The Combat Diver Foundation is holding its annual Deep Dive 2023 get-together on Saturday, August 5, 2023 in Perdido Key, Florida. There will be a memorial 5K on the beach, a charity dinner, live music, auction, raffle, a display of combat diver gear, and a tactical demonstration.

Entertainment will be provided at the Flora-Bama Lounge – one of the best beach bars in the USA. The venue is located on the Alabama-Florida line. The auction and raffle feature some very good prizes to include a Florida Keys cruise, combat diver art, Miami Dolphins CLUB tickets, knife by Spartan Blades, mobile phone diving case, Divex Submariner watch, t-shirts, and more. The event has a number of sponsors associated with the diving industry.

For those coming from afar the best option is flying into Pensacola International Airport to get to the Flora-Bama. Rental cars and taxis are available. By car from airport to venue is about 50 minutes.

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Images. All graphics are by the Combat Diver Foundation.

Combat Diver Deep Dive

While at SOF Week 2023 in Tampa, Florida from May 8-11, 2023, I visited a number of very interesting and informative displays in the exhibition hall. One of the more compelling booths featured TACMED Solutions K9 Diesel. This highly realistic training manikin is provided for Military Working Dog (MWD) handlers, veterinarians, first responders, and others to help them to render aid to a MWD at the Point of Injury . . . and later in the emergency veterinary clinic.

Diesel was named in memory of a heroic canine who died in the line of duty following the 2015 Paris terror attacks. The training manikin was developed jointly with the U.S. Special Operations Command. Diesel weighs approximately 55 pounds and is based on a Belgian Malinois.

Training Scenarios. K9 Diesel offers 28 different medical training interventions and features. These include active bleeding, active breathing, sounds, pulses, and a realistic mouth and airway for intubation. Each of the training features replicate the look, feel, and function of actual medical procedures. The manikin can breath, has interchangable limbs, and has a pulse. It provides opportunities to treat for intestinal evisceration, airway management, intubation, CPR, and more.

Photos: Left – a dog handler treating his MWD (K9 Diesel) during a mission (training). Right – K9 Diesel receiving treatment in a medical clinic setting (training).

Manikin Features. It has unique details such as barking, whimpering, growling, a moveable jaw, and breathing response. The airway is adjustable – from slow (10 bpm) to panting (120 bpm). A wireless remote control provides real-time sensor data and provides for programming and customizing different medical scenarios.

Accessories. There are quite a few accessories that are available for K9 Diesl. One is the TAcMed K9 Tourniquet; another is the TacMed K9 Handler Trauma Kit. There is also a K9 TCCC – Rental Bundle; available as part of the TACMED Solutions Trauma Simulator Rental Program.

Photos: Left – K9 Diesel undergoing fixed wing medevac (training). Right – K9 Diesel being treated by dog handler for amputated leg (training).

K9 Diesel is used by the DoD Military Working Dog program as well as civilian law enforcement to train MWD handlers in life-saving first aid procedures for their MWD partners. Countries from all over the world have purchased Diesel, including the U.S. UK, Canada, Australia, Norway, and more.

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TACMED Solutions K9 Diesel
https://tacmedsolutions.com/products/k9-diesel

Photos: All images courtesy of and with permission of TACMED Solutions.

References:

Video – K9 Tactical Combat Casualty Care Training, DVIDS, May 11, 2021, 3 mins. Members of the 1st Special Operations Secuirty Forces Squadron receive K9 medical training.
https://www.dvidshub.net/video/795806/public-health-command-atlantic-k9-tactical-combat-casualty-care-point-entry-training

Video – K-9 Diesel Advanced Medical Trainer. Video from ShotShow 2020, YouTube, February 6, 2020.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VJJxFKdAi38

K9 Diesel: Advanced Canine Medical Trainer User Guide, 2021, PDF, 91 pages. Link

K9 Diesel Canine Medical Trainer Quick Start Guide, PDF, 2 pages. Link

The editor of SOF News had the unique opportunity to interview Maj. Gen. Michael Martin, the commander of Special Operations Command Korea (SOCKOR), during the SOF Week 2023 exhibition in Tampa, Florida. Maj. Gen. Martin provided his insight on the importance of SOCKOR’s mission in Asia and how the command’s interaction with the military forces of the Republic of Korea (ROK) and other allied and partner nations are contributing to the maintenance of peace in that region of Asia.

During the interview the general shared the general aspects of his career. He came from a military family, his dad served in the Air Force. Maj. Gen. Martin started out in the Air Force as an enlisted Airman working in the electronic warfare field. Upon completion of his enlistment, he left the Air Force to attend college. He graduated from Texas A&M University and received his commission into the Air Force in 1992. He began his career as an Air Traffic Control officer and was later accepted into the Combat Control career field.

Maj. Gen. Martin has spent his career in special operations – as well as serving on the air staff, in joint command assignments, and while deployed on numerous combat deployments. Prior to taking command of SOCKOR in June 2021 he was the Director of Operations for Air Force Special Operations Command (AFSOC). His prior assignment was as Deputy Commanding General of NATO Special Operations Component Command – Afghanistan (NSOCC-A) during the 2019 – 2020 timeframe.

Photo: Major General Martin, SOCKOR commander, hosts senior ROK Officers at Osan Air Base in March 2023. (photo courtesy of SOCKOR)

With his tour as commander of SOCKOR soon coming to a close he took some time to reflect on some of the accomplishments and challenges of his past two years. The relationship with the special operations forces of the Republic of Korea is excellent. There are numerous exercises and training events that tie the special operations forces of the United States and Republic of Korea into a tightly knitted SOF community. The U.S. continually sends units and personnel to the Republic of Korea from the SOF units of all the services to participate in exercises.

One challenging aspect of the past few years has been Covid 19. The U.S. Department of Defense issued some very restrictive guidelines that forced units and personnel to adapt how they train and conduct their daily routines. That was one very important aspect of the past two years that required some adaptive measures so that SOCKOR could remain mission ready. South Korea had some very strict measures for the Covid environment; and these policies had to be considered as well.

Another challenging aspect of service in Korea is environmental. The weather in winter months have a limiting effect on military exercises. Training events in a winter environment become difficult – especially in mountainous terrain of South Korea.

One of the balancing acts that a commander must perform is keeping the command 100% mission ready; yet, monitoring the work environment for the command’s personnel – ensuring that they don’t ‘burn out’. Some personnel are on one-year tours and others on longer tours. There is always more work to be done than there is time; so much of the work needs to be prioritized.

The current conflict in Ukraine has provided SOCKOR with some lessons learned that can be implemented into its operations and training. Of note is the use of unmanned aerial vehicles (drones) and the importance of information operations (IO).

SOCKOR is under COCOM of the USSOCOM commander and OPCON of the United States Pacific Command. It is further delegated to U.S. Forces Korea (USFK). SOCKOR is responsible for planning, coordinating, and conducting joint and combined special operations on the Korean peninsula. SOCKOR helps build ROK capacity and capability along three lines of effort:

• Conduct training exercises and events using JCET and JCS exercises
• Employ CA and MISO JCETs with the ROK Ministry of National Defense
• Assist U.S. / ROK interoperability through SF Detachment 39 liaison officers (LNOs)

If hostilities begin with North Korea, elements of SOCKOR and the ROK Army Special Warfare Command, Naval Special Warfare Brigade, and the Air Force Special Operations Squadron will establish the Combined Unconventional Warfare Task Force (CUWTF). The CUWTF would be commanded by a ROK lieutenant general with the SOCKOR commander as his deputy.

Maj. Gen. Martin will soon leave his assignment with SOCKOR. He will next serve as Director of Operations at United States Special Operations Command (USSOCOM). He will be replaced in mid-2023 by Brig. Gen. Derek Lipson, a Special Forces officer in the U.S. Army, who will become the commander of Special Operations Command Korea.

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Top map derived from Central Intelligence Agency (CIA). All other images from USSOCOM or SOCKOR.

General Bryan Fenton, commander of the United States Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) was a leading figure at the SOF Week event held in Tampa, Florida this past week, May 8-11, 2023. He spoke during several of the presentations over the past few days. During these sessions he shared his vision for the USSOCOM enterprise and the future of special operations.

On Thursday, the last day of SOF Week, an opinion article by General Fenton was published by Defense One providing his thoughts on the history of special operations, how it has changed over the past several decades, the importance of international partnerships, and how SOF will meet the challenges of strategic competion today and in the future.

“How Special Operations Forces Must Meet the Challenges of a New Era”, Defense One, May 11, 2023.

Attending SOF Week 2023 here in Tampa, Florida has been very beneficial. It was an opportunity to see hundreds of displays of equipment and services that are available to the special operations community. The many presentations and panel discussions were extremely informative about the future of United States Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) and the role the command will have as the United States transitions from a CT/COIN focus to one of strategic competition.

The week featured presentations by many of the leading members of the SOF community; from those wearing a uniform, retired military members, academia, and government. All were extremely informative. An added benefit for the Editor of SOF News was running into numerous old acquaintances and colleagues from years past!

Today, Thursday, is the last day of SOF Week 2023. Over the next several weeks I will be doing a series of articles on the various presentations, discussions, and displays that I had to opportunity to listen to or view.

SOF Week 2023 held at the Tampa Convention Center in Florida is an opportunity for the defense industry to feature some of their newest offerings to the special operations community. There are hundreds of exhibits by firms displaying products and services for the SOF professionals. It takes the entire week just to stop by each booth to check out what is offered. Depending on your interests, you tend to spend more time at some displays than others. Over the next several weeks I will write on some of the more interesting offerings on display at SOF Week. Today’s post is about a tactical diving vehicle called the Shadow Seal. The information below in quotes is from a press release about the Shadow Seal.

“JFD – part of James Fisher and Sons plc – has launched its advanced four man tactical diving platform, Shadow Seal, during SOF Week 2023, ahead of delivery to United States partner Blue Tide Marine (BTM) for demonstration and training purposes.

Shadow Seal is an adaptable and extremely capable lightweight Tactical Diving Vehicle (TDV) able to transport a pilot, navigator and two passengers in surface, semi submerged and submerged mode with a range of 80nm. 

Shadow Seal offers unparalleled underwater maneuverability to Special Operations Forces required to covertly cross the expanding offshore and littoral water gap. Adaptable to suit a variety of ISTAR and combat requirements, the platform provides sophisticated protection to complex, high value platforms and critical infrastructure. 

The TDV is a multi-mission capable platform provides an opportunity to modernize the undersea capabilities of USSOCOM, the US Navy, and other organizations with advanced mission focused technology, extended range and offers practical training and in service support.” 

The Editor of SOF News is spending this week covering the SOF Week event in Tampa, Florida. Hosted by the United States Special Operations Command (USSOCOM). This event is packed with everything one would want to see at a SOF conference and exhibition. There are hundreds of defense vendors showing their products and services. The speakers line up for the week is a ‘who’s who’ of the SOF community. The programs and activities for the next three days, the event ends on Thursday afternoon, touch on all aspects of the special operations world.

The venue is the Tampa Convention Center in downtown Tampa. A few of the adjacent hotels are being used for some selected events. The defense vendors are utilizing two exhibition floors at the convention center. The first day’s impression is that this will be an extremely well-run event, with lots of helpful support staff, and excellent physical security measures.

Many of the attendees are from SOF military community – some from USSOCOM located at MacDill Air Force Base here in Tampa as well as from the other military bases in the United States and around the world. In addition, there are attendees from allies and partners, interagency, academia, and the defense industry.

A key feature of SOF Week is the opportunity that USSOCOM has to highlight to defense industry representatives on USSOCOM’s acquisition requirements and priorities to support the National Defense Strategy. This aspect of the event is highlighted in the organization of the exhibits – grouped on the exhibit hall floor(s) by based on the major USSOCOM AT&L Program Executive Officers (PEOs).

The first day (Monday) was setup day for the exhibits. However, SOF Week officially started on Monday with a variety of programs taking place. These included several seminars and presentations geared toward the defense industry representatives. The day concluded with a Partner Nation Meet and Greet and the Global SOF Foundation Reception.

Tuesday the program goes into full swing with a variety of offerings to choose from – as well as the exhibition hall being open for viewing. The day started with welcome remarks from the City of Tampa. Stu Bradin, CEO of the Global SOF Foundation, will follow with his welcome remarks. Then USSOCOM Commander Gen. Bryan Fenton will share his vision for SOF Week and the USSOCOM enterprise. The day will continue with a variety of events and offerings into the evening hours.

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For more information visit the SOF Week site at https://www.sofweek.org.

The articles published this week by SOF News will likely be at a slower pace than usual. The Editor of SOF News will be in Tampa, Florida attending SOF Week 2023. This event is hosted by the United States Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) and it promises to be a superb week. The program features exhibitions, defense demonstrations, speakers, discussion forums, presentations, and more. While the pace of publication this week may be slow, we anticipate providing our readers with a number of interesting articles from our SOF Week 2023 experience in the weeks to come. Stay tuned!

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Click here to register for SOF Week 2023.

The United States Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) is conducting its SOF Week 2023 in the first week of May. This national convention for the U.S. special operations community will include a diverse slate of programs, speakers, forums, defense industry exhibitions, and more.

The event takes place at the Tampa Convention Center with some activities at adjacent hotels. USSOCOM has partnered with industry to host an annual conference in Tampa for many years. This year brings an increase in exhibit hall space. There will also an increase in participation by TSOCs and COCOMs. In addition, certain new events will focus on SOF health, military transition, and SOF families – in keeping with SOF Truth #1.

The SOF Week agenda is robust with a variety of special events each day. The list of speakers is very impressive with a variety of people from the special operations, academic, and interagency community – a ‘Who’s Who’ of the special operations community. The Exhibit Hall will be filled with defense exhibitors and a number of industry demonstrations are planned. There are many other additional events that are not part of the official SOF Week 2023 program; but that are taking place the same week in Tampa and are SOF-related.

Click here to register for SOF Week 2023.

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Note: SOF News will be attending SOF Week 2023 in Tampa. See you there!

The Green Beret Foundation is kicking off SOF Week in Tampa by hosting a HALO Happy Hour for Green Berets, special operations community members, and defense industry professionals and leaders. The event is scheduled for Monday, May 8, 2023, from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm at the American Social Bar & Kitchen. There will be food, beverages, and a raffle. The drawing for the raffle will be held at the event. The Green Beret Foundation will be accepting donations and sponsorships; and will have numerous fun and one-of-a-kind items to be raffled off in support of the Green Beret Foundation. The venue is about 1/3 of a mile or 5 minute walk from the site of SOF Week at the Tampa Convention Center.

America Social Bar & Kitchen
601 South Harbour Island Boulevard
Tampa, FL 33602
Google Map

The Green Beret Foundation is a 501(c)3 not-for-profit organization that serves the U.S. Army’s Special Forces by connecting them with the resources they need to succeed in the mission ahead.

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To register for the HALO Happy Hour use the link below:
tinyurl.com/2023halohappyhour

To register for SOF Week use the link below:
SOF Week Registration