SOF News Update 20170710 – CoC for CSOR, SF NCO KIA Afghanistan recognized in ceremony, War College podcast about SOF in Afghanistan (and what they did wrong), video of Russian Mi-35 HIND, book review of Oppose Any Foe, former 5th SFGA cdr now with 101st as BG, Slovakian SOF Soldier recognized by U.S. Ambassador, Bangladesh Army forms Special Forces Brigade, ATVs used by SOF, and more.
Book Review Oppose Any Foe. Mark Moyer has written Oppose Any Foe: The Rise of America’s Special Operations Forces, (Basic Books, 2017). His book is reviewed by James King in an article posted on the Modern War Institute website (July 6, 2017).
New Cdr for CSOR. The Canadian Special Operations Regiment (CSOR) has a new commander. Lt-Col Andrew Vivian took charge of the unit on June 22. Read more in “New Commanding officer for CSOR”, The Daily Observer, July 6, 2017.
College Campus Building Named After SSG Miller. The College of Dupage’s homeland security building is to be named after SSG Robert Miller, a Special Forces NCO, who died in Afghanistan and was awarded the Medal of Honor. See news report by Patch.com, July 5, 2017.
Bangladesh Army forms Special Forces Brigade. Composed of two Paracommando Battalions, the SF brigade will operate under a Special Forces Command alongside an airborne brigade. (BD Military, July 7, 2017).
Video: Russian Mi-35 Inserts SOF. A one-minute long video depicts a Russian helicopter (both attack and troop carrying) insert SOF and then provide fire support. The Drive, July 7, 2017.
Slovakian SOF Soldier Recognized. A member of the Slovakian 5th Special Operations Regiment received a medal for valor for his actions during an attack on Camp Integrity (SOF compound in Kabul) in Afghanistan. See “US Ambassador awards a special tasks regiment soldier”, Spectator (SK), July 2017.
Former 5th Group Cdr now with 101st as DCG-Opns. Col John W. Brennan, former commander of the 5th Special Forces Group (2013-2015), has been appointed as the Deputy Commanding General for Operations of the 101st Airborne Division. See “101st Welcomes Deputy Commanding Generals”, Fort Campbell Courier, July 6, 2017.
SOF’s ATVs. View a pictorial history of All Terrain Vehicles (ATVs) employed in war zones by U.S. special operations forces. 35 photos in all. The Chive, July 7, 2017.
War College Podcast on SOF in Afghanistan. Tim Lynch, a retired Marine Corps officer and years-long contractor in Afghanistan, speaks about SOF’s lack of cultural intelligence and sensitivity while operating in Afghanistan. Lynch says the one guy that got it right – Jim Gant – was crucified by the Special Forces community. Read “Podcast” We need to talk about the Special Forces”, Reuters, July 6, 2017. The link to the podcast is embedded within the Reuters article.
