Some context about Joint Special Operations Command helicopters buzzing downtown LA

MH-6 Little Birds and MH-60 Black Hawks helicopters buzzed downtown Los Angeles this week as a part of a Joint Special Operations Command (JSOC) training exercise. Spectators observed the helicopters landing operators on building rooftops, then later setting down to pick them up at street level. Presumably, the training scenario involved the operators assaulting from […]

Watch: Special operators sweep low and dark over downtown LA

Earlier this week, footage surfaced online of blacked-out military helicopters flying low over downtown Los Angeles. It may seem unnerving to have special operators wearing full “battle rattle” zoom over your local grocery, but citizens of LA don’t need to fret. These low-flying birds of prey are the good guys. The helicopters, MH-6 Little Birds […]

From special operations to the boardroom: General McChrystal’s leadership advice

Retired General Stanley McChrystal, a former head of the Joint Special Operations Command (JSOC) and commander of all forces in Afghanistan, recently co-wrote a book on leadership, exploring what makes an effective leader. The book, “Leaders: Myth and Reality,” explores a wide range of leaders across centuries of human history. The authors’ selection of leaders […]

Meet Special Reconnaissance, a new career field in Air Force Special Operations

In a major development, the Air Force Special Operations Command (AFSOC) changed the Special Operations Weather Technician (SOWT) career field to Special Reconnaissance (SR). The Air Force has debated the future of its battlefield airmen for some time. SOWTs were seen as unnecessary with the advent of weather forecasting technology. Earlier in 2018, the service […]

Museum celebrates America’s intelligence and special operations forces

The Intelligence and Special Operations Museum is one step closer to completion after a donation of $10 million by The Star Foundation. The museum, currently under construction, celebrates the lineage of America’s Intelligence and Special Operations Forces (SOF) communities. Charles Pinck, president of the Office of Strategic Services (OSS) Society, said “we are incredibly grateful […]

Finding needles in haystacks: The future of military intelligence?

In the national security decision-making process and military operations, more often than not, intelligence drives action. Actionable intelligence, that is, timely and accurate information about a target of interest, is the most precious commodity. There are numerous ways to gather actionable intelligence: Human Intelligence (HUMINT) is highly valued but very difficult to acquire as it […]

SIG Sauer wins contract for new spec ops riflescope

The United States Special Operations Command (SOCOM) has chosen SIG Sauer to provide America’s Special Operations Forces (SOF) with a new riflescope and gun mount. More specifically, the gun company won a contract for the Electro-Optics TANGO6T 1-6×24 Second Focal Plane (SFP) Riflescope and ALPHA4 Ultralight Mount. According to SIG Sauer, the TANGO6T 1-6×24 Rifle […]

Warriors needed: Special Operations units offer bonuses to boost ranks

Despite the astounding success of America’s Special Operations Forces (SOF), decades of conflict and consecutive high-tempo deployments have taken their toll. Army SOF units are having trouble filling their ranks. In an attempt to alleviate this conundrum, the U.S. Army is offering financial incentives to applicants willing to try out for SOF units. Although far […]