Lot’s of SOF news to report today. Change of Commander ceremonies at USSOCOM and 10th SFGA, some videos of a water jump, helicopter support to SOCEUR, SAS weapons amnesty blunder, and more.
New USSOCOM Command Sergeant Major. On July 7th the United States Special Operations Command hosted a change of responsibility ceremony at MacDill Air Force Base, Florida. The command’s new senior enlisted advisor is now CSM Patrick McCauley. The outgoing CSM – William Thetford will follow General Joe Votel to CENTCOM.
Video of Water Jump. The U.S. Army Special Operations Command (USASOC) at Fort Bragg recently conducted a water jump into White Lake, North Carolina on July 27th. The one-minute long video can be viewed at the following link on DVIDS.
www.dvidshub.net/video/476582/us-army-special-operations-command-water-jump
Video – MARSOC 10th Anniversary. The U.S. Marine Corps recently celebrated the 10th anniversary of the Marine Corps Special Operations Command. Watch the video at the following link.
www.dvidshub.net/video/475840/marsoc-10th-anniversary
NG Helicopter Unit to Support SOCEUR. A helicopter task force from the Utah, Colorado, and Kansas Army National Guard has deployed to support Special Operations Command Europe for several months. The unit will provide assistance to U.S. and partner nation SOF units. Operations will include “. . . air movement support, static and military freefall support, and fast-rope insertion and extraction system capability.” Read more in “National Guard helicopter task force bolsters Special Operations Command Europe”, Army.ml, July 18, 2016.
CoC 1st Bn 10th SFGA. The 1st Battalion of 10th Special Forces Group based at Panzer Kaserne, Germany recently conducted a change of command ceremony. The outgoing commander relinquished command to LTC Andrew Ries – the incoming battalion commander. Read “1st Bn 10th SFG Change of Command”, DVIDS, July 7, 2016.
MARSOC School House Dedicated. The Raiders of Marine Corps Forces, Special Operations Command (MARSOC) honored “. . . a fallen hero from within their ranks by rededicating the Marine Special Operations School in his name during a ceremony . . .” Gunnery Sgt. Jonathan Gifford was a former instructor at the school and a recipient of the Navy Cross. Read more in a news report posted by DVIDS on July 20, 2016.
Video – Marine Force Recon. A documentary about the United States Marine Force Recon deploying to Iraq by Thrill Zone. Posted on YouTube.com. (45 minutes).
www.youtube.com/watch?v=HGaP_f30krc
SAS Regiment Entrapped by “Weapons Amnesty”. The UK Soldiers of the Special Air Service regiment feel betrayed by an weapons amnesty that has taken a wrong turn. It appears that lots of ammo and guns were turned in – to the surprise of authorities – and an investigation ensured. Read more in a news report by the Daily Express dated July 31, 2016.
