Pentagon releases names of two Special Forces operators killed in Afghanistan

The Department of Defence (DoD) released the names of the two Special Forces operators who were killed in action in Afghanistan on Wednesday, August 21. Master Sergeant Luis Deleon-Figueroa and Master Sergeant Jose Gonzalez were killed while conducting combat operations in the Faryab province of Afghanistan. According to a Pentagon statement, the two Special Forces operators […]

The Pic of the Day: Say what you want about the Air Force, but they know how to put on a show

The Air Force Thunderbirds demonstrated their precision flying during the Sioux Falls Airshow August 17-18, 2019. The Thunderbirds along with other aerobatic acts wowed the thousands of people who attended the show. The Thunderbirds are the Air Force’s demonstration team. Famous for their slick acrobatics and superb airmanship, the Thunderbirds are always a marvel to […]

The secret history of America’s involvement in Greenland

With President Trump expressing an interest in the purchase of Greenland, it seemed like a good time to delve back into the history of American-Greenland relations. One can trace U.S. involvement with the large chunk of ice northeast of the continental U.S. since the Cold War. Then, the threat was different; namely a nuclear armageddon […]

The Pic of the Day: Piracy on the high seas

A USS Constitution crew member prepares for a training event as part of Chief Petty Officer Heritage Week in Boston, Aug. 19, 2019. The week is dedicated to mentoring the Navy’s newest chiefs through history and heritage training aboard its oldest commissioned ship. Also known as Old Ironsides, the USS Constitution is a wooden-hulled, three-masted […]

China is using social media to try to change your mind about Hong Kong

As pro-Democracy protests continue to gain steam in Hong Kong, the Chinese military has moved into the semi-independent state in order to bolster the efforts of the Hong Kong police. With allegations of police brutality against protestors already levied by U.N. officials, many fear that China’s military presence may lead to more brutal crackdowns. In […]

Navy releases new SWCC recruiting and capabilities video

The U.S. Navy has just released a new recruiting and capabilities video about one of its – and indeed the Special Operations Forces (SOF) community’s – less known career fields. Often mistakenly identified as Navy SEALs, the Special Warfare Combatant Crewmen (SWCC) are Naval Special Warfare Command’s (NSWC) go-to choice for maritime mobility. To become […]

How to become a Navy SEAL sniper: A special breed

The cold morning air hung thick in the Afghan valley. Each warm exhale would briefly fog the outside corner of my riflescope as I waited and maintained a clear view of my target. I could make out a middle-aged man, in traditional Afghan dress, with a crook in his step, perhaps a wound and story […]

The Pic of the Day: Special Tactics Air Commandos bridging the gap

A U.S. Air Force Special Tactics operator stands by while his team conducts a forward arming and refueling point mission with USAFE aircraft during Operation Rapid Forge on Amari Air Base, Estonia, July 16, 2019. Special Tactics is a U.S. Special Operation Command’s tactical air and ground integration force, and the Air Force’s special operations […]

The Pic of the Day: The enablers that allow Air Commandos to rock-and-roll

A United States Air Force logistics readiness Airman rolls a fuel hose during a forward arming and refueling point mission with USAFE aircraft during Operation Rapid Forge at Ämari Air Base, Estonia, July 18, 2019. Operation Rapid Forge involves NATO territories in order to enhance readiness and improve interoperability between U.S. allies and partners in […]

The MG-3: The Old Wolf That Still Growls

By the end of the First World War, rifle caliber machine gun could be defined in two categories.  One was the tripod mounted water-cooled Maxim/Vickers series, of German and British origin whose effectiveness was best used in static or fixed positions along with plenty of support.  The other was the relative newcomer, the air cooled […]

Despite political desire, women continue to fail SOF selection courses

A female Airman wishing to become the first woman operator in the Air Force Special Operations Command (AFSOC) was dropped during the selection phase. More specifically, the Airman, whose name has been withheld by the Air Force for Operational Security (OPSEC) reasons, was trying out for the Special Reconnaissance (SR) career field. SR replaced the […]