On This Date, November 4, 1979 The US Embassy in Tehran is Stormed

On This Date, November 4, 1979 The US Embassy in Tehran is Stormed

This would be one of the U.S.’ first brushes with politicized Islamic fundamentalists and would change the country’s relationship with Iran forever. The resultant hostage taking of US Embassy employees would last 444 days and would result in the Carter administration being routed in the 1980 elections. The US had been a big supporter of […]

UK Maritime counter-terrorism is changing

UK Maritime counter-terrorism is changing

The Royal Marine Commandos are changing. The Royal Navy is getting two new aircraft carriers, and thus an expanded need for an organic force capable of Maritime interdiction operations (MIO), Visit, Board, Search, and Seizure (VBSS), and personnel recovery (PR). To assume this task, 42 Commando has reorganized as a Maritime Operations Commando (MOC).  With […]

The Achille Lauro Hijacking Comes to a Close October 10, 1985

The Achille Lauro Hijacking Comes to a Close October 10, 1985

From its very beginning the cruise liner Achille Lauro seemed to live a cursed existence. The keel for the ship was laid in 1939. It suffered an onboard explosion in 1965, the ship caught fire in 1972 and then collided with a cargo ship in 1975, the ship caught fire once again in 1981. And […]

On this Day, October 3, 1993, Battle of Mogadishu (Black Hawk Down)

On this Day, October 3, 1993, Battle of Mogadishu (Black Hawk Down)

Today we remember the men of Operation Gothic Serpent who fought and died on the streets of Mogadishu, Somalia in what later became popularly known from the title of a book and film as “Black Hawk Down” The operation was run by the U.S. Joint Special Operations Command (JSOC) and was commanded by General William […]

What does an explosive but obscure novel reveal about Delta Force? (Part 2)

What does an explosive but obscure novel reveal about Delta Force? (Part 2)

Years later, when he read a newspaper article that said Beckwith had a sign on his desk at his Texas-based security company which read, “kill ’em all and let God sort ’em out” he had been disappointed in the man he now considered his mentor.  He wrote him a scathing letter, and one of the […]

Does this obscure Delta Force novel reveal America’s deepest secrets? (Part 1)

Does this obscure Delta Force novel reveal America’s deepest secrets? (Part 1)

It was such a fine line, this difference between a legal and an illegal killing.  In the shadowy world of espionage and counter-terrorism, the line was even more difficult to define.  Yes, the men and one of the women under his command had already killed more than two dozen people since the operation began in […]

Ongoing selection in Delta: A visit with MLK (Part 8)

Ongoing selection in Delta: A visit with MLK (Part 8)

(You can read part 7 here) (Dedicated with great respect and admiration to SOFREP sister Ms. Kristi B.) Peachy Atlanta had a long foot movement in store for me this eve. I groaned as I checked my map repeatedly hoping some correction would shorten the distance between A and B. No such luck; this adventure […]

Watch: John ‘Shrek’ McPhee Talks about his 2 Point Adjustable Sling

Watch: John ‘Shrek’ McPhee Talks about his 2 Point Adjustable Sling

Here we are taking another quick look at a product offered by SOB Tactical; the 2 point adjustable sling designed and sold by John ‘Shrek’ McPhee. Back in the day 2 point slings were all there was. As time evolved and gear evolved, the single point slings became more popular. In the Marine Corps we […]

SOB Tactical Condom Holster

SOB Tactical Condom Holster

The SOB Tactical Condom Holster is an all leather minimalist holster for appendix inside the waistband carry (AIWB). The clip used on this holster has a clothing catch on it to keep the holster retained on the body when you draw your pistol. This design is based on John McPhee’s operational experience in the Army’s […]

Delta’s ongoing selection: Resisting interrogation (Part 7)

Delta’s ongoing selection: Resisting interrogation (Part 7)

(Read part six here) Dedicated to SOFREP family member Ms. Joni S The drive to FBI headquarters was short enough, but me and handcuffs just don’t see eye to eye. It’s just something about my arms at that angle behind my back, that’s totally disenchanting to my rotator cuffs. Yeah, you’re not likely to see […]