United States Special Operations Command Archives

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)

SOCOM to evaluate industry hardware solutions for powering AI workloads

The command wants to partner with vendors whose solutions are selected by SOCOM’s J24 Intelligence Data Science Team.

Nov 18, 2025 By Jon Harper

An aerial view of the Pentagon, Washington, D.C., May 15, 2023. (DoD photo by U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. John Wright)

DOD reviewing contracting policies, procedures and personnel to comply with Trump’s DOGE directive

The move follows an executive order issued last week by President Donald Trump, which aims to transform federal spending on contracts, grants and loans.

Mar 6, 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

A U.S. Marine with 2nd Battalion, 1st Marines, assigned to Special Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force – Crisis Response – Central Command (SPMAGTF-CR-CC), participate in Counter-Unmanned Aircraft System (C-UAS) training in the United States Central Command area of operations, June 22, 2021. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Gunnery Sgt. Melissa Marnell)

SOCOM encountering challenges connecting counter-drone systems with software and data

An official compared current constraints with counter-UAS platforms to those often attributed to the Pentagon-wide effort known as Joint All-Domain Command and Control.

Aug 30, 2023 By Mikayla Easley

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

Composite image of modern city network communication concept (Getty Images)

Upcoming SOFWERX event to tackle challenges associated with omnipresent sensor networks

An innovation hub focused on solving SOCOM's toughest problems is organizing an event to brainstorm the tools commandos will need to operate in environments where sensors are…

Aug 5, 2022 By Jon Harper

Special Operations Command trying to prepare for quantum computing threat

Adversaries could have new quantum computing and decryption capabilities by the end of this decade, SOCOM's chief data officer is warning.

May 19, 2022 By Jon Harper

A U.S. Navy Special Warfare Combatant-Craft Crewman deploys an unmanned aerial system during a training mission on July 15, 2020. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Aven Santiago)

Special Operations Command looking to ditch some of its drones, buy new ISR capabilities

SOCOM wants better intelligence collection and intelligence fusion capabilities.

May 17, 2022 By Jon Harper