The Pic of the Day: Top SOF officer commemorates Operation Market Garden

General Richard D. Clarke, commanding general of USSOCOM, took part in the Waal River Crossing commemoration in part with the 75th anniversary of Operation Market Garden honoring the Allied Soldiers who participated in the historic airborne operation that liberated several Dutch towns during WWII.

Who owns the night? Taliban use of night vision goggles tips the scale

Despite 19 years of war, the Taliban are still a dominant faction in Afghanistan. Their ability to wreak havoc at will highlights the Afghan government’s feebleness. A frailty that becomes ever more pronounced as U.S. and coalition forces gradually withdraw from the country. In their way toward defeating their opponent – or reducing his will […]

The Pic of the Day: Functional Fitness is the way to SOF

A Green Beret assigned to 3rd Special Forces Group (Airborne) releases a tire after pulling it and moves to a barrier before he fires his M4 rifle during the four-stage run and gun event June 27, 2019, at Fort Bragg, N.C. The four-stage run and gun was an event held during the first annual 3rd […]

Summer Hunting Season: SOF task force concludes record-breaking Afghanistan deployment

An Army Special Operations task force just completed one of the most successful combat rotations to Afghanistan. Special Operations Task Force 102 (SOTF-102) received over 50 military decorations for their work against the Taliban, Islamic State of Iraq and Syria-Khorasan (ISIS-K), Haqqani network, and Al-Qaida. SOTF-102 was comprised of Green Berets from the 10th Special […]

Leading by example: SOF dudes saving lives

Upon deciding to don the uniform, warfighters opt for the less trodden path. A path of selfless service and vigilance whether on or off duty. And often opportunities to serve the community arise at the most unexpected moments. This past month has shed light on another, less visible aspect of the Special Operations and military […]

MP-7: A SEAL Team Six favorite weapon

In 1989, NATO published a set of requirements that requested a new type of firearm with rounds capable of penetrating body armor. Called the Personal Defense weapon, or PDW, it was meant to replace weapons, such as pistols and submachine guns, whose caliber was found wanting against ballistic protection. Several companies went on to design […]

No more half-assing PT: These are the Army’s new combat-oriented fitness standards

The Army’s current Physical Fitness (PT) standard is having its last rounds. Come 2020, the new Army Combat Fitness Test (ACFT) test will take effect. And now the Army has revealed the long-awaited standards for the combat-oriented test. To ace the ACFT, which is tailored for every Military Occupational Specialty (MOS), Soldiers must: Perform a […]

The Pic of the Day: Legendary Air Commando retires

U.S. Air Force Col. Spencer Cocanour, former acting commander of the 24th Special Operations Wing, moves to the edge of an MC-130H Combat Talon II ramp as he prepares to execute his final military free fall jump at Hurlburt Field, Florida, Sept. 20, 2019. Cocanour is retiring after 24 years of service. The 24th SOW […]

Portable FOBs: A solution for SOF units behind enemy lines?

One of the greatest advantages of Special Operations Forces (SOF) is their inherent flexibility and their ability to excel in the unknown. Whether we’re talking about a Special Forces Operational Detachment Alpha (SFODA), a Marine Special Operations Team (MSOT), or a Navy SEAL platoon, SOF units can operate behind enemy lines with little or no […]

The Pic of the Day: Death from above

A Spanish soldier lines up to perform a military free-fall jump from a U.S. Marine Corps KC-130T during Death From Above in Torrejon, Spain, Nov. 30, 2018. Death From Above is a bilateral exercise that allows U.S. Marines with Special Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force-Crisis Response-Africa and Spanish soldiers to practice high-altitude jumps and air-delivery […]

The Pic of the Day: Inside the Spooky gunship

AC-130U Spooky gunship special missions aviators load 40 mm and 105 mm rounds into their respective weapon systems during a training flight July 18, 2018, above Eglin Range, Florida. The AC-130U’s primary missions are close air support, air interdiction and armed reconnaissance. The Spookys have been almost constantly deployed since 2001 and are being replaced […]