Breaking: Two Marine Raiders killed in Kurdistan fighting ISIS

Breaking: Two Marine Raiders killed in Kurdistan fighting ISIS

Two American Special Operations advisors to the Iraqi Special Forces were killed during an operation against Islamic State (ISIS) remnants in the Qarachogh mountain region of northern Iraq on Sunday, the U.S.-led coalition released in a statement Monday. “Two U.S. service members were killed by the enemy while advising and accompanying Iraqi Special Forces during […]

Air Force creates new pathway for Special Operations candidates

Air Force creates new pathway for Special Operations candidates

The Air Force has created a new, single pathway to funnel candidates in its Special Warfare specialties. Called the Special Warfare Operator Enlistment Vectoring (SWOE-V) program, the new pathway will pool all those who wish to join one of the Special Operations career fields of the Air Force (Pararescue, Combat Control, Special Reconnaissance, and Tactical […]

Navy SEALs accused of invading Washington State parks

Navy SEALs accused of invading Washington State parks

For the past 30 years, the SEAL Teams have had had an agreement with Washington State to be permitted to train on five of their State Parks. Recently, the Navy presented a proposal to the Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission, seeking access to 29 State Parks for training purposes. These State Parks, many of […]

Special Forces operator hounded by leadership catches a break

Special Forces operator hounded by leadership catches a break

MSG Hasenbein is charged, among other things, with Reckless Endangerment, and Aggravated Assault, in violation of Article 128, UCMJ. The incident that forms the basis of the charges occurred on Mar 22nd, 2019, during a pre-mission training event where MSG Hasenbein allegedly assaulted an F3EA role player. LTC Haake recommended General Officer Memorandum of Reprimand […]

Det One and MARSOC: The secret drama behind Marine Special Operations

Det One and MARSOC: The secret drama behind Marine Special Operations

With the recent 14th anniversary of Marine Forces Special Operations Command (MARSOC), the latest addition to U.S. Special Operations Command (SOCOM), it is important to remember how it all came to be a reality. Much has been discussed about the success of MARSOC, but less is known about why it was formed — and what […]

Exclusive: Army Special Forces command disbands elite units

Exclusive: Army Special Forces command disbands elite units

Update: SOFREP has learned that the 1st Special Forces Command will retain some CRF-like Direct Action capability, though significantly smaller than the current one. The rationale behind the decision to downsize, however, remains the same: CRFs are too expensive for their utility. In a historic decision for the Special Forces community, the Crisis Response Force […]

It’s already been 14 years: Marine Raiders celebrate anniversary

It’s already been 14 years: Marine Raiders celebrate anniversary

A little over 14 years ago, Marine Raiders became a reality. The Marine Forces Special Operations Command (MARSOC) is the latest addition to U.S. Special Operations Command (SOCOM). Established in 2006, MARSOC has steadily grown ever since, often having to fight skeptics both in the Marine Corps and the Department of Defence (DoD) about its […]

Interview with Stu Bradin, President of the Global SOF Foundation

Interview with Stu Bradin, President of the Global SOF Foundation

The face of war has changed in the past two decades. While the world’s bad guys and the terrorists have been continually morphing and popping up around the globe, as they’re stomped out in one place and reappearing in another, the “good guys” of the world need to network, innovate, and operate, globally.  That’s why […]

Pararescueman recognized for his role in the Thai Cave rescue operation

Pararescueman recognized for his role in the Thai Cave rescue operation

A Pararescueman (PJ), who played a key role in the rescue of a boys soccer team from a flooded cave in Thailand in 2018, was chosen as one of the 12 Outstanding Airmen of the Year. Technical Sergeant Ken O’Brien, who is assigned to the 320th Special Tactics Squadron (320th STS) out in Kadena Air […]

First woman to pass Special Forces training? New York Times gets it all wrong

First woman to pass Special Forces training? New York Times gets it all wrong

New York Times writer Thomas Gibbons-Neff first broke yesterday that a National Guard soldier is set to become the Army’s first female Green Beret in the coming weeks. This report set off a frenzy of other news outlets such as Military.com, Army Times, Task and Purpose, and several others piggybacking off the New York Times article. […]

Army PSYOP training course relocates

Army PSYOP training course relocates

The Army’s Psychological Operations training course is on the move south. The course is moving its training from Ft. Bragg, NC to Ft. Jackson, SC. The Army’s course trains soldiers to induce or reinforce behavior favorable to U.S. objectives. It is an important part of the range of diplomatic, informational, military and economic activities available […]

American SOF kick off Operation Flintlock in the Sahel

American SOF kick off Operation Flintlock in the Sahel

Operation Flintlock: American special operators have teamed up with Special Operations Forces from 30 other countries to hone their tactics and intelligence-gathering capabilities in the Sahel region. This exercise, which has been ongoing since 2005, has been designed to bring special operators together so they can talk, communicate and build better cohesion among the units […]