Featured in special operationsBYJoseph TrevithickJul 16, 2021ShareCheck Out These Flag-Bearing Navy SEALs Training With A Submerged SubmarineThe Navy says this demonstrates how it can integrate special operations forces into even routine submarine operations in the Mediterranean. BYJoseph TrevithickJul 16, 2021ShareBYThomas NewdickJun 14, 2021ShareSpecial Ops MH-47 Chinooks Can Use These Fuel Dump Pipes To Help Climb Over MountainsPipes for dumping fuel are more commonly associated with fixed-wing aircraft, but have a niche role on the Special Operations Chinook, too. BYThomas NewdickJun 14, 2021ShareBYJoseph TrevithickJun 6, 2021ShareTrident-Wielding Singaporean Combat Diver Goes Full Aquaman During Underwater CeremonyPassing the Combat Diver Course is an important milestone for individuals seeking to become part of the Singaporean Navy’s elite Naval Diving Unit. BYJoseph TrevithickJun 6, 2021ShareBYJoseph TrevithickMay 27, 2021ShareCheck Out This Backpack-Mounted Signals Intelligence System Worn By A Marine Special Operator“Body-worn” signal snooping gear gives American special operators an additional way to spot and track enemy forces, and monitor their surroundings. BYJoseph TrevithickMay 27, 2021ShareBYThomas Newdick and Joseph TrevithickMay 19, 2021ShareAmphibious MC-130J Transport Is On Special Operations Command’s WishlistThere have been proposals for a waterborne C-130 Hercules in the past, but the U.S. special operations community might just make it a reality. BYThomas Newdick and Joseph TrevithickMay 19, 2021ShareBYJoseph TrevithickMay 10, 2021ShareCheck Out This Eerie Image Of A Navy Special Ops Seahawk Raiding A Ship In The Dead Of NightThe unique Navy helicopter unit that supported this particular exercise could be on the chopping block next year. BYJoseph TrevithickMay 10, 2021ShareBYJoseph TrevithickMay 10, 2021ShareWatch This Night Stalker AH-6 Little Bird Execute A Maritime Rope Ladder ExtractionThis is a tactic that allows the armed light attack helicopters to quickly extract individuals when traditional rescue options might not be available. BYJoseph TrevithickMay 10, 2021ShareBYTyler RogowayMay 10, 2021ShareNavy SEALs And Army Night Stalkers Captured In Amazing Photos During Virginia ExerciseFrom pirate patch-wearing SEALs on Little Birds to an operator mid-air fast-roping into a stealthy boat slung under an MH-47, these shots impress. BYTyler RogowayMay 10, 2021ShareBYThomas NewdickMay 6, 2021ShareSoviet-Designed An-2 Biplanes Are South Korea’s Secretive AggressorsThe An-2 may be low tech, but North Korea would send waves of them filled with commandos into South Korea during the opening stages of a war. BYThomas NewdickMay 6, 2021ShareBYJoseph TrevithickMay 4, 2021ShareCrash In Iraq Helps Unmask Secretive Ultra-Quiet Special Operations Drone ProgramThe loss of a Long Endurance Aircraft Program drone has provided the first real window into these discreet drones and their operations. BYJoseph TrevithickMay 4, 2021ShareBYJoseph TrevithickApr 28, 2021SharePhoto Emerges Of Shadowy Intelligence Gathering “Ghost Plane” In SomaliaThe modified Beechcraft King Air has a unique configuration and doesn’t officially exist or belong to any real operator. BYJoseph TrevithickApr 28, 2021ShareBYJoseph TrevithickApr 7, 2021ShareIran Confirms Its Covert Mothership In The Red Sea Was AttackedThe attack was reportedly an Israeli operation and came right as the U.S. and Iran started new indirect talks over Tehran’s nuclear ambitions. BYJoseph TrevithickApr 7, 2021ShareBYJoseph Trevithick and Tyler RogowayFeb 15, 2021ShareThe Navy Wants To Get Rid Of Its Nearly Brand New Patrol BoatsThe Navy is looking to have all of its Mk VI patrol boats, the oldest of which it acquired just six years ago, decommissioned by the end of the year. BYJoseph Trevithick and Tyler RogowayFeb 15, 2021ShareBYJoseph TrevithickDec 21, 2020ShareMessage To Iran: Navy Sends Guided-Missile Submarine On Rare Trip Into The Persian Gulf (Updated)This is the first time one of these Tomahawk missile-laden submarines has been in the Persian Gulf in eight years. BYJoseph TrevithickDec 21, 2020ShareBYTyler RogowayDec 7, 2020ShareThis Video Of The Navy’s Only Special Operations Helicopter Squadron In Action Is NutsIt’s worth the click just for the roaring minigun action alone. BYTyler RogowayDec 7, 2020ShareBYTyler RogowayNov 27, 2020ShareSecretive Tonopah Test Range Airport Had A Mysteriously Busy Week In SeptemberThe remote and highly secure facility hosted a group of peculiar visitors late last September. BYTyler RogowayNov 27, 2020ShareBYJoseph TrevithickNov 20, 2020ShareCheck Out These Navy Special Operators Deploying An Underwater Scout DroneNaval special warfare personnel used a stealthy boat to help launch the unmanned underwater vehicle during a recent exercise in Sweden. BYJoseph TrevithickNov 20, 2020ShareBYThomas NewdickNov 11, 2020ShareTaiwan Issues Rare Confirmation That U.S. Special Operators Are Training On The Island (Updated)The unusual step of announcing the presence of U.S. Marine Raiders operating in Taiwan is bound to draw the ire of the mainland. BYThomas NewdickNov 11, 2020ShareBYJoseph TrevithickOct 31, 2020ShareSEAL Team Six Executes Long Distance Rescue Operation Of Kidnapped American In Nigeria (Updated)Armed gunmen had abducted Philip Walton from his home in neighboring Niger earlier in the week and there were fears he could be sold to terrorists. BYJoseph TrevithickOct 31, 2020ShareBYJoseph TrevithickOct 31, 2020ShareAmerican Kidnapped In Niger, A Major Hub For Counter-Terrorism Ops in Northwest AfricaNo group has claimed responsibility for the abduction, which occurred in a village close to the border with Nigeria. BYJoseph TrevithickOct 31, 2020ShareBYTyler RogowaySep 2, 2020ShareHere’s What All Those Black Helicopters Were Doing Zipping Around Los Angeles Last NightIt is quite a bizarre spectacle, but the Army’s Night Stalkers do this sort of training in big cities all across the United States. BYTyler RogowaySep 2, 2020ShareBYJoseph TrevithickAug 3, 2020ShareThe Pentagon To Beef Up Its Posture In Poland, Add 1,000 TroopsThese developments come less than a week after the Pentagon announced it is planning to pull nearly 12,000 troops out of Germany. BYJoseph TrevithickAug 3, 2020ShareBYJoseph TrevithickJul 24, 2020ShareNo, The Air Force’s Shadowy Surveillance Test Plane Wasn’t Spying On Portland ProtestersThe highly adaptable aircraft was photographed carrying a large sensor turret and a podded system. BYJoseph TrevithickJul 24, 2020ShareBYJoseph TrevithickJul 5, 2020ShareUnusual High-Altitude Spy Plane Appears at Special Operations ExerciseGerman company Grob only ever made five G 520s and one showed up for drills in Indiana. BYJoseph TrevithickJul 5, 2020ShareBYJoseph TrevithickJul 5, 2020ShareNightstalkers Show Off For the Public With a Dramatic Urban Air AssaultShow-and-tell at Fort Bragg, the U.S. Army’s special operations hub, saw MH-60Ms and MH-47Gs zoom in and raid a simulated town. BYJoseph TrevithickJul 5, 2020ShareBYJoseph TrevithickJul 3, 2020ShareThis Shadowy Afghan Unit Fights Alongside America’s Most Elite ForcesThe Ktah Khas battalion has hunted terrorists and militants with elements of the U.S. Joint Special Operations Command. BYJoseph TrevithickJul 3, 2020ShareBYJoseph TrevithickJul 3, 2020ShareHow a Secretive Special Operations Task Force Is Taking the Fight to ISISSpecial operations personnel in Iraq and Syria have been responsible for nearly one third of all the brutal terrorist group’s casualties. BYJoseph TrevithickJul 3, 2020ShareBYJoseph TrevithickJul 3, 2020ShareThese Unassuming Planes Have Been Key Players in America’s War on TerrorFor years, the U.S. Air Force’s 318th Special Operations Squadron’s small PC-12 and C-145A aircraft supported secretive operations across five continents. BYJoseph TrevithickJul 3, 2020ShareBYJoseph TrevithickJul 3, 2020ShareSecretive U.S. Task Force Has Been Criss-Crossing Asian SkiesPreviously unknown unit flew John Kerry to Vietnam, helped out in the Philippines, and more. BYJoseph TrevithickJul 3, 2020ShareBYJoseph TrevithickJul 3, 2020ShareShedding Some Light On The Pentagon’s Most Shadowy Aviation UnitsWhen officials in Washington need air support for the most complex and secretive military missions, this is who they call in. BYJoseph TrevithickJul 3, 2020ShareBYTyler RogowayJul 2, 2020ShareM80 Stiletto Is The Pentagon’s Stealthy Little Experimental Ship That CouldFor a decade the ‘M-hulled’ Stiletto has been the surrogate for new maritime combat technologies and concepts. BYTyler RogowayJul 2, 2020ShareBYTyler RogowayJul 2, 2020ShareThe Pentagon Envisions a Horrible and Dystopian Metropolis of the FutureA Special Operations Command video outlines a nihilistic and bleak future for big cities around the globe – and describes why fighting in them may be a non-starter. BYTyler RogowayJul 2, 2020ShareBYTyler RogowayJul 2, 2020ShareThose Old OV-10 Broncos Sent To Fight ISIS Were Laser Rocket-Slinging ManhuntersTheir mission was to find, fix, and finish the enemy—and they did just that. BYTyler RogowayJul 2, 2020ShareBYTyler RogowayJul 1, 2020ShareHere’s What Those Mysterious Helicopters That Woke Up The Oregon Coast Were DoingThe Night Stalkers, their Air Force tilt-rotor counterparts, and the U.S. Army Rangers have been busy in the Pacific Northwest as of late. BYTyler RogowayJul 1, 2020ShareBYJoseph TrevithickJun 29, 2020ShareArmy Releases Ultra Rare Video Showing Green Berets Training In TaiwanThe equally rare public confirmation of the exercise comes as fears of a serious crisis in the Taiwan Strait are growing. BYJoseph TrevithickJun 29, 2020ShareBYJoseph TrevithickMay 28, 2020ShareAir Force Unveils First Test Of Arsenal Plane Concept And New CLEAVER MunitionThe Air Force is now actively pursuing a stand-off strike capability for its cargo aircraft. BYJoseph TrevithickMay 28, 2020ShareBYJoseph TrevithickMay 19, 2020ShareForeign Special Operations Gunships Train On The Navy’s Huge Sea Base In The Persian GulfThe recent training highlights how the versatile ship could work with American allies and partners during future coalition operations in the region. BYJoseph TrevithickMay 19, 2020ShareBYJoseph TrevithickApr 27, 2020ShareThe Real Story of the USS Ponce as the American Sea Base Sails Into RetirementFrom a roach motel destined for the junk yard to a multi-purpose mothership, it paved the way for future US operations. BYJoseph TrevithickApr 27, 2020ShareBYJoseph TrevithickMar 19, 2020SharePakistani F-16 “Engaged” One Of The MH-47G Chinooks Three Times During Bin Laden RaidThese details come from a new interview that also says the Obama Administration tried at least twice to capture Iranian General Qasem Soleimani. BYJoseph TrevithickMar 19, 2020ShareBYJoseph TrevithickFeb 19, 2020ShareTake A Rare Look Inside An Army Ranger Armory Somewhere In AfghanistanThe 75th Ranger Regiment has provided important direct action raiding forces in Afghanistan for years. Here’s a look at the tools of their trade. BYJoseph TrevithickFeb 19, 2020ShareBYJoseph TrevithickFeb 13, 2020ShareAmerica’s Elite Special Operators Want A Huge Mock Enemy Bunker Complex To Train InThe Pentagon says there’s no other “feasible option” to ensure Delta Force and SEAL Team 6 can adequately train to raid these kinds of hardened sites. BYJoseph TrevithickFeb 13, 2020ShareBYChris HarmerJan 29, 2020ShareFlying The First Night Of War In Iraq Without A Wingman And Two Polish Snipers In BackOn the first night of the invasion of Iraq, securing Saddam’s deepwater port was crucial. Here’s an aviator’s first-hand account of how it went down. BYChris HarmerJan 29, 2020ShareBYChris HarmerJan 17, 2020ShareJonny Kim Is The SEAL-Mathematician-Doctor-Astronaut We Desperately Need Right NowWith a resume that reads like fiction, it’s pretty clear that this dude belongs in space. BYChris HarmerJan 17, 2020ShareBYJoseph TrevithickJan 15, 2020ShareSpecial Operators Are Eying This Machine Gun To Solve A Number Of ProblemsThis .338 caliber design weighs less than even existing lightweight 7.62mm machine guns and has a significantly greater range. BYJoseph TrevithickJan 15, 2020ShareBYJoseph TrevithickJan 6, 2020Share1 U.S. Serviceperson, 2 Contractors Dead, 6 Planes Struck, Including Rare Spy Plane, In Kenya Attack (Updated)The base in Kenya is an important part of the American campaign against terrorists in neighboring Somalia. BYJoseph TrevithickJan 6, 2020ShareBYJoseph TrevithickJan 4, 2020ShareNight Stalker Chinook Special Operations Helicopters Have New Laser Countermeasures SystemSome of the elite 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment’s MH-47s now have these systems to better fend off advanced heat-seeking missiles. BYJoseph TrevithickJan 4, 2020ShareBYJoseph TrevithickDec 30, 2019ShareCheck Out The Crazy Radar That Lies Beneath The MC-130H Combat Talon II’s Gonzo NoseThis radar offers capabilities missing on the newer MC-130Js, which is why the H models remain in service years after their intended retirement date. BYJoseph TrevithickDec 30, 2019ShareBYJoseph TrevithickDec 3, 2019ShareAnother Syrian Terrorist Seemingly Killed By Hellfire Missile With Pop-Out Sword Blades (Updated)The targeted strike took place less than 10 miles from where U.S. forces recently conducted a raid that led to the death of ISIS’ leader al-Baghdadi. BYJoseph TrevithickDec 3, 2019ShareBYTyler RogowayDec 1, 2019ShareThis Isn’t An Early B-2 Cockpit Mockup, It’s For A Previously Undisclosed Special Ops TransportThis revelation isn’t that surprising as there are long-standing and well-documented requirements for a penetrating tactical transport capability. BYTyler RogowayDec 1, 2019ShareBYJoseph Trevithick and Tyler RogowayDec 1, 2019ShareThe Mysterious Saga Of America’s Hunt For A Stealth Special Operations Transport, Part 2The requirement for this type of aircraft has only become more pressing in the new Millennium, which begs the question, where are the planes? BYJoseph Trevithick and Tyler RogowayDec 1, 2019ShareBYTyler RogowayDec 1, 2019ShareFrance’s Elite GIGN Counter Terror Unit Still Has A Cult-Like Affinity For The RevolverAlthough antiquated for some tasks, revolvers still have some tactical advantages, but GIGN also uses them in risky ‘trust shot’ rites of passage. BYTyler RogowayDec 1, 2019ShareBYJoseph Trevithick and Tyler RogowayDec 1, 2019ShareThe Mysterious Saga Of America’s Hunt For A Stealth Special Operations Transport, Part 1A labyrinth of programs and initiatives spanning nearly four decades was born out of a disastrous attempt to rescue U.S. hostages in Tehran. BYJoseph Trevithick and Tyler RogowayDec 1, 2019ShareBYChris "Ox" HarmerDec 1, 2019ShareNavy Pilot Recounts The Secret Stalking Of North Korea’s Missile Laden Cargo Ship So SanThe 6,500-mile chase around the globe and the taking down of the Scud missile-filled So San from a Navy special ops helicopter pilot that was there. BYChris "Ox" HarmerDec 1, 2019ShareBYChris "Ox" HarmerDec 1, 2019ShareWhy Navy SEALs Almost Always Go Into Action Aboard Non-Navy HelicoptersCompared to the Army or the Air Force, the Navy hasn’t invested anywhere near as heavily in its airborne special operations transport capabilities. BYChris "Ox" HarmerDec 1, 2019ShareBYJoseph Trevithick and Tyler RogowayDec 1, 2019ShareOhio Guided Missile Submarines Were Designed To Be Drone-Carrying Clandestine Command CentersThe four converted ballistic missile submarines are so much more than Tomahawk slingers and transports for Navy SEALs. BYJoseph Trevithick and Tyler RogowayDec 1, 2019ShareBYJoseph TrevithickNov 25, 2019ShareFamous Military Dog Conan Who Chased ISIS Leader Al Baghdadi Gets Medal At The White HouseConan has acted as the mascot for the historic raid that brought down one of the most sadistic human beings in modern history. BYJoseph TrevithickNov 25, 2019ShareBYJoseph TrevithickNov 15, 2019ShareUSAF May Launch New Light Attack Aircraft Tests To Explore A Requirement It Already HasThe service says it only recently learned of the demand for “armed overwatch” capability, despite years of testing light attack aircraft in this role. BYJoseph TrevithickNov 15, 2019ShareBYJoseph TrevithickNov 11, 2019ShareU.S. Troops Reportedly Caught Up In Turkish Artillery Attack In Syria (Updated)The incident underscores just how risky the situation is becoming for American troops as Turkey targets their local Syrian Kurdish partners. BYJoseph TrevithickNov 11, 2019ShareBYJoseph TrevithickNov 6, 2019ShareAir Force CV-22 Ospreys Have A New Snowmobile Extraction And Insertion ConfigurationBeing able to quickly deploy and retrieve special operators on snowmobiles is an increasingly critical capability for Arctic operations. BYJoseph TrevithickNov 6, 2019ShareBYJoseph Trevithick and Tyler RogowayOct 30, 2019ShareOur Analysis Of New Info And Video From The Raid That Killed ISIS Head Al BaghdadiNew facts, videos, and imagery give new insights as to how U.S. forces got to the compound and then obliterated it after the operation was complete. BYJoseph Trevithick and Tyler RogowayOct 30, 2019ShareBYTyler RogowayOct 28, 2019ShareBehold The Hero Combat Dog That Ran Down ISIS Leader Al BaghdadiThe K9 was injured in the operation, but is now recovering and may become the mascot for the work done by so many to take down the terror kingpin. BYTyler RogowayOct 28, 2019ShareBYTyler Rogoway and Joseph TrevithickOct 28, 2019ShareEverything We Know And Don’t Know About The Raid That Killed ISIS Leader Al Baghdadi (Updated)We know a surprisingly large amount about the deep raid into Syria to take out the depraved terrorist kingpin, but many questions still remain. BYTyler Rogoway and Joseph TrevithickOct 28, 2019ShareBYJoseph TrevithickOct 6, 2019ShareYou Can Buy This U.S. Navy High-Speed Riverine Assault BoatA variant of a U.S. special operations riverine craft, Navy sailors used these boats to patrol Iraqi rivers and canals. BYJoseph TrevithickOct 6, 2019ShareBYJoseph TrevithickOct 4, 2019ShareThis Is Our Best Look Yet At The Elite FBI Hostage Rescue Team’s UH-60 Black HawksThree UH-60Ms from this top-tier U.S. anti-terrorism unit took part in an exercise in South Carolina earlier this year. BYJoseph TrevithickOct 4, 2019Share12345
BYJoseph TrevithickJul 16, 2021ShareCheck Out These Flag-Bearing Navy SEALs Training With A Submerged SubmarineThe Navy says this demonstrates how it can integrate special operations forces into even routine submarine operations in the Mediterranean. BYJoseph TrevithickJul 16, 2021Share
BYThomas NewdickJun 14, 2021ShareSpecial Ops MH-47 Chinooks Can Use These Fuel Dump Pipes To Help Climb Over MountainsPipes for dumping fuel are more commonly associated with fixed-wing aircraft, but have a niche role on the Special Operations Chinook, too. BYThomas NewdickJun 14, 2021Share
BYJoseph TrevithickJun 6, 2021ShareTrident-Wielding Singaporean Combat Diver Goes Full Aquaman During Underwater CeremonyPassing the Combat Diver Course is an important milestone for individuals seeking to become part of the Singaporean Navy’s elite Naval Diving Unit. BYJoseph TrevithickJun 6, 2021Share
BYJoseph TrevithickMay 27, 2021ShareCheck Out This Backpack-Mounted Signals Intelligence System Worn By A Marine Special Operator“Body-worn” signal snooping gear gives American special operators an additional way to spot and track enemy forces, and monitor their surroundings. BYJoseph TrevithickMay 27, 2021Share
BYThomas Newdick and Joseph TrevithickMay 19, 2021ShareAmphibious MC-130J Transport Is On Special Operations Command’s WishlistThere have been proposals for a waterborne C-130 Hercules in the past, but the U.S. special operations community might just make it a reality. BYThomas Newdick and Joseph TrevithickMay 19, 2021Share
BYJoseph TrevithickMay 10, 2021ShareCheck Out This Eerie Image Of A Navy Special Ops Seahawk Raiding A Ship In The Dead Of NightThe unique Navy helicopter unit that supported this particular exercise could be on the chopping block next year. BYJoseph TrevithickMay 10, 2021Share
BYJoseph TrevithickMay 10, 2021ShareWatch This Night Stalker AH-6 Little Bird Execute A Maritime Rope Ladder ExtractionThis is a tactic that allows the armed light attack helicopters to quickly extract individuals when traditional rescue options might not be available. BYJoseph TrevithickMay 10, 2021Share
BYTyler RogowayMay 10, 2021ShareNavy SEALs And Army Night Stalkers Captured In Amazing Photos During Virginia ExerciseFrom pirate patch-wearing SEALs on Little Birds to an operator mid-air fast-roping into a stealthy boat slung under an MH-47, these shots impress. BYTyler RogowayMay 10, 2021Share
BYThomas NewdickMay 6, 2021ShareSoviet-Designed An-2 Biplanes Are South Korea’s Secretive AggressorsThe An-2 may be low tech, but North Korea would send waves of them filled with commandos into South Korea during the opening stages of a war. BYThomas NewdickMay 6, 2021Share
BYJoseph TrevithickMay 4, 2021ShareCrash In Iraq Helps Unmask Secretive Ultra-Quiet Special Operations Drone ProgramThe loss of a Long Endurance Aircraft Program drone has provided the first real window into these discreet drones and their operations. BYJoseph TrevithickMay 4, 2021Share
BYJoseph TrevithickApr 28, 2021SharePhoto Emerges Of Shadowy Intelligence Gathering “Ghost Plane” In SomaliaThe modified Beechcraft King Air has a unique configuration and doesn’t officially exist or belong to any real operator. BYJoseph TrevithickApr 28, 2021Share
BYJoseph TrevithickApr 7, 2021ShareIran Confirms Its Covert Mothership In The Red Sea Was AttackedThe attack was reportedly an Israeli operation and came right as the U.S. and Iran started new indirect talks over Tehran’s nuclear ambitions. BYJoseph TrevithickApr 7, 2021Share
BYJoseph Trevithick and Tyler RogowayFeb 15, 2021ShareThe Navy Wants To Get Rid Of Its Nearly Brand New Patrol BoatsThe Navy is looking to have all of its Mk VI patrol boats, the oldest of which it acquired just six years ago, decommissioned by the end of the year. BYJoseph Trevithick and Tyler RogowayFeb 15, 2021Share
BYJoseph TrevithickDec 21, 2020ShareMessage To Iran: Navy Sends Guided-Missile Submarine On Rare Trip Into The Persian Gulf (Updated)This is the first time one of these Tomahawk missile-laden submarines has been in the Persian Gulf in eight years. BYJoseph TrevithickDec 21, 2020Share
BYTyler RogowayDec 7, 2020ShareThis Video Of The Navy’s Only Special Operations Helicopter Squadron In Action Is NutsIt’s worth the click just for the roaring minigun action alone. BYTyler RogowayDec 7, 2020Share
BYTyler RogowayNov 27, 2020ShareSecretive Tonopah Test Range Airport Had A Mysteriously Busy Week In SeptemberThe remote and highly secure facility hosted a group of peculiar visitors late last September. BYTyler RogowayNov 27, 2020Share
BYJoseph TrevithickNov 20, 2020ShareCheck Out These Navy Special Operators Deploying An Underwater Scout DroneNaval special warfare personnel used a stealthy boat to help launch the unmanned underwater vehicle during a recent exercise in Sweden. BYJoseph TrevithickNov 20, 2020Share
BYThomas NewdickNov 11, 2020ShareTaiwan Issues Rare Confirmation That U.S. Special Operators Are Training On The Island (Updated)The unusual step of announcing the presence of U.S. Marine Raiders operating in Taiwan is bound to draw the ire of the mainland. BYThomas NewdickNov 11, 2020Share
BYJoseph TrevithickOct 31, 2020ShareSEAL Team Six Executes Long Distance Rescue Operation Of Kidnapped American In Nigeria (Updated)Armed gunmen had abducted Philip Walton from his home in neighboring Niger earlier in the week and there were fears he could be sold to terrorists. BYJoseph TrevithickOct 31, 2020Share
BYJoseph TrevithickOct 31, 2020ShareAmerican Kidnapped In Niger, A Major Hub For Counter-Terrorism Ops in Northwest AfricaNo group has claimed responsibility for the abduction, which occurred in a village close to the border with Nigeria. BYJoseph TrevithickOct 31, 2020Share
BYTyler RogowaySep 2, 2020ShareHere’s What All Those Black Helicopters Were Doing Zipping Around Los Angeles Last NightIt is quite a bizarre spectacle, but the Army’s Night Stalkers do this sort of training in big cities all across the United States. BYTyler RogowaySep 2, 2020Share
BYJoseph TrevithickAug 3, 2020ShareThe Pentagon To Beef Up Its Posture In Poland, Add 1,000 TroopsThese developments come less than a week after the Pentagon announced it is planning to pull nearly 12,000 troops out of Germany. BYJoseph TrevithickAug 3, 2020Share
BYJoseph TrevithickJul 24, 2020ShareNo, The Air Force’s Shadowy Surveillance Test Plane Wasn’t Spying On Portland ProtestersThe highly adaptable aircraft was photographed carrying a large sensor turret and a podded system. BYJoseph TrevithickJul 24, 2020Share
BYJoseph TrevithickJul 5, 2020ShareUnusual High-Altitude Spy Plane Appears at Special Operations ExerciseGerman company Grob only ever made five G 520s and one showed up for drills in Indiana. BYJoseph TrevithickJul 5, 2020Share
BYJoseph TrevithickJul 5, 2020ShareNightstalkers Show Off For the Public With a Dramatic Urban Air AssaultShow-and-tell at Fort Bragg, the U.S. Army’s special operations hub, saw MH-60Ms and MH-47Gs zoom in and raid a simulated town. BYJoseph TrevithickJul 5, 2020Share
BYJoseph TrevithickJul 3, 2020ShareThis Shadowy Afghan Unit Fights Alongside America’s Most Elite ForcesThe Ktah Khas battalion has hunted terrorists and militants with elements of the U.S. Joint Special Operations Command. BYJoseph TrevithickJul 3, 2020Share
BYJoseph TrevithickJul 3, 2020ShareHow a Secretive Special Operations Task Force Is Taking the Fight to ISISSpecial operations personnel in Iraq and Syria have been responsible for nearly one third of all the brutal terrorist group’s casualties. BYJoseph TrevithickJul 3, 2020Share
BYJoseph TrevithickJul 3, 2020ShareThese Unassuming Planes Have Been Key Players in America’s War on TerrorFor years, the U.S. Air Force’s 318th Special Operations Squadron’s small PC-12 and C-145A aircraft supported secretive operations across five continents. BYJoseph TrevithickJul 3, 2020Share
BYJoseph TrevithickJul 3, 2020ShareSecretive U.S. Task Force Has Been Criss-Crossing Asian SkiesPreviously unknown unit flew John Kerry to Vietnam, helped out in the Philippines, and more. BYJoseph TrevithickJul 3, 2020Share
BYJoseph TrevithickJul 3, 2020ShareShedding Some Light On The Pentagon’s Most Shadowy Aviation UnitsWhen officials in Washington need air support for the most complex and secretive military missions, this is who they call in. BYJoseph TrevithickJul 3, 2020Share
BYTyler RogowayJul 2, 2020ShareM80 Stiletto Is The Pentagon’s Stealthy Little Experimental Ship That CouldFor a decade the ‘M-hulled’ Stiletto has been the surrogate for new maritime combat technologies and concepts. BYTyler RogowayJul 2, 2020Share
BYTyler RogowayJul 2, 2020ShareThe Pentagon Envisions a Horrible and Dystopian Metropolis of the FutureA Special Operations Command video outlines a nihilistic and bleak future for big cities around the globe – and describes why fighting in them may be a non-starter. BYTyler RogowayJul 2, 2020Share
BYTyler RogowayJul 2, 2020ShareThose Old OV-10 Broncos Sent To Fight ISIS Were Laser Rocket-Slinging ManhuntersTheir mission was to find, fix, and finish the enemy—and they did just that. BYTyler RogowayJul 2, 2020Share
BYTyler RogowayJul 1, 2020ShareHere’s What Those Mysterious Helicopters That Woke Up The Oregon Coast Were DoingThe Night Stalkers, their Air Force tilt-rotor counterparts, and the U.S. Army Rangers have been busy in the Pacific Northwest as of late. BYTyler RogowayJul 1, 2020Share
BYJoseph TrevithickJun 29, 2020ShareArmy Releases Ultra Rare Video Showing Green Berets Training In TaiwanThe equally rare public confirmation of the exercise comes as fears of a serious crisis in the Taiwan Strait are growing. BYJoseph TrevithickJun 29, 2020Share
BYJoseph TrevithickMay 28, 2020ShareAir Force Unveils First Test Of Arsenal Plane Concept And New CLEAVER MunitionThe Air Force is now actively pursuing a stand-off strike capability for its cargo aircraft. BYJoseph TrevithickMay 28, 2020Share
BYJoseph TrevithickMay 19, 2020ShareForeign Special Operations Gunships Train On The Navy’s Huge Sea Base In The Persian GulfThe recent training highlights how the versatile ship could work with American allies and partners during future coalition operations in the region. BYJoseph TrevithickMay 19, 2020Share
BYJoseph TrevithickApr 27, 2020ShareThe Real Story of the USS Ponce as the American Sea Base Sails Into RetirementFrom a roach motel destined for the junk yard to a multi-purpose mothership, it paved the way for future US operations. BYJoseph TrevithickApr 27, 2020Share
BYJoseph TrevithickMar 19, 2020SharePakistani F-16 “Engaged” One Of The MH-47G Chinooks Three Times During Bin Laden RaidThese details come from a new interview that also says the Obama Administration tried at least twice to capture Iranian General Qasem Soleimani. BYJoseph TrevithickMar 19, 2020Share
BYJoseph TrevithickFeb 19, 2020ShareTake A Rare Look Inside An Army Ranger Armory Somewhere In AfghanistanThe 75th Ranger Regiment has provided important direct action raiding forces in Afghanistan for years. Here’s a look at the tools of their trade. BYJoseph TrevithickFeb 19, 2020Share
BYJoseph TrevithickFeb 13, 2020ShareAmerica’s Elite Special Operators Want A Huge Mock Enemy Bunker Complex To Train InThe Pentagon says there’s no other “feasible option” to ensure Delta Force and SEAL Team 6 can adequately train to raid these kinds of hardened sites. BYJoseph TrevithickFeb 13, 2020Share
BYChris HarmerJan 29, 2020ShareFlying The First Night Of War In Iraq Without A Wingman And Two Polish Snipers In BackOn the first night of the invasion of Iraq, securing Saddam’s deepwater port was crucial. Here’s an aviator’s first-hand account of how it went down. BYChris HarmerJan 29, 2020Share
BYChris HarmerJan 17, 2020ShareJonny Kim Is The SEAL-Mathematician-Doctor-Astronaut We Desperately Need Right NowWith a resume that reads like fiction, it’s pretty clear that this dude belongs in space. BYChris HarmerJan 17, 2020Share
BYJoseph TrevithickJan 15, 2020ShareSpecial Operators Are Eying This Machine Gun To Solve A Number Of ProblemsThis .338 caliber design weighs less than even existing lightweight 7.62mm machine guns and has a significantly greater range. BYJoseph TrevithickJan 15, 2020Share
BYJoseph TrevithickJan 6, 2020Share1 U.S. Serviceperson, 2 Contractors Dead, 6 Planes Struck, Including Rare Spy Plane, In Kenya Attack (Updated)The base in Kenya is an important part of the American campaign against terrorists in neighboring Somalia. BYJoseph TrevithickJan 6, 2020Share
BYJoseph TrevithickJan 4, 2020ShareNight Stalker Chinook Special Operations Helicopters Have New Laser Countermeasures SystemSome of the elite 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment’s MH-47s now have these systems to better fend off advanced heat-seeking missiles. BYJoseph TrevithickJan 4, 2020Share
BYJoseph TrevithickDec 30, 2019ShareCheck Out The Crazy Radar That Lies Beneath The MC-130H Combat Talon II’s Gonzo NoseThis radar offers capabilities missing on the newer MC-130Js, which is why the H models remain in service years after their intended retirement date. BYJoseph TrevithickDec 30, 2019Share
BYJoseph TrevithickDec 3, 2019ShareAnother Syrian Terrorist Seemingly Killed By Hellfire Missile With Pop-Out Sword Blades (Updated)The targeted strike took place less than 10 miles from where U.S. forces recently conducted a raid that led to the death of ISIS’ leader al-Baghdadi. BYJoseph TrevithickDec 3, 2019Share
BYTyler RogowayDec 1, 2019ShareThis Isn’t An Early B-2 Cockpit Mockup, It’s For A Previously Undisclosed Special Ops TransportThis revelation isn’t that surprising as there are long-standing and well-documented requirements for a penetrating tactical transport capability. BYTyler RogowayDec 1, 2019Share
BYJoseph Trevithick and Tyler RogowayDec 1, 2019ShareThe Mysterious Saga Of America’s Hunt For A Stealth Special Operations Transport, Part 2The requirement for this type of aircraft has only become more pressing in the new Millennium, which begs the question, where are the planes? BYJoseph Trevithick and Tyler RogowayDec 1, 2019Share
BYTyler RogowayDec 1, 2019ShareFrance’s Elite GIGN Counter Terror Unit Still Has A Cult-Like Affinity For The RevolverAlthough antiquated for some tasks, revolvers still have some tactical advantages, but GIGN also uses them in risky ‘trust shot’ rites of passage. BYTyler RogowayDec 1, 2019Share
BYJoseph Trevithick and Tyler RogowayDec 1, 2019ShareThe Mysterious Saga Of America’s Hunt For A Stealth Special Operations Transport, Part 1A labyrinth of programs and initiatives spanning nearly four decades was born out of a disastrous attempt to rescue U.S. hostages in Tehran. BYJoseph Trevithick and Tyler RogowayDec 1, 2019Share
BYChris "Ox" HarmerDec 1, 2019ShareNavy Pilot Recounts The Secret Stalking Of North Korea’s Missile Laden Cargo Ship So SanThe 6,500-mile chase around the globe and the taking down of the Scud missile-filled So San from a Navy special ops helicopter pilot that was there. BYChris "Ox" HarmerDec 1, 2019Share
BYChris "Ox" HarmerDec 1, 2019ShareWhy Navy SEALs Almost Always Go Into Action Aboard Non-Navy HelicoptersCompared to the Army or the Air Force, the Navy hasn’t invested anywhere near as heavily in its airborne special operations transport capabilities. BYChris "Ox" HarmerDec 1, 2019Share
BYJoseph Trevithick and Tyler RogowayDec 1, 2019ShareOhio Guided Missile Submarines Were Designed To Be Drone-Carrying Clandestine Command CentersThe four converted ballistic missile submarines are so much more than Tomahawk slingers and transports for Navy SEALs. BYJoseph Trevithick and Tyler RogowayDec 1, 2019Share
BYJoseph TrevithickNov 25, 2019ShareFamous Military Dog Conan Who Chased ISIS Leader Al Baghdadi Gets Medal At The White HouseConan has acted as the mascot for the historic raid that brought down one of the most sadistic human beings in modern history. BYJoseph TrevithickNov 25, 2019Share
BYJoseph TrevithickNov 15, 2019ShareUSAF May Launch New Light Attack Aircraft Tests To Explore A Requirement It Already HasThe service says it only recently learned of the demand for “armed overwatch” capability, despite years of testing light attack aircraft in this role. BYJoseph TrevithickNov 15, 2019Share
BYJoseph TrevithickNov 11, 2019ShareU.S. Troops Reportedly Caught Up In Turkish Artillery Attack In Syria (Updated)The incident underscores just how risky the situation is becoming for American troops as Turkey targets their local Syrian Kurdish partners. BYJoseph TrevithickNov 11, 2019Share
BYJoseph TrevithickNov 6, 2019ShareAir Force CV-22 Ospreys Have A New Snowmobile Extraction And Insertion ConfigurationBeing able to quickly deploy and retrieve special operators on snowmobiles is an increasingly critical capability for Arctic operations. BYJoseph TrevithickNov 6, 2019Share
BYJoseph Trevithick and Tyler RogowayOct 30, 2019ShareOur Analysis Of New Info And Video From The Raid That Killed ISIS Head Al BaghdadiNew facts, videos, and imagery give new insights as to how U.S. forces got to the compound and then obliterated it after the operation was complete. BYJoseph Trevithick and Tyler RogowayOct 30, 2019Share
BYTyler RogowayOct 28, 2019ShareBehold The Hero Combat Dog That Ran Down ISIS Leader Al BaghdadiThe K9 was injured in the operation, but is now recovering and may become the mascot for the work done by so many to take down the terror kingpin. BYTyler RogowayOct 28, 2019Share
BYTyler Rogoway and Joseph TrevithickOct 28, 2019ShareEverything We Know And Don’t Know About The Raid That Killed ISIS Leader Al Baghdadi (Updated)We know a surprisingly large amount about the deep raid into Syria to take out the depraved terrorist kingpin, but many questions still remain. BYTyler Rogoway and Joseph TrevithickOct 28, 2019Share
BYJoseph TrevithickOct 6, 2019ShareYou Can Buy This U.S. Navy High-Speed Riverine Assault BoatA variant of a U.S. special operations riverine craft, Navy sailors used these boats to patrol Iraqi rivers and canals. BYJoseph TrevithickOct 6, 2019Share
BYJoseph TrevithickOct 4, 2019ShareThis Is Our Best Look Yet At The Elite FBI Hostage Rescue Team’s UH-60 Black HawksThree UH-60Ms from this top-tier U.S. anti-terrorism unit took part in an exercise in South Carolina earlier this year. BYJoseph TrevithickOct 4, 2019Share