Top 10 Special Forces In The World (From A Chinese Perspective)

Special Air Service, United Kingdom [Photo: pawnation.com]

Top 10 Special Forces In The World -- China.org.cn

Special Forces, or Special Operations Forces, are military units strictly selected and intensely trained for the execution of special missions for a nation's political, economic or military purposes. With their flexible formation, these elite troops are generally led by the highest commanding military authorities and are usually well-equipped, possessing strong combat capabilities.

The origin of Special Forces dates back to the early 20th century, with fighting models set up by German Brandenburg Commandos during the Second World War (1940-1945). Nevertheless, these renowned Special Forces are always surrounded by an air of mystery as they cannot be exposed to the general public – if the general public is already aware of their existence, that is. Their daunting missions usually stretch beyond the imagination, yet their military exploits cannot be awarded. The super elite soldiers are definitely heroes.

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My Comment: I find it interesting that they did not list China's Special Forces.

Half Of Britain's Special Forces Could Go

Revealed: Nearly Half Of Special Forces Could Go In Deepest Cuts In 50 Years -- The Telegraph

The elite units could be cut by up to 40 per cent, with two famous Territorial SAS regiments being “demoted” to serving with the regular Army, The Sunday Telegraph has learned.

The restructuring programme is designed to return the Special Forces to their pre-Iraq War footing as a smaller, less expensive, but highly capable covert organisation.

The proposals will be presented by the director of Special Forces – the officer in control of the Special Air Service (SAS), the Special Boat Service (SBS) and other units – to Gen Sir David Richards, the Chief of the Defence Staff, in the next few weeks.

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My Comment: The British government is calling this "restructuring" .... I call this "gutting".

U.S. Special Forces To Face Budget Cuts

Adm. William McRaven, left, during the August 2011 ceremony for his assumption of command of the U.S. Special Operations Command. Photo: U.S. Army Special Operations Command

Commander: Special Ops To Lose $1 Billion -- Washington Times

The commander of U.S. Special Operations Command said Tuesday that his unit’s budget would lose $1 billion this year as a result of the defense budget stalemate in Washington.

During an annual National Defense Industrial Association conference for special operators, Navy Adm. William McRaven noted that the Defense Department is operating on a continuing resolution, which limits spending to 2012 levels, even as automatic, across-the-board spending cuts called sequestration are set to begin March 1.

“The continuing resolution … in all honesty puts a greater constraint on us than sequester … That means we’ve lost about a billion dollars of spending capacity,” Adm. McRaven said.

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More News On U.S. Special Ops To Face Budget Cuts

Adm. Bill McRaven: SOCOM Struggles With CR, Sequester -- Aol Defense
Special ops to feel budget pain, leaders say -- Marine Times
$1 Billion Budget Shortfall for Special Operations; Commander Predicts Female Commandos -- National Defense
Spec Ops Chief Says Elite Troops Will ‘Probably Not’ Skip a Generation of Tech -- Danger Room

Perpetual War Is The Future For America's Elite Troops

Members of the 320th Special Tactics Squadron exit an MC-130P Combat Shadow / Reuters

For Elite U.S. Troops, War's End Will Only Mean More Fighting -- The Atlantic

Even as the U.S. winds down in Iraq and Afghanistan, some special forces have done 10, 12, even 14 tours, and are only likely to do more as the conventional troops go home.

Army Ranger Kristoffer Domeij was killed in Afghanistan on Saturday while on his 14th combat deployment, highlighting a dispiriting fact of life for some of America's warriors: conventional forces are leaving Iraq and Afghanistan in large numbers, but the sky-high demand for special-operations troops like the Rangers won't be changing anytime soon.

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My Comment: Bottom line .... being in the Special Forces will mean being involved in multiple conflicts and deployments .... a state of perpetual war that can easily last for decades. While many Special Forces have families .... this will probably not be the ideal career choice for someone who believes family is everything.

Soldiers jumped from a C-130 plane Friday morning as part of a routine training session at Camp Rudder.

Parachuting is routine training 7th Special Forces soldiers (SLIDESHOW) -- Daily News

EGLIN AFB — Practice makes perfect for the 100-plus Army Special Forces soldiers who parachuted over Camp Rudder on Friday.



The jump was part of routine training for the 7th Special Forces Group (Airborne).



“This is sustainment training for the ability to infiltrate,” said executive officer Lt. Col. Martin Schmidt.



The exercise began with a walk-through on the ground. Even though their parachutes weren’t strapped on, the soldiers went through the process as if their chutes were about to deploy.



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WNU Editor: The slideshow is here.

Special Forces Are On The Hunt For Gaddafi

Libya Conflict: British And French Soldiers Help Rebels Prepare Sirte Attack -- The Guardian

Soldiers on ground in eastern Libya have guided bombers to create path for opposition fighters towards Gaddafi's birthplace.



British and French special forces are on the ground in eastern Libya, calling in air strikes and helping rebel units as they prepare to assault Sirte, the last coastal town still in the hands of pro-Gaddafi forces, a rebel officer has told the Guardian.



The soldiers have taken a leading role not only in guiding bombers to blast a path for opposition fighters but also in planning the offensive that finally broke the six-month siege of Misrata, Mohammed Subka, a communications specialist in the Al Watum (My Home) brigade, said.



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More News On Special Forces In Libya

Special operations clear paths for rebel forces -- Irish Times

SAS troopers help co-ordinate rebel attacks in Libya -- The Guardian

Liam Fox coy on SAS role in Libya -- The Telegraph

Foreign forces in Libya helping rebel forces advance -- CNN

British special forces hunt Gadhafi -- Canada.com/Daily Telegraph

How Libyan rebels have power of air attack at the touch of a button -- Scotsman

Special forces to hunt for Gadhafi -- Toronto Sun

Rebels send in special forces to hunt for Gadhafi -- MSNBC

Tripoli prays for peace as rebels hunt Gaddafi -- Reuters

Veterans From Special Operations Rising To Top Positions In The Military

Vice Adm. Robert S. Harward, a Navy Seal leader, was named deputy commander of Central Command, the military's busiest. Staff Sgt. Joe Laws/U.S. Air Force

Special Operations Veterans Rise in Hierarchy -- New York Times

WASHINGTON — A growing number of veteran commandos in Special Operations are rising to top positions in traditional military units and across the national security bureaucracy, reflecting the importance of their specialized training to fight unconventional wars that defined the past decade.



Among the most visible of these appointments were the recent promotions of two Navy Seal commanders to the No. 2 slots at a pair of military regional commands, a historic first.



Vice Adm. Robert S. Harward was named deputy commander of Central Command, the military’s busiest, managing two wars while watching a complex set of partners and rivals across Southwest Asia and the Middle East. Vice Adm. Joseph D. Kernan was named deputy commander of Southern Command, specializing in upgrading the skills of local security forces across Latin America and the Caribbean with the exercise of American influence, or “soft power.”



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My Comment: These promotions make it clear .... special operations is the place to be for quicker promotions within the military.

Drones And Special-Ops Is The Future Of The Military

Special-ops Units And Drones May Increase In Future Military -- Sign On San Diego

It was a band of 25 brothers, Navy SEALs, who took down Osama bin Laden last week — not a Marine battalion or an Army division.

As the United States gradually moves away from its major wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, what will its future military force look like — more like that SEAL squad working in secret and in tandem with the Central Intelligence Agency?

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My Comment: The key paragraph is the following ....

.... Since 2001, the military’s Special Operations Command has seen its budget more than quadruple — from about $2.3 billion in 2001 to $9.8 billion today. Its ranks have expanded from 45,500 a decade ago to 61,500 today, according to The Associated Press, citing Pentagon figures.

The numbers say it all.

In A Gesture Of Support, Britain Offers The SAS To Hunt Down Al Qaeda Leaders

SAS To Help US Hunt Down al-Qaeda Leaders -- The Telegraph

Britain has offered the US government SAS anti-terrorist units to help hunt down senior al-Qaeda commanders in an attempt to capitalise on information seized in the compound where Osama bin Laden was killed.

The Prime Minister, David Cameron, has told the White House that he intends to stand shoulder to shoulder with President Obama as the United States steps up its global hunt for leading jihadists.

It is understood that the Prime Minister has given his approval for the elite British troops to be used beyond Afghanistan in order to "decapitate" the al-Qaeda leadership.

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My Comment: I suspect that U.S. Special Forces are more use to working amongst themselves than with teaming up with Special Forces from another country .... but kudos to the British with their offer because their altitude is completely opposite from Pakistan's

U.S. Special Forces In Afghanistan Want To Keep Their Beards

Col. Abudul Majeed, 1st Kandak, 209th Afghan National Army Corps commander,(left) combat advised by a U.S. Army Special Forces company commander, assigned to the Combined Joint Special Forces Task Force- Afghanistan, assesses a location for a new governors headquarters in Sangin District, Helmand Province, Afghanistan on April 9, 2007.

U.S. Special Forces Ordered To Shave Off Beards, Some Against Command Because It Helps Relations -- New York Daily News

KABUL, Afghanistan - U.S. Special Operations Forces have had countless close shaves this month - not just with the enemy, but with razors and foamy cream.

After almost a decade of growing long beards as a show of deep respect for Afghanistan's male-dominated, bearded tribal culture, many of these elite warriors have been ordered by top brass to shave their faces clean.

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My Comment: This is not the first time that beards and mustaches have been a bone of contention for soldiers in the field and their officers back in command. But the Special Forces in Afghanistan do have a point .... they are always in the field and (I am sure) they understand the cultural aspects of having a beard in Afghan society. While back at command .... my guess is that they have other priorities.

America's Secret War With Special Forces Is Expanding

Dusk falls as troops from the U.S. Special Forces unload cargo at their temporary airbase in the Malian capital Bamako June 13, 2005. Credit: Reuters/Finbarr O'Reilly

Obama Administration Expanding "Secret War" -- CBS News

Washington Post: Military Officials Say Special Ops Forces Have Grown and Are Taking on a More Significant Role Overseas.

Beneath its commitment to soft-spoken diplomacy and beyond the combat zones of Afghanistan and Iraq, the Obama administration has significantly expanded a largely secret U.S. war against al-Qaeda and other radical groups, according to senior military and administration officials.

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More News On America's Expanding Secret War

U.S. 'secret war' expands globally as Special Operations forces take larger role -- Washington Post
U.S. widens Special Operations against al Qaeda: report -- Reuters
U.S. expanding Special Ops capabilities -- UPI

My Comment: No mention of Congressional oversight on these operations .... I can only assume that the Democrats in Congress have signed off on this.

What is my take .... to implement this policy tells me that President Obama and his team must be greatly disturbed by the intelligence that they have been receiving for the past year on growing terrorist threats. If things were getting better, this massive expansion of America's secret war against radical extremists would not be happening .... not even close.

Top 5 United States Army Special Operations Conflicts

Photo courtesy of USASOC

From Dir Journal:

The United States Army special operations community is comprised of four main combat elements: Delta Force, Green Berets (Special Forces), Rangers and Nightstalkers (Special Operations Aviation Regiment or SOAR). In the past thirty years, these units have participated in conflicts around the globe.

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My Comment: I can add 10 more operations .... but Dir Journal's 5 will suffice.

Green Berets: The Quiet Professionals

Watch CBS News Videos Online

From CBS 60 Minutes:

Lara Logan Reports On The Process Of Readying Afghans To Fight On Their Own.

(CBS) One of the president's most significant goals in Afghanistan is to train Afghan soldiers to take over the country's security, and the Army's Green Berets are leading that effort. Few people realize that the Green Berets traditional role is to train foreign armies - the only arm of the military designed especially for this purpose.

They're known as the "quiet professionals" because they work mostly in secret, unnoticed and unrecognized, among the best soldiers America has.

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Which Country Has The Most Special Operations Forces?

From Foreign Policy:

For those of you who don't subscribe to the bimonthly print edition of Foreign Policy, you're missing a great feature: the FP Quiz. It has eight intriguing questions about how the world works.

The question I'd like to highlight this week is:

Which country has the most special operations forces?

a) Russia b) North Korea c) Israel

Answer after the jump...

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My Comment: The rest of the questions are also a challenge. The link is here.

Behind The Scenes With A Special Ops Gunboat Crew

A live-fire exercise on Kentucky’s Salt River offers a rare window into the secretive, dangerous world of the Pentagon’s black-ops boat crews.

From Popular Mechanics:

When the US Special Forces need safe passage along a river, they call on the best-trained boatmen in the world. A PM reporter tags along on a live-fire exercise with the elite gunboat crews of Special Boat Team 22.

The first gun to shoot doesn’t sound like a gun at all. The noise is high and buzzing, like a chain saw or a leaf blower. It stops, then starts up again. From my perch on the engine cover of a special operations gunboat, I can see the source of this weird racket—someone on one of the other boats gliding down Kentucky’s Salt River is firing a minigun into the woods. Every second, hundreds of 7.62 mm bullets pour out of the spinning machine-gun barrels. I’m pushing up my helmet, trying to spot the gunners’ targets, when someone close by yells “Contact,” and the boat I’m sitting in erupts in gunfire. Now the shell casings are landing in my lap as twin M240B machine guns rattle a couple of feet away. When the aft-mounted .50 caliber starts thumping, the pressure from each shot feels like a punch in the gut.

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My Comment: This is so cool.