief Special Warfare Operator Tony E. DeDolph and Marine Gunnery Sergeant Mario Madera-Rodriguez will have their day in court in July and September, respectively. If found guilty, both are looking at […]

Last year, a gunship crew from an Air Force Special Operations Command (AFSOC) squadron helped turned the tide in a fierce engagement against ISIS fighters in Afghanistan. The nine-hour operation took place last April in Nangarhar Province. An AC-130U aircraft from the 4th Special Operations Squadron was proving overhead support to a Special Forces assault […]

The Marine Forces Special Operations Command (MARSOC) has identified the two Marine Raiders, who were killed in action, supporting Operation Inherent Resolve, March 8. The two Critical Skills Operators killed in action are Gunnery Sgt. Diego D. Pongo, a critical skills operator from Simi Valley, Calif., and Capt. Moises A. Navas, a special operations officer […]