Tag Archives: U.S. Special Operations Command

Army IDs 5 Special Operations Soldiers Killed in Eastern Mediterranean Helo Crash

Army IDs 5 Special Operations Soldiers Killed in Eastern Mediterranean Helo Crash

(top row left to right) Chief Warrant Officer Three Stephen Dwyer, 38, of Clarksville, Tenn., Chief Warrant Officer Two Shane Barnes, 34, of Sacramento, Calif., Staff Sgt Tanner W. Grone, 25, of Gorham, N.H.
(bottom row left to right) Sgt Cade Wolfe, 24, of Mankato, Minn., Sgt Andrew P. Southard, 27, of Junction, Ariz.

The Army has identified five soldiers who were killed in a helicopter crash in the Eastern Mediterranean on Friday, according to a Monday announcement from U.S. Army Special Operations Command. Read More

SOCOM Shifting To Great Power Competition Strategy, But Needs More ISR Capabilities, Commander Says

SOCOM Shifting To Great Power Competition Strategy, But Needs More ISR Capabilities, Commander Says

East Coast Navy SEALs participate in a nighttime exercise during TRIDENT 17 at the John C. Stennis Space Center, Miss., in 2017. US Navy Photo

Forty percent of U.S. Special Operations Command is now aligned to meet the challenges of great power competition, a shift that means the command needs modernized intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance hardware and software, and electronic warfare defenses, its commander told lawmakers Thursday. Read More

Navy Needs To Think Small When Planning Irregular Surface Warfare Strategies

Navy Needs To Think Small When Planning Irregular Surface Warfare Strategies

A boarding team from dock landing ship USS Whidbey Island (LSD 41) approaches merchant vessel Golden Nori after pirates released the Japanese chemical tanker Dec. 12, 2007. The pirates seized the ship off the coast of Somalia in late October. The release of Golden Nori marked the first time in more than a year that no ships were held by Somali pirates. Navy Photo

Great power competition dramatically expands the challenges of confronting irregular naval warfare such as defending against maritime pirates or preserving the security of data sent through undersea cables, a panel of experts said at the Hudson Institute last week.

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SOCOM: High Optempo Creates Recruiting Challenges In Special Operations Community

SOCOM: High Optempo Creates Recruiting Challenges In Special Operations Community

Army Gen. Raymond Thomas delivers remarks after assuming command of U.S. Special Operations Command at MacDill Air Force Base, Fla., March 30, 2016. DoD photo.

Some special operations units have found themselves in an “unsustainable” deployment tempo, with warfighters deployed for six months, home for six months and then heading back out the door again, the head of U.S. Special Operations Command told the Senate Armed Services Committee today. Read More

Congressman, Former SEAL Pushing to Keep Helicopter Combat Squadrons in Navy Budget

Congressman, Former SEAL Pushing to Keep Helicopter Combat Squadrons in Navy Budget

A U.S. Navy SEAL fast ropes from an HH-60H Sea Hawk helicopter assigned to the High Rollers of Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 85 onto a gas and oil platform in July 2011. US Navy photo.

A U.S. Navy SEAL fast ropes from an HH-60H Sea Hawk helicopter assigned to the High Rollers of Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 85 onto a gas and oil platform in July 2011. US Navy photo.

The defense authorization bill the House will debate this week includes a provision from a congressman and retired Navy SEAL that prevents the Navy from disestablishing Helicopter Sea Combat Squadrons 84 and 85. Read More

Opinion: The Legacy of Adm. William McRaven

Opinion: The Legacy of Adm. William McRaven

Adm. William H. McRaven, the outgoing U.S. Special Operations Command, addresses the audience during the USSOCOM change of commander ceremony at MacDill Air Force Base, Fla. in 2011. DoD Photo

Adm. William McRaven, the outgoing U.S. Special Operations Command, addresses the audience during the USSOCOM change of commander ceremony at MacDill Air Force Base, Fla. in 2011. DoD Photo

Now that Adm. William McRaven has announced his retirement, it is worth looking back at the contributions of perhaps the most influential Navy flag officer since Fleet Adm. Chester Nimitz. Read More