Brandon Webb, Chris Matthews On Benghazi

Brandon was on Chris Matthews’ Hardball earlier this week. For those of you who missed it, here’s a video recap. CHRIS MATTHEWS: Let me go to Brandon first. I guess this is the question that gets to me. If you’re out there pinned down and the word gets back to Washington in real time at […]

Airmen Are First Responders in Huge Interstate Accident

Eight Airmen from the 48th Rescue Squadron at D-M were first responders on a 19 vehicle accident involving more than 20 people on Interstate 10 near Picacho Peak, Ariz., Oct. 29, 2013. Six pararescueman, a combat rescue officer and a communications specialist were driving through a dust storm with reduced visibility after jump training in […]

Letters to the Editor Oct. 23, 2013

You’ve been busy writing to us during the past month. Here are a few key notes we received. //Dagestan Special Kudos to Jack for his article on Russian special ops in Dagestan. SOFREP has consistently delivered an original and excellent analysis of issues pertaining to the special operations community and Jack’s latest write up was […]

CPT Swenson Awarded MOH

Today there was an addition to the illustrious roll of Medal of Honor awardees. It took way too long to put him on there. Before I delve into the politics of CPT Swenson’s Medal of Honor, I want to honor his incredible acts. CPT Swenson  was on an embedded training team advising Afghan Border Police […]

Africa Lost: Rhodesia’s COIN Killing Machine

Some of the most explosive combat in Special Operations history is almost completely unknown to the Western World. Everyone knows about Navy SEALs and Green Berets but nobody knows about the deep recce, sabotage, and direct action missions conducted by the Rhodesian SAS. The Rhodesian Light Infantry was a killing machine, participating in combat jumps […]

Africa Lost Chapter 1: Fire Force: Rhodesia’s COIN Killing Machine

The helicopter has become an iconic image of war. It changed the way soldiers were able to deploy on the battlefield, dramatically reduced the mortality rate of wounded soldiers and delivers hell fire and brimstone to the enemy. To most Americans, the Bell UH-1 Huey in Vietnam was synonymous with the war itself. To the […]

Africa Lost Chapter 2: The Rhodesian SAS Part 1

The U.K.’s Special Air Service needs no introduction to anyone remotely interested in Military History. However, there is much more to learn about this Elite unit when you trace its existence and influence across the once worldwide British Empire. Much of the power of the British influence derived from their colonies and stock of available […]

Africa Lost Chapter 3: The Rhodesian SAS Part 2

The men of the Malayan Scouts returned as Heroes to their Native Rhodesia. Filled with experience and the haggard look of men hardened by battle, they were promptly deactivated. Rhodesia relied mainly on the Rhodesian African Rifles, the Native Regiment led by white officers and Territorials or Reservists for their standing Army. Like many Armies […]

Africa Lost Chapter 4: The Rhodesian SAS Part 3

(A note to Readers: With the root background of the Rhodesian SAS C Squadron having been explored, it is time to focus on a few of the missions that they undertook against the backdrop of a War on Terror. A war thats aim was to destroy the Government of Rhodesia, take the land and evict […]

Africa Lost Chapter 5: The Rhodesian SAS Part 4

With the 1960’s closing and the success rate of incursions into Rhodesia from Zambia dropping to practically zero, both African Nationalist groups ZANU and ZAPU looked for alternatives. To the East of Rhodesia lay the nation of Mozambique. Both countries had established a good relationship and many Rhodies went to the beaches along the African […]

Africa Lost Chapter 6: The Rhodesian SAS Part 5 – The Cockleshell Heroes

In the mid 1970’s, much effort was being put into strangling northern Mozambique. More and more ZANU Terrs were based there in the Tete Province. The relationship that ZANU had with FRELIMO made Mozambique a very difficult area to operate in, especially over a prolonged period. Captain Robert Mackenzie, an American who had served with […]

Africa Lost Chapter 7: The Selous Scouts

Amongst the Special Operations Forces of the Rhodesian Army, by far the Selous Scouts have garnered the most interest and discussion. The Unit has recently received much more attention by general military buffs, all the way up to active duty professors at West Point, Annapolis and even Ft. Leavenworth’s War College. This attention is a […]