By Pat Carty.

Yet again, my imaginary global ball which prompts me about future Special Force exercises, came up with duff information. The reason being that whilst I had almost packed my bags and booked my flight to Cyprus, to cover the latest UK Special Force exercise; “Chameleon 23-2”, that was not to be the case.

Exercise Chameleon is a bi-annual Special Force exercise involving various members and units of the United Kingdom’s Special Air Service and Special Boat Service, together with other essential SF Ground and Support units.

Whilst exercise planning is demanding, I admit I had no idea how the planners were going to cope with a serious situation involving Chameleon 23-2. A situation which I have never experienced in all the years that I have been privileged to attend SF exercises – the loss of an airframe instrumental in military operations – especially SF. Plus, no known proven replacement! The reason is that on 14th June this year, three Royal Air Force Brize Norton based C-130Js saluted the nation in a farewell low-level flypast over the country. The route included RAF stations and places of significance to the Hercules. It sure was an eye-watering occasion and a very fitting goodbye in preparation for its total retirement on 30th June 2023. 

RAF Brize Norton in Oxfordshire is the largest RAF Station in the UK and encompasses some 5,800 Service Personnel, 300 civilian staff and 1,200 contractors. It is also home to the RAF Air Mobility Force. However, with the demise of the C-130, the UK Strategic and Tactical Air Transport element is now totally reliant upon the C-17 and the new “Atlas” A-400M, the final one delivered in May.

With regard to Para Ops from A-400s, the first trials took place a year ago this month and were performed by No. 206 Squadron, the RAF’s Heavy Aircraft Test and Evaluation Squadron. Assisting them were staff from the Joint Air Delivery Test and Evaluation Unit.

I then witnessed what I suspect was the very first HAHO drop from an RAF A-400, which took place during an SF exercise. I think the idea was not to draw attention to the event. However, I suspect the troops dropped were Para instructors, not SF personnel. Some months later, trials took place over Salisbury Plain Training Area, where non-SF troops from the 16th Air Assault Brigade made standard Para drops.

Photo: A-400 HAHO stick arriving over RAF Leeming (photo by Pat Carty 2023)

Whilst test para drops may have continued up until now, I have never seen any evidence that RIBS, along with troops, have ever been dispatched from A-400 aircraft. So, would the latest Chameleon exercise reveal the answer to this situation?

Just before Chameleon 23-2 StartEx, SD Northern River, a large multi-purpose Special Force auxiliary ship, operated by Serco Marine Services, headed towards the Welsh coast. It then moored up in anticipation of assisting with Chameleon Para drops.

Previously, Chameleon para-drops included SF troops dispatched during daylight from a C-130 over the sea, along with their RIB. The same sorties were then run at night. In addition to the sea drops, several drops were also made onto land, utilising both RAF C-130 aircraft and a Short SC-7 Skyvan, on long-term military hire from the Canadian company Summit Air.

However, for Chameleon 23-2, SF troops made just a few sea-drops over three days, from one of two RAF Chinook helicopters deployed for the exercise, and an A-400. But no RIBs were air-dropped!

Once in the sea, the jumpers were collected by SF jet-skies, accompanied by a small Royal Marine assault-craft, call sign CSB0012. Then, along with their chutes, were transported to the Northern River. A Royal Navy Auxiliary Patrol boat was also utilised to deter shipping from entering the DZ area.

Following those para drops, the exercise moved back to RAF Leeming in North Yorkshire, where over the next few days, several para-drops were made from Chinooks, the Skyvan, a C-17, and two A-400 Atlas aircraft. The sticks ranged from standard height to High Altitude High Opening (HAHO) drops.

Once the Leeming para-drops had been completed, multiple insertion-points were created in Sweden, where over the remaining two weeks, an RAF C-17 and two RAF A-400s made numerous return flights from Leeming. The reason being that several Swedish military training areas near Karlsborg (22 flights), Kiruna (24 flights) and Orebro (20 flights), were used as DZ’s, or insertion points.    

Whilst I can accept that there was also another SF exercise running in Sweden at the same time, and supported by American C-130 Hercules, I find it unbelievable in this day of cost-cutting, that Chameleon 23-2 got away with some forty-four C-17 flights, one hundred and fifteen, yes one hundred and fifteen mostly long-distance A-400 flights. Plus, twenty-nine Shadow R1 ISTAR flights. Thus, making a total of two hundred and six flights over the three weeks. That total did not include the numerous Chameleon rotary sorties by Chinook and Apache helicopters. I would hate to have had to foot the fuel bill. I just hope the SF troops involved in Chameleon 23-2 reaped the benefit. The aircrew certainly added to their flying time.

As for the question “is the new A-400 cleared to perform over-sea para-drops with RIBs?” I guess I will have to wait until Exercise Chameleon 24-1 early next year, to find out.

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Top photo: UK SF troops on jet skis heading to SD Northern River after parachute infiltration. (photo by Steve Morris, 2023)

Author: Pat Carty is a NATO accredited journalist who covers military news, events, operations, and exercises; including special operations forces. He is a contributor to SOF News as well as several other military defense publications.

By Christopher (Moon) Mullins.

A striking reminder that all the warrior’s kills, destruction, battle, wars, and narrow escapes from death have an end result on the body as well as the mind. This book narrows the vision to focus on the isolation and helplessness a warrior experiences near the end of their road. As John-Paul Jordan explains; his story is “a testament to the strength of the human spirit; to get back up and lead from the front”. He did not “go thru all that” for the sake of saying I went thru “all that”. A great read for modern Special Forces operators. A straightforward look at the impact of war on individual soldiers.

The Joys of War, indeed, are fleeting as the warrior’s ethos fails to remind modern-day special forces operators who navigate their way through the modern battlefield piling up kills, takedowns, body counts, missions completed, etc.

John-Paul Jordan tells a hero’s tale of volunteering for the French Foreign Legion at a young age. That assignment and the hard, brutal training motivated him to follow that assignment by training for selection into the British Special Forces, Special Air Services. His stories of train-ups and the impact on the body and mind will resonate with the modern-day Special Forces operator. John-Paul also served in mercenary forces, my words here, deploying to Afghanistan, Iraq, and Libya fighting his way through the modern battlefield and the opportunities to lead combat forces, civilians, and news teams into some of the most dangerous war zones in the world.

I found John-Paul Jordan’s style of writing/speaking perfect for my style of reading. I would like to think I write in this form. He writes with a straightforward approach, and a lot of Irish slang, which adds a great flavor to the overall tone of the book. He speaks from a voice of deep experience and a good soldier can tell he knows what he is talking about and he explains it in a way that is clear and concise. I truly enjoyed this book on many levels.

More pain and misery via the PTSD train

Unfortunately, the Joys of War, (I hope you catch the pun there!) and the warrior’s path of destruction cover all Special Forces soldiers with glory. Rightfully so. But what I am hearing from John-Paul, about the after-effects strikes a similar tone to both UK and US soldiers returning from war and dealing with the horrors of what they have done on behalf of their country.

For all the pain and misery John-Paul, and most modern warriors, went through to qualify for selection and then deploy as a special forces soldier, at the end of his cycle, the end being – time to settle down and have kids, be a father, establish a home – you are forced to come to terms with all you have done. When that time comes, usually crashing down like a hard, southern Wales rain, you may find your mates, regiment, veteran organizations (US-VA, UK-MOD) not having your back as you expected them to!

You will have to follow his example and let the fog of opioids and painkillers clear, let the alcohol wear off, and help yourself and see it as another challenge, such as the selection phase or a long deployment, and simply knock it down with all your might. “If we deny your sickness, we deny our treatment. You can’t have one without the other.” I raise a pint of Guinness to John-Paul and say, well done Irish, Well done!

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This book review by Christopher (Moon) Mullins of Joys of War was first published by www.argunners.com. Republished with permission of author and editor. This book is available on Amazon.com (US), Amazon.co.uk (UK), and Pen and Sword.

The Iranian Embassy siege took place from April 30 to May 5, 1980. A group of six armed Arab men stormed the Iranian Embassy in London. They took 26 hostages – demanding safe passage out of the United Kingdom and the release of Arab prisoners held by the Iranian government in Khuzestan Province, Iran. On the sixth day the armed men killed a hostage and threw his body out of the embassy. Shortly afterward the elite Special Air Service conducted Operation Nimrod to rescue the remaining hostages.

Hostages. The hostages included embassy staff, several visitors, and a police officer who was guarding the embassy. The hostage takers demands were release of 91 Arab prisoners in Khuzestan Province, Iran and safe passage out of the United Kingdom. The British government did not accede to the demands and a standoff ensued. Negotiations resulted in the release of five hostages for some air time for the hostage takers on British television.

Hostage Takers. The Arabs who took the hostages were members of the Democratic Revolutionary Front for the Liberation of Arabistan (DRFLA). These were Iranian Arabs who wanted to establish an autonomous Arab state in the southern region of the Iranian province of Khuzestan (Google maps) on the border of southern Iraq and the Persian Gulf. The province was rich in oil. Some members of the hostage takers were politically active in Iran and had been subject to interrogations by the Iranian secret police – the SAVAK. The Arabs had arrived in Britain in March 1980 and while there acquired firearms, ammunition, and grenades – possibly provided by the Iraq embassy in London.

Rescue Force. The Special Air Service is a regiment of the British Army – part of the UK’s special forces. It was formed during the Second World War to conduct special operations and irregular warfare. After the Munich massacre at the 1972 Olympic Games in Germany and the many airline hijackings of the early 1970s, some western nations established or realigned special forces units to have a counter-terrorism capability. The SAS became the United Kingdom’s primary anti-hijacking and counter-terrorist unit. The raiding party of the SAS for Operation Nimrod numbered from 30 to 35 soldiers.

First Day. The hostage event took place at mid-day on April 30, 1980. Police responded immediately and within hours journalists and camera crews set up watch in front of the Embassy and began broadcasting live. The police were in charge of the overall response to the terrorist event and provided the negotiation team. Between the first day and the last day of the siege negotiations took place and some hostages were released. However, the hostage takers were becoming increasing frustrated – realizing their demands were not being met by the British authorities.

Sixth Day. On the sixth day of the siege, May 5, 1980, the Arabs killed a hostage and threw his body out of the embassy. The British government decided to attempt a rescue of the remaining hostages. The task was given to the Special Air Service (SAS). Members of the SAS rappelled from the roof of the embassy and entered the building through the windows. The raid lasted less than 20 minutes resulting in five of the six hostage takers killed and the rescue of the hostages; except one. A single hostage was killed during the rescue and two wounded. The one hostage taker who survived served 27 years in prison, was paroled in 2008, and lives in England. The raid took place in full view of journalists who were covering the event and it was broadcast in real time on live television.

Aftermath. Operation Nimrod brought the Special Air Service back into the public spotlight; enhancing its already stellar reputation. It also was a source of pride for Britain; as it occurred the same time that the U.S. Embassy in Tehran was held by Iranian revolutionary students and the failed U.S. rescue attempt – Operation Eagle Claw. The successful raid prompted many United Kingdom citizens to apply for the unit. The 22 SAS had multiple requests by other governments around the world for training its anti-terrorist forces. Members of the SAS were also requested by other nations for advise during hostage or terrorist events. The 22 SAS, as well as the 21 SAS and 23 SAS – two regiments from the volunteer Territorial Army, were safe from any force reductions and received increased funding as a result of the success of Operation Nimrod.

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References:

Iranian Embassy Siege – Wikipedia
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iranian_Embassy_siege

Iranian Embassy Siege – National Army Museum
https://www.nam.ac.uk/explore/iranian-embassy-siege

Photo: The Iranian embassy in London, severely damaged by fire after the Iranian siege. Photo by Steve White, 2008. Creative Commons 2.0.

Curated news, analysis, and commentary about special operations, national security, and conflicts around the world.

Photo: NAVSCIATTS Patrol Boat Light. Photo by Angela Fry, Naval Small Craft Instruction and Technical Training School, October 30, 2018.

Ukrainians Graduate from NSCITTS Training. Ukrainian soldiers are heading home after having received training at the Naval Small Craft Instruction and Technical Training School in Biloxi, Mississippi. NSCITTS is a security cooperation school that is operated by the U.S. Special Operations Command. The Ukrainians received training on patrol craft operations, communications, and maintenance. Since the conclusion of the formal course in early March, the school has provided the Ukrainian group additional training – to include the operation of the Switchblade unmanned aerial vehicle.

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SOF News

NSW and the MV Carolyn Chouest. A highly-modified SOF mothership recently took part in the Balikatan 22 exercise held in the Philippines. This annual exercise featured SOF units from the United States, Australia, and Philippines. The SOF vessel is not usually featured in DoD photographs but recent releases by the Defense Department provides a good look at this unique vessel. “Pentagon Posts Rare Photo of Navy SEAL-Laden Special Ops Sea Base”, The War Zone, April 18, 2022.

The Career of a Navy SEAL. One of the SEALs best, now retired, is highlighted in this story about a 26-year Navy career that spanned the globe. “Hunter, Frogman, Sniper, Spy: Retired SEAL Terry Houin is Just Getting Started”, Coffee or Die Magazine, April 17, 2022.

Mozart Group – SOF Vets Helping in Ukraine. A private organization is assisting Ukraine with personnel that have some specialty skills – among them medical, information operations, training, logistics, open source intelligence, and emergency ordnance disposal. The Mozart Group is providing training, equipment, and advice to Ukraine SOF and resistance units. The founder of the group is Andy Milburn, a retired Marine Corps officer rich in special operations and combat experience. Read a 16-page PDF describing the organization’s mission and capabilities.

Retired SF Soldier and January 6th. A retired Special Forces soldier is among those accused of participating in the January 6th event at the U.S. capitol. He now faces new charges that he held onto secret national defense documents from his time in service. “Retired soldier charged in Capital riot held secret military documents, feds say”, Army Times, April 18, 2022.

USSOCOM and Ukraine’s SOF. The commander of USSOCOM recently testified before Congress on the training provided by U.S. SOF to Ukrainian special operations forces. “U.S. SOCOM Has History With Ukraine’s Special Forces”, The Cipher Brief, April 12, 2022.

USSOCOM Vehicle Upgrades. U.S. special operators have the ability to tap into a fleet of unique vehicles to accomplish their missions. The inventory includes joint light tactical vehicles, non-standard commercial platforms, all-terrain vehicles, and more. Read about the MRZR Alpha, LTATV, MRAPs, JLTV, and other vehicles used by U.S. SOF. “Special Operations Command Targets Vehicle Upgrades“, National Defense, April 19, 2022.

International SOF

Russian SOF – A Tough Fight for a Special Unit? The war in Ukraine has yielded many surprises. The pluck of the Ukrainians, the way NATO and the West finally got its act together opposing Russia, and the dismal performance of the Russian military. The Russians have failed miserably thus far; although the war is not over and has entered a new stage where the aggressors may make some concrete gains. Russian SOF suffered some severe losses when it attempted to take an airfield a few miles northwest of Kyiv during the initial days of the invasion. Beyond that operation, however, not much is known about the Russian Spetsnaz’s involvement in the war. “Russia’s special -operations forces are under fire in Ukraine”, Business Insider, April 18, 2022.

Brit SOF Stepping Up – Ukraine. There is some recognition in the SOF world that the UK is providing some great assistance to the Ukrainians. The effectiveness of the anti-armor NLAW missiles against Russian tanks and APCs has been widely reported.

New SOF Training Base for Georgia. The government of Georgia has announced plans to establish a base for training special operations forces in the country. Known as the Mukhrovani Base, it will be completed in two to three years. “Georgian PM announces plans for special operations base”, Agenda.ge, April 18, 2022.

Former Afghan SOF With a Fresh Start. Former Afghan Special Forces soldiers and their families are learning how to fit in to their new community. They are assisted by a ‘cultural mentor’ who guides them through the daily activities of living in the United States. The mentor helps them find jobs, set up bank accounts, shop, and perform other life tasks. The former elite Afghans soldiers are now performing menial jobs – a tough transition to make. “Former Afghan special forces members adjust to new lives in Las Cruces”, Sun News, April 7, 2022.

British Sniper Has the Deadliest Mustache. One of the best mustaches ever was on display during the 2022 International Sniper Competition held at Fort Benning, Georgia in early April 2022. Thirty teams from across the U.S. military and law enforcement community as well as the around the world participated. A member of the British sniper team stood out among the competitors. “This British sniper may have the deadliest mustache in the world”, Task & Purpose, April 18, 2022.

SOF History

Book Review – Bush War Operator: Memoirs of the Rhodesian Light Infantry, Selous Scouts and Beyond. A.J. Balaam follows his first book about military service with the Rhodesian military with a second book. It covers his formative years, life serving with elite Rhodesian military units during the bush war, and his adventures across the African continent after the transition from white rule to the new regime in Zimbabwe. Read a book review on Balaam’s new book. (Havoc Journal, April 15, 2022).

Daring SAS Operation in Afghanistan. Following the terrorist attacks in September 2001, US and UK special operations forces began operations in Afghanistan against the Taliban regime. One operation stands out – Operation Trent. The raid was conducted by the SAS operators of A and G Squadrons in November 2001. “This daring daytime Afghanistan raid was the largest SAS operation since WWII”, We Are the Mighty, April 16, 2022.

Army Rangers and Just Cause. Part of the invading force to arriving in Panama in the early morning hours of December 20, 1990 came from the Ranger Regiment. The Rangers parachuted from C-130 Hercules and C-141 Starlifter transport planes onto three different airfields from the low altitude of 500 feet. Read more in “Operation Just Cause: Untold Stories From the Army Rangers Who Invaded Panama”, Coffee or Die Magazine, April 15, 2022.

National Security

SOF Vision. ASD SO/LIC and USSOCOM released a new document entitled SOF Vision & Strategy that lays out the future of special operations forces and its role in strategic competition. Jonathan Schroden examines the document and provides his perspective on the good and bad. “What the New Vision for US Special Operations Gets Right – and Wrong”, Modern War Institute at West Point, April 18, 2022.

Website on Disinformation. A new website launched by the Australian Strategic Policy Institute (ASPI) is designed to identify nations using deception operations to manipulate potential adversaries, and their own populations. The Understanding Global Disinformation and Information Operations site provides information on state actor media campaigns. Read more in “Understanding global disinformation and information operations”, The Strategist, April 11, 2022.

Videos

Video – 53rd Ordnance Company SOF Support Training. An NCO with the 53rd SOF SST talks about providing support for U.S. special operations forces that are deployed around the world. The SOF Support Training (SST) element was created a few years ago. DVIDS, April 1, 2022, 2 minutes.
https://www.dvidshub.net/video/838220/53rd-ordnance-company-sof-support-training

Video – Who Are the Green Berets? “The US Army’s Special Forces (often called the Green Berets after their distinctive headgear) are an elite brotherhood of soldiers who, at their core, are problem solvers. They embody the ethos of special operations — working outside conventional units among indigenous personnel who share a common enemy, training them, and often fighting alongside them. This means learning culture and languages; it also means operating in small numbers and having to master countless combat skills in order to pack one of the hardest punches US ground troops have to offer.” Coffee or Die Magazine, April 15, 2022, YouTube, 3 minutes.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q47j6NLejEE

SOF News is not a ‘money making’ enterprise; but we do have administrative, operating, and publishing expenses. Individuals and businesses provide the funds to defray these expenses. Their contributions are deeply appreciated. Learn how you can support SOF News.

Story by Pat Carty.

A formation of Royal Air Force Puma helicopters has made a nostalgic national flypast, to mark 50 years of service for the type.

The ten Pumas; acknowledged and respected as the workhorse of many tactical and Special Force operations, departed RAF Benson near Oxford on 7 July at 10.00 local. The route, flown as a training sortie but highlighting the fact that the type has been in constant use since its introduction into the RAF in 1971, overflew notable locations across England that had a historical significance to the Puma, by either hosting the type or by supporting the Puma Force over the past 50 years.

After departure, the formation routed over RAF High Wycombe, home to HQ Air Command, the European Air Group and the Joint Force Air Component Commander. They then flew over Buckinghamshire, Berkshire, Hertfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Lincolnshire, where the formation split into two sections. “Ambush Flight”, which landed at RAF Scampton – home of the Red Arrows, and “Monster Flight”, which landed at the RAF College, Cranwell.

Photo: Ambush and Monster Flight approaching RAF Scrampton. (photo by Pat Carty).

Following lunch and a refuel, the two flights rejoined and then continued North-West towards Stafford. When overhead Herefordshire, they overflew Credenhill; home of the Special Air Service, and then along the Welsh borders back into Wiltshire. After overflying the Salisbury Plain Training Area, they landed at the Army Aviation Centre, Middle Wallop.

On departure from Middle Wallop, they overflew the Joint Helicopter Command Headquarters at Andover, and then RAF Odiham; the original home for the Puma, The formation then routed back to their home base at RAF Benson, where on arrival they were greeted by a welcoming party, which included the crews from two very special 658 Squadron Army air Corps Dauphine helicopters (call sign Hammer). These Dauphines, in a very commercial looking blue and white livery, provide covert air transportation for the SAS and are based alongside them at Credenhill, Herefordshire.

The Puma formation was led by XW224; a Puma HC Mk2, which has been given a unique new paint scheme to commemorate 50 years of service, with the colours replicating those used on the Puma HC Mk 1 and all the Squadron badges of squadrons who have flown the Puma HC Mk 1 and Mk 2, emblazoned on the engine housing.

Since 1971, the Puma has successfully contributed to UK humanitarian missions around the globe. It has also supported combat missions in Northern Ireland, Bosnia, Kosovo, Iraq and Afghanistan.  Since post-2014, three Puma helicopters have been used extensively during “Operation Toral”; the name given to the UK element of “Resolute Support Mission”, transporting personnel based with Joint Helicopter Command in Kabul International Airport. Whilst there, the Pumas were able to provide vital airborne transport to UK and NATO forces, thereby mitigating the ground threat. Tasks also included transporting personnel and equipment around the different urban, mountainous and desert terrains in the Kabul area, as well as supporting the deployment of the NATO SF and Security Quick Reaction Forces. During that deployment, the Pumas flew 12,800 hours; the equivalent of over 533 days in the air, transported 126,000 troops, security personnel and embassy staff, and moved some 660,000kgs of freight.

The RAF Puma has also recently supported UK civilian disasters, by providing a helicopter lift capability for flood relief efforts. They have also assisted the COVID-19 response, by deploying at short notice in the early stages of the pandemic, to Kinloss Barracks in Scotland. Whilst there, they provided vital transport for medical personnel and equipment in both Scotland and Northern England, as well as being on standby 24/7 to support any other task required in the UK.

My own experience of the Puma, in addition to both day and night NVG training sorties, has included being transported as media during exercises, and being in the back, whilst certain troops were transported to Ireland during the “troubles”. Who they were, or why they were being transported, are best left unanswered, as I was told during the pre-takeoff briefs, not to discuss the subject with them!

For the more technical minded, the Aérospatiale SA-330 Puma is a four-bladed, twin-engined medium transport utility helicopter, originally built by Sud Aviation of France, and continued to be made by Aérospatiale. However, the RAF Puma HC Mk.1 was a significant joint manufacturing agreement between Aerospatiale and Westland Helicopters in the UK. It had a crew of three and could carry up to 16 passengers, at up to 159 mph (138 knots) for up to 360 miles (580 km). It has a ceiling of up to 15,750 feet (4,800m). For self-protection, in addition to a self-defence suit, it can carry a 0.30 inches (7.62 mm) coaxial machine gun or side-firing 0.787 inches (20 mm) cannon.

A total of 48 HC Mk.1 Pumas were delivered to the RAF, of which 24 were upgraded to the HC Mk.2 variant. These had the more powerful Turbomeca Makila 1A1 engines, a glass cockpit, new avionics, and secure communications, together with improved self-protection equipment.

The Puma has served with 33 Squadron and 240 Operation Conversion Unit at RAF Odiham, 230 Squadron at RAF Gutersloh in Germany, No. 1563 Flight at RAF Belize, and RAF Aldergrove in Northern Ireland.

In 2009, both 33 and 230 Squadron relocated to RAF Benson from RAF Odiham, and in all that time, has a safety record that many would envy.

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Top photo: Credit to Ian Marshall.

Author: Pat Carty is a NATO accredited journalist who covers military news, events, operations, and exercises; including special operations forces. He is a contributor to SOF News as well as several other military defense publications.

An Afghan interpreter who worked first with U.S. Army Special Forces and then later with British Special Air Service provides an account of his experiences during the Afghan conflict. In his book, Special Forces Interpreter: An Afghan on Operations with the Coalition, the author describes his role in assisting Coalition special operations forces in the fight against the insurgents and terrorists during the long war in Afghanistan.

Eddie Idrees, a pseudonym for security reasons, went on over 500 missions with American Special Forces (SF), the United Kingdom’s Special Air Service (SAS), and the Afghan Commandos. He also served with the Counterinsurgency Academy in Kabul.

The author was born in Kabul in 1985. His father was a colonel in the Afghan army with 30 years service and his mother a university lecturer. He went to elementary school in Afghanistan. His father was forced into exile and his family moved to Pakistan as refugees to avoid the perils of the Afghan civil war. He lived in Pakistan for nine years during which he attended secondary and higher education in Pakistan where he learned English.

Beginning in 2004, he worked with Coalition special operations forces on dangerous missions as an interpreter. He began with the U.S. Army Special Forces, then served at the COIN Academy, and in 2009 he worked for the SAS until 2012.

He describes his first encounter with U.S. Army Green Berets, a SF team that he would later serve with in Kapisa province in 2003 and 2004:

“They looked a bit different from the other American soldiers I had seen so far (mostly, it has to be said, at a distance). They were bigger, they moved in a different way, with less swagger and more economy. They had long beards, wore baseball caps and Oakleys! It looked like they had just come off patrol.”

His book contains accounts of his various missions with the SAS and SF. These ranged from liberating Afghan soldiers from Taliban prisons, being on the ground listening to Taliban radio transmissions, conducting prisoner snatches, and more. Idrees writes about more than just special operations missions. He touches on growing up in Pakistan, the Taliban, the Islamic Emirate, Afghan culture, PTSD, corruption in the Afghan army and police, and life of an interpreter.

Idrees writes about the various types of Afghan interpreters he encountered during his work of the US and UK special forces – many were excellent and some not so much. But overall he has very positive comments of his fellow interpreters:

“Interpreters had an extraordinary role and responsibility in the battle for Afghanistan. We had a unique opportunity to evaluate all sides in the conflict, and often had a special insight into when a battle was fought well and when it failed. The role of the interpreter was so much more varied than mere translation that it is not an exaggeration to say that we played a significant role shaping modern Afghanistan. It was us who stood in the middle between all parties, domestic and international, who fought to contain and defeat the Taliban. Yet interpreter’s efforts were never recognized and the real number of interpreters killed in action was never revealed. Interpreters are the forgotten heroes who played a significant role in the war against terrorism.”

After serving with Coalition SOF for many years, he emigrated to the United Kingdom in 2012. The reason for leaving Afghanistan was so that he and his family could live in safety. In the later part of his book he describes the process of his moving to the United Kingdom – at first as a guest instructor for the SAS in the UK on a visa, then applying for asylum due to death threats (from the Taliban and the Afghan security forces), his time in a UK detention camp, his association with other Afghan immigrants in the United Kingdom, and the dangers of jihadist ideology among some immigrant communities and mosques in the UK.

He has since gained a university degree in psychology and a Masters in international security and terrorism. He now advocates for the Afghan interpreters left behind who face retaliation from the Taliban as well as the dangers of jihadism in the United Kingdom. He also is engaged in the fight against Islamic extremism in the United Kingdom.

The book provides an explanation of the Afghan interpreter’s role and contribution in the fight against the insurgents. It also describes the challenges and threats these brave interpreters face in avoiding being targeted by the Taliban. Those who served with the military in Afghanistan will already be familiar with the important role that Afghan interpreters played during that conflict. For those that haven’t the book will provide insight as to why so many US and UK Afghan war veterans are so forceful in their arguments that the Afghan interpreters should be allowed entry into the United States.

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The book by Eddie Idrees, Special Forces Interpreter: An Afghan on Operations with the Coalition, is available as a hardcover or Kindle on Amazon.com. Published by Pen and Sword in April 2021, 146 pages.

The British military is conducting an overall restructuring of its defense forces – the British Army, Royal Air Force, and Royal Navy. There will be cuts in personnel and retirement of expensive equipment in the reorganization. Along with cutting the size of the military there will be a change in capability and relevance for many units. There are some major changes for the UK’s special operations forces – to include a redefining of missions and the creation of the Army Special Operations Brigade (ASOB) and the Security Force Assistance Brigade (SFAB).

Integrated Review. The changes are prompted by a recent UK government publication entitled the Integrated Review. The document calls for a military force that is lighter, more agile, more lethal, and expeditionary in nature. The publication also provides evidence of a shift in focus to the Indo-Pacific region. Some observers say that despite the cuts the UK military will have a more robust presence abroad. [1]

Defence in a Competitive Age. In concert with the Integrated Review cited above the Ministry of Defence (MoD) has published its paper that outlines the future threats and the capabilities and resources needed to defeat them. The document, Defence in a Competitive Age, consists of nine sections relating to strategic context, the future battlefield, strategic approach, workforce, modernization, transformation, and more. The paper calls out Russia as the greatest threat to European security; but it also recognizes China as the most significant geopolitical factor in the world today. In addition, there are a number of disruptive states, non-state actors, and terrorist groups that continue to pose problems. UK’s military forces will need to be more specialized and professional in nature with the ability to compete with the UK’s adversaries below the threshold of war as well as in high-intensity conflict. [2]

Equipment. Some expensive equipment – tanks, ships, and aircraft – will be taken out of service and retired. New more modern equipment suitable for future conflicts will be purchased for the respective military forces. The review reflects the belief that China and Russia are the primary global threats – similar to the shift by the U.S. to ‘great power competition’. More attention and money will be spent on new technologies such as cyber and electronic warfare and offensive drones. This does reduce the amount of heavy mechanized formations required in a large high-intensity conflict.

Royal Air Force. There are a number of major changes for the Air Force – most of the pertaining to the retirement of some aircraft and purchase of newer airframes. However, some of these relate to UK special operations forces. There are concerns about the plan to retire UK’s C-130 Hercules aircraft fleet – which the UK Special Forces use for parachute drops. The C-17 and Atlas A400M is the designated replacement aircraft but it can’t perform as well as the C-130 in a special operations capacity. Reports indicate that the Atlas cannot fly as low or slow as the C-130 and parachutists can’t exit through both doors at the same time. The C-17 was recently used for UK special operations parachute drops during Exercise Chameleon 1-21.

Army. The Army will see a cut in personnel – losing about 10,000 positions, bringing it down to a force level of around 72,000. The fighting formations will be reorganized and modernized. A lot of tanks and infantry fighting vehicles will be retired as well as some of the older helicopters. The reduction in ‘heavy’ formations frees up money and personnel to invest in the ‘specialization’ of existing units, formation of new units, and adaptation to new technologies. A new Security Force Assistance Brigade will be established within the UK Army. This unit will have specialized infantry units but will also draw on personnel and expertise from across the Army. These SFA units will deploy around the world to assist in building the capacity of allied and partner nations. This SFAB will likely have a similar mission as the six SFABs of the United States Army. Another new unit will be the Army Special Operations Brigade – described below. In addition, the 6th (UK) Division will continue to deliver cyber, electronic warfare, information operations, and unconventional capabilities.

Royal Navy. New model ships and submarines of various configurations are planned for a future navy. Of note is the evolving of the Royal Marines into a Future Commando Force (FCF) and taking on some special operations missions. The Navy will adjust to the maritime requirements of the FCF.

SOF Restructuring. The mission set for the Special Air Service (SAS) and Special Boat Service (SBS) is being refocused. The Royal Marines, has been undergoing a transformation into the new Future Commando Force (FCF), will continue to see some big changes. The two new ‘specialized units’ (ASOB and SFOB) will fall under the British Army; not the under the Director Special Forces (DSF). The DSF are where the Special Air Service, Special Boat Service, Special Forces Support Group, Special Reconnaissance Regiment, 18th Signal Regiment, and Joint Special Forces Aviation Wing are found. These changes in the UK SOF community are part of an overall attempt to reduce the size of the armed forces, increase their capabilities with additional training and modern equipment, and make them more responsive to events around the world.

SAS and SBS

The Special Air Service (SAS) and Special Boat Service (SBS) will be focusing more on the persistent and lethal threats posed by Russia, China, and other rogue nations. These Tier 1 units will experience a major overhaul of their training, equipment, and operations procedures in their refined role. Some of the traditional missions of the SAS and SBS will be assumed by the newly-established Ranger Regiment and the Royal Marines. The new direction for the SAS and SBS will see them lined up against high-end targets – perhaps working with the UK’s intelligence agencies to react to the activities of Russian intelligence, specialized military units, and paramilitary contract organizations (such as the Wagner Group). They will continue to provide a high-end counterterrorist force to support the Police in the UK as well as CT operations abroad. There are likely some changes in the works for the Special Reconnaissance Regiment (SRR) as well as the Special Forces Support Group (SFSG).

Army Special Operations Brigade

This new brigade is responsible for preparing and generating special operations-capable forces for deployment. The ASOB will be involved in collective deterrence such as training, advising, enabling, and accompanying partner forces. The core of this brigade will be four battalions of the Ranger Regiment – which will form the vanguard of this expeditionary force.

Ranger Regiment.

Hundreds of highly trained soldiers will be transferred into the new Ranger Regiment from other units. The unit will have four battalions of about 250 personnel. The Regiment’s units will be aligned with the new Divisions of Infantry. They will carry out a range of missions to include partner nation training and advising, cyberattacks, electronic warfare, surveillance, gathering intelligence, and information operations. Some of the missions for the Ranger Regiment were traditionally conducted by the Special Air Service and Special Boat Service.

The first of the four battalions will be stood up in early 2021 and are described as ‘Tier 2’ units. It is expected that the unit will deploy elements into high-threat conflict areas – likely in the Middle East, Africa, and the Pacific. The Ranger Regiment’s mission will include a focus on counterinsurgency (COIN) operations in regions of strife. Some of the activities of the Ranger Regiment will include training, advising, enabling, and accompanying partner forces conducting counterinsurgency operations.

The Ranger Battalions are to be initially seeded from the current specialized infantry battalions: 1 SCOTS, 2 PWRR, 2 LANCS, and 4 RIFLEs. These four battalions are currently part of the Specialised Infantry Group of the 6th (UK) Division. Over time the Army Special Operations Brigade and Ranger Regiment will select personnel from across the Army.

Future Commando Force (FCF)

The Future Commando Force (FCF), comprised of the Royal Marines, will be deployed around the world on an enduring basis. It will provide the UK with a littoral strike fighting capability. The FCF, like the Ranger Regiment, will also take on many of the traditional missions of the SAS and SBS. The Royal Marines will evolve from an amphibious infantry held in reserve in the UK to a force that is designed to be forward deployed – with some special operations capability. It will be a versatile special operations capable force used to pre-empt and deter ‘grey zone’ activities, deliver specialist capacity building, and counter state threats. The Royal Navy’s conversion of a Bay class support ship will provide the FCF with a lethal littoral strike capability. Supporting units for the FCF will be reconfigured as well. For instance, the Commando Forward Surgical Group (CFSG) “. . . is adopting new technologies and practices to be lighter and more agile on operations around the world.” The move to the FCF began a few years back. In late 2019 the Royal Marines were going through some significant changes as part of their move to being the FCF.

Looking Forward

The Integrated Review of foreign and defense policy is necessary to transform the UK military into a more agile organization that can respond to today’s contemporary operational environment. Special Forces units will spend more time overseas for longer durations. The SAS and SBS will work with intelligence agencies like MI6 and concentrate on Russia and China. The Ranger Regiment will broaden its reach and work more closely with partner nations. The Royal Marines will spend more time abroad as well. While the Integrated Review cuts personnel and equipment – saving money; it also refocuses the military, especially the special operations units, to the ever increasing threats posed by Russia and China – whether in high-intensity conflict or ‘gray zone’ operations.

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References:

[1] Global Britain in a Competitive Age. The UK government released this report that provides an integrated review of security, defense, development, and foreign policy. March 2021, PDF, 114 pages.

[2] Defence in a competitive age, Ministry of Defence, March 26, 2021, PDF, 76 pages. Report released by the MoD.

Photo: Royal Marine. Credit Royal Navy.

On August 2, 1990 Iraq invaded and occupied Kuwait. The leader of Iraq, Saddam Hussein, claimed that Kuwait was historically a ‘province’ of Iraq and that Kuwait had been stealing Iraq’s oil (by way of ‘slant drilling’).

Desert Shield. While world leaders condemned the action, President George Bush formed an international coalition in response to Iraq’s attack on Kuwait. The intent was to defend Saudi Arabia and other Gulf states from further Iraqi aggression. The US and other nations immediately deployed air assets and ground troops to the Saudi Arabian peninsular in an operation called Desert Shield. Over several months a massive troop buildup occurred with the positioning of military forces in the Gulf region.

Desert Storm. Once it became apparent that Saddam Hussein would not withdraw from Kuwait, the coalition, with appropriate resolutions from the United Nations, began finalizing plans to conduct offensive air and ground operations. An air campaign began against Iraq in mid-January 1991. This air phase of the war would establish air superiority, destroy air defense systems, render ineffective command and control networks, and hit other strategic targets. The coalition ground offensive would begin a month later – lasting only 100 hours.

SCUDs. Iraq lacked offensive options against the coalition and the nations in the region. Its air force was destroyed on the ground, shot out of the skies, or remained hidden. Some Iraqi pilots flew their aircraft to safety in Iran. However, the Iraqis did have an inventory of missiles that could be launched against military and other targets that could reach Saudi Arabia and Bahrain. The SCUDs lacked a sophisticated guidance system but could deliver an explosive payload that could cause damage and casualties. [1] Once the coalition began its air campaign in January 1991 Iraq began launching SCUD missiles toward the Arabian Peninsular. Iraq also launched SCUDs into Israel from western Iraq.

SCUD Facts. The SCUD was first deployed by the Soviet Union in the mid-1960s. It could carry a nuclear warhead or a 2,000 pound conventional warhead. It also was an ideal weapon for chemical or biological agents. The missile was first used in the 1973 Arab-Israeli Yom Kippur War. It was later used in the Iran-Iraq war of the 1980s. The Iraqis modified the missile to achieve greater range – by reducing the warhead weight, enlarging fuel tanks, and other modifications. These modifications reduced the accuracy of the missile.

The Iraqi variant of the Soviet missile carried a 350-pound warhead. It had enough range to hit most of Israel (from western Iraq) and the major cities of Saudi Arabia. The term SCUD came to be used for a variety of surface-to-surface missiles in the Iraqi inventory.

Estimates of the number of SCUDs that Iraq possessed varied – depending on whether it was a pre-war number or an assessment made during the conflict. Some initial intelligence estimates indicated Iraq had a little more than 100 missiles. This was revised to a higher figure of 400-800.

Photo: Members of the Israeli Defense Force (IDF) wearing gas masks in a command post. Photo by IDF, 1991.

Israel Targeted. The launching of missiles toward Israel posed a problem for the coalition. The SCUDs landing in Tel Aviv and other cities unnerved the Israeli population. While the overall physical damage from the SCUD attacks were minimal there were fears that Saddam would put biological or chemical payloads on the SCUDs – causing numerous deaths and injuries. Israel informed Washington that it would respond. [2] There were concerns that if biological or chemical weapons were used against Israel by Iraq then Israel would respond with nuclear weapons. Most accounts say that Iraq launched 40 missiles against Israel (46 against targets in Saudi Arabia).

Saving the Coalition. The intent of Iraq was to prompt an Israeli retaliation. This would put the Arab members of the coalition in a bind. Would they then be allied with Israel fighting an Arab nation? If Israel began attacking Iraq the coalition might very well fall apart – making the task of wresting control of Kuwait from Iraq much more difficult. Washington promised Israel that finding and killing the SCUD missiles would become a top priority – which kept Israel on the sidelines.

Air Force Targeting and Kill Boxes. The fixed launch sites in western Iraq had been hit early in the air campaign. Some of the targets associated with the manufacture, storage, and maintenance of SCUDs had been already hit as well; those that hadn’t quickly moved up on the target list. It is believed that the Iraqis had moved the SCUDs from the fixed site launch locations prior to the start of the coalition air campaign. The coalition rapidly diverted air assets to searching for and destroying mobile SCUDs in western Iraq that could target Israel. The primary aircraft in the SCUD hunt were the A-10 Thunderbolt II, F-16, F-15E, Navy A-6Es, and British Tornados. [3]

Mobile Launchers – a Vexing Problem. The Iraqis had a number of mobile Transporter – Erection – Launch (TEL) vehicles that had been dispersed throughout western and southern Iraq. The exact number varies depending on which source you use – between 20 to 36 launchers are an approximate guess. They were difficult to find. The electronic signature of the TELs were not distinct enough for location purposes. The TELs were camouflaged and hidden to avoid observation from the air. They were frequently moved at night. Once the TELs launched their SCUDs they moved rapidly from the launch site to a different hide location. Sophisticated decoy vehicles were deployed throughout the region that attracted the attention of coalition aircraft. Coalition aircraft had a difficult time finding and targeting the mobile SCUDs. There was some confusion in obtaining the confirmation of ‘kills’ of SCUDs by aircraft. [4] The SCUD launches toward Israel continued.

Photo: Delta Force on SCUD Hunt. Photo by DoD, 1991.

SOF and Desert Storm. A wide variety of special operations units were deployed during the Gulf War. Coalition nations provided special operations forces to the fight – among these were the British Special Air Service (SAS) and Syrian Special Forces Regiment. The United States provided an array of SOF units to include Army Special Forces, Army Rangers, Army Special Operations Aviation Regiment, Navy SEALs and Special Boat Units, Air Force Special Operations squadrons and Combat Control Teams, Psychological Operations and Civil Affairs units, and Marine Force Reconnaissance.

These SOF units conducted a variety of missions. Navy SEALs were busy with special operations missions along the shores of the Persian Gulf. Army Special Forces units were conducting a number of different missions to include direct action, strategic reconnaissance, unconventional warfare, CSAR, border surveillance, and coalition warfare support. Some SOF units would be assigned a new mission – SCUD hunting. The SOF aviation units were very busy with infiltrations, exfiltration, combat search and rescue (CSAR), and other special operations missions.

SOF Teams Inserted. British Special Air Service and 1st SFOD-Delta teams were inserted into western Iraq to join the SCUD hunt. [5] Their mission in “SCUD Alley” was to search for and destroy the SCUDs, launchers, and associated equipment and vehicles. Some of the SOF teams infiltrated by air (usually helicopter) and others by vehicle. The 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment utilized armed MH-60s to insert SOF teams hundreds of miles inside western Iraq. The Air Force Special Operations squadrons also conducted operations in support of the SCUD hunt. U.S. and British SOF divided the operational area into two sectors – one for the U.S. and one for the British.

SOF On The Ground. The means of interdiction of the SCUDS by SOF teams would range from direct action against the targets to calling in air power to destroy the vehicles and sites associated with the SCUDs. The patrols usually moved at night by foot or vehicle and hid during the day. The British patrols tended to be longer in duration. Some of the SOF teams operating in western Iraq had other missions as well as the SCUD hunt. One of the methods for discovering SCUDs was to set up observation sites along main lines of communication (LOCs). US teams would use hand-held lasers pinpointing targets for aircraft to strike.

Bravo Two Zero. A British SAS team that was inserted by a Royal Air Force Chinook helicopter quickly ran into trouble. It was soon discovered and chased by Iraqi security forces. A few of the patrol members were killed. Some were captured. One patrol member managed to move on foot to the Syrian border avoiding capture. A few books were published and a movie made about Bravo Two Zero. [6]

Effectiveness of SCUD Hunt. The effectiveness of the SCUD hunt by both the Air Force and the SOF teams has been a topic of discussion following the war. How many SCUDs were found and destroyed was not immediately known. There were varying estimates of the effectiveness of the air strikes and the SOF teams on the ground. [7] Some sources indicate that many of the aircraft reported kills of SCUDs were in fact decoys or similar looking vehicles. [8]

Finding the SCUDs and their launchers were difficult. The SCUDs moved from site to site at night. They hid during the day. The SCUD crews could move the launchers to a pre-coordinated launch site, fire their missiles, and drive away in ten minutes.

It became apparent in post-war analysis that countering Iraq’s mobile short-range ballistic missiles (SRBM) was a time and resource intensive endeavor. Although the SCUDs were highly inaccurate they did have an important psychological and political impact. In addition, they forced the coalition to divert resources to the SCUD hunt that otherwise could have been occupied with the main effort – the ousting of Iraqi forces from Kuwait.

Conclusion. What is known is that the air campaign and introduction of SOF teams into western Iraq to find and destroy the SCUDS kept Israel on the sidelines. The frequency of SCUD attacks against Israel diminished. This kept the Arab nations in the coalition and contributed to the overall success of Desert Storm’s objective of removing Iraqi troops from Kuwait.

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Top Photo: SCUD launcher, DoD photo.

Footnotes:

[1] On February 25, 1991, parts of an Iraqi Al Hussein SCUD missile destroyed barracks housing U.S. troops. 28 soldiers died and 99 were wounded.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/14th_Quartermaster_Detachment

[2] “We’re going to attack Iraq, Israel told the US. ‘Move your planes'”, The Times of Israel, January 18, 2018.

[3] The Air Force and the Gulf War, Air Force Association, December 2009, PDF, p. 22.
https://www.dvusd.org/cms/lib/AZ01901092/Centricity/Domain/2435/AFandGulfWar.pdf

[4] Operation Desert Storm: Evaluation of the Air Campaign, U.S. Government Accountability Office, NSIAD-97-134, June 12, 1997, page 31, 32.
https://www.gao.gov/assets/230/224366.pdf

[5] There is much more open source information about the participation of the SAS in the SCUD hunt than there is about Delta Force’s role in the operation. A few sources indicate that the Navy SEALs and U.S. Army Rangers may have participated as well.

[6] Two books have been published that tell the story of Bravo Two Zero – Bravo Two Zero and SAS in the Gulf War.

[7] RAND paper cited below by Rosenau, page 36.

[8] “Scud War, Round Two”, Air Force Magazine, April 1, 1991, by Stewart M. Powell.

References:

Rosenau, William, “Chapter Three: Coalition Scud-Hunting in Iraq, 1991”, Special Operations Forces and Elusive Enemy Ground Targets, RAND Corporation, 2001, PDF, 16 pages.
https://www.rand.org/pubs/monograph_reports/MR1408.html

Kipphut, Colonel Mark E., USAF, “The Great Scud Chase”, Crossbow and Gulf War Counter-Scud Efforts: Lessons from History, US Air Force Counterproliferation Center, Air University, Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama, February 2003, PDF, 48 pages.
https://media.defense.gov/2019/Apr/11/2002115481/-1/-1/0/15CROSSBOW.PDF

Story, William C., “Operation Desert Storm Scud Hunt – 1991”, Third World Traps and Pitfalls: Ballistic Missiles, Cruise Missiles, and Land-Based Air Power, School of Advanced Airpower Studies, Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama, June 1994.
https://fas.org/man/eprint/story.htm

DIA, Mobile Short-range Ballistic Missile Targeting in Operation DESERT STORM, Defense Intelligence Assessment, OGA-1040-23-91, November 1991.
https://nsarchive2.gwu.edu/NSAEBB/NSAEBB39/document8.pdf

By Pat Carty.

Following an official “Freedom of Information” request made to the British Government in December 2020, the Ministry of Defence has released the total number of British Armed Forces personnel, who have lost their lives in the Brecon Beacons in Wales. This is an area used for generations by Special Forces and in particular for selection, including the notorious “Fan Dance” tests.

For those unaware, the “Fan Dance” is a 15-mile (24 km) load-bearing March, which takes place at the end of the first week of SF selection. The candidates climb “Pen y Fan” – the highest mountain in the Brecon Beacons. Then descend the far side; known as “Jacob’s Ladder”. The rest of the route follows the old Roman road before going back on itself for the return leg. Candidates are given 4 hours 10 minutes to complete the route, regardless of the weather. The Fan Dance is the world’s oldest SF test and used as the first major indicator to show if a candidate has the physical and mental aptitude to complete the legendary SF Selection course.

The Freedom of Information request came from a member of the public. It followed discussions with local councilors and politicians about erecting a memorial, remembering service personnel who had lost their lives whilst training in the Beacons. One of the causalities, having been a close friend, was killed during Special Force selection.

Following the information request, the Ministry of Defence confirmed that in the period they hold records for; 1 January 1984 to 31 December 2019 (the last full year available), twenty UK armed forces personnel have died in the Brecon Beacons. I should add that those figures include all tri-Service regular personnel killed, both on, and off duty, whilst the data for reserve troops only shows those killed whilst on duty.

The Defence Ministry also confirmed that the numbers were for all causes of death: accidents, natural causes, or coroner confirmed suicide. Plus open verdicts where the cause was not known.

Photo: “Fan Dance” by Avalanche Endurance Events.

Civilians can experience a civilian version of the Fan Dance test, especially those whose intention is to apply for future SF selection, which is run on similar lines to SF selection tests, but by former SF personnel.

Photo: “Fan Dance” by Avalanche Endurance Events

Held in both summer and winter, again similar to SF selection, these civilian versions of the “The Fan Dance” include both “load-bearing” and “clean fatigue” categories and are also held during both day and night. The “Fan Dance Woodhouse Edition” even copies the original post-WWII Fan Dance and includes three ascents of Pen y Fan. If you are ultra keen, there is even the 50km “Blade Runner Ultra Series”, again staged in the area used for SF selection, and utilising many iconic and legendary landmarks and features, used in the world-famous SAS Aptitude phase.

More information on the various “Fan Dance” events is available from the organisers; Avalanche Endurance Events at: https://www.avalancheenduranceevents.com/home.html

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Top Photo: The Pen-y-Fan viewed from Cribyn. Photo by Dave Dunford.

Author: Pat Carty is a NATO accredited journalist who covers military news, events, operations, and exercises; including special operations forces. He is a contributor to SOF News as well as several other military defense publications.

The Incredible Military Career of Lucien Stervinou

By Jeff Goodson

There’s a forested canyon above the town of Quimper in northwest France called les Gorge du Stangala.  Drained by the Odet river, it’s known locally for its wild beauty and tranquility.  In World War II, while training with the British Special Air Service in Scotland, the name was adopted as the nom de guerre of a French resistance fighter and special operations warrior named Lucien Stervinou. 

Over the course of six years, from 1940-1946, Stervinou fought behind enemy lines in Europe and Indochina.  He earned both the Croix de Guerre and France’s highest military award, the Legion d’Honneur.  His story is the story of western special operations at the dawn of the modern age of irregular warfare.      

Escaping the Nazis

Lucien Corentin Stervinou was born in Langalet, France (Brittany) in 1923.  He was barely 17 when he first set out to escape the Nazis.  As a German Panzer division moved toward the French port of Brest, he and his grandmother heard a radio appeal from Brigadier General Charles De Gaulle in London: “Frenchmen, we have lost a battle; we have not lost the war.  From wherever you are, come join me and continue the fight.”  It was June 18, 1940, just four days before Marshall Petain signed the Armistice with Germany.

Young Stervinou hopped on his bicycle, peddled the two miles to Chateauneuf du Faou, and met up with three of his soccer buddies.  The four of them drove south to the port of Concarneau, and talked the captain of a Norwegian fishing boat into taking them aboard along with a group of French troops that he was surreptitiously evacuating to England.  The seas became extremely rough, and half-way across the English Channel the captain turned about and returned to La Rochelle. 

A few hours before the Nazis arrived, Stervinou jumped a military train for Bordeaux.  He then went to Marseilles, Lyon and Vichy, before working his way to Quimper where he settled in with a resistance group that a young priest introduced him to. 

When the Quimper group was later discovered, Stervinou fled to Paris and hid out in the apartment of famous resistance fighter Yves Allain.  Allain, who was later murdered in Morocco, ran the Bourgogne escape route through which some 250 allied airmen escaped Nazi capture by crossing the Pyrenees into Spain.  In June 1942 Stervinou followed that route with Allain, two British pilots and a small group of civilians, crossing the Pyrenees near Pau at night with a Basque guide. 

After splitting up in Spain, Stervinou was captured by Spanish border guards and jailed in Jaca, Huesca and Saragossa.  A few weeks later, he was ransomed to the British Consul, who organized his travel through Madrid and Gibralter to a British air base near Swindon, England.  He arrived July 28, 1942, just over two years after his first attempt to escape the Nazis. 

Supporting the French Resistance

Stervinou’s first stop was “Patriotic School” near Wimbledon, where all foreigners entering England were held and interrogated at length.  He was then released to the Free French Forces, who he worked with for the rest of the war. 

After five months of basic training at Camp Rake Manor in Surrey, Stervinou was recruited by France’s Central Bureau of Intelligence and Operations (BCRA).  Similar to the OSS, but smaller, BCRA was the precursor of France’s External Documentation and Counter-Espionage Service (SDECE)—today known as the Directorate General for External Security (DGSE). 

Stervinou trained at the British Army Commando Training Center, the BCRA training Center, and the Parachute Center at Ringway.  While training with the British Special Air Service (SAS) near Iveranay, Scotland, he took the nom de guerre Stangala.  From then through the first half of 1944, he worked communications between London and various French resistance groups. 

D-Day and Return to Paris

In late May 1944, three “sticks” of ten men each were flown to an unnamed base in the south of England where they were separated from other units.  Just before D-Day, on June 4, 1944, Stervinou’s stick was parachuted into an area prepared by a local resistance group west of Vire in Normandy.  They brought arms and equipment, and trained the resistance fighters who met them in the use of heavy armaments, communications and fighting tactics.  Other sticks parachuted that night into Brittany to destroy railroads and bridges. 

For two months after D-Day, while operating behind enemy lines, Stervinou’s stick avoided German soldiers and the French milice who fought with them.  Finally, in August they were ordered to Paris to regroup and help maintain security in the center of the city.  On August 26, 1944, while providing protection from a rooftop, he watched General Charles De Gaulle march in triumph down the Champs Elysee.  It was the end of Stervinou’s military service in the European theater.

Indochina and Force 136

With dissolution of the French resistance groups, focus shifted to the Pacific theater where the objective was establishing a French military presence and returning Indochina to the colonial field.  Stervinou left Paris in January 1945 for Cairo.  He then took a “flying boat” to Karachi, Bombay and Calcutta, where he again was trained by the British.  This time it was Force 136, at their commando training center for the South Pacific Theater, where he trained for six months in parachuting, radio communications and jungle warfare.    

Today, few Americans have heard of Force 136.  The British Special Operations Executive (SOE) was established in 1940 at the same time that the British Commandos were formed at the request of Winston Churchill.  The SOE carried out sabotage and subversive operations in Europe, and its success led to a knockoff called “The Oriental Mission” in Burma.  Codenamed Force 136, branches were soon established in Burma, Siam, Malaya and Indochina where they supported resistance movements in enemy-occupied territory and conducted sabotage operations.  Rolled up in 1946, Force 136 was one of the first modern organizations to systematically operationalize what today we call unconventional warfare.    

At the end of training, Stervinou’s group was reviewed by Lord Mountbatten, Viceroy of India, after which he took a DC-3 “over the hump” from Bajshahi Airbase to Kunming, China.  Others were dropped in Laos, where they ultimately met severe losses and had only limited success.

“The Kunming commando groups were deployed on the Sino-Indochinese frontier in preparation for the Chinese invasion of Indochina in 1945.  I parachuted into Pakhoi, a Chinese port in Kuang-tong Province.  I was an intelligence officer with the French Navy, patrolling the Along Bay in northern Vietnam.”

The Weichow Raid

Stervinou’s unit operated closely with elements of the OSS, and he was part of a joint OSS/French commando attack on July 22, 1945 that knocked out an advance Japanese airbase on the island of Ouai-Tchao (Weichow).

“A joint Franco/American commando unit landed on the island at 2 AM, and the air base defense was quickly overpowered.  Using the newly acquired TNT explosive, the tower and the landing lanes were rendered unusable.  Now my earlier explosive training made sense.”

The mission was important, and both Kunming and General Chenault, Commander of the 14^th Air Force, were notified of its success. 

The Japanese Surrender of Vietnam

After the Weichow raid, Stervinou’s PT boat Crayssac returned to operating among the islands of Along Bay.   

“Our nomadic life continued, stopping, controlling and often seizing equipment and foodstuff destined to the Japanese army by commercial junks.  We created additional bases on the islands of Gow-To, Table and Singe. 

A few short weeks later, the U.S. dropped the atomic bombs on Hiroshima (August 6^th) and Nagasaki (August 9^th).  The bombing had the desired effect, and Hirohito announced the Japanese surrender on August 15^th. 

The next day, the five men of the Crayssac were ordered to Haiphong Bay to receive the surrender of the 60,000 Japanese soldiers then in Vietnam.  They arrived at 4 PM. 

“The Japanese authorities seemed astounded by our arrival.  On the 16^th, Japanese Colonel Kamya arrived during the night to inform us that General Tsushihashi, Japanese commander of north Indochina, had not received the order to surrender from Tokyo and for us to remain on board ship.  He received his order the following morning.” 

For several days after surrendering, the Japanese supplied the Crayssac crew with food and water.  They then provided them an escort to Hanoi, where they arrived August 23^rd and joined a handful of French administrators under Major Jean Sainteny and a small group of OSS personnel. 

Eleven Men

Years later, Stervinou wrote that:

‘The political scene was chaotic…On August 23^rd, we found ourselves, eleven men, in the former Governor General’s palace with responsibility for overseeing the security of 30,000 French civilians.  It could only be done by negotiations with the new government of the Viet-Minh, the Japanese army responsible for maintaining security, and later the Chinese army.  We had responsibilities beyond our ranks and experience.

‘Twice, I accompanied my commanding officer to meet Ho Chi Minh.  I also met, and for a time worked in liaison with another Vietnamese leader on security matters, Vo Nguyen Giap.  At the time, the French did not know whether these two men were nationalist leaders or communist ideologues.  Later, Giap was the mastermind of the final and decisive battle that ended France’s colonial domination of Viet-Nam, Dien Bien Phu.     

‘It wasn’t obvious to us then, but we had in front of us the beginning of the crumbling colonial era.’ 

Kidnapped, the Last Firefight and Demobilization

Months later, while investigating the conditions of French ex-POWs in the area, Stervinou was kidnapped in Vinh and spirited away for purposes unknown.  He was only released when an American Air Ground Air Service major threated local authorities with a U.S. paratrooper attack. 

Back in Hanoi, Stervinou contracted amoebic dysentery and was evacuated to Saigon.  After five weeks recovering in the hospital, he was sent back to Along Bay on a destroyer to again serve as intelligence officer.  His final kinetic engagement was on March 6, 1946, in a sustained firefight with Chinese forces in the port of Haiphong. 

Shortly after, Stervinou fell to a recurring attack of dysentery and was evacuated to Saigon.  After three more weeks in the hospital, he returned to France on a transport ship where he was demobilized and, on September 17, 1946, finally discharged.  For him, the wars were over.

Croix de Guerre

Eight months after Stervinou mustered out of service, he was awarded the Croix de Guerre des Theatres d’Operations Exterieures with Silver Star, citation at the Ordre de la Division, for his engagements at Along Bay, his participation in the Weichow raid, and his role in accepting the Japanese surrender in Vietnam.  He was individually cited for his “energy, courage and sang froid.”

After the War

The next year, Stervinou came to the United States.  He earned a degree from the University of Houston, became a U.S. citizen in 1953, and for years directed Berlitz language institutes in the U.S. and Europe. 

Widowed in 1978, Stervinou was re-married in 1981 to a U.S. Foreign Service Officer with USAID—Theodora (Teddy) Wood—who he met in Annandale, Virginia.  The two spent years stationed in west Africa, working at USAID’s Regional Office in Abidjan where he promoted private sector development in central and west Africa at the height of the cold war. 

After retiring in 1992, Stervinou continued working with French veterans organizations.  In 2006, he was awarded France’ highest order of merit for military and civilian service, the Legion d’Honneur, at the level of Chevalier.  In addition to the Legion d’Honneur and Croix de Guerre, over his military career he received the Croix de Combattant Volontaire, Medaille des Evades, Medaille de la Reconnaissance de la Nation, and Medaille d’Outre-Mere.

In December 2017, in perfect health, Stervinou was walking one of the large Bouvier dogs that he and his wife Teddy were famous for.  He slipped on an icy sidewalk in Washington, D.C., struck his head, and died of complications six months later at the age of 95.  It was June 16, 2018—78 years, almost to the day—since he had heard de Gaulle exhort his countrymen to join the fight as Nazi Panzers rolled into Brest.    

Epilogue

The military history of Lucien Corentin Stervinou is the history of special operations at the dawn of the modern age of irregular warfare.  From 1940-1946, he was operationally engaged with every major American, British and French special operations force, from the U.S. Office of Strategic Services, precursor of today’s CIA; to the British Special Air Service, Special Operations Executive and Force 136; to France’s Central Bureau of Intelligence and Operations.  

Stervinou’s extraordinary military career stands as a historical benchmark by which every special operations warrior who has followed can justly measure their own. 

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The biographical material in this tribute is drawn mostly from Lucien Stervinou’s surviving writings and lecture notes, provided courtesy of Theodora Wood-Stervinou to whom special thanks are due.  Without her assistance, the military history of this extraordinary special forces combatant could not have been written.  

Jeff Goodson is a retired U.S. Foreign Service Officer.  From 1983-2012, he worked on the ground in 49 countries in Africa, Asia, Latin America and the Middle East.  He served 31 months in Afghanistan, including as USAID Chief of Staff (2006-2006) and Director of Development at ISAF HQ under General David Petraeus and General John Allen (2010-2012).  Goodson worked with Lucien Stervinou at USAID’s Regional Office in Abidjan in the mid-1980s.