Search complete: Australian Special Operations Forces to get American choppers

Search complete: Australian Special Operations Forces to get American choppers

For some time now, the Australian military has been searching for new helicopters for its Special Operations Forces (SOF). The American company Bell is considered a favorite to win the contract. More specifically, Bell, in partnership with Hawker-Pacific, is proposing the Bell 407 or Bell 429 helicopters. In October, Australia’s Defense Capability Acquisition and Sustainment […]

When lives are on the line: Combat medicine and how it can be improved

When lives are on the line: Combat medicine and how it can be improved

Throughout history, combat has been a brutal and destructive experience that leaves visible and invisible wounds on anyone who engages in the fighting. Although modern technology has done marvels in making warfare more “humane,” war-fighters are still facing catastrophic injuries in their muscles, bones, skin, and nerves if they are wounded. For those fortunate enough […]

Who’s more fit–US Marines or Royal Marines Commandos?

Who’s more fit–US Marines or Royal Marines Commandos?

For the past few years, select members of the U.S. Marine Corps travel to the U.K. to participate in Royal Marines Commando training. True to the U.S. Marines’ institutional mentality to always adapt and improve, this provides them an opportunity to observe what works and how it can be implemented in the Corps’ physical regimen. […]

Kicking ass and taking names: Marine Special Operations Command turns 13

Kicking ass and taking names: Marine Special Operations Command turns 13

The Marine Special Operations Command (MARSOC) celebrated its 13th anniversary on February 21st with a ceremony at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. Notables from across the Special Operations community and the United States Marine Corps attended the event, including Commandant of the Marine Corps Gen. Robert Neller and Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps, Sgt. Maj. Ronald […]

US military wants to turn all infantrymen into Special Operations Rangers. Would it work?

US military wants to turn all infantrymen into Special Operations Rangers. Would it work?

In one of his more important undertakings as Secretary of Defense, General James Mattis had launched a project to review and improve the lethality of the military’s close-combat units. The Close Combat Lethality Task Force (CCLTF) is examining how it can increase the combat effectiveness of troops engaged in close combat. In an interview with […]

Lead investigator in Special Forces officer’s war crimes case accused of stolen valor

Lead investigator in Special Forces officer’s war crimes case accused of stolen valor

In an unexpected development to the war crimes case of Major Matthew Golsteyn, a Special Forces officer accused of murdering a Taliban prisoner, the lead investigator has been accused of stolen valor. In late January, Sergeant First Class Mark A. Delacruz was charged with fabricating his promotion files and other administrative records to indicate that […]

The Army has a new physical training test, and these are the fittest soldiers

The Army has a new physical training test, and these are the fittest soldiers

After a rigorous assessment and selection process that lasted two days, the Army Warrior Fitness Team has filled its ranks with 15 members. The eight men and seven women come from across the Army and ranks. The primary objective of the team will be recruiting, while helping soldiers who are currently serving to improve their […]

“Kill the Enemy, But Please…Don’t Hurt His Feelings”

“Kill the Enemy, But Please…Don’t Hurt His Feelings”

If this sounds strange, ludicrous and outright ridiculous…then congratulations! Welcome to our politically correct world where our leaders who send our troops into harm’s way to kill our enemies are more worried about hurting those said enemies’ feelings than they are about ensuring that our troops have everything they need to accomplish their mission and […]

Proxy warfare: The strategic dilemma of relying on proxy counterterrorism forces

Proxy warfare: The strategic dilemma of relying on proxy counterterrorism forces

Proxy warfare isn’t a new concept. It has been used since ancient times. More recently, the British used it quite successfully during the Dhofar War in Oman in the early 1970s. Special Air Service (SAS) operators trained, advised, and, perhaps, accompanied Yemeni dissenters in cross-border operations deep inside Yemen. Another example—this time of active proxy […]