U.S. Army Soldiers assigned to the 91st and 96th Civil Affairs Battalions (Special Operations) (Airborne) receives a briefing about artificial intelligence model used during for a tabletop exercise as part of Atlas Lion at Fort Bragg, N.C. Oct. 27, 2025. The Atlas Lion Table-Top Exercise is an AI supported simulation designed to validate Civil Affairs Company’s core competencies in a digital training environment, ensuring readiness for real-world operations by validating their ability to effectively support civilian populations and local governance. (U.S. Army photo by Pfc. Natalia Hernandez)
U.S. Marine Corps Staff Sgt. Shay Burnett, an instructor with Advanced Infantry Training Battalion, School of Infantry – East, and a native of Texas, controls a Neros Archer small unmanned aircraft system during a kinetic first-person view drone range on Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, Sept. 12, 2025. The range was conducted to validate a scalable, repeatable methodology for enabling FPV strike operations and used as a reference to support cost-effective training and eventual kinetic employment. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Zachariah Ferraro)
Colonel Isagani Criste, commander of the Philippine army’s First Scout Ranger Regiment, presents a gift to Vice Adm. Frank Bradley, Joint Special Operations Command commanding officer, during a key leader engagement in the Philippines, July 9, 2023. (Courtesy photo from DVIDS)
A U.S. Air Force Air Commando assigned to the 27th Special Operations Wing controls sensors on an AC-130J Ghostrider gunship during a live-fire training event over a live-fire range in Australia during exercise Talisman Sabre 2025, July 11, 2025. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Gracelyn Hess)
Republican presidential nominee, former U.S. President Donald Trump arrives to speak during an election night event at the Palm Beach Convention Center on November 06, 2024 in West Palm Beach, Florida. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)
A U.S. Air Force Jump-20 unmanned aerial vehicle assigned to the 27th Special Operations Wing flies over a sunset at Melrose Air Force Range, N.M., June 20, 2023. The Jump-20 UAV was used to exercise the single operator, multi-system control model in a simulated deployed environment. (U.S. Air Force photo Senior Airman Alexcia Givens)
Commander of United States Special Operations Command U.S. Army Gen. Bryan P. Fenton testifies at a House Armed Services Subcommittee hearing on U.S. Special Operations Forces and Command’s challenges and resource priorities for Fiscal Year 2026, at the Rayburn House Office Building, Washington, D.C., April 9, 2025. (DoD photo by U.S. Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Alexander Kubitza)
Special Tactics Airmen assigned to the 24th Special Operations Wing secure an airfield during exercise Emerald Warrior 2024 at Cannon Air Force Base, New Mexico, March 1, 2024. Special Tactics Airmen are continuously adapting and training in order to ensure mission success for the joint force. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Stephen Pulter)
Members of Congress on both sides of the aisle expressed concern this week over cuts to special operations forces, with many vowing to plus-up their budget as…
U.S. Air Force Airmen assigned to the 27th Special Operations Wing prepare a small unmanned aerial system for takeoff during an Adaptive Airborne Enterprise Exercise Talon Spear at Melrose Air Force Range, N.M. June 21, 2023. The goal of Exercise Talon Spear is to integrate small unmanned aerial systems for the rapid mobility capability for agile combat employment. (U.S. Air Force photo Senior Airman Alexcia Givens)