SOF News Update for 20161117 – Small SOF drones for weather forecasting, Delta vs Green Berets, award for 7th SFGA, SF training in Exercise Balance Piston in the Philippines, 3 items you should always carry, and more.
Air Force Buying Small Drone Weather Sensor for SOF. An Air Force contract will provide for the development of a “drone-mounted, pint-sized weather reconnaissance and intelligence sensor system to be used by Special Forces. Read “Air Force Awards special operations military sensor deal”, Defense Systems, November 14, 2016.
“3 Items You Should Always Carry”. A former Army Ranger tells us that you should always carry a pocket knife, watch, and pen & paper. Task & Purpose, November 14, 2016.
SF Trains in Exercise Balance Piston – Philippines. U.S. Special Forces and SOF units of the Philippines will train together in an annual exercise during November 2016. See “US, Philippine special forces to hold joint war drills”, Times Union, November 15, 2016.
“Shooting Ants with Elephant Guns”. A recent article examines the relationship between low-tech attacks and high-tech defensive responses within an asymmetric environment. The National Interest, November 14, 2016.
Not Glorious But It is Important. The Department of Defense announced the winners of the Secretary of Defense Maintenance Awards for outstanding achievements in weapons systems and military equipment maintenance. The Forward Support Company, 3rd Battalion, 7th Special Forces Group (Airborne), Eglin Air Force Base, Florida was one of the recipients. (Crestview Bulletin, Nov 14, 2016).
Delta Force vs. Green Berets? There are some differences between the elite counter-terrorist force of the U.S. Army and the Army’s Special Forces Groups. Read about them in “Is Delta Force Different Than Green Berets?”, Scout Warrior, November 14, 2016.
Delay in Fielding USSOCOM Manpack. Plans to procure an on-the-move Next-Generation Man Pack (NGMP) are delayed. (Shepard Media, November 16, 2016).
Air Force Combat Controller Earns Silver Star. A member of the 22nd Special Tactics Squadron received the Silver Star for heroic actions in Afghanistan at a recent ceremony at Hurlburt Field, Florida. (NWF Daily News, Nov 16, 2016).
Global SOF Foundation Lends Helping Hand to Ukrainian SOF. During 2014 the special operations forces of Ukraine were decimated as a result of combat losses fighting the Russian-back rebels and Russian “little green men”. In their rebuilding process the Ukrainians had to establish a “special operations command” to coordinate SOF operations. The Global SOF Foundation based in Tampa, Florida was instrumental in this process. Read more in “Ukraine turns to Tampa Group for help setting up new commando HQ”, Tampa Bay Times, November 15, 2016.
SF Training Exercise in Phoenix. A recent news report says that Special Forces Soldiers will be conducting training in the Phoenix, Arizona area. Read “Special Forces training brings low-flying aircraft to Phoenix area”, The Republic, November 16, 2016.
