The Definitive Spec Ops Resource
THE DEFINITIVE SPEC OPS RESOURCE FOR FITNESS AND SELECTION
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The Airborne and Special Operations Museum in Fayetteville, NC will host special screenings of documentary films honoring some of the United States’ World War II Medal of Honor recipients. The event will take place on March 25 at 10 a.m. in the museum’s Yarborough-Bank Theatre.
The guest speaker will be state Rep. John Szoka, a retired Army lieutenant colonel who represents NC House District 45. Also in attendance, will be Maurice Renaud, the son of Alexandre Renaud — wartime mayor of Ste. Mere Eglise, France — and Simone Renaud — who was known as the “Mother of Normandy” for her care of the graves of fallen U.S. soldiers after World War II.
At 11:30 a.m., the museum will host a special screening of the Doug Stebleton-produced documentary, “The Heroes of World War II.”
A second film focused on Simone Renaud, “Mother of Normandy,” which also was produced by Stebleton, will be shown at 1:30 p.m.
During the Medal of Honor events, officials said the museum will highlight three World War II paratroopers: Pfc. Charles Neilans DeGlopper and Pvt. Joe Gandara of the 82nd Airborne Division and Lt. Col. Robert George Cole of the 101st Airborne Division.
DeGlopper and Gandara were awarded the Medal of Honor posthumously for their valor in combat during the Normandy invasion. LTC Cole never lived to see his award, he was killed in action a few months later in the Netherlands during Operation Market Garden.
Renaud whose village of Saint Mere Eglise was a key target for the American paratroopers on D-Day, will be autographing copies of a book that was authored by his father “Sainte-Mere-Eglise: D-Day, June 6, 1944,” that was first published in 1945, and a book about his mother, “Mother of Normandy.”
To read the Fayetteville Observer’s entire article click here:
Photo courtesy of Airborne and Special Operations Museum
The US has augmented the already 500 Special Operations forces in Syria with 400 conventional troops. Reports were filtering down that a Marine Corps artillery unit and an Army Stryker unit have been sent to Syria in advance of the anticipated battle to free the major town of Raqqa.
Army General Joseph Votel, Commander of the US Central Command told the Senate Armed Services Committee that the need for more conventional troops may increase for later stability operations.
Sen. John McCain R – Arizona pushed Votel on questions that the US support for the Syrian Kurds, who the Turks consider terrorists could be a flashpoint in the upcoming battle where the different factions are working so closely together to remove ISIS.
What the Trump administration has done so far pretty much goes by the Obama administration’s playbook. I mean, their idea was the local provide the fighters, we provide the firepower, and that’s how we grab back territory from ISIS.
But the big question is, who are going to be the fighters who seize the town? And the most capable forces that the American military has found in the region is this YPG Kurdish militia. They’re the ones that have the most experience fighting. They’re the ones that played the key role in taking back Manbij.
They’re the force that the American military is counting on to be a component, not the majority of the force, that takes Raqqa, but a key component of the assault force.
The problem is, Turkey considers them to be terrorists, and they have sort of drawn a red line at arming the YPG. But, unless we arm the YPG, they’re in no position to help out in the Raqqa assault. And that’s pretty much where things stand at this point.
Defense Secretary Jim Mattis has given President Trump the Defense Dept. plans on defeating ISIS in both Syria and Iraq. Trump pledged to swiftly eradicate ISIS from both countries. Troop strength in Syria was capped by former President Obama in an attempt to keep the US from escalating into another conflict after the last eight-plus years in Iraq.
To read the PBS News entire article click here:
Photo courtesy of DOD
Television reporter Alex Quade has covered US Special Operations forces numerous times in Iraq and Afghanistan and she earned the trust and respect of the troops who are normally distrustful of reporters and the media in general.
Now she is telling their story with a documentary “Danger Close” that will premiere on Thursday night in Tampa Bay. The title Danger Close denotes a military term where friendly troops are in such close proximity to the enemy, they are in danger of suffering from artillery, mortars or air attacks.
Quade has compiled footage on the ground with Special Operations Forces and will show their families back home and the American public what dangers the troops face on a daily basis fighting in faraway lands.
“This is the closest Americans will get to go along with elite special forces troops and other amazing service members,” said Quade, 48. “This is as ‘danger close’ to war as you will possibly get and it shows the love in this brotherhood and for each other.”
Quade is headed to Tampa for the debut. She said she was inspired to make the film and to spend so much time embedding with commandos in Afghanistan and Iraq, by a motto U.S. troops follow.
“Operators would never leave a fallen soldier behind,” she said. “And the truth shouldn’t be left behind either.”
The choice of Tampa for the premiere was a no-brainer; it is the home of the US Special Operations Command and many will attend including several Medal of Honor recipients. Quade also told the story of Green Beret Staff sergeant Robert Pirelli of the 10th Special Forces Group. He was killed in Iraq by small arms fire in 2005.
“Rob’s dad made me promise that I would let him know that his son wouldn’t be forgotten over there,” Quade says in the trailer.
To read the entire article from Tampa Bay News, click here:
Photo courtesy DOD
Tampa Bay was recently the host of many of the world’s Special Operations commanders as they visited the headquarters of the US Special Operations Command (SOCOM). They were there to share ideas and coordination, as they want to emulate the success the US has had in the Special Operations field.
The Global Special Operations Symposium was created by retired LTC Stu Bradin and he put together the meeting and the organization in Tampa that integrates the Special Ops units from the US with our allies.
Bradin, a former 7th Special Forces Group officer worked directly under former SOCOM commander and Navy SEAL Admiral William McRaven. McRaven launched a hub for all Special Operations forces called J3I which integrated all foreign and US operators in a single hub. The goal was to ensure that regional issues don’t snowball into larger ones.
Romanian Col. Claudio “CD” Dobocan, his nation’s representative to the J3I for 18 months, explained the value.
“Sometimes the distance between Rome and Madrid is shorter here than in Europe,” he said.
Being ensconced inside SOCom headquarters gives Romania’s commando force access to Thomas and to leaders at U.S. Central Command, which also has its headquarters at MacDill, while allowing for increased Romanian input, Dobocan said.
“We contribute to forward planning,” he said. Representation in J3I also provides a “tool for rapid reaction in case of a crisis.”
The meeting between the commanders on allies and US SOCOM is invaluable. They can share ideas and training. They can work out coordination in advance of sensitive operations that will cut down on any potential problems the operators would face.
And most importantly, the commanders may share their thoughts on potential hotspots and problem areas in the world. The increasing Russian aggressiveness in the world in the past few years was not lost on the attendees.
“The next fight, which is staring us right in the face . . . is Russia,” said Army Maj. Gen. William Hix, the Army’s director of strategy, plans and policy, speaking at the symposium about a range of potential challenges.
“They study our playbook,” said Hix, adding that the Russians have made investments “to challenge us in a number of areas. Look at Ukraine and actions in Syria. We see harbingers of future war there in the speed of violence and lethality they bring to the battlefield.”
To read the entire article from Tampa Bay Times, click here:
Photo courtesy DOD
In just a few days, Special Forces candidates will descend upon 15 North Carolina counties to take part in “Robin Sage”, the final test of the Special Forces Qualification Course.
Special Forces candidates will attempt to free the fictional country of Pineland by entering the area of operations, linking up with a guerrilla force and helping them conduct UW operations and overthrow the government.
Ft. Bragg soldiers will take part playing the part of opposing forces as well as friendly guerrilla freedom fighters also known as the Pineland resistance movement.
The exercise’s fictional country of Pineland spans Rowan, Alamance, Anson, Cabarrus, Chatham, Davidson, Guilford, Hoke, Montgomery, Moore, Randolph, Richmond, Scotland, Stanly, and Union counties.
Throughout the exercise, Special Forces candidates and Robin Sage role players not only conduct training missions such as controlled assaults and key-leader engagements but also live, eat and sleep in civilian areas.
All Robin Sage movements have been coordinated with public safety officials in the towns and counties hosting the training. Residents may hear blank gunfire and see occasional flares. Controls are in place to ensure no risk to people or property.
Residents with concerns should contact local law enforcement officials, who will then contact exercise control officials.
Robin Sage is the final rite of passage for Green Berets and has been since 1974. Civilians from the area take an active role in the operations and act as role players throughout the exercise. Many know the area of operations and can navigate without the use of a map across large areas in the exercise. Their dedication and assistance is invaluable to the Special Forces candidates and provides a valuable lesson for future SF operators.
Upon the successful completion of Robin Sage, soldiers will graduate the Special Forces Qualification Course, don their Green Berets for the first time and move on to their initial assignments in the Special Forces Regiment.
To read the entire article from Salisbury Post, click here:
Photo courtesy DOD
Remember Your Regiment! Special Operations Command South (SOCSOUTH) honored the men who died in the line of duty in Latin America and the Caribbean since 1963. The 142 names are etched on a memorial in front of the command’s HQs.
The memorial commemorates shows the true joint nature of the command and lists U.S. Army, Navy, Marines, and Air Force Special Operations Forces members killed during combat operations or while conducting training in U.S. Southern Command’s area of responsibility.
“[These fallen warriors] paid the ultimate sacrifice as they trained for and participated in combat operations during a critical period in our nations’ history,” said presiding officer and SOCSOUTH Commander Navy Rear Adm. Collin P. Green.
Stones were laid next to the four service flagpoles to honor the operators that were killed in action during four major combat operations: Operation Urgent Fury in Grenada, the EL Salvadoran civil war, Operation Just Cause in Panama, and Operation Uphold Democracy in Haiti.
During the ceremony, a SOCSOUTH member from each service read off the names of all 142 members who paid the ultimate sacrifice while a bell was tolled for each. The idea of the memorial was brought to the command by former SOCSOUTH Deputy Director of Operations Pat Lenaghan. He worked behind the scenes to ensure that he saw this thru.
Lenaghan formerly served in the 1st Bn, 7th SFG (A) at Ft. Bragg and in Panama during Just Cause. The guest speaker was retired BG Hector Pagan, former Commander of SOCSOUTH and who also served in 7th Special Forces Group in Panama.
“These great Americans were every bit like you and me,” said retired Army Brig. Gen. Hector Pagan, guest speaker at the ceremony and SOCSOUTH’s 11th commander. “Heroes as they were, I’m sure they would never acknowledge anything they did as special; but also like you and me, what set them apart was they loved being in Special Operations, they loved our country, and loved the work they did.”
“And to our SOCSOUTH command, use today and the rest of our time here as will I, to know and respect the many chapters of SOCSOUTH’s history and pay tribute to those that have gone before us,” added Green. “Learn how they led and bled before us and built the culture and legacy we enjoy today.”
“We will not forget because as long as we remember they will be with us,” said Pagan.
To read the entire article from SOCSOUTH, click here:
Photo courtesy SOCSOUTH
Special Forces missions are as varied as the men who conduct them. Right now, in the Central African Republic, US Special Forces and Ugandan soldiers are conducting operations to “apprehend or remove” one of the most wanted terrorist warlords in Africa.
Joseph Kony is a self-proclaimed Christian prophet and he’s been charged with a number of crimes including murder, rape, kidnapping and torture by the International Criminal Court.
There is a $5 million price on his head for information leading to his capture. The US government considers him a specially designated global terrorist and has put up the bounty money.
Green Berets are leading Ugandan troops searching for Kony and his “Lord’s Resistance Army” (LRA) in an area the size of California. Kony and his followers have been operating in four different countries and thus far has eluded capture.
As the Trump administration shifts its focus to counterterrorism, the Green Berets’ mission to find Kony may be axed as early as this month with the warlord still at large.
Dubbed Operation Observant Compass, America is a relative newcomer to this fight. Uganda is not.
The Ugandan People’s Defense Force (UPDF), has been fighting the LRA for almost 30 years.
At the height of its power, the LRA counted as many as 3,000 fighters among its ranks.
It preyed upon villages of northern Uganda, kidnapping young boys and forcing them to commit atrocities against their neighbors and families.
There is talk of ending the US involvement in the mission from AFRICOM, the US command in Africa due to the exorbitant cost of continuing to fund the operations. Although Kony’s forces are rumored to be defeated and on the run, the operation will not be complete until he’s either killed or captured.
To read the entire article from NBC, click here:
Photo courtesy DOD
Reports were coming out of Syria that US-backed coalition units and Russian troops were operating in very close proximity to one another. In neighboring villages, they each tried to calm rival factions that are both fighting ISIS
The Telegraph is reporting that the two superpowers have each sent troops into the area of the northern town of Manbij to slow the tensions and stop the fighting between Turkish soldiers and Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF).
The SDF which is led by 500 US Special Forces advisors is leading an attack against ISIS’ de facto capital in Syria at Raqqa. As of March 6, they had advanced within 5 miles of the capital city.
Several US armored vehicles flying the stars and stripes were seen patrolling Manbij and the surrounding countryside over the weekend, in what the Pentagon called an effort to “reassure” allies.
“Combined Joint Task Force Operation Inherent Resolve has taken this deliberate action to reassure Coalition members & partner forces, deter aggression and keep focus on defeating Isil,” Col. John Dorrian, a spokesman for Operation Inherent Resolve, said on Twitter.
The Manbij military council earlier asked Russian and Syrian troops to form a buffer zone between Manbij and Turkish forces in al-Bab, 25 miles to the southwest.
Col Gen Sergei Rudskoi, a spokesman for the Russian general staff, confirmed on Friday that its commanders in Syria had negotiated an agreement for troops loyal to Damascus to take over several Kurdish-controlled villages.
The Turks consider the SDF an extension of the Kurdish insurgency inside Turkey. With the Russians and US troops in very close proximity to one another, this is the kind of slippery slope that much care must be taken to avoid a confrontation.
To read the Telegraph’s entire article click here:
Photo courtesy DOD
Just weeks after the Twin Towers fell in New York City, US Army Special Forces A-teams were deployed to Afghanistan to make contact with the anti-Taliban Northern Alliance military forces and capture a series of strategic towns in the northern area of the country.
One of those A-teams, (ODA 595) commanded by CPT Mark Nutsch with Northern Alliance troops captured the key town of Mazur-e-Sharif while conducting the first horse-mounted attack in the US military in over 100 years.
The other A-team, (ODA-574) commanded by CPT Jason Amerine deployed on November 3. Infiltrating key points in the south, they made contact with future Afghan President Hamid Karzai and moved toward Kandahar.
Now their story is finally being told, brought to the big screen by filmmaker Greg Barker who has put together the documentary “Legion of Brothers” in concert with CNN Films.
Immediately after the September 11 attacks, the United States government initiated a secret war in Afghanistan. Fewer than a hundred Special Forces soldiers, building a coalition with the rebels of the Northern Alliance, faced off against the Taliban and succeeded in driving them out of power by the end of the year—with minimal coalition casualties and without conventional, large-scale military operations. Despite this victory, the U.S. and its allies soon became mired in a seemingly never-ending war.
Acclaimed filmmaker Greg Barker (Manhunt, 2013 Sundance Film Festival) expertly reveals this unexplored story, drawing on unprecedented access to several of the Green Berets who played pivotal roles in these covert missions. Driven by a sense of justice, these soldiers left family members in the dark as they set off to serve as Afghanistan’s liberators, only to confront the tragic realities of war. Reflecting on their experiences—and on the brothers-in-arms they lost—these elite soldiers offer at once a riveting celebration of valor and a sobering, cautionary tale.
For more on the film check out Sundance’s website, or read a review from Variety here:
The film shows how the lessons learned from decades of Special Forces missions and training were put to good use and how the US military with no massive conventional force was able to topple the government of the Taliban.
Featured photo: US Special Operations Command