Hamburg attacker was known to security forces

The migrant who killed one person and injured six others in a knife attack in a Hamburg supermarket was a radicalized Islamist known to German security agencies, but also believed to have psychological problems. Officials said on Saturday the agencies had believed he posed no immediate threat. A security lapse in a second deadly militant […]

Ongoing selection in Delta; Hands across the water (part 9)

(You can read part 8 here) Dedication of this essay falls to SOFREP’s own brother Ryan B; thank you for your generosity in my time of need. “Memorize this route” the driver of the temporary car I was in told me. Ol’ Jed was a millionaire first thing this morning and now I was being […]

Is a multi-national European Army the answer to Europe’s security needs?

Did you hear? A Czech and a Romanian brigade will join the German army. No, this isn’t the Fourth Reich coming to get you.  It’s the birth of a common European Army—or at least some believe so. Considered as Germany’s crack unit, the Rapid Forces Division, which is comprised of airborne light infantry, special operations […]

World War II pilot’s remains found in a tree 70 years after his airplane crashed

The year was 1945 and 21 year old Army Air Forces 1st Lt. William Gray was on a combat mission over Germany in a single-seat P-47D Thunderbolt aircraft when disaster struck. His airplane came in contact with a tree and he crashed. The Defense POW/MIA said investigators recovered Gray’s remains last year. Two people who saw […]

World War II Pilot’s Remains Found in a Tree 70 Years After His Airplane Crashed

The year was 1945 and 21 year old Army Air Forces 1st Lt. William Gray was on a combat mission over Germany in a single-seat P-47D Thunderbolt aircraft when disaster struck. His airplane came in contact with a tree and he crashed. The Defense POW/MIA said investigators recovered Gray’s remains last year. Two people who saw […]

Virginia Hall, The Famous “Limping Lady” of the Office of Strategic Services

The story of Virginia Hall reads like the script of a Hollywood spy film, except that her exploits were true. She was an operative for the British Special Operations Executive (SOE), later the American Office of Strategic Services (OSS) and finally the CIA. Despite the loss of her lower leg in a hunting accident, Hall […]

Germany pulls the plug on troops in Turkey

Germany has followed through on threats to withdraw its military forces from Incirlik Air Base in Turkey after months of diplomatic tensions with the Turkish government. The forces in question composed Germany’s contribution to the coalition against ISIS, and will remain out of the fight for at least another two months as they are moved […]

Germany: At least 160 police injured by G20 protesters

As expected, protests surrounding the G20 summit in Hamburg, Germany, turned violent last night as thousands of protesters descended on the city to disrupt the international meeting of world leaders. 160 German police officers are reported to have been injured last night, as militant activists threw bottles, lit fires, and destroyed vehicles in the streets. […]

Rangers Storm the Cliffs of Pointe du Hoc on D-Day 73 Years Ago

On this day during World War II in June 1944, Army Rangers would complete a mission, scaling the cliffs of Pointe du Hoc on D-Day that would immediately become the stuff of legend. Later, the survivors would comment that they couldn’t believe that they survived. The Commander of the Rangers, LTC James Rudder would comment, […]