special operations forces Archives

Derrick M. Anderson, nominee to be assistant secretary of defense for special operations and low-Intensity conflict, arrives for his Senate Armed Services Committee confirmation hearing in Dirksen building on Thursday, September 18, 2025. (Tom Williams/CQ Roll Call via Getty Images)

American special operations forces get new civilian overseer

Derrick Anderson was confirmed as ASD for SO/LIC.

Dec 18, 2025 By Jon Harper

A Soldier assigned to the 5th Special Forces Group (Airborne) prepares his night vision lens prior to a weapons validation exercise at Fort Johnson, La., Apr. 26, 2025. (U.S. Army Photo by Staff Sgt. Oscar Reyes.)

SOCOM seeks candidates for agentic AI experimentation

The experimentation event is slated for April at Avon Park Air Force Range in Florida.

Dec 12, 2025 By Jon Harper

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)

SOCOM solicits industry to train commandos to build and fly FPV drones

The chosen contractor is expected to provide a 10-day course of instruction on assembling and operating First Person View small UAS.

Nov 12, 2025 By Jon Harper

U.S. Air Force special tactics Airmen from the Kentucky Air National Guard’s 123rd Airlift Wing conduct infil operations into the Caribbean Sea from a Mississippi Army National Guard UH-60 Black Hawk off the coast of St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands, Aug. 28, 2025 as part of Emerald Warrior 25.2, a large-scale special operations exercise staged in multiple locations by Air Force Special Operations Command. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Dale Greer)

AFSOC embraces training opportunities in Caribbean amid rising tensions

AFSOC commander Lt. Gen. Michael Conley briefed reporters on his near-term priorities.

Sep 25, 2025 By Brandi Vincent

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)

SOCOM getting new commander after Frank Bradley earns Senate confirmation

The Navy SEAL will get his fourth star and take the reins of U.S. Special Operations Command.

Aug 1, 2025 By Jon Harper

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)

SOCOM adds new advanced AI capabilities to tech wish list

U.S. Special Operations Command amended a broad agency announcement this week.

Jul 29, 2025 By Jon Harper

Derrick Anderson, GOP candidate for Virginia’s 7th Congressional District speaks to supporters election night in Fredericksburg, Virginia on November 5, 2024. (Photo by Maxwell Posner for The Washington Post via Getty Images)

Trump nominates former congressional candidate, Green Beret to oversee special operations forces

The nomination for ASD SO/LIC was referred to the Senate Armed Services Committee for consideration.

Jun 3, 2025 By Jon Harper

Then 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 withdraws nomination of Air Force veteran to oversee special operations forces

Michael Jensen had been picked to be assistant secretary of defense for special operations and low-intensity conflict.

May 16, 2025 By Jon Harper

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