charged overseeing special operations component commands army marine_corps navy air_force command unified headquartered tampa florida idea unified special operations command origins aftermath disastrous attempted rescue hostages american embassy iran ensuing investigation chaired admiral retired chief naval operations cited lack command control inter service coordination significant factors failure mission activation april participated operations invasion panama ongoing global war terrorism conducts covert clandestine missions direct action special reconnaissance counter terrorism foreign internal defense unconventional warfare psychological warfare civil affairs counter operations branch unique capable running operations different special operations forces need work operation joint component command operation instead specific branch history command control structure separate military special operations forces led failure highlighted need reform reorganization incident army chief staff general called restructuring special operations capabilities eventually helping create unsuccessful joint level went consolidate units new significant step improve small growing sense congress need military reforms june began year long study included examination spearheaded senator concern mounting created january agency operational command authority little improve readiness capabilities policies insufficient staunch supporters principal deputy assistant secretary deputy advocated reforms time determined overhaul included senators members representative dan daniel chairman congressman daniel convinced military establishment interested special operations country capability area second rate operational command control endemic problem senators felt strongly preparing adequately future threats senator agreed needed organizational focus chain command special operations deal low intensity conflicts october published results year review military structure entitled defense organization need change principal author study examined past special operations speculated likely future threats influential document led defense reorganization act spring advocates introduced reform bills houses congress senator introduced senate bill sponsored senator called joint military organization establishment office ensure adequate funding policy emphasis low intensity conflict special operations proposal went wanted national special operations agency headed civilian bypass joint chiefs report directly secretary defense services budget process congress held hearings bills summer admiral chairman led pentagon opposition bills proposed alternative new command led star general proposal received congress wanted star general charge number retired military officers testified favor need reform accounts retired army major general gave compelling reasons change commanded joint special operations task force explained conventional force leaders operation allowing use unique capabilities resulted high casualties formal testimony met privately small number senators elaborate problems encountered house senate passed reform bills went conference committee reconciliation senate house forged compromise bill called unified command headed star general assistant secretary low intensity conflict coordinating board low intensity conflict new called final bill attached rider defense authorization act amended act signed law october congress clearly intended force administration face realities past failures emerging threats administration responsible implementing law congress subsequently pass additional bills ensure proper implementation legislation promised improve respects implemented provided control resources better enabling force additionally law fostered cooperation single commander promoted forces assigned command establishment star commander chief assistant secretary low intensity conflict eventually gave voice highest councils implementing provisions act rapid smooth issues surface appointing principal duties included special operations activities low intensity conflict activities congress increased number assistant defense fill new december congress directed secretary army carry duties suitable replacement approved senate months legislation passed ambassador assume duties establishment provided measure excitement quick solution manning basing brand new unified command abolish existing command misunderstood mission appear viable mission post era commander chief general special operations experience january recommended secretary defense provide facilities president ronald_reagan approved establishment new command april activated april nominated general commander chief special operations command senate accepted debate operation earnest tactical operation involved night seals special boat teams working operation earnest september operation earnest united_states ensured neutral oil merchant ships safely transit iran iraq war iranian attacks prompted kuwait ask united_states december register american ships escorted president reagan agreed request march hoping deter iranian attacks protection offered naval vessels stop iran mines small boats harass convoys steaming kuwait late july rear admiral commander requested assets special boat teams deployed mark iii patrol boats seal august decided convert oil barges hercules vii mobile sea bases mobile sea bases allowed northern clandestine iranian mining small boat attacks september flying took frigate track iranian ship observed iran turn lights begin laying mines receiving permission attack helicopters fired guns rockets stopping ship crew began push mines helicopters resumed firing crew abandoned ship special boat teams provided security seal team boarded vessel light discovered mines vessel deck revealing areas previous mines laid implicated iran mining international waters days forces determined iranian pattern activity hid day near oil gas platforms iranian waters night headed navigation aid knowledge launched helicopters patrol craft helicopters arrived fired iranian boats anchored near short intense helicopters sank boats days later mid october iranian missile hit tanker near oil terminal outside seventeen crewmen american captain injured missile attack operation archer destroyers shelled oil platforms oil field seal platoon demolition unit planted explosives platforms destroy seals boarded searched platform miles away documents radios taken intelligence purposes april miles east frigate hit blowing immense hole hull sailors injured operation praying fiercely attacking iranian frigate oil platforms oil fields warships bombarded platform set seal platoon flew platform unable close fire secondary explosions soon wrecked platform iranian attacks neutral ships dropped drastically july iran accepted united_nations cease fire august iran iraq war ended remaining seals patrol boats helicopters returned united_states special operations forces provided critical skills necessary help gain control northern iran small boats ability work night proved vital iranian units darkness conceal actions additionally earnest operational requirements acquire new weapons systems patrol coastal ships involved operation provide relief delivery relief supplies accompanied relief flights southern assess area soldiers arriving forces supported expanded relief operations teams paramilitary officers elements conducted high risk advanced force operations prior entry follow forces casualty conflict came team paramilitary officer operator awarded intelligence star extraordinary heroism actions earliest missions operation restore hope conducted navy seals seals performed graphic reconnaissance missions find suitable landing sites marines december seals swam found suitable landing sites assessed area threats concluded port support ships tough mission seals swam strong current left exhausted furthermore swam raw sewage harbor sick seals hit shore following night surprised meet members news media marines came ashore soon press attention later seals provided personal security president visit december assets kenya moved joined operation restore hope january command element deployed command control special operations restore hope mission initial contact indigenous factions leaders provide information force protection provide reports area future relief security operations april elements drove miles captured weapons destroyed pounds explosives august secretary defense directed deployment joint special operations task force response attacks general supporters forces named task force ranger charged mission named capture especially mission gone underground lockheed air raids assaults strongholds marines 24th provided interim force helicopters task force arrived country began training exercises marines asked mission having advantage area months decided mission analysis mission factors centered inability rescue crew downed helicopter indigenous forces technique helicopters blocking narrow streets order restrict movement ground rescue force knowledge passed rangers marines operating uss wasp rangers remaining land operators 75th seals naval special warfare development group air_force special tactics units august september task force conducted missions successes remained free effect missions seriously limited movements october ranger launched seventh mission time stronghold market capture key mission expected hours helicopters carried assault ground convoy security teams launched late afternoon ranger compound airport came increasingly heavy fire intense previous missions assault team captured including loading convoy trucks hit rocket propelled grenade rpg small element security force assault helicopter carrying man combat search rescue team rushed crash site battle increasingly worse rpg struck crashing mile south downed helicopter task force faced overwhelming overran crash sites causing dire situation mob overran second site despite heroic defense killed pilot took prisoner defenders crash site master sergeant class posthumously awarded medal honor time mission quick reaction force tried reach second crash site force pinned fire required fire support helicopters break contact way base assault security elements moved foot crash area passing heavy fire occupied buildings south southwest downed helicopter fought establish defensive positions pinned heavy enemy fire treating wounded worked free pilot body downed helicopter loaded trucks ground convoy force attempted reach crash site unable find narrow winding convoy came devastating small arms rpg fire convoy return base suffering numerous casualties sustaining substantial damage vehicles reinforcements consisting elements 10th soldiers rangers seals tanks malaysian armored personnel carriers finally arrived october combined force worked dawn free pilot body receiving rpg small arms fire night casualties loaded armored personnel carriers remainder force left choice foot streets fire support movement main force convoy arrived pakistani stadium compound concluding urban vietnam war task force ranger experienced total killed action wounded estimates placed casualties task force ranger missions successes overall outcome deemed failure failure complete stated mission capturing forces pulled march withdrawal completed march failed significant contributions operations performed reconnaissance surveillance missions assisted humanitarian relief protected american forces conducted patrols additionally ensured safe landing marines arrival merchant ships carrying food iraq 10th elements cia sad paramilitary officers linked enter iraq prior invasion efforts organized defeat islam invasion battle control territory completely occupied ally significant battle led termination substantial number terrorists chemical weapons facility terrorists subsequent eliminated battle facility type discovered iraq war battle iraq sound defeat ally combined team led northern army effort kept forces north denied ability contest invasion force coming south effort saved lives hundreds thousands coalition service men women launch iraq war dozens member teams southern western iraq hunt missiles bombing targets scores navy seals seized oil pumping stations southern coast air_force combat controllers flew combat missions established desert begin flow soldiers supplies deep iraq far cry war forces kept largely replay afghanistan navy seals led fighting star turn afghanistan special operators disappointed play supporting role iraq special operators felt restricted cautious commanders point killed captured hundreds insurgents terrorists conducted foreign internal defense missions successfully training iraqi security forces current role played pivotal role fighting government afghanistan capturing iraq developing plans expanded complex role global campaign terrorism role continued emerge killing pakistan forces deployed overseas evenly divided iraq afghanistan war afghanistan initial stages war afghanistan forces linked defeat need large scale conventional forces biggest successes global war terrorism units linked times war engaged furious battles enemy battle happened mission squeeze life stronghold dug deep mountains eastern afghanistan operation seen heaviest fights war afghanistan battle called featured special operations forces services cia air force combat controllers fought entrenched fighters atop foot mountain subsequently entrenched targets asset sky according executive summary battle intense american special operators involved killed june navy seals pinned help helicopter carrying service members responded shot members rescue team seals ground died worst loss life afghanistan invasion navy seal marcus survived team leader awarded medal honor actions battle global presence chief said ground air maritime components global presence authorities responsibilities mirror defense agencies special operations forces deployed countries compared beginning spokesman colonel army reported said number countries presence likely reach joint training exercises carried countries year study identified joint training exercises belize brazil bulgaria germany indonesia norway panama poland mid year dominican_republic jordan romania south_korea thailand nations addition forces executed high profile killing pakistan november nation reported covert anti terrorist operation pakistan white_house director said united_states merely respond fact terrorist attack fight plot train afghanistan pakistan said places host country lower profile place special operations forces activities coordinated ambassador operational control star regional commander conduct actions forces outside iraq war zones subject internal debate including representatives bush administration hand obama administration united_nations questioned administration authority international law conduct raids particularly kill innocent civilians possible legal justification permission country question complicated places pakistan governments privately agree publicly acknowledge approving attacks report subordinate commands component command charged study special operations requirements techniques ensure equipment plan conduct special operations exercises training develop established recommendation col aftermath failure popularly known primary counter terrorist units modeled regarded premier special operations forces world delta stringent training selection process delta recruits primarily talented highly skilled operators 75th delta pass screening recruits pass rigid selection course beginning training delta received training numerous government agencies tier created curriculum based training techniques developed delta conducts clandestine covert special operations world capability conduct special operations missions counter terrorism hostage rescue operations activity support branch primary missions provide mainly delta operations establishing strategic support branch needed permission cia conduct operations caused effective support primary units naval special warfare development group seal team second primary counter terrorist units naval special warfare counterpart delta like delta recruits best operators best units branch navy seals capable performing type special operations mission trains especially counter terrorist hostage rescue operations 24th component 24th usually operates delta convenience 24th ability control different elements air power enhance air operations deep enemy territory portions units constantly changing special operations task force operating area operations task force task force task force task force creations pentagon september campaign terrorism quickly model military gain intelligence battle insurgents future originally known task force formed summer military merged existing special operations units hunting afghanistan tracking iraq joint capabilities joint capabilities transferred soon primary mission train conventional commanders supports international engagement training requirements supports implementation capability solutions order improve strategic operational readiness joint prepared support deployed headquarters wrote positions army december activated 16th major army command special operations forces america unconventional warfare years commands units known special forces green rangers relatively unknown units main weapons unconventional warfare counter significance units emphasized conventional conflicts prevalent guerrilla warfare increases units 75th premier light infantry unit united_states_army headquartered fort georgia 75th mission plan conduct special missions support policy objectives rangers flexible rapid force battalion deploy world hours notice army places importance 75th training possesses capabilities conduct conventional special operations missions rangers capable land sea air direct action operations conducting raids assaulting buildings airfields aka perform missions unconventional warfare foreign internal defense special reconnaissance direct action counter terrorism missions unique military employed stages operational peacetime conflict war foreign internal defense operations main peacetime mission designed help friendly developing nations working military police forces improve technical skills understanding human rights issues help humanitarian civic action projects special forces unconventional warfare capabilities provide viable military option variety operational inappropriate conventional forces special forces military premier unconventional warfare force foreign internal defense unconventional warfare missions bread butter soldiers reason candidates trained extensively weapons engineering communications medicine soldiers taught warriors teachers second able train team able train allies mission units required perform additional activities outside primary missions activities coalition warfare support combat search rescue security assistance humanitarian assistance humanitarian mining counter drug operations headquartered fort campbell kentucky provides aviation support units regiment consists light helicopters helicopters heavy assault helicopters capabilities evolving early 1980s focus night operations resulted nickname night primary mission night conduct overt covert resupply special operations forces wide range environmental conditions airborne airborne soldiers use influence perceptions encourage desired behavior soldiers supports national objectives tactical operational strategic levels operations strategic psychological operations advance broad long term objectives global nature directed large audiences key operational psychological operations conducted smaller scale 4th employed theater commanders target groups theater operations 4th purpose range gaining support operations preparing battlefield combat tactical psychological operations limited commanders secure immediate near term goals environment force enhancing activities serve means lower morale efficiency enemy forces airborne specialists identify critical requirements needed local citizens war disaster situations locate civilian resources support military operations help minimize civilian interference operations support national assistance activities plan execute evacuation support counter drug operations establish maintain liaison civilian aid agencies organizations support special operations culturally oriented capable soldiers tasked provide functional expertise foreign internal defense operations unconventional warfare operations direct action missions special operations airborne difficult mission supporting respective fields signal support soldiers provide supplies maintenance equipment expertise allowing shoot communicate continuous basis uses items soldiers assigned units taught operate maintain vast array specialized equipment normally conventional counterparts provides centralized integrated material management property equipment maintenance logistical repair parts supplies trains development evaluation special operations concepts doctrines marine_corps october secretary defense directed formation marine component determined marine_corps initially form unit approximately serve february activated camp north_carolina initially consisted small staff formed conduct foreign internal defense designated service component tasked commander train organize equip deploy responsive marine_corps special operations forces worldwide support commanders agencies directed conduct foreign internal defense direct action special reconnaissance directed develop capability unconventional warfare counter terrorism information operations deployed units august months group initial activation reached operational capability october units marine regiment marine raiders consists marine 1st 2nd 3rd regiment provides tailored military combat skills training advisor support identified foreign forces order enhance tactical capabilities prepare environment directed capability form nucleus joint special operations task force marines sailors train advise assist friendly host nation forces including naval maritime military paramilitary forces enable support governments internal security stability counter reduce risk violence internal external threats deployments coordinated accordance engagement priorities overseas operations trains maintains combat readiness provides intelligence support operational levels order support training operations worldwide mission specific intelligence capability trains structures provides specially qualified marine forces including operational logistics intelligence military communications support order sustain worldwide special operations missions directed commander performs screening recruiting training assessment development functions includes subordinate special missions training branches coast special mission training branch east provide special operations training tactics techniques procedures evaluation certification forces specified conditions standards marines operators training experience mature judgment plan coordinate supervise development special reconnaissance direct action skills navy commissioned april naval amphibious base san_diego naval component naval special warfare command provides vision leadership guidance resources oversight ensure component special operations forces ready meet operational requirements commanders today seal teams special boat teams comprise elite combat units naval special warfare teams organized trained equipped conduct variety missions include direct action special reconnaissance counter terrorism foreign internal defense unconventional warfare support psychological civil affairs operations highly trained operators deployed worldwide support objectives conducting operations conventional special operations forces navy seals distinguished individually reliable collectively disciplined highly skilled special operations force important trait distinguishes navy seals military forces seals maritime special operations strike return sea seals sea air land elements operate seals experts direct action special reconnaissance missions stealth clandestine methods operation allow conduct multiple missions targets larger forces approach dangers inherent missions prospective seals considered military experts toughest training regime world naval special warfare development group referred seal team predecessor officially disbanded seal delivery vehicle teams seal teams added underwater delivery capability use viii provides unprecedented capability combines attributes clandestine underwater mobility combat swimmer special crewmen operate maintain state art surface craft conduct coastal patrol support special operations missions focusing seals provide dedicated rapid mobility shallow water areas larger ships operate bring table unique capability maritime craft aerial delivery system ability deliver combat craft parachute drop like seals excellent physical fitness highly motivated combat focused responsive high stress situations air_force established headquarters field florida air_force major commands air_force component holds operational administrative oversight subordinate special operations wings groups regular air_force provides air_force special operations forces worldwide deployment assignment regional unified commands command composed highly trained rapidly airmen conducting global special operations missions ranging precision application firepower close air support resupply operational elements unique capabilities include airborne radio television broadcast psychological operations aviation foreign internal defense instructors provide governments military expertise internal development command core missions include battlefield air operations combat support aviation foreign internal defense information operations precision fires psychological operations specialized air mobility specialized intelligence surveillance reconnaissance units ground combat forces specialized traditional role having heavy emphasis simultaneous air traffic control fire support close air support command control communications covert environments specialty specifically trained equipped conduct conventional unconventional personnel recovery operations primary function personnel recovery specialist emergency trauma medical capabilities humanitarian combat environments special operations weather technicians gather assess interpret weather environmental intelligence forward deployed locations working alongside special operations forces organization 1st special operations wing located field florida mission focus unconventional warfare counter terrorism combat search rescue personnel recovery psychological operations aviation assistance developing nations deep battlefield resupply close air support wing core missions include surface interface combat support combat aviation advisory operations information operations personnel recovery recovery operations precision fires psychological operations specialized mobility specialized aerial aircraft low level terrain following special missions transport evade radar detection slip enemy territory foot altitude missions zero visibility dropping recovering men supplies accuracy operates provide highly accurate airborne gunfire close air support conventional special operations forces ground 24th special operations wing located field florida composed recruiting locations united_states special operations weather officers airmen air liaison officers operators number combat support airmen comprise air_force 27th special operations wing located cannon new_mexico primary mission includes supply special operations forces air special operations wing aircraft precision fire support capabilities support variety special operations missions including direct action unconventional warfare special reconnaissance counter terrorism personnel recovery psychological operations information operations unit operationally gained located international airport pennsylvania title performs state missions governor pennsylvania title arc united_states_air_force primary wartime operations mission gained unit psychological operations unique unit fly maintain lockheed commando solo aircraft unit operationally gained located duke field florida flies maintains special operations aircraft designed covert operations united_kingdom serves core standing headquarters squadron provides support flying squadrons special tactics squadron maintenance squadron exercise logistics war planning training communications aerial delivery medical intelligence security force protection weather information technologies transformation support current operations focal point special operations activities theater headquartered okinawa japan group prepared conduct variety high priority low visibility missions mission air support joint allied special operations forces pacific maintains worldwide mobility commitment pacific theater exercises directed supports humanitarian relief operations field florida primary support unit prepares special operations airmen successfully plan organize execute global special operations providing education components joint coalition partners list commanders medal medal introduced recognize individuals outstanding contributions support special operations created recipients american includes poland posthumously norway poland june poland october
United States Special Operations Command