Category Archives: Special Operations Forces

Navy EOD Exercising In Alaska to Test Unmanned Systems in Frigid Temps

Navy EOD Exercising In Alaska to Test Unmanned Systems in Frigid Temps

Operations Specialist First Class Sean McNamara launches the Mk 18 Mod 2 Kingfish for an initial underwater survey of Sweeper Cove on Adak Island in the Alaska’s Aleutian chain. EODMU 1 is providing expeditionary mine countermeasures support in support of Arctic Expeditionary Capabilities Exercise 2019. EODMU 1 provides operational EOD capabilities to include locating, identifying, rendering safe, exploiting, recovering, and disposing of all explosive ordnance. US Navy photo.

The Navy’s explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) community is looking to leverage nearly two decades of expertise gained in the mountains of Afghanistan and the deserts in Iraq and apply them to helping the Navy gain sea control and beach access in a future high-end, near-peer adversary type of fight. Read More

Berger: Marine Corps May Have to Shrink to Afford Modernization, Readiness Goals

Berger: Marine Corps May Have to Shrink to Afford Modernization, Readiness Goals

U.S. Marines with 3rd Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment, currently attached to 4th Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division, conduct morning accountability before dawn on April 5, 2019 during Exercise Balikatan at the Navy Education Training Command, Philippines. US Marine Corps Photo

CAPITOL HILL – The next commandant may need to reduce the size of the Marine Corps and focus on a smaller number of priority missions, to ensure that the service can stay ready to meet its requirements under the National Defense Strategy in a resource-constrained budget. Read More

Votel: U.S. Still Needs to Keep Pressure on ISIS After Syria Exit

Votel: U.S. Still Needs to Keep Pressure on ISIS After Syria Exit

U.S. Army Soldiers assigned to the 3rd Cavalry Regiment watch an illumination round in the distance that was fired from their M777 Howitzer for an indirect fire mission in Southwest Asia on Dec. 2, 2018. US Army Photo

The U.S.- led military coalition needs to keep military pressure on the Islamic State even after the American withdrawal from Syria. And the U.S. needs to be prepared to still provide $4 billion yearly to Kabul after a troop drawdown in Afghanistan, U.S. Central Command commander Army Gen. Joseph Votel told the Senate Armed Services Committee on Tuesday. Read More

Marine Corps Eyeing Further Naval, Joint Integration to Support Future Fight

Marine Corps Eyeing Further Naval, Joint Integration to Support Future Fight

Marines assigned to the 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit, conduct call for fire missions during Theater Amphibious Combat Rehearsal (TACR 18). Led by Naval Amphibious Force, Task Force 51/5th Marine Expeditionary Expedition Brigade, TACR integrates U.S. Navy and Marine Corps assets to practice and rehearse a range of critical combat-related capabilities available to U.S. Central Command, both afloat and ashore, to promote stability and security in the region. US Marine Corps photo.

THE PENTAGON – The Marine Corps is looking at future fights as being inherently naval and joint and is seeking ways to more closely integrate with its sister services. Read More