United States Special Operations Command

The United States Special Operations Command (USSOCOM or SOCOM) is the unified combatant
command charged with overseeing the various special operations component commands of the
Army, Marine Corps, Navy, and Air Force of the United States Armed Forces. The command is part of
the Department of Defense and is the only unified combatant command created by an Act of
Congress. USSOCOM is headquartered at MacDill Air Force Base in Tampa, Florida.

The idea of an American unified special operations command had its origins in the aftermath of
Operation Eagle Claw, the disastrous attempted rescue of hostages at the American embassy in Iran
in 1980. The ensuing investigation, chaired by Admiral James L. Holloway III, the retired Chief of
Naval Operations, cited lack of command and control and inter-service coordination as significant
factors in the failure of the mission.[8] Since its activation on 16 April 1987, U.S. Special Operations
Command has participated in many operations, from the 1989 invasion of Panama to the War on
Terror.[9][10]

USSOCOM is involved with clandestine activity, such as direct action, special reconnaissance,
counter-terrorism, foreign internal defense, unconventional warfare, psychological warfare, civil
affairs, and counter-narcotics operations. Each branch has a distinct Special Operations Command
that is capable of running its own operations, but when the different special operations forces need
to work together for an operation, USSOCOM becomes the joint component command of the
operation, instead of a SOC of a specific branch.[11]

History

The unwieldy command and control structure of separate U.S. military special operations forces
(SOF), which led to the failure of Operation Eagle Claw in 1980, highlighted the need within the US
Department of Defense for reform and reorganization. The US Army Chief of Staff, General Edward
C. "Shy" Meyer, had already helped create the U.S. Delta Force in 1977.[12] Following Eagle Claw, he
called for a further restructuring of special operations capabilities. Although unsuccessful at the
joint level, Meyer nevertheless went on to consolidate Army SOF units under the new 1st Special
Operations Command in 1982.[13]
 United States Special Operations
Command

Senator Barry Goldwater, former

chairman of the Senate Armed United States Special Operations Command
Services Committee
Emblem
By 1983, there was a small but growing sense in
Founded April 16, 1987
the US Congress of the need for military reforms. (37 years, 10 months
In June, the Senate Armed Services Committee ago)[1]
(SASC) began a two-year-long study of the
Country United States
Defense Department, which included an
examination of SOF spearheaded by Senator Type Unified combatant
Barry Goldwater (R-AZ). With concern mounting command
on Capitol Hill, the Department of Defense Special operations
created the Joint Special Operations Agency on 1 forces

January 1984; this agency, however, had neither

Role Functional
operational nor command authority over any combatant
[14][15]
SOF. The Joint Special Operations Agency command
thus did little to improve SOF readiness,
Size Entire command:
capabilities, or policies, and therefore was
more than 70,000[2][3]
deemed insufficient. Within the Defense
Headquarters staff:
Department, there were a few staunch SOF 2,500[2]
supporters. Noel Koch, Principal Deputy Assistant
Secretary of Defense for International Security Part of United States
Department of
Affairs, and his deputy, Lynn Rylander, both
Defense
advocated SOF reforms.[16]
Headquarters MacDill Air Force
At the same time, a few on Capitol Hill were
Base
determined to overhaul United States Special Florida, U.S.
Operations Forces. They included Senators Sam Nickname(s) USSOCOM, SOCOM
Nunn (D-GA) and William Cohen (R-ME), both
Engagements Operation Earnest
members of the Armed Services Committee, and
Will
Representative Dan Daniel (D-VA), the chairman
Invasion of Panama
of the United States House Armed Services
Gulf War
Subcommittee on Readiness. Congressman Unified Task Force
Daniel had become convinced that the U.S.
Operation Gothic
military establishment was not interested in
Serpent
special operations, that the country's capability in
this area was second rate, and that SOF Battle of
Mogadishu
operational command and control was an
endemic problem.[16] Senators Nunn and Cohen Operation Uphold
also felt strongly that the Department of Defense Democracy
was not preparing adequately for future threats. War on Terror
Senator Cohen agreed that the U.S. needed a War in Afghanistan
clearer organizational focus and chain of
Iraq War
command for special operations to deal with low-
intensity conflicts.[14] Operation Inherent
Resolve[4]
In October 1985, the Senate Armed Services
Website www.socom.mil (http
Committee published the results of its two-year
s://www.socom.mi
review of the U.S. military structure, entitled l)
[17]
"Defense Organization: The Need For Change."
James R. Locher III, the principal author of this Commanders
study, also examined past special operations and
Commander General Bryan P.
speculated on the most likely future threats. This Fenton, USA[5]
influential document led to the 1986 Goldwater-
Deputy Commander Lieutenant General
Nichols Act.[18][19] By spring 1986, SOF advocates
Sean M. Farrell,
had introduced reform bills in both houses of
USAF
Congress. On 15 May, Senator Cohen introduced
the Senate bill, co-sponsored by Senator Nunn Vice Commander Lieutenant General
and others, which called for a joint military Francis L. Donovan,

organization for SOF and the establishment of an USMC[6]

office in the Defense Department to ensure Senior Enlisted Command Sergeant

adequate funding and policy emphasis for low- Leader Major Shane W.
[20]
intensity conflict and special operations. Shorter, USA[7]
Representative Daniel's proposal went even
further—he wanted a national special operations agency headed by a civilian who would bypass the
Joint Chiefs and report directly to the US Secretary of Defense; this would keep Joint Chiefs and the
Services out of the SOF budget process.[15]

Congress held hearings on the two bills in the summer of 1986. Admiral William J. Crowe Jr.,
Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, led the Pentagon's opposition to the bills. As an alternative, he
proposed a new Special Operations Forces command led by a three-star general. This proposal was
not well received on Capitol Hill—Congress wanted a four-star general in charge to give SOF more
influence. A number of retired military officers and others testified in favor of the need for reform.[16]
By most accounts, retired Army Major General Richard Scholtes gave the most compelling reasons
for the change. Scholtes, who commanded the joint special operations task force during Operation
Urgent Fury, explained how conventional force leaders misused SOF during the operation, not
allowing them to use their unique capabilities, which resulted in high SOF casualties.[21] After his
formal testimony, Scholtes met privately with a small number of Senators to elaborate on the
problems that he had encountered in Grenada.[22]

Both the House and Senate passed SOF reform bills, and these went to a conference committee for
reconciliation. Senate and House conferees forged a compromise. The bill called for a unified
combatant command headed by a four-star general for all SOF, an Assistant Secretary of Defense
for Special Operations and Low-Intensity Conflict, a coordinating board for low-intensity conflict
within the National Security Council, and a new Major Force Program (MFP-11) for SOF (the so-
called "SOF checkbook").[23][24] The final bill, attached as a rider to the 1987 Defense Authorization
Act, amended the Goldwater-Nichols Act and was signed into law in October 1986. This was
interpreted as Congress forcing the hand of the DOD and the Reagan administration regarding what
it saw as the past failures and emerging threats. The DOD and the administration were responsible
for implementing the law, and Congress subsequently passed two additional bills to ensure
implementation.[16] The legislation promised to improve SOF in several respects. Once
implemented, MFP-11 provided SOF with control over its own resources, better enabling it to
modernize the force. Additionally, the law fostered interservice cooperation: a single commander for
all SOF promoted interoperability among the same command forces. The establishment of a four-
star commander-in-chief and an Assistant Secretary of Defense for Special Operations and Low-
Intensity Conflict eventually gave SOF a voice in the highest councils of the Defense Department.[23]
 General James Lindsay, the first
Commander in Chief, Special
Operations Command

However, implementing the provisions and mandates of the Nunn-Cohen Amendment to the
National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1987 was neither rapid nor smooth. One of the
first issues to arise was the appointment of an Assistant Secretary of Defense for Special
Operations and Low Intensity Conflict, whose principal duties included monitorship of special
operations activities and the low-intensity conflict activities of the Department of Defense. Congress
increased the number of assistant secretaries of defense from 11 to 12, but the Department of
Defense still did not fill this new billet. In December 1987, Congress directed Secretary of the Army
John O. Marsh to carry out the ASD (SO/LIC) duties until the Senate approved a suitable
replacement. Not until 18 months after the legislation passed did Ambassador Charles Whitehouse
assume the duties of ASD (SO/LIC).[25]

Meanwhile, the establishment of USSOCOM provided its own measure of excitement. A quick
solution to manning and basing a brand new unified command was to abolish an existing
command. United States Readiness Command (USREDCOM), with an often misunderstood mission,
did not appear to have a viable mission in the post-Goldwater-Nichols era, and its commander-in-
chief, General James Lindsay, had had some special operations experience. On 23 January 1987,
the Joint Chiefs of Staff recommended to the Secretary of Defense that USREDCOM be
disestablished to provide billets and facilities for USSOCOM. President Ronald Reagan approved the
establishment of the new command on 13 April 1987. The Department of Defense activated
USSOCOM on 16 April 1987 and nominated General Lindsay to be the first Commander in Chief
Special Operations Command (USCINCSOC). The Senate accepted him without debate.[16]
Operation Earnest Will

MH-60 landing on Hercules

USSOCOM's first tactical operation involved 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (Airborne)
("Night Stalkers") aviators, SEALs, and Special Boat Teams (SBT) working together during Operation
Earnest Will in September 1987. During Operation Earnest Will, the United States ensured that
neutral oil tankers and other merchant ships could safely transit the Persian Gulf during the Iran–
Iraq War. Iranian attacks on tankers prompted Kuwait to ask the United States in December 1986 to
register 11 Kuwaiti tankers as American ships so that they could be escorted by the U.S. Navy.
President Reagan agreed to the Kuwaiti request on 10 March 1987, hoping it would deter Iranian
attacks.[16] The protection offered by U.S. naval vessels, however, did not stop Iran, which used
mines and small boats to harass the convoys steaming to and from Kuwait. In late July 1987, Rear
Admiral Harold J. Bernsen, commander of the Middle East Force, requested NSW assets. Special
Boat Teams deployed with six Mark III Patrol Boats and two SEAL platoons in August.[16] The Middle
East Force decided to convert two oil servicing barges, Hercules and Wimbrown VII, into mobile sea
bases. The mobile sea bases allowed SOF in the northern Persian Gulf to thwart clandestine Iranian
mining and small boat attacks.[26]

On 21 September, Nightstalkers flying MH-60 and Little Birds took off from the frigate USS Jarrett to
track an Iranian ship, Iran Ajr. The Nightstalkers observed Iran Ajr turn off her lights and begin laying
mines. After receiving permission to attack, the helicopters fired guns and rockets, stopping the
ship. As Iran Ajr's crew began to push mines over the side, the helicopters resumed firing until the
crew abandoned the ship. Special Boat Teams provided security while a SEAL team boarded the
vessel at first light and discovered nine mines on the vessel's deck, as well as a logbook revealing
areas where previous mines had been laid. The logbook implicated Iran in mining international
waters.[16]
 One of two Iranian oil platforms set
ablaze after shelling by American
destroyers

Within a few days, the Special Operations forces had determined the Iranian pattern of activity; the
Iranians hid during the day near oil and gas platforms in Iranian waters and at night they headed
toward the Middle Shoals Buoy, a navigation aid for tankers. With this knowledge, SOF launched
three Little Bird helicopters and two patrol craft to the buoy. The Little Bird helicopters arrived first
and were fired upon by three Iranian boats anchored near the buoy. After a short but intense
firefight, the helicopters sank all three boats. Three days later, in mid-October, an Iranian Silkworm
missile hit the tanker Sea Isle City near the oil terminal outside Kuwait City. Seventeen crewmen and
the American captain were injured in the missile attack.[16][27] During Operation Nimble Archer, four
destroyers shelled two oil platforms in the Rostam oil field. After the shelling, a SEAL platoon and a
demolition unit planted explosives on one of the platforms to destroy it. The SEALs next boarded
and searched a third-platform 2 miles (3 km) away. Documents and radios were taken for
intelligence purposes.

On 14 April 1988, 65 miles (100 km) east of Bahrain, the frigate USS Samuel B. Roberts hit a mine,
blowing an immense hole in its hull.[28] Ten sailors were injured. During Operation Praying Mantis
the U.S. retaliated fiercely, attacking the Iranian frigate Sahand and oil platforms in the Sirri and
Sassan oil fields.[27] After U.S. warships bombarded the Sirri platform and set it ablaze, a UH-60 with
a SEAL platoon flew toward the platform but was unable to get close enough because of the roaring
fire. Secondary explosions soon wrecked the platform.[16] Thereafter, Iranian attacks on neutral
ships dropped drastically. On 18 July, Iran accepted the United Nations cease-fire; on 20 August
1988, the Iran–Iraq War ended. The remaining SEALs, patrol boats, and helicopters then returned to
the United States.[16] Special operations forces provided critical skills necessary to help CENTCOM
gain control of the northern Persian Gulf and balk Iran's small boats and minelayers. The ability to
work at night proved vital because Iranian units used darkness to conceal their actions. Additionally,
because of Earnest Will operational requirements, USSOCOM would acquire new weapons systems
—the patrol coastal ships and the Mark V Special Operations Craft.[16]
Somalia

Special Operations Command first became involved in Somalia in 1992 as part of Operation Provide
Relief. C-130s circled over Somali airstrips during the delivery of relief supplies. Special Forces
medics accompanied many relief flights into the airstrips throughout southern Somalia to assess
the area. They were the first U.S. soldiers in Somalia, arriving before U.S. forces who supported the
expanded relief operations of Restore Hope.[16][29][30] The first teams into Somalia were CIA Special
Activities Division paramilitary officers with elements of JSOC. They conducted very high-risk
advanced force operations prior to the entry of the follow-on forces. The first casualty of the conflict
came from this team and was a Paramilitary officer and former Delta Force operator named Larry
Freedman. Freedman was awarded the Intelligence Star for "extraordinary heroism" for his
actions.[31]

The earliest missions during Operation Restore Hope were conducted by Navy SEALs. The SEALs
performed several hydrographic reconnaissance missions to find suitable landing sites for Marines.
On 7 December, the SEALs swam into Mogadishu Harbor, where they found suitable landing sites,
assessed the area for threats, and concluded that the port could support offloading ships. This was
a tough mission because the SEALs swam against a strong current which left many of them
overheated and exhausted. Furthermore, they swam through raw sewage in the harbor, which made
them sick.[16] When the first SEALs hit the shore the following night, they were surprised to meet
members of the news media. The first Marines came ashore soon thereafter, and the press
redirected their attention to them. Later, the SEALs provided personal security for President George
Bush during a visit to Somalia.[16][30] In December 1992, Special Forces assets in Kenya moved to
Somalia and joined Operation Restore Hope. January 1993, a Special Forces command element
deployed to Mogadishu as the Joint Special Operations Forces-Somalia (JSOFOR) that would
command and control all special operations for Restore Hope. JSOFOR's mission was to make
initial contact with indigenous factions and leaders; provide information for force protection; and
provide reports on the area for future relief and security operations. Before redeploying in April,
JSOFOR elements drove over 26,000 miles (42,000 km), captured 277 weapons, and destroyed over
45,320 pounds (20,560 kg) of explosives.[16]
 Bravo Company, 3rd Battalion of the 75th
Ranger Regiment in Somalia, 1993

In August 1993, Secretary of Defense Les Aspin directed the deployment of a Joint Special
Operations Task Force (JSOTF) to Somalia in response to attacks made by General Mohamed
Farrah Aidid's supporters upon U.S. and UN forces. The JSOTF, named Task Force (TF) Ranger was
charged with a mission named Operation Gothic Serpent to capture Aidid. This was an especially
arduous mission, for Aidid had gone underground, after several Lockheed AC-130 air raids and UN
assaults on his strongholds.[16][32][33]

While Marines from the 24th MEU provided an interim QRF (Force Recon Det and helicopters from
HMM-263), the task force arrived in the country and began training exercises. The Marines were
asked to take on the Aidid snatch mission, but having the advantage of being in the area for more
than two months, decided after mission analysis that the mission was a "no-go" due to several
factors, centered around the inability to rescue the crew of a downed helicopter (re: the indigenous
forces technique of using RPGs against helicopters and blocking the narrow streets in order to
restrict the movement of a ground rescue force). This knowledge was not passed on to the Rangers,
due to the Marines operating from the USS Wasp and the Rangers remaining on land. TF Ranger
was made up of operators from Delta Force, 75th Ranger Regiment, 160th SOAR, SEALs from the
Naval Special Warfare Development Group, and Air Force special tactics units.[16][32] During August
and September 1993, the task force conducted six missions into Mogadishu, all of which were
successes. Although Aidid remained free, the effect of these missions seriously limited his
movements.[33]

On 3 October, TF Ranger launched its seventh mission, this time into Aidid's stronghold the Bakara
Market to capture two of his key lieutenants. The mission was expected to take only one or two
hours.[32] Helicopters carried an assault and a ground convoy of security teams launched in the late
afternoon from the TF Ranger compound at Mogadishu airport. The TF came under increasingly
heavy fire, more intense than during previous missions. The assault team captured 24 Somalis
including Aidid's lieutenants and were loading them onto the convoy trucks when a MH-60
Blackhawk was hit by a rocket-propelled grenade (RPG).[16][33] A small element from the security
forces, as well as an MH-6 assault helicopter and an MH-60 carrying a fifteen-man combat search
and rescue (CSAR) team, rushed to the crash site.[16][32][33] The battle became increasingly worse.
An RPG struck another MH-60, crashing less than 1 mile (1.6 km) to the south of the first downed
helicopter. The task force faced overwhelming Somali mobs that overran the crash sites, causing a
dire situation.[32] A Somali mob overran the second site and, despite a heroic defense, killed
everyone except the pilot, whom they took prisoner. Two defenders of this crash site, Master
Sergeant Gary Gordon and Sergeant First Class Randall Shughart, were posthumously awarded the
Medal of Honor.[16][32][33] About this time, the mission's quick reaction force (QRF) also tried to reach
the second crash site. This force too was pinned by the Somali fire and required the fire support of
two AH-6 helicopters before it could break contact and make its way back to the base.[16]

Map of the main battle sites during

the Battle of Mogadishu

The assault and security elements moved on foot towards the first crash area, passing through
heavy fire, and occupied buildings south and southwest of the downed helicopter. They fought to
establish defensive positions so as not to be pinned down by the very heavy enemy fire while
treating their wounded and worked to free the pilot's body from the downed helicopter. With the
detainees loaded on trucks, the ground convoy force attempted to reach the first crash site. Unable
to find it amongst the narrow, winding alleyways, the convoy came under devastating small arms
and RPG fire. The convoy had to return to base after suffering numerous casualties and sustaining
substantial damage to their vehicles.[34]

Reinforcements, consisting of elements from the QRF, 10th Mountain Division soldiers, Rangers,
SEALs, Pakistan Army tanks and Malaysian armored personnel carriers, finally arrived at 1:55 am on
4 October. The combined force worked until dawn to free the pilot's body, receiving RPG and small
arms fire throughout the night.[16] All the casualties were loaded onto the armored personnel
carriers, and the remainder of the force was left behind and had no choice but to move out on
foot.[32] AH-6 gunships raked the streets with fire to support the movement. The main force of the
convoy arrived at the Pakistani Stadium-compound for the QRF-at 6:30 am,[32] thus concluding one
of the bloodiest and fiercest urban firefights since the Vietnam War. Task Force Ranger experienced
a total of 17 killed in action and 106 wounded. Various estimates placed Somali casualties above
1,000.[32] Although Task Force Ranger's few missions were successes, the overall outcome of
Operation Gothic Serpent was deemed a failure because of the Task Force's failure to complete their
stated mission, capturing Mohamed Farrah Aidid.[32] Most U.S. forces pulled out of Somalia by
March 1994. The withdrawal from Somalia was completed in March 1995.[16] Even though Operation
Gothic Serpent failed, USSOCOM still made significant contributions to operations in Somalia. SOF
performed reconnaissance and surveillance missions, assisted with humanitarian relief, protected
American forces, and conducted riverine patrols. Additionally, they ensured the safe landing of the
Marines and safeguarded the arrival of merchant ships carrying food.[16][27]

Iraq

USSOCOM's 10th Special Forces Group, elements of JSOC, and CIA/SAD Paramilitary Officers linked
up again and were the first to enter Iraq prior to the invasion. Their efforts organized the Kurdish
Peshmerga to defeat Ansar Al Islam in Northern Iraq before the invasion. This battle was for control
of a territory in Northeastern Iraq that was completely occupied by Ansar Al Islam, an ally of Al
Qaeda. This was a very significant battle and led to the death of a substantial number of terrorists
and the uncovering of a chemical weapons facility at Sargat. These terrorists would have been in
the subsequent insurgency had they not been eliminated during this battle. Sargat was the only
facility of its type discovered in the Iraq war. This battle may have been the Tora Bora of Iraq, but it
was a sound defeat for Al Qaeda and their ally Ansar Al Islam.[35] This combined team then led the
Peshmerga against Saddam's Northern Army. This effort kept Saddam's forces in the north and
denied the ability to redeploy to contest the invasion force coming from the south. This effort may
have saved the lives of hundreds if not thousands of coalition servicemen and women.[36]

At the launch of the Iraq War, dozens of 12-member Special Forces teams infiltrated southern and
western Iraq to hunt for Scud missiles and pinpoint bombing targets. Scores of Navy SEALs seized
oil terminals and pumping stations on the southern coast.[37] Air Force combat controllers flew
combat missions in MC-130H Combat Talon IIs and established austere desert airstrips to begin the
flow of soldiers and supplies deep into Iraq. It was notably different from the Persian Gulf war of
1991, where Special Operations forces were mostly kept participating. But it would not be a replay
of Afghanistan, where Army Special Forces and Navy SEALs led the fighting. After their star turn in
Afghanistan, many special operators were disappointed to play a supporting role in Iraq. Many
special operators felt restricted by cautious commanders.[38] From that point, USSOCOM has since
killed or captured hundreds of insurgents and Al-Qaeda terrorists. It has conducted several foreign
internal defense missions successfully training the Iraqi security forces.[39][40]

Afghanistan

United States Special Operations Command played a pivotal role in fighting the former Taliban
government in Afghanistan in 2001[41] and toppling it thereafter, as well as combating the
insurgency and capturing Saddam Hussein in Iraq. USSOCOM in 2004 was developing plans to have
an expanded and more complex role in the global campaign against terrorism,[42] and that role
continued to emerge before and after the killing of Osama bin Laden in Pakistan in 2011.[43] In 2010,
"of about 13,000 Special Operations forces deployed overseas, about 9,000 [were] evenly divided
between Iraq and Afghanistan."[43]

A Special Forces soldier from 7th

SFG(A) gives an Afghan boy a
coloring book in Kandahar Province
during a meeting with local leaders,
12 September 2002

In the initial stages of the War in Afghanistan, USSOCOM forces linked up with CIA Paramilitary
Officers from Special Activities Division to defeat the Taliban without the need for large-scale
conventional forces.[44] This was one of the biggest successes of the global War on Terrorism.[45]
These units linked up several times during this war and engaged in several furious battles with the
enemy. One such battle happened during Operation Anaconda, the mission to squeeze the life out of
a Taliban and Al-Qaeda stronghold dug deep into the Shah-i-Kot Valley and Arma Mountains of
eastern Afghanistan. The operation was seen as one of the heaviest and bloodiest fights in the War
in Afghanistan.[46] The battle on an Afghan mountaintop called Takur Ghar featured special
operations forces from all 4 services and the CIA. Navy SEALs, Army Rangers, Air Force Combat
Controllers, and Pararescuemen fought against entrenched Al-Qaeda fighters atop a 10,000-foot
(3,000 m) mountain. Subsequently, the entrenched Taliban became targets of every asset in the sky.
According to an executive summary, the Battle of Takur Ghar was the most intense firefight
American special operators have been involved in since 18 U.S. Army Rangers were killed in
Mogadishu, Somalia, in 1993.[47][48][49] During Operation Red Wings on 28 June 2005, four Navy
SEALs, pinned down in a firefight, radioed for help. A Chinook helicopter, carrying 16 service
members, responded but was shot down. All members of the rescue team and three of four SEALs
on the ground died. It was the worst loss of life in Afghanistan since the invasion in 2001. The Navy
SEAL Marcus Luttrell alone survived.[50][51] Team leader Michael P. Murphy was awarded the Medal
of Honor for his actions in the battle.[52]

Global presence

U.S. Air Force Special Tactics

Commandos training in Jordan

In 2010, special operations forces were deployed in 75 countries, compared with about 60 at the
beginning of 2009.[43] In 2011, SOC spokesman Colonel Tim Nye (Army[53]) was reported to have
said that the number of countries with SOC presence will likely reach 120 and that joint training
exercises will have been carried out in most or all of those countries during the year. One study
identified joint-training exercises in Belize, Brazil, Bulgaria, Burkina Faso, Germany, Indonesia, Mali,
Norway, Panama, and Poland in 2010 and also, through mid-year 2011, in the Dominican Republic,
Jordan, Romania, Senegal, South Korea, and Thailand, among other nations. In addition, SOC forces
executed the high-profile killing of Osama bin Laden in Pakistan in 2011.

In November 2009 The Nation reported on a covert JSOC/Blackwater anti-terrorist operation in

Pakistan.[54]

In 2010, White House counterterrorism director John O. Brennan said that the United States "will not
merely respond after the fact" of a terrorist attack but will "take the fight to al-Qaeda and its
extremist affiliates whether they plot and train in Afghanistan, Pakistan, Yemen, Somalia and
beyond." Olson said, "In some places, in deference to host-country sensitivities, we are lower in
profile. In every place, Special Operations forces activities are coordinated with the U.S. ambassador
and are under the operational control of the four-star regional commander."[43]

The conduct of actions by SOC forces outside of Iraq and Afghan war zones has been the subject of
internal U.S. debate, including between representatives of the Bush administration such as John B.
Bellinger III, on one hand, and the Obama administration on another. The United Nations in 2010
also "questioned the administration's authority under international law to conduct such raids,
particularly when they kill innocent civilians. One possible legal justification – the permission of the
country in question – is complicated in places such as Pakistan and Yemen, where the governments
privately agree but do not publicly acknowledge approving the attacks," as one report put it.[43]

In two decades fighting terrorism, 660 members of the special operation community have been
killed and a further 2,738 were wounded.[55]

Subordinate commands

Joint Special Operations Command

The Joint Special Operations

Command insignia

Joint Special Operations Command (JSOC)[56] is a component command of the USSOCOM and is
charged to study special operations requirements and techniques to ensure interoperability and
equipment standardization, plan and conduct special operations exercises and training, and develop
Joint Special Operations Tactics.[1] It was established in 1980 on the recommendation of Col.
Charlie Beckwith, in the aftermath of the failure of Operation Eagle Claw.[57]

Units

The U.S. Army's 1st Special Forces Operational Detachment-Delta, popularly known as Delta
Force, is the first of the two counter-terrorism, special mission units that fall under the Joint
Special Operations Command.[58] Modeled after the British Special Air Service, Delta Force is
regarded as one of the premier special operations forces in the world.[59] Delta also includes a
 stringent training and selection process. Delta recruits primarily from the most proficient and
highly skilled soldiers of the U.S. Army Special Operations Command, although it encompasses
the capability of recruiting throughout the U.S. Armed Forces.[32][59] Recruits must pass a rigid
selection course before beginning training, known as the Operators' Training Course (OTC). Delta
has received training from numerous U.S. government agencies and other tiers one SOF and has
created a curriculum based on this training and techniques that it has developed.[59] Delta
conducts clandestine and covert special operations all over the world.[59] It has the capability to
conduct myriad special operations missions but specializes in counter-terrorism and hostage
rescue operations.[32][58][60]

The Intelligence Support Activity (ISA, The Activity) is the support branch of JSOC and USSOCOM.
Its primary missions are to provide Human Intelligence (HUMINT) and Signal Intelligence (SIGINT)
mainly for Delta and DEVGRU's operations.[58][61] Before the establishing of the Strategic Support
Branch in 2001, the ISA required the permission of the CIA to conduct covert operations, which
considerably lessened its effectiveness in its support of JSOC operations as a whole.[58][62][63]

The U.S. Navy's Naval Special Warfare Development Group (DEVGRU, SEAL Team Six) is the
second of the two counter-terrorism, special mission units that fall under the Joint Special
Operations Command.[58] DEVGRU is the U.S. Navy's counterpart to Delta, specializing in maritime
counter-terrorism. DEVGRU recruits the most proficient operators from Naval Special Warfare,
specifically the U.S. Navy SEALs. Like Delta, DEVGRU can conduct a variety of special operations
missions but trains primarily for maritime counter-terrorism and hostage rescue operations.
DEVGRU has gained prolific notoriety in recent years, due to high-profile hostage rescue
operations and their role in the killing of Osama Bin Laden.[32][58]

The Air Force 24th Special Tactics Squadron (24th STS) is the AFSOC component of JSOC. The
24th STS consists of specially selected AFSOC personnel, including Pararescuemen, Combat
Controllers, and TACPs. These special operators usually serve with Delta Force and DEVGRU,
because of the convenience of the 24th STS's ability to synchronize and control the different
elements of airpower and enhance air operations deep in enemy territory; as well as, in the case
of Pararescuemen, providing needed medical assistance.[32]

The Joint Communications Unit (JCU) is a technical unit of the United States Special Operations
Command charged to standardize and ensure interoperability of communication procedures and
equipment of the Joint Special Operations Command and its subordinate units. The JCU was
activated at Ft. Bragg, NC in 1980, after the failure of Operation Eagle Claw. The JCU has earned
the reputation of "DoD's Finest Communicators".[64]

Portions of JSOC units have made up the constantly changing special operations task force,
operating in the U.S. Central Command area of operations. The Task Force 11, Task Force 121, Task
Force 6-26 and Task Force 145 are creations of the Pentagon's post-11 September campaign
against terrorism, and it quickly became the model for how the military would gain intelligence and
battle insurgents in the future. Originally known as Task Force 121, it was formed in the summer of
2003 when the military merged two existing Special Operations units, one hunting Osama bin Laden
in and around Afghanistan, and the other tracking Sadaam Hussein in Iraq.[65][66][67]

Special Operations Command – Joint Capabilities

Special Operations Command – Joint Capabilities (SOC-JC) was transferred to USSOCOM from the
soon-to-be disestablished United States Joint Forces Command in 2011.[68] Its primary mission was
to train conventional and SOF commanders and their staffs to support USSOCOM international
engagement training requirements, and support the implementation of capability solutions in order
to improve strategic and operational Warfighting readiness and joint interoperability. SOC-JC must
also be prepared to support the deployed Special Operations Joint Task Force (SOJTF)
Headquarters (HQ).

The Government Accountability Office wrote that SOC-JC was disestablished in 2013, and positions
were to be zeroed out in 2014.[69]

Army Special Operations Command

USASOC SSI

On 1 December 1989, the United States Army Special Operations Command (USASOC) activated as
the 16th major Army command. These special operations forces have been America's spearhead for
unconventional warfare for more than 40 years. USASOC commands such units as the well known
Special Forces (SF, or the "Green Berets"), the Rangers, and such relatively unknown units as two
psychological operations groups, a special aviation regiment, a civil affairs brigade, and a special
sustainment brigade. These are one of the USSOCOM's main weapons for waging unconventional
warfare and counter-insurgency. The significance of these units is emphasized as conventional
conflicts are becoming less prevalent as insurgent and guerrilla warfare increases.[70][71][72][73]
 Name Headquarters Structure and purpose

The 1st Special Forces Command (Airborne) manages seven

special forces groups—the 1st Special Forces Group
(Airborne), 3rd Special Forces Group (Airborne), 5th
Special Forces Group (Airborne), 7th Special Forces Group
(Airborne), 10th Special Forces Group (Airborne), 19th
Special Forces Group (Airborne) (ARNG) and 20th Special
Forces Group (Airborne) (ARNG)—that are designed to deploy
and execute nine doctrinal missions: unconventional warfare,
foreign internal defense, direct action, counter-insurgency,
special reconnaissance, counter-terrorism, information
operations, counterproliferation of weapon of mass destruction,
and security force assistance; each special forces group
consists of three to four battalions with a group support
Fort Bragg, company and headquarters company. The command also
1st Special Forces Command
North manages two psychological operations groups—the 4th
(Airborne)
Carolina Psychological Operations Group (Airborne) and 8th
Psychological Operations Group (Airborne)—tasked to work with
foreign nations to induce or reinforce behavior favorable to U.S.
objectives; each psychological operations group consists of
three to four battalions, most of which are geographically
aligned. The command also manages the 95th Civil Affairs
Brigade (Special Operations) (Airborne) which enables military
commanders and U.S. ambassadors to achieve national
objectives by countering adversary control and improving a
partner's control over populations via five geographically
focused battalions and the 528th Sustainment Brigade
(Special Operations) (Airborne) that provides combat service
support, combat medical support, and intelligence via multiple
support operations teams and three battalions.

Ft. Liberty,
1st Special Forces Operational Elite special operations and counter-terrorism unit under the
North
Detachment-Delta control of Joint Special Operations Command.
Carolina

75th Ranger Regiment Fort Moore, In addition to a regimental headquarters, a Special Troops
Georgia Battalion, and a military intelligence battalion, the 75th
Ranger Regiment consists of three maneuver battalions of elite
airborne infantry specializing in large-scale, joint forcible entry
operations while simultaneously executing precision targeting
operations raids across the globe. Additional capabilities
include special reconnaissance, air assault, and direct-action
raids seizing key terrain such as airfields, destroying strategic
facilities, and capturing or killing the enemies of the Nation. The
Regiment also helps develop the equipment, technologies,
 training, and readiness that bridge the gap between special
operations and conventional combat maneuver organizations.

The Army Special Operations Aviation Command (Airborne)

organizes, mans, trains, resources and equips Army special
Ft. Liberty,
Army Special Operations operations aviation units to provide responsive, special
North
Aviation Command (Airborne) operations aviation support to Army Special Operations Forces
Carolina
(ARSOF) consisting of five units and the 160th Special
Operations Aviation Regiment (Airborne).

The SWCS selects and trains Army Special Forces, Civil

Affairs and Psychological Operations soldiers consisting of five
distinct units and the Directorate of Training and Doctrine:
1st Special Warfare Training Group (Airborne)—which focuses
Ft. Liberty,
John F. Kennedy Special on entry-level training—, 2nd Special Warfare Training Group
North
Warfare Center and School (Airborne)—which focuses on advanced training—, Special
Carolina
Warfare Medical Group (Airborne)—which is part of the Joint
Special Operations Medical Training Center—, Special Forces
Warrant Officer Institute, and David K. Thuma
Noncommissioned Officers Academy.

Units:

Special Forces soldiers from Task

Force Dagger and Commander Abdul
Rashid Dostum on horseback in the
Dari-a-Souf Valley, Afghanistan, circa
October 2001—celebrated in the
movie 12 Strong

United States Army Special Forces (SF) aka Green Berets perform several doctrinal missions:
unconventional warfare, foreign internal defense, special reconnaissance, direct action, and
counter-terrorism. These missions make Special Forces unique in the U.S. military because they
are employed throughout the three stages of the operational continuum: peacetime, conflict, and
war.[74] Foreign internal defense operations, SF's main peacetime mission, are designed to help
friendly developing nations by working with their military and police forces to improve their
technical skills, understanding of human rights issues, and help with humanitarian and civic
action projects. Special Forces unconventional warfare capabilities provide a viable military
option for a variety of operational taskings that are inappropriate or infeasible for conventional
forces. Special Forces are the U.S. military's premiere unconventional warfare force.[75] Foreign
internal defense and unconventional warfare missions are the bread and butter of Special Forces
soldiers. For this reason, SF candidates are trained extensively in weapons, engineering,
communications, and medicine. SF soldiers are taught to be warriors first and teachers second
because they must be able to train their team and be able to train their allies during an FID or UW
mission.[74][76] Often SF units are required to perform additional, or collateral, activities outside
their primary missions. These collateral activities are coalition warfare/support, combat search
and rescue, security assistance, peacekeeping, humanitarian assistance, humanitarian de-mining,
and counter-drug operations.[77]

The 1st Special Forces Operational Detachment-Delta (1st SFOD-D), commonly referred to as
Delta Force, Combat Applications Group/"CAG", "The Unit", Army Compartmented Element, or
within JSOC as Task Force Green,[78] is an elite Special Mission Unit of the United States Army,
under the organization of the USASOC but is controlled by the Joint Special Operations Command
(JSOC). It is used for hostage rescue and counterterrorism, as well as direct action and
reconnaissance against high-value targets. 1st SFOD-D and its U.S. Navy counterpart, DEVGRU,
"SEAL Team 6", perform many of the most highly complex and dangerous missions in the U.S.
military. These units are also often referred to as "Tier One" and special mission units by the U.S.
government.

The 75th Ranger Regiment (U.S. Army Rangers) is the premier light-infantry unit of the United
States Army and is headquartered at Fort Benning, Georgia. The 75th Ranger Regiment's mission
is to plan and conduct special missions in support of U.S. policy and objectives.[79] The Rangers
are a flexible and rapid-deployable force. Each battalion can deploy anywhere in the world within
18 hours of notice. The Army places much importance on the 75th Ranger Regiment and its
training; it possesses the capabilities to conduct conventional and most special operations
missions. Rangers are capable of infiltrating by land, sea, or air and direct action operations such
as conducting raids or assaulting buildings or airfields.[80]
 The 22nd STS's Red Team jumps out
of an MH-47G Chinook from the 160th
SOAR during helocast alternate
insertion and extraction training

The 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (Night Stalkers) headquartered at Fort Campbell,
Kentucky provides aviation support to units within USSOCOM. The Regiment consists of MH-6
and AH-6 light helicopters, MH-60 helicopters and MH-47 heavy assault helicopters. The
capabilities of the 160th SOAR (A) have been evolving since the early 1980s. Its focus on night
operations resulted in the nickname, "Night Stalkers."[81] The primary mission of the Night Stalkers
is to conduct overt or covert infiltration, exfiltration, and resupply of special operations forces
across a wide range of environmental conditions.[82]

4th Psychological Operations Group (Airborne) and 8th Psychological Operations Group
(Airborne) Soldiers use persuasion to influence perceptions and encourage desired
behavior.[83][84] PSYOP soldiers support national objectives at the tactical, operational and
strategic levels of operations. Strategic psychological operations advance broad or long-term
objectives; global in nature, they may be directed toward large audiences or at key
communicators. Operational psychological operations are conducted on a smaller scale. 4th
POG(A) is employed by theater commanders to target groups within the theater of operations. 4th
POG(A) purpose can range from gaining support for U.S. operations to preparing the battlefield
for combat. Tactical psychological operations are more limited, used by commanders to secure
immediate and near-term goals. In this environment, these force-enhancing activities serve as a
means to lower the morale and efficiency of enemy forces.[85]

95th Civil Affairs Brigade (Airborne) specialists identify critical requirements needed by local
citizens in war or disaster situations. They also locate civilian resources to support military
 operations, help minimize civilian interference with operations, support national assistance
activities, plan and execute noncombatant evacuation, support counter-drug operations and
establish and maintain liaison with civilian aid agencies and other non-governmental
organizations. In support of special operations, these culturally oriented, linguistically capable
Soldiers may also be tasked to provide functional expertise for foreign internal defense
operations, unconventional warfare operations and direct action missions.[86]

528th Sustainment Brigade (Special Operations) (Airborne) (SO) (A) has a difficult mission
supporting USASOC. In their respective fields, signal, intelligence, medical, and support soldiers
provide communications, focused intelligence, medical Role II support, supplies, maintenance,
equipment, and expertise allowing ARSOF to "shoot, move and communicate" on a continuous
basis. Because USASOC often uses ARSOF-unique items, soldiers assigned to these units are
taught to operate and maintain a vast array of specialized equipment not normally used by their
conventional counterparts. The 528th also provides the USASOC with centralized and integrated
material management of property, equipment maintenance, logistical automation and repair parts
and supplies.[87]

John F. Kennedy Special Warfare Center (USAJFKSWCS) trains USSOCOM and Army Special
Operations Forces through development and evaluation of special operations concepts, doctrines
and training.[88]

Marine Forces Special Operations Command

United States Marine Forces

Special Operations Command
emblem
 DA/SR Operators from 1st SOB
(Special Operations Battalion)
respond to enemy fire in Afghanistan.

In October 2005, the Secretary of Defense directed the formation of United States Marine Forces
Special Operations Command, the Marine component of United States Special Operations
Command. It was determined that the Marine Corps would initially form a unit of approximately
2,500 to serve with USSOCOM. On February 24, 2006 MARSOC activated at Camp Lejeune, North
Carolina. MARSOC initially consisted of a small staff and the Foreign Military Training Unit (FMTU),
which had been formed to conduct foreign internal defense. FMTU is now designated as the Marine
Special Operations Advisor Group (MSOAG).[89]

As a service component of USSOCOM, MARSOC is tasked by the Commander USSOCOM to train,

organize, equip, and deploy responsive U.S. Marine Corps special operations forces worldwide, in
support of combatant commanders and other agencies. MARSOC has been directed to conduct
foreign internal defense, direct action, and special reconnaissance. MARSOC has also been directed
to develop a capability in unconventional warfare, counter-terrorism, and information operations.
MARSOC deployed its first units in August 2006, six months after the group's initial activation.
MARSOC reached full operational capability in October 2008.[90]

Units

Marine Raider Regiment (Marine Raiders) consists of a Headquarters Company and three Marine
Raider Battalions, the 1st, 2nd and 3rd. The Regiment provides tailored military combat-skills
training and advisor support for identified foreign forces in order to enhance their tactical
capabilities and to prepare the environment as directed by USSOCOM as well as the capability to
form the nucleus of a Joint Special Operations Task Force. Marines and Sailors of the MRR train,
advise and assist friendly host nation forces – including naval and maritime military and
paramilitary forces – to enable them to support their governments' internal security and stability,
 to counter-subversion and to reduce the risk of violence from internal and external threats. MRR
deployments are coordinated by MARSOC, through USSOCOM, in accordance with engagement
priorities for Overseas Contingency Operations.[91]

Marine Raider Support Group (MRSG) trains, equips, structures, and provides specially qualified
Marine forces, including, operational logistics, intelligence, Military Working Dogs, Firepower
Control Teams, and communications support in order to sustain worldwide special operations
missions as directed by Commander, U.S. Marine Forces Special Operations Command
(COMMARFORSOC).[92]

Marine Raider Training Center (MRTC) The mission of the Marine Raider Training Center (MRTC) is
to assess and select personnel for assignment to Marine Forces Special Operations Command
(MARSOC) and to train and educate designated personnel in individual, basic, and advanced
special operations in order to meet MARSOC's requirement to provide capable personnel to
conduct special operations.[93]

Naval Special Warfare Command

United States Naval

Special Warfare Command
emblem

The United States Naval Special Warfare Command (NAVSPECWARCOM, NAVSOC, or NSWC) was
commissioned April 16, 1987, at Naval Amphibious Base Coronado in San Diego as the Naval
component to the United States Special Operations Command. Naval Special Warfare Command
provides vision, leadership, doctrinal guidance, resources and oversight to ensure component
special operations forces are ready to meet the operational requirements of combatant
commanders.[94] Today, SEAL Teams and Special Boat Teams comprise the elite combat units of
Naval Special Warfare. These teams are organized, trained, and equipped to conduct a variety of
missions to include direct action, special reconnaissance, counter-terrorism, foreign internal
defense, unconventional warfare and support psychological and civil affairs operations. Their
operators are deployed worldwide in support of National Command Authority objectives, conducting
operations with other conventional and special operations forces.

Units
 SEALs emerge from the water during
a demonstration.

A special warfare combatant-craft

crewmen from Special Boat Team 22
fires a GAU-17 from a Special
Operations Craft – Riverine (SOC-R).

United States Navy SEALs have distinguished themselves as an individually reliable, collectively
disciplined and highly skilled special operations force. The most important trait that distinguishes
Navy SEALs from all other military forces is that SEALs are maritime special operations, as they
strike from and return to the sea. SEALs (SEa, Air, Land) take their name from the elements in and
from which they operate. SEALs are experts in direct action and special reconnaissance missions.
Their stealth and clandestine methods of operation allow them to conduct multiple missions
against targets that larger forces cannot approach undetected. Because of the dangers inherent
in their missions, prospective SEALs go through what is considered by many military experts to be
the toughest training regime in the world.[95][96]

Naval Special Warfare Development Group (DEVGRU), referred to as SEAL Team Six, the name of
its predecessor which was officially disbanded in 1987.

SEAL Delivery Vehicle Teams are SEAL teams with an added underwater delivery capability who
use the SDV MK VIII and the Advanced SEAL Delivery System (ASDS), submersibles that provide
NSW with an unprecedented capability that combines the attributes of clandestine underwater
mobility and the combat swimmer.[97][98]

Special Warfare Combatant-craft Crewmen (SWCC) operate and maintain state-of-the-art vessels
and high-tech equipment to conduct coastal patrol and interdiction and support special
operations missions. Focusing on infiltration and exfiltration of SEALs and other SOF, SWCCs
 provide dedicated rapid mobility in shallow water areas where larger ships cannot operate. They
also bring to the table a unique SOF capability: Maritime Combatant Craft Aerial Delivery System—
the ability to deliver combat craft via parachute drop.[1] Like SEALs, SWCCs must have excellent
physical fitness, highly motivated, combat-focused and responsive in high-stress situations.[99]

Air Force Special Operations Command

Air Force Special Operations

Command emblem

An AC-130U Spooky from the 4th

Special Operations Squadron

Combat Controllers from the 21st

Special Tactics Squadron conducting
close air support training with A-10
pilots in Nevada

Air Force Special Operations Command was established on May 22, 1990, with headquarters at
Hurlburt Field, Florida. AFSOC is one of the 10 Air Force Major Commands or MAJCOMs, and the Air
Force component of United States Special Operations Command. It holds operational and
administrative oversight of subordinate special operations wings and groups in the regular Air
Force, Air Force Reserve Command and the Air National Guard.
AFSOC provides Air Force special operations forces for worldwide deployment and assignment to
regional unified commands. The command's SOF are composed of highly trained, rapidly deployable
airmen, conducting global special operations missions ranging from the precision application of
firepower via airstrikes or close air support, to infiltration, exfiltration, resupply and refueling of SOF
operational elements.[100] AFSOC's unique capabilities include airborne radio and television
broadcast for psychological operations, as well as aviation foreign internal defense instructors to
provide other governments military expertise for their internal development.

The command's core missions include battlefield air operations; agile combat support; aviation
foreign internal defense; information operations; precision aerospace fires; psychological
operations; specialized air mobility; specialized refueling; and intelligence, surveillance and
reconnaissance.[38][101][102]

Components

Combat Controllers (CCT) are ground combat forces specialized in a traditional pathfinder role
while having a heavy emphasis on simultaneous air traffic control, fire support (via airstrikes,
close air support and command, control, and communications in covert or austere
environments.[103][104]

Pararescuemen (PJ) are the only Department of Defense specialty specifically trained and
equipped to conduct conventional and unconventional personnel recovery operations. A PJ's
primary function is as a personnel recovery specialist with emergency trauma medical
capabilities in humanitarian and combat environments.

Special Reconnaissance (SR) conduct long-range interdiction, surveillance and intelligence

gathering. A subset of their responsibilities is to assess and interpret weather and environmental
intelligence from forward-deployed locations, working alongside special operations forces.

Tactical Air Control Party (TACP) provide precision terminal attack control and terminal attack
guidance of U.S. and coalition fixed- and rotary-wing close air support aircraft, artillery, and naval
gunfire; establish and maintain command and control (C2) communications; and advise ground
commanders on the best use of air power.[105]

Organization

The 1st Special Operations Wing (1 SOW) is located at Hurlburt Field, Florida. Its mission focus is
unconventional warfare: counter-terrorism, combat search and rescue, personnel recovery,
psychological operations, aviation assistance to developing nations, "deep battlefield" resupply,
interdiction, and close air support. The wing's core missions include aerospace surface interface,
agile combat support, combat aviation advisory operations, information operations, personnel
recovery/recovery operations, precision aerospace fires, psychological operations dissemination,
specialized aerospace mobility, and specialized aerial refueling.[106] Among its aircraft is the MC-
130 Combat Talon II, a low-level terrain-following special missions transport that can evade radar
detection and slip into enemy territory at a 200-foot (61 m) altitude for infiltration/exfiltration
missions, even in zero visibility, dropping off or recovering men or supplies with pinpoint accuracy.
It also operates the AC-130 Spooky and Spectre gunships that provide highly accurate airborne
gunfire for close air support of conventional and special operations forces on the ground.[58]

The 24th Special Operations Wing (24 SOW) is located at Hurlburt Field, Florida. It is composed of
the 720th Special Tactics Group, 724th Special Tactics Group, Special Tactics Training Squadron
and 16 recruiting locations across the United States.[107][108] The Special Tactics Squadrons,
under the 720th STG and 724th STG, are made up of Special Tactics Officers, Combat Controllers,
Combat Rescue Officers, Pararescuemen, Special Operations Weather Officers and Airmen, Air
Liaison Officers, Tactical Air Control Party operators, and a number of combat support airmen
which comprise 58 Air Force specialties.[108]

The 27th Special Operations Wing (27 SOW) is located at Cannon AFB, New Mexico. Its primary
mission includes infiltration, exfiltration and re-supply of special operations forces; air refueling of
special operations rotary wing and tiltrotor aircraft; and precision fire support. These capabilities
support a variety of special operations missions including direct action, unconventional warfare,
special reconnaissance, counter-terrorism, personnel recovery, psychological operations and
information operations.[109]

The 193d Special Operations Wing (193 SOW) is an Air National Guard (ANG) unit, operationally
gained by AFSOC, and located at Harrisburg International Airport/Air National Guard Station
(former Olmsted Air Force Base), Pennsylvania. Under Title 32 USC, the 193 SOW performs state
missions for the Governor of Pennsylvania as part of the Pennsylvania Air National Guard. Under
Title 10 USC, the 193 SOW is part of the Air Reserve Component (ARC) of the United States Air
Force. Its primary wartime and contingency operations mission as an AFSOC-gained unit is
psychological operations (PSYOP). The 193 SOW is unique in that it is the only unit in the U.S. Air
Force to fly and maintain the Lockheed EC-130J Commando Solo aircraft.

The 919th Special Operations Wing (919 SOW) is an Air Force Reserve Command (AFRC) unit,
operationally gained by AFSOC, and located at Eglin AFB Auxiliary Field #3/Duke Field, Florida.
The 919 SOW flies and maintains the MC-130E Combat Talon I and MC-130P Combat Shadow
special operations aircraft designed for covert operations.

The 352d Special Operations Wing (352 SOW) at RAF Mildenhall, United Kingdom serves as the
core to the United States European Command's standing Joint Special Operations Air Component
headquarters. The squadron provides support for three flying squadrons, one special tactics
 squadron and one maintenance squadron for exercise, logistics, and war planning; aircrew
training; communications; aerial delivery; medical; intelligence; security and force protection;
weather; information technologies and transformation support and current operations.[110]

The 353d Special Operations Group (353 SOG) is the focal point for all U.S. Air Force special
operations activities throughout the United States Pacific Command (USPACOM) theater.
Headquartered at Kadena AB, Okinawa, Japan the group is prepared to conduct a variety of high-
priority, low-visibility missions. Its mission is air support of joint and allied special operations
forces in the Pacific. It maintains a worldwide mobility commitment, participates in Pacific theater
exercises as directed and supports humanitarian and relief operations.[111]

The United States Air Force Special Operations School (USAFSOS) at Hurlburt Field, Florida is a
primary support unit of the Air Force Special Operations Command. The USAFSOS prepares
special operations Airmen to successfully plan, organize, and execute global special operations
by providing indoctrination and education for AFSOC, other USSOCOM components, and
joint/interagency/ coalition partners.[112]

Space Force Special Operations Command

As of October 2023, the United States Space Force has not announced the formation of a Special
Operations Commander. However, in July 2023, the United States Space Force assigned Col.
Stephan Cummings as an "Element Commander" to U.S. Special Operations Command. As of
October 2023, the United States Space Force has not announced any heraldry for Space Force
Special Operations Command.

Other Components

SOF Liaison Element

The Special Operations Forces Liaison Element (SOFLE) is small group of special forces personnel,
sometimes just one or two at a time, attached to embassies in Africa, Southeast Asia, South
America, or elsewhere that terrorists are thought to be operating, planning attacks, raising money or
seeking safe haven, especially those teams in the United States. MLEs report to the local US combat
commanders and the Special Operations Command (SOCOM), instead of reporting to the local
ambassador or CIA station chief.
Order of battle

Special Operations Command order of battle April 2020 (click to enlarge)

List of commanders

U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd

Austin (far left), Chairman of the Joint
Chiefs of Staff Mark A. Milley (center
left), incoming combatant
commander Bryan P. Fenton (center
right) and outgoing commander
Richard D. Clarke Jr. (far right) at the
USSOCOM change of command
ceremony on 30 August 2022.

The commander of U.S. Special Operations Command is a statutory office (10 U.S.C. § 167 (https://
www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/10/167) ), and is held by a four-star general or admiral.
 Commander Term Service
No.
Portrait Name Took office Left office Term length branch

General
3 years,
1 James J. Lindsay 16 April 1987 27 June 1990
72 days
(1932–2023)
U.S. Army

General
2 years,
2 Carl W. Stiner 27 June 1990 20 May 1993
327 days
(1936–2022)
U.S. Army

General
2 years,
3 Wayne A. Downing 20 May 1993 29 February 1996
285 days
(1940–2007)
U.S. Army

General
25 September
4 Henry H. Shelton 29 February 1996 1 year, 209 days
1997
(born 1942)
U.S. Army

Rear Admiral
Raymond C. Smith
25 September
- Jr. 5 November 1997 41 days
1997
(1943–2022)
Acting
U.S. Navy

General
Peter J. 2 years,
5 5 November 1997 27 October 2000
Schoomaker 357 days
(born 1946) U.S. Army

General
2 September 2 years,
6 Charles R. Holland 27 October 2000
2003 310 days
(born 1946)
U.S. Air Force
 Commander Term Service
No.
Portrait Name Took office Left office Term length branch

General
2 September 3 years,
7 Bryan D. Brown 9 July 2007
2003 310 days
(born 1948)
U.S. Army

Admiral
4 years,
8 Eric T. Olson 9 July 2007 8 August 2011
30 days
(born 1952)
U.S. Navy

Admiral
3 years,
9 William H. McRaven 8 August 2011 28 August 2014
20 days
(born 1955)
U.S. Navy

General
10 Joseph L. Votel 28 August 2014 30 March 2016 1 year, 215 days
(born 1958)
U.S. Army

General
Raymond A. 2 years,
11 30 March 2016 29 March 2019
Thomas 364 days
(born 1958) U.S. Army

General
3 years,
12 Richard D. Clarke 29 March 2019 30 August 2022
154 days
(born 1962)
U.S. Army

General
2 years,
13 Bryan P. Fenton 30 August 2022 Incumbent
190 days
(born 1965)
U.S. Army
USSOCOM medal

USSOCOM Medal Ribbon Bar

The United States Special Operations Command Medal was introduced in 1994 to recognize
individuals for outstanding contributions to, and in support of, special operations. Some notable
recipients include:

Lieutenant General Samuel V. Wilson

Colonel Ralph Puckett

SCPO Chris Beck

Since it was created, there have been more than 50 recipients, only six of whom were not American,
including;

General Benoît Puga (France)

Kaptein Gunnar Sønsteby, 2008 (Norway)[113]

† Generał broni Włodzimierz Potasiński, 2010 (Poland)[114][115]

Generał dywizji Piotr Patalong, 2014 (Poland)[116]

Generał brygady Jerzy Gut, 2014 (Poland)[117]

Jungjang (Lieutenant General) Chun In-bum, 2016 (Republic of Korea)[118]

(† posthumously)

References

Citations

1. SOCOM Public Affairs (2013). SOCOM Fact Book 2013 (https://www.socom.mil/FactBook/201

3%20Fact%20Book.pdf) (PDF). SOCOM Public Affairs. Archived (https://web.archive.org/we
b/20170710221940/https://www.socom.mil/FactBook/2013%20Fact%20Book.pdf) (PDF)
from the original on 10 July 2017. Retrieved 14 February 2013.

2. SOCOM Public Affairs (2020). SOCOM Fact Book 2020 (https://www.socom.mil/FactBook/202

0%20Fact%20Book.pdf) (PDF). SOCOM Public Affairs.
 3. Paul McCleary (21 May 2019) SOCOM Pivots Toward Great Power Competition (https://breakin
gdefense.com/2019/05/socom-pivots-toward-great-power-competition/) Archived (https://w
eb.archive.org/web/20190525023014/https://breakingdefense.com/2019/05/socom-pivots-t
oward-great-power-competition/) 25 May 2019 at the Wayback Machine reports SOCOM
strength to be 70,000

4. "U.S. Soldier Dies in Raid to Free Prisoners of ISIS in Iraq" (https://www.nytimes.com/2015/10/

23/world/middleeast/us-commandos-iraq-isis.html) . The New York Times. 22 October 2015.
Archived (https://web.archive.org/web/20151024031745/http://www.nytimes.com/2015/10/2
3/world/middleeast/us-commandos-iraq-isis.html) from the original on 24 October 2015.
Retrieved 24 October 2015.

5. "Commander, USSOCOM, General Bryan P. Fenton" (https://www.socom.mil/about/commander

s-biography) . U.S. Special Operations Command. Retrieved 30 April 2023.

6. "Vice Commander, USSOCOM, Lieutenant General Francis L. Donovan" (https://www.socom.mi

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External links

U.S. Special Operations Command (https://web.archive.org/web/20181024195712/https://www.

socom.mil/)

U.S. Army Special Operations Command (https://web.archive.org/web/20010331022307/http://w

ww.soc.mil/)

U.S. Marine Corps Forces Special Operations Command (http://www.marsoc.marines.mil/)

U.S. Naval Special Warfare Command (https://web.archive.org/web/20130514123218/https://w

ww.navsoc.navy.mil/)

Air Force Special Operations Command (https://web.archive.org/web/20071231203327/http://w

ww2.afsoc.af.mil/)

Department of Defense (https://web.archive.org/web/20110529013300/http://www.defense.go

v//news/newsarticle.aspx?id=63635)

Joint Special Operations University (https://wayback.archive-it.org/all/20120913145325/https://j

sou.socom.mil/Pages/Default.aspx)