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

Photo / Image: U.S. Army Soldier Pfc. David Hanson, from 3rd Battalion, 509th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 2nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team (Airborne), 11th Airborne Division, recovers his parachute after jumping onto Donnelly Drop Zone as part of Joint Pacific Multinational Readiness Center 24-02 at Donnelly Training Area, Alaska, Feb 8, 2024. (U.S. Army Photo by Spc. Wyatt Moore / 28th Public Affairs Detachment)

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SOF News

‘Angel of Death’ Retiring from AFSOC. Colonel Allison Black is retiring from the Air Force. In the initial stages of OEF she was referred to by Afghan fighters as “the Angel of Death” for her radio calls from AC-130 gunships. “Afghanistan’s ‘Angel of Death’ is retiring from Air Force special ops”, Task & Purpose, February 23, 2024.

New Cdr for 1st SOW. With the retirement of Col Black (see para above) the 1st Special Operations Wing at Hurlburt Field, Florida has a new commander. “Welcome Col. Patrick Dierig; 1st SOW change of command ceremony”, 1st SOW Public Affairs, February 23, 2024.

Former 10th SFG(A) Doc Awarded Army Astronaut Device. Army Col. (Dr.) Frank Rubio has earned many awards and decorations throughout his long career. He has deployed to Bosnia, Iraq, and Afghanistan . . . and spent a year in space. He set the U.S. record for the most days in space on a single spaceflight on the International Space Station. In addition to being a doctor (served with 10th Special Forces Group) and an astronaut, he also has been a UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter pilot (600 combat flight hours). “Army Secretary Says Astronaut’s Army Values Inspire Others”, DOD, February 22, 2024.

Another List of Elite Units. At least once a month some journal or online blog publishes an article about the “Ten Most Elite Units in the World”. Typically, no list is the same as the other. Sometimes, the best units are sometimes left out while obscure units are included. Here is the latest ‘list’: “These Are 16 Most Dangerous Special Forces in the World 2024: Deathly Elite”, by Srdjan Ilic, Southwest Journal, February 20, 2024.

CV-22 Mishap Update. Air Force Special Operations Command has issued a press release providing an update on the November 29, 2023, aircraft ‘mishap’ in the waters off Yakushima, Japan that claimed the lives of eight servicemembers. Ongoing investigations found that a material failure that occurred is known but the cause of the failure has not been determined. “CV-22 Mishap Investigation Update”, AFSOC, February 20, 2024. Read an article on the same topic in Air & Space Forces Magazine, February 20, 2024.

Help Special Operations Forces (SOF) personnel with spine injuries receive the healthcare options, education, and care they need.

26th MEU(SOC). The Marines of the 16th Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable) have been quite busy during their deployment the past several months. One of the units training events has been working with the Italian San Marco Brigade Marines. (DVIDS, 21 Feb 2024)

SOF and Cancer Screening. The President of the Globa SOF Foundation, Stu Bradin, notes that special operations veterans have a higher rate of cancer than the general population and that we should take some steps to detect it early rather than in its later stages. “Options for Screening for Cancer in SOF”, Global SOF Foundation, February 20, 2024.

SOCAFRICA Trains SNA Danab Forces. Somali National Army units received training in media, medical, and tactics during a recent event held in January 2024. “U.S. Special Operations Command hosts Knowledge Exchange with Somali and Kenyan Partners”, DVIDS, February 22, 2024. There have been recent news reports that the U.S. will begin construction of five bases in Somalia (map, NSI) for the Danab unit.

SOCNORTH and Arctic Edge. The Special Operations Command North, along with NORTHCOM and Marine Forces North, will be participating in an annual defense exercise that is designed to demonstrate that U.S. forces are engaged, postured and ready to defend U.S. interests in the Arctic security environment (map, NSI). The 3-week long multi-domain exercise is taking place in late February and early March. It will focus on operations in extreme cold and high-altitude environments.

SOF History

Merrill’s Marauders. On February 24, 1944, Merrill’s Marauders began a campaign in northern Burma. The mission of the 5307th Composite Unit (provisional) was to disrupt Japanese supply and communications lines.

Operation Bunghole – OSS in WWII. On February 27, 1944, a five-man team from the OSS parachuted into Malo Ticevo, Yugoslavia to establish a weather station. Operation Bunghole consisted of members of the OSS and USAAF specialists. Yugoslavia was occupied by the Germans at the time.
https://codenames.info/operation/bunghole-ii/

Corregidor Secured. On February 26, 1945, the 503rd Parachute Regimental Combat Team (PRCT) secured the island fortress of Corregidor after two weeks of fighting. The 503rd had parachuted onto the island on February 16th. It was assisted by the 34th Infantry Regiment, a unit of the 24th Infantry Division that made a seaborne assault, as well as other smaller units.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Corregidor_(1945)

SR Mission in Desert Storm. On February 23, 1991, SOFDA 525 was inserted by helicopter at night and moved to a hide site to conduct a recon mission deep behind enemy lines in Iraq. On the next morning, the 24th, this 5th SFG(A) team would find itself fighting for survival against an overwhelming enemy force.
https://sof.news/history/sfoda-525/

MARSOC. On February 24, 2006, the Marine Corps Special Operations Command (MARSOC) was officially activated at Camp Lejeune, N.C.

Conflict in Israel and Gaza

Israel’s Future Plans. On Friday, February 23, 2024, Israel released its proposed plan for the future of Gaza. The IDF will retain indefinite military control over the Gaza Strip (map, NSI) while allowing Gazans to govern aspects of civilian life. Israel will control buffer zones along Gaza’s borders with Israel and Egypt. The offensive against remaining Hamas elements in Rafa (map, NSI) is still yet to be conducted.

Humanitarian Crisis. An in-depth look at the situation for the Gazan civilians is presented by Tania Hary and Kevin Huggard, Center for Middle East Policy, Brookings Institute, February 22, 2024, in “The Gaza Strip’s deepening humanitarian crisis”.

U.S. Involvement. The United States is working with Israel and other regional powers to get an agreement that results in the release of the remaining hostages and that produces an extended humanitarian ceasefire. Involved in the negotiations is CIA director Bill Burns, White House Middle East Coordinator Brett McGurk, and Ambassador David Satterfield.

• References:
• Map Gaza Strip (2005), and more maps of Gaza Strip, West Bank, and Israel.
• Israel-Hamas War: Insights from RAND

Ukraine Conflict

Two Years Ago – Invasion. On February 24, 2022, Russia launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine. The objective of the Russians was to occupy the capital city of Kyiv and topple the Ukrainian government in three days. The conflict had been ongoing since 2014 when the Russians seized Crimea and created the regimes in the Luhansk and Donetsk regions in eastern Ukraine. Although the Russians captured a considerably amount of territory in the first several months of the conflict, Ukraine has retaken more than half of that land back. The fight continues, two years later. However, Ukraine suffers from manpower shortages, lack of air defense systems, and a severe shortage of artillery ammunition. Until Western aid picks up, Ukraine will remain on the defensive and Russia will retain the momentum. Ukraine has been successful in the Black Sea (GIS Reports, 14 Feb 2024). Read an account of the first day of the invasion of Ukraine, SOF News, February 24, 2022.

Commentary on Ukraine. There is a lot of coverage about the Russian invasion of Ukraine on February 24, 2022. Some of the articles and reports are listed below:

• Ukraine and IW Lessons. Doug Livermore, a Special Forces officer, highlights “several critical lessons regarding irregular warfare and its broader implications for global security and stability.” He used the conflict in Ukraine to underscore the importance of hybrid warfare strategies. He applies these lessons to China, Africa, and the Middle East. “Two Years On: Russia’s Full-Scale Invasion of Ukraine and the Continuing Lessons for the Future of Irregular Warfare”, Irregular Warfare Initiative, February 20, 2024.
• The Russo-Ukrainian War: A Strategic Assessment Two Years into the Conflict, by Amos Fox, Land Warfare Paper 158, Association of the United States Army, February 2024, PDF, 23 pages. Abstract or PDF.
• Ukraine Two Years Later: Memories and Observations from My time on the Ground, Spirit of America, February 2024. The Regional Director – Europe of Spirit of America writes of her experiences in the effort to assist the fighting forces of Ukraine and being an enabler for U.S. SOF efforts in Ukraine. Read more in “Spirit of America – Helping Ukraine Win“, SOF News, May 3, 2022.

Resistance Behind the Lines. While the world is fixated on the grinding war of attrition on the front lines, Ukrainian intelligence operatives of the SBU and GUR have been busy conducting operations deep behind Russian lines and in Russia. “Tip of the Spear: Analyzing Ukrainian Intelligence Operations Behind Russian Lines”, Georgetown Security Studies Review, January 10, 2024.

• References:
• Interactive Map. Russia’s Invasion of Ukraine by the Insitute for the Study of War and Critical Threats. On storymaps.arcgis.com See also https://www.national-security.info/ukraine/maps.html
• U.S. Security Assistance to Ukraine, Congressional Research Service, CRSIF12040, periodically updated, PDF, 3 pages. https://crsreports.congress.gov/product/pdf/IF/IF12040
• Ukraine Conflict, National Security Info. https://www.national-security.info/ukraine-conflict.html

National Security

IW Global Network. In February 2024 the Irregular Warfare Center introduced a new initiative entitled “IW Global Network”. This project has been established to address specific areas of interest, focusing primarily on confronting irregular challenges. The IW Global Network consists of several Functional Area Networks (FANs). These cover the topics of contested logistics, mission assurance, medical resilience, intelligence, information operations, and emerging technologies. Read more about it here at IW Global Network.

NDAA. The Congressional Research Service has updated a publication that provides an overview of the structure and organization of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). It also provides a description of the legislative process within the Senate and House of Representatives. Defense Primer: Navigating the NDAA, CRS IF10516, updated February 22, 2024, PDF, 3 pages. https://crsreports.congress.gov/product/pdf/IF/IF10516

Emerging Military Technology. The Congressional Research Service has updated a publication that provides an overview of new technologies that are being incorporated into the U.S. defense forces. These include artificial intelligence, lethal autonomous weapons, hypersonic weapons, directed energy weapons, biotechnology, and quantum technology. Emerging Military Technologies: Background and Issues for Congress, CRS R46458, updated February 22, 2024, PDF, 43 pages. https://crsreports.congress.gov/product/pdf/R/R46458

Border Security:

• Report – Illicit Fentanyl and China’s Role. The Congressional Research Service has published a document that provides the background, trafficking pathways, role of China, and Congressional legislation of the opioid crisis in the United States. Beginning in the mid-2010s, U.S. authorities identified the People’s Republic of China as a primary source of U.S.-bound illicit fentanyl and fentanyl analogues. CRS IF10890, updated February 20, 2024, PDF, 3 pages. https://crsreports.congress.gov/product/pdf/IF/IF10890
• Restricting Asylum. President Biden’s campaign for reelection is struggling with one of the foremost election issues – border security and the surge in border crossings. The White House is considering action that would prevent people from making asylum claims during border crossing surges. “Biden Mulling Plan That Could Restrict Asylum Claims at the Border”, The New York Times, February 31, 2024. (subscription) See also an article on this topic by Associated Press, February 21, 2024.
• Suspending Entry of Aliens. A recent Congressional Research Service report gets into legal aspects of border security and limiting the entry of aliens across U.S. borders. The report finds that the President has the authority “to suspend the entry of all aliens or any class of aliens” whenever he finds that entry of aliens would be detrimental to the interests of the United States. Presidential Authority to Suspend Entry of Aliens Under 8 U.S. C 1182(f), CRS LSB10450, updated February 21, 2024, PDF, 23 pages. https://crsreports.congress.gov/product/pdf/LSB/LSB10458

Strategic Competition

Russia and Unconventional Activities. A recent report details “Russia’s unconventional military activities outside Ukraine, including efforts to prepare for destabilization in European countries, expeditionary operations in Africa to seize control of critical resources, and outreach to target audiences in the Middle East.” This special report is entitled The Threat from Russia’s Unconventional Warfare Beyond Ukraine, 2022-2024, Royal United Services Institute (RUSI), February 2024, PDF, 38 pages. See Unconventional Warfare (NSI) for more references on UW.

Russia and ‘Offensive’ Resistance Operations. Russia, as well as the Soviet Union, has a long history of utilizing local collaborators to pursue political objectives in foreign nations. Dr. Jonathan White, a career Special Forces officer, writes on this topic in “Russian Offensive Resistance Operations”, Irregular Warfare Center, February 21, 2024.

Report – Taiwan: Background and U.S. Relations, The Congressional Research Service has updated its publication about the country that lies across the Taiwan Strait from mainland China. A recent U.S. Department of State Fact Sheet refers to Taiwan as “a key U.S. partner in the Indo-Pacific.” This CRS report has info on the modern history of Taiwan, the recent elections, U.S. policy toward Taiwan, the country’s security, and more. CRS IF10275, updated February 23, 2024, PDF, 3 pages. https://crsreports.congress.gov/product/pdf/IF/IF10275

Battle for Taiwan and U.S. Big Tech. Leading technology companies of the United States have provided significant assistance to Ukraine over the past two years. This includes services like mapping, ISR, targeting, cyber security, and more. However, these same firms may not come to the aid of Taiwan (map NSI) in the same manner due to their business ties with mainland China. Which Ties Will Bind? Big Tech, Lessons from Ukraine, and Implications for Taiwan, Issue Brief, Center for Security and Emerging Technology, Georgetown, February 2024, PDF, 76 pages. Read the report here.

Arrow Security & Training, LLC is a corporate sponsor of SOF News. AST offers a wide range of training and instruction courses and programs to include language and cultural services, training, role playing, and software and simulation. https://arrowsecuritytraining.com/

Middle East

Video – Inside Look at U.S. Navy Response to Houthi Red Sea Attacks, 60 Minutes, YouTube, February 18, 2024, 13 minutes. A good video describing how the U.S. Navy keeps the waterways open in the Red Sea and other surrounding waters. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dRRJmOTCqqQ&t=1s

Houthi Threat. Dr. Can Kasapoglu provides his perspective on the Houthi threat. He states that Iran has successfully targeted global supply chains through its Yemeni proxy (Houthis). Up to this point, Operation Prosperity Guardian has not established a credible deterrence in the (NSI map) Red Sea and Gulf of Aden. “Assessing and Addressing the Houthi Threat”, Hudson Institute, January 2024.

Legal Status of U.S. in Syria. The United States has had a military presence and conducted operations in Syria (SOF News, 2022) since 2014. The primary reason for being there is so it can target Al Qaeda and the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) within Syrian territory (map) – as part of a broader counterterrorism campaign. It conducts this campaign unilaterally and in concert with the Syrian Democratic Front (SDF) (SOF News, 2018) and other proxies. Many observers of the conflict question the legal status of the U.S. conducting operations in a country where it is not invited. However, there is a legal justification. See “Enduringly Unwilling and Unable: The Syrian Chapter of the Forever Wars Saga”, by Thea Charlotte Andersen, Articles of War, Lieber Institute West Point, February 23, 2024.

Tower 22, al Tanf, and SF. A small U.S. base in Jordan burst into the news in January 2024 when a terrorist drone exploded within its perimeter killing three and injuring over 40 U.S. servicemembers. “What is the U.S. Doing in a Disputed Triangle on the Jordan / Syria / Iraq Border?”, Stimon.org, February 20, 2024.

SOF News Book Shop

View our selection of books about special operations forces at the SOF News Book Shop.

Journals, Podcasts, Videos, and Movies

InterPopulum: Journal of Irregular Warfare and Special Operations. The Spring 2024 issue has been posted online. There are a number of interesting articles for the IW practitioner. PDF, 117 pages.

• Jedburgh Teams – Lessons for Unconventional Warfare
• Secret War in Cuba: The Bay of Pigs Invasion, 1960-1961
• Limited Conflicts and Use of SOF in Global Competition
• 5307th Composite Unit (Provisional) “Merrill’s Marauders”
• The Liberator’s Dilemma: The Paradox of American Leadership
• and . . . six reviews of books relating to SOF, intelligence, insurgency, and AI

CTC Sentinel. The Combating Terrorism Center at West Point has published its February 2024 issue containing articles about “Long-Range Stand-Off Terrorism”, an interview of Christopher Maier (ASD SO/LIC), and Somalia’s stalled offensive against al-Shabaab. PDF, 28 pages.

Upcoming Events

February 27-29, 2024
Special Air Warfare Symposium – Global SOF
Fort Walton Beach, FL

March 11-13, 2024
Irregular Warfare COI Symposium
Mclean, Virginia

April 12-14, 2024
Best Ranger Competition

April 24-25, 2024
12th Border Security & Intelligence Summit
Defense Strategies

May 6-10, 2024
SOF Week – Global SOF
Tampa, FL

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

Photo / Image: East Coast-based Naval Special Warfare Operators use a Submarine Exploration (SUEX) diver propulsion vehicle during a sustainment exercise in Virginia Beach, Va. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Trey Hutcheson, Jan. 7, 2024)

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SOF News

Questions on the Osprey. AFSOC is eager to get their fleet of CV-22s back in the air but want to ensure it is safe for its crews. In November 2023 a special operations Osprey crash off the coast of Japan’s Yakushima Island resulted in the death of eight crewmen. An investigation is ongoing. (Military.com, 13 Feb 2024) (Editorial Note: One retired SF colonel commented: “Do the troops have a desire to fly IN the CV-22?”) Read more in “Is the V-22 Osprey Headed to the Scrap Yard?”, National Interest, February 16, 2024; and in “US Navy’s Six-Decade-Old Greyhounds to fill Grounded V-22 Osprey’s Role”, The Defense Post, February 14, 2024.

Women in SOF. An interesting article takes a look at the history (and outcome) of the effort to integrate women into special operations forces. “A Reconsideration of Women’s Role in Special Operations: Critical Questions, Mooted a Decade After the Fact”, Small Wars Journal, February 19, 2024.

Change of SEAL Mission. Naval Special Warfare sailors are pivoting away from being a counterterrorism force to supporting the combatant commands. Training is now more focused on the maritime environment. “The Navy SEAL Mission is Shifting from Raids to Supporting the Service”, Military.com, February 14, 2024.

USS Canley Commissioned. An Expeditionary Sea Base ship (ESB) was recently commissioned (DOD, 16 Feb 2024) on February 17, 2024, in Coronado, California. It will support a variety of missions to include the staging of Special Operations Forces (SOF). It has a four-spot flight deck, mission deck, and hangar. The ship is named in honor of a U.S. Marine, Gunnery Sergeant John Canley (DVIDS, 17 Feb 2024), who won the Medal of Honor for his heroic actions during the Battle of Hue City, Vietnam in 1968. Watch a video about the ESB ship that describes the mission and layout of the ship. In the video, the captain of the ship describes the ESB as a “large command and control platform for sea basing Marines and Special Forces.” “USS John L. Canley (ESB 6) Virtual Tour”, DVIDS, February 10, 2024. See also “Explore the Floating Navy SEAL Base: A Closer Look at the US Warship Resembling a Tanker”, Texas Breaking News, February 12, 2024.

MoH – Zabitosky. The U.S. Department of Defense published a story about a U.S. Army Special Forces soldier who was awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions during a 1968 helicopter crash in the Vietnam War. His recon team was tasked with monitoring the Ho Chi Minh Trail on February 19, 1968, in the midst of the Tet Offensive. Read more in “Medal of Honor Monday: Army Master Sgt. Fred W. Zabitosky”, DOD News, February 19, 2024.

“The Unit”. The New York Post has published an article entitled “This military special ops unit is so classified, even its name is a secret – and getting into it is absolute hell.” February 19, 2024.

NSW Force Multiplier. Rear Adm. Keith Davids recent participated in and provided some commentary at the AFCEA-USNI West 2024 Conference held in February 2024 in San Diego. “Naval Special Warfare a Force Multiplier for Fleet, Prioritizing Reintegration with Joint Force”, Seapower Magazine, February 15, 2024.

1st SFG(A) Training in Taiwan. The United States and Taiwan appear to be having a more robust relationship over the past year or more. Members of the 1st Special Forces Group are reported to be working on two bases of the 101st Amphibious Reconnaissance Battalion – a Taiwanese special operations force. “US Army Special Forces Train Taiwan Troops Near China’s Coast”, Newsweek, February 8, 2024.

Nine Honored at Fort Liberty. Some prominent members of the special operations and airborne community were recently honored at the Iron Mike Conference Center on Fort Liberty. (CityView, 17 Feb 2024)

26th MEU (SOC). The 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable) is conducting cold weather bilateral training with the 32nd Marine Brigade in Volos, Greece at the Mount Olympus Mountain Training Center. (DVIDS, 19 Feb 2024)

Cigars Honoring the SEALs. A cigar line honoring the Navy SEALs and their families has been created by a New Hampshire-based smoke shop. “United Cigars To Release New Smokes Honoring Navy SEALs”, Cigar Aficionado, February 14, 2024.

Special Forces Scholarship Fund. The Special Forces Scholarship Fund has now become a part of the Green Beret Foundation (GBF). Read a press release dated February 9, 2024, by the GBF.

5th SFG(A) Memorial. Over 800 Special Forces men were lost during the Vietnam War. There is a plan underway to build a memorial on Gabriel Field, Fort Campbell, Kentucky close to the headquarters of the 5th Special Forces Group. Members of the Special Forces Association and Special Operations Association are involved in the project and the fundraiser to make the memorial a reality.
https://specialoperations.org/soa/5th-group-vietnam-memorial/

International SOF

Royal Marines New CRC. A new CRC is replacing the troop-carrying and fire support variants of the Offshore Raiding Craft (ORC). The new craft is multi-purpose and more supportive of the Commando Force. “Royal Marines Receive New Commando Raiding Craft”, Forces.net, February 14, 2024.

Paddy Mayne and the SAS. A member of the Special Air Service executed some of the most daring raids against enemy strongholds during World War II. (War History Online, 13 Feb 2024)

UKSF Blocks Afghans from Triples. Afghan fighters of CF 333 and ATF 444 have been stymied in their attempt to resettle in the UK under the Afghan Relocation and Assistance Policy (ARAP) scheme. Recent reports from multiple media sources (Express, Arab News, AOAV, Independent, Guardian) indicate that the roadblock may be because the applications did not receive approval from UK Special Forces. “Special Forces blocked UK resettlement applications from elite Afghan troops”, BBC, February 19, 2024.

SOF History

Burma. On February 24, 1944, Merrill’s Marauders began a campaign in northern Burma. The mission of the 5307th Composite Unit (provisional) was to disrupt Japanese supply and communications lines.

Corregidor. On February 16, 1945, members of the 503rd Parachute Regimental Combat Team (PRCT) dropped onto Corregidor in an effort to recapture the island from the Japanese.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Corregidor_(1945)

Desert Storm. On February 23, 1991, SOFDA 525 was inserted by helicopter at night and moved to a hide site to conduct a recon mission deep behind enemy lines in Iraq. On the next morning, the 24th, this 5th SFG(A) team would find itself fighting for survival against an overwhelming enemy force.
https://sof.news/history/sfoda-525/

MARSOC. On February 24, 2006, the Marine Corps Special Operations Command (MARSOC) was officially activated at Camp Lejeune, N.C.

Robin Moore. On February 21, 2008, Robin Moore, the author of The Green Berets, died. He attended the Special Forces Qualification Course and would later deploy to South Vietnam where he spent time with the 5th Special Forces Group.

Conflict in Israel and Gaza

Situation Update. The Israeli Defence Force (IDF) says that Hamas’ Khan Younis (map) Brigade is defeated. Next big target is Rafah. The humanitarian situation and civilian casualties are the foremost concern in the international community.

Civilian Casualties. Israel is taking a lot of heat over the number of civilian casualties suffered by Palestinians in Gaza. The numbers often quoted in news media usually comes from Hamas government sources – so the claims are unverifiable and likely inflated. John Spencer, Chairman of the Urban Warfare Studies Program at the Modern War Institute at West Point, argues that Israel has taken more steps to avoid harming civilians than any other military in history. Read more in “Urban warfare expert says Israeli military taking unprecedented steps to protect Gaza civilians”, by Ruth Marks Eglash, Fox News, February 17, 2024. (sign in required)

City of Rafah. One of the last remaining strongholds for Hamas fighters and a location where many Israeli and foreign hostages are held could be the next target of the Israeli Defence Force (IDF). Complicating an offensive in Rafah (map, NSI) is the fact that over a million Palestinians are sheltering in the city and surrounding areas after being displace from their homes. The international community is calling for an immediate ceasefire; but Hamas refuses to release the remaining hostages (over 100) and Israel won’t stop until Hamas is defeated and the hostages are released. There are reports that the IDF will begin an offensive in Rafah by the start of Ramadan (March 10?) if the remaining hostages are not released.

Hospital Raid by IDF. Israeli forces entered the Nassar Medical Complex in Khan Younis (map) in a “precise and limited” raid in attempt to recover the remains of hostages taken by Hamas. Thousands of displaced persons had taken refuge in the hospital. (Associated Press, 15 Feb 2024)

References:

• Map Gaza Strip (2005), and more maps of Gaza Strip, West Bank, and Israel.
• Israel-Hamas War: Insights from RAND

Ukraine Conflict

Fall of Avdiivka. After many months of fierce resistance by Ukrainian forces it appears that Ukraine has withdrawn from the small city of Avdiivka (Google Maps). Shortages of supplies, ammunition, artillery rounds, and manpower have contributed to the difficulties that Ukrainian forces have had in continuing to defend the city. Without the departure from the city, Ukrainian troops would have been cut off and encircled by Russian troops. The victory came at a high cost for Russia. (Business Insider, 18 Feb 2024) A detailed account of the Battle for Avdiivka can be read here on Wikipedia.

IG Report on Ukraine. The Special Inspector General report to the U.S. Congress was recently put online. It covers the period from October 1, 2023, to December 31, 2023. The publication has an executive summary, mission update, operational update, info on security assistance, diplomacy, development, and humanitarian assistance. “Operation Atlantic Resolve“, DoS, February 2024, PDF, 158 pages.

Brave Chopper Pilots Who Resupplied Mariupol. When Russia invaded Ukraine (SOF News) in February 2022, one of its principal targets was the coastal city of Mariupol on the Sea of Azov. However, the defenders held on for months despite overwhelming odds. The resistance by these fighters most likely stalled the Russian assault on Kiev and provided time for the Ukrainian defense forces to reconstitute and reorganize. The 36th Separate Marine Brigade and Azov Battalion fought a heroic defense of the city but were ultimately reduced to defending a small, four-mile in area industrial complex located on the shore of the Sea of Azov. Resupply of ammunition and the evacuation of wounded was difficult as the city was surrounded. But a handful of brave helicopter pilots provided a lifeline that prolonged the resistance in Mariupol. “The Untold Story of the Ukrainian Helicopter Rescue Missions During the Mariupol Siege”, Time, February 15, 2024.

Frontline Evacuation. Read a story of how medics tend to patients picked up from the trenches and the journey to a hospital – the race to save a life. “The quiet intimacy of a desperate frontline evacuation”, The Counteroffensive, February 15, 2024.

More News Snippets. A Russian helicopter pilot who defected to Ukraine with his Mi8 aircraft (for $1 million?) has been confirmed dead (Kyiv Post Twitter) in Spain by the Ukrainian Main Intelligence Directorate (HUR). He was shot multiple times and then run over by a vehicle in what appears to be an assassination. The U.S. Defense Department says that without U.S. funding, Ukraine’s defense will likely collapse. (DOD, 16 Feb 2024)

Battle of Irpin River. In the early days of the war, late February 2022, Russia forces were stopped short of Kyiv. One of the key factors was stopping the Russian advance on the capital from the north and northwest. Read more about this in “The Battle of Irpin River”, The British Army Review, Spring 2024, 54 pages.

Reality Check. Martin Stanton, a retired Army officer, provides his appraisal of the likely outcome of the Ukraine conflict – a negotiated peace. “The Ukraine War at Two: Time for Some Reality”, Small Wars Journal, February 14, 2024. See also “Does the West’s Ukraine policy need a reality check?”, Brookings Institute, February 15, 2024. And there is this as well “A Frozen War in Ukraine Would Be a Victory for Russia”, by Paul Poast, World Politics Review, February 16, 2024.

• References:
• Interactive Map. Russia’s Invasion of Ukraine by the Insitute for the Study of War and Critical Threats. On storymaps.arcgis.com See also https://www.national-security.info/ukraine/maps.html
• U.S. Security Assistance to Ukraine, Congressional Research Service, CRSIF12040, periodically updated, PDF, 3 pages. https://crsreports.congress.gov/product/pdf/IF/IF12040
• Ukraine Conflict, National Security Info. https://www.national-security.info/ukraine-conflict.html

Commentary and Reports

Air Power and IW. The Irregular Warfare Initiative has a new program called Project Air Power that will explore and advocate for the totality of air, aviation, and space power in the unconventional, hybrid, and gray-zone environments. The director is a retired USAF Air Commando, Richard D. Newton, PhD. Read more in “Air and Space Power in the Gray Zone”, Irregular Warfare Initiative, February 2, 2024.

IW Masters. Sal Artiaga provides details the strategic thoughts and successes of Mao Zedong, T.E. Lawrence, Michael Collins, and Vo Nguyen Giap. “The Legacy of Irregular Warfare Masters”, Irregular Warfare Center, January 31, 2024.

Report – The Conceptualization of Irregular Warfare in the Indo-Pacific Region, by Dr. Sandor Fabian and Gabrielle Kennedy, Irregular Warfare Center, February 13, 2024, PDF, 21 pages. Abstract or PDF.

National Security

Report – FARA Program Cancelled? The U.S. Army is seeking to cancel the Future Attack Reconnaissance Aircraft program in its FY2025 budget request. The program is part of an effort to improve existing rotorcraft and replace the AH-64 Apache and OH-58 Kiowa helicopters. Read more in Army Future Attack Reconnaissance Aircraft (FARA) Program Proposed Cancellation: Background and Issues for Congress, Congressional Research Service, CRS IF12592, February 16, 2024, PDF, 3 pages.
https://crsreports.congress.gov/product/pdf/IF/IF12592

Dropping Munitions from Drones. The increased drone activity in the Middle East and Ukraine is changing up modern warfare. The U.S. Army is trying to stay up with the times. “The 82nd Airborne is dropping munitions from drones”, Task & Purpose, February 15, 2024.

Conexs, Pallets, and Rucksacks. Anyone who has deployed has taking part in loading a Conex, pallet, and personal gear into rucksacks, duffel bags, kit bags, and team boxes. One of the never-ending questions is what to pack and what to leave in the supply room. The Army has come around to the idea that ‘leaner is better’ and more efficient. “Lighten the load: The Army’s plan to save time by shedding excess gear”, Army Times, February 13, 2024.

Border Security. The Texas government is looking at opening a base along the Rio Grande River at some point in the future. This 80-acre base camp for National Guard troops could house as many as 2,300 troops and will provide improved living conditions for those maintaining border security. (Task & Purpose, 17 Feb 2024)

SECDEF Out of Hospital. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin was released from Walter Reed National Military Hospital Medical Center on Tuesday, February 13, 2024. He was held for two nights for “supportive care and close monitoring” in the critical care unit of the Hospital. “Austin Released From Hospital Today”, DOD News, February 13, 2024. DOD announced that he returned to work at the Pentagon on Thursday, February 15, 2024.

Strategic Competition

China and IW. Sal Artiaga writes about the contrasting approaches of two world powers – China and the United States – towards irregular warfare. He says that the U.S. is playing Chess while China is playing Go. “Contrasting Chinese and American Approaches to Irregular Warfare”, Irregular Warfare Center, February 12, 2024.

China’s Gray Zone Operations. “The latest wave of gray zone operations initiated by Beijing will heighten tension in the region and increase other countries’ concerns about China’s aggressive posture. Gray-zone operations involve using irregular tactics without resorting to open combat.” “Analysts: China Challenges Taiwan’s Sovereignty Through Gray Zone Operations”, by William Yang, Voice of America, February 19, 2024.

U.S. Engagement in SE Asia. Derek Grossman, a senior defense analyst at RAND, takes a hard look at the limited success that the Biden administration has had in countering the influence of China in southeast Asia. With some countries – Philippines, Singapore, Vietnam, and Indonesia – there have been some achievements. But other countries like Laos and Cambodia seem to be neglected. “The Good and the Bad for Biden in Southeast Asia”, RAND Blog, February 8, 2024.

Russia’s New Space Capability. The U.S. security establishment and politicians in D.C. a buzzing about a new space weapon (Associated Press, 15 Feb 2024) that may be part of Russia’s arsenal in the future; many characterizing it as a “serious national security threat”. At risk could be GPS and communications networks that depend on satellites. The 1967 Outer Space Treaty (Arms Control Association) prohibits the deployment of nuclear weapons in space. The White House has publicly confirmed that Russia has an anti-satellite capability that is not yet operational.

Death of Navalny. A well-known dissident and Putin critic, Alexei Navalny (age 47), is reported to have died on while in a Russian penal colony in the Arctic region of Siberia. He had survived two poisonings – with Russian intelligence agents as the suspected perpetrators. He was imprisoned in 2021. Even while imprisoned he continued his criticism of Putin to include the Russian invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. “Alexey Navalny dead in a Russian penal colony, prison service says”, CBS News, February 16, 2024. See also commentary by Ambassador Daniel Fried in “Navalny’s Death and the Kremlin”, Just Security, February 16, 2024.

Afghanistan

UN Meeting on Afghanistan in Doha. On February 18-19, United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres will convene a meeting on Afghanistan in Doha to discuss the ongoing humanitarian and human rights crises and the recent report on a way forward by U.N. Special Coordinator for Afghanistan Feridun Sinirlioğlu. A host of representatives from various international organizations and U.N. member states will attend. Read some news reports about the conference.

• “What to Expect from the Doha Conference on Afghanistan”, by Kate Bateman and Andrew Watkins, United States Institute of Peace, February 15, 2024.
• “The UN Doha Meeting: Sustain Aid and Confront Unyielding Taliban Rule”, by Nader Nadery, Asia Dispatches, Wilson Center, February 15, 2024.
• “The Contest for a Special Envoy: Will the meeting in Doha yield a shift in the world’s engagement with the Emirate?”, by Roxanna Shapour, Afghanistan Analysts Network (AAN), February 17, 2024.

SOF News Book Shop

View our selection of books about special operations forces at the SOF News Book Shop.

Middle East

U.S. Strike Kills Afghans in Middle East. Afghan refugees who joined the Fatemiyoun Brigade have died in strikes by the United States in Syria. The Afghans join the expeditionary unit to escape crushing poverty and to battle for Shiite Islam. The brigade is estimated to be about 20,000 strong and operates under the command of Iran’s Quds Forces. “U.S. Strike Killed Afghans Recruited to Fight for Iran”, The New York Times, February 19, 2024. (subscription)

Report – Iraq: Attacks and U.S. Strikes Reopen Discussion of U.S. Military Presence, Congressional Research Service, CRS IN12309, updated February 16, 2024, PDF, 4 pages. https://crsreports.congress.gov/product/pdf/IN/IN12309

IG Report on Operation Inherent Resolve. The US Department of State’s Office of Inspector General has published its quarterly report to Congress for Operation Inherent Resolve. The publication, posted online in February 2024 is 114 pages long (PDF). Major sections cover the security situation, mission update, activities of CJTF-OIR, CSOJTF-L, ISIS, talks on transitioning the U.S. presence in Iraq, the “new operating paradigm”, U.S. policy goals, IG oversight activities, and the security partners in the region (Iraqi, Kurdish, and Syrian) to include the Iraqi Counterterrorism Service (CTS) which is advised by the Special Operations Advisory Group. Russia and Turkey get a mention as well.

Yemen. The situation in the seas around Yemen has not improved. There are unconfirmed news reports that the Houthis have shot down a MQ-9 Reaper. In addition, the Houthis are using unmanned underwater vessels (UUV) (USNI News, 19 Feb 2024) and unmanned surface vessels (USV). On February 18, 2024, an anti-ship ballistic missile struck a UK-owned bulk carrier. The crew was evacuated and transported to a nearby port. Some news reports say the Houthis are now using underwater drones.

Podcasts and Videos

Podcast – Analyzing Emerging IW Trends. LTG (ret) David Barno and Dr. Nora Bensahel analyze the emerging trends in the character of Irregular Warfare as seen in the ongoing conflicts in both Ukraine and Gaza. The Trident, U.S. Naval College, February 15, 2024, 1 hour. https://digital-commons.usnwc.edu/the-trident/2/

Podcast – Three Missions in Panjwai District. A Special Forces NCO tells of his time in a dangerous district in southern Afghanistan that was littered with IEDs. Ryan Hendrickson shares his stories on The Spear Podcast, Modern War Institute at West Point, February 14, 2024.

Podcast – Flashpoints in the US-China Relationship. This podcast is focused on the book entitled Facing China: The Prospect for War and Peace, which examines various flashpoints in the Indo-Pacific that could result in military conflict. Bonnie Glaser and Jean-Pierre Cabestan are featured in this 22-minute episode presented by the German Marshall Fund. (20 Feb 2024)

Video – 5th SFG(A) Tactical Skills Assessment. Soldiers from across all battalions of 5th Special Forces Group (Airborne) teamed up and conducted a three-day tactical skills assessment Jan. 31 – Feb. 1, 2024, at Fort Campbell, Kentucky. The assessment included day and night marksmanship, stress shoots, tactical combat casualty care, timed rucks, and land navigation. (U.S. Army video by Staff Sgt. Gregory T. Summers, 5th SFG(A) Public Affairs) (DVIDS, 7 Feb 2024, 1 minute)

Upcoming Events

February 27-29, 2024
Special Air Warfare Symposium – Global SOF
Fort Walton Beach, FL

March 11-13, 2024
Irregular Warfare COI Symposium
Mclean, Virginia

April 12-14, 2024
Best Ranger Competition

April 24-25, 2024
12th Border Security & Intelligence Summit
Defense Strategies

May 6-10, 2024
SOF Week – Global SOF
Tampa, FL

June 24-25, 2024
CIWAG Maritime Symposium – Newport, R.I.
Center on Irregular Warfare and Armed Groups

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

Photo / Image: A 31st Rescue Squadron pararescueman jumps out of an MC-130J Commando II assigned to the 353rd Special Operations Wing over Okinawa, Japan, Jan. 19, 2024. Pararescuemen are trained, equipped and postured to conduct full spectrum personnel recovery operations in both peacetime and combat environments. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Tylir Meyer)

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SOF News

Report – U.S. Special Operations Forces (SOF): Background and Considerations for Congress, Congressional Research Service, CRS RS21048, updated February 9, 2024, PDF, 13 pages. Considerations for Congress include Army Special Forces recruiting and possible force structure reductions and Air Force Special Operations Power Projection Wings and future unit relocations. https://crsreports.congress.gov/product/pdf/RS/RS21048

New Ruck for Airborne Commo Soldiers. The U.S. Army Airborne Test Force (ATF) located at Yuma Test Center, Yuma Proving Ground, recently tested the Army’s newest Radio Carrier Rucksack (RCR) solution. The RCR was developed and produced by the Natick Soldier Systems Center in Massachusetts. It was tested in combat-realistic scenarios to see if the RCRs could be used in parachute operations without damage to radios or the ruck. “Airborne Test Force tests field radio ruck to survive airborne combat missions”, by Ana Henderson, U.S. Army Yuma Proving Ground, DVIDS, February 8, 2024.

SOCOM Seeking Kamikaze Drones. The United States Special Operations Command is on the lookout for a loitering munitions capability that can be launched from AC-130J Ghostrider gunships, MQ-9 Reader drones, MH-60 helicopter and other platforms. “SOCOM gearing up to assess air-launched kamikaze drones”, Defensescoop, February 8, 2024.

SOF and Lessons Learned. The commander of USSOCOM, General Bryan Fenton, recently spoke with reporters during a Defense Writers Group event on February 9th. He provided some insight on how USSOCOM is learning from current conflicts. “U.S. Special Operators ‘Gobbling Up’ Lessons Learned in Ukraine, Gaza”, National Defense Magazine, February 9, 2024.

Floating Navy SEAL Base. The USS Lewis B. Puller is an expeditionary sea base (Business Insider, 5 Feb 2024) stationed in the Arabian Sea. it is used as a launching pad for Naval Special Warfare units and missions as well as a wide variety of military operations. The two SEALs lost in the VBSS mission on a dhow off the coast of Somalia were launched in a small boat from the Puller.

Army SOF to Transfer to Baumholder. U.S. special operations troops based in Stuttgart are expected to take up residence at a rural base in southwestern Germany in 2026, adding 1,000 people to a garrison once on the Pentagon’s chopping block. Special Operations Command Europe (SOCEUR) is expected to remain in Stuttgart. “Transfer of Army special operators to Baumholder on track for 2026”, Stars and Stripes, February 6, 2024.

Blacksmith Publishing is a media partner of SOF News. They are a book publishing firm, sell ‘Pinelander Swag’, have a weekly podcast called The Pinelander.

Cuts to PSYOP Units. Key psychological operations capabilities may soon be cut from the U.S. Army in an effort to trim USASOC force structure. “US may cut info-warfare assets as China, Russia expand influence ops”, Defense One, February 8, 2024.

U.S. Psychological Warfare Capability in Decline. Cole Livieratos and Ken Gleiman, two former Army officers, outline the long history of PYSOP and the proposed cut to United States Army Special Operations Command (USASOC) force structure that will gut the U.S. military’s ability to understand and influence the modern battlefield. “Special Operations Force Structure: Strategic Calculus or Organizational Power?”, War on the Rocks, February 6, 2024.

10th SFG(A) and VirTra Training. The VirTra simulator is a program featuring technology that can present different scenarios to its users which helps sharpen shooting skills. The different scenario options that VirTra features include active threat, hostage situation, threat recognition and high-risk entry. Through these scenarios, the VirTra simulator is actively analyzing the decisions that its users make and then adjusting what happens in the program based on those decisions. “VirTra Reality Simulator Training”, DVIDS, February 2, 2024.

10th SFG(A) Soldiers and Mountain Climbing. The NCOIC of the Special Operations Mountain Training Warfare Training Center is no stranger to high mountains and cold weather. “Summit or Survival: A Green Beret’s Odyssey From Everest to Denali”, Global Rescue, February 7, 2024.

Jacobs Loses Big SOCOM Contract. Jacobs lost out on a contract worth $2.8 billion for the Special Operations Forces IT Enterprise Contract (SITEC). (Washington Technology, 7 Feb 2024)

C-27 Spartan. One of the Army’s biggest aircraft is flown by the USASOC Flight Company located at Fort Liberty, North Carolina (FBNC). (The Aviationist, 7 Feb 2024)

SEALs in Exercise Dragon Trident. East Coast-based Naval Special Warfare Operators recently took part in an exercise that saw them infiltrating a fixed defensive position located in Nevada. (DVIDS, 9 Feb 2024)

International SOF

Ukrainian SOF. Ukraine says its special forces blew up a Black Sea mining platform in the night to throw off Russian drone operations. The SOF unit approached the platform in small boats, searched the facility, and then blew it up. (Business Insider, 6 Feb 2024)

Training UKRSOF. United States Special Operations Forces began training the Ukrainian Special Operations Forces in 2015. Much of that initial training instruction emphasized a comprehensive irregular warfare skillset over the formerly adopted Spetsnaz approach. Currently Task Group – Ukraine (TG-U), part of the much larger Combined Joint Special Operations Task Force 10 (CJSOTF-1), is responsible for training, equipping, and advising UKRSOF. The CJSOTF collaborates with the Security Assistance Group – Ukraine (SAG-U). “The Key to Ukrainian Victory is Partnering (not Ukrainifying)”, Irregular Warfare Initiative, February 6, 2024.

NATO SOF. On February 8, 2024, the NATO Military Committee visited Allied Special Operations Forces Command in Belgium. The committee members received briefings on SOFCOM and the role of Allied and Partner SOF contributions to collective defense. (NATO, 9 Feb 2024)

Conflict in Israel and Gaza

Situation Update. The conflict in Gaza Strip continues. Israeli actions are now focused on southern Gaza with operations underway in Khan Younis and future operations to be conducted in Rafa (The Hill, 9 Feb 2024) close to the Egyptian border. Most of the population of Gaza has been displaced with as many as 1.4 million in Rafa city. Rafa remains one of the last holdout areas of Hamas – an estimate of four battalions, intermixed with the refugees and city population. Attempts of a negotiated settlement have been unsuccessful. “Palestinians brace for Rafah assault as Israel promises evacuation plan”, Reuters, February 10, 2024.

Hostages. Hama still has over 130 hostages seized during the October 7th terrorist attacks in Israel. It is estimated that about 1/5 of hostages taken by Hamas are now dead. Two hostages, ages 60 and 70, were rescued by Israeli commandos on Sunday, February 11, 2024. They were held in Rafah; the IDF conducted air strikes in Rafah as a diversion.

King of Jordan in Airdrop Over Gaza. A video showed King Abdullah in military gear on board a plane in the latest mission by the Jordanian Air Force to drop urgent medical supplies to field hospitals it runs in Gaza. Thus far, Jordan has conducted 11 air drops. “Jordan’s King Abdullah participates in Gaza aid drop”, The Jerusalem Post, February 11, 2024.

• References:
• Map Gaza Strip (2005), and more maps of Gaza Strip, West Bank, and Israel.
• Israel-Hamas War: Insights from RAND

Ukraine Conflict

Ten Year Anniversary of Ukraine War. In February 2014, Russia seized Crimea. Some nations conflate conventional warfare with war. However, irregular warfare – such as the taking of Crimea from Ukraine with “little green men” – is not recognized as warfare. Andrew Maher outlines four important lessons that can be drawn from the Ukraine conflict. “The anniversary of war in Ukraine – 10 years, not two years”, The Strategist, Australian Strategic Policy Institute, February 7, 2024.

New Ukraine Military Leader. The popular general leading the armed forces of Ukraine has been relieved by President Zelensky. The president says he is looking for a different approach to mobilization, recruitment, and frontline management. The new Commander-in-Chief is General Oleksandr Syrskyi – the commander of Ukraine’s Ground Forces since 2019. “Ukraine’s new military chief focused on high-tech, command and control”, C4ISRNET, February 9, 2024.

Unmanned Systems Force. Drones have proven very effective for the Ukrainian military both on land and at sea. The security situation on the Black Sea has been improved for the Ukrainians because of airborne and seaborne drones equipped with explosives. As a result of the effectiveness of drones Ukraine has established a separate command for the use of UAVs.

Report – Russia’s Black Sea Fleet. Igor Delanoe has provided a report on the performance and current status of the Black Sea Fleet. He describes how it has moved from the offense to an active defense. The Russian vessels have begun operating at a greater distance from the Ukrainian coasts. The Russians have learned some lessons from the current conflict and will likely be incorporating them into future naval operations – both in the Black Sea and around the globe. Foreign Policy Research Institute, February 2024, PDF, 22 pages.

Report – The Kremlin’s Occupation Playbook. This publication describes the coerced Russification and ethnic cleansing taking place in occupied Ukraine. Institute for the Study of War, February 2024, PDF, 29 pages.

Report – Evolution Not Revolution: Drone Warfare in Russia’s 2022 Invasion of Ukraine. Stacie Pettyjohn has published a detailed report on how drones have transformed the battlefield in the war in Ukraine. Center of a New American Security (CNAS), February 8, 2024, PDF, 67 pages.

Interactive Map. Russia’s Invasion of Ukraine by the Insitute for the Study of War and Critical Threats.
On storymaps.arcgis.com

National Security

Yemen Strikes. The United States has continued its campaign against Houthi missile sites and naval attack drones in recent days. In the past week U.S. forces have destroyed 29 missiles in Yemen and 10 drone ships.

SECDEF Back in Hospital. On Sunday, February 11, 2024, the Pentagon Press Secretary announced that Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin was transported to Walter Reed National Military Medical Center to be seen for a developing health issue. Austin has transferred the functions and duties of the SECDEF office to Deputy Secretary of Defense Kathleen Hicks. The CJCS, White House, and Congress has been notified. The press release didn’t specify if it was a day visit or overnight stay. (DOD, 11 Feb 2024)

Border Security Bill, Dead on Arrival. The Senate worked for four months to come up with a compromise bill that would provide aid to Ukraine, Israel, humanitarian assistance to Gaza, and also improve border security and improve the immigration process. However, it died a quick death. Now Congress is looking to put together an aid bill for Ukraine and Israel that both political parties and both chambers of Congress can agree on. At the same time, there is a bipartisan push to include an amendment (formerly called the Afghan Adjustment Act) that would assist the many Afghans who arrived in the U.S. after Afghanistan fell to the Taliban in August 2021 as well as certain categories of Afghan military personnel. If included, the language would provide the possibility to apply for Special Immigrant Visa status for former members of the Afghan National Army Special Operations Command (ANASOC), the Afghan Air Force (AAF), and the Special Mission Wing (SMW).

Growing Importance of PMCs. The influence of private military organizations like Blackwater and Wagner Grup is set to increase in the coming decades. Read about the long history and coming future of mercenary groups. “The Future of Private Military Companies”, by Federica Saini Fasanotti, GIS Reports, February 6, 2024.

Report – U.S.-China Strategic Competition in South and East China Seas, Congressional Research Service, CRS R42784, updated February 5, 2024, PDF, 142 pages. https://crsreports.congress.gov/product/pdf/R/R42784

Report – Hypersonic Weapons: Background and Issues for Congress, Congressional Research Service, CRS R45811, updated February 9, 2024, PDF, 36 pages. https://crsreports.congress.gov/product/pdf/R/R45811

Report – Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO), Congressional Research Service, CRS IF10613, updated February 8, 2024, PDF, 3 pages. The CRS has published a paper that describes what the FTO list is, the designation criteria, and who is on the list. https://crsreports.congress.gov/product/pdf/IF/IF10613

Podcasts and Videos

Podcast – Stay Behind Operations. Brian Petit (retired SF officer) and Marta Kepe (RAND Corporation) are the guests for this podcast episode that contrasts conventional conflict with resistance warfare. They discuss how small states can impose outsized costs on occupying powers by operating behind enemy lines. Irregular Warfare Podcast, February 9, 2024, 46 minutes. https://irregularwarfare.org/podcasts/stay-behind-operations/

Video – What is Irregular Warfare? The Joint Special Operations University describes the nature of IW. February 8, 2024, YouTube, February 8, 2024, 4 minutes. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zt7LtwQ-WRg

SOF News Book Shop

View our selection of books about special operations forces at the SOF News Book Shop.

Upcoming Events

February 27-29, 2024
Special Air Warfare Symposium – Global SOF
Fort Walton Beach, FL

April 12-14, 2024
Best Ranger Competition

April 24-25, 2024
12th Border Security & Intelligence Summit
Defense Strategies

Colonel (Ret) Roger H.C. Donlon passed away on Thursday, January 25, 2024, at the age of 89. He first enlisted in the Air Force and then served in the Army. Much of his military service was with Special Forces. During the Vietnam War he deployed with an A-team of the 7th Special Forces Group (Airborne); during which he was awarded the Medal of Honor.

Donlon graduated from high school in 1952 and enlisted in the U.S. military. He attended the U.S. Military Academy Preparatory School and qualified in 1955 to attend the U.S. Military Academy at West Point. However, after attending West Point for two years he left to earn his commission through the Officer Candidate School (OCS) in 1959. In 1963 he joined Special Forces. He served for more than 30 years as an Infantry, Special Forces, and Foreign Area Specialist.

On July 6, 1964, his Special Forces detachment (A-726) was attacked by a force of an estimated 900 enemy troops in the early morning hours. The SF team, along with 60 Chinese Nungs and a few hundred South Vietnamese irregulars, defended Camp Nam Dong, South Vietnam. The camp was near the border of Laos. During the battle Captain Donlon repeatedly exposed himself to heavy enemy fire – defending against the enemy, moving ammunition and weaponry, aiding the wounded, and rallying his men. He was wounded several times during the fight.

For his actions that day he was awarded the Medal of Honor. His was the first MoH award for the Vietnam War. On April 10, 2008, he was inducted (swcs.mil, PDF) into the Special Forces Regiment as a Distinguished Member.

In addition to the Medal of Honor, he was awarded the Legion of Merit, the Bronze Star Medal, Purple Heart, Vietnam Cross of Gallantry, CIB, and the Parachutist Badge. He attended the Special Warfare Course, Command and General Staff College, and the Army War College.

****

References:

Congressional Medal of Honor Society
Press Release, January 25, 2024

Congressional Medal of Honor Society – Roger H.C. Donlon
https://www.cmohs.org/recipients/roger-h-donlon

Roger Dolan – National Medal of Honor Museum
https://mohmuseum.org/medal_of_honor/roger-donlon/

CPT Roger H. C. Donlon -ARSOF History
https://arsof-history.org/medal_of_honor/recipient_donlon.html

Special Forces Taps
Obituary

Roger Donlon – Wikipedia
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roger_Donlon

Battle of Nam Dong – Wikipedia
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Nam_Dong

“Outnumbered Green Berets Defend Camp Nam Dong”, Military Heritage, Volume 22, No. 3, Fall 2020. https://warfarehistorynetwork.com/article/outnumbered-green-berets-defend-camp-nam-dong/

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

Photo / Image: A CV-22 Osprey assigned to the 21st Special Operations Squadron, sits on the flightline during a snow fall March 29, 2020, at Yokota Air Base, Japan. (U.S. Air Force photo by Yasuo Osakabe)

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SOF News

Recovery of CV-22B Crew. The U.S. Air Force Special Operations Command reports that six bodies have been located by divers from the eight-man crew of the Osprey that crashed into waters off Japan. As of Tuesday, the remains of three of the Airmen have been recovered. The status of all the Airmen has been changed from DUSTWUN to deceased and the names have been released to the public. “AFSOC Aircraft Mishap Releases”, AFSOC, December 10, 2023. The Department of Defense has grounded all CV-22 Osprey variants of the Air Force, Navy, Marine Corps. (DoD, Dec 7, 2023) The Air Force Special Operations Command (AFSOC) is leading the investigation into the Osprey mishap. The crash is likely due to a problem with the aircraft, not crew error.

Votel Joins AeroVironment. General Joseph L. Votel has joined the Board of Directors of AreoVironment. Votel is a former commander of Joint Special Operations Command (JSOC), U.S. Special Operations Command (USSOCOM), and Central Command (CENTCOM). AreoVironment provides technology solutions at the intersection of robotics, sensors, software analytics and connectivity that deliver more actionable intelligence so you can proceed with certainty. Headquartered in Virginia, AeroVironment is a global leader in intelligent, multi-domain robotic systems and serves defense, government and commercial customers.

SEALs and India’s MARCOS Training. A U.S. Navy SEAL Team conducted a joint training exchange with the Indian Marine Commando Force (MARCOS) from Oct. 20 to Nov. 11, 2023. The combined tactical training, which built upon the partner nation’s collective maritime capabilities and long-standing partnership, included a focus on maritime interdiction operations, close quarters combat training, tactical combat casualty care and casualty evacuation procedures. “Indian MARCOS, U.S. Navy SEALs Conduct Joint Training Exchange”, DVIDS, December 5, 2023.

SEALs and Delta in South America. George Hand, a retired Green Beret writes about the time his team of Delta ‘lads’ joined some Navy SEALs to do some riverine training ‘in the jungles ‘down south’. “Navy SEALs and Delta Force Commandos Living Together in the Jungles of South America”, SANDBOXX, December 6, 2023.

26th MEU (SOC) in the Med. The Marines and Sailors with the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable), embarked on the USS Mesa Verde (LPD 19), participated in an integrated Greek Bi-Lateral Exercise with the 32nd Hellenic Marine Brigade, Mediterranean Sea, Dec. 1-3, 2023. (Navy, Dec 7, 2023)

SOCAFRICA’s Silent Warrior 23. Military and government leaders from the across the globe came together for Silent Warrior 23, Dec. 4 – 7, 2023 in Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Germany. The multi-day conference, hosted by Special Operations Command Africa, aimed to facilitate forums for senior military leaders to discuss shared concerns and identify collaborative solutions to the strategic, operational, and tactical issues in Africa. “SOCAFRICA’s Silent Warrior 23”, SOF News, December 9, 2023.

SOF and Voice Analyzer. US Special Forces utilize many technologies to go after the enemies of this country. One such technology is the Computer Voice Stress Analyzer (CVSA), a system that is manufactured by NITV Federal Services, located in West Palm Beach, Florida. Read a scenario where the CVSA is useful in spotting security violations by partner forces. “US Special Forces Use the Computer Voice Stress Analyzer (CVSA) in Combat Zones”, PR Newswire, December 5, 2023.

International SOF

UK’s SF. Javier Sutil Toledano provides a detailed description of the UK’s special forces: history, purpose, organization, units, and notable operations. “UKSF: the United Kingdom Special Forces”, Grey Dynamics, December 8, 2023.

Omega PMC. Ukraine is the home of the Omega Consulting Group – a private military corporation that is playing a growing role within the privatized military sector. Since 2011, Omega has assisted companies, organizations, and governments by supporting and developing their projects in sensitive areas. Their operations throughout Africa, the Middle East, and Europe have benefitted clients in wide-ranging industries and foreign and Ukrainian governments. “Omega Consulting Group: Omega PMC”, by George Englehart, Grey Dynamics, December 9, 2023.

Elite Afghan Troops at Risk. About 200 members of Afghan special forces, trained and funded by the UK, face imminent deportation to their Taliban-controlled homeland. Some were members of Commando Force 333, set up by the UK to counter Afghanistan’s growing problems with opium production. “Elite Afghan troops face return to Taliban after UK ‘betrayal'”, BBC News, December 10, 2023.

Just Cause. On December 20, 1989, the entire 75th Ranger Regiment participated in Operation Just Cause (Panama). Parachute assaults were conducted onto Torrijos/Tocumen International Airport, Rio Hato Airfield and other locations to neutralize Panamanian Defense Forces.

The Coast Watchers. Unsung heroes of Australia’s intelligence network reported on naval activity in the Pacific Islands and along Australia’s coastline during the Imperial Japanese advance and occupations. Learn more in “Australia’s Secret Army”, Cove Talk, December 5, 2023.

Conflict in Israel and Gaza

Southern Gaza Now a Battleground. Israeli Defense Force (IDF) launched their attack on the main city in the southern Gaza Strip last week. It was the biggest assault since the collapse of the truce. The IDF advanced in a westerly direction and entered the city of Khan Younis. Many of the Hamas military and political leadership fled north Gaza for the city. This referred to as the second phase of the offensive. Since the truce collapsed, Israel has been posting an online map to tell Gazans which parts of the enclave to evacuate and has specified that the Salah ah Din Road that runs north-south is the designated humanitarian corridor. Hamas had constructed a massive system of underground tunnels in Gaza and the West Bank (FDD, Dec 6, 2023) that shield supplies, weapons, and fighters from Israeli attacks. The Israelis are responding by pumping seawater into the tunnels to render them unusable and to push fighters from underground refuge. Hamas continues to launch rockets into Israel and has stated that it has the intent of repeating October 7th again and again in the future.

Hostages. There are about 130 hostages held by the Hamas terrorists still in Gaza – negotiations for their release have stalled. The U.S. Justice Department is investigating (AP News, Dec 6, 2023) the deaths of 30 Americans and kidnappings of about 13 Americans in the October 7th Hamas terrorist attack.

Civilian Casualties. As with many conflicts . . . civilian casualties in Gaza are numerous. This is especially true due to the nature of urban combat and with limited safe places for civilians to evacuate to for safety. The October 7th Hamas terrorist attack killed over 1,200 people, most of them civilians. In addition, thousands of Palestinians have been killed – the majority of them civilians. This is compounded with the tactics used by Hamas – hiding amongst the civilian population and using them as shields. Lt. General Mark Schwartz (Ret.) is interviewed by CNN’s Jake Tapper on the topic. (CNN, Dec 6, 2023) Schwartz’s last assignment in the military was as the United States Security Coordinator for Israel and the Palestinian Authority. He led a multinational and interagency team responsible for U.S. security policy in developing the Palestinian Authority Security Forces. He served as the United States Executive Branch and Department of State, personal representative to the Palestinian Authority. Schwartz spent most of his career in Special Forces.

Humanitarian Crisis. Much of the population of north Gaza has fled to the south, about 1.7 million people have been displaced from their homes. Now they are in peril due to the current fighting between Palestinian militants and Israeli forces in southern Gaza. Living conditions for the internally displaced Palestinians is dire – communication outages, disease, shortages of food, water, fuel, and medical services are prevalent. Some aid is coming across the border from Egypt . . . but not enough. A recent article explores the options for the IDPs in Gaza – none of them good. “Displaced in Gaza: The Least-Bad Option”, The RAND Blog, December 4, 2023.

Refuge in Egypt – Foreign Nationals? Yes. Palestinians? No. Wounded civilians and foreign or dual nationals are permitted to cross the border crossing from Gaza to Egypt. The Egyptians are not allowing refugees to enter Egypt. Israel would love to see the 2 million plus Palestinians of the Gaza Strip, many now displaced, flow into refugee camps in Egypt supported by the international community. Egypt and other Arab nations? No so much.

Report – USAID and Gaza. The U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) has published a brief on the over $7.6 billion in assistance to Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza since 1993. West Bank and Gaza Aid, GAO-24-106243, December 7, 2023, PDF, 49 pages. https://www.gao.gov/products/gao-24-106243

University Presidents Under Fire. The Presidents of Harvard University, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and University of Pennsylvania testified before Congress on Tuesday, December 6, 2023, where they provided ”inadequate responses” about whether calls for the genocide of Jewish people would violate university policies. The president of Harvard has issued an apology (The Harvard Crimson) and the president of one of the other universities has resigned in the aftermath of the testimony. (CNN)

And The Future? The Israel Defense Forces’ (IDF) Gaza campaign lacks a critical component, betraying a major strategic flaw: the absence of a plan to provide security, sufficient aid, and critical services to a largely displaced and vulnerable Palestinian population. Jonathan Lord of the Center for a New American Security argues that for both Israel’s security and the safety of the Palestinian people, the US needs to step up and organize a multi-national security force in Gaza. “The case for an immediate, US-led stabilization mission in Gaza”, Breaking Defense, December 4, 2023.

References: Map Gaza Strip (2005), and more maps of Gaza Strip, West Bank, and Israel.

Ukraine Conflict

U.S. Funding for Ukraine. The United States will soon run out of money and equipment to send to Ukraine by the end of the year if Congress does not approve additional aid. Many Republicans are against providing the money in a supplemental budget request – they don’t see the conflict as a fight we should be involved with. Some Republicans are tying financial support to Ukraine with fixing the serious security concerns associated with the U.S. southern border and meaningful immigration reform. Republicans argue that the laws need to be changed; saying that currently anyone who shows up in the United States legally or illegally to claim asylum are allowed to stay in the country while their cases are adjudicated by a system that is backlogged and overwhelmed. “Republican senators urge Biden to step in after Schumer vote fails over border dispute“, Washington Examiner, December 7, 2023. The latest security assistance package was provided to Ukraine on December 6, 2023. (DoD, Dec 6, 2023) The U.S. has provided more than $44.8 billion in security assistance to Ukraine since the beginning of Russia’s invasion on February 24, 2022. (DoD Fact Sheet, Dec 6, 2023)

Russian Women Want Their Men Back. A growing movement of Russian women is demanding the return from the front of their husbands, sons and brothers who were mobilized after a decree by President Vladimir Putin in September last year. “In Russia, some women demand return of their men from Ukraine front”, Reuters, December 5, 2023.

Interactive Map. Russia’s Invasion of Ukraine by the Insitute for the Study of War and Critical Threats.
On storymaps.arcgis.com

National Security

NDAA. A final version of the National Defense Authorization Act (House version, congress.gov) has been agreed upon by House and Senate conferees. Both chambers of Congress will vote on the bill this week and send to the President for signing. Read more here in a statement by the U.S. Senate Committee on Armed Services (Dec 7, 2023).

WH War Powers Report. The White House has sent a letter to Congress with information about the deployments around the world of U.S. Armed Forces conducting counterterrorism missions.

Border Security. Arrivals of migrants in Mexico range from foreign born entrepreneurs to those who never intended to make Mexico their final destination – looking to move further north. “A New Wave of Migration is Changing Mexico”, America’s Quarterly, December 7, 2023.

Special Collection Service. The United States Special Collection Service (SCS), codenamed F6, is a joint NSA-CIA program that is referred to as the “mission impossible force.” The SCS’s existence is denied by the U.S. government, but its activities and capabilities have been revealed over the years. “Special Collection Service: America’s Mission Impossible Force”, by George Englehart, Grey Dynamics, December 10, 2023.

Space Force Now in Europe. U.S. European Command, U.S. Africa Command and U.S. Space Force officially activated the U.S. Space Forces Europe and Africa (SPACEFOREUR-AF) component command at a ceremony in Ramstein, Germany, on Dec. 8, 2023. SPACEFOREUR-AF is the newest service component under EUCOM and AFRICOM with their permanent headquarters at Ramstein Air Base. EUCOM and AFRICOM are the latest combatant commands to establish a space component, following in the footsteps of U.S. Indo-Pacific Command and U.S. Central Command. (AFRICOM, Dec 10, 2023)

LRHW. The Army’s Long-Range Hypersonic Weapon (LRHW) (Figure 1), with a reported range of 1,725 miles, consists of a ground-launched missile equipped with a hypersonic glide body and associated transport, support, and fire control equipment. Read more about the LRHW in The U.S. Army’s Long-Range Hypersonic Weapon (LRHW), Congressional Research Service, CRS IF11991, updated December 8, 2023, PDF, 3 pages. https://crsreports.congress.gov/product/pdf/IF/IF11991

Great Power Competition

Resisting China’s Gray Zone Activities Against Taiwan. China has sharply escalated its pressure campaign targeting Taiwan in recent years, particularly by leveraging military and security operations in the “gray zone” between peace and war. Policymakers in Washington and Taipei should respond to such gray zone pressure tactics by gauging their effectiveness, improving tracking and information-sharing, bolstering resilience, strengthening response capabilities, clarifying and consulting on response thresholds, and shaping the narrative. Jacob Stokes explains more in Resisting China’s Gray Zone Military Pressure on Taiwan, CNAS, November 2023, PDF, 14 pages.
https://s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/files.cnas.org/documents/GreyZone_Final.pdf

PLA a Paper Tiger? Not Really. The Chinese People’s Liberation Army is more capable than the United States cares to admit and only needs to be good enough at a certain time and place to send the US packing from the Indo-Pacific. “Think China’s PLA is a paper tiger? Think again, warns retired US Marine Officer”, Defense Connect, November 29, 2023.

Disrupting the PLA. RAND Corporation has published a new report on China’s People’s Liberation Army (PLA) that explores the tasks the PLA will be expected to carry out in support of key missions in peacetime and in a low-intensity conflict. The report goes on to cite some vulnerabilities that could disrupt the PLA’s path towards carrying out the tasks and how the United States can leverage those vulnerabilities to disrupt the PLA’s tasks and Chinese strategic objectives. “Disrupting the Chinese Military in Competition and Low-Intensity Conflict”, RAND Corporation, November 2023, PDF, 116 pages. https://www.rand.org/pubs/research_reports/RRA1794-2.html

Chinese Overseas Ports. The Council of Foreign Relations has an interactive map that tracks China’s growing maritime influence through investments in strategic overseas ports. Users can plot the location of each port and view satellite images alongside detailed information. “Tracking China’s Control of Overseas Ports”, Council of Foreign Relations, November 6, 2023.

Paper – Russian Drones. Since 2009, Russia has invested significant effort into developing unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), or drones, for military purposes. They have used drones for reconnaissance, targeting, electronic warfare, and direct strikes. The Ukraine conflict has diminished the inventory of Russian drones, and the country is relying on Iranian drones. Russia is losing in the drone war with Ukraine. Read more in Russian Military Drones: Past, Present, and Future of the UAV Industry, by Pavel Luzin, Foreign Policy Research Institute, November 2023, PDF, 32 pages. https://www.fpri.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/russian-military-drones-.pdf

Russia and Finland Border Security. Since August 2023, around 900 asylum seekers from the Middle East and Africa have been waved through by Russian border control to the Finnish border checkpoints without proper documentation. Finland accuses Russia of transporting the refugees to the border points where they then ask for asylum. The EU’s external border agency, Frontex, has dispatched staff to help Finnish colleagues stave off Russia’s weaponization of migrants on its border. Once across the border, the asylum seekers and refugees become a costly burden for the Finnish government and people. “Russian Border Bullying is Back – Finland This Time”, by Charlotta Collen, Center for European Policy Analysis, November 28, 2023. See also “Russia Taunts Finland with Migrant Maneuvers”, by Elisabeth Braw, CEPA, November 28, 2023. While the use of migrants as a weapon against Finland may be new, the tactic has been employed by Belarus against other European countries since 2021. See “A migrant crisis at the Latvia-Belarus border”, by Daniel Ofman, CEPA, November 22, 2023.

SOF News welcomes the submission of articles for publication. If it is related to special operations, current conflicts, national security, or defense then we are interested.

News From Around the World

Myanmar Conflict. The world’s longest running conflict is seeing the increasingly overstretched military junta losing ground in northern Myanmar in an area near the Chinese border. Lucas Myers, a senior associate for Southeast Asia at the Wilson Center’s Asia Program, provides a lengthy commentary on this topic. “The Myanmar Military is Facing Death by a Thousand Cuts”, War on the Rocks, November 17, 2023.

Report – Afghanistan: Background and U.S. Policy. The Congressional Research Service has updated a publication that covers the following topics: Taliban government, regional dynamics, counterterrorism, Afghan women and girls, relocations of Afghans to the U.S., and the humanitarian crisis. CRS R45122, updated December 4, 2023, PDF, 21 pages. https://crsreports.congress.gov/product/pdf/R/R45122

Afghanistan’s UN Seat. While the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (IEA) maintains that it deserves full-scale recognition, it has not been given the country’s seat at the United Nations. “Whose Seat Is It Anyway: The UN’s (non) decision on who represents Afghanistan”, Afghanistan Analysts Network, December 7, 2023.

Looking for a break from the snow and cold weather? Florida could be your next trip!

Attacks on U.S. Bases. The U.S. military in Iraq and Syria continue to receive rocket and drone attacks from various jihadist militia groups – many with an affiliation with Iran. The U.S. Embassy in Iraq has been subjected to attacks as well. In recent days, some servicemembers have received minor injuries. U.S. naval vessels in the waters in the Middle East region are intercepting drones and missiles fired by Houthis from Yemen. Some of these Houthi attacks are meant for Israel (Reuters, Dec 6, 2023) and others against military and commercial maritime traffic. (FDD, Dec 6, 2023) The Iranian-backed Houthis say they will prohibit the passage of any ships to Israel and consider them a target.

Venezuelan Referendum and Invading Guyana. Voters overwhelming cast their vote to establish a new Venezuelan state in a highly contested oil-rich territory of Guyana known as Essequibo. The region has been under dispute for years and Venezuela has been getting more active in its complaints and could consider taking military action to occupy the contested zone.

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Books, Podcasts, Videos, and Movies

Video – ThinkJSOU with Dr. Michael G. Vickers. Dr. Jeff Rogg interviews Dr. Michael G. Vickers, former Under Secretary of Defense for Intelligence and Assistant Secretary of Defense for Special Operations and Low Intensity Conflict. Dr. Vickers had a storied career in Army Special Forces and the Central Intelligence Agency, partially captured in the popular book and film, Charlie Wilson’s War. In his new book, By All Means Available: Memoirs of a Life in Intelligence, Special Operations, and Strategy, Dr. Vickers fills in the rest of the story and offers a deeper look into a life dedicated to public service. In this interview, Dr. Vickers discusses some of the key moments in his career, lessons learned along the way, and insights for U.S. national security today. Think JSOU, YouTube, December 6, 2023, 58 minutes.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J8wglBG6YcM

Video – Mike Vickers on The Teamhouse. The former Assistant Secretary of Special Operations and Low Intensity Conflict is interviewed by The Teamhouse. One topic covered is Vicker’s latest book. December 8, 2023, 1 hour 30 minutes. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iRInktLnLXM

Podcast – Counter-Terrorism and U.S. Foreign Policy Priorities. War on the Rocks, December 8, 2023, 38 minutes. Christy Abizaid, the director of the National Counterterrorism Center, spoke about the duties of the center, terrorist threats to the United States and the role of counter-terrorism during an era of strategic competition. https://warontherocks.com/2023/12/counter-terrorism-and-u-s-foreign-policy-priorities/

Armor. The mounted maneuver journal published by the U.S. Army Armor Branch has posted its Fall 2023 issue online. Ten different articles for tankers. DVIDS, PDF, 62 pages. https://www.dvidshub.net/publication/issues/68480

Strategika. The Hoover Institution has posted its latest issue of Strategika. Articles on the Ukraine conflict, Putin’s legitimacy, and prevailing in great power competition. December 7, 2023. https://www.hoover.org/publications/strategika/issue-88

Military Review. The November – December 2023 issue is now online. https://www.armyupress.army.mil/Journals/Military-Review/English-Edition-Archives/November-December-2023/

Upcoming Events

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Clarksville, TN

October 16-19, 2024
Special Operations Association Reunion
Las Vegas, NV

October 22-25, 2024
SFA Caribbean Cruise and Annual Convention
Special Forces Association – Tampa, Florida

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By Dahncye Baucom, 7th SFG(A).

Soldiers and Airmen participated in a four weeklong jumpmaster course on Eglin Air Force Base, Florida, Oct. 2-27, 2023. Jumpmaster school prepares students for precision parachute and airborne operations. The course consists of an intensive curriculum that equips them with the skills and knowledge to lead successful airborne missions.

“This is the 6th class that the 7th SFG(A) has run since the USASOC decertification back in 2020. We have had a consistent 60-70 students for the past 4 classes” said Master Sgt. Leonel D. Castillo, Special Operations Forces static line jumpmaster course (SOF-SLJMC) chief instructor. “My job was to make sure the students received accurate and up-to-date information and training.”

Jumpmaster school sets specific qualifications for its students. Prior to attending, candidates must complete the Basic Airborne Course (BAC) and earn their jump wings. Once they arrive, they undergo physically and mentally demanding training, ensuring they are prepared to make critical decisions in high-stress scenarios. The course consists of a Nomenclature Exam, Pre-Jump Exam, Written Exam, PWAC Exam, JMPI Exam, and Safety Duties Exam.

“The mission of the 7th Special Forces Group (Airborne) Static Line Jumpmaster course is to train paratroopers in the skills necessary to perform jumpmaster duties during an airborne operation. This includes duties as the Airborne Commander, Primary and Assistant Jumpmaster, Safety, Departure Airfield Control Officer, and the Drop Zone Safety Officer,” said Castillo.

Photo: U.S. Paratroopers from 7th Special Forces Group (Airborne) perform PWAC (Practical work inside the Aircraft) to become jumpmasters on Eglin Air Force Base, Florida, Oct. 26, 2023. Airmen and Soldiers worked together to certify as jumpmasters. (Photo by Spc. Christopher Sanchez)

The day before graduation, students conducted a Practical Work inside the Aircraft (PWAC) Exam. During this exam, they were graded on hand and arm signals, door check procedures, in an aircraft while in flight. These future jump masters learn to supervise parachute operations, focusing on safety, accuracy, and mission success. The curriculum covers everything from jump theory and aircraft procedures to proper equipment use and drop zone control.

“Going to Jumpmaster School made me a better paratrooper and a better teacher. To know and understand why things are the way they are in an Airborne operation, makes the difference between someone who is there to be there and someone who is there to serve a purpose bigger than us all” said Staff Sgt. Clayton Wider, Jr., a 92A, automated logistics specialist.

In the end, graduation from jumpmaster school marks a significant achievement, certifying the students as qualified jump masters ready for deployment. Their role is critical in ensuring the safety and success of airborne operations, making them a key component to their respective branches of the military. Jumpmaster school remains a crucial institution in the journey to becoming elite paratroopers, and its graduates stand as a testament to the dedication and discipline required to excel in this high-stakes field.

****

This article by Staff Sgt. Dahncye Baucom of the 7th SFG(A) was first published on December 4, 2023, by the Defense Visual Information Distribution Service. DVIDS content is in the public domain.

Top photo: U.S. Soldiers with 7th Special Forces Group (Airborne) conduct an airborne operation on Eglin Air Force Base, Florida, October 26, 2023. The jump served as means for jumpmaster qualification and certification. (U.S. Army photos by Staff Sgt. Ryan Jenkins)

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

Photo / Image: 308th Rescue Squadron pararescumen climb into the back of a 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment MH-47G Chinook helicopter into Banana River, Florida, Feb. 15, 2023, during combat search and rescue training. The 160th SOAR’s mission is to organize, equip, train, resource and employ Army special operations aviation forces worldwide in support of contingency missions and combatant commanders. (Staff Sgt. Darius Sostre-Miroir)

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SOF News

CV-22B Mishap. The U.S. Air Force has announced that an AFSOC Osprey has crashed in the waters off Japan on Wednesday, November 29th. Eight Air Commandos were on board. The wreckage has been located by dive teams; a few of the remains have been recovered. The others are currently in DUSTWUN status. Search and rescue efforts were conducted for several days. The aircraft and aircrew belonged to the 353rd Special Operations Wing based at Yokota Air Base, Japan. “AFSOC Aircraft Mishap Release”, AFSOC, December 4, 2023.

The Warrior’s Path. “Ramon “CZ” Colón-López’s rise from Puerto Rican poverty to the heights of military leadership embodies resilience, courage, and unwavering dedication. His journey through the elite U.S Air Force Pararescue Community and ascent to Senior Enlisted Advisor to the Chairman (SEAC) position encapsulates vital lessons in humility and leadership. CZ’s story is a powerful blueprint for overcoming adversity and leading with integrity.” (Men’s Journal, Nov 29, 2023)

College Football Quarterback to Join SEALs. A star football player is walking away from his college football career for the chance to serve his country as a Navy SEAL. “Utah State quarterback gives up final year of eligibility, plans to become Navy SEAL”, Washington Examiner, November 29, 2023.

International SOF

Hezbollah’s Unit 910. Javier Sutil Toledano provides details on the External Security Organization (ESO) – a clandestine black-ops branch and intelligence unit. It is an elite and highly compartmentalized unit responsible for overseas terrorism operations against Israel and Western targets. “Unit 910: Hezbollah’s Covert Action Unit”, Grey Dynamics, November 27, 2023.

IDF Commando Killed. Chief Warrant Officer Ido Rosenthal, was a legendary fighter of the Shaldag (Kingfisher) commando unit, one of the IDF’s most senior and classified units. “How a legendary IDF commando was killed on October 7”, The Jerusalem Post, December 2, 2023.

Chinese PMCs. Alessandro Arduino writes about how Chinese PMCs are safeguarding China’s Belt and Road Initiative against criminal and militant violence. Chinese private security firms are likely to play an increasingly pivotal role in protecting Chinese interests and enhancing security capabilities in a realm where the line between private and public is seldom clear. “Chinese Private Security Companies: Neither Blackwater nor the Wagner Group”, War on the Rocks, December 1, 2023.

Astute-Class Subs. Read about a nuclear submarine that is capable of supporting Royal Navy Special Boat Service or Royal Marine Commandos with a dry deck shelter. “Astute-Class: The Submarine As Stealth as a Dolphin (Not in the U.S. Navy)”, by Peter Suciau, National Interest, November 29, 2023.

SOF History

Pearl Harbor. On December 7, 1941, Japan attacked Pearl Harbor.

Camp X. On December 6, 1941, Camp X (STS 103) opened in Canada.

FSSF. On December 5, 1944, the combined U.S.-Canadian First Special Service Force (FSSF) paraded one final time at their Villeneuve-Loubert camp, near the town of Menton, in southeastern France on December 5, 1944. The 1st Special Forces Regiment and all U.S. Army SF groups trace their “official” lineage to the FSSF. Commemoration of Menton Day is an occasion when U.S. SF honors its lineal connection to the FSSF.

USASOC. On December 1, 1989, the United States Army Special Operations Command (USASOC) was activated as a major Army command.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_Army_Special_Operations_Command

Conflict in Israel and Gaza

Truce Ends. Israel says that the ceasefire talks in Qatar have reached an impasse and has recalled its negotiators. The fighting has resumed in Gaza. Rocket attacks by Hamas against Israel is continuing. The fighting is likely to intensify in the southern part of the Gaza Strip as Israel has begun ground operations into southern Gaza Strip.

Hostages. A number of Israeli and foreign national hostages have been released by Hamas during the time the truce was in effect. They were taken captive by the Palestinian terrorist group on October 7, 2023, during the Hamas attack on Israeli civilians. In exchange, Israel released imprisoned Palestinians who were either convicted or awaiting trial for terrorist attacks.

• “A Dangerous Path”. Dan O’Shea, a retired Navy SEAL, comments on how “President Biden is on a dangerous path negotiating for Hamas hostages”, Fox News, November 29, 2023.

Long Game of Hamas. Devorah Margolin and Matthew Levitt explore the road from the Hamas’ 2007 takeover of Gaza to the October 2023 massacre. “The Road to October 7: Hamas’ Long Game, Clarified”, CTC Sentinel, Center for Combating Terrorism at West Point”, Oct/Nov 2023.

A Sleeping Israel Caught by Surprise. In a barbaric surprise attack launched by Hamas on October 7, more Jews were slaughtered than on any day since the Holocaust. Thousands of elite Hamas militants from the Gaza Strip infiltrated small communities and cities in southern Israel, where they proceeded to commit sadistic, repulsive crimes against humanity, filming their vile deeds and boasting about them to friends and family back home. How could Israel miss the signals that an attack was imminent? “Why Israel Slept”, Foreign Affairs, November 21, 2023. (subscription)

References: Map Gaza Strip (2005), and more maps of Gaza Strip, West Bank, and Israel.

Ukraine Conflict

Report – Ukrainian Military Performance and Outlook. The Congressional Research Service has updated this “IN FOCUS” report. CRS IF12150, updated December 1, 2023, PDF, 3 pages. https://crsreports.congress.gov/product/pdf/IF/IF12150

Interactive Map. Russia’s Invasion of Ukraine by the Insitute for the Study of War and Critical Threats.
On storymaps.arcgis.com

Map as of November 2023. By @War_Mapper. https://twitter.com/War_Mapper/status/1591585876987240448/photo/1

Help Special Operations Forces (SOF) personnel with spine injuries receive the healthcare options, education, and care they need.

Commentary

Is It Time to Downsize SOF? Jan Kallberg argues that the size of special operations forces in Western nations is too large. The CT and COIN era may not be over; but the need for SOF forces to focus on those missions has diminished. More important is being able to compete with near-peer adversaries. He uses the example of the Ukraine War to support his argument. “Time to Radically Downsize the West’s Special Forces”, Center for European Policy Analysis (CEPA), November 29, 2023.

CT Opns Under Biden. A new paper provides details on the first three years of the Biden administrations’ counterterrorism operations in 78 different countries. Watson Institute of Brown University, November 2023, PDF, 15 pages.

National Security

Will Venezuela Attack Guyana? There is concern that fighting will break out in South America. Venezuela is claiming that a large part of Guyana belongs to Venezuela. A longstanding border controversy has worsened following a massive discovery of oil. “Guyana Official: Venezuela’s Actions Are an ‘Unprecedented’ Challenge”, Americas Quarterly, November 29, 2023.

Former Ambassador Arrested. A former U.S. ambassador who served in both Republican and Democratic administrations has been arrested. “Former US ambassador arrested in Florida, accused of serving as an agent of Cuba”, AP News, December 3, 2023.

Border Crisis. The porous southern border and absurd policies toward illegal immigration continue to stress the government entities ‘policing’ the border area. ‘Sanctuary cities’ have cried out ‘no mas’ – citing overwhelmed resettlement agencies coping with a housing shortage across the nation.

• “H.R. 5283 – Protecting our Communities from Failure to Secure the Border Act of 2023”, House of Representatives, reported to House on November 17, 2023. This bill prohibits the federal government from using certain federally administered lands to provide housing to any non-U.S. nationals (aliens under federal law) who have not been admitted into the United States. Specifically, this prohibition shall apply to any land under the administrative jurisdiction of the National Park Service, the Bureau of Land Management, the United States Fish and Wildlife Service, or the Forest Service. The bill also revokes a 2023 lease between the National Park Service and the City of New York to use portions of the Gateway National Recreation Area to provide housing to migrant persons. https://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/house-bill/5283
• Report – Central American Migration: Root Causes and U.S. Policy. The Congressional Research Service has published an “In Focus” brief on the factors that drive migration from Central American to the United States. CRS IF11151, updated November 30, 2023, PDF 3 pages. https://crsreports.congress.gov/product/pdf/IF/IF11151

Report – Army’s XM-30 OMFV. The Congressional Research Service has published an “In Focus” pub about the Army’s Mechanized Infantry Combat Vehicle. CRS IF12094, updated November 29, 2023, PDF, 3 pages.

Chinese Land Ownership in the United States. US policymakers are increasingly suspicious of Chinese land ownership in the United States’ farmland. Since 2011, Chinese investors have increased their agricultural land holdings in the United States by over 384,000 acres. Chinese land ownership poses challenges to national security and the U.S. agriculture industry. While their land holdings are only a fraction of a per cent of total U.S. land, skepticism of Chinese activity has encouraged regulation of foreign-owned American land. Read a report on this topic by George Englehart posted by Grey Dynamics, December 4, 2023.

SOF News welcomes the submission of articles for publication. If it is related to special operations, current conflicts, national security, or defense then we are interested.

Afghanistan and Pakistan

CT in Afghanistan and Pakistan. Asfandyar Mir provides his perspective on the choices U.S. counterterrorism policymakers have for Afghanistan and Pakistan. “Commentary: No Good Choices: The Counterterrorism Dilemmas in Afghanistan and Pakistan”, CTC Sentinel, Combating Terrorism Center at West Point, Oct/Nov 2023.

Report – Pakistan and Terrorists. The Congressional Research Service has updated its “IN FOCUS” report entitled Terrorist and Other Militant Groups in Pakistan. CRS IF11934, updated December 1, 2023, PDF, 3 pages. https://crsreports.congress.gov/product/pdf/IF/IF11934

ISKP and India- What is the Future? The Islamic State of Khorasan Province is still a very real concern for the Taliban. It is also a concern for Pakistan and India. An Indian national security observer provides the details and offers some recommendations for India to consider. “Islamic State in Afghanistan, Pakistan and India – will its influence decline in 2024?”, India Narrative, November 29, 2023.

Old Salt Coffee is a corporate sponsor of SOF News. The company offers a wide range of coffee flavors to include Green Eyes Coffee, a tribute to those Navy special operations personnel who operate in the night.

Middle East and Africa

Houthi Missile Attacks Against Maritime Targets. Ballistic missiles fired by Yemen’s Houthi rebels struck three commercial ships Sunday in the Red Sea, while a U.S. warship shot down three drones in self-defense during the hours long assault, the U.S. military said. The Iranian-backed Houthis claimed two of the attacks. CENTCOM says the attacks were ‘inspired by Iran’. “3 commercial ships hit by missiles in Houthi attack in Red Sea, US warship downs 3 drones”, AP News, December 4, 2023.

Americans at Risk? Some say that Israel is the canary in the coal mine – a warning to others of dangers ahead. Lela Gilbert details how Christians and Jews live dangerously in most Muslim majority countries and how the threat is growing. “Saturday People, Sunday People and Americans at Risk”, Washington Stand, November 30, 2023.

Syria. U.S. military officials say that multiple rockets were launched against US positions at Rumalyn Landing Zone, Syria. No casualties nor damage to infrastructure was reported.

Report – Iran and Nuclear Weapons Production. The Congressional Research Service has updated an “In Focus” report that provides the background and the estimated nuclear weapons development timelines for Iran’s nuclear weapons program. CRS IF12106, updated November 27, 2023, PDF, 3 pages. https://crsreports.congress.gov/product/pdf/IF/IF12106

Islamic State and Africa. Rachel Chason writes that IS is surging in strength in Africa and now its affiliates control more territory with each passing year. The departure of European security forces from some African countries has presented a vacuum that is being filled by the Islamic State affiliates – especially IS Sahel. A worrisome development is the transitioning of IS Sahel from committing mostly terror acts to establishing a permanent presence through governance in many territories. “Why the Islamic State is surging in Africa”, The Washington Post, December 4, 2023. (subscription)

Fulani Herdsmen. Since the 1990s, Nigeria has endured several complex identity-based conflicts. The one under focus in this article, the Fulani Ethnic Militia (FEM) or Fulani Herdsmen, is characterized as a series of ‘deadly ethnic riots’. These tend to be episodic rather than ubiquitous and involve widespread hostility and brutal killings. “Fulani Herdsmen: A Nomadic Ethnic Militia?”, Grey Dynamics, December 3, 2023.

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Books, Podcasts, Videos, and Movies

Sentinel. The monthly issue is now online. Articles cover several topics to include Operation Tailwind, book review of Hot Mics and TV Lights, SOGCast – stories of MAC-V SOG in Vietnam, Dominican Republic, review of The Guerrilla Trilogy by Jim Morris. https://www.specialforces78.com/chapter-78-newsletter-for-december-2023/

Video – Special Forces to CIA Officer in Afghanistan Fighting the Soviets. Mike Vickers was Under Secretary of Defense for Intelligence (2011-2015) and Assistant Secretary of Defense for Special Operations, Low Intensity Conflict and Interdependent Capabilities (2007-2011). He also served as a CIA Operations Officer and Special Forces Officer and Non-Commissioned Officer. In his later years he had a central role in developing our strategy and overseeing our campaigns to disrupt, dismantle and defeat al-Qaida and in the operation to kill Usama Bin Ladin. The Team House, YouTube, December 1, 2023, two hours. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wsPxY8fn_k4

Video – Irregular Warfare. Think JSOU introduces LTC Steve Ferenzi – a non-resident fellow of JSOU. Ferenzi discusses how JSOU provides support to irregular warfare and the studies of resilience and resistance. Think JSOU, Joint Special Operations University, YouTube, December 1, 2023, 8 minutes. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=16Sehlahhe4

Video – MACV SOG CCN John Stryker Meyer RT IDAHO. A veteran of the Studies and Observations Group of Military Assistance Command Vietnam talks about his time on recon teams during the Vietnam War. MACV SOG YouTube, November 25, 2023, one hour. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pEadvK0pnEY&t=199s

Upcoming Events

December 8, 2023
Winter Cruise
Combat Diver Association

December 8-10, 2023
2023 Civil Affairs Conference
Civil Affairs Association

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

Photo / Image: Green Berets with 5th Special Forces Group (Airborne) practice underwater transportation methods Sept. 2022, near Fort Campbell, Ky. Green Berets continually adapt to their environment and create solutions to solve complex challenges. (U.S. Army Courtesy Photo by Spc. Taylor Shaffer)

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SOF News

USASOC CCWO. On November 15, 2023, Chief Warrant Officer Robert Davis relinquished responsibility as the United States Army Special Operations Command CCWO Officer and retired after 35 years of service. CW5 Steven Finney is the incoming USASOC Command Chief Warrant.

SOF Operators Suffer Brain Damage. Pentagon researchers say weapons like shoulder-fired rockets expose troops who fire them to blast waves far above safety limits, but they remain in wide use. “U.S. Troops Still Train on Weapons With Known Risk of Brain Injury”, The New York Times, November 26, 2023. (subscription)

U-28 Crews Receive Awards. Ten Airmen assigned to the U-28 Draco spy plane have been awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for their actions during the August 2021 effort to evacuate people during the Kabul airlift. The crews provided situational awareness and intelligence to the U.S. ground forces at the Kabul airport. “10 Airmen Make History as the First U-28 Crews to Receive Distinguished Flying Crosses”, Air and Space Forces Magazine, November 21, 2023.

SEAL’s Life Profiled. Solomon ‘Sol’ Atkinson led a life guided by his time as a U.S. Navy SEAL as well as his Native American heritage. He carried those two aspects of his life into his later years with his life-long involvement in community affairs in Alaska. (DVIDS, 24 Nov 2023)

USSOCOM Seeks Counter-EW Technology. The US Special Operations Command is seeking information on drone tech that takes down ground-based electronic warfare systems. The drones should be able to conduct preplanned autonomous attacks on active emitters. “US Special Operations Command Seeks Counter-Electronic Warfare Drone Tech”, The Defense Post, November 24, 2023.

Navy SEAL Honored. SO1 Ebbert was a member of SEAL Team Four (ST-4) and participated in numerous critical operations. His final deployment to Afghanistan in support of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM exemplified his bravery and tactical expertise. “A Real Act of Valor: Navy SEALs honor a fallen hero”, DVIDS, November 17, 2023.

A Green Beret on JFK’s Grave. 60 years ago, a Special Forces soldier placed his Green Beret on the grave of President John F. Kennedy. His spontaneous act become a Special Forces tradition. “Green Beret’s tribute to JFK continues”, Reading Eagle, November 26, 2023.

Seawolf Subs. One of the more ‘secret’ subs used by the U.S. Navy can be outfitted with a Multi-Mission Platform (MMP) – sometimes described as an underwater hanger. The MMP can be used to deploy Navy SEALs or other special operations forces. “USS Jimmy Carter: The Navy Has a Spy Submarine That Can’t Be Matched”, National Interest, November 23, 2023.

International SOF

Report – Accountability and Oversight of UK Special Forces. A report by the University of Essex Human Rights Centre Clinic is critical on the lack of external oversight and accountability of the United Kingdom’s Special Forces. November 2023, PDF, 43 pages.

Philippine FSSR Will Receive Enhanced Capabilities. President Marcos has assured the First Scout Ranger Regiment of government support to enhance its operational capabilities. “Marcos assures Army Scout Rangers of support”, The Manilla Times, November 26, 2023.

Vajra Prahar 2023. U.S. Special Forces teams from 1st SFG(A) and Special Forces personnel from India’s Eastern Command have been an exercise that will conclude on December 11th. The event will provide an opportunity to share best practices and experiences in areas such as joint mission planning and operational tactics for CT operations and unconventional scenarios in mountainous terrain. “Joint training of India, US commandos begins at Umroi”, Highland Post, November 22, 2023.

Aussie SOF Leader Visits MARSOC. U.S. Marine Corps Col. Adam Conway, deputy commander, Marine Forces Special Operations Command welcomed Australian Maj. Gen. Paul Kenny to MARSOC during a visit on Camp Lejeune, NC, November 8, 2023. During his visit, Maj. Gen. Kenny met with leaders from the command to discuss future integration and interoperability between MARSOC and Australian Special Operations Forces.

Exercise Arctic Light 2023. Personnel from the New York Air National Guard’s 106th Rescue Wing joined Danish SOF in a September two-week long exercise to advance capabilities to conduct operations in the Arctic region. The wing provided a HC-130J Combat King II search and rescue aircraft and aircrew as well as Guardian Angel personnel for the event. “New York Air Guard Trains With Danish Special Forces in Greenland”, DVIDS, November 7, 2023.

SOF History

1943 – Alamo Scouts. On November 28, 1943, the Alamo Scouts was activated by the U.S. 6th Army. This special reconnaissance unit was employed in the Pacific Theater of Operations during World War II. The unit is known for its role in liberating American prisoners of war from a Japanese POW camp near Cabanatuan, Nueva Ecija, Philippines in January 1945. A movie called the Great Raid was produced about this action. (Wikipedia) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alamo_Scouts

1963 – CIDG Camp Overrun. On November 24, 1963, Camp Hiep Hoa, Republic of South Vietnam, was overrun by the Viet Cong. It was the first CIDG camp to be overrun during the Vietnam War. A Special Forces soldier, Isaac Camacho, one of four missing Americans, later became the first American to escape from a Vietcong POW Camp. In the battle, an estimated 500 Viet Cong fighters took the Hiep Hoa Special Forces Camp, resulting in four American personnel MIA. South Vietnamese commando units and the American Green Berets resisted but were overwhelmed.

1970 – Combat HALO Jump. On November 28, 1970, the first combat HALO jump was conducted by CCN, MACV-SOG. The nighttime parachute jump took place over Laos from C-130 blackbird flying at 17,000 feet. (Coffee or Die Magazine, June 17, 2021) https://coffeeordie.com/macv-sog-halo

Conflict in Israel and Gaza

Gaza Update. Israeli troops have occupied much of northern Gaza and have taken control of much of Gaza City. The city has seen massive devastation from Israeli airstrikes and artillery. Thousands of Gaza residents have left the north for the ‘safer’ southern region of the Gaza Strip. The internally displaced residents have few avenues of escape from the violence . . . the border with Egypt is closed to refugees.

Truce and Hostages. The conflict is in the midst of a four-day stoppage of fighting. Hostages are being released by Hamas in exchange for Palestinians who have been imprisoned for the conduct of terrorist acts. Hamas has released 3 batches of hostages, including a four-year-old American girl whose parents were killed in front of her by Hamas terrorists. (Washington Post, 26 Nov 2023). Among the hostages released are 14 Thai and one Filipino nationals. A number of Israeli children taken hostage have also been released. See also “The History of Hostage Negotiations Tells Us Empathy Isn’t Enough”, by Brian Michael Jenkins, The RAND Blog, November 3, 2023.

Hamas Financing. The Congressional Research Service has published an “In Focus” brief entitled Terrorist Financing and Cryptocurrency Fundraising”. The 3-page PDF (CR IF12537) was published on November 21, 2023. https://crsreports.congress.gov/product/pdf/IF/IF12537

Black September. A Palestinian militant group that gained notoriety in the late 20th century has left a legacy and continues to have a lasting impact on Middle East security. “Black September: The Origins of Palestinian Militancy”, Grey Dynamics, November 26, 2023.

References: Map Gaza Strip (2005), and more maps of Gaza Strip, West Bank, and Israel.

Ukraine Conflict

Ukrainian Offensive. News reports indicate that Ukrainian forces have pushed Russian forces away from parts of the east bank of the Dnipro River (Britannica). For more than a year the opposing forces have occupied the opposite banks of the Dnipro in southern Ukraine – the Ukrainians on the west bank and the Russians on the east bank. The Ukrainian offensive has lasted months and has been a grinding event with success measured in meters not kilometers. (Business Insider, 19 Nov 2023)

Russian Offensive. The attacks on the city of Avdiivka (Google Maps) continues. Both sides are suffering huge losses over the devasted city in eastern Ukraine. Kyiv suffered through the largest drone attack of the war over the weekend. (BBC News, 25 Nov 2023)

Status of War. Ukraine is asking for more international assistance – including the approval of additional aid packages from the U.S. and European nations and a formal start of accession talks to join the European Union.

Interactive Map. Russia’s Invasion of Ukraine by the Insitute for the Study of War and Critical Threats.
On storymaps.arcgis.com

Commentary and National Security

SOF and IW Campaigns. Brian Petit, a retired Special Forces officer, provides his perspective on how irregular warfare campaigns can influence the future. “U.S. Special Operations and the Shadowy Promise of Irregular Campaigns”, War on the Rocks, November 21, 2023.

China and Hybrid Warfare. Nils Peterson has penned a paper entitled The Chinese Communist Party’s Theory of Hybrid Warfare. Institute for the Study of War, November 21, 2023, PDF, 7 pages. Read or download here.

China’s Propaganda Strategy. In an era where digital content is king, the CCP has recognized the power that foreign influencers wield compared to more traditional communication channels. Boasting millions of followers in China and overseas, especially on platforms such as TikTok, YouTube and Twitter, the CCP has identified, harnessed and actively developed foreign influencers as unique propaganda assets. “Singing the CCP’s tune: foreign influencers and China’s propaganda strategy”, The Strategist, Australian Strategic Policy Institute, November 27, 2023.

Report – Defense Primer: Naval Forces. The Congressional Research Service has updated its “In Focus” brief on U.S. naval forces (Navy and Marines) with info on U.S. strategy, navy ship types, size of the navy, and more. CRS IF10486, updated November 14, 2023, PDF, 3 pages. https://crsreports.congress.gov/product/pdf/IF/IF10486

U.S. Military and the Arctic. The United States has considerable interests in the Arctic and is one of just eight countries with territory in the region. It also has a responsibility to prepare and protect its armed forces that could be called upon to secure its Arctic interests as the region becomes an increasingly active security environment. Learn more in a report entitled Report on the Arctic Capabilities of the U.S. Armed Forces, RAND Corporation, November 2023, PDF, 104 pages. https://www.rand.org/pubs/research_reports/RRA1638-1.html

Russia Funnels Migrants to Border Points. Finland, Estonia, and Latvia are accusing Russia of shipping migrants to the Finnish border. This has caused Finland to shut all but one border crossing with Russia. The Russians are using the tactic as a “hybrid attack”. Meanwhile, some human rights groups are raising concerns about asylum seeker’s rights. “Finland shuts more Russia border points, says asylum inflow must stop”, Reuters, November 24, 2023.

Border Security. Legal and illegal migration across the U.S. southern border is up dramatically. Illegal crossings topped a daily average of more than 8,000 earlier this fall. The Biden administration is facing criticism for not stemming the tide of illegal immigrants. Recent reports detail the extent of the problem and what the U.S. government is attempting to do to alleviate the crisis.

• U.S. Efforts to Manage Western Hemisphere Migration Flows, Congressional Research Service, CRS IF12538, November 22, 2023, PDF, 3 pages. https://crsreports.congress.gov/product/pdf/IF/IF12538
• See also “Democrats’ border problem is getting real“, The Washington Post, November 21, 2023 (subscription)
• “Visa Restriction Policy for Flight Operators Facilitating Irregular Migration”, U.S. Department of State, November 21, 2023.
• Reporting on Border Security Metrics Could Be Improved, U.S. Government Accountability Office, GAO-24-106277, November 13, 2023, PDF, 67 pages. https://www.gao.gov/products/gao-24-106277

Blacksmith Publishing is a media partner of SOF News. They are a book publishing firm, sell ‘Pinelander Swag’, have a weekly podcast called The Pinelander.

Afghanistan

Medals for Airmen. Hundreds more airmen who orchestrated Operation Allies Refuge, the massive evacuation of civilians from Afghanistan as U.S. forces withdrew in 2021, will receive medals honoring those efforts, the Air Force announced. “Hundreds more airmen to receive medals for roles in Kabul evacuation”, Air Force Times, November 8, 2023.

Al-Qaeda Defeated? Not So Much. Sara Harmouch reports that the terrorist group is still a threat to the United States. A June 2023 United Nations report states that the group’s activities are intensifying in Afghanistan as well as globally. The group continues to have ties with the Taliban. “Al-Qaeda: A Defeated Threat? Think Again”, War on the Rocks, November 22, 2023.

History – Canada in Afghanistan. The first comprehensive, in-depth history of Canada’s war in Afghanistan, written largely in real time over several years by a military historian, was quietly (some might say reluctantly) published last summer by a federal government printer. Average Canadians, the soldiers who fought there and the families of those killed in action will have a hard time getting their hands on a copy, however. “Canada now has its own history of the Afghan war – good luck finding a copy”, CBC News, November 10, 2023.

Haqqani Network. Apurva Ramakrishnan provides us with a deep dive into the Haqqani Network. The organization’s enduring influence underscores the necessity for counterterrorism practitioners to prioritize containment and disruption efforts, as the group’s ability to sustain and perpetuate global terrorism remains undiminished. “A Network of Possibilities: How the Haqqani Network Changed the Face of Global Terrorism Forever”, Georgetown Security Studies Review, November 13, 2023.

Middle East

AC-130 Strikes Militants in Iraq. The U.S. has experienced an increased number of rocket, missile, and drone attacks over the past few months. In late November a U.S. AC-130 gunship flying over Iraq struck a target that had launched a missile against Al-Asad Airbase in Iraq. “AC-130 Strikes Iranian-Backed Militants Following Missile Attack”, DoD News, November 21, 2023.

U.S. Navy Detains Would-be Pirates. Five gunmen boarded and attempted to take control of the M/V Central Park; a tanker owned by an Israeli businessman. However, the tanker crew had barricaded themselves in an armored panic room, The pirates then left the ship and headed to Yemen aboard a skiff but were apprehended before reaching shore. They were apprehended by U.S. and allied ships of the coalition counter-piracy force (TF 151). The event took place in the Gulf of Aden. (USNI, 26 Nov 2023).

Report – Syria and U.S. Policy. The Israel-Hamas conflict has resulted in increased attacks against U.S. troops in Syria by Iran-backed militia organizations. Read about the current conflict in Syria and U.S. responses. Congressional Research Service, CRS IF11930, updated November 15, 2023, PDF, 3 pages. https://crsreports.congress.gov/product/pdf/IF/IF11930

Africa

Sudan Conflict. A detailed look at the long-running conflict in the West Darfur region of Sudan is provided in the report by Human Rights Watch. The report was completed before the current outbreak of fighting in Sudan began in 2023 but is good background on the fighting taking place now between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF). Violence in West Darfur, Human Rights Watch, November 26, 2023.

Sudan – Attacks Against Civilians. Arab forces are pressing ahead with their efforts to move Sudan’s ethnic-African Masalit tribe from West Darfur. The paramilitary group known as the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and its allied Arab militias are intensifying attacks against civilians. “Sudan refugees detail second wave of bloody ethnic purge by Arab forces”, Reuters, November 22, 2023.

SOF News Book Shop

View our selection of books about special operations forces at the SOF News Book Shop.

Books, Podcasts, Videos, and Movies

Podcast – SOG Was Compromised in Cambodia. HL Serra, a Naval intelligence officer who served during the Vietnam conflict, knew that MACV-SOG was compromised. SOG CAST, Red Circle, November 14, 2023, 58 minutes. Listen here.

Podcast – Surviving Special Forces Selection. Pineland Underground, November 6, 2023. Google Podcasts.

Video – Civil Affairs in Benin. The Benin Armed Forces and a U.S. Army Civil Affairs unit conducted a medical civic action program (MEDCAP) in Cana, Benin this past July. The MEDCAP served as a temporary field clinic providing medical treatment to the local population. Special Operations Command Africa, July 17, 2023, 3 minutes. Posted November 20, 2023.

Video – Napoleon 1805 – The Austerlitz Campaign. Animated maps show the Battle of Ulm to the Battle of Austerlitz and cover movements of the major units during this campaign – which is often considered the pinnacle of Napoleonic warfare. Army University Press, YouTube, November 22, 2023, 6 minutes. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GK-fmyQqqUc

Upcoming Events

November 29-30, 2023
SOF & Irregular Warfare Symposium
Defense Strategies Institute

December 8, 2023
Winter Cruise
Combat Diver Association

December 8-10, 2023
2023 Civil Affairs Conference
Civil Affairs Association

53 years ago, a top-secret mission was launched into North Vietnam to rescue American prisoners of war. Operation Kingpin, known as the Son Tay Raid, was the first ever highly classified joint service operation of its kind. Now, US Army veterans turned documentary producers Dan Smith (former Green Beret), John “Stan” Stanfield and Molly Huggins, along with award-winning director and producer Ehren Parks, have teamed up with the Global Special Operations Foundation and a dying breed of legendary American heroes to tell their incredible story, with an exclusive sneak peek community screening coming to Fort Liberty, NC as a part of Modern Warfare Week.

On November 21, 1970, U.S. Special Forces soldiers and U.S. Air Force airmen executed a swift and stunning raid of the Son Tay prison camp with zero American casualties. The Son Tay Raiders were 23 miles from Hanoi, within 5 miles of 112,000 N.V.A. regulars, and flying into the teeth of the most heavily defended airspace in the world. At the same time, Navy carriers executed the largest night carrier operation of the entire Vietnam conflict in rolling seas to suppress the enemy air defenses.

Not a single prisoner was found. Despite this, the raid stands as one of the most significant operations in modern military history. 27 Minutes at Son Tay is the true story of the raid the way the Raiders want it told; thoughtful, compelling first-person account of the planning and execution of a never before attempted rescue mission into the heart of enemy territory.

Director Ehren Parks, whose previous projects include the award-winning documentary My Life in China, was clear on the import of the film, echoing the vision of the mission ground commander COL Bull Simons. “The Son Tay Raid’s greatness lies in the fact that it brought together the separate branches for a greater purpose: to fulfill the pledge of ‘no man left behind.’”

27 Minutes at Son Tay interviewees include CSM (Ret) “Jake” Jakovenko, Ranger Hall of Fame member known for his prowess with the M-60 Machine Gun and often called the real-life Rambo; SGM (Ret) Tyrone Adderly, fellow Ranger Hall of Fame member and 2022 recipient of the U.S. Special Operations Command Bull Simons Award; Col (Ret) Lee Ellis, Hanoi Hilton resident; Col (Ret) Larry Ropka, master Air Force and CIA covert operations mission planner; Col (Ret) John Gargus, navigator and author of the definitive work on the mission, The Son Tay Raid: American POWS in Vietnam Were Not Forgotten, and RADM (Ret) Larry Chambers, the first African American to attain flag rank in the Navy. The film also features post-humous appearances from Col Bud Sydnor, Gen Leroy Manor, Col Frederic “Marty” Donohoe, and CSM Joe Lupyak.

The producers have partnered with the Global Special Operations Foundation to show a sneak peek community screening of the unreleased film as a part of the Modern Warfare Week, a joint event held for the Special Operations Forces (SOF) community to both educate and connect over the future of warfare from a SOF perspective. Members of the Raid as well as support and planning personnel will be in attendance. Former Green Beret and Executive Producer Dan Smith, whose connections provided the impetus for the film, highlighted what an honor it was to create this film as an educational tool for follow on generations, having served under the legacy of many of these legendary soldiers, sailors, and airmen. Additionally, according to Smith, “The value of the Son Tay Raid cannot be overstated. It is probably one of the most studied special operations since 1970. It has been used as a template to plan, train and conduct high risk missions by international as well as within the US. special operations community.”

The screening will be held Nov. 15th, 3 PM, at the Iron Mike Conference center, Fort Liberty. The event is free and open to the community, but attendees must register here.

The film is in final post-production, but current events has made raising money to complete the documentary a challenge. “Fundraising has been difficult during covid and the film industry labor strikes,” Parks noted, “But as we enter our final stretch to finish the film, we’re hoping the military community will join with us to get this story told the way the raiders want it told without outside influence.” Donations can be made via GoFundMe.

A trailer of the film, exclusive video shorts, and more information are available for preview at
27minutesatsontay.com.

****

27 Minutes at Son Tay is a production of Kingpin-27 Minutes at Son Tay Film, LLC; Long Tale; Veritas Art Pictures, producing socially relevant content surrounding current events; and Gepadeaux Media, a service-disabled veteran-owned small business specializing in film and video production and distribution. For media inquiries, please contact Producer Molly Huggins at molly@thegreenglasspen.com or
907-978-4694.

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

Photo / Image: An Army paratrooper descends from the sky during an airborne operation over Frida drop zone in Pordenone, Italy on August 31, 2023. Army Sgt. Mariah Y. Gonzalez;

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SOF News

Two ARSOF Soldiers Arrested. A member of the 3rd Special Forces Group and a member of the 4th Psychological Operations Group have been arrested on drug charges. “Fort Liberty special operations soldiers arrested for drug possession”, Task & Purpose, October 25, 2023.

Passing of Otto Liller. A former commander of Special Operations Command Korea (SOCKOR) passed away at age 51. Read his biography here. He served as the SOCKOR commander from June 2019 to June 2021 at which time he was relieved by Maj. Gen. Martin.

SOCEUR Works with Spanish SOF. Green Berets with the U.S. Army’s 10th Special Forces Group (Airborne) concluded a nearly two-month joint combined exchange training (JCET) with members of the Spanish Army’s Grupo Especial de Operaciones (GOE) near Alicante, Spain, July 24, 2023. “U.S. Special Operations Command Europe Partners with Spanish SOF for JCET”, DVIDS, October 25, 2023.

Event – Panel Discussion on IW and Special Warfare. Ezra Cohen, Col. (Ret.) Mark Mitchell, and Chris Miller (former acting SecDef) are the panelists who will discuss civil-military relations within the special operations community, the transition from counterterrorism to irregular warfare, and how to optimize intelligence forces and SOF for the next generation of challenges. Preparing the Department of Defense for Irregular and Special Warfare, Hudson Institute, Tuesday, 10:00 am – 11: am.

“Site 512”. The Pentagon is maintaining a base deep in Israel’s Negev desert. Learn more in “U.S. Quietly Expands Secret Military Base in Israel”, The Intercept, October 27, 2023.

Book Review – With My Shield: An Army Ranger in Somalia. James Lechner has provided his first-person account of the Battle of Mogadishu, Somalia. Lechner was one of the Rangers on the ground when the mission shifted from a raid to capture Somali insurgents to the rescue of a downed helicopter’s crew. Read a review of his book by Lt. Gen. Sean MacFarland in “Warrior Pays Heavy Price in Mogadishu”, AUSA, October 27, 2023.

T-AOS. On October 19, 2023, SOF News republished a DVIDS article about the new AFSOC organization called Theater Air Operations Squadron (T-AOS). A comprehensive article about the T-AOS has been published by N.K. Cobb, an academic chair at Joint Special Operations University, entitled “T-AOS: A New Model for Competition”, AEther, Air University, October 24, 2023.

Foreign Visitors Tour AFSOC. Air Force Special Operations Command welcomed Air Attachés from 12 various allied and partner nations to Hurlburt Field, FL, October 23, 2023. “Foreign Air Attaches visit AFSOC”, DVIDS, October 24, 2023.

International SOF

Video – Royal Marines New Rifle. The British are outfitting one of their elite military units with the KS-1 assault rifle. Watch a 7-minut long video about the new rifle. Forces News, YouTube, October 27, 2023. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ee8LvSwDSEY

CANSOF in Israel? Some news reports say that Canadian special forces are now in Israel. It is reported that the members of the Canadian Special Operations Forces Command (CANSOFCOM) are assisting the Canadian embassy in Israel with contingency planning. (CBC Lite, October 29, 2023) See also an article in Global News (Oct 29, 2023) that has identified Joint Task Force 2 (JTF2) has one unit that has personnel in Israel. JTF2 is Canada’s designated hostage rescue unit. Two Canadians are presumed missing and could be hostages at this time.

UK SF on Standby. British Special Forces troops are currently in Cyprus on standby for developments in Gaza and the wider region, according to media reports in the United Kingdom. There are about 200 British nationals currently stranded in Gaza. They are also likely to take part in actions to provide safety to nationals in other parts of the Middle East. (Cyprus Mail, Oct 30, 2023)

Israeli Elite Units. Nathan Rennolds describes the elite special forces units Israel could send into Gaza to clear Hamas’ labyrinth of tunnels and rescue hostages. (Business Insider, Oct 29, 2023).

SOF History

Nick Rowe. On October 29, 1963, Captain James “Nick” Rowe was captured by the Viet Cong. He was a Special Forces officer and one of only 34 American prisoners of war to escape captivity during the Vietnam War. He would later help establish the Survival, Evasion, Resistance, and Escape (SERE) program taught to high-risk military personnel. In 1989, Rowe was killed by a unit of the New People’s Army in the Philippines while serving in the U.S. Embassy in Manila. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_N._Rowe

Humbert Versace. On October 29, 1963, Captain Humbert R. Versace was captured by the Viet Cong. He was held as a prisoner of war until September 26, 1965, in the Republic of Vietnam – the day of his death while in captivity – executed by the Viet Cong. He was serving as an Intelligence Advisor while assigned to the Military Assistance Advisory Group. In 2002 he was awarded the Medal of Honor by President George W. Bush for his actions during captivity. https://www.thenmusa.org/biographies/humbert-r-versace/

U.S. Hostage Rescued. On October 31, 2020, U.S. Navy SEALs (DEVGRU) parachuted from 352nd SOW aircraft into Northern Nigeria to rescue an American held hostage by armed gunmen. Philip Walton, age 27, was a Christian missionary who worked in Niger. No military personnel were injured during the operation. Several of the hostage takers were killed.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2020_Nigeria_hostage_rescue

Ancient SF of Egypt. The military of Ancient Egypt was quite different from how modern militaries function today. The armies of Bronze Age Egypt largely consisted of poorly armed peasants and commoners who had little in the way of training or combat experience. However, there were some elite units of the Pharoh’s army. “The Elite Special Forces of Ancient Egypt”, World Atlas.

Conflict in Israel and Gaza

War Update. The Israeli military is continuing to expand its ground operations in Gaza. The Israeli Defense Force (IDF) is hitting command positions with armor, artillery, and airstrikes. It is attempting to interdict the many elaborate tunnels used by Palestinian militants. (The Hill, Oct 30, 2023). Hamas and other Palestinian militant groups are still firing rockets into Israel. Fatalities on both sides are now approaching 10,000.

Hostage Update. Currently there are about 230 hostages held by Hamas in the Gaza Strip. Negotiations are being conducted in various forums for the release of the hostages. As many as four hostages have been released thus far. Some hostages have been tortured and killed while in Hamas captivity. There are about ten U.S. hostages in Gaza. Thailand is the foreign nation with the most hostages held by Hamas – estimated at 54.

U.S. Evacuation. The last planned U.S. chartered flight (DoS) out of Ben Gurion International Airport will take place on Tuesday, October 31. Some Americans have been successful in crossing the border into Jordan. It is estimated that 33 Americans (some are dual citizens) have died in the conflict.

Why Did Hamas Attack Israel? Rodney Synder and Moshe Nelson explain why Hamas launched its deadliest terrorist attack ever on Israel. There is a lot of speculation of the true purpose of the attacks. The authors of this article point to Iran’s hope to derail any peace negotiations with Israel with regional Arab nations and to overturn the status quo of the Palestinian – Israeli conflict. “Why Did Hamas Conduct a Terrorist Attack on Israel and Why Now?”, The Cipher Brief, October 24, 2023.

Former MARSOC Cdr in Israel. Lt. Gen. James Glynn, a former commander of Marine Forces Special Operations Command spent several days in Israel offering advice to the Israeli military. He has since returned to the United States.

References: Map Gaza Strip (2005), and more maps of Gaza Strip, West Bank, and Israel.

Ukraine Conflict

Battle for Avdiyivka. The eastern Ukrainian city of Avdiyivka (Google Maps) continues to see heavy fighting. Kyiv forces have repelled multiple Russian attacks over the past several weeks. The Russians have experienced heavy equipment and personnel losses in these attacks. “Russia and Ukraine intensify fight over Avdiivka, another ruined city”, The Washington Post, October 28, 2023. (subscription)

Interactive Map. Russia’s Invasion of Ukraine by the Insitute for the Study of War and Critical Threats.
On storymaps.arcgis.com

Commentary and National Security

US Army COIN Doctrine. This article argues that the innovation of the US Army’s counterinsurgency doctrine between 2000 and 2008 was enabled by three factors. The first factor was that the relevant actors needed to have a common understanding of the need for change. Second, a consensus had to be achieved on which organizational actions should be undertaken. Last, external pressure was necessary to overcome the US Army’s inflexibility. “What helped change the US Army counterinsurgency doctrine?”, by Christopher Good, Wavel Room, October 27, 2023.

World Wide Alert for U.S. Citizens. The Department of State has issued an alert for Americans. “Due to increased tensions in various locations around the world, the potential for terrorist attacks, demonstrations or violent actions against U.S. citizens and interests, the Department of State advises U.S. citizens overseas to exercise increased caution.” “Latest Information for U.S. Citizens”, DoS, October 29, 2023.

Border Crisis. Testimony before the Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations of the Committee on Natural Resources United House of Representatives. Entitled “Security Our Border, Saving Our National Parks”, October 18, 2023, YouTube, 2 hours. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q1xkxU5eIe8&t=3s See also “IntelBrief: The Security Implications of Historic Levels of Migration at the U.S. Southwest Border”, The Soufan Center, October 27, 2023.

Report – Citizenship and Immigration Statuses of the U.S. Foreign-Born Population, Congressional Research Service, CRS IF11806, updated October 6, 2023, PDF, 3 pages. https://crsreports.congress.gov/product/pdf/IF/IF11806

Great Power Competition

Books on Russian IO. Information warfare has a unique place in Russian strategic culture. Five books provide the details. “War Books: Russia’s Information Warfare”, by T.S. Allen, Modern War Institute at West Point, October 27, 2023.

SOF and Strategic Competition. Richard Angle, Leo Blanken, and Philip Swintek collaborate on an essay about how the United States ARSOF community should transition to the new era. “Where do US Army special operations fit in a world of strategic competition?”, Atlantic Council, October 13, 2023.

Sale of US Subs to Australia – Poses a Problem. The U.S. nuclear attack submarine inventory will experience a nearly decade-long dip due to the AUKUS partnership, according to a new Congressional Budget Office analysis (CBO, PDF, 45 pgs) of U.S. naval shipbuilding. “AUKUS Sub Sale Will Cause 10-year Dip in U.S. Attack Boat Inventory, Says CBO”, USNI News, October 26, 2023.

SOF News welcomes the submission of articles for publication. If it is related to special operations, current conflicts, national security, or defense then we are interested.

Afghanistan

WHO Humanitarian Report. The World Health Organization has posted its September 2023 “Emergency Situation Report” for Afghanistan online. (WHO, October 30, 2023, PDF, 7 pages).

Canada Helps Afghans Relocate. Canada is on the brink of fulfilling its commitment to accept 40,000 Afghans before the end of this year. The pledge, made by Ottawa in August 2021 when the Taliban seized power in Afghanistan, was driven by concerns for the safety of Afghans who had collaborated with Canadian programs and the former Afghan government. “Canada Admits Nearly 40,000 Afghans, Willing to Take More”, Voice of America, October 25, 2023.

United Kingdom Helps Afghans Relocate from Pakistan. The UK government is to charter flights to relocate Afghan refugees living in Pakistan who have been promised UK visas, starting on Thursday. Thousands of people who worked with or for the UK government in Afghanistan and fled the Taliban are in Pakistan, waiting for relocation to the United Kingdom. “UK to charter flights for Afghan refugees stuck in Pakistan”, BBC News, October 26, 2023.

Middle East

Report – Moving the Money. Read up on how the Iranian’s have access to money around the world and how they use it to support terrorism. Clayton Thomas, a Specialist in Middle Eastern affairs, testifies before the U.S. House of Representatives. Congressional Research Service, TE10088, PDF, 10 pages, October 26, 2023. https://crsreports.congress.gov/product/pdf/TE/TE10088

U.S. Troops Under Attack in ME. At least 19 U.S. troops have traumatic brain injury from rocket and drone attacks by Iranian-backed militants. One contractor was killed. The attacks are taking place in Syria and Iraq. U.S. forces have been conducting airstrikes in Syria in retaliation.

“Shiite Crescent”. Iran has surrogate forces spread across the Middle East. A “Shiite Crescent” stretches from Yemen on the Arabian Peninsula through Iraq, Syria and Lebanon and back down to the Gaza Strip. “The Proxy Forces Iran Has Assembled Across the Middle East”, by Neil MacFarquhar, The New York Times, October 27, 2023. (subscription)

Africa

Troubles in Niger. Islamist militants in Niger have significantly stepped up their attacks in the months since generals here ousted the elected president, jettisoning the counterterrorism support of French forces and throwing into doubt cooperation with the American military. “Extremist attacks escalate in Niger after coup topples American ally”, by Rachel Chason, The Washington Post, October 30, 2023. (subscription)

Exercise Flintlock 2024. U.S. Special Operations Command Africa participated in a multinational field training exercise from September 24-30, 2023, in Texel, Netherlands. In preparation for the upcoming Exercise Flintlock 2024, U.S., Netherlands, and Belgian forces assembled to conduct preventative medical training. (DVIDS, Oct 30, 2023)

SOF News Book Shop

View our selection of books about special operations forces at the SOF News Book Shop.

Books, Podcasts, Videos, and Movies

Book – Dead Hand. James Stejskal is the author of the new novel Dead Hand. It is the latest in his Snake Easter chronicles. Old hands from the Cold War return to duty to oppose a Russian leader’s designs on the Baltic States. Stejskal, a former Green Beret, is the author of Special Forces Berlin and a former member of Det A, so he knows a little about the Cold War. Read an interview by Deborah Kalb of James about his new book (October 27, 2023).

Publication – UK MoD’s PR Manual. The United Kingdom’s Ministry of Defence has published Future Joint Personnel Recovery, Joint Concept Note 3/21, July 2021. PDF, 46 pages. https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/1087534/20210701-JCN_3_21_Future_JPR_final_web.pdf

Podcast – Creative Problem Solving in a Special Forces Environment. Col. (Ret.) Mark Mitchell is interviewed by the West Point Center for Oral History. Mitchell discusses his formative years and time in ROTC at Marquette, his experiences as a junior officer in the 24th Infantry Division while deployed to Iraq, and his time in 5th Special Forces Group, focusing on his deployments to Afghanistan. He explains what it means to him to be a Green Beret and the priority he places on “family.” Finally, he discusses the trends he has seen in counterterrorism operations over his time in the Army. October 26, 2023, 54 minutes. https://www.westpointcoh.org/interviews/creative-problem-solving-in-a-special-forces-environment

Video – MACV SOG Veteran John Good – Talks About Time on Recon Teams. Vietnam war MACV SOG vet John Good talks about him being drafted, NVA soldiers, wire taps, snakes, and a near miss with an ARC LIGHT B-52 bombing run. He served on RT ARIZONA and RT TEXAS. MACV SOG – Interviews with Warriors, October 29, 2023, YouTube, one hour. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DUpk_ERoueM

Movie Review – Freelance. John Cena plays a former Special Forces operative who now takes on freelance security jobs overseas. (watch the trailer) Dan Kois reviews the movie in “Finally, a Movie About the Glamorous Exciting Life of a Freelancer”, Slate.com, October 27, 2023. (Editors note: I did a lot of ‘bodyguard’ work both domestically and overseas. I wouldn’t use the words ‘glamorous’ to describe it; although there was a certain degree of ‘excitement’ that punctuated long periods of boredom.)

Upcoming Events

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December 8, 2023
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December 8-10, 2023
2023 Civil Affairs Conference
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