Delta Force and Hollywood: An uneasy relationship

There are distinct differences between SEAL Team 6 and Delta Force that are worthy of exploration, but in the minds of the American public, only one of these elite war fighting units is the most popular. They draw more headlines, sell more books, and use more hair gel than the rest of the special operations […]

Legendary Pararescueman becomes US military’s top enlisted man

An Air Force Pararescueman is slated to become the military’s most senior enlisted man. The Pentagon announced that Chief Master Sergeant Ramon “CZ” Colon-Lopez will be the new Senior Enlisted Advisor to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff (SEAC). The Air Commando will be the fourth holder of the position. Army General Mark […]

Turkey attacks compound of elite US-led Kurdish counterterrorism unit

A compound that houses elements of the elite Kurdish Yekineyen Anti-Terror (YAT) unit was bombed by Turkish forces in the early stages of the invasion of Northern Syria. YAT is a counterterrorism unit created and trained to hunt down Islamic State (ISIS) terrorists. U.S. Special Operations Forces (SOF) are training, advising, and operating with the […]

Another one bites the dust: Al-Qaida chief killed in SOF raid

In the closing days of September, American and Afghan Special Operation Forces (SOF) conducted a raid that resulted in the death of Asim Omar, the leader of al-Qaida in the Indian Subcontinent (AQIS). According to the Afghan intelligence agency, Omar and an additional six AQIS terrorists were killed in the raid. Among them was also […]

Pararescueman assigned to Tier 1 unit dies in training

On Tuesday, 8 October a Pararescueman (PJ) was killed during mountain rescue training in Boise, Idaho. Technical Sergeant Peter Kraines, 33, was assigned to the 24th Special Tactics Squadron, 24th Special Operations Wing (24th SOW). In a press release, U.S. Air Force Colonel Matthew Allen, the commanding officer of the 24th SOW, said that “this […]

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 […]

SEAL Master Chief and Medal of Honor recipient retires

After 21 years of illustrious service to the nation, Master Chief Special Warfare Operator (SEAL) Edward Byers Jr. retired on September 19. As a member of the Naval Special Warfare Development Group (DEVGRU) – another designation for SEAL Team 6 – Master Chief Byers participated in a hostage rescue operation in Afghanistan in 2012 that […]

SEALs gone awry? SOF Chaplains might be the answer

As the U.S. Special Operations community is battered by scandal after scandal of misconduct and unprofessionalism, its leadership has been brainstorming solutions to this quandary. The Naval Special Warfare Command (NSWC), from which rank’s most of the scandals have come, has already initiated a back-the-basics directive to be adhered by its subordinate Navy SEAL Teams. […]

The Pic of the Day: Can you spot the SEAL?

Members assigned to Naval Special Warfare Group TWO conduct military land warfare operations in the United States. U.S. Navy SEALs engage in a continuous training cycle to improve and further specialize skills needed to conduct missions from sea, air and land. U.S. Navy SEALs engage in a continuous training cycle to improve and further specialize […]