The pitfalls of hyper-vigilance

“Whenever I sit down at McDonald’s, I scan for exits. I look for reflective surfaces so I can see all angles of all those who come and go. I figure out who might be the greatest threat, and I think of at least two weapons within reach that I could use to defend myself.” I’ve […]

SOF Pic of the Day: The M1911 in the hands of a Force Recon Marine

A Force Reconnaissance Marine with Maritime Raid Force, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, loads an M1911 .45 caliber pistol in Guam, January 29, 2018, during Visit Board Search and Seizure training. VBSS teaches Marines how to take over ships for searches and counter-piracy operations. As the Marine Corps’ only continuously forward-deployed MEU, the 31st MEU provides […]

SOF Pic of the Day: Force Recon conducts Board Search and Seizure training

A Force Reconnaissance Marine with Maritime Raid Force, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, provides security in Guam, January 26, 2018, during Visit Board Search and Seizure training. VBSS teaches Marines how to take over ships for searches and counter-piracy operations. As the Marine Corps’ only continuously forward-deployed MEU, the 31st MEU provides a flexible force ready […]

SOF Pic of the Day: The Joint Special Operations Forces Medical Element (SOFME)

A Joint Special Operations Forces Medical Element (SOFME), which includes Flight Surgeons, Physician Assistants and Independent Duty Medical Technicians (IDMT) and their augmentation team, Public Health, Bio-Environmental and Administrative Personnel, conduct a medical scenario during Emerald Warrior 18. Combined Joint Special Operations Forces participate in Emerald Warrior 18 in the Special Operations Air Component, at […]

SOF Pic of the Day: Afghan Special Security Forces breach Taliban explosives cache

Afghan Special Security Forces breach the door of a Taliban explosives cache during offensive night operations in Nurakai Bazaar, Paktika province, Afghanistan, Mar. 7, 2018. Led by the Paktika Provincial Special Unit, the Afghan special operators detained three Taliban fighters, and destroyed more than 49 kg of homemade explosives and 223 kg of explosive components […]

SOF Pic of the Day: Waiting for your ride

Members from the 3rd Special Forces Group watch as a U.S. Air Force CV-22 Osprey lands Feb. 26, 2018, at Melrose Training Range, New Mexico. At Emerald Warrior, the largest joint and combined special operations exercise, U.S. Special Operations Command forces train to respond to various threats across the spectrum of conflict. U.S. Air Force […]

SOF Pic of the Day: Force Recon doesn’t knock

A Marine with Maritime Raid Force, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, practices breaching in Guam, January 24, 2018, during Visit, Board, Search and Seizure training. VBSS teaches Marines how to take over ships for searches and counter-piracy operations. As the Marine Corps’ only continuously forward-deployed MEU, the 31st MEU provides a flexible force ready to perform […]

SOF Pic of the Day: A Force Recon Marine’s view

A Force Reconnaissance Marine with Maritime Raid Force, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, rides in an MH-60S Seahawk in Guam, January 31, 2018, during Visit Board Search and Seizure training. VBSS teaches Marines how to take over ships for searches and counter-piracy operations. As the Marine Corps’ only continuously forward-deployed MEU, the 31st MEU provides a […]

SOF Pic of the Day: Inside a US Special Operations MC-130H Combat Talon II in Thailand

A U.S. Air Force 18th Logistics Readiness Squadron forward area refueling point (FARP) technician prepares for FARP operations from a U.S. Air Force 1st Special Operations Squadron MC-130H Combat Talon II Feb. 20, 2018 at Chandy Range, Thailand. The 1st Special Operations Squadron and FARP team provided a forward deployed refueling capability to rotary wing […]

SOF Pic of the Day: Air Force PJs prepare for free fall operations

A U.S. Air Force 320th Special Tactics Squadron pararescueman signals the execution timeline for military free fall operations from a U.S. Air Force 1st Special Operations Squadron MC-130H Combat Talon II Feb. 20, 2018, at Chandy Range, Thailand. Throughout Cobra Gold 2018, the 1st Special Operations Squadron provided specialized aviation in support of airborne operations […]