Italian Special Forces Stands Up Their Version of SOCOM

The new strategic and tactical needs resulting from this century’s asymmetric warfare have forced several NATO armies to accept new operational realities, especially in the area of special operations. The Italian Army, which for several years actively responded to the fight against terrorism, has created the COMFOSE (Comando Forze Speciali dell’Esercito – Army Special Forces HQ), a centralized command […]

Australia’s Boots on the Ground

Australia’s Prime Minister Tony Abbott has met with the Chief of the Defence Force (CDF) Air Chief Marshal Mark Binskin to discuss the impending involvement of Australia’s Special Operations Forces in the war against the Islamic State. The Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) has already completed its first operational sorties over Iraq. So far, these […]

On the Ground with the Swiss Militia

A group of young arabs smoke marijuana on the steps while a gaggle of hippies has their confab in a sharing circle on the other side of the station. Neon blue lights streak across the concrete slabs in front of the Lausanne-Flor metro station where a family pushes a stroller between the two groups. It […]

Australia Increases Its Commitment to Destroy the Islamic State

Australia has outlined an increased military commitment to Iraq as part of the international effort to destroy the Islamic State. Australia’s Prime Minister Tony Abbot has stated that Australia’s mission has a “specific and clear objective” to fight Islamic State militants in an effort to drive them from Iraq. Mr. Abbott announced he will be […]

Reflections on 9/11 From a Regiment Perspective

The terrorist attacks that took place on 9/11/2001 have been regarded as one of the most spectacular and transforming events in world history. The damage inflicted by al-Qaeda that day triggered an enormous and justified retaliation from the United States and many other NATO and non-NATO nations. The declaration of the ‘War on Terror’ by […]

US Wants Australian SOF to Fight the Islamic State

As the world awaits Obama to deliver his ISIS strategy, Australia is looking more and more likely to mobilise its special operations forces to contribute to the overall mission of destroying the extremist movement. The West Australian has reported that the US-led coalition has welcomed the offer of Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) fighter jets, […]

Greek SOF Rescues Civilians From Tripoli, Libya

On August 1st, the Greek Ministry of National Defense announced the successful completion of an operation to evacuate Greek and foreign citizens from the harbor of Tripoli, Libya early that morning. The operation, codenamed Aginor, was executed by the frigate “Salamis,” with the support of the organic helicopter S-70B and an Underwater Demolitions Command team. […]

GROM Turns 24

June 13, 2014 was a very special day for GROM soldiers. Exactly 24 years ago, the government of then Prime Minister Tadeusz Mazowiecki made a decision to create a new, better, and  special unit. Very few suspected at that time that a creation of a new elite had started. Founders of GROM, with General Slawomir […]

Canadian and Jordanian SOF Train In CBRN Scenarios

CBRN operators of the Canadian Joint Incident Response Unit (CJIRU), who provides all the CBRN response for the Canadian Special Operation Forces Command (CANSOFCOM) and the Canadian Armed Forces participated in international Eager Lion exercise in Jordan. In fact, more than 12,500 personnel from 20 countries were training together. The exercise goal was to reinforce […]

GROM: Selection Happens Every Day and It Never Ends

When you read about selection processes around the world, you can probably say they are all similar, but anyone who actually experienced it has his own, unique story, full of pain, sweat and probably tears. The difference about GROM selection is that we believe is happens every day and never ends. Initially, the selection process […]

For Thee, My Country: The Last Of The Cichociemny

In January this year, at the age of 100, one of the last Cichociemny of the Armia Krajowa (“Silent and Unseen” division of the Polish Home Army), General Stefan Starba-Bulak died. Every GROM operator wanted to be at the funeral. Cichociemni – soldiers, partisans, paratroopers, trained in Scotland, sent to fight for the underground army […]