June 19th, 2017 is the 65th anniversary of U.S. Army Special Forces. The elite Green Beret unit was formed in 1952. It draws its heritage from a number of different special operations, intelligence, and unconventional warfare organizations to include the Office of Strategic Services (OSS), U.S. Army Rangers, 1st Special Service Force, and others. Currently there are seven Special Forces Groups – five active duty Special Forces groups and two National Guard Special Forces groups.

SOF News Update 20161213 – Lithuanian PYSOP Team, preparation tips for snipers, investigation reopened of Green Beret who killed an unarmed Taliban fighter, JTAC training, capture on Saddam Hussein Dec 13, 2003, SOF motorbike, Ukrainian SOF webpage, and more.

Operation Red Dawn. On December 13, 2013 – thirteen years ago – the former ruler of Iraq was captured by SOF and conventional forces. He was hiding in an underground tunnel near the city of Tikret, Iraq when discovered. Hussein was later hung by the Iraqi government. Read more about Operation Red Dawn in postings by WikipediA and U.S. Army.mil.  See also an excellent graphic by The Baltimore Sun (Dec 13, 2016) describing the operation. (Photo above from USSOCOM Twitter account posting Dec 13, 2016).

Australian Political Leader Visits Australian SOF in Iraq. Bill Shorten, an Australian Opposition leader, visited members of the Australian and New Zealand military who are based at Camp Taji, Iraq training up the members of the Iraq Counter Terrorism Service (CTS). The Daily Telegraph, December 12, 2016.

5 Prepartion Tips for Snipers. Former Army Ranger Nicholas “The Reaper” Irving provides us with five important tips used by SOF snipers to prepare for leaving the wire – whether that is on a sniping mission in Iraq or Afghanistan or hunting big game in Alaska. Read “Here’s How a Direct-Action Sniper Maintains His Gear in the Field”, Task and Purpose, December 7, 2016.

Investigation Reopened on Green Beret. During the battle of Marja, Afghanistan in February 2010 Major Matthew Golsteyn killed a Taliban bombmaker who had been captured and then released. The killing became a subject of investigation when the CIA provided information to the U.S. Army about the incident. During a job interview the Special Forces Soldier admitted to CIA interviewers that he had killed the Taliban – at the time unarmed and buried him in the desert. The Army did an investigation but cleared him – recommending him for a general discharge. Recently Golsteyn admitted the killing once again on a Fox News interview – and now the Army wants to reopen the investigation. Read more in “Army reopens investigation into former Green Beret Matthew Golsteyn”, Army Times, December 8, 2016.

Interview about IO to end Conflict in Colombia. One of the successes of the U.S. SOF forces (specificially 7th SFGA) is the long-term strategy of training up the Colombian special forces to fight the FARC in Colombia. Lara Logan, a 60 Minutes correspondent and no stranger to the SF community, interviewed an ad executive who ran a information operations campaign to help end the conflict. Read more in “How Unconventional Thinking Transformed a War-Torn Colombia”, CBS News 60 Minutes, December 11, 2016.

The Selection: Special Operations Experiment. The History Channel is putting 30 civilians through a special operations themed survival course. Learn more in an article posted by Monster and Critics, December 8, 2016.

JTAC Training Goes Hi-Tech. A recent article (8 Dec 2016) by Giles Ebbutt in IHS Jane’s 360 provides information on new and updated training systems for JTACs. The Joint Terminal Attack Controllers will use a system to train FOs and FACs for close air support and indirect fire. Read more in “JTAC training tech advances emerge”.

Ukrainian SOF Webpage. The Ukrainian military has posted a website about Ukrainian SOF. You might want to have your web browser translate it into English for viewing.
http://sof.mil.gov.ua/

MOTOPED for SOF? The MOTOPED Survival Bike could be a SOF operator’s means of transportation in a conflict area. This sturdy mountain bike / motorcycle is perfect for someone who needs to maneuver across tough terrain. Read more in “The MOTOPED Survival Bike Could Be the Wheels Special Operations Forces Need”, Task and Purpose, December 13, 2016.

Video of Lithuanian PSYOPS Team. U.S. SOF from SOCEUR were present during a recent exercise in Eastern Europe. The SOF exercise included use of a Lithuanian PSYOPS team to provide battlefield deception. Watch a short (2-min) video.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vbu4X61FpcM

On the night of 20-21 November 1970 U.S. Special Forces Soldiers and aviation crews conducted the Son Tay Raid into North Vietnam to rescue American prisoners of war held in the Son Tay prison camp. The unit that conducted the raid was the Joint Contingency Task Group Ivory Coast commanded by Air Force General Leroy Manor. The ground force commander was Green Beret Colonel “Bull” Simons.

The task force consisted of 28 U.S. Air Force aircraft. There were 58 Green Berets that were inserted to rescue over 60 American POWs. The raiders were selected from among the 6th and 7th Special Forces Groups at Fort Bragg, NC. The name of the raid was Operation Ivory Coast. It was rehearsed for months at Eglin Air Force Base, Florida.

The raid party was inserted by helicopter and completed its mission in under 30 minutes – however the POWs had been relocated to another prison prior to the raid. The Son Tay Raid is credited with prompting the North Vietnamese to improve treatment of the U.S. POWs. In addition, once the U.S. POWs learned of the raid morale improved significantly.

(Image from USSOCOM Facebook 21 Nov 2016)

A Special Forces charitable organization will be honoring US Special Forces members at the Green Beret Foundation Tribute in a fundraiser held in New York City on Wednesday, November 16, 2016. The proceeds will go toward supporting Green Berets and their families. The event provides an extraordinary networking opportunity to meet some amazing people.

The “key note” speaker will be Mike Waltz – a Green Beret with multiple combat tours. Mike is the president of Metis Solutions, an international strategic analysis, intelligence support, and training company. He has served in senior policy roles in the U.S. Government as well as authored a book entitled Warrior Diplomat – of which the net proceeds are donated to the Green Beret Foundation. Mike regularly provides commentary on counter-terrorism and foreign affairs for FOX News, CNN, BBC, PBS Frontline, and Voice of America.

The public is encouraged to purchase tickets for attendance or to make a donation to the Green Beret Foundation Tribute.

CPT Andrew Byers was killed in action in Kunduz, Afghanistan on November 3, 2016 while conducting a ‘train, advise, and assist’ mission with Afghan special operations forces. He died of wounds sustained during a mission against Taliban forces. Andrew Byers was assigned to the 10th Special Forces Group based at Fort Carson, Colorado.

Byers, age 30, was from Rolesville, North Carolina. He joined the Army in May 2008. He had a previous deployment to Afghanistan and one to the Democratic Republic of Congo. A previous assignment was in Italy.

His awards and decorations include the Bronze Star Medal, Purple Heart, three Army Commendation Medals, Army Achievement Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal with Campaign Star, Iraq Campaign Medal with Campaign Star, Global War on Terrorism Medal, Overseas Service Ribbon, Combat Infantryman Badge, Expert Infantryman Badge, Parachutist and Military Free Fall Parachutist badges, the Ranger tab, and the Special Forces tab.

While attending Clarence High School he was a member of the high school swimming team, the student council, and sports editor of the yearbook. He graduated from High School in 2004.

He later attended West Point – the U.S. Army military academy – where he graduated 12th in his class of 972. Once he joined Special Forces he was assigned to a High Altitude Low Opening (HALO) team.

He leaves behind his wife – a graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland.

Also killed in the combat action was another member of the 10th Special Forces Group – SFC Ryan A. Gloyer. It is reported that four members of the Afghan SOF unit also were killed. Several Afghan SOF members were wounded. Kunduz has been the scene of heavy fighting over the past few weeks after an attack by the Taliban in October. The city of Kunduz was seized in the fall of 2015 by the Taliban for over two weeks.

Read More:

“Kunduz casualty release (Nov. 3, 2016)”, NATO Press News, November 3, 2016.
“DoD Identifies Army Casualties”, DoD News, November 4, 2016.
“SOF casualties identified”, Army.mil, November 4, 2016.
“DoD identifies two Green Berets killed in deadly Afghan battle”, Army Times, November 4, 2016.
“Army captain from Rolesville killed in Afghanistan”, The News & Observer, November 4, 2016.
“Special Forces captain from Clarence killed in Afghanistan”, The Buffalo News, November 4, 2016.

Video – How to Become a Green Beret. “The U.S. Army Special Forces, commonly known at the Green Berets, are the military’s premier unconventional warfare experts, with an unmatched legacy of working through and with other nations to accomplish U.S. foreign policy objectives.” However, the training is tough, demanding, and very long. The rigorous training program can take up to two years. The physical, mental, and character challenges ensure that only the best pass the selection and qualification process. Watch a video on this topic in Road to Becoming a U.S. Army Green Beret, posted on YouTube.com by the U.S. Army on March 20, 2014.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=PoVG7V-TC4U

Interview with SEAL Book Author. Former Special Warfare Operator 1st Class (SEAL) Kevin Lacz worked as a technical advisor on the movie “American Sniper”. He has now wrote a book on his Iraq War experiences. Read an interview of Lacz in “Former SEAL Kevin Lacz pens ‘raw’ account of Iraq and Chris Kyle”, Navy Times, July 29, 2016.

Navy Dumping Its Really Stupid Uniform. The Navy’s notorious camouflage uniform is going away. The only useful purpose the uniform would do is keep a Sailor hidden from observation if he fell overboard. Common sense is finally prevailing and the stupidest uniform ever will eventually go to the trash heap. The blue-and-gray cammies, despite the fielding cost of millions of dollars, will be phased out over a three year period.

The replacement uniform will be the digital woodland pattern cammies or NWU Type III. This will be the standard shore duty uniform across the Navy. Read more in “The U.S. military is dumping the dumbest uniform ever”, Navy Times, August 4, 2016.

Unsung Heroes. A Special Forces A-team is inserted into a dangerous remote mountain valley in Afghanistan. They just barely escaped with their lives – many wounded and ten awarded Silver Stars. Read more about a Special Forces gun fight during the Afghan conflict in “UNSUNG HEROES: 12 Green Berets Who Took On Hundreds in this Epic Afghan Battle”, Task & Purpose, July 28, 2016.

Aussie SAS Misconduct Problems. It appears that an investigation is underway on possible misconduct by Australian SAS members. Something about missing hands . . . Read more in “Police probe SAS Misconduct”, The West Australian, August 5, 2016.

SRB Suspended by Army. The Selective Retention Bonus program to ensure that highly-skilled Army members stay in the Army (via cash bonus) is now being curtailed. Seems retention is doing well. This affects Soldiers in critical MOSs such as Special Forces, Cyber, Civil Affairs, etc. Read more in “Army suspends SRB for the first time in 10 years”, Army Times, August 4, 2016.

Info on Army Special Forces. “Army Special Forces trace their unit lineage back to the Office of Strategic Services in World War II, served with distinction as both warriors and spies in the Cold War, and snuck into Afghanistan to hunt the Taliban before anyone else”. Learn more in “7 Lesser-Known Facts About Army Special Forces”, Warrior – Scout.com, August 2, 2016.

Chris Kyle’s Wife Now on Fox News. The wife of late U.S. Navy SEAL Chris Kyle – on who the movie “American Sniper” is based – is now a Fox News contributor. Learn more in a story by The Hollywood Reporter, August 1, 2016.

SEALs Transitioning to Civilian Life. The Honor Foundation assists Navy Special Operators in their transition to civilian life. Read more in “Transition program for Navy’s special operators graduates first East Coast class”, The Virginian Pilot, August 4, 2016.

“The Real Black Hawk Down”. A new six-episode series about an intense battle involving U.S. Army Rangers and Delta Force in Mogadishu, Somalia in October 1992 is running on the National Geographic Channel. Read more in a story by the Strait Times, August 3, 2016.

“The Endless War”. Andrew J. Bacevich has penned an opinion piece on how the two presidential candidates are ignoring the Afghan War – neither spoke about Afghanistan during their convention speech. Read more in “Afghanistan: The campaign’s forgotten war”, Los Angeles Times, August 4, 2016.

“Defeating ISIS”. Anthony H. Cordesman, a member of the Center for Strategic & International Studies (CSIS),  has penned a tract explaining the ISIS. Read Defeating ISIS: The Real Threats and Challenges, CSIS, August 4, 2016.

58th SOW Says “Goodbye” to the Last Talon II. The MC-130H Talon II will no longer be based at Kirtland AFB. The last one flew to Hurlburt Field where it has its new home. Read more in “58th SOW says goodbye to last Talon II”, Areotech News, August 2, 2016.

First ‘Up-Gunned’ AC-130J Arrives. The first ‘up-punched’ AC-130J Ghostrider has arrived at Hurlburt Field in Florida armed with a 105-mm cannon. Read more in a news report by Aerospace Daily, August 3, 2016.

Story on Founder of British SAS. Major David Stirling is known as the man who started up the Special Air Service during World War II. Read the story of this rogue British officer in War History Online, July 27, 2016.