SOF News

20/02/2024

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

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

14/02/2024

With DoD's recent shift in focus on strategic competition, U.S. special operations forces are 'returning to its roots'.

The United States Special Operations Command sees its new mission in strategic competition as a root to its historical roots.

12/02/2024

Catch up on the news about SOF, conflicts, and defense issues from around the world.

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

05/02/2024

Catch up on the news about special operations and conflicts around the world.

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

31/01/2024

On January 31, 1991, 33 years ago, an AC-130, Spirit 03, was shot down during the Persian Gulf War. All crew members lost.

Thirty years ago, on January 31, 1991, an AC-130H Spectre gunship went to the aid of U.S. Marines in contact with the enemy during Desert Storm. The aircraft and its crew of fourteen was shot down by an Iraqi surface-to-air [...]

30/01/2024

On January 30, 1945, hundreds of prisoners of war were rescued at the Cabanatuan prisoner of war camp during WWII in the Philippines by a combined force of 6th Ranger Battalion, Alamo Scouts, and Philippine guerrillas.

The fate of the Americans left behind in the Philippines weighed heavily on the senior leaders who escaped.

29/01/2024

Catch up on the news about special operations, Ukraine, Israel, drone attack on Tower 22 (3 U.S. KIA), and more.

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

28/01/2024

Location of drone attack in northeastern Jordan that killed 3 U.S. servicemembers on Saturday, January 27, 2024.

28/01/2024

Three U.S. service members killed in drone attack on small outpost in Jordan near the Syrian border. (CNN)

Three US Army troops were killed and at least two dozen service members were injured in a drone attack overnight on a small US outpost in Jordan, US officials told CNN, marking the first time US troops have been killed by enemy fire in the Middle East since the beginning of the Gaza war.

26/01/2024

The United States Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) has posted its December 2023 issue of "Tip of the Spear" online.

The December 2023 issue of "Tip of the Spear" has been posted online by the United States Special Operations Command (USSOCOM)

26/01/2024

Col (Ret) Roger Donlon, Special Forces officer and Medal of Honor recipient has passed away.

Colonel (Ret) Roger Donlon passed away on January 25, 2024. He was a recipient of the Medal of Honor for his action in combat in Vietnam.

23/01/2024

The origins of the United Nations Partisan Forces Korea. On January 23, 1951, Plan ABLE was submitted that would recommend the use of guerrillas behind enemy lines during the Korean conflict.

In January 1951 Plan ABLE was developed to organize Korean partisans for the conduct of intelligence and sabotage work.

23/01/2024

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

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

18/01/2024

On this day - 34 years ago, January 18, 1991, Iraq launched SCUD missiles into Israel. SCUD Hunter teams were sent in to find the mobile missiles for aircraft to strike.

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

16/01/2024

CENTCOM release more information on the VBSS operation off the coast of Somalia resulting in two missing SEALs.

Two SEALs are missing after conducting a VBSS on a vessel transporting Iranian weapons off the coast of Somalia on January 11, 2024.

15/01/2024

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

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

01/01/2024

OTD, January 1, 1962, the first SEAL teams were established by President Kennedy. The OSS Maritime Unit was the precursor to the SEALs. Learn more in "First SEALs".

In the summer of 1942, an extraordinary group of men united to form an exceptional unit. Known as the Maritime Unit, it comprised America's first swimmer-commandos--an elite breed of warrior-spies who were decades ahead of their time when they created the tactics, technology, and philosophy that liv...

30/12/2023

The Irish Army Ranger Wing is getting a new name, more personnel, and a revamped command structure.
(Irish Times, Dec 30, 2023)

Secretive Army Ranger Wing is getting a new name, more personnel and a revamped command structure

21/12/2023

SOF in the Arctic.

Do Special Operations Forces need to reconsider how they are structured and trained to be more competitive in the Arctic?

20/12/2023

On December 20, 1989, more than 3,600 Army Special Operations Forces (ARSOF) soldiers 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. Read more at USASOC History Office:

The materials available through this microsite provide a snapshot of ARSOF preparation for, and participation in, military operations in Panama, 1989-1991.

18/12/2023

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

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

13/12/2023

Movie Trailer - Civil War. A Civil War in the United States. Could be interesting. In theaters April 2024.

SUBSCRIBE: http://bit.ly/A24subscribeFrom writer/director Alex Garland and starring Kirsten Dunst, Wagner Moura, Stephen McKinley Henderson, and Cailee Spaen...

13/12/2023

https://sof.news/nsw/romanian-sof/

East-Coast based Naval Special Warfare Operators (SEALs) and the 164th Romanian Naval SOF (ROUSOF) conducted training in Nov 2023.

12/12/2023

The next head of the British Army has a special forces background. As well as serving as a commander at company, squadron, battlegroup, brigade and special forces group levels, General Sir Roly Walker has also served in Northern Ireland, Afghanistan and Iraq.

General Sir Roly Waker will take over from General Sir Patrick Sanders in June 2024 as Chief of the General Staff

11/12/2023

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

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

05/12/2023

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.

29/11/2023

There is a new journal covering the topics of irregular warfare and special operations - published by Arizona State University (ASU). Worth a read by SOF professionals and national security folks.

A new journal is now available that covers the topics of irregular warfare and special operations - Inter Populum.