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: 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

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

Photo / Image: Naval Special Warfare Combatant Craft (image from DVIDS video, 3 Oct 2023).

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SOF News

Lt. Gen. (Ret.) Ken Tovo. A former commander of the United States Army Special Operations Command (USASOC) is assuming the position of Strategic Advisor (Instagram) with Oak Grove Technologies. Tovo had a 35-year Army career with much of it spent in Special Forces.

Army SOF Cuts Coming. Defense Department officials and the Army undersecretary briefed congressional staff members on Thursday, October 12th, on the 3,000 cuts in personnel that will take place in the USASOC force structure. “Pentagon briefs Hill on Army special ops cuts, vacant slots targeted”, Army Times, October 12, 2023.

U.S. SOF Hostage Rescue in Gaza Strip? A Navy SEAL who is now a GOP lawmaker says that a U.S. special operations hostage rescue in Israel would take considerable effort. (Fox News, October 15, 2023)

‘Space Ranger’. An MIT graduate who works on satellites has completed U.S. Army Ranger School. His primary job in the Air Force is to develop satellite communications tools. He has attended other ‘infantry’ type schools to include the Sapper Leader’s Course and Air Assault School. (The Messenger, October 15, 2023).

SOF and Multidomain Operations. Lt. Gen. Jonathan P. Braga, commanding general, U.S. Army Special Operations Command, spoke during the Association of U.S. Army’s Warriors Corner event – “Special Operations, Space, and Cyber Operations: A Modern-Day Triad” – in Washington D.C. on Oct. 11. Braga said he foresees the Triad being leveraged for irregular warfare options, flexible deterrents and flexible response options for the joint warfighter. He said the Triad has to work together, experiment together and learn together. “TRIAD leaders update AUSA at Warriors Center”, DVIDS, October 13, 2023.

Green Beret (the hat) History. Sarah Sicard has penned an article that provides details on how the green beret became the official headgear for Special Forces soldiers. “How the green beret became the symbol of US Army Special Forces”, Military Times, October 10, 2023.

A Dad Remembers His Fallen Son. On October 4, 2017, four U.S. soldiers of the 3rd Special Forces Group died in an ambush in Niger. While this event captured the attention of the nation for several months, for most Americans, it is a faint and distinct memory. But not for the families of those lost soldiers. “A father reflects on the death of his son during the 2017 Niger ambush”, by Henry Black, Military Times, October 6, 2023.

‘Hell Week’. Joshua Skovlund provides some historical perspective on SEAL training and the early days of frogmen. “Why Navy SEALs wear a trident and other facts about life as a frogman”, Task and Purpose, October 12, 2023.

SOF History

3rd SFG(A). On October 16, 1991, 2nd Battalion, 3rd SFGA was activated with HQs company, 2 SF companies, and a forward support company.

Martha Raye. On October 19, 1994, the Honorary Special Forces LTC “Maggie” Raye died.

Afghanistan. On October 19, 2001, two SF detachments infiltrate into northern Afghanistan to link up with the Northern Alliance. They were the first two U.S. Army SF teams inserted into Afghanistan to work with Northern Alliance Forces. On the same day, Operation Rhino took place in southern Afghanistan. The 3rd Ranger Battalion conducted an airborne operation to seize Objective Rhino. This was part of a highly publicized U.S. effort to show that the United States could put boots on the ground anywhere in the world whenever it wanted.

PSYOP. On October 16, 2006, the Psychological Operations branch was established.

Conflict in Israel and Gaza

Hostages. Israel and the international community are confronted with the vexing problem of recovering their citizens held hostage by Hamas in Gaza Strip. The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) says that more than 120 hostages are being held by Hamas. There are a total of 32 countries with ‘missing’ citizens. The United States has more than ten Americans held in dispersed locations by the terrorist group. Over 30 countries have had at least one of their citizens killed by Hamas in Israel. At least 27 Americans have been killed in the Israel-Gaza War. According to reporter James LaPorta the U.S. has special operations forces in the region should a hostage rescue attempt be necessary. In addition, he says U.S. hostage rescue experts may now be in Israel (The Messenger News, Oct 11, 2023).

Civilians in Combat Zones. Israel has moved thousands of its citizens from the border areas of Gaza Strip and southern Lebanon. The IDF has warned civilian Palestinians that northern Gaza will soon see extensive combat operations and urges them to evacuate (IDF Twitter) to southern Gaza along two designated ‘safe routes’. Some news reports stay that Hamas has set up roadblocks to prevent Palestinians from moving south. Despite the roadblocks hundreds of thousands of Palestinians have fled northern Gaza to the south.

U.S. State Department. DoS has authorized the departure of non-emergency U.S. government personnel and eligible family members from Israel. It has updated (Oct 14, 2023) its travel advisory for Israel. U.S. citizens who wish to depart with U.S. government assistance must express their interest via the DoS crisis intake form. The U.S. Embassy in Israel has announced that a ship will leave Haifa, Israel on October 16, 2023, for Cyprus to evacuate U.S. citizens. There are about 200,000 U.S. citizens in Israel, most of them dual citizens.

Evacuations. Most foreign nationals are leaving Israel on commercial flights. Some nations, including the U.S., have chartered aircraft to evacuate their citizens from Israel. Poland was one of the first to conduct evacuation flights for its citizens, completing the task with over 27 lifts.

Crossing into Egypt from Gaza. Negotiations with Egypt for the use of the Rafah Border Crossing as an evacuation corridor from Gaza Strip is ongoing. It was reported that a few citizens of the U.S. and Canada got across a few days ago; but it has now been closed by Egypt. There is the possibility that the crossing will be open on Monday, October 16, 2023, at 9 am (local time) according to the U.S. State Department, but only for a limited amount of time and probably only for foreign nationals.

Coming Ground War. Tunnels, anti-tank missiles, drones, and suicide bombers are just some of the perils that await Israeli forces in the tight confines of heavily populated Gaza. “The Perilous Tactical Realities Israel Will Face Fighting in Gaza”, by Howard Altman, The WarZone, October 13, 2023. Read also “Reflections on Israel’s Urban Operations”, Irregular Warfare Center, October 12, 2023.

CRS Reports. The Congressional Research Service has published two reports about the Hamas – Israel conflict. https://www.national-security.info/country/israel/hamas-attack-2023.html

Odds and Ends. The Iraqi Parliament has called for the activation of the Arab Defense Treaty (Yale.edu) in response to the ongoing Israeli actions in Gaza. The U.S. has been building up its naval forces in the region; a US armada is now based in the waters off Israel and more ships are on the way (The Washington Post, subscription). Sec Def Austin issued a statement on the composition of U.S. naval forces in the region (defense.gov). The U.S. is providing a variety of assistance to Israel (Military.com, Oct 15, 2023). Despite the dropping of over 6,000 bombs on Hamas targets in Gaza by the Israeli Air Force the terrorist group still has the capacity (as on Mon, 16 Oct) to send a large number of rockets and missiles into Israel’s cities.

Ukraine Conflict

Russian Offensive. The Russians have begun offensive operations in the Avdiivka (Google Maps) region close to Russian-occupied Donetsk. Thus far it has gained minimal ground. The Russians have stepped up attacks on military and civilian targets with drones over the past few days. F-16 fighter training will begin in the coming days for Ukrainian pilots and crews in the United States.

IO Front. Ukrainian information operations activities are credited with the defection of over 17,000 Russian soldiers according to US Army Special Operations Command’s Lt. Gen. Jon Braga (Breaking Defense). A recent RAND corporation study examines the respective characteristics and persuasiveness of the Russian and Ukrainian information operations campaigns. See “The Nightingale Versus the Bear”, RAND, October 2023, PDF, 59 pages. https://www.rand.org/pubs/research_reports/RRA2032-1.html

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

National Security

Bolduc on our Generals. In modern military operations, the role of Generals and Admirals is critical in shaping the direction and outcomes of defense strategies. However, there has been an increasing concern over the failure of these top-ranking officers to fulfill their duties effectively. Retired Brig. General Don Bolduc, a career Special Forces officer, examines the reasons behind this perceived failure and the implications for our military today. “Evaluating the Leadership Failure of Generals and Admirals in Today’s Military”, SOFREP, October 9, 2023.

IW and the Gaza Conflict. The future is entirely unwritten, but the history that will be made in the Middle East in the coming weeks and months will prove valuable to the study of multi-echelon irregular warfare. “The Irregular Warfare Implications of the Israel-Hamas Conflict”, by Doug Livermore, Irregular Warfare Initiative, October 12, 2023.

Are China and North Korea Allies? Beijing is keeping a careful eye on its neighboring nation – it has concerns that the growing threats from Pyongyang will destabilize Northeast Asia. “North Korea and China Aren’t the Allies You Think They Are”, The RAND Blog, September 27, 2023.

Russian Military Ground Forces. The Institute for the Study of War has published Russian Regular Ground Forces Order of Battle: Russian Military 101. The PDF (60 pages) was published on October 12, 2023. It has two sections: an introductory essay on the regular Russian ground forces and a fully sourced order of battle (OB). https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-regular-ground-forces-order-battle-russian-military-101

Sahel CT Effort. If the US is forced to end operations at the air base it modernized at Agadez, Niger and to withdraw US troops from Niger, they may be able to relocate to another country.  But it’s hard to see how the US can continue to pursue its counterterrorism strategy in the Sahel without a base in the immediate area. “West Africa: Collapse of U.S. Counterterrorism Strategy in the Sahel”, All Africa, October 15, 2023.

Another Earthquake. A third earthquake, measuring 6.3 magnitude, struck an area close to Herat on Sunday, October 14, 2023. Over 100 have been injured with some deaths reported as well. The last two earthquakes flattened thousands of homes, killed over 3,000 people, injured more than 7,000, and displaced thousands. The United States is providing over $12 million in aid for Afghan earthquake relief. The Hindu Kush Mountain range lies near the junction of the Eurasian and Indian tectonic plates. “Afghanistan hit by third earthquake in a week”, BBC News, October 15, 2023.

SOF News Book Shop

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

Book – The Fourth Age: The Future of Special Operations. This anthology of fictional stories helps us visualize a future era of special operations. Through their creative talents and subject matter knowledge, the authors realistically portray what is within the realm of possible. They draw upon lessons of the past while imagining the future. Joint Special Operations Press (JSOU), October 2, 2023, PDF, 192 pages. https://www.jsou.edu/Press/PublicationDashboard/239

Podcast – SEALs in Iraq. The commander of a SEAL team in Iraq, Rick Witt, talks about the deployment. The Spear Podcast, October 11, 2023, 50 minutes. https://mwi.westpoint.edu/podcast-the-spear-seals-in-iraq/

Video – NSW Overview. Naval Special Warfare Command, located on Naval Amphibious Base, Coronado, leads the Navy’s maritime special operations force and is the Navy component to U.S. Special Operations Command. NSW is the nation’s elite maritime special operations force, uniquely positioned to extend the Fleet’s reach and gain and maintain access for the Joint Force in competition and conflict. DVIDS, October 3, 2023, 6 minutes. https://www.dvidshub.net/video/900276/nsw-overview-video

Video – AFSOC Mission Overview. A look at the history, heritage, and missions of Air Force Special Operations Command. DVIDS, October 12, 2023, 5 minutes. https://www.dvidshub.net/video/900214/afsoc-mission-overview

Upcoming Events

October 16-20, 2023
SOAR XLVII
Special Operations Association

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

Contents: Video of Rangers doing water jump & helicast, Summer Games security, Marines training with Israeli SF, Paratrooper energy bar, Afghan SF, book review, USSOCOM support contract, “Little Green Men”, iPhone Tactical Assault Kit, SEAL Delivery Vehicles, new AFSOC cdr, and more.

Video –Rangers Conduct Water Insertion Training. 1/75^th Rangers perform a parachute jump into the ocean from a CH-47F Chinook helicopter and a helicast from a UH-60M Black Hawk during water insertion training off the coast of Tybee Island, Georgia on July 20, 2016. (1 minute long video posted on DVIDS, video by SPC Scott Lindblom,3rd Combat Aviation Brigade). www.dvidshub.net/video/476088/1-75th-rangers-jump

CT Forces Advising Brazil for Summer Games.  The Olympic Games will run this summer in Brazil and there are fears that terrorists will try and strike at this time. However, there are a number of police and military counterterrorist units (JSOC, SAS, GSG9, etc.) that have sent in advisors to help out the Brazil security forces. Read more in an article by Steven Bucci in The Daily Signal published August 1, 2016 entitled “Facing the Terror Threat at the Olympic Games in Rio”.

Marines & Israeli SF Train Together. According one news report Israeli Special Forces and U.S. Marines are training together for possible future combat against Islamic terror groups. Read more in a news report by Western Journalism, August 1, 2016.

Paratrooper Snack Food. “Scientists at the Army Natick Soldier Research, Development and Engineering Center’s Combat Feeding Directorate jumped at the chance to develop a nutrition bar based on identified paratrooper needs”. The end result is a snack bar “. . . that is nutritious, provides energy, and is easy to carry and easy to eat.” Read more in “Army jump-starts nutrition with new ‘paratrooper bar’”, Army.mil, July 29, 2016.

Afghan Special Forces. A recent article was published about the Afghan Special Forces. Read “Special Operations: Afghan Operators Are Calling”, Strategy Page, July 27, 2016.

Marine Recon and Air Force SOF Practice Humanitarian Mission. Force Reconnaissance Marines from the III Marine Expeditionary Force and Special Tactics Airmen with the 353^rd Special Operations Group (AFSOC) took part in humanitarian mission training during an exercise called Rim of the Pacific 2016. Read a news report posted by Marines.mil on July 15, 2016.

Book Review – Crisis. Frank Gardner has penned a spy / special operations thriller with a former SBS man as the central figure involved in South American intrigue. Read “Countering a new terrorist threat from an unexpected direction”, Business Standard, August 2, 2016.

Family of Drowned Sailor Seeks Answers. A Navy SEAL trainee drowned during training and the man’s family is looking for some answers on how it could happen. See a news report by NBC News, August 2, 2016.

SEAL Delivery Vehicles. For decades USSOCOM has been trying to develop a new SDV (SEAL Delivery Vehicle). Read the news on a new contract for a DCS SDV in a news report by Strategy Page, August 2, 2016.

Navy SEAL Commander to Retire. Rear Admiral Brian Losey, the head of Naval Special Warfare Command, will be retiring after running into problems with Congress. Read more in “Navy SEAL boss to retire after promotion controversy,” Navy Times, August 2, 2016.

Fulcrum Wins USSOCOM Contract. Fulcrum IT Services, LLC has announced that it was awarded a prime contract from U.S. Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) on the SOCOM Wide Mission Support (SWMS) Program. The contract supports all USSOCOM contracts. Read more in a news report posted by Washington Exec, July 19, 2016.

New Cdr for AFSOC. LTG Brad Webb has taken command of the 20,000-strong Air Force Special Operations Command (AFSOC) based at Hurlburt Field, Florida. Read more in “Webb Quietly Takes Command of Special Ops Command”, The Pulse, July 29, 2015.

Marines & 353^rd SOG Practice Airfield Seizure. Marines and the Air Force 353^rd Special Operations Group have been practicing long-range airfield seizures. In addition to the Ospreys, the Air Force also employed MC-130 cargo planes. Read more in “USAF, Marines conduct rapid airfield seizure exercise”, DVIDS, August 1, 2016.

Army SOF Going to iPhones. The United States Army Special Operations Command (USASOC) is replacing its Android tactical smartphone with the iPhone Tactical Assault Kit (an iPhone 6S). It is the SOF version of the Army’s Nett Warrior battlefield situational awareness tool. Read more in “Army SOF to Trade in Its Androids for iPhones”, DoD Buzz, July 26, 2016.

Pub – “Little Green Men”. The United States Army Special Operations Command (USASOC) has published a publication (78-pages) entitled “Little Green Men”: a primer on Modern Russian Unconventional Warfare, Ukraine 2013-2014”. Posted on publicintelligence.net.
https://info.publicintelligence.net/USASOC-LittleGreenMen.pdf

Photo Credit.  1-75th Ranger jumps from a Chinook helicopter performing a water jump off coast of Georgia in July 2016 (DVIDS). Picture taken from video by SPC Scott Lindblom, 3rd Combat Aviation Brigade.