The civil war in Libya continues to grind away and foreign nations are supporting one faction or another in the conflict. Russia is one of those countries – providing aircraft, vehicles, technicians, air defense equipment, and mercenaries to the fight.

The civil war began after the fall of Moammar Gadhafi from power. He was the long-time dictator of Libya before a NATO-backed revolt removed him from power in 2011. Since then the country has been in turmoil and currently there are two factions fighting for control of Libya.

The Wagner Group, a Russian private military company (PMC), has been on the front lines of the Libyan conflict since late 2018. Russia is supporting the Libyan National Army (LNA) led by a Libyan warlord – Field Marshal Khalifa Hifter. The LNA is positioned in the east of the country. It maintains control of the east and some of the central and south regions of Libya. In addition to Russia, the LNA is supported by the United Arab Emirates and Egypt.

Hifter is a former Central Intelligence Agency asset. He was exiled during Gadhafi’s rule and lived in the U.S. He became a U.S. citizen and lived in Virginia for many years. In 2011 he returned to Libya.

The Government of National Accord (GNA) is internationally recognized by most of the world’s governments and is backed by the United Nations. The United States (diplomatically) is also backing the GNA as well. The GNA is based in the west, headquartered in the capital of Tripoli. A key battleground is the area around Sirte where oil refineries and shipping ports are located. Other countries actively supporting the GNA include Turkey and Qatar.

The Wagner Group is believed to be headed by a former Russian intelligence officer – Yevgeniy Prigozhin. He has close ties to Russian President Vladimir Putin. The Wagner Group has been active in many troubled spots in the world to include Syria, Ukraine, Crimea, Central African Republic, and other nations. The group’s personnel are known to train alongside Russian armed forces and are suspected to work closely with the Russian military intelligence agency (the Main Intelligence Directorate, or GRU).

The Wagner Group is reported to have been founded by Dmitry Utkin – a former member of a special forces unit of the GRU. Utkin’s call sign was Wagner – and thus the name Wagner Group.

Recent imagery released by U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) shows Wagner forces and equipment deployed in Libya.

Russia has provided a variety of military equipment to include fighter aircraft (Mig-29s and Su-24s), air defense systems (SA-22s), armored vehicles, and weapons. Some equipment is known to be flown into Libya on Russian military cargo aircraft like the Ilyushin IL-76s.

In May 2020 AFRICOM reported that approximately 14 fighter aircraft were flown from Russia to Iran and then on to Syria where their Russian markings were painted over. The aircraft then departed Russia’s Khmeimim airbase in western Syria and were flown into Libya to the Al-Jufra airbase controlled by General Khalifa Haftar.

For the last few years the Wagner Group has operated out of at least two bases in eastern Libya – in Benghazi and Tobruk. Wagner personnel are actively involved in the fighting on the front lines. They are assisting in delivering accurate mortar and artillery fire by serving as forward fires observers. In addition, LNA artillery fire has been enhanced with laser-guided munitions. Russian snipers have been reported to be targeted mid-level GNA commanders. Russian technicians have been repairing vehicles and providing expertise for air defense systems and drones.

It has been estimated that as many as 2,000 Wagner Group personnel were operating in Libya in late 2019. In addition, some 2,000 Syrians are in Libya – possibly working for the Wagner Group.

The Russian Federation is violating United Nations Security Council Resolution UNSCR 1970 by providing military personnel and equipment to the Libyan conflict.

Russia is attempting to gain a foothold in Libya so it will have a presence on the southern edge of the Mediterranean Sea. It is likely looking at the possibility of future air and naval bases in Libya should its side win out in the civil war. Establishing military bases in Libya would provide Russia with increased influence in Africa and the Mediterranean as well as a military presence on NATO’s southern flank. Once Libya is stabilized it will likely resume the export of significant quantities of oil – which could be another long-term benefit for Russia.

**********

Image: Derived from maps produced by the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA).

References:

“The GRU, Yevgeny Prigozhin, and Russia’s Wagner Group: Malign Russian Actors and Possible U.S. Responses”, Kimberly Marten, testimony before U.S. House of Representatives, July 7, 2020, 13 pages, PDF.

“Who’s Flying Those MiG-29s in Libya and Why Does It Matter?”, Forbes.com, June 29, 2020.

“Wagner Group in Libya: Weapon of War or Geopolitical Tool?”, by Sergey Sukhankin, Terrorism Monitor, The Jamestown Foundation, June 26, 2020.

“Implausible Deniability: Russia’s Private Military Companies”, by Paul Stronski, Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, June 2, 2020.

“Hundreds more Russian mercenaries flee western Libya: GNA forces”, Aljazeera.com, May 25, 2020.

“Wagner, shadowy Russian military group, ‘fighting in Libya'”, BBC News, May 7, 2020.

“SOF in Libya – Providing Direct Support”, SOF News, August 9, 2016.

“Wagner Group”, Wikipedia.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wagner_Group

SOF News Update – Curated news, analysis, and commentary on special operations forces, national security, and conflicts from around the world.

Top Story

Casualties in Iraq. On Wednesday, March 11, 2020 a Coalition base in Taji, Iraq was hit with 18 rockets. Two Americans and one British soldier died in the attack. As many as 14 were wounded. An Iranian-linked Shia militia group (SMG) has been blamed for the attack. Iraqi forces found a rocket-rigged truck a few miles from the base. On Thursday CENTCOM released a statement:

“Iran remains the world’s largest state sponsor of terrorism. Since May 2019, Iranian proxies and Shia Militia Groups in Iraq have increased attacks on U.S. interests and conducted scores of UAS reconnaissance flights near U.S. and ISF bases.”

– Gen Frank McKenzie, CDR CENTCOM , March 11, 2020

Lance Corporal Brodie Gillon. A British service member was killed in the Taji rocket attack. She served as a reservist with the Scottish and North Irish Yeomanry, having joined in 2015 as a Combat Medical Technician. (UK Ministry of Defence, Mar 12, 2020).

U.S. Casualties Identified. Army Specialist Juan Miguel Mendez Covarrubias, age 27, of Hanford, California and Air Force Staff Sergeant Marshal D. Roberts, age 28, of Owasso, Oklahoma.

Retaliation. U.S. and UK air strikes hit multiple targets on Thursday. Some reports say that Kata’ib Hezbollah (KH) militia suffered large losses in US air strikes against 5 locations in Babil Province. A defense official said that air strikes are taking place all over Iraq. Some weapons storage sites were targeted. One news account says an Iranian Revolutionary Guards general has been killed in the air strikes. Read more in a March 12, 2020 news release by the DoD.

SOF News

CRE / CIF – Staying, Going, or Changing? On February 26th Defense Secretary Esper said he is reviewing the need for Special Forces to have dedicated crisis response forces while briefing the House Armed Services Committee. Read more in “Pentagon to Decide if it Still Needs Green Beret Response Forces”, Military.com, March 11, 2020.

Moving SOF Wing to Germany? Plans to move a special operations wing and refueling tankers from RAF Mildenhall to Ramstein Air Base and Spangdahlem in Germany have been put on hold. U.S. European Command is conducting a reassessment of the previous closure decision. (Stars and Stripes, Mar 10, 2020).

New SEL for SOJTF-OIR. Marine Corps Master Gunnery Sergeant Andrew McCurry, currently assigned as the Marine Raider Support Group senior enlisted advisor, Camp Lejeune, North Carolina has a future assignment in Iraq. He has been selected to replace Command Sergeant Major Dave Lance as the command senior enlisted leader for the Special Operations Joint Task Force – Operation Inherent Resolve.

Former Navy SEAL Helps Burn Patients. The Sons of the Flag put patients in touch with surgeons that help create a course of treatment. Read “A Navy SEAL’s Mission to Revolutionize Burn Care”, The Epoch Times, March 12, 2020.

SOF Key in Future Afghan Fight. To be able to draw down the U.S. footprint below 8,600 troops and still be able to operate a robust CT campaign with adequate support and protection for special operators requires a more “permissive” environment in Afghanistan. U.S. SOF currently operates in a “conventional force structure” that provides logistics, air power, intelligence, and strike capabilities from both U.S. conventional troops and host nation partner forces. Read more in “America commandos to hold down the fort in Afghanistan as US troops withdraw”, Military Times, March 12, 2020.

Medal for Operation Observant Compass Participants. Troops who were part of the hunt in central Africa for rebel warlord Joseph Kony and his Lord’s Resistance Army are eligible for medals awarded to those who served in the global war on terrorism. U.S. special operations troops, including Green Berets and Navy SEALs were part of the operation. (Stars and Stripes, Mar 11, 2020).

International SOF

Sri Lanka Navy Special Boat Squadron JCET. A four week training exercise (Balance Style 2020) has begun involving personnel from the Sri Lanka naval special operations community and a Special Forces detachment from 1st SFGA. The training will include Human Rights, Law of Armed Conflict, small unit tactics, MOUT, TCCC, combat marksmanship, CQB, mission planning, and MAROPS. (Sri Lank Navy, Mar 3, 2020).

Exercise Northern Griffin 2020. The Finnish Defense Forces’ Utti Jaeger Regiment has organized an exercise aimed at developing interoperability with multinational partners in cold winter conditions. The countries of Sweden, Norway, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Poland, and UK are participating in the event held in northern Finland. The Utti Jaeger Regiment is the Finnish Army training and development centre for Finnish special forces. (The Barents Observer, Mar 8, 2020).

Operation Monogram. A trilateral special operations exchange between Bangladesh, the United Kingdom, and the United States is took place in the months of February and March 2020. The Bangladesh units in the exercise included the Navy’s elite Special Warfare Diving and Salvage (SWADS) unit and the Army’s Special Forces 1st Para-Commando Brigade. (Dhaka Tribune, Mar 10, 2020).

Exercise Hawk Strike and Hungarian 2nd Special Operations Forces. U.S. Army aviation aircrews recently trained alongside soldiers from the 1st Cav Division and the Hungarian SOF. (3rd CAB, 1 Cav, Mar 12, 2020).

New Libya Naval Commando Unit. A unit made up of Libyan fighters is being trained up with the help of the United Arab Emirates and Egypt. The unit is an attempt to counter the naval activities of Turkey off the coast of Libya. Read “Egypt, UAE establish Libya naval commando squad to fight Turkey”, Middle East Monitor, March 9, 2020.

National Defense

DoD Orders 60-Day Travel Ban. The Defense Department has announced that there is a 60-day ban on travel to all countries designated as “Level 3 locations”. The restrictions apply to troops, military families, and DoD civilians. Those countries include china, Italy, Iran, and South Korea. (Military.com, Mar 11, 2020)

Army and COVID-19. The U.S. Army has some guidance on how to protect the health of the force and maintain operational readiness.
https://www.army.mil/covid-19/

Great Power Competition

SOF News is going to pay a little more attention to the shift in U.S. special operations forces focus from counterterrorism and counterinsurgency to great power competition (GPC). Many people look at GPC as a ‘conventional fight’ – big military forces consisting of expensive aircraft, new naval ships, and modern tanks facing off with each other. Picture an outbreak of general war with Russia or China. The reality is that GPC will most likely be ‘fought’ at a level below that of general war. Some would say it is a return to or an increase in ‘political warfare’. So where do U.S. special operations forces fit into all of this? SOF News will be watching for future articles on this topic to share with the reading SOF audience. So from time to time you will see the links to info and articles about how SOF fits into the ‘Great Power Competition’.

We will start off with a recent 46-page paper entitled SOF Paradigm in Great Power Competition Published in October 2019 by NSI, 46 pages. The report features guest articles from several members of the SOF community who currently work for SOCEUR, NDU, USASOC, and other organizations. A good read. If you know of any recent articles or reports about GPC then send to us so we can check them out. (staff @ sof.news).

Africa

Counter-VEO Efforts Insufficient in Sahel. The Cdr of U.S. Africa Command, General Stephen Townsend, said that U.S. and international efforts to combat violent extremist organizations in West Africa aren’t working. He says that “ISIS and al-Qaida are on the march in West Africa. They’re having success, and international efforts are not.” This assessment is provided (testimony before Congress) at the same time that DOD is trying to move troops out of Africa to address the rising threat from Russia and China. (Military Times, Mar 10, 2020).

Sahel States Need More Help. The governments of West Africa are capable security partners – if they are enabled by other international actors. The Sahel states are lacking funds, equipment, and training. Read “Why Do African Sahel Countries Need More International Support?”, European Eye on Radicalization, March 5, 2020.

Funding AFRICOM’s Mission. Katherine Zimmerman believes that the U.S. needs to remain committed to the counterterrorism mission in Africa. The jihadists are gaining ground and Russia and China are increasing their influence. (Marine Corps Times, Mar 12, 2020).

Africa Lion – Scaled Back. The U.S. Army Africa has reduced the scale of its largest exercise due to concerns with COVID-19. The exercise is due to start March 23 and involves over 4,000 U.S. troops. (Military Times, Mar 10, 2020).

British Military in Africa. The UK armed forces are currently running training courses for troops in 14 African nations. “How the British Military Are ‘Opening Doors’ in Africa”, Forces.net, March 10, 2020.

**********

Photo: Members of the U.S. Army’s 10th Special Forces Group (Airborne) and Norwegian SOF, conduct RAPIDS infiltrations / exfiltration training with snowmobiles, March 8, 2020, in Northern Norway, using the U.S. Air Force’s CV-22B Osprey, assigned to the 352d Special Operations Wing. RAPIDS is a Special Forces tactic for quickly inserting and removing personnel into and out of an area. The training was conducted to allow the special forces members to maintain proficiency in the RAPIDS procedures. (photos by Staff Sgt. Elizabeth Pena)

SOF News Update. The fracturing of the Arab world, US asks India for military assistance in Afghanistan, the grinding fight against ISIS in Libya, and more.

How the Arab World Came Apart. Scott Anderson has provided us with a very comprehensive report on how the Arab world has fractured since the invasion of Iraq in 2003. The invasion led to the rise of the Islamic State (ISIS) and a global refugee crisis. The article explores the countries of Egypt, Libya, Syria, Iraq, and the region of Kurdistan. Read “Fractured Lands: How the Arab World Came Apart”, The New York Times Magazine, August 11, 2016.

U.S. Asks India for Help. The commander of Resolute Support Headquarters in Afghanistan, General John Nicholson, has asked India for military assistance in the Afghan conflict. Much of the Afghan National Defense and Security Forces (ANDSF) use Russian-made weaponry. However, Western sanctions against Russia has lead to a shortage of these weapons and spare parts for the weapons systems (Mi-17 helicopters for example). Read more in “US General Asks India for Military Assistance in Afghanistan”, Defense News, August 11, 2016.

Libya Update. In late 2014 members of the Islamic State began to arrive in Sirte, Libya (on the coast) – many of them arriving from Iraq, Yemen, Syria, and some North African countries as well. ISIS was able to fill a void caused by strife between two government factions. Read an account of the fighting from the standpoint of one of the many militias opposing ISIS in “The Grinding Fight to Root Out ISIS in a Battered Libya”, The New Yorker, August 10, 2016.

SOF Advising Do’s and Don’ts. Retired Green Beret and counterinsurgency expert Roger Carstens points out some very valid points about special operations forces providing advice and training to proxy forces in Syria. Read an article by Eli Lake entitled “Orders for U.S. Forces in Syria: ‘Don’t Get Shot'”, Bloomberg View, August 11, 2016.

Italian SOF in Libya. A very short article about “Italian Special Forces in Libya training mission”, Aen Politics, August 10, 2016. See a longer article entitled “Italy Reportedly Sends Special Forces to Libya”, Defense News,  August 11, 2016.

1st SFG Combatives Team Wins. The 1st Group fighters were the overall winner of the Joint Base Lewis-McChord Combatives Tournament held August 2-4,2016. Read more in a news report by the JBLM Northwest Guardian, August 11, 2016.

Green Beret Provides Advice to NE Patriots. An NFL team has been seeking the advice of a retired LTC who served with Special Forces. Read more in a news report dated August 11, 2016.

Ukraine Special Forces Providing Intel. The Special Forces units of the Ukraine are spilling the secrets of Vladimir Putin’s military machine to intelligence services of western nations. Read more in a news report by The Mirror, August 11, 2016.

AFSOC Looking at High-Tech Weaponry for Gunship. The Ghostrider Gunship may be getting a high-energy laser as a weapons system. Read more in “Special Ops Eyes Hi-Tech Weaponry for Ghostrider Gunship”, Aviation Week Network, August 12, 2016/

Marines New Look at Warfare. The days of counterinsurgency are in the past – or at least some in the Marine Corps thinks so. For my part, I am not so sure. At the end of every conflict the U.S. military says “COIN is dead” – our future wars will be different. And, without fail, we soon find ourselves embroiled in another counterinsurgency. The Marine Corps top uniformed official, General Robert Neller, wants the Corps to shift away from COIN and prepare for events that mirror recent conflicts in Eastern Europe and Syria. Hmmmm. Read more in “Marine Corps Shifts Tactics for Future Wars”, by Dave Majumdar, Warrior,  August 10, 2016.

What Motivates People to Join ISIS? Not only does the Islamic State have success in recruiting fighters to Syria and Iraq to join its forces but the group has had success in recruiting in Afghanistan, Libya and other locations. In addition, it has managed to sway citizens of European nations (the U.S. as well) to conduct terrorist attacks in the name of ISIS. One article posted recently looks “. . . at the factors that motivate people to leave home and join faraway wars.” Read “Why So Many Foreign Fighters Flock to ISIS”,  Defense One, August 10, 2016.

U.S. Military Readiness Better than Some Think. David Petraeus and Michael O’Hanlon have penned an opinion piece that says sequestration cuts have presented challenges but that America’s fighting forces remain second to none. Read “The Myth of a U.S. Military ‘Readiness’ Crisis”, The Wall Street Journal, August 9, 2016.

SOF News Update: Kidnappings in Kabul, DoDIG report on SOCAfrica, new Intel manual, Afghanistan, Libya, and . . . of course, SEALs.

Two Westerners Kidnapped in Kabul. Two American University of Afghanistan faculty members were kidnapped at gunpoint. The American and Australian were traveling from the university to their residence when their car was stopped by armed men. Read more in “American University of Afghanistan Faculty Kidnapped at Gunpoint in Kabul”, The Diplomat, August 10, 2016.

DoD IG Report on SOCAfrica. The U.S. Department of Defense Inspector General has published Whistleblower Reprisal Investigation, DoDIG-2016-121, August 9, 2016. It explores allegations of retribution against a whistleblower at Special Operations Command Africa based in Stuttgart, Germany.

New DoD Manual on Intelligence Collection. The DoD released revised procedures for the conduct of its intelligence activities. DoD Manual 5240.01 complies with other directives and executive orders which authorize Defense components to collect information on U.S. citizens and other intelligence activities. Read a synopsis of the new manual in “Pentagon Releases New Procedures for Intelligence Collection”, Lawfare Blog, August 10, 2016. Read a DoD press release on this topic (Aug 10, 2016).

PokemonGO App for SEALs. It appears that there is an app for PokemonGo made for the U.S. Navy SEALs. It puts them on the path to search for book publishers and movie agents.

Libyan Endgame? There probably is none at the moment. Currently U.S. SOF are on the ground and airstrikes are hitting ISIS fighters in Sirte. However, beyond that there probably isn’t a long-term strategic view of what to do in Libya. Read more in “How Not to Plan for ‘The Day After’ in Libya”, Defense One, August 9, 2016.

Brit SAS Troops to Syria? According to the Daily Express (UK) the Special Air Service will be advising groups in Syria in an effort to wipe out the Islamic State.

New Minature Sub for SEALs? The new small subs used by SEALs to conduct maritime infiltration (and other types of missions) will be designed to ‘keep the SEALs dry’. Don’t want our Navy guys to get wet – do we! But . . .  the new sub may not be as good as the one we already have. Read more in “Will the New Special Ops Mini-Submarine Sink or Swim?”, Popular Mechanics, August 10, 2016.

Congress Bickers While Afghan Translators Try to Survive. Afghans who worked for the U.S. military in Afghanistan as interpreters – at great risk to their own lives – are now seeking Visas to the United States. But while the U.S. has opened its doors to Syrian refugees fleeing their war it has closed the doors to Afghans who risked their lives for our Soldiers and Marines. Read more in “Fearing for their lives, Afghan translators for US plead for visas”, The Boston Globe, August 9, 2016. See also “They Will Kill Us: Afghan Translators Plead for Delayed U.S. Visas”, The New York Times, August 9, 2016.

Was Navy SEAL – Now Scientist. Morgan Luttrell, a former Navy SEAL and the twin brother of “Lone Survivor” author Marcus Luttrell is studying how to treat veterans suffering from traumatic brain injury or post-traumatic stress disorder. Learn more in a news report by Dallas News, August 10, 2016.

Green Beret – Spotting Stars for the NFL. Brian Decker was a career Special Forces Soldier. He retired and then worked for the National Football League scouting for prospects to play in the NFL. Read more in “Man On A Mission”,  ABC News, August 10, 2016.

ISIS Video Depicts U.S. SOF Training Syrians. A video released by the Islamic State supposedly depicts U.S. special operations troops training up Syrian fighters. Read the news report by CBS News, August 10, 2016.

Afghanistan – It is Just Getting Worse. “After providing nearly $70 billion in security assistance, Washington is still looking at an Afghanistan that cannot sustain itself, defend itself, and whose national economy is so weak that it depends on the international community to pay for its army and police . . .” Read “Afghanistan: It’s Only Getting Worse”, Defense One, August 9, 2016.

So How Goes the War in Iraq Against ISIS? LTG MacFarland, the head of U.S. forces in Iraq, recently held a press conference where he mixes hard facts with a good dose of optimism. Read “Iraqi Troops Not Ready for Mosul Or What Comes Next, Says Top US Commander“, Defense One, August 10, 2016.

Photo Credit: Every year the Rhode Island Army National Guard hosts an international parachute competition during August. The Leapfest event promotes technical training and esprit de corps within the international airborne community. Photo by SSG Quentin Davis.

Recent news reports from major news outlets (New York Times, Washington Post, and others) are reporting that U.S. SOF in Libya is providing direct support to Libyan militia groups fighting the Islamic State. The area of the fighting is in the vicinity of Sirte, Libya. Sirte is a seacoast city about halfway between Tripoli and Benghazi. At one time the Islamic State controlled almost 100 miles of coastline; but recent military offensives by Libyan militias have cut this territory down in size.

U.S. airstrikes are taking its toll on the Islamic State; however, it will take ground forces to truly destroy ISIS (it always does). It remains to be seen if the various militia groups currently in the fight stick together in this current offensive or if they split apart and start attacking each other once again.

U.S. special operations forces are likely calling in air strikes and other U.S. military assets are probably conducting ISR missions to keep the intelligence picture current. U.S. air strikes started up again about one week ago and over 30 militant targets have been hit so far.

The use of small special operations forces to advise and assist militia groups in Libya is focused on the degrading and defeat of ISIS in Libya. Hopefully these small SOF teams can help the Libyans eliminate the ISIS threat.

Read more in “US Special Operations providing direct, on-the-ground support in Libya”, Stars and Stripes, August 9, 2016.

SOF Update: U.S. SOF in Libya, Battelle wins USSOCOM NSCV contract, Medal of Honor for Viet SF Vet, F-35A ready for combat, 70th anniversary of MSG, Ex-SEAL wins primary for governor, “Robin Sage” exercise scheduled, NSWC CoC, and the Irish Defence Forces’ maritime counter terrorism force.

“Operation Odyssey Lightning”. U.S. SOF are on the ground in Libya passing data on Islamic State targets to U.S. warplanes flying off the aircraft carrier Wasp. Read more in “U.S. Strikes Help Libyan Forces Against ISIS in Surt”, The New York Times, August 2, 2016. Read a news release entitled “U.S. Strikes Accelerate Gains Against ISIL in Libya”, DoD News, August 2, 2016.

Battelle Wins Armor Contract. The US firm, Battelle, has received a contract to convert commercial SUVs and trucks for use by special operators in combat. The contract by USSOCOM will provide over 500 vehicles – trucks, vans, SUVs, dune buggies, etc. These vehicles are referred to as Non-Standard Commercial Vehicles (NSCVs). Read more in “Armor: Bomb Proof SUVs For Commandos”, Strategy Page, August 3, 2016.

Medal of Honor for SF Man from Alabama. On a secret mission in Laos over 50 years ago during the Vietnam War an Army medic distinguished himself while deep behind enemy lines with a secretive Special Forces unit. Read more in a news report by Alabama.com, August 2, 2016.

Former SF Doctor Appeals Life Sentence. In 1979 Jeffrey MacDonald, a doctor assigned to Special Forces, was convicted of murdering his wife and children. His lawyers have mounted an appeal saying he is innocent. Read more in a story in People Magazine, August 3, 2016.

Runs in the Family. The son of the President of Uganda just happens to be the head of the country’s Special Forces Command. Read more in New Vision (UG),  August 3, 2016.

F-35A Ready for Combat. According to the Air Force (but not many critics) the very expensive and not so useful F-35A is “almost” ready for combat missions. Read more in “Air Force Declares F-35A Ready for Combat”, Defense News, August 2, 2016.

NSWC CoC. The Naval Special Warfare Command held a change of command ceremony on August 3, 2016 at Naval Amphibious Base, Coronado. Read the story on navy.mil.

70th Anniversary of MSG Program. The U.S. Department of State and the U.S. Marine Corps celebrated the Marine Security Guard Program’s 70th Anniversary. A ceremony was held at the National Museum of the Marine Corps in Triangle, Virginia. Read more in a state department news release (August 2, 2016).

Ex-SEAL Wins Gov Primary. Former Navy SEAL officer Eric Greitens won the Republican primary for Missouri governor casting himself as a conservative outsider and anti-corruption fighter. Read more in “Ex-Navy SEAL Eric Greitens wins Missouri governor primary”, The Gazette, August 2, 2016.

“Army Ranger Wing”. Read about the maritime counterterrorist training that Ireland’s Irish Defence Force conducts in a news report by the Irish Examiner, August 3, 2016.

“Robin Sage” Exercise Scheduled for August. The U.S. Army’s premier unconventional warfare exercise – Robin Sage – is scheduled for August 13-26, 2016. Read more in a news report by the Salisbury Post, August 2, 2016.