Latvian and Polish troops train for the ‘stay-behind’ mission in the event of a Russian invasion

Latvian and Polish troops train for the ‘stay-behind’ mission in the event of a Russian invasion

Soldiers from Latvia and Poland recently wrapped up the “Ridge Runner” training exercise in West Virginia which partnered them with American military forces to train in unconventional warfare. The training prepares these Eastern European soldiers for what was once known as the “stay-behind” mission, in the event Russia invaded their countries with conventional or irregular forces, […]

Meet Draco: New name, same game for Air Force’s spec ops aircraft

Meet Draco: New name, same game for Air Force’s spec ops aircraft

Draco is the name and pawning is the game. After years of bureaucratic considerations, the Air Force Special Operations Command (AFSOC) has decided to officially baptize its U-28A aircraft as Draco. In Latin, the word “draco” means “dragon” and it’s also a constellation in the far northern sky. “From my time in the community (2010-2012), […]

Navy SEALs’ search for high-tech wetsuits indicates strategic shift

Navy SEALs’ search for high-tech wetsuits indicates strategic shift

Although one of the five core special forces truths is that humans are more important than hardware, it’s always better to have top-shelf equipment. Navy SEALs, Green Berets, and Marine Raiders are all elite in their training and capabilities, but better gear makes them even more effective on the battlefield. The American technological preponderance of […]

Tom Hardy to star in new miniseries about the British SAS

Tom Hardy to star in new miniseries about the British SAS

Fans of brilliant war series such as “Band of Brothers” or “The Pacific” are in for a treat, as the BBC will be producing a television miniseries about the birth of the renowned Special Air Service (SAS). The new television series will explore the inception, establishment, and initial years of the famous special operations unit. […]

Colombian Special Forces operators win Fuerzas Commando 2019 special ops competition

Colombian Special Forces operators win Fuerzas Commando 2019 special ops competition

The Colombian Army Special Operations Forces took home the prestigious top honors at the 15th annual Fuerzas Commando 2019 competition.  Fuerzas Commando is a friendly but spirited competition of special operations military and police units from Central and South America. The competition, which began in 2004, is sponsored by the United States Southern Command (SOUTHCOM) […]

Two US Special Operators killed in Afghanistan

Two US Special Operators killed in Afghanistan

While U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo made an unannounced visit to Kabul on Tuesday in search of a peace deal, two American troops were killed in action in Afghanistan just a day later. The Pentagon officially identified Master Sgt. Michael B. Riley, 32, 2nd Battalion, 10th Special Forces Group (Airborne); and Sgt. James G. Johnston, […]

The Pic of the Day: Coast Guard SOF smashing it with Thai Navy SEALs

The Pic of the Day: Coast Guard SOF smashing it with Thai Navy SEALs

Maritime Law Enforcement Specialist 2nd Class Tyler Maryott, assigned to U.S. Coast Guard Maritime Security Response Team West, conducts a visit, board, search, and seizure drill with Royal Thai Navy SEALs aboard the Quiandaohu-class auxiliary ship HTMS Similan (AOR 871) as part of Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) Thailand 2019. This year marks the […]

Belgian Commandos in Africa: Secretive and highly effective

Belgian Commandos in Africa: Secretive and highly effective

The deadly ambush in Niger in 2017, which resulted in the deaths of four Americans, revealed to a dumbfounded public the silent war that has been taking place in the Sahel. Aside from U.S. troops, several other countries have a strong presence in the area. Belgium is one of them. And its Special Forces Group […]

Special Operations Forces Selection PT Preparation Week 15, Day 2

Special Operations Forces Selection PT Preparation Week 15, Day 2

Monday morning means our weekly mini-UBRR test to judge where our fitness level is at. Start off with pushups, sit-ups, and crunches, then to the bar for V-ups, Pull-ups, and dips before a 5-mile run. Remember to stay hydrated and mark your progress in your workout log book. UBRR Training: More preparation for the UBRR […]

Special Operations Forces Selection PT Preparation Week 15, Day 1

Special Operations Forces Selection PT Preparation Week 15, Day 1

Sunday morning rucksack march. Do a quick warmup of pushups and sit-ups before heading out. Head out over varied terrain and try to go as fast as you can without running. Stretch well both before and after the event. Remember to drink plenty of water and stay hydrated out there. With a bunch of the […]

Indian special operations struggles to embrace the spirit of jointness

Indian special operations struggles to embrace the spirit of jointness

One of the big takeaways from the disastrous 1980 attempt to rescue American hostages held in Iran was that U.S. special operations units needed to work in a joint environment. Units need to coordinate and train together to develop their capabilities and ensure they function smoothly when deployed to combat. This is a lesson that […]

Special Operations Forces Selection PT Preparation Week 14, Day 7

Special Operations Forces Selection PT Preparation Week 14, Day 7

Let’s kickoff this Saturday morning right and head back to the gym for a shoulder and back workout. Pulldowns, pullups and some shoulder work followed by a four-mile run. Log your numbers down in the workout notebook Training: More Preparation for the UBRR: 3 x 10 Lat Pull downs, rear 3 x 10 Barbell Dead […]