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Special Operations

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
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. Supported by U.S. Special Operations Command, Emerald Warrior is a joint special operations exercise that prepares U.S. Special Operations Command forces, Conventional Enablers, Partner Forces, and Interagency Elements to respond to various threats across the spectrum of conflict. (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
A Czech Special Forces member provides ground support while U.S. Army Special Forces perform a static-line jump during Emerald Warrior 22.1 at Hurlburt Field, Florida, May 5, 2022. Emerald Warrior is the largest joint special operations exercise involving U.S. Special Operations Command forces training for response to various threats above and below the threshold of armed conflict. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Joseph P. LeVeille)

Special ops expected to play key role in shaping future battlespaces in ‘non-physical domains’

With many questioning the role SOF will play post-Global War on Terror in great power competition, officials believe they will be key in shaping conflicts before they…
Mar 8, 2024 By Mark Pomerleau
A Czech Special Forces member provides ground support while U.S. Army Special Forces perform a static-line jump during Emerald Warrior 22.1 at Hurlburt Field, Florida, May 5, 2022. Emerald Warrior is the largest joint special operations exercise involving U.S. Special Operations Command forces training for response to various threats above and below the threshold of armed conflict. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Joseph P. LeVeille)

Senior Pentagon official calls on DOD components to more fully embrace irregular, asymmetric warfare

Special operations forces shouldn't be the primary lead for irregular warfare, according to a top DOD official.
Nov 1, 2023 By Mark Pomerleau
Ukrainian Special Operations Forces soldiers pull security after deboarding a U.S. Army UH-60 Blackhawk assigned to 12th Combat Aviation Brigade during exercise Combined Resolve XVI with U.S. Special Operations Command Europe members assigned to 10th Special Forces Group Dec. 07, 2021, in Hohenfels, Germany. (U.S. Army photo by Pfc. Kirsti Brooksby)

US military still fleshing out SOF, cyber, space ‘triad’ at the joint level

"Space is, I think, from my perspective ... going to be the harder piece of this triad to bring in," Assistant Secretary of Defense Chris Maier said.
Oct 31, 2023 By Mark Pomerleau
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A Czech Special Forces member provides ground support while U.S. Army Special Forces perform a static-line jump during Emerald Warrior 22.1 at Hurlburt Field, Florida, May 5, 2022. Emerald Warrior is the largest joint special operations exercise involving U.S. Special Operations Command forces training for response to various threats above and below the threshold of armed conflict. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Joseph P. LeVeille)

Army’s cyber, space, SOF ‘triad’ seeks to complement nuclear triad with enhanced deterrence

The Army's new "triad" is working to integrate cyber, space and special operations capabilities for the joint force.
Oct 14, 2022 By Mark Pomerleau
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