SOF Archives

U.S. Marines assigned to Marine Raider Training Center conducts underwater egress training during the Marine Raider Course on Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, March 19, 2025. MRC, formally known as the Individual Training Course, is a 9-month long course designed to produce Marine Raiders who can operate across the spectrum of special operations in small teams. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Evan Jones)

Marine Raiders pursuing new tech for ‘rough and nasty’ fights in the Pacific

Maj. Gen. Peter Huntley, commander of Marine Forces Special Operations Command, talked to reporters about the future of the Raider force at Modern Day Marine.

Apr 30, 2025 By Jon Harper

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)

DOD wants communications tech to enable commandos’ drone swarms

Officials are interested in items with high technological and manufacturing readiness levels to meet quick timelines.

Apr 17, 2025 By Jon Harper

A U.S. Air Force Special Tactics operator with the 23rd Special Tactics Squadron, Hurlburt Field, Florida, programs a surveillance drone to provide security at Eglin Range, Florida, Dec. 6, 2022. (U.S. Air Force photo by SrA Christopher H. Stolze)

SOCOM searching for reconfigurable ‘drone-in-a-box’ systems that can fly and drive

The SOFWERX innovation hub and SOCOM’s program executive office for tactical information systems are gearing up to assess industry solutions.

Mar 10, 2025 By Jon Harper

A U.S. Air Force Airman assigned to the 27th Special Operations Wing remotely piloted aircraft community checks weather during an Exercise Talon Spear at Melrose Air Force Range, N.M., June 20, 2023. (Photo by Senior Airman Alexcia Givens)

SOCOM to host first-of-its-kind exercise to inform multi-domain task force

Sonic Spear 25 will be a live, virtual, constructive exercise, which will help inform a new approach to how commando forces are provided.

Feb 27, 2025 By Mark Pomerleau

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)

New ‘irregular triad’ gaining currency as operational concept to improve deterrence

In a highly dynamic strategic environment, experts are calling for more concepts to thwart adversary activity below the threshold of armed conflict.

Feb 21, 2025 By Mark Pomerleau

U.S. Air Force Maj. Michael Jensen, 26th Special Tactics Squadron commander smiles after assuming command of the squadron in 2014. (U.S. Air Force photo/ Senior Airman Eboni Reece)

Trump nominates Air Force veteran to oversee special operations forces

Michael Jensen's military duty assignments included 26th Special Tactics Squadron commander and deputy commander of the 724th Special Tactics Group, among others.

Feb 5, 2025 By Jon Harper

A student at the U.S. Army John F. Kennedy Special Warfare Center and School in the Technical Exploitation Course processes a laptop computer during training at Fort Bragg, North Carolina October 22, 2019. (U.S. Army photo illustration by K. Kassens)

SOCOM searching for ‘tactical forensics’ tools to exploit data from vehicles, smartphones, drones

U.S. Special Operations Command plans to evaluate vendors' technologies in the coming months.

Feb 4, 2025 By Jon Harper

A Special Tactics Airman, assigned to the 24th Special Operations Wing, signals a plane to land at Cannon Air Force Base, New Mexico on March 1, 2024. (U.S. Air Force Photo by Senior Airman Natalie Vandergriff)

Special ops forces seek to manage digital footprints, achieve ‘security through obscurity’

With focus now turned toward competition with China and Russia, special operations forces need to hone their ability to achieve “security through obscurity.”

Jan 8, 2025 By Jon Harper

Non-standard commercial vehicles (SOCOM image)

SOCOM hunting for more flexible IT, comms gear for souped-up commercial vehicles

Special Operations Command and SOFWERX are looking for new technologies for the Non-Standard Commercial Vehicles (NSCV) program.

Aug 2, 2023 By Jon Harper

Marines with Marine Special Operations Company Charlie, 1st Marine Raider Battalion, U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Special Operations Command, process intelligence and set up a visual tele-communication feed after a simulated direct-action night raid during a company level exercise along the state line between Arizona and California, Oct. 20, 2015. Special operations are conducted in hostile, denied or politically sensitive environments, requiring heavy emphasis on combat support capabilities, modes of employment, and dependence on operational intelligence and indigenous assets. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Steven Fox, released)

Modern ‘triad’ initiated by Army is making its way to joint combatant commands

U.S. Special Operations Command is looking to take lessons from the Army's new "SOF, cyber and space triad" to see what it can apply to its missions.

Aug 2, 2023 By Mark Pomerleau